Chapter 163

“Do you expect me to believe that now?”

“…I suppose that’s too much to ask.”

Allow me to formally introduce myself again.

“I’m Fernan Pellenberg.”

“I’ve heard your name. They say you fight against the Corrupted alongside Aint Armian.”

“How do you know that?”

“We don’t live completely cut off from the outside world.”

Although, if they hadn’t noticed that the elves had granted development permits, it was nearly the same as being disconnected from the world. The mayor clicked his tongue.

Still, it was natural that the dwarves didn’t know, as everything had been arranged swiftly through a secret pact between the Pellenbergs and Fridian.

“Either way, thanks to you, I’ve received good news. Yes, I think it’s time we moved.”

“Where are you planning to go?”

“That’s none of your business. You’re a criminal who entered our city illegally. On top of that, you bribed a gullible dwarf with riches.”

“In the human world, when you visit a friend’s house, it’s customary to bring a gift.”

“Ahgrot is your friend?”

“Of course. We have a bond stronger than blood.”

A friendship forged with money and minerals.

“Ridiculous. There’s nothing more to say. Leave this city. The soldiers will escort you to the surface.”

“I can’t do that.”

With nearly ten thousand dwarves and their entire city before him, leaving without achieving anything was unthinkable.

After seeing the prophecy that a demon would be summoned and destroy the city, leaving empty-handed wasn’t an option.

“Do you think I’m asking for your help?”

Instead of responding, Fernan pulled out a mineral. It was adamantite.

“…Don’t mistake me for Ahgrot. Are you trying to bribe the mayor himself?”

But eyes don’t lie. The fact that he paused instead of immediately throwing him out was proof that it had an effect.

“Aren’t you curious why the elves granted development rights now?”

“Should I care?”

“Even if it’s just barren rocky mountains, elves love nature. Just like they love meat, of course.”

“What useless comments.”

At last, a flash of curiosity appeared in the mayor’s eyes.

“Since you don’t live totally isolated, I’ll tell you. On the surface, the demons are on the move.”

“I know. In Bercheff, Demon Number 66, Kimaris, descended. Luckily, they contained it.”

“Exactly because of that.”

“…What do you mean?”

The mayor immediately put down his pen.

“The elves tasked me with tracking the Corrupted. And those traces…”

“…Lead to our city?”

“That’s right. Otherwise, why would they grant development permits? Only in the face of a common enemy like the Corrupted or demons would they do such a thing.”

The mayor pushed the documents aside. Some fell to the floor, but he paid them no mind.

“Don’t you see your words contradict themselves?”

“Think of it this way—following the trail of the Corrupted led us to Fridian. We collaborated with them to explore the rocky mountains where the trail pointed. In return, we obtained mining rights for whatever minerals we discovered.”

“Following both minerals and footprints, I descended underground, and that’s how I encountered Ahgrot and the dwarven city. At first, I didn’t understand. Why would the trail end here?”

The Corrupted’s ultimate goal was to summon demons. And to summon them, they needed an immense supply of mana.

But in those barren rocky mountains, no such mana existed. Not even plants grew there.

“But if there’s a dwarven city, the story changes.”

It was known that the fastest way for the Corrupted to obtain mana was through blood and life force.

“The Corrupted are targeting the dwarves. This city.”

“…Are you aware of the weight of those words?”

“Yes. And if you want me to say it clearly—among the dwarves, there’s a traitor, a Corrupted.”

The underground city belonged solely to the dwarves.

If the Corrupted were acting here, it meant one of them was the infiltrator.

“Can you take responsibility for that accusation?”

The atmosphere turned heavy. A furious pressure filled the office.

‘He’s strong.’

Fernan understood he was facing someone he could never fight on equal terms.

Still, as the leader of an entire city, that level of power was understandable.

‘Royal Knight level?’

He couldn’t be sure. He lacked the ability to measure it.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“I’m convinced, but there’s always the slightest chance I’m wrong.”

“And even so, you throw out that accusation without being able to back it up?”

“Yes.”

Fernan nodded firmly. The mayor’s gaze turned strange, but it was impossible to demand absolute certainty when even prophecies weren’t unchanging.

‘The future can change.’

Even though he had seen it in the book of prophecy, there had already been times when the future deviated from what was written.

“And even so, I stand by it—there is a Corrupted here.”

He even knew the name: Adguif. But, remembering what happened with Abel, he chose to keep it to himself for now.

“You haven’t thrown me out yet because something is bothering you, right, Mayor?”

“A simple suspicion. Nothing to do with the Corrupted.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“Are you implying otherwise?”

“Yes.”

Fernan’s firmness drew a growl from the mayor. Anyone else would have been kicked out by now.

But not Fernan Pellenberg.

Heir to the Pellenbergs.

Ally of the rising hero, Aint Armian.

A man who had hunted Corrupted and earned fame.

The mayor pondered, and finally reached a decision.

“I’ll give you one week.”

The heavy pressure in the office vanished as if it had never existed.

“Bring me the Corrupted. Or at least some proof of their existence. Otherwise, you’ll be expelled immediately.”

“If I catch them, can I stay?”

“That’s right.”

“Understood. I have a request as well.”

The mayor frowned but didn’t interrupt.

“A request?”

“I don’t know this city well. I need a guide.”

“That makes sense.”

“I want it to be Ahgrot. I feel more comfortable with him than anyone else.”

“Impossible. If he was bought once, there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. I’ll assign guards to you.”

“If there are already guards, what’s the harm in adding one more?”

Fernan gestured toward the adamantite on the desk.

“Very well. Ahgrot will be one of those guards.”

“Thank you.”

“Now leave. Wait outside.”

“Understood. Ah, one more thing. Can I leave the city briefly? If I’m gone for a full week, my people will worry.”

The mayor, picking up the fallen documents, frowned again.

“And how am I supposed to trust you?”

“If the heir to the Pellenbergs disappears, it’ll be an even bigger problem. I’ll return in less than a week.”

“Less than a week?”

“Yes. I have unfinished business above.”

“…Fine. Exactly one week. Be back within that time.”

Fernan left the office.

“…It’s definitely Fernan Pellenberg. He wouldn’t lie about something like that. He’s too blinded by money not to look for a way to exploit us.”

The mayor had seen him in person once. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let him go so easily.

Soon after, Ahgrot entered the office.

“You called for me, Mayor?”

The dwarf looked nervous.

“Ahgrot. I’ll overlook your mistake. From now on, you’ll live alongside that human.”

“You’re really letting him stay in the city? I mean—yes, of course. Thank you very much.”

“But in return…”

The mayor extended his hand.

“Give me everything he gave you.”

“What?”

“I won’t repeat the order.”

“It’s just that I…”

“Do you prefer to be banished from the city?”

“…”

With tightly pressed lips, Ahgrot handed over the three metals.

***

“Human, from now on you’ll be under our watch. Any objections?”

“None.”

Five dwarves were assigned to Fernan as escort-guards.

“Before that, I heard you plan to leave the city and return within a week. Ahgrot will guide you to the surface. Go together.”

“Thank you.”

The city had ten tunnels connecting to the surface. Ahgrot chose the one closest to where he had found Fernan.

“Going up this path, you won’t be far from where you descended.”

“Perfect.”

The passage resembled a regular cave. It wasn’t too steep, but it was long.

“If you follow this route, you’ll reach the surface.”

The tunnel twisted and branched out in many directions, forming a complicated labyrinth.

“One could easily get lost.”

“That’s the idea. Thanks to that, we’ve been able to live here without being discovered.”

“Right. With such secrecy, you managed to build a city in elven territory. By the way, why does your face look so gloomy?”

“It’s nothing—hey, do you have any more of that mineral?”

Ahgrot laughed awkwardly.

‘So they took everything from him.’

In fact, Fernan had expected that ever since he spoke of the minerals before the mayor.

Partly, he’d done it on purpose.

‘The dwarves’ greed for minerals exceeds what I imagined.’

It was similar to how the Pellenbergs treated money. Definitely something he could use.

“No, I don’t have any more.”

“…Damn it. Ah, I didn’t mean you.”

“I get it. Let’s drop those depressing topics. Since we’ve met, why don’t we introduce ourselves properly?”

“Didn’t we already?”

“We only exchanged names.”

It was better to thoroughly know the one who would become Aint’s companion.

“Alright. Like I said, I’m Ahgrot. A 21-year-old dwarf.”

“Fernan Pellenberg. Student at the Imperial Armian Academy, 22 years old…”

Wait. What?

“…How old did you say you were?”

“Twenty-one.”

“How many?”

Then Ahgrot also noticed something strange—Fernan was older than him.

“Twenty-one.”

“With that face?”

But what surprised Fernan wasn’t that the dwarf was younger—it was that his appearance didn’t match that age at all.

“Does that make any sense?”

“My face? What do you mean it doesn’t make sense? What are you trying to say with that?”

“With that?”

“…With that?”

Ahgrot’s voice, which had grown louder, slowly faded.

“It’s not my fault… I thought I was older too.”

“Same here.”

“…Ahem. Don’t judge by appearances. All dwarves look like this.”

“The dwarf professor I know is over fifty and looks younger than you.”

“……”

“Don’t curse me with your eyes.”

“You should be glad I’m not cursing you out loud.”

Anyway, that wasn’t what mattered.

“Twenty-one… a suitable age.”

“Suitable for what?”

Ahgrot was the new companion of Aint, recognized by prophecy.

And if he grew into what Fernan had seen in the vision, his level wouldn’t be low at all.

He’d be a strong card to play against demons.

But Fernan didn’t intend to accept him only after the dwarven city was destroyed and Ahgrot turned into an avenger.

He wanted to protect the city, turn it into a source of resources, and also help Ahgrot grow as he should to become Aint’s ally.

And for that, the best method was—

“You, what do you think about entering the Imperial Armian Academy?”

The plan was to make him a student and place him directly at Aint’s side.