Chapter 168
amLq9N3“…You know something?”QDMl
vttn3WpThe mayor spent a good while silently examining the contract. Finally, he spoke slowly.GRS
YFG“I know well the value of the dwarves. They’re all craftsmen. The weapons and armor they forge are recognized for their excellent quality anywhere.”65oW
UrSZAlthough they lived in isolation in the underground city, they weren’t completely cut off from the outside. To survive, they occasionally crafted weapons and sold them on the black market.yTBm
skuP1Most of the dwarven weapons circulating on the surface came from them.IU7
TeoO“If we were to emerge immediately, all the kingdoms and nobles of the Empire would fight over who gets to welcome us.”LKCi
ZrQKAnd yet, they didn’t leave. They knew it wasn’t out of goodwill.a536
6NTWithout a firm base or a common center, they would only be used and end up scattered.dy80C
odGDn“So tell me—what makes your proposal different? Do you think the dwarves are that naive? Do you really believe this contract is balanced and fair?”C5AR
moa7rOMore than anyone, the Pellenbergs were the most shameless.m8JYoH
rHQ9i“But there’s a big difference between the others and me.”8t4
2lLJZIJ“A difference?”ZEiW4
ONMFNh2“To begin with, the others don’t know the dwarven city is here—but I do. And also.”96sbL7D
BbHhYE9Fernan raised one finger.Ts6h3
7g3O“The others don’t know there’s a Corrupted among the dwarves—but I do.”ovY
5Y6He raised a second finger.OoZJC8
Cmogj“The others don’t know how to uncover those Corrupted—but I do.”8VI
WcEgwHe raised a third finger.KWN1
aR0S“The others don’t know what the Corrupted are planning—but I do. That difference tips the scales.”68n1Y
kYpD1And he was right.PMVguvN
oHf“No matter how great the dwarves are—what good is it if they don’t survive?”enAi
W6Wm“If you weren’t the Pellenberg heir, I’d have slit your throat already.”esM5
3dXGga“And if I weren’t the Pellenberg heir, I’d never dare say something like this.”w1S
JNG“Very well. Then I’ll add a clause to the contract.”RBk
mEbAGuThe mayor took a pen and wrote at the end of the document.5tfdMV2
4LYOU4【Article 16. All terms of this contract will only be fulfilled if Fernan Pellenberg identifies the Corrupted and restores peace to the dwarven city.】94s0
d3v“Perfect.”xrOV
ng6SaCThey both signed and sealed the contract with magic to prevent forgery.hNMcB6
BUpAk“But I’m curious. What if we simply leave and tear this paper up? What good is this contract then?”QbUNN3
6QiAFRv“Don’t worry.”QFWCye
8u3EWFernan carefully folded the contract and tucked it into his chest.a0d
1CIF0d“The Pellenberg collection capability is the best on the continent.”ozO
AkOIpThe name “Pellenberg” was guarantee enough.vvV
no9***LLLfu
zZPFyLF“The mayor told me to formally reintroduce myself. I’m Adguif, captain of the city guard—though I don’t deserve the title.”MzJA
cq8Adguif was a dwarf with a solid build. Unlike most, he had almost no beard, and he was taller—over ten centimeters above the rest, who averaged around a meter and a half.yVV
nleVf3YHis muscular body looked ready to burst, and the natural pressure he gave off made it clear he was a warrior of superior level.f8KWGIj
8KCZgHhHe held a massive battle axe in one hand and extended the other in greeting.2XFX1jr
CqRL“Fernan Pellenberg. He is my escort and someone I trust completely, and this is a senior of mine.”A3IXef
smfZ“Hyde.”w34AT
4KB09k“Gismond Ert.”3WV
NHRlliThe Guard was the most important organization in the dwarven city. It was the only real military force they had—and therefore the largest. The captain of the guard was, in fact, the second most powerful person in the city.JjcR31P
Q9LUEYZ“It’s strange to see a human here in our city.”ChIH
cidGxZU“It’s an honor for me as well to see the dwarves’ underground city.”XVv0Py
lkJxq“An honor?”USjzr
rcuiMY3“Merchants seek out the dwarves for one reason.”CE7E68
nDC9To obtain their goods. Adguif understood the meaning and his eyes gleamed.BlPM
WvDDsW4“Follow me. But tell me, how did you get here?”dsUq
g8gsAAdguif led Fernan’s group through the complex underground tunnels. They were heading to tunnel number 31—the one that had collapsed.hRnfIe
Glz8“It was by chance. I was exploring with the elves regarding rights to exploit the rocky mountains, to see if there was anything useful.”2GgDt8
bmT7“Elves granting exploitation rights…?”QiBkwB
CEian“Elves are changing. They’re much more open than before.”y5dM
TP8“I see.”5JiAckJ
hnSFsAdguif smiled bitterly.T6cT
ny2UxIThe path was dark and winding like a maze. There were magical lamps, but they were too far apart and very dim.ATr
Si3‘Compared to the ones taken from the First Emperor’s dungeon, this is like comparing the full moon to a firefly.’j8T0q
AocHumanity had regressed significantly in terms of magic.YjHE
HUw“But to be honest, I don’t understand. I’m doing this because the mayor asked, but why do you want to see a collapsed tunnel?”dVlAPj
gwuqA“For investment.”y3FJGP
cIIQ“Investment?”ENgY
FmYv“As I walked through the city, I saw many shortages.”qBpZf
fhgIt was natural in an isolated city. Even if they traded occasionally, the city’s size made it so that nothing was ever enough.Ago0
cu7QY“I concluded there was a lot to give and a lot to gain.”MtW
RqHvJ0kFernan wasn’t a philanthropist—he was a merchant seeking profit.D4L
fB5“I need to confirm whether the dwarves can continue fulfilling their role in a stable way.”POWAj
2EGlMrh“That’s why you want to see the tunnel?”VyYM7e
OTy“I want to verify whether the dwarves can overcome that risk on their own—or, if not, whether we Pellenberg can handle it. And if it would still be profitable.”vXh6
KUA“That’s why you left a few days ago.”gBry
FEwlq8B“Exactly. I’m not the family head, I had no decision-making power.”snE
UjOZCFT“And now you do?”HUKWue4
XtS“I received it.”lyntoa
91ifUe“The mayor and the council approved it?”GkV90
CLTI2“The council doesn’t know, but the mayor judged it best for the survival of the dwarves.”dNLi5
P1CuAdguif’s expression hardened immediately.ncwNt1w
U7kQmaS“Something wrong?”v8P
S3pYBZP“…Nothing.”19sJG
jEyUPMWith that, silence fell over the tunnel. Only the sound of footsteps echoed softly.Q0kk
ePjLkAfter a while, Adguif murmured in a barely audible voice.kRm
sBC4Gcv“Then if this issue is resolved, what happens?”eQnhQJ
wyv1d“With the risk gone, Pellenberg’s investment will grow even more. Everything will move quickly.”OW5M
XdQ“And if not?”ZeYrYry
TJaxNpx“If it’s not worth it, no matter how skilled the dwarves are, we have no reason to take a loss.”zzvKhh
Sj2O“…I see.”pboq
zW7mrRAdguif nodded heavily. Fernan couldn’t see the expression forming on his face.EAd
2Txt***df3yU
c34“This is tunnel 31.”mU6do0F
5IUTunnel 31, quite far from the underground city, was a mine where black rock was extracted.pVvsVsZ
GOzAThe inside of the tunnel was, in itself, a ruin.3EI
wLQoXOf the multiple branching paths, more than half were blocked, and everywhere there were bloodstains and signs of battle.gw4
1gm5rWhat was strange was that despite all that, not a single corpse was in sight.Cw56Sy
fIvJ‘It’s the work of the Corrupted.’GPODPH
amnThey had taken all the bodies as sacrifices. To summon the 58th demon, Aym.Iu8Low
CIGAB“How unfortunate.”NpSNbU
xnABHY9“It is. I will make sure to avenge our brothers.”xk7
8pE1ih4Adguif nodded with resolve.C6ypZIt
mD4BaxFaced with that repugnant act, Fernan barely nodded back.ckus
9lWwwUP‘I suppose a traitor needs at least this level of theatrics.’0YE
4PzRT5Fernan glanced toward the dwarves clearing the rubble.VSc9w
ha4E‘Indeed, dwarves are the race of the earth.’okhkB5
aUTlNo matter how wide the mines they built, they were still confined spaces.l2d
fY46YnAnd yet, no other race could clear a collapse as quickly as the dwarves.B9oj3h5
ug5clQp“How many dwarves have disappeared?”ZBV67QB
IDN“Fifty miners and ten guards.”CvNn
452Sixty in total. Not a small number.EOp
qPY“Did you find any traces of magical beasts?”mxo
tm9“Magical beasts? Are you saying this is their doing and not monsters’?”tQOrJ
3Glt“I’ve faced magical beasts plenty. They hide underground and dig tunnels with great skill.”NB9E47m
RJ9R“I hadn’t thought about it but it’s possible. We’ll take that into account during the search.”zNb
kLa4hEven with that suggestion, Adguif tilted his head in gratitude, not a single muscle shifting.iqnlrca
ucAScgTwo days passed like that. Fernan’s group set up a tent inside the tunnel and stayed there.a9KgUd8
gvs“Damn bastards… taking every last body of so many dwarves.”tCuHrT
2fCX4yRInside the tent, a purification artifact worked hard to clean the stale air.gVn0
2SqS“What if they really end up summoning the demon?”P0WQLaB
yi5“We won’t allow that.”8LER
0x9BdTU“But will you be able to find the magical beasts? If even the dwarves couldn’t…”ZU1Ogn2
HNI“It’s not that they can’t find them—it’s that they don’t want to.”V3mf
rkfy51oAt that remark, Gismond gave a meaningful smile.XpRH2
dkF“I had my doubts, but in the end, that guy is who we suspected, right?”UOWxj
3jhy1The name that had appeared in the prophecy and that Fernan had already suspected during his meeting with Ahgrot—the traitor of the dwarves.nsm8x
4QgEr“That’s right.”e1ylR
C49pcF“So what do you plan to do?”jCfPa
YimV“In every matter, the most important thing is pretext. Adguif is quite respected in the dwarven city, with the support of many of his kind.”u0uY
REf354He couldn’t just strike him down without solid evidence.xCW
VowHBh“First, we’ll gather proof. Starting with the magical beasts.”uw5ec
f6o“And what if the dwarves decide to block everything? Will you still be able to find them?”IlXbrpT
rwKi“Yes.”9f6mW
X9RxFernan stroked the pendant hanging from his neck.d3se
gtg70ve“Wooden, it’s time for you to get to work.”3QpZxa
gSYoeQ— Kyuu!4Pis
3Mh8r3Wooden jumped out of the pendant.75aH
HDuS“Huh? What is that…?”mHV
16GGismond’s eyes widened.FM9GQl3
9vmG6“Oh, right. This is the first time I’ve shown him to you, senior.”eRCfK
hB3Av“Don’t tell me that’s a golem…”FAhp
9YT9N“Exactly.”7bPH
kI4— Kyu!lIW
OuyWWooden waved cheerfully at Gismond.HSE8
ZvQET0w“A golem with ego… incredible.”PBNd7On
WGu1G“Ego?”n4R
99E8y“Well, if I had to adapt it to a word from this world… it would be something like a golem with consciousness.”MjnLG
aeKaXyu“Correct. And as you’ve surely deduced, you can never tell anyone about this. You know what would happen if you break that promise, right?”wmycwE
Uu4“…O-Of course.”K2NZen
VARxGismond’s face paled as he recalled his first encounter with Fernan.Evh6fs
nvG1wg“Wooden, do everything you can to locate magical beasts nearby. And if you don’t find them, keep searching until you do.”fjeTzG7
Cw0Zy— Kyuu!7oJNou
qUuWooden placed both paws on the ground.qUpAnyu
O13Crack!GjuIM
qq6Wgj3Roots sprouted from them and burrowed into the earth, slowly spreading in all directions.7t6cC
6kW“Senior, are you awake?”SsXUJi
JmUAhgrot called to Fernan from outside.YOBPL
JbB9“Come in.”VRA7D
muw2Fernan covered Wooden with a cloth and shielded him with his body. Ahgrot entered the tent.SZc6T3N
hQExm“We’ve finished clearing.”KQWmiv
NAfq“What did you find?”SZIA
ODtkG97“Monster traces, but without the proper preparations, tracking them would be impossible. So for now, there won’t be a hunt.”4Heoux
MHrTWu“You said there were two collapses recently?”faRv
nLp“Yes. Before, there had been disappearances due to monster attacks, but tunnel collapses—this is only the second.”qk1
UdXEfq“Then the missing must number in the hundreds.”RHEi
8fw2XP“Exactly 151.”n5p6Dw
KXVG9K5If you included the small-scale disappearances accumulated before, the figure was even more terrifying.wzx
UNHXID‘That bastard is completely insane.’32f70pY
tKbvTThe meeting between Aint and Ahgrot would be in a few years. By then, the situation would’ve escalated to the point of devouring the entire city.I9enL0
azYWBHThe captain of the guard had turned into nourishment the very city he was meant to protect.jDUsEqQ
KQkb2IAnd the mayor, fearing collapse, had tolerated it.6VV18VP
A8CmtVG‘No, wait. From his reactions, he doesn’t seem so irresponsible. If these collapses had happened multiple times, would he have stayed silent?’DDn
NWOPoWere all dwarves so naïve as to let it slide?uLx4Qg
nRe‘Could it be that something has changed in the future? Because of my visit to the dwarven city?’j2lrRW
4AmBut what exactly had he done to alter things?UkX3
q2Tz“When did the first collapse occur?”7gNTlB
WxWRrVc“Nine days ago.”ERB3W
PnzExactly the day after Fernan had left the city.8bd
2qx9LOq‘Did my arrival make Adguif nervous? But why?’GvIRKp
JNndHe didn’t know. Fernan shook his head and changed the subject.PEfTBt
OI49Fh8“So they’ll be withdrawing soon, right?”D8f
izO1l“Yes, that’s what they say. And you, senior, what will you do?”JZ4dck
SPnbDA“Can we stay a few more days?”S0df
d3iokE“Captain Adguif said yes. If so, I’ll stay on as your guide.”LXbOr
jetU“Then we’ll stay a few more days to investigate.”MMOSxWk
ktMQ6wM“Understood. I’ll inform them.”vyAdwV
AuQIayAhgrot left.4jp
RxRVrxA while later, this time Adguif entered.FrfCiPY
C9VZapE“I heard you wish to stay to continue investigating.”64iaa
1ZtUQ“That’s right.”kG5s
rZMx“But how much can you really investigate?”MxVI
PXqs“It’s not that I distrust the dwarves. I just want to confirm whether it was monsters or magical beasts. And if it’s the latter, what kind exactly.”I0cwxp
e8G7i“…Very well.”VibR
7L1With a frown, Adguif held back a sigh.ruBA
2ayBtiF“For safety, I’ll leave Ahgrot and a few guards with you. It’ll be more convenient with him.”sSOdn2
nnfZzIG“I appreciate the consideration.”RElBAX
LrLThe unusually polite tone surprised Fernan, but he nodded.sc1
hlgAdguif left, and outside, the bustle of the withdrawal soon resumed.PYw5VJf
HxynAnd after a long while—Grtt
kwTHayb— Kyuu!mKHl
rCFjGWooden had found the magical beasts.OMkm0RZ
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