Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Meeting the Dwarves
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'We're almost at the Temer border.'
The Corbein Merchant Company traversed the territory toward the dwarves.
Surprisingly, hardly anyone in the Neruman territory knew about the dwarf village.
Unlike the elves who used illusion barriers, the dwarf village existed, yet few knew of it.
That was how they had survived greedy humans until now.
I trailed far behind the path the Corbein Merchant Company had taken, confirming the route.
Being such a large-scale merchant caravan, the wagons left deep scars across the plains.
'They even ignored ogre hides.'
Catching just one would bring decent income, yet the caravan had swept aside any monsters blocking their way.
As long as they didn't encounter the Temer wyvern riders, their force was invincible.
'By now, the caravan should be fully assembled.'
Jamer, the chief administrator, was directing operations while awaiting my orders.
Every day, I flew to check the spots the Corbein Merchant Company had passed.
This continued for a week.
After passing Denfos, the caravan headed deep into the Rual Mountains.
'I need to get closer.'
There was a limit to approaching on Bebeto.
Even at night, the Sky Knights mercenaries flew patrols vigilantly.
Operating beyond their sight was frustrating.
'Bebeto, let's land.'
From now on, I needed to close in and monitor the caravan.
I landed Bebeto in a field blooming with wildflowers.
'Go to Orak Castle. I'll come find you soon.'
We had passed Orak Castle.
I ordered that if they encountered the Corbein Merchant Company during patrols, they should not acknowledge them and change course.
Kuooh.
Bebeto nuzzled me with his long beak in response to the command.
Worry flickered in his large golden eyes.
'Don't worry. I won't go to my death without you.'
In no time at all, I had grown attached to Bebeto, ugly feelings and all.
I couldn't imagine life without him.
'Don't cause trouble while waiting. And don't shove your ugly mug into the female hangar.'
Ku-gu-gu, ku-gu.
Bebeto rolled his eyes at my concern, pretending otherwise.
He'd probably get into some mischief while I was gone.
As the saying goes, the prime minister's dog gets treated like a deputy prime minister in human society.
Bebeto was clever enough for that.
Flap flap flutter.
He spread his wings, soared into the sky, circled once above my head, and vanished.
As he disappeared, a pang hit one corner of my heart.
Even a short farewell was still a farewell.
'Derbal should hold up for a few days.'
Zenith and the Sky Knights patrolled daily.
It was a fairly large territory, but the southern region was at least defensible.
The northern region was also bolstered by ample pay and supplies, with high morale.
Moreover, the Sky Knights with their wyverns were as reliable as high-circle mages in Neruman.
'It's been a while since I walked on my own feet.'
I was about four kilometers from the caravan.
I moved forward slowly.
Enjoying the warmth of late spring soaked in Neruman's deep hues.
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'Ordre the mercenaries to form a defensive formation around the wagons.'
'Yes, Vice Leader.'
'It's been a year.'
The position of vice leader in the Corbein Merchant Company was for the elite.
Not just anyone could attain it.
Only those who could exclusively handle major trades like with the dwarves earned the vice leader title.
The immense benefits that came with it.
One could amass wealth rivaling nobles, and upon retirement, leverage that fortune and connections to become a kingdom noble.
'The armor I commissioned last year should be finished.'
Tomorrow morning's rendezvous with the dwarves would nearly wrap things up.
Dwarves valued trust, so dealings would continue until the caravan betrayed them.
'No deal like this exists. Turning a few pennies' worth of goods into nearly a thousandfold profit...'
The wheat, salt, cloth, and daily necessities loaded on the wagons wouldn't exceed ten thousand gold even at top quality.
Yet tomorrow's trade goods were beyond imagination.
Even dwarf handmade jewelry fetched thousands of gold.
Mithril armor and items made from provided mithril ore ranged from hundreds of thousands to a million gold per unit.
'If anyone interferes on the return route, I'll kill them. How dare a mere baron's whelp block the way!'
As the wagons formed a circular defense, Vice Leader Teske suddenly thought of one person.
Kaier, the pest who had annoyed him the entire journey.
He hadn't expected that useless Neruman-swallowing fool to demand tolls from a caravan trading across the continent.
Moreover, the arrogant demand for ten percent development fund.
Squashing him lightly wouldn't draw a peep from the Bazran Empire.
The imperial family and high nobles would side with the Corbein Merchant Company over him.
'Are we all here now?'
Then a man approached Teske.
He wore a gray robe like the merchants, but his aura was markedly different.
And this one addressed the caravan's vice leader casually.
'Yes, Harkline. That mountain ahead is where the dwarves live.'
Teske replied courteously, though he could have raged.
Even continent-spanning caravans feared this man.
Harkline was the vice tower master of the Gauss Magic Tower, deemed the strongest among the continent's seven great towers, and a 6th-circle master.
'That punk... If we meet him on the way back, I'll handle him. How dare he declare war on the Gauss Magic Tower...'
'Thank you for your patience. Even without that, I planned to send him to hell over any pretext on the return.'
Rumors spread fast.
The fact that young upstart Kaier had crossed Gauss and several other towers.
They tolerated it briefly due to Neruman's unique situation, but the tower leaders must be grinding their teeth.
If it were another empire or kingdom territory, they'd isolate him thoroughly or incite neighboring lords to war.
'Better no lord at all. Then we could trade on even better terms. Heh heh heh.'
When they first contracted with the dwarves, the dwarves had farmed barren land and hunted for survival.
Now, they couldn't live without caravan grain.
Meanwhile, the caravan's profits had maximized.
A sack of wheat for a dwarf-forged sword at market rate.
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'That bastard's a mage.'
From a distant forest, I scanned the caravan with Mana Scope magic.
I detected the mage by the mana rippling around the man conversing with Teske.
'At least 6th circle... Lucky bastard.'
To me, yet to breach the 6th-circle wall, a 6th-circle mage was like a rich guy with a supermodel girlfriend.
'Anyway, time to prepare the operation. Heh heh.'
They dared seek free gains on my land.
I couldn't let it slide.
'No spirit user, so first... Undine...'
A nefarious plan formed in my mind.
The grain and foodstuffs were covered with waterproof magic tarps impermeable to rain.
Water was their nemesis.
Crunch crunch.
I chewed the jerky I'd brought, leisurely waiting atop a tree.
By their setup, they planned to rest here tonight.
Wyverns circled endlessly overhead, and their scent on the wagons kept monsters away.
I passed the time watching them.
Perfect—no moon tonight.
They'd never spot the curse seeds I scattered.
'Heh heh heh...'
Like my silent laugh.
'Huh? Only a few are moving?'
Late evening, I summoned Undine and ordered her to caress the grain lovingly.
Not a mid-level spirit like Undine—no, Undine hustled all night in her small form.
With strong mountain winds on this moonless night, most mana-sensitive mercenaries burrowed into sleeping bags, deep asleep.
Only spirit users could detect Undine's presence, which lacked aggressive mana.
Late night, after sowing curse seeds with Undine, I waited for them to move.
'Sword-bearing merchants... Those are trustworthy, huh.'
Most mercenaries stayed for guard duty.
Amid that, Teske, the mage, and three sword-bearing merchants headed toward the mountain—five in total.
'Wyverns flew all night, clearing monsters nearby... Clean work.'
Something only a top continent caravan could pull off.
Deploying ducal-level force in monster-infested Neruman for quick trades.
I understood why they were the continent's best.
'The dwarves are closer than thought?'
Deep in Neruman plains bordering Temer, at the territory's edge.
Nothing but a massive boulder like Bukhansan marking the Rual Mountains' start.
Teske's group entered it.
'Who farmed around here?'
From my hidden vantage in the mountain woods, old farmlands appeared.
Stone drainage and perfectly aligned furrows—traces remained.
Rustle.
Puzzled but cautious, I followed Teske's group at a distance.
The wyverns flying overhead now kept far off.
'Huh?'
The five pushed through brush up the mountain unabated.
They stopped before a massive stone wall.
'What the hell?'
Teske approached the wall cautiously among the five.
Boom thump boom!
He picked up a stone like a gabbalgong and struck the wall in steady rhythm.
Grumble rumble.
'No way! That's!'
Not some 'Open Sesame' thieves' vault, but the wall groaned open.
A three-meter-wide door parted in the stone wall.
'Dwarves!'
Then they emerged.
Bearded grandpas around 1.4 to 1.5 meters tall, clad in chainmail, silver axes strapped to backs.
The dwarves I'd only heard of.
Heteroraces who vanished after the human war, as reclusive as elves, now before me.
'Dang, fairy tales are all BS!'
Unlike Snow White's dwarves.
Beards similar, but builds worlds apart.
Fairy tale dwarves were tiny beside Snow White; these were shorter but rippling with muscle.
Bulging eyes like marbles, fists for noses, Rambo-worthy rugged physiques.
Even orcs, battle race, paled.
'We meet the great son of rock, Cassias.'
Teske bowed to the longest-bearded dwarf.
'Long time, Teske.'
Cassias the dwarf spoke continental common fluently, used everywhere now.
He eyed Teske with emotionless gaze, neither joy nor displeasure.
I erased my mana presence, closing to twenty meters.
I'd prepared: no armor, just common faint gray tunic like peasants.
I amplified mana to eavesdrop.
'This is Harkline, vice tower master of Gauss Tower and 6th-circle master.'
Harkline the mage: skinny as a rod, graying beard.
'Haha, pleased to meet you.'
He flashed hearty laugh unfit for his cold face.
'Fortunate. We needed a mage urgently... Come inside.'
Unlike with Teske, Cassias offered hand to guide the mage.
'Huh? They're all going in.'
Unexpected dwarf village.
So secretive, no rumors of it under that rocky mountain till now.
'Sigh. Gotta wait.'
Situation unfolded before I could prepare.
'Aw, screw it.'
I climbed a broad tree, lay down.
I'd worked hard all night with Undine; time to rest.
'But that rhythm... No way.'
The beat Teske struck with the stone.
It was the 2002 World Cup beat that echoed worldwide.
Clap clap clap clap! Republic of Korea!
World is full of wonders if you live long enough.
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Grind grind grind.
How long after? Amid deep sleep, rock groans woke me.
Eyes snapped open.
Heaven's lifeline to save my cash-strapped self wouldn't come easy.
'Huh...'
'Hmm...'
'Did they eat junk food inside? Why those faces?'
They entered with dreamy girl-like innocence; exiting, faces like chewing decade-old kimchi.
'Procuring 2nd-grade magic stones aside... Fixing the overheated magic furnace is trouble... Seems the tower master must come personally.'
'Gasp! The tower master himself!'
Harkline's words blackened Teske's face.
'Why? Can't invest that much? You profit hugely from dwarves...'
'N-no, it's not...'
'Huh, infighting?'
Unclear details, but tone suggested major snag.
'Lumicar, the emergency contact bird, should be at Denfos branch. News to tower means master comes by wyvern. About ten days.'
'Gasp... Ten days...'
'What? Hate it? Contract another tower then.'
Harkline bluffed, ignoring Teske's face.
'N-no! Tower master's aid is our honor.'
Teske switched to merchant mode, rubbing hands, face composed.
Harkline's gaunt face smiled at that—not just my observation.
Tata-tat-tat.
Clang.
Running footsteps; sword merchants drew blades hastily.
'Big trouble!'
'What big trouble!'
Stone door closed silently; merchants from wagons rushed yelling crisis.
'All grain including wheat...'
Face flushed, runner couldn't continue.
'What happened! Speak!'
Teske, already irritable, bellowed.
'All soaked. Drenched beyond use...'
'What! Wheat all soaked!'
Teske yelled in shock.
'Tsk tsk, what poor management.'
Harkline tutted, oblivious to Teske's fury.
Misery loves company confirmed again.
'No way. Goods fine till yesterday...'
Vice Leader Teske stared blankly.
'What now? Better head to Denfos and salvage than stand dazed.'
Harkline coldly snapped reality.
'I'll check myself!'
Tadadak.
Teske bolted at shocking speed.
'How to handle like this. Merchants anyway...'
As Teske and merchants vanished, lone Harkline scowled, following.
'Hmph! Payback for underestimating me.'
Dried soaked wheat loses value sharply.
Teske, confirming it, would panic toward Neruman.
'Time to meet them?'
Confirmed disturbers gone, I stood before stone door.
Heart pounded like Alibaba before treasure cave.
Picked up floor gabbalgong.
Fortune favors the bold.
Today, that courage would win muscled grandpas, not beauties.
Boom thump thump thump!
'Open Sesame!'
Struck door rhythmically with force.
'What's inside anyway?'
Dwarves intriguing, but interior more so.
Grind grind grind.
Door opened vigorously.
'Aw, screw it.'
Thirsty dig wells.
I dashed inside hard.
Better see inside before ejection than outside.
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'No... impossible...'
Wheat in wagons, wrapped tight in special magic waterproof tarps.
Not one or two—all food and cloth soaked.
Lucky dwarves needed mage for furnace fix to proceed; else handing goods today would've ended contract.
'Evenly soaked inside out—magic or spirit work.'
Sedlian, leader of Hers Mercenaries, second to none in mercenary kingdom, concluded fingering wet wheat.
'Dry it, still low-grade value. Damn, who did this!'
Teske wanted to scream, jump.
Searched for culprit who fooled mana-users.
Eyes naturally shifted.
'That guy...'
Arms crossed, cloud-gazing nonchalantly: mage Harkline.
Suspicion instant.
Dwarf furnace broke days ago—needing reinstall, not routine fix.
Yet 6th-circle Harkline claimed unable.
Unlike usual, large dwarf magic furnaces required 7th-circle or higher.
'Hired that one for a million gold. But if tower master comes... Not million, millions, plus 2nd-grade stones...'
Head throbbed at thought, Teske winced.
Goods to receive already pre-sold to empire/kingdom nobles.
No dwarf luxury? Nobles scorned, desperate for them regardless cost.
'Fail trade, I die. Succeed...'
Not huge profit like before, but intact contract means another chance.
Fail? Lose status, life.
'Filthy mage!'
Prime suspect, but Gauss Tower backing made action impossible on suspicion.
'Turn wagons! To Denfos!'
Rumors of massive food influx.
'Dump wheat en route. Buy fast, return.'
Week to Denfos.
Pre-notify branch for prep.
Wait for tower master, return.
'Arrogant dwarves... Someday enslave you all!'
Dwarves with nothing but prickly pride.
Teske turned wagons, grudge harbored.
No time for slacking.
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'.....!!'
Entered cave, faced one dwarf instantly.
Expected, but real dwarf choked me.
Dwarf stared blankly too.
'Hi~!'
'Wh-who are you?'
Unlike first-seen Cassias or warrior dwarves—this one had jet-black beard.
Shocked by 'hi', asked who.
'Who's this guy?'
'I'm a mage. Heard about broken magic furnace...'
'Ah! A mage. Corbein said trustworthy humans—quick indeed. Come in.'
'Yes? Y-yeah.'
Unlike others, burly dwarf seeming tall for them (160cm).
White-bearded Cassias looked old; this one youthfully blue.
Still neighborhood grandpa level.
'Follow carefully.'
Gruk, grr-ruk.
'Whoa!'
Leading, dwarf leaped wall protrusions, stepped floors advancing.
50-meter tunnel traversed cautiously thus.
'If I'd run... Ugh.'
Glanced: sharp iron grates, metal lumps.
Solid rock everywhere—no escape, skewered or flattened sure.
'Ah!'
'Th-this is dwarf village!!'
Amazed.
Beyond cave: vast space.
Earth's boasted caves? Worlds apart.
Huge.
Small town-sized underground world.
No walls, but dense houses: thousand at least; moving dwarves: hundreds.
All flawless form, architecture.
Like ancient Roman underground city.
Swoosh.
'Cool breeze too. And that sunlight!'
Fresh mountain winds from sides, radiant beams from ceiling.
Not perpendicular, yet light nearly surface-bright.
'Amplifying glass? Wow, amazing.'
Hidden here, no wonder humans missed dwarves.
'Name? I'm Nerpopo of the Nerpopo Clan, great rock folk.'
Nerpopo eyed me curiously, like me him.
Muscles rugged, eyes innocent brown calf-like.
'Kaier.'
Bowed, grinned.
'Ah! Kaier! First human chat.'
Hundreds of stairs linked cave to underground city.
Descending, Nerpopo chattered, eyeing me like alien.
'Bigger than thought.'
Ceiling hundreds meters high.
Underground lake from water drawn; edible plants cultivated one side.
'Ho, sculptures on homes with artistic flair.'
Rodin's Thinker to fishcake, Venus to manhole—dwarf village vibes fine.
Masterworks everywhere like roadside statues.
'Nerpopo! Who's that human?'
Reached city, awed; dwarves blocked.
'Dwarf warriors!'
'Kaier is mage. Here to fix magic furnace.'
'What? Mage?'
'Hmph! Unbelievable! Young mage fix furnace?'
'Intruder sure!'
Caught red-handed.
'K-Kaier...'
Nerpopo paled at angry dwarf elders.
'Haha, hello. Cheap fixes for broken furnaces, communicators, magic items.'
Mimicked childhood alley speaker uncles, greeting dwarves.
Clang!
Response: sharp axe-unsheathing.
'Rude dwarves, no manners!'
Smiling face no spit—yet icy glares, axes ready.
'Want to meet Cassias.'
'Gasp! Y-you know clan chief?'
'Well. Guide me.'
Stood tall, like visiting neighbor uncle.
Bosses play with bosses—world's rule.
'Follow. But funny business...'
Clang.
'Kaier...'
Dozen dwarf warriors surrounded airtight.
Nerpopo called my name, seeking answer.
'What’s fate but knowing names, faces? That's connection.'
'.....'
Nerpopo speechless at lame fate talk.
'Nerpopo, you follow!'
Of course, such connections sometimes twist oddly, like now.