Chapter 168
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: The Guard Captain's Deception
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“…Do you know what this is?”
The mayor stared at the contract for a long while before slowly opening his mouth.
“I know the value of dwarves well. We are all artisans. The weapons and armor we forge boast exceptional quality, no matter where they are presented.”
Even though they had isolated themselves in this underground city, they weren’t completely cut off.
After all, they had to craft and sell weapons through the black market from time to time just to survive.
Most of the dwarven weapons circulating on the surface were made by them.
“The moment we step outside, the nobles of every kingdom and empire would scramble to take us in.”
Yet, they did not leave. They knew it wasn’t out of pure goodwill.
They knew that without a proper foundation and a center to rally around, they would just be used and scattered.
“So how is your proposal any different? How lightly do you take us dwarves? You say neither side will suffer a loss? Do you really think this contract is balanced?”
Of all the humans, the Fallenbergs were the most blatant.
“However, there is a very significant difference between me and the others.”
“A difference?”
“Fundamentally, others do not know the city of the dwarves is here, but I do. And.”
Pernyan held up one finger.
“Others do not know there are Vile Breeds among the dwarves, but I do.”
Two. A second finger went up.
“Others do not know how to find the Vile Breeds, but I do.”
Three. The next finger rose.
“Others do not know what the Vile Breeds are planning, but I do. That difference is what rebalances the scales.”
It had to be so.
“No matter how great the dwarves are, that greatness only matters if you’re alive, does it not?”
“If you weren’t the heir of Fallenberg, I would have had your head for that.”
“If I weren’t the heir of Fallenberg, I wouldn’t have said such a thing.”
“Fine. In that case, I’ll add a clause to the contract.”
The mayor took out a pen and added a clause to the bottom of the document.
【Article 16. All terms of this contract shall be executed upon Pernyan Fallenberg identifying the Vile Breeds and bringing peace to the city of the dwarves.】
“Excellent.”
Soon after, their signatures were affixed. A magical treatment to prevent forgery followed.
“I’m a bit curious, though. What would you do if we just decided to back out and run? Does this scrap of paper really mean anything?”
“Don’t you worry.”
Pernyan carefully folded the contract and tucked it into his coat.
“The Fallenberg family’s ability to collect debts is the best on the continent.”
The name Fallenberg itself was a guarantee.
* * *
“I heard from the mayor. Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Adguif, the humble captain of the city guard.”
Adguif, now properly introduced, was a dwarf of stout build.
Unlike other dwarves, he had almost no beard, but at around 150 centimeters, he was more than 10 centimeters taller than most of his kin.
His muscles bulged as if ready to burst, and the natural pressure he exuded revealed him to be a master who had reached a higher plane.
He gripped a massive battle-axe in one hand and extended the other for a handshake.
“Pernyan of Fallenberg. This is my guard, and a close senior of mine.”
“I’m Hyde.”
“Gismond Erdt.”
The city guard was the most important organization in the dwarven city. It was their only real, substantial military force.
It was naturally the largest group, and its captain was the de facto second-in-command of the city.
“Seeing a human in this city brings back memories.”
“I, too, am happy to see the underground city of the dwarves.”
“Happy?”
“A merchant seeks out dwarves for only one reason, does he not?”
To receive their goods. Realizing the meaning behind his words, a strange light flickered in Adguif’s eyes.
“Follow me. But how did you find this place?”
Adguif led Pernyan’s party into a complex network of underground passages. They were heading to Mine 31, which had reportedly collapsed.
“By chance. I was exploring the rock mountains after receiving development rights from the elves, looking for anything useful.”
“The elves gave you development rights…?”
“The elves are changing, too. They’ve become much more open than before.”
“I see.”
Adguif smiled bitterly.
The path was a dark and complex maze. Magic lamps were placed intermittently, but the gaps between them were wide, and their performance was poor.
*They’re like comparing a full moon to a firefly next to the ones from the First Emperor’s dungeon.*
Just how much has humanity regressed in terms of magic?
“Honestly, I don’t quite understand. I’m guiding you because the mayor asked me to, but why do you want to see a collapsed mine?”
“For an investment.”
“An investment?”
“Coming here and observing the city, I noticed many things are lacking.”
It was only natural for an isolated underground city. No matter how many goods they sold and bought, it wasn’t enough to satisfy the needs of such a large city.
“I judged that I could give much and receive much in return.”
But the Fallenbergs were not philanthropists. They were merchants who moved to make a profit.
“I need to confirm whether the dwarves can continue to perform their roles in a stable manner.”
“And you’ll confirm that by checking the mine?”
“I intend to see if the dwarves can overcome this danger on their own, and if not, whether it’s a level of risk the Fallenberg family can handle.”
And whether it would be profitable to do so.
“That’s why I stepped out for a bit. I’m not the family head, so I didn’t have the authority to make that decision.”
“And you have it now?”
“I have received it.”
“You mean the mayor and the council permitted this?”
“The council doesn’t know, but the mayor decided it was the best way for the dwarves to survive.”
At those words, Adguif’s expression hardened for a moment.
“Is something wrong?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
After that, the conversation ceased for a while. Only the quiet sound of footsteps echoed through the dark cavern.
A long time later.
“In that case.”
He muttered under his breath. His voice was so low it was hard to hear unless one listened closely.
“What happens if this incident is resolved?”
“With the risk gone, Fallenberg’s investment will increase. Things will proceed swiftly.”
“And if not?”
“If the numbers don’t add up, we have no reason to take a loss, even for dwarves.”
“…I see.”
Adguif nodded grimly.
Pernyan couldn’t see the expression on his face.
* * *
“This is Mine 31.”
Mine 31, a blacksteel mine, was located quite a distance from the underground city.
The inside of the mine was a complete ruin.
Of the several branching paths, more than half were blocked, and the area was filled with bloodstains and other signs of battle.
What was strange was that not a single body could be seen.
*This has to be the work of the Vile Breeds.*
They must have taken all the bodies to use as sacrifices. To summon the 58th demon, Amy.
“This is devastating.”
“It is. I will avenge my kin, no matter what.”
Adguif nodded with grim determination.
At the sight of such a detestable performance, Pernyan gave a small nod.
*I guess you need this level of acting skill to be a traitor.*
Pernyan turned his gaze to the dwarves clearing the debris.
*Dwarves truly are a people of the earth.*
No matter how vast the mine the dwarves had built, it was still a confined space.
There was likely no other race besides the dwarves that could clear collapsed debris so quickly in such a place.
“How many dwarves went missing?”
“Fifty miners and ten guards.”
Sixty people. Not a small number by any means.
“Are there any signs of demonic beasts?”
“Demonic beasts? You think this was the work of demonic beasts? Not monsters?”
“I’ve fought demonic beasts quite often. They are masters of digging into the ground and hiding.”
“I hadn’t considered the possibility of demonic beasts, but it could be. I’ll keep that in mind during the search.”
Even at the mention of demonic beasts, Adguif didn’t bat an eye, simply bowing his head in thanks.
Two days passed like that. Pernyan’s party spent their time in a tent inside the mine.
“They’re vicious. To disappear with the bodies of so many dwarves.”
Inside the tent, a purification artifact was working furiously to cleanse the stale air.
“What if a demon actually gets summoned at this rate?”
“I will stop that from happening.”
“But can you even find the demonic beasts? The dwarves can’t find them.”
“It’s not that they can’t find them. They aren’t looking.”
At those words, Gismond smiled knowingly.
“I had my suspicions, but it’s him, isn’t it? That guy.”
The name that appeared in the prophecy book he had glimpsed through his encounter with Ahgrot. The traitor of the dwarves.
“That’s right.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Justification is crucial in all matters. Adguif is well-respected in the dwarven city and has the full support of the other dwarves.”
Taking down such a figure couldn’t be done recklessly.
“First, I’ll gather evidence. Starting with finding the demonic beasts.”
“Can we find them if the dwarves are deliberately obstructing us?”
“We can.”
Pernyan stroked his necklace.
“Wooden. It’s your time to shine.”
-Kuh.
Wooden leaped out from the necklace.
“Huh? What is this…?”
Gismond’s eyes widened.
“Ah, this must be the first time I’m showing you, sunbaenim.”
“Don’t tell me, a golem?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
-Kuh!
Wooden waved cheerfully at Gismond.
“An AI Golem, my god.”
“AI?”
“Oh, to put it in this world’s terms… it’d be something like an Ego Golem.”
“Correct. And as you can imagine, you must never tell anyone about this. You know what happens if you do, right?”
“…O-Of course.”
Gismond’s face turned pale as he recalled the times Pernyan had come to find him.
“Wooden, use everything you have to find any demonic beasts in the area. If you can’t find them, keep searching until you do.”
-Kuh!
Wooden stood on its two feet.
—!
Roots grew from its legs, digging deep into the earth.
The roots spread out slowly, extending in all directions.
“Sunbaenim, are you awake?”
Ahgrot called to Pernyan from outside.
“Come in.”
Pernyan covered Wooden with a cloth and shielded it with his body. Ahgrot entered the tent.
“The cleanup is finished.”
“What’s the situation?”
“We found tracks of monsters, but it was determined that pursuing them without preparation would be reckless, so an immediate subjugation is unlikely to happen.”
“You said this happened twice in the last few days?”
“Yes. There have been disappearances caused by monsters before, but this is the second time a mine has collapsed.”
“Then the number of missing must be in the hundreds.”
“151, to be exact.”
Including the smaller-scale disappearances that had been happening before, the number would be even more staggering.
*He’s truly insane.*
Since Aint and Ahgrot’s meeting was still a few years away, the situation must have escalated over time until it consumed the entire city.
The captain of the guard devoured the very city he was supposed to protect.
And the mayor, fearing the city’s collapse, let it happen.
*No, that’s not right. Judging by his reaction, he’s not that irresponsible. Would the mayor have remained silent even after multiple mine collapses like this?*
The dwarves weren’t all fools. Would they have just let it slide?
*Could it be that the future has changed somehow? Could it be because I came to the dwarven city?*
But he hadn’t done anything to directly affect the city, had he?
“When did the first mine collapse?”
“Nine days ago.”
The day after Pernyan had left the city.
*Did my visit make Adguif desperate? But why?*
He didn’t know. Pernyan shook his head and changed the subject.
“Then they’ll be withdrawing soon.”
“Yes, that’s the plan. But what are your intentions, sunbaenim?”
“Is it alright if I stay here a little longer?”
“Lord Adguif said it would be fine. If so, I will remain as your guide.”
“Then I’ll stay for a few more days to investigate.”
“Yes, I will relay the message.”
Ahgrot left.
A short while later, Adguif came in.
“I heard you wish to remain and conduct an additional investigation.”
“Yes.”
“Is there much to investigate?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust the dwarves. I just want to confirm whether they were monsters or demonic beasts. And if they were demonic beasts, what kind.”
“…I understand.”
Adguif swallowed a low groan, his expression unconvinced.
“Then for your safety, I will leave Ahgrot and some guards behind. You seem comfortable with Ahgrot.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Pernyan was inwardly puzzled by the rather favorable gesture but nodded nonetheless.
Adguif left, and soon the area outside became noisy with the sounds of withdrawal.
And a long time after that.
-Kooong!
Wooden had found the demonic beasts.