Chapter 415: Founding of the Western Continent Alliance
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 415: Founding of the Western Continent Alliance
Maria smiled faintly at the sight before her. The countless troops in formation, the great castle, the sounds echoing from the ever-burning forges, the soldiers in training, the citizens living their daily lives, and the vast territory—all of it was hers.
“Do you see? Everything here is what we have achieved together.”
“Indeed…” the dwarf beside her muttered.
Without that dwarf, it would have been impossible to achieve such rapid and immense progress.
He had a short stature, a body packed with muscle, a beard that seemed to reach his feet, and a crown on his head. He was Bronze, known as the King of the Dwarves. He was a wise and just king. His martial prowess was enough to easily overwhelm the strongest of humans; in fact, his strength was second to none on the entire continent.
‘Still, he’s just a foolish monster,’ Maria muttered to herself.
Yes, just a foolish monster. They were foolishly naive and foolishly trusting of others. While they were incredibly exclusive toward those they didn't trust, they were prepared to lay down their lives for any human they had once given their heart to.
There could be no more convenient pawn to use. They considered it a joy to work in the scorching forges and a virtue to raise their axes for those they trusted. They found pleasure in labor and poured their strength out for others.
‘Convenient slaves. Incredibly convenient slaves.’
She would never find such convenient slaves anywhere else. As she was lost in thought for a moment, a familiar voice spoke from beside her again.
“Be that as it may, are you truly intending to start a war?”
“We too are reluctant to fight, but… is it not unavoidable? Seeing what is currently happening in the East, we simply cannot stand idly by.”
“I never thought such monsters truly existed…”
“You have seen it with your own eyes. It is for the greater good.”
“That’s right. We made that our cause.”
Freedom and peace. Those were the values the two races had put forth for their alliance. For having ended a seemingly endless battle, they were remarkably worthless words.
“They are being oppressed. The same goes for some of the humans there. I am sure you, Lord Bronze, are aware of just how wicked the human race can be.”
“Of course, such humans exist. But there are also humans like you.”
“Thank you for your trust, Lord Bronze. However, if you and the other dwarves had not supported us, we might have become no different from those other humans.”
“You flatter me again.”
“The humans influenced by the race called Green Skins are beasts that can no longer be called human. When I think of them, I am always grateful to be living on the same continent as the dwarves.”
“Even if they are empty words, I thank you.”
“How have things been lately? If you need any help…”
“No, that won’t be necessary. The human artisans cannot be trusted. We are grateful enough to the humans for supplying us with precious minerals. In fact, my people are also quite satisfied…”
They each did what they could and worked for one another. On the surface, everything seemed normal. But in reality, that was not the case. It was an unequal treaty from the start. The technology the dwarves possessed was something difficult to realize even with modern knowledge. From the humans' perspective, it was like turning stones into diamonds, so of course, they had no choice but to be grateful to these dwarves.
“However… war wounds everything one possesses. It steals away daily life and makes many suffer.”
“Sometimes, there is blood that must be shed.”
“I do not deny that… but I believe we need to be a little more cautious.”
“Of course, dialogue is important. I, too, wish to resolve this through conversation as much as possible. Well then, Lord Bronze, it is almost time.”
“Mm. Then I’ll be in your hands.”
At Bronze’s nod, Maria slowly began to chant a spell. Before long, her vision shifted, and a familiar landscape came into view. Glancing to her side, she saw the dwarf’s face, still looking at her with an expression of wonder.
“How is it?”
“I feel it every time, but it is a truly wondrous sensation.”
“Shouldn’t you be getting used to it by now? Fufu…”
“What would a dwarf who has spent his entire life in a forge know? Thanks to you, I’ve had many new experiences, so for that, I can only be grateful.”
As they walked forward slowly, a rather familiar face came into view. It was likely a face the dwarf was seeing for the first time.
“You are…”
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Was this the person we were scheduled to meet today?”
“Yes. I apologize for not informing you in advance, Lord Bronze.”
“First, it would be best to introduce myself. A pleasure to meet you. I am Bronze, King of the Bronze Kingdom.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Eliane, Queen of the Eveluse Kingdom.”
“Allow me to introduce myself again as well. I am Maria, the one who, despite my shortcomings, leads the kingdom of humans.”
After a brief greeting, Maria raised her head. The King of the Dwarves and the queen of the defeated elves. It was a most peculiar combination. Bronze’s eyes widened as he stared at the woman before him, as if he had never expected to see an elf in person.
“The elves being held captive by the Green Skins, could it be…”
“That would likely be us.”
“Hah…”
Bronze swallowed hard. He must have had many questions. Although he had been receiving information through her until now, this was the first time he was seeing the subject of the rumors in person. Even now, his face was full of curiosity. Maria thought it wouldn't be long before the dwarf opened his mouth. After all, they were a people who couldn't stand not knowing.
After a brief silence filled the hall, Bronze slowly spoke.
“I know it must be difficult… but could you tell me the details about them?”
“Yes, of course.”
She had already spoken with the elf. She would likely steer the conversation exactly as Maria wanted.
“It would be right to say it happened all of a sudden.”
“All of a sudden…”
“Yes. They suddenly invaded our continent, where we were living in peace. To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that the third princess of our kingdom, Alisha, lured them to the Eastern Continent for the sake of the throne.”
“Hmm…”
It was a plausible story for those who held royal power.
“The third princess, Alisha, filled with greed, and the group of elves who followed her, sold our kingdom on the condition that they would drive out the queen at the time and myself. Lacking the military strength, we were unable to stop the enemies who suddenly invaded the castle. My mother lost her life to the monsters’ blades in the process, and we barely managed to escape the kingdom. That is why I am able to stand here today.”
“Hah…”
“The monsters they call Ogres and Orcs tore the skin and flesh of our elves, laughing as they scattered it into the air, and they trampled even the children who had yet to blossom. The ones with long fangs called Trolls threw spears to display the innocent on the walls, laughing as they watched them, and the Goblins devoured the entrails of the fallen elves.”
“How could such a thing…”
“They are a people who enjoy slaughter and battle. They are beings who laugh as they tear the flesh from other humans on the continent and smash the heads of those who do not fight with their heinous weapons. I cannot tell you how much I thanked the gods just for having my life spared.”
“The third princess…”
“She, with her corrupted skin, still parades as the queen in the kingdom. On the day my mother died… spreading her legs for their Great Tribe Leader… while watching the elves flee as if they were being chased out.”
“…………That is an unimaginable thing.”
“She was always a greedy child. It is my fault for not teaching my younger sister properly, so I have no intention of blaming anyone… but one thing is certain: the green race my sister brought to this continent is a cancer.”
The elf before her was different from the dwarf. For a race that loved nature and peace, she was greedy and had many desires. That type was a nuisance to control. After this was all over, it might not be a bad idea to get rid of her with a suitable excuse and install someone else as the figurehead.
“They can do nothing but fight and destroy. The World Tree that stood in our Eveluse Kingdom in the East has lost its form, and in its place now sits a hideous monstrosity.”
“And now… what is the situation now?”
“We are holding the front line and enduring somehow, but as for how long we can last… I don’t think I can give you a definite answer.”
“Hah…”
“They are not beings with whom one can communicate, O King of the Bronze Kingdom. They are savage and violent.”
Even Maria had to acknowledge her acting skills. Or perhaps it wasn't acting. For the elves, who had been thoroughly weakened, it was likely very easy to feign weakness. The one piece of good news was that the dwarf's expression had grown a little more serious. It was someone else's problem, but given the dwarf's character, there was no way he could stand by and watch.
Maria let out a small sigh before speaking.
“This is also why I have orchestrated this meeting. These elves, in truth, have had no significant contact with our kingdom. We have no duty or reason to help them.”
After she finished speaking, the emotion that flickered in the dwarf’s eyes was disappointment. Maria cheered inwardly and spoke again.
“However, we absolutely cannot stand by and watch. The ideals upon which our alliance was founded are freedom and peace. Their freedom is being oppressed, and they are living a life of suffering every single day. Just like those who live underground.”
“I see.”
“If we ignore them and act only for our own freedom and peace, this threat will one day return to us, magnified. I do not wish for that, Lord Bronze. It would be best if we could resolve this through dialogue, but…”
“They are not beings with whom one can communicate.”
She felt like she wanted to thank Eliane for backing her up.
“We can make this continent a better place to live. Lord Bronze. No, from now on, it must be we.”
“By that, you mean…”
“I would like to humbly propose that we formally bring the Eveluse Kingdom into our alliance, creating a grand union. We have lived in different environments, have different cultures, and different ways of life, but if we unite for a single ideal, I believe we can certainly fend off the threat that is descending upon this continent.”
The elf said nothing. She simply lowered her head and began to look at Bronze.
“Humans, Dwarves, and Elves…”
“Yes.”
It was a slightly tense moment. But soon, a positive answer began to flow from the dwarf’s lips.
“I may be an unlearned and ignorant king, but I know that what you say is right. Freedom and peace—those are things that can never be protected without strength. We will shed blood, but I do not believe that blood will be meaningless. It seems the first step will be to protect these elves.”
“Does that mean…”
“That we dwarves will join you, Maria, and the elves to create a grand union… in fact, that is what I wish to ask of you.”
At Bronze’s words, Maria smiled faintly.
“For freedom and peace.”
“For freedom and peace.”
It was an incredibly happy dream.