Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: 12. Survival Competition (5)
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"Ugh. Not being able to use teleportation gates is seriously detrimental."
Leimi Big Sis dry-heaved, apparently overwhelmed by the carriage ride.
As Big Sis said, using teleportation gates required extreme caution. In my previous life's South Korea, stationing troops at borders was commonplace, but in this world, it was tantamount to preparing for war.
Moreover, teleportation gates—capable of deploying forces at any moment—were seen as a threat just by being installed or used near another nation.
The Imir Kingdom and Pallan Empire had conditional facilities for mutual use, but only because their Magic Tower and Royal Academy shared talent pools. No such treaties existed with smaller nations.
The mountain where the dwarves lived. Nidavell.
It was more like a city-state than a kingdom in size and incredibly insular. There was hardly even a diplomatic channel. The one thing everyone knew for sure was that messing with them could unleash something unpredictable.
There were rumors of massive magic weapons or devastating bombs, though no open conflicts had ever been confirmed.
In any case, they were not to be trifled with. And since we were approaching with friendly intentions, using gates was out of the question.
Ultimately, the emperor's party departing from the imperial palace and our group from Astraea had agreed to rendezvous just before reaching Nidavell, so we were traveling by carriage.
"I'm fine."
"Me too."
"No problems here either."
"Ugh, you filthy physical types."
Mina Big Sis and I could fight while riding horses and doing acrobatics if needed, and Mr. Dras seemed unfazed, being a sturdy dwarf by nature.
In the end, only Leimi Big Sis—who wasn't used to long-distance travel or carriages—had turned pale, her face ashen.
Mana strong, or body strong?
For now, a strong body made things easier on both mind and body.
"I should just stay within the empire from now on."
"Even if the Shopkeeper moves away?"
"You keep this up...?"
When Mina Big Sis teased her, Leimi Big Sis whipped her head around, eyes narrowed, only to hurl outside the carriage from the dizziness.
I closed my eyes and pretended not to see.
"Ugh, damn it. Why am I the only one suffering?"
"Mr. Dras. Let's switch seats."
"Sounds good."
I moved over to sit beside Leimi Big Sis and laid her head on my thigh. It wasn't a spacious carriage, but this was probably the most comfortable way for her.
She'd been groaning like she was on her deathbed, but after rinsing her mouth once and lying down, she seemed a bit better.
"Shopkeeper. I'm feeling a little dizzy too."
"Don't lie."
"Ah. Suddenly my head..."
"What a drama queen."
At Mr. Dras's blunt remark, Mina Big Sis quietly pulled a cushion from behind her back and whacked him repeatedly. Of course, it was playful, like some WWE routine—neither was serious.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Probably.
"...So, Mr. Dras, you're really okay, right? You seem like you have some backstory."
"S-stop... hitting... me... Alright. Yeah. No big issues. There's one guy I'm not thrilled to see, but I can just hide and avoid him."
"So you can lay low."
"Not hard."
"Well, if that's the case, should be fine. I trust you, Mr. Dras."
"Anyone you don't trust?"
"Karin...?"
She was hard to trust fully. She had her untrustworthy traits, her combat power was lacking, and without Ermina-level mental barriers, she could be overwhelmed physically, magically, or mentally.
It was the tragedy of a weak kid thrust into a world-important role.
Maybe in the original storyline, it was set years later, or Svetlana wasn't around due to other factors, allowing an easier labyrinth conquest.
Conversely, Ermina benefited from romance-fantasy tropes: safety nets, plus multiple capture targets including me, making her combat-ready from the start.
"That girl gives off this vibe like she'll wobble and fall over just watching her."
"Right? Feels like if you look away, she'll trip somewhere."
Despite her struggles, Leimi Big Sis had somehow fallen asleep amid our chatter. Mina Big Sis's wish to switch places went unfulfilled.
Anyway, I stroked her red hair as she occasionally groaned and snored softly, then turned to the other two.
"Mina Big Sis doesn't know much about Nidavell itself, right?"
"Nope. Elves won't tell you even if you die for it."
"Well, yeah. They don't see each other as trustworthy, so it's natural."
"Exactly. Dwarves know zilch about elven secrets too."
"Don't sow discord between friends who get along."
"...Truth is, we've drifted apart from our roots."
That was true.
Coming to Astraea together must have been a long journey for both Mr. Dras and Mina Big Sis.
Building a new home and nesting there changes a person. You shed the names and clothes of your old place.
I wasn't hearing "Sir Yulius Lebedev, model noble" anymore; I was just "Shopkeeper."
Similar ties and customs fade if unused.
"My father hates everyone but humans. Says they follow their own whims with their customs, complain without learning human etiquette..."
"Can't deny there's truth to that."
"Ahaha."
It was a politically sensitive topic, not for public chatter. One of the heresies occasionally seen on this continent preached that "demon gods and their creations deserve equal rights."
Before embracing others, know what they are.
With elves, respecting their honor earned respect back, even if grudging.
With dwarves, showing interest in their passions or skillfully using their crafts delighted them most.
Demons, though...
Demons were tricky.
Not all, but their baseline was violence and power.
The strong are right.
If you're weak and get done in, it's your fault.
They'd treat mighty humans like demon elders, but weak ones became toys to kill on a whim.
The medieval era was barbaric, but general savagery meant killing outright or cruelly. Demons toyed with victims first.
Especially those empowered by demon gods—they'd even remodel weak demons or humans for fun.
Not a race you'd casually invite home.
"Well, I have no plans to go home, so it doesn't matter."
"Even if your father leaves and you take his place? You're different from him, right?"
"Yeah, probably."
"Keep it in mind. You never know what life throws at you."
I just nodded.
Unlikely I'd return anyway.
Father wasn't incompetent; he could keep at it forever without issue.
"And if that happens, you'd be a lord with direct lines to dwarves, elves, Magic Tower, and the imperial family."
"Not without merits, but still."
"Half-joking."
"Yeah. True enough, so I don't hate the idea."
"Good. From experience, truly capable folks get dragged back from hiding by those who need them."
"Ehh."
"You're no different now, Shopkeeper. No peaceful retirement for the talented."
Mr. Dras laughed heartily, a bit annoying, but at his age still hammering iron, it made sense.
Yeah, with my sword skills, someone might come calling eventually.
Even a layabout life has limits. Probably.
"Oh, right. That reminded me—culture and traits. Just act normal, yeah?"
"We don't nitpick guests. But if anything, avoid looking down at shorter folks; match eye level."
"Sounds like basic etiquette."
"Exactly. Just mind the fundamentals."
"Hmm."
Leimi Big Sis stirred on my thigh, making noises, so I gently stroked her head. She cracked her eyes open, saw my face, and let out a soft "Heh."
"Feeling better now?"
"Ugh. Still a bit queasy."
"Your color's improved, though. What do you want to do?"
"Stay like this a bit longer."
"Leimi. My turn."
"Patients don't take turns."
For a march toward potential demon battles, it was a remarkably peaceful trip.