Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: 12. Survival Competition (7)
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Lodgings.
Since these were Dwarf lodgings that generally didn't welcome outsiders, they weren't particularly luxurious or comfortable.
But they weren't bad enough to complain about either—just enough to feel like they'd done their best to prepare.
And since there weren't many lodging buildings, our Astraea group ended up sharing quarters with the Emperor's key personnel.
Of course, the Emperor's right-hand people knew we'd already met her during her visit to Astraea, so we were able to enter our rooms without much suspicion.
It had been a while since I'd lived like nobility, but it still didn't suit my temperament, so I flopped face-down on the bed without even changing clothes.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
"Eheheh. It's me."
"What'd you score, Big Sis Leimi?"
"Nothing right now, but I found some interesting items. I roughly checked them out and marked their locations on the map, so we can dive in tomorrow."
"Did things go well with the Dwarves?"
"Surprisingly? I'm a technician too, so we've got plenty to talk about."
With that, she climbed onto my bed, giggling playfully as she grabbed my waist.
She buried her nose in my back for a moment, sniffing, then asked me.
"How was the social gathering?"
"Smooth enough based on results, but personally, it was boring."
"Smooth, huh. Good to hear. I was worried since Dwarves rarely do diplomacy."
"It was much better prepared than I expected."
"And His Majesty?"
"Not fully satisfied, but he seems to think there were some results."
"Just checking, but..."
"Yeah?"
"Don't you think it's weird how well the Dwarves prepared the banquet?"
"I do. But it's too early to make an issue of it..."
"And?"
"If that's the case, it'll actually make things easier."
Right now, the humans had "Find the Traitor" as a sub-quest. With such a massive external threat, they couldn't afford to nitpick every little internal issue.
But if they had solid proof that an entire group—or those who contributed ideas for the banquet—were traitors, there'd be no need to push it to second priority.
Just crush them, crush their connections, and keep crushing until the roots were gone.
"Hard to imagine collaborators among Dwarves, who are so tied to the mountain spirits."
"True. The people molded from earth are Elves, those carved from stone are Dwarves? Both despise demons."
"Yeah. Other legends say the World Tree's leaves birthed Elves, its roots Dwarves."
The World Tree acts like a communicator linking the goddess to this world, so those influenced by it instantly gain strong hostility toward demons and the Demon King.
So if the Dwarves' situation was normal, there shouldn't be any collaborators.
"Still, I'll look into whoever led the banquet and contributed the most ideas."
"Looks like you've got a busy day tomorrow too, Shopkeeper."
"Huh? Yeah, pretty busy. Why?"
"Was gonna ask you to hang out with me tomorrow."
"Tomorrow... not sure, but I'll make time one day."
"You say the sweetest things. Promise?"
"Yeah. I'll let you know once it's set."
As our conversation wrapped up, Big Sis Leimi just stayed lying on my bed and closed her eyes. I'd been dealing with people, gauging the atmosphere, eavesdropping for useful info—like back in my young noble days—so I was exhausted too. I lay down beside her.
Just in case, I sent a light flow of mana around to scan. Everyone was in their rooms except Mr. Dras.
Sensing my mana probe in reverse, I felt Big Sis Mina getting up.
The door burst open without a knock, and Big Sis Mina came in, nudged my butt to make space, and lay down.
"What's up all of a sudden?"
"It's been a while sleeping outdoors, so I wanted to check on everyone."
"I'm fine."
"Only Mr. Dras hasn't come in, so probably nothing's wrong."
"Yeah."
"Any clashes with the Dwarves, Big Sis?"
"My accessories."
"Ah. They can tell you're no ordinary Elf just by looking."
"Some old Dwarves know their meanings."
"'Old' and 'guys' in the same sentence feels off."
"Dwarves get no respect, no matter the age."
She lay in the bed's corner, bumped my hip to shift me, secured her spot, and snuggled into my arms.
"...Ugh. What is this, Mina?"
"Hm?"
"Isn't three on a single bed too much?"
"Then Leimi can leave."
As Big Sis Mina adjusted, Big Sis Leimi pressed right against me from the other side in a similar pose.
Suddenly sandwiched, memories from the past surfaced.
There was this young noble who passively walked around with girls on both arms—a skill that took real talent.
Not just anyone could pull it off.
I hesitated briefly in my sandwiched state, then stopped thinking and fell asleep.
**
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Emperor Alina was magically recording today's results.
Attitudes. Speech habits. Slip-ups. Anything that could be a clue.
Dwarves unexpectedly friendly.
Unusually familiar with human etiquette.
Given Dwarves' racial traits, it was hard to think most had fallen to demons, but non-Dwarves or corrupted Dwarves could be muddying the waters.
And if there was a collaborator, the demons would know Emperor Pallan was here, so they had to worry about their own safety too.
"Good thing Yulius is here."
The only one who could provide close protection.
The one it was natural to keep nearby.
And possibly someone whose identity a collaborator might not know yet.
No matter how she calculated, Yulius was Alina's strongest card.
And if he racked up major achievements here, even those pesky old palace fogeys would shut up.
"Ehehe. No, wait."
That led to what each resident here might want.
Regular Dwarves, the current king and his ministers, and potential collaborators.
First, collaborators. If one existed, they needed a place to stay.
A Dwarf would have a home; a human or demon hiding would need cover or be well-hidden.
Even if hidden, that didn't mean it aligned with the collaborator's intent. Could just be pity for a street urchin.
It was a valid tactic—noble houses with good hearts sometimes took in strays for infiltration.
"Ah, damn, my head hurts."
Honestly, she hadn't come to her room to think about this.
Yulius had shown noble grace after so long, and his mere presence exuded aura—even humbly half a step back, it was perfect.
Half a step behind. Like a married couple.
"What’s he doing now?"
She set down her notes and dove into bed.
Just knowing Yulius was under the same roof, different floor, made her heart race.
She wanted to sleep beside him, but that would spark more than a mere scandal.
Those currying favor would swarm him anyway, and he hated that—she'd end up on his bad side.
Absolutely not.
The closer they got, the more she'd inconvenience him, and she didn't like that.
Still, being together in a space outside the palace or Astraea was a step better.
"I want a date."
An impossible dream.
At least tonight, she hoped to dream of being alone with him in the scenic borderlands of the Empire.
As drowsiness hit and she yawned into bed, a knock came from just outside.
"Your Majesty. A visitor."
"...Name and affiliation. Reason."
"A common Dwarf from the ridge, Erarl. Says he has important information."
"Fine. Enter with him."
The door opened, and the Dwarf gave a simple bow before looking up at Alina.
"No bad intentions, but a human child arrived here a few days before Your Majesty. Thought it might relate to your visit."
"Where's he staying?"
"Dwarf Skur's house. Started scrawny, but perked up quick and climbs mountains well now."
"Ah... I'll have to check myself if it's the info we want, but thanks for now."
"Yes. Grateful you heard this old fool out."
Watching Erarl leave, she thought.
The demons' plans weren't likely this sloppy.
So then.