dwarf (1)
The king displayed the weapons presented by the dwarves in the palace.
As the news related to this spread, the royal palace was flooded with nobles who wanted to see the legendary dwarf weapons.
At first, even those who snorted, saying it was just an exaggeration, were fascinated by its beautiful appearance.
Rumors about arms spread one after another, to the point where almost no one knows about it.
This was also the case with the second prince faction, who did not appreciate the achievements made by the first prince.
“… … Also great.”
A middle-aged nobleman who was examining the armor on display let out a drool.
If even those who pride themselves on their high eyesight drool, how much more would he who was a merchant?
But the impression did not last long. Eventually, the middle-aged aristocrat moved somewhere.
“It’s a lot better than expected. From its appearance to its performance, there is nothing to be desired.”
“Worth it?”
“I don’t know, but if they come up for auction, each one would be worth a mansion.”
“… … Right.”
The face of Count Balmons, a man who had been listening to the middle-aged aristocrat’s voice, was distorted.
From the point of view of the Count, who is said to be the actual brain of the 2nd Prince faction, it was natural.
‘Of course, luck favors him… … .’
Even if he brought only Dwarven equipment, it would have been treated as a feat comparable to victory.
No, even if I only found traces of it, it would have been enough to be recognized as an achievement.
But he brought the most important dwarf himself. It was also at a very unfortunate timing, to the extent that they built a relationship called a lifesaver.
From noble mtl dot com.
It was an achievement that could not be replaced by anything else.
Throughout Esteban… … No, it was a great achievement that would go down in history throughout the continent.
Count Valmons muttered nervously.
“Tsk, if only the Assassins had done it right from the start… … .”
The best way is to kill mice and birds without even knowing.
But now he must have become alert. It was foolish to try the same trick.
Of course, it wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about dealing with the dwarves.
However, it was the Sun Knights who protected them. There was no way that a mere hired assassin could penetrate it.
‘not good.’
Even so, I couldn’t let go of it.
It was a situation where the two princes were losing ground day by day due to the northern raids.
“… … can’t you?”
Muttering that, Count Valmons flashed his eyes.
“What did you say?”
“Here, I prepared it in advance.”
“Good job.”
The count accepted the papers handed over by the middle-aged nobleman.
Then he checked the contents of the document and smiled coldly.
“If you can’t kill it, it’s best to make it our side.”
At this level, it should have been enough to make them bait for fishing.
* * *
West Annex of the Royal Palace.
Originally, it was a place so empty that you couldn’t even feel the presence of people unless there was an important event, but since the expeditionary force returned, there has never been a quiet day.
It was because of the guests who would be staying there for the time being.
“If there is something lacking, please tell me anytime.”
“Cheer, Kerr… … ! Thank you.”
Surt expressed his gratitude with an awkward expression.
Eventually, when the maid in charge of him left, he exhaled and wiped away the cold sweat.
“This, this is what human life is all about… … .”
Where would he have had to be taken care of by others before he was alive?
In order to survive in the barren backcountry, they had to constantly work on their own.
However, even though this situation was awkward, it didn’t make me feel bad.
“Rather, it doesn’t seem too bad… … .”
frigid climate. barren land. meager food.
It was because Esteban’s palace was different from when he lived quietly inside the barrier.
That’s why the dwarves, including Surtur, were falling into the comfortable life of the royal palace surprisingly quickly.
What I also liked was their handling.
The existence of the revealed dwarves was nothing short of a treasure on the continent.
His metallurgical skills, which were reputed to be great, were also the same, but there was no substitute for them, especially in terms of academics.
Because of this, the dwarves were treated with more respect and respect than the elders of the academic world.
It goes without saying that the clan is delighted.
“… … Big! It would be enough just to stay here without going anywhere else.”
Although he said he would provide a shelter where freedom was guaranteed.
Anyway, if only the forge could be used, wouldn’t freedom be guaranteed here too?
It was then.
“Captain!”
A dwarf came running to Surt. It was a Dwarf who went to get permission to use the forge.
Surt asked with a brightened expression.
“Oh, hey! Did you ask about the use of the forge?”
“That, that, I did ask… … .”
“Hmm?”
At the hesitant voices of the clan, anxiety passed through Surtur’s mind.
But it was fleeting.
“… … Oh, that’s right. Didn’t they tell you to pay a fee to use the smithy?”
“That’s not it… … .”
“hmm? Then, did you ask to strengthen the smithy facility in exchange for using it?”
“Sir, in fact, humans have not allowed the use of the forge.”
“what?!”
thud!
Surt stood up from his seat in amazement.
Then, the glass of water given by the lady-in-waiting fell helplessly to the floor.
Of course, there was no time to worry about that.
“Dae, why the hell?! There must be a reason for that!”
“I don’t know either. All I can say is that the first prince didn’t allow it… … .”
“I didn’t allow it… … .”
It couldn’t be.
Embarrassed, Surt hurriedly grabbed a hammer and went to the first prince’s office.
However, it was not the first prince who was there.
Clap-!
“… … What is it?”
It was a man I had seen in the clan’s village. Clearly, I remember hearing him call me George.
However, the important thing now was not the name, so Surt’s mouth opened urgently.
“Look… … ! I just heard a strange noise!”
“Did you come here because of the use of the blacksmith?”
“Yeah, yes! that!”
Surtur nodded vigorously and continued.
“Isn’t it different from the promise! I’m sure you promised to treat me without any shortage until the clan’s nest was completed!”
“No, what… … .”
As a condition of the contract, the only thing Surt brought out was to ask the family to at least treat them as if they were honored guests.
To this, Prince 1 readily agreed.
But after making such an agreement, banning the use of the forge to a clan called the Dwarves?
The current situation is clearly different from the promise.
“If you’re not sure, I’ll talk to him so he can quickly bring the first prince.”
“For now, I can remember roughly, too, right?”
“Oh oh! Then, hurry up and give the clan permission to use the forge… … .”
“That is impossible.”
“Oh no! Look, for what reason! There must be a reason!”
Surtur pounded his chest in frustration. I really felt like I was about to explode.
But be it or not, the man George was babbling about.
“You said you wanted to be treated ‘like a state guest’? But which crazy kingdom has a state guest work in a forge? Partying all day isn’t enough.”
“What, what?!”
That’s obviously not wrong. It’s not wrong, but… … .
For the Dwarves, blacksmith work is a daily life and vitality.
If you don’t work at the forge for even a day, thorns will grow on your body.
Even though it was abnormal by human standards, I didn’t think that the first prince, who knew even the generosity of his clan, was ignorant of this.
In other words, it was said that Prince 1 intentionally created this situation.
“That is sophistry!”
“Well, some might think so, right?”
“Boo, please, if you want to treat us as honored guests, hurry up and open the smithy… … We haven’t been able to work in the smithy since the village until now… … .”
“well? Let me ask you one more time.”
“Profit… … .”
You can’t bully, and you can’t beg.
It seemed that this little man could not speak.
“That, yes… … ! 1 Where is the prince? I’ll talk to you myself!”
“His Highness has gone to the training ground.”
“Okay, you mean a training ground? Okay, thanks for letting me know… … .”
“Well, if it were me, I’d come next time rather than bothering you during training and offering myself to become the scarecrow’s substitute.”
“… … .”
Surt was silent for a long time before speaking.
“… … I will come next time.”
“As you like.”
It was frustrating, but nothing was more important than life.
* * *
When I returned to the office after training, George greeted me as he was handling the paperwork backlogged by the Northern Raid.
Of course, I can’t say that the dissatisfied face is welcoming.
Anyway, the guy started to explain what had happened while he was at the training ground.
“The Dwarf clan has come to visit.”
“Surt, is that him?”
“yes.”
Well, that’ll happen.
I smiled and looked at the papers on the desk.
It was a document containing information about the Galderd Plain and the Dwarves.
“I think the discussion will be over in about four days.”
“Perhaps. There will be no surprises.”
A place where the dwarves who formed an alliance with Esteban live.
At the cabinet meeting, there was a heated discussion about lending the land to the dwarves.
No worries.
It was known that the land was completely useless, and most of the nobles were showing a positive attitude to the consultation with the thought that they had to maintain a relationship with the Dwarves.
Of course, it was obvious who the aristocrats were against it.
“Even though that doesn’t mean the Dwarves will rely on the Federation Empire.”
It seemed that he wanted to leave open the possibility of a discord between the dwarves and Esteban, even if he had to forcefully oppose them.
I sneered and put down the papers.
“Well, by the way, did Surt come to visit?”
“They asked for permission to use the forge.”
“He’s an interesting guy.”
I curled up my lips as if it wasn’t worth listening to.
“I can’t.”
Desire was a feeling that came from lack.
You can’t let them settle for this situation and lie down comfortably.
Even while they were in the castle, they had to move in their desire for freedom.
Of course, it was the same even after safety and freedom were secured.
“Teach them well and make them move as intended. I’ll leave that part up to you.”
“… … This is another overtime job.”
ha… … .
George sighed and scratched his head.
But at that moment, the guy’s expression changed to surprisingly serious.
“The 2 Prince faction has moved.”
“… … Right.”
Slowly, the time came.
For them, now, with the dwarves remaining in the capital, could be said to be the best time to turn the situation around.
If the Dwarves migrate to the Galderd Plain as agreed, then it will be a situation where they can’t do anything about it.
I looked at George and said.
“For the time being, just focus on moving the dwarves.”
“yes? What about the surveillance of the 2 Prince faction?”
“No need to worry. Let them do as they please.”
“… … .”
A question crept across George’s face.
But I just stared out the window without further explanation.
My eyes were full of ridicule.
‘Looks like they’re trying to enslave the dwarves, right?’
Unfortunately, the fact that I was able to bring them was based only on coincidence.
In fact, from their point of view, they might think that they were lucky.
… … So if you can, do it.
If you wish, intercept my achievements and take them with you.
After all, there’s nothing you guys can do about it.