[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
Chapter 146
"Without any consultation... isn't this going too far with me?"
Barundel grumbled, his lips pursed in discontent.
Well, it was understandable.
As he said, we had changed our destination to Kazandur without any prior discussion.
It was enough for Barundel, who had cut ties with his homeland for some reason, to feel uncomfortable.
However.
"There was no other way, you know."
With entry to Alfheim impossible, we had no choice.
We had to head to Kazandur, which was at least nearby.
"Besides, Barundel, you're curious too, aren't you? About why the war broke out."
"…I'm not curious at all."
"Come on, even if you cut ties, it's still your homeland, isn't it?"
"…."
Barundel pressed his lips shut.
His silence seemed like a signal of affirmation.
Perhaps Barundel was quite worried about the dwarves of Kazandur.
The desire to check on the situation as soon as possible was evident on his face.
In any case.
"Go in. Vagran is waiting for you."
Upon arriving in Kazandur, we received entry permission without any issues.
Originally, Kazandur was a land where other races couldn't set foot.
It wasn't a place one could enter and exit so easily, but thanks to Barundel, it was smooth.
Barundel was a dwarf from Kazandur, after all.
As was the case with all dwarves.
'…Even considering that, it seems too smooth, doesn't it?'
With that thought, I glanced at Barundel walking beside me, but there was no particular change in his expression.
Dismissing it as probably being the norm, I changed the subject.
"Who is Vagran?"
Vagran.
The name mentioned by the guard who let us in.
Since I knew nothing about the dwarves, I asked Barundel, and.
"Vagran is the dwarf who leads Kazandur."
As expected, he answered.
'The leader, huh.'
It seemed that this Vagran was the king of the dwarven race.
Step, step, step...
How long had we walked?
We entered a barracks near the Kazandur front line, where we encountered a dwarf.
A dwarf with a deep reddish-brown beard, finely woven yet solid muscles, and contrasting short limbs.
Somehow, he reminded me of Barundel's older self...
"Welcome to Kazandur, human mages. I am Vagran."
He introduced himself as Vagran.
The leader of the dwarves we had heard about was this very person.
"I'm Johannes."
"Heh heh, I'm Thompson."
"I'm Kayla."
We each stepped forward and shook hands with Vagran.
With only Barundel's turn remaining, Vagran smiled faintly and opened his mouth.
"It's been a while, nephew."
"…."
Instantly, the faces of our group, including myself, stiffened.
'…Nephew?'
Did I mishear?
That question didn't last long.
"…It has been a while, uncle."
"Heh heh heh, uncle. It's been so long since I've heard that!"
Because Barundel confirmed that we hadn't misheard.
I subtly turned my head and met eyes with the group.
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Every one of them had a surprised look.
Well, who would have expected it?
That Barundel was related to the dwarven leader.
'…I thought they looked alike.'
The back of my head tingled.
If we were talking about humans, wouldn't that make Barundel royalty?
Somehow, I felt a sense of distance from him.
Then,
"So, what brings you back, you who left home?"
"…Well, that…"
"I'll explain, Vagran-nim."
Talks about our purpose began, and as Barundel, who didn't want to come here, hesitated, I stepped forward.
And I explained in detail why we came to Kazandur.
From meeting an elf on the way to our original destination, Alfheim, to being refused entry due to the war.
"So, we had no choice but to come to Kazandur."
"…I see. It seems they don't accept outsiders there anymore either?"
"Yes, it seemed that way."
"What was the reason for going to Alfheim?"
"We intended to go to the 'Black Forest' there."
"The Black Forest? You mean that uncharted territory?"
"Yes."
The Black Forest.
The name of the forest in Alfheim, and one of the supreme hunting grounds in [Devil Fantasy].
It was famous for giving an enormous amount of experience points compared to the danger level of the demon monsters there.
And there were many of them.
So, the purpose of going to Alfheim was to level up quickly in the Black Forest.
Of course, I couldn't say it like that, so I simply gave the reason of "demon hunting," and Vagran nodded.
"I see. Demon hunting, is it?"
Then, suddenly, he smiled.
"This is a fortunate turn of events."
"Fortunate? What…"
"We also have a place like the Black Forest."
"Yes?"
Vagran told us something unexpected.
'Kazandur has a place like the Black Forest?'
It was the first time I'd heard of such a thing.
And for good reason, because such a place didn't exist in Kazandur as far as I knew.
However, Vagran spoke firmly, as if it were an undeniable fact.
"If your goal is simply to hunt demons, it might be even better than the Black Forest. There are truly vast numbers of demons there."
"Is that true? There are demons in Kazandur?"
"You'll see when you go."
Vagran's words were very tempting.
'Kazandur and Alfheim are practically on the same continent.'
As such, the types of demon monsters appearing would be similar.
And if so, we could accumulate experience points quickly without going to the "Black Forest."
Of course, things didn't go so smoothly.
"However, if you grant me a favor, I will tell you about that place."
"…A favor?"
"It's nothing much, so don't be too tense. Ahem!"
After clearing his throat, Vagran spoke.
"This favor… it might be so crucial that it could end the current war."
Vagran continued to speak with a serious face.
It started with the reason why Kazandur and Alfheim started the war.
And the reason was shocking.
"…Mana? You mean mana was detected?"
Vagran explained that the reason for the war was all due to the sudden surge of mana.
"That's right. And that mana caused an epidemic among our dwarven race."
The mana caused a mysterious epidemic among the dwarves, and most of those who contracted it did not survive.
A mortality rate of 90%.
A deadly epidemic where nine out of ten die.
The only good thing was,
"After suffering for a long time, we finally found a cure."
"…There's a cure?"
The dwarven race had found hope.
"Antillian Leaves."
"That's…"
"Correct. It's only found in Alfheim."
The problem was that this hope was the Alfheim specialty, "Antillian Leaves."
Hearing that, I could roughly understand the situation.
"So, you invaded Alfheim's territory?"
"It was unavoidable. To save our people."
"Wouldn't it have been better to negotiate with the elven race?"
"…Don't even mention it!"
At the mention of negotiation, Vagran raised his voice in anger.
"Do you think we didn't try? Those pointy-eared bastards are not a race you can reason with! You could talk until your throat is sore, and they wouldn't even pretend to listen."
"…I see."
It seemed they had already tried to negotiate several times.
It appeared there was no effect.
"Ahem!"
Vagran, who had calmed down his excitement, spoke.
"Anyway, the favor I want to ask is this. Go over to the front line and tell those pointy-eared bastards that we have no intention of fighting. And tell them the reason why we had to invade their territory."
"Didn't you say they don't listen to reason?"
"That was when our dwarves tried. Surely, if you go, they'll at least pretend to listen."
"Hmm."
I wondered what kind of favor it would be, but it wasn't as difficult as I thought.
All we had to do was cross into Alfheim and convey their situation.
However, there was one thing that bothered me.
"Are you sure this will end the war?"
Whether it would solve anything.
Vagran shook his head, looking just as pessimistic.
"Honestly, I don't know either. Those pointy-eared guys might come up with some ridiculous conditions..."
Ridiculous conditions.
That was quite possible.
"What will you do if they really do?"
"What else can we do?"
Vagran said as if it were obvious in response to my question.
With a very serious face.
"We'll have to show them clearly who should stand above elves and dwarves."
He meant a full-scale war.
His expression was so determined it sent chills down my spine.
Well, whatever.
"We'll try."
It wasn't a bad proposal for us.
If things went well,
We might be able to seize both the Kazandur hunting grounds and the Alfheim Black Forest.
***
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Thud! Thump! Thump!
"Hold the line!!"
A battlefield filled with swords, arrows, and shouts.
The elven elder, Ervehim, who was silently watching the scene, raised the corners of her lips.
"Smooth, very smooth."
The war was progressing without any complications.
If things continued like this, they could show those dwarves, who had brazenly invaded elven territory, a lesson as planned.
No, perhaps they could even make all of Kazandur elven territory.
"…Finally, we can get rid of these tiresome ones."
Just then.
Kwaaaang!
Whirrrik!
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, one flank of the front lines began to be pushed back rapidly.
As if an unstoppable monster had appeared.
Kkeuaaaaak!
The screams of the elves echoed.
"What…"
Ervehim, realizing the severity of the situation, immediately rose from her seat.
Although it was still far away, her excellent eyesight clearly captured the situation.
And,
"What is that…"
Ervehim's eyes widened upon clearly seeing the situation.
Because some strange humans they had never seen before were pushing in with tremendous force.
Their strength was so great that ordinary elven soldiers were completely overwhelmed.
No, it wasn't just ordinary soldiers.
"You can't pass here! Human!"
"Move!"
Kwaaaang!
Even an elven knight who bravely stepped forward was sent flying by a large human.
A force comparable to colliding with a train.
However, Ervehim's gaze was elsewhere.
Because there was something even more surprising.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Left, right, center, left again…
Ervehim's gaze moved frantically.
Something unknown was approaching.
At a speed that was difficult to even follow with the eye.
No matter how fast, it couldn't outpace an elf's eyes.
Yet, showing such speed indicated one fact.
'…Magic!'
That they were using teleportation magic.
Gulp.
Ervehim swallowed her dry saliva.
For some reason, it seemed like something ominous was about to happen.
[Translator - Prøks]
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