Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Bump, bump. The sound of footsteps echoed along the walls of the underground waterway.

Ivan casually surveyed the familiar terrain of the underground waterway and asked, Is it possible to handle it within the vacation period?

What?

I asked if its a mission that can be completed within about a month and a half.

Ivan sighed, looking puzzled at Enrique, who shrugged. Despite her connections as a former member of the hero party, Enrique was a legitimate professor of knightly studies.

But disappearing during the semester under the pretext of a sudden mission and remaining missing until the vacation was unacceptable. If she hadnt been from the hero party, she would have been expelled without question.

It was a reckless attitude devoid of professional responsibility. Ivan, being a university gardener, had an obligation to report to work during the semester. And university gardeners didnt even receive a salary.

If its about distance, then theres no problem, but if its about the mission itself, its up to us now.

Distance is more important. It would take easily a month by foot to the Sky Mountains to Andgrind.

If we go on foot, sure, but wouldnt three or four days be enough?

To the dwarven mountains at the northern front, Andgrind, only in three or four days.

Did that imply they were planning an aerial assault? Ivan frowned, looking at Enrique. She chuckled ominously.

Ivan was a sensible person, so he didnt indulge the ramblings of a nearly 200-year-old elder.

Not amusing. Odd, isnt it, my apprentice? Ive always taught you never to forget leisure and humor, yet why did my best pupil end up with such a temperament?

I learned well.

Youve learned to quip well. Indeed.

She grumbled as she turned a corner in the waterway. For a moment, Ivan furrowed his brow. He sensed something.

Five, perhaps? Along with the sound of machinery. A smell that shouldnt be in the underground waterway.

The smell of oil and gunpowder. Characteristic of the military.

Well, lets reveal the answer!

Enrique laughed heartily and waved her hand. Beyond the corner of the waterway, soldiers armed with weapons were guarding a certain door.

An incongruously stern iron door stood there. If it werent for Enriques presence, one might have thought it was a dungeon entrance.

A door.

Last time, those dwarf fellows invaded this place. It was just a rift then, but we couldnt leave it as it was. Who knows what else might come in. So, we did a little reinforcement.

Enrique waved to the soldiers, who were sending disciplined salutes.

Is it okay to go in?

Instead of answering, the soldiers quietly opened the door. Judging by their training, they were likely from the Northern Military Command. Ivan frowned and stepped through the open door.

And then, he stopped abruptly.

Clang, whoosh

Clang, clang, clang.

Ta-da! Dwarven armored railcar!

Are you serious? They connected the dwarven railway from Freechankaya to Andgrind?

Hehe, whats wrong with that? If things go well, this will be our trade route. If things dont go well, itll be our marching route.

Enrique chuckled with a sinister gleam in her eyes. At that moment, a low voice murmured from atop the railcar.

You should consider the listening ears of dwarves.

Oh, I should introduce him too. That lad over there is Tirbil Ailbaria! Exchange greetings.

Is he the reinforcements? The Shadow Blades insisted on bringing essential reinforcements for this mission.

Behind the railcar window, a dwarf raised his head and narrowed his eyes at him.

After scrutinizing Ivans face for a while, the dwarf smirked and asked,

Seems like you came alone?

Its enough.

Confidence is admirable, but do you realize the stakes involved here? If it werent for the reputation of the Shadow Blades, this could have been taken as an insult.

An insult, you say.

Ivan chuckled and climbed onto the vehicle. It was a typical, sturdy structure of dwarven machinery. These fellows knew the aesthetics of steel well, and Ivan secretly had a fondness for dwarven equipment.

Sitting inside the railcar, Ivan turned his head towards the dwarf.

The dwarf made a grunt of acknowledgment and began manipulating the controls. Soon, with a creak, the vehicle started, vibrating the entire track as it set off.

Ivan glanced at the passing scenery through the tunnel, pondering.

An insult.

At least the dwarves didnt need to feel any further insult from him. He had already filled enough pages during that time.

Reflecting once more.

Thats all Navelun had in mind. Everything was for the party and the people. If they were to perish, the lofty ideals of socialism would wither away between the twisted fingers of corpse sweepers.

Hail, comrade Secretary! Welcome back!

Yeah, well done. What about the Shadow Blades?

Theyre disembarking over there.

Navelun frowned as he watched Enrique waving from the main interchange. He strode forward and looked around.

There was no sign of Krasilovs elite troops anywhere.

There were only two humans here. After all, it was unthinkable for humans to infiltrate among the dwarves.

Why are there no reinforcements? Does Krasilov think this situation is a joke? Are they so dimwitted that thye dont realize that if we fall, the rabble of Abiditas will soon set their country ablaze along this railway line?

Whoa, calm down, dwarf.

How dare you call me that!

Im telling you to calm down and listen. Look around, do you see anyone else with me?

You probably brought along one of your cronies! Yeah, you needed a spy to help with your nighttime activities, vampire?!

Navelun pointed his trembling finger at the man beside him.

He had a somewhat fierce appearance and decent enough beard among humans, but what use was that in war?

Enrique burst into laughter upon hearing Naveluns words.

Spy, huh, Ivan. Not a spy but a spy! Haha, huff!

These people are serious.

I know! Thats what Im saying! When they brought me here, they werent so flustered, but now that theyve brought you, theyre calling you nothing but a spy huff, huff!

Enrique extended her hand widely towards Navelun, whose face was turning red as if he were about to explode, and spoke.

Let me introduce you. This is Ivan Petrovich. Ring any bells? Think carefully. The lumberjack, the executioner, Little Ivan. What else was there? Oh right, your nickname, what was it?

If its a name known among dwarves

Ivan pondered for a moment. Instead of using human titles, it would be better to introduce himself with a more ominous tone.

Fortunately, there was no need to make an effort to remember. Navelun dropped the staff he was holding and took a step back.

There was a moment of silence. Amidst the dwarves who had just been charging angrily, a strange calm settled.

The sound of swallowing saliva, slightly subdued breaths, and pale faces.

In the midst of this, Navelun murmured as if lamenting.

The Terantula Ivan?

Like all intelligence organizations, the Cleanup Unit was not well-known externally. Their missions and operations were not shared with ordinary armies or civilians.

Whatever struggles or tragedies had occurred within them, humans could not easily discern them. They were just seen as unbelievable and suspicious diseases.

But as with all intelligence organizations.

The Cleanup Unit was more famous among enemies than allies.

Especially among dwarves.

Dead I heard you were dead.

The relief felt by the dwarves when Ivans death and the defeat of the Cleanup Unit spread through dwarf society was beyond expression.

It was to the extent that one of the songs sung to frighten young dwarves included the line, Alone at the end of a deep tunnel, the spider comes.

Therefore, within that vague sense of fear, Navelun muttered softly.

So it was true? The Tarantula can even assassinate after death?

What the hell is that?

Ivan furrowed his brow. (While Enrique burst into laughter until he ran out of breath.)

The story of someone who assassinated Abiditas and now stood on their side spread widely throughout Andgrun.

Citizens felt a strange sense of betrayal.

Revenge against the dwarven rebels and necromancers, the anticipation of tearing them apart, and feeling guilt for summoning the demon king with their own hands.

Without facing any suspicion or opposition, Ivan successfully entered Andgrun.

My apprentice seems to be more popular than me! Is it because your beards look similar?

Enrique. You could really die, you know.

Im really scared!! Truly a tarantula! Dont stay alone at the end of the tunnel~ The tarantula comes~.

Enrique chuckled and hummed a strange tune, then patted Ivans back.

* Authors Note (Authors Postscript): Ivan is more famous among the demons.

This was evident from the reactions of the human civilians and demon forces encountered by Ivan!

It was a part that was mentioned quite early on! I really wanted to write this scene!

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