Chapter 271: Gleisvale, the Dwarven-Made Human Republic.

Chapter 271: Gleisvale, the Dwarven-Made Human Republic.

Welcome to Gleisvale, lasses and lads. By Crustacias twin-tails, I havent been to this city since my cousin Broggi and I decided to break some taboos and make our blasthammer. Mhmm.

There was one thing I immediately noticed the moment we entered Gleisvale, and that was the architecture. The towns we visited on the way here all had similar, medieval-type buildings reminiscent of what you would see in Artorias. Gleisvale, however, had something Grimnir called a dwarven-human fusion style.

Cities or towns who often trade or interact with us tazongs usually develop a tazong-akong hybrid style to their buildings and city layout. Not that its a surprise, since tazongn architects and stonemasons are the best, gahahaha! Grimnir laughed out loud as he manned the coachman spot, explaining everything to us while we looked outside the RV from Tasianna's garden on the second floor. We tazongs use metal and stone for nearly everything. Wood or anything easily flammable is forbidden to use as building materials not only because of our lifestyle but also because of the fact we Taz dwarves sometimes spew out flames when we get drunk.

That hasnt happened to you yet, Saori noted. And we go out drinking often enough that I know your drunken habits. So, do you have it so well under control that you made your carriage out of wood?

Ha, of course, bladdarg! But accidents happen when youre young, and if a group of apprentices goes wild for a night, any taverns and houses made with wood might catch on fire. That said, a wooden carriage is faster and easier to move, and I dont see any other Taz outside of me in Artorias. Besides, do you honestly believe some equerochsen could drive a metal or stone carriage forward?

After entering the city, Grimnir began giving us a general idea of how the city was structured. Similar to the cities in Artorias, there was a slum, a middle, a merchant, and an affluent district, all with the same functions as their counterparts in Cedaraille and Griffonpeak.

However, the main difference between those cities and Gleisvale was the fact that there was a dedicated artisan district where a ton of dwarves lived and worked whenever they came to the city, as well as an underground train area. The last invention the Revolution Queen brought from Earth to Peolynca; there was a station right beneath the mountain.

Thats right, a mountain. Gleisvale was built by the dwarves under the Ankoran mountain ranges and inside a valley called Centipedeclaws, named such due to the numerous hills along the valley path which looked like the legs of a centipede. Monsters roamed the area around these hills, and they were arranged in such a manner that I could understand why it would be hard to siege Gleisvale there was only one easy path into the valley, a chokepoint.

Before we entered the valley, we went through a small town built to help merchants pass through the valley without any problems. Numerous caravans were waiting there for the next guide. The reason for this was 'cause of the uneasy road as well as the possibility of going off the beaten path and getting lost. Useful, but the issue was you had to pay for a safe trip through Centipedeclaws, and then you had to pay an entry fee into the city.

Fucking capitalism, dude!

Still, after coming out of that rather uncontrolled valley filled with trees and other annoying road bumps, Gleisvale sure looked like the light at the end of the tunnel. Civilization amid a wild forest.

And it sure utilized the dwarves inside the city well enough. The walls surrounding the city and the entrance to the underground train were created entirely by dwarven hands instead of magic spells. However, Grimnir told us these dwarves only worked if the project was suitable for their talents, so normal houses or the mansions of the rich were made by earth mages.

Still, the architects and builders took inspiration from their dwarven artisans or were apprentices under them, and they used this knowledge in their own contracts. For example, the houses in the middle district looked very Renaissance Venice according to Saori. So, a bunch of brick houses, but I guess she also meant the canal running through the city similar to Venice.

There are three main points of interest in this city. The first is Gleisvales river port, made by us tazongs so the humans here could properly use the river Gleislain. We were also the ones to construct this whole waterway flowing from the mountain through Gleisvale into the valley, Grimnir said while we drove on a bridge, built above the waterway in question.

This place sure is a different sight from Aureolis and Artorias. More progressive, I guess? Tatsuya commented, to which Kyouya agreed.

While not as modern looking as this city, I heard that the Groushia duchys capital similarly contracted dwarves to improve their architecture, correct, Grimnir-san?

Mhmm, correct, lad, Grimnir nodded while keeping his eyes on the busy street, trying his best to have the garms avoid accidentally hitting something due to their size. The kings of the hold and the Ankoran King are politically unable to directly work with any human country since our friendship with the yfleis is too strong. While we can forgive grudges, the Ankoran crown does not forget slights and insults to our allies but that doesnt affect the individual tazics and inkos. We are too stubborn to accept such a law, you see.

Yflei, dwarven for elf, have a pretty tight bond with the dwarves, so I guess that was to be expected. From the sounds of it, I guess the Ankoran King did have a reason to create an alliance with Artorias, just to satisfy those still interested in working with humans. If this alliance went through without a hitch, it could benefit every human country.

Grimnir continued pointing out the notable landmarks of the city. Second, we have the seat of the capital and the building hosting Estralias senate and its president, the Mercurial Hold. There, we will also find the local merchant guild since in Estralia they hold immense influence, even more than the mages and adventurer guilds. The name comes from a combination of the Merchant God, Mercurias, and the fact it was a dwarven fortress before the guild took it over.

Drawing our attention to the huge structure etched into the mountain at the far end of the city, it reminded me a bit of the royal citadel of Griffonpeak. Of course, unlike King Drangleics home, there werent any griffons or hippogryphs to help them fly up to that hold. Instead, the place had a proper bridge to it, and there was also a path within the mountain to get up there.

While the headquarters of the local merchant guild was in the fortress, there was a branch within the city for everyday usage. Since Estralia was ruled through wealth, guilds and organizations able to bring in a large amount of wealth were the most important for the city. Money is absolute power here.

And then, lastly, we have the most important location in this city. The train station, the last creation Goddess Chihiro gave us before she departed her mortal life. Gleisvale has a station here, and, if we make it in time, we could use the train to reach as far as the Beastman Alliances territory. In addition, a tazongn blacksmith and trainfaring guilds are located there.

Oh, seriously?! I exclaimed. I want to see it! Hey, Grimnir, mind showing us around there if you already know the place?

However, unlike how talkative he was while praising anything the dwarves made, Grimnir became silent the moment I proposed going to the most important location in this city. It took a bit of awkward silence before he responded. After were done with the mandatory stuff, alright, lass?

Hmm?

In any case, I knew something was bothering him, but I decided to not speak about it for now. Grimnir was a stubborn and grumbling man. If he didnt want to do something, he wouldnt. As such, he never attended any aristocratic meeting or met King Drangleic. I guess, since he was my retainer, he was using his status to ignore a royal summons, and I never wanted to force him.

Is the small stature of the temple due to the worship of Mercurias in the city? Haruka asked after everything settled down and we had a chance to speak with the bishop.

The bishop nodded, looking slightly exasperated to admit it. Mercurias is the God of Mercantilism and Commercialism. Although a foxian, Mercurias represents everything a merchant must strive to become. To Estralia, where wealth is might and status, Mercurias has the most followers in this city, followed by his Origin God, Goddess Zephira. Goddess Plesia is the third largest faith in this city due to the port, while the Goddess remains at a measly fourth place. Sadly, fourth place means little here, so our finances have suffered.

Healing magic was still the most important function of the white-robed priests, but that was about it for this country. Most festivals and events were centered around Mercurias and Zephiras subordinate gods, so there wasnt enough opportunity for the church to acquire donations. Without donations, a larger temple wasnt needed. Without money, your opinion didnt matter.

We left the temple afterward and went on to rent a room in a pretty good-looking inn within the merchant district. We only needed it to park our RV there, and I dont think they would care if we actually used the room or not. As long as they got their money.

Speaking of money, we probably had to make some more sooner or later. The restaurant was a good money source and the Sarlenzia company provided us with our shares on top of the payout from Grimnirs ores, but the latter had been complaining lately that we needed better quality ones. I also had the feeling we would be spending more money than we should in Estralia, so we better be prepared.

But, first, lets explore this city, no?

Hey, Lady Hestia! Cant believe we would meet up again, right? Hahaha

Gael?

There were two things we promised to our allies in Griffonpeak. First, we promised to help Amelia spread the influence of the Sarlenzia company into Estralia. The second was to aid Shaturein in gaining a proper foothold in the underground market of Gleisvale; specifically, to help Lady Grengar make a path into the Empire to have her girls spy on the rest of Saoris students.

She told us she would have a delegate help us. I thought it would be one of her employees. Nope. It was Gael once again.

Mister Vangrim offered me a deal to help out for a good amount of money. I accepted it thinking, Cool, more money. I didnt anticipate he wanted me to help you through Lady Grengar

I smiled wryly at his conflicted expression. There would probably be trouble with us getting involved with the underworld here, which means Gaels statement that we always bring him into something troublesome still holds true. Well, I hoped we could prove him wrong, but who was I kidding? Which gangster would want another gangster to invade their territory?

Do not worry, young one. Conflicts and confrontations build up your personality and character, Mother tried to comfort Gael, but he just slouched his back even more, trying to look small. Now, we have much to do! Let us all be off!

Understood. Well, we will be heading off now, Hestia. Take care of my students, alright? Ellaine, Shay, Beth, please keep Haruka-san safe, Saori stated with Gael and Tasianna on her side.

Yes. Please excuse us, Lady Hestia. We shall take a look into the underground market. Hopefully, there will be some clues there.

Saori and Gael were the ones responsible for Shatureins task while helping Tasianna find the one responsible for the fae hunters. In addition, we still had that problem with the bandits we met on the way, so it was important to find out why the hell they attacked us.

Muraina and Lady Grengar gave us an idea of what the reason could be, but the broken emblem we got from the two non-slave masters was unknown to them. Still, they presumed it would belong to an alchemist gang or something. Sadly, we didnt get any clues from the sword I found, but if we got to the end of this search, we would probably find them eventually.

Then they would pay.

We will also be going. Well get the paperwork done after everybody is back. Saori, dont forget to register yourself at the merchant guild once youre done on your side, Ellaine informed everybody with Amelia and Haruka beside her, and Beth and Shay behind them acting as their bodyguards.

Yes, we will be going. There is much to be done to establish the Sarlenzia branch in Gleisvale, but we will make it a success, Amelia followed up. Haruka, no need to be so nervous. We are well prepared.

Trembling slightly, Haruka forced herself to nod. Y-Yes. Ill do my best!

Dont tire yourself out too much, Haru-chan, Asaka comforted her. Alright, I guess well see each other later on. See you guys back at dinner.

Shisho! Please, teach me everything there is to be seen at the train station! I cannot wait to see the grand designs of the dwarves! Daichi hyped up to Grimnir, but all the latter showed was a slight annoyance.

Shut up, lad he grumbled. Bladdarg. The fastest way to the station is with a water boat. Lets go. Cant wait to get this over with.

Tatsuya, Kyouya, Daichi, Asaka, Elrick, Mother, and I were coming with Grimnir. Our destination: The train station of Gleisvale, and the last creation of the Revolution Queen. In addition, we would also be meeting a bunch of other dwarves.

A new city, a new experience.