5 1. Problems Inside Dwarves (Previous)

Desolate mountains spread under the eyes of Yut and Valtrude.

A mountain landscape with little green in sight, even minus the fact that the season is winter. The mutilated mountains looked desolate as if they refused to let others in.

It's so strange that the monsters aren't wandering.

Mountains at a straight distance, about 40 km west of Falve. At the corner is the city of Mainz, which became the territory of Valtrude.

"Yut, how do the Dwarves make a living in a land like this?

"Around here, iron and coal can be mined. Export it directly or make processed products."

Valtrude, who was flying horizontally with his body, wakes up and stops. In keeping with that, Yut also came back a little further.

The day after the fortress appeared in Falve.

Yut and Valtrude were about to visit Mainz, a mining city inhabited by the Dwarves.

This expedition is not the usual "Momentary Travel (Teleport)", but an empty journey using the Fifth Staircase's theoretical spell "Long Flight (Auver Flight)". Does it take more than 2 hours?

Yut has never been to Mainz - not that.

I would have used Moment Move without hesitation.

This time, however, he is also accompanied by his lord Valtrude. The sudden visit of a noble diocesan knight in Moment Travel is not in good physical shape.

dignified, facial, courteous, and aristocratic common sense. That's a problem I've never had to deal with.

I won't take it down, but I can't even take it lightly.

"I don't think I can get the key food from anywhere."

There's about a pedestrian.

"Hmmm..."

Valtrude thought with a difficult face.

I'm not wearing plain clothes today, I'm wearing magical silver (miserable) sheet metal armor. The Devil (Divine) Divine Sword (Subjugator) also sits on his hips, putting aside a shield integrated with the cage hand and wearing an alternative, but almost completely armed.

The action of the spell protects it from the cold. But Yut saw the beauty of the distressed Valtrude, and his body trembled.

All this makes no sense because even if you think you're used to it, you can have more shocks than that.

(Pathetic. Pathetic, but irresistible beauty is an anomaly)

When he had serious but different vector problems, Valtrude called out to him.

"Is there anything else I should know?

"Oh...... Then why don't you explain to the Dwarves what you're going to propose first?

He only tells Valtrude that he will recruit the personnel necessary to make the city of Falve. To explain too much, they were going to throw it round the other way.

"Is that a story that will benefit the Dwarves?

"At least that's what I think."

"Then good."

With that said, Valtrude ran through the sky again.

I guess they trust me.

"It's heavy like that..."

There is a chance.

But the pressure is undeniable.

Can the Dwarves accept it? As accepted, is that the way to be happy for them? That was a huge problem for Yut as well.

The two of us keep flying over the mountains for a while.

I saw smoke in the distance - coal smoke.

There is a stone settlement in the surrounding cliff-fronted land.

Better yet, the quality is rigid. To make matters worse, it's a vibrant city.

"Let's go down a little farther"

Valtrude nods silently.

Thus they stood down on the ground for the first time in hours. Take them and climb the mountain path towards Mainz.

Early on, Yut began to regret it.

Climb unpaved mountain paths, though they are stiffened. Moreover, Valtrude, who boasts good legs, has a cool face despite being fully armed.

The boy's pride is lame.

(After all, I don't care about Fujiko, so should I have "traveled instantly"...)

But it also had the purpose of showing Valtrude what was going on in this city beforehand. Light climbing would have to be compromised.

"This is Mainz. Dwarves."

Valtrude standing at the entrance says quietly.

Dwarves.

They are also known as the Rock Fairies, but the Exiles are never related to the Rock Giants.

He is about half a meter tall and in barrel-like shape. Long mustache that stretches to the waist. Prefers bright, cheerful and strong liquor, is a first-class craftsman and warrior.

It's a species just like the public image.

If you are an adventurer, you will sometimes be involved on the journey, and there are often dwarves in the party.

The Yuts have also found the remains of Queen Dwarf, who disappeared hundreds of years ago, and have entered into friendship.

"It's another tribe, and I don't think it makes much sense"

"That is not the case. Good deeds are always rewarded."

"In the sense of being rewarded, I've already been rewarded."

Gems received as consideration for Queen Dwarf's artifacts are not so much money now. If it's the current sense of money, it would have been taken as a memorial without selling it.

But for them, who were still running out, it was a much appreciated reward. Appreciate it, but not enough.

As I entered the city of Mainz immersed in memories, one Dwarf quickly turned to me.

You're Yut Amaxa.

"Oh. As I said yesterday about the business. The lord is with us."

Inform the Dwarf youth who have run but have not disturbed one breath of their intention to come.

"Now, Mother - I will show you to the chief. Come here."

Covering up some tension and curiosity with courtesy, Dwarf youth began to lead the way.

Still, is it the greatness that reaches this periphery, or are you surprised by its beauty, that you are stealing from Hitachi and Valtrude?

(Probably both)

Thanks to this, an infinitely stored bag that doesn't look good in the uniform or outfit under the robe doesn't have to be noticeable.

I was thinking about that, so I delayed noticing Valtrude's dissatisfaction.

"Yut, what do you mean yesterday?

That's just what Valtrude asks in a whisper.

"Oh, a little bit in Moment Travel at night."

It is problematic to visit without any promises, no matter how many lords. Even the other person makes me feel better than I need to.

Or, even if it's just a tip off, you'll arrive later than they do. Besides, I still don't have a subordinate to act as a liaison.

Sejour, the king's capital, solicits principals with retired officials and scholarly but jobless noble children. In the near future, it should take shape...

"Suddenly, aren't you overworked?

"I'm getting some rest. Otherwise, you know I can't use a spell, right?

"Mmm..."

Yut is worried, but it is himself who is putting that hardship on him. I can't say strongly when I think about it - Valtrude gets annoyed by the lack of merit.

I'd be happier if you were happy.

"Ugh. Let's try."

That being said, Valtrude was forced to make a smile.

"All right, all right."

Touching your head weighs just fine.

"But it's my fault you seem lonely?

I'm supposed to be walking on Main's Boulevard right now, but the road to the big mansion you can see ahead is barely crowded.

So if you're at work, it doesn't sound like waving Dwarf's settlement-specific hammer or vibrancy.

Even if it's not Valtrude, it's natural to wonder.

Yut's response to that was extremely flat.

"It's not my fault. If I were, I wouldn't bring Val"

"Are you telling me you don't like going out alone with me"

He stopped abruptly and was unwittingly loud.

"Huh? There's no way."

I didn't expect such a reaction, so Yut leaks the truth unexpectedly, too.

"Oh well. That would be good..."

"Oh, oh..."

Her face is red.

What you can see from Yut is that Valtrude's cheeks, like white magnetism, seem to be dyed red, but you wouldn't make a big difference yourself.

(What would have happened if Arcia and Yona had seen me here...)

So I come to the sight of others.

…………

It should be said as expected, or what an indescribable gaze was being turned by the Dwarf youth.

"As, well, that's it. This has happened to Mainz for several reasons. It will be improved by a proposal to the chief."

"Oh well. If that's what Yut says, don't worry."

The two of them walk out as if nothing had happened.

You wondered if there was any further pursuit, and the Dwarf youth also continued to walk solemnly, stopping in front of a mansion with stone walls.

"This is the residence of Chief Miranda. Even if we continue to guide you."

"If it's convenient for you,"

"Okay. This way, please."

It was a large, longitudinal hall of more than 10 meters that was guided. High ceilings and no pressure. The skylight was fitted with glass, bringing winter sunlight indoors.

On the front, I guess she's Miranda the chief. An old Dwarf had already taken his seat wearing a flashy costume.

A long low table is set on either side, with nearly ten dwarves looking this way behind them.

(You're not welcome)

Dwarves meant matrilineal society, but the faces in line seemed to be more male.

In the center of the room, two circular cushions are provided that are identical to those in which the Dwarves sit.

This would mean their seats.

Rather than welcoming a new lord, it was like he was going to be put on trial, but he had no choice. In their fight against the Book of Nothingness (Caios Evil), they showed martial courage.

But there is no track record in territorial management.

A cathedral knight with a definite expression took his seat in a flowing act. An exclamation leaks from the Dwarves on both sides in a move that I don't think is wearing heavy armor.

On the other hand, Yut also lowered his back in a somewhat dizzying motion compared to that.

Negotiations - the battle begins.

"I am Miranda, the Dwarf chief living in Mainz. Far away, thank you for your hard work."

"From Charlton III of the Rotosilt kingdom, it is Valtrude, who has been entrusted with a new lord. Regards."

First, I greet you both without difficulty.

"Yut Amaxa, the house of the Earl of Istas. A magician."

I would introduce myself once, but he knew very well for himself that it had not been noted.

So drop the bomb gently.

"I'm here to tell you how to return the dying city to Yellow Springs"

"Hmm. What is dying?

You can't even have good feelings when they say you're dying all of a sudden. Chieftain - Miranda's eye pierced Yut.

But it doesn't look like it moved on him. On the contrary, I even thought it was better at all than the battle between living or dying.

Neither does Valtrude hold his mouth in disrespectful words.

"He, I want you to think that Yut's words are mine"

On the contrary, I left the full powers to Yut.

"You're dying. You can tell from the city."

Not deliberately answering the chief's question, Yut stuck his request.

"For starters, I need manpower. We need craftsmen to build the city around the fortress in Falve."

Dwarves are all excellent blacksmiths as well as masonry. If there is a dwarf in the realm, there is no hand not to use. If there is a shortage of manpower in the Wang Du Sejour Restoration, it will be more expensive.

"Falve's fortress? It's just ruins over there."

Exactly, it didn't seem to convey this far. Doubt comes up from the Dwarves.

"There is a castle fortress. Helenonia, it's a miracle of God."

Shortly and strictly, Valtrude affirmed.

Pressed by its aura, the dwarves on both sides also remain silent.

"Aside from the authenticity of the fortress at the hands of God, I have a plan to base it on the Falve. It's true we need manpower."

"I see."

Only a negative stance does not break, says the chief.

"But no matter how good the Dwarves are, they can't build a home without materials."

"Don't worry about that either. Arrangements are in place."

Sheikh Miranda silenced on Yut's words filled with confidence.

"Do you mean that stone has already been procured from somewhere"

You think you bought it from another land. The facts are different, but Yut didn't make any particular corrections.

(Outside the territory, do you even use a single gold coin?)

Yuuto tongues out in his heart.

Well, actually, that's not going to happen.

"Wages are likely to come out in five silver coins a day. I'll take some care of my clothing and living, and I'll give you a bonus for every separation. On these terms, how many can we gather?

"5 silver coins......"

The chief closed his eyes in silence, and instead a surprise was raised by the Dwarves who were in the queue. The base salary alone is up 50% of the market.

There are other extra rewards, so you can call it broken.

"You're telling young people to abandon their homeland. You can't say it's a good deal."

To the word of the chief, now the dwarves on both sides pressed silence.

"Nobody's talking about forced migration. You can go home if you want. Well, I'd like to ask you to improve the streets if there's a way to build a city, and I have as much work to do."

But Yut has a cool face.

"Speak to the nearby settlements, and 200 will gather."

The voice was heard from behind the Yuts.

"Tordek! I don't remember allowing Nushi to speak!

The reprimand from the chief flies.

But the Dwarf youth who led Yut and Valtrude so far did not pull a step back. His hands trembled and it seemed like he was finally breathing, but he took the sight of the chief from the front.

"Mother...... no, you know the chief too. It's like being strangled with cotton."

"Tordek......"

If it is that young people abandon the city, it cannot be stopped.

Neither Chief Miranda nor the other Dwarves around him could say anything with their eyes down.

"Bye, Toldek."

Yut said, turning his body around while sitting down.

"I leave the leader to you. When you've assembled two hundred people, tell them I'll give them a pick up. I'll let you know later."

"Yes."

Trembling, Yut nods satisfactorily in a clear reply.

"You should listen to me with you"

Valtrude points to the corner on the left.

To her words, the Dwarves will not speak out, even if they disagree. Tordek was also a moment of formal participation.

"Well, one of the suspensions is cleared. Then I'd like to make another suggestion that would interest a new industry."

"What?

The chief rounds his eyes.

Naturally. Without that industry, young people are going to abandon their homeland.

"Of course, I'll ask the rest of you to do your job."

"Really, I didn't come here to move and live with you..."

Yut nodded softly.

But the Dwarves' expressions remain dark. Quite frankly, I doubt it. I was wondering if there was such a delicious story.

"But..."

"I know it's not gonna go the way it's always been."

Hands up, Yut takes control of the chief's words.

"I'm sorry, but it depends on your efforts from here on out"

And Yut uttered the essence of the problem this Mainz has.