...No, I thought I saw it. The path to clear victory.
But from the next day, I encountered difficulties.
"I don't wanna go! I don't want to meet my son!"
When I asked Kellibey to deliver a message to the king of the dwarf race, Kellibey vehemently refused.
Wait, is your son the king of the dwarves? I didn't know about this backstory.
Beside the despairing Kellibey, who was clutching his head, Dusk Bringar who had followed along explained.
"You might not know, but dwarves are extremely individualistic. In other words... they hate taking public office."
"Oh, that kind of individualism...?"
"After the Tribal War, dwarves scattered in all directions, and no one wanted to take the throne of the fallen kingdom. When the right to the throne drifted down to Kellibey and his brothers, this dwarf..."
Dusk Bringar gestured towards Kellibey.
"...fled with his brothers. Saying he'd dig up the legendary 'Golden Branch,' he formed a Golden Branch mining crew."
So, the metal digging under this lake wasn't just out of curiosity or a sense of adventure... but to escape from succeeding the throne!
Dusk Bringar finished explaining.
"So, the wandering throne eventually settled when Kellibey's fourth son decided to take it. That's why the current Dwarf King is Kellibey's fourth son."
I looked at Kellibey in surprise.
"You have four sons?!"
Kellibey sighed and shook his head.
"And four daughters."
"You had so many kids?! What are you doing here instead of supporting them!"
Such an irresponsible parent! Please devote at least half the love you have for metal to your children!
"I've fed and raised them till adulthood, what more... Dwarves are independent from the age of 12 and grow up on their own."
"Hmm. That's the culture of dwarves..."
Well, every race and culture has its own way of living. It's not for me to say.
"Besides, they're all over fifty by now. My youngest son must be around forty."
"Ah, dwarves have long lifespans, right."
It's confusing with the different age concepts here.
Kellibey, turning his head sharply, flailed his arms and legs.
"Anyway, I can't go! I won't go! I'll spend the rest of my life here hammering away at equipment!"
"Come on, don't be like that! Go see your son, it's been a while! And pass on my message! Alright?"
But Kellibey covered his ears and huddled quietly inside the forge. This stubborn old man...
Then, Dusk Bringar, smiling slyly beside me, spoke in a subtle tone.
"Every race except the dwarves has already agreed to gather. If only your race doesn't join... that would be a bit ridiculous, wouldn't it?"
"What?!"
Kellibey's eyes fiercely flickered.
"All the other races are gathering...?!"
"That's right. The merfolk, the beastmen, even the elves you dislike, and even I, a dragon, are joining. Only the dwarves are missing..."
Dusk Bringar clicked his tongue and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, how can we discuss the affairs of the world with such short, narrow-minded fatties? Now that I think about it, it's right for you to be left out. Just stay at home scratching your belly, playing with your beloved metal scraps."
"Don't make me laugh! Dwarves have pride, how can we be the only ones left out!"
Kellibey stood up resolutely, growling.
"Fine! I'll go back after a long time and see my sons, and daughters, and, and, wife! Damn it! If going is what it takes, I'll go! Just don't leave us out!"
As Kellibey turned to go, Dusk Bringar gestured towards him and whispered in my ear.
"...Individualistic but with a strong sense of racial pride. Just scratch a little, and like this."
"Your Grace. Every time you show such an attitude, I deeply realize that you are indeed the duchess of your principality."
She really knows how to turn the situation to her favor. I admired her purely.
Kellibey, who had been grumbling, looked at me.
"So, what exactly do I need to convey?"
"Please deliver this letter to your son... the Dwarf King, when you go. That will be enough."
I handed Kellibey the letter I had prepared in advance.
"When you depart, come to Crossroad, and we will also send gifts prepared along with our escort troops."
"Hmm... I see. The sooner I go, the better, right?"
"Of course."
"Alright. Then I'll finish up the equipment I was working on and head out right away."
Kellibey sighed heavily and glanced at me.
"You really know how to make the most out of me, Ash."
I smiled slyly. Of course, I must utilize everything I can.
***
Kuilan was already preparing to leave.
"Leaving right away, Kuilan? You can take it easy."
"Hehe. There's a saying, 'strike while the iron is hot,' right? And I have many places to visit."
Kuilan tied his boot laces and sprang up his large body.
"The beast tribes are scattered all over the world. As you know, not just wolves, but bears, tigers, foxes, and others."
I hummed in response to Kuilan's explanation.
"Then there's no one who can be called the king of the entire race. How can we gather the collective will of the race?"
"There are chieftains in each tribe. I plan to visit and persuade them one by one."
"Oh, persuasion? How?"
Kuilan then grinned and raised his fist.
Ah, that kind of persuasion...?
"A punch can be quicker than a hundred words. That's how we beastmen are... Just leave it to me. But it might take some time."
Kuilan nodded gravely.
"And... I'll stop by my homeland and bring back part of that maple tree. Don't worry and wait for me."
"I'll wait and trust you, Kuilan."
"Hehe. Seems like we've built quite a trust between us, eh?"
"Of course. You're a man I can trust to have my back."
Speaking sincerely, Kuilan raised his thick red eyebrows in a silent smile.
He quickly packed his bag and left with only the members of the Penal Squad. He's unexpectedly efficient in his actions.
The figure of Kuilan, walking away with his silver leather cloak fluttering, looked truly like a king, thanks to his imposing stature.
'...Not a bandit king anymore.'
I smiled to myself.
'Maybe I should call him the Beast King...'
And right after Kuilan left.
"Where did he go?!"
Yun appeared a beat too late.
She rushed out so hastily that she was in her pajamas, and her distinctive ivory hair was wildly tousled.
She had leaped out swiftly, even riding the Northern Wolf, which she hadn't used during her stay in Crossroad.
Yun looked around fiercely, and I asked her dryly.
"Who are you looking for, Yun?"
"Kuilan, Kuilan! He said he'd move with me while he's on the road!"
Ah.
That's why Kuilan left in such a hurry. Did he flee because Yun was too much for him...
Since it wasn't something I could hide, I told her Kuilan had left just a moment ago. Yun ground her teeth in frustration.
"Ah, really... Ever since I left home, I've been getting dumped by men, damn it!"
"..."
Being one of those cold men myself, I laughed awkwardly.
"Now that it's come to this, I'll follow him out of spite. I'm going too, Lord Ash!"
"Right now? But I thought the people from the Northern Kingdom were leaving in a few days..."
"I learned something after being rejected by you."
Yun growled fiercely.
"A man's heart is like a reed, if you don't grasp it in time, it just drifts away!"
"..."
"You think I'll keep losing? Me, Yun Ariane! That's not my style! So, I'm leaving first! Tell my subordinates to follow quickly!"
Whoosh!
The wolf Yun was riding quickly followed the direction Kuilan had left in. I waved my hand in that direction and shouted.
"Please convey the message well to the Northern Kingdoms too~"
And do well with Kuilan, whatever that might be...
Kuilan is oddly popular, and Yun seems to be oddly rejected, so their romance seems challenging. But that’s for them to figure out.
***
Verdandi had finished preparing to lead the Holy Grail Seekers on their departure.
"Wow."
She was not in her usual tight adventurer's outfit, but in a traditional elf ceremonial dress, which made me utter a surprised sound.
Dressed in a flowing green gown and wearing elaborate decorations on her long ears, Verdandi held the sapling of the World Tree in her arms and smiled at me.
"My outfit feels awkward, doesn't it? It's a hundred-year-old style, so it might seem outdated."
"No, Verdandi. It suits you very well."
Somehow, I had only seen her as a warrior until now... but like this, she really looks like a Elven princess.
"I plan to visit both the Elven Autonomous District and my homeland. I dressed carefully for the occasion."
Verdandi, though embarrassed, seemed to like her outfit.
The glass ornaments on her forehead sparkled. Along with the three teardrop marks, she gave a smiling glance.
"So, as Lord Ash's envoy... what should I convey to my queen?"
"Give her this letter. And my gifts for your race... I've put them on the backs of these creatures."
After handing her the letter, I signaled, and five animals, which had been grazing around Crossroad, approached. They were deer as large as horses.
Verdandi asked with a surprised look.
"What are these?"
"When the Elven Queen visited Crossroad, she left these, saying you should ride them when you return."
"..."
Verdandi, at a loss for words, stroked the deer's neck. The deer let out a soft sound, enjoying the Elven's touch.
"Don't be too tense, Verdandi. Your sister is probably more ready to accept you than you think."
"I hope so."
Verdandi climbed onto one of the deer first. The other Holy Grail Seekers also mounted the other deer.
"I'll be back, Lord Ash."
"Take care, Verdandi."
I waved my hand.
"I'll be waiting for good news."
"Yes. Absolutely."
With a final bow, Verdandi drove the deer forward.
Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop-
The five deer, carrying five elves, quickly disappeared into the distance. I watched their backs quietly.
Hoping that Verdandi would bring back a favorable answer from the Elven Queen. And that.
The two of them could reconcile amicably.
***
"I appreciate your reliance on me, Ash."
The person who had stayed by my side while sending off the other envoys.
Now it was time for Dusk Bringar to depart.
Her four personal knights and a series of troops were busy loading carriages and horses, preparing for departure.
Beside them, she smirked and then looked at me intently.
"Even so, isn't it too much to leave most of the small nations in the South and West to me?"
"I can only apologize for the inconvenience, Your Grace."
I entrusted Dusk Bringar with the task of liaising with most of the small neighboring nations.
There was no one more suitable for this job than her, who had reigned as the queen of the Bringar Duchy for many years.
While not as much as the imperial homeland, the Bringar Duchy also wielded considerable influence in the South and West.
"Hehe. Well, alright. After all, my fate is already tied to this Southern Front... and to you."
And Dusk Bringar happily accepted the role.
Despite being a queen herself, she chose to act as my envoy, the commander of the Southern Front.
I hesitated a bit before asking.
"It feels awkward to ask this myself, Your Grace, but why are you helping me to this extent?"
"Hmm?"
Dusk Bringar then made a playful expression with her youthful face,
"When everyone in this world, and my own country, had abandoned me. It was you and your city that extended a hand to me."
She answered in an unexpectedly serious tone.
"Whether it's a favor or a grudge, I repay it twofold. That is the way of the dragon."
--TL Notes--
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