If you wish to talk, I will be waiting outside. The dwarf Grimnir called Broggi stepped outside the door almost right after he greeted us, willingly allowing us to remain inside and talk things out alone. Grimnir, though, wasn't thinking straight after his dead cuosocousin in dwarvishappeared before him, and wanted to rush out and imdiately confront this Broggi but I stopped him, warning him that it might be a trap.
After all, we didnt know where we were and why we all ended up here with soone Grimnir recognized as his deceased relative. As such, we took this chance to calm down and gather ourselves, with explaining to Saori about what happened to and why my party was unresponsive for nearly a week.
Grimnir, Ellaine, and Neill couldnt enter the subspace since they were participating in the Event, so they hadnt known I was in such deep trouble when I ran into the rank S dragonslayers the dragonewts warned about. The mood got even worse when I told Saori I t the rest of the students and how we had an entire misunderstanding going on.
Rubbing her hand on her face, massaging her temples as she had that hunter look on her face. I ca to help a friend, but hearing all of this certainly brought my mood down.
You can say that again, Sensei, Tatsuya chid in.
Did you manage to talk with him without killing him? she asked, ntioning that therapy session the boys told they had with Saori back in the Belzac cave.
He shook his head. No, because Daisy doesnt feel he did anything wrong, and while, sure, he shouldnt, as we know now that it wasnt his fault, I still cant forgive him for acting so indifferent about everything. Well, I did learn he is Hestia-sans cousin, so I wont beat him up too hard for thinking he can do everything alone. I an, who does he think he is allying himself with so shady as hell group and dragging everyone else along with him? Aurora is the best option for getting all of us back to Earth.
Hearing that from Tatsuya did make feel better. His belief was fuel for my conviction to fulfill Aurenas divine Quest. I wish Franz had the sa thought, instead of trying to divide the effort by going separately.
In any case, everybody learning that my other lifes cousin was in this world was a real shocker, but Grimnir quickly brought everybody back to the main topic on hand. Seeing as he had to make sure this Broggi was real, he, along with Saori and Kyouya, went to ask his supposedly returned from the dead cousin. Everybody else had to rest or have their injuries treated.
As such, this smithy was filled not with the sounds of banging tal, but that of a bunch of adventurers enjoying so R&R. I for one had three patients to help out, and one of them was fully willing to trade information for what happened on the expeditions side. I wanted to know how the Event Quest went, and Ellaine was talkative as always.
Arrghk! Thank you, she thanked after I put her arm back into her place before healing her wounds. Her exoarmor was still in place, and while it protected her well against most kinds of attacks, a few blunt attacks made it through it and broke her bones. Urgh, Master Grimnir and I got into a small scuffle with so rank B thugs. This Event hasnt been nice to us when it cos to making friends.
Competition breeds excellence most say, and while it was true to a certain extent, it also bred rivalries and animosity I for one had experienced it enough in my past life. This Event was going exactly how I imagined putting a bunch of highly ambitious and powerful people in a contest where only one party may win. The reward for all the toil would be sothing too enticing to give up.
Tasianna led the Event Quest expedition consisting of 20 people through eight floors of conflict, involving both brawns and brains. She did proud as the third mber of Aurora, but as Neill and Ellaine had experienced, if you were the front runner with multiple other parties underneath you to support you, the others might get envious. If there was a larger threat, the smaller, trivial rivalries would shake hands and oppose the tyranny.
In this case, multiple Saelari, Ankor-Nazta, Artorian, Yeosian, and Estralian parties helped our 20-man expedition force. It was to ensure they got to the very end for the unique Job, and well, as Pradreo and Skardrvo promised, the dragonewts were also there to kill dragonkin slayers.
As such, everything turned into a three faction war inside the Event dungeon. Our faction, those who banded with the wyvern slayers, and the independents who wanted to stay on the sidelines while the two forr factions fought. After all, this competition wasnt about fighting, it was a race. The first to reach floor 15 would win.
Ellaine suddenly stopped talking as she looked over at VifiYok, who was taking a break, eating a sandwich I made for her while staring at us from afar. This is really a surprise.
I already told you, shes mostly on our side now. I want to believe that, anyways. My cousin blackmailed her, so I think it should prevent her from betraying us, I replied.
She knew VifiYok was on our side for now, but considering how unlucky our party was when it ca to encounters, she was rightfully apprehensive of our forr enemy. I wanted to think the demonkin wouldnt betray us, but she kept too much from to believe in such a naive idea. What if she believed Franz was bluffing and she were to run away?
Too much suspicion wasnt unhealthy here. I just had to learn how to best use her talents before it all broke down.
No, no, that wasnt what I was worried about. You think she noticed? Ellaines eyes glanced at her spell rings, the source of her demonic powers. Up until now, VifiYok had no reason to believe she was anything but a demonkin contractor, not that she had the lust archdemon herself inside her rings. According to Belzac, Klea hid herself from sothing, right? I dont know how to hide the power properly, and I was just using [Whiplash] a mont ago. Do you think it might have leaked?
I moved my head closer to her ear, whispering like she did. KleaHatma probably isnt that careless. VifiYok might get suspicious sothing is going on since she probably guessed we have no demonkin supporter on our side, but she wont addressed it since, unless she knows about KleaHatma, she would never be able to guess what's really going on.
No, no! She shook her head vigorously before pulling closer, to the point my ears could feel her breathing. I-I brought my aberration with .
I gave her a gaze that should express my complete befuddlent as accurately as possible. Her aberration? That aberration that also acted as her phylactery for her demonic powers? That egg-shaped demonic catalyst once created for the Prince of Envy to have an extra life was with her?!
Its dormant and in my satchel. She pointed at the slightly tattered leather bag she was carrying around. It was a wonder it still was functional, considering how much she had been fighting. Mother gave it to after you went into the dungeon. The inner stitching is made from mana threads, so we manage to apply a [Silence] and [Odorless] enchantnt to suppress people from sensing the demonic mana. But, with the demonkins senses
Haaa, must feel good to have a rich mom instead of being in debt Wait.
Im more surprised you have it with you, instead of leaving it in the subspace.
It can only grow as long as I feed it my mana. The aberration can only work as a phylactery if I allow it to grow, otherwise, its just an inedible chocochuckle egg, she replied, reminding of the spotted egg she showed when we reunited after my Elyonda trip. But! Worries and suspicions aside, while the whole Event has more or less been a constant fighting competition, we did procure quite a good amount of rewards for our toil.
Well, now that was sothing to make a girl happy! Aside from monster materials, alchemical ingredients, and nice to haves, similar to the reward the dungeon master gave us after we passed floor ten, Ellaine noted how they managed to get so nice gear from all the challenges. While the ingredients were with Kohaku and the other students of the expedition force, Master and the saurians got their first real upgrade in a long ti, since Grimnir couldnt make their gear as he needed so much ti for my armor.
The dungeon gear still needed runes and enchantnts to reach their fullest potential, but Krim-Slak and Grazlahta especially appreciated just having sothing more fitting their levels without breaking the bank. Oh, how I wanted to see them in their full glory.
Hey, girls.
The two of us turned around when Tatsuya called for her, serving us two wooden cylinder bottles with cream on top. Once we had them in hand, we noted how cold it was to the touch, before he placed a tal straw in them.
Frap or boba? He looked at .
Boba, but how? Tapioca isnt grown anywhere in the western countries, and none of the rchant countries know about the starch version. Does an alternative even exist in this world? I replied before taking a sip, noticing imdiately it was iced fulinoe tea with sugar and milk added, simulating bubble tea. Only I couldnt feel any of the bubbles.
When I noted this to him, he shrugged. Yeah, youre right. Just wanted to ask. I would have made so more frappuccino now that we have access to the subspace, again. Even if we cant enter it, your maids and Asaka are giving us stuff Uuugh, it makes you miss all the conveniences of your subspace once you go over a week without it.
Svena, Haati, and Lorena were naturally completely devastated when I was gone without any word for over a whole week. They really made sure I knew about it, before opening the waterworks that I was alright. Yikes, just watching them cry really gave so complicated feelings, but that was the life of an adventurer.
Speaking of those feelings, it once again reminded that we managed to survive that ordeal without my subspace. eting VifiYok and so on, and now we could sip on so iced tea and recover.
Delicious. Ellaine and I complinted Tatsuyas drink, as it hit just the right spot without being too sweet. I gave him the thumbs up. If you ever want to open up a coffee or tea branch in this world, just say the word. Ill get the funding sohow.
Where did that co from? He raised a brow.
You know why. Franz wasnt at fault, but his father did give your parents so grievances. Not like I feel guilty or compelled because hes family, now that I learned about it, but you know, to our childhood friendship.
Tatsuya let out a hearty laugh, almost dropping the two other drinks he was holding, but composed himself to reply, Hehe, nah, dont worry about it. I did help mom out with the shop, but making drinks isnt really one of my goals, right now. Besides, there is no real coffee in this world, and I want that. Getting back to Earth, away from all this fighting, is more important to .
I nodded, understanding his reasoning. Unlike , he hadnt accepted Peolynca as his new ho. As stated back when I spoke with Aurena for the first ti, I just wanted to visit my parents back on Earth to give them an apology, but my obligations remained in this new world. I had another family I couldnt abandon.
Once this little mont ended, Tatsuya turned around and gave Neill and the Ankoran King their drinks. Both of them were currently laying on a makeshift bed, recovering from their prior fights. Sis especially needed the rest, as her body was gagging from the Winters Gift antidote she took. Similar to , she was not prepared for the outright rancid taste that redy caused our tongues, but the venom was already out of her system so it was fine.
Haaaaaa, my tongue is saved! Neill let out a long-winded moan, smiling without any reservation.
Guuuu, I'd have prefered so ad or wine, but I can save that for later. The dwarven king couldnt control himself despite his words, indulging himself in the drink until it was half-empty. Once he noticed this, he wiped the cream on his beard off, before looking over at the open [Room] portal. My n and the rangers doing well?
Tatsuya nodded, but still frowned. Your bodyguard, on the other hand Well, Asaka says she can stabilize him, but he needs proper treatnt from Hestia. Whatever that dragonslayer did, his organs were nearly frozen solid. His heart, especially, nearly stopped beating. Its a good thing his health was so high, but if we delayed treating him for any longer, he probably would have died.
The silence from King Fugnarus made it clear what a threat Galg was. King Fugnarus told Ungi was level 129 while he was level 119, making them solid rank As when it ca to levels. Nevertheless, Galg beat both of them in a two-on-one battle, and nearly killed one of them. Well, considering how he could keep up with VifiYok, even if she was weakened, it shouldnt have been a surprise.
The dwarven king stared at the ground without blinking for a while, before he closed them and hid them behind his hand. In a battle, a commander should expect casualties. I thought I had everything covered, but I hadnt expected those dragonslayers to kill over 40 rank Bs and Cs by themselves.
If that wall of human corpses was any indication, including their own testants, the dragonslayers were fully responsible for the deaths of King Fugnaruss rescue team. Not to ntion, what happened to Saintess Fleindia. Asaka was making sure she stayed alive so we could talk to her later on.
I tried to remind the king that his group had been split apart, with him landing on floor ten with , but he didnt accept the excuse. As the leader of the party, he was willing to take full responsibility for everything. 40 people, huh? That was quite a number of dead warriors, knights, and others.
Well, they should only be three now. After I failed to reassure the king, VifiYok ca over. Twice you got ambushed by them, Hestia. We never managed to put our plans to ambush them into action but that has to end in the next encounter.
You say that as if that was so easy. Where are we even? Tatsuya complained. Were stuck knowing nothing until we get sothing out of that Broggart. In both cases, we had no reason to expect the dragonslayers, so how can we anticipate where we'll run into them next inside a dungeon where people could be anywhere?
First was when we t the Hestia hunting team in the previous dungeon and just now when they just appeared out of those portals on floor eleven. They were prepared like crazy, while I wasn't able to appraise Galg due to his appraisal blocking skill. Fire and holy wouldnt work against him, and my scales were naturally resistant against [Corrosive Flas]; the only way to punch through them would be ice and water attacks.
Speaking of ice and water, Tasianna and the others from the expedition forces werent here, sadly. According to Ellaine, hers and Grimnirs situation was similar to Neill, as they were separated due to a gambit to skip floors, so we didnt know where they were or if they were still together. We werent sure if they were on floor eleven to begin with, but I presud they werent, since Grimnir and Ellaine were, and they were teleported to this place with us.
As the dungeon master ntioned, he would teleport the cheaterSaoriwith her friends to a special location.
Is the dungeon master truly against us? Hes showing quite a lot of favoritism, if you think about it.
Hey, whether we can kill those bastards or not, doesnt matter right now. Im more concerned why the fuck you are here Forced back to reality by Neills forceful tone of voice, it beca clear her antagonism was once again directed at VifiYok. She knew why she was here, as I told everything.
Where in Marsvens na am I supposed to be, huh? VifiYok snapped back. Should I try to ignore you? Would that be better? I could if you wanted to, but at the sa ti, were stuck here together so why shouldnt I chi in a bit?
Oh, I know you cant be anywhere else. You got blindsided by so otherworldly brat, not to ntion how my little sister, who is a whelpling, nearly killed your butt the last ti we fought. I know you have to stay and protect her! Neill was obviously teasing her, finding it humorous considering her smirk. Good to know your place, ex-Warbringer.
Krk!
I could hear the demonkins veins popping
Neill, stop it. I had to intervene. Whether we like it or not, she is our ally in this. Sure, not the most cooperative, but at least we can rely on her hitting things well. Shes one of the reasons why I survived against the dragonslayers in the first place, so, please, can you not try to instigate a fight? For ?
Sure, for you. But I trust this demonkin as much as I trust a dragonslayer making my al. Neill continued drinking her ice tea, ignoring how VifiYok was about to explode.
I handed her a donut to calm her down. I will.
With these two cats occupied themselves with their food and beverage respectively, I looked over at Rajah and his family. The four headed-family were fawning over each other, specially Rajahs siblings were amazed at how much he grew as a rank B. I wanted to go over to them, but I also had to be here to speak with everybody.
I suggest we regroup. The first to break the ice was Ellaine. The expedition force consists of four Championstwo Goddess Plesia, one Goddess Crustacia, and one Goddess Zephira blessed. Especially Champion Tehmrayn is a trump card we have on hand, considering hes a rank S who beat another rank S. Not to ntion, with Saori back, we really should reunite Aurora, right?
You read my mind! I cheered at that last remark, finding it equally important to bring my party back together. It had been too long since the five of us fought together.
If we want to get out of here, we better listen to so proper info, then. Well, speaking of the smith King Fugnarus pointed to the entrance of this smith, where we saw Saori and Kyouya appear from it, waving for us to co over. After we packed everything up, we went out of this place, where we saw Grimnir sitting on a chair, crestfallen while the inko dwarf sitting in front of him silently stared at him.
That was Broggi, and while he did share similar features to the person in the first video recorder on our video recorder, he wasnt as holess-looking. He didnt look like an unkempt NEET who had never taken a step out of his house for months on end, nor did he look like an engineer who had never taken a bath before.
He was, rather, clean as if he had just taken a shower with an extrely trimd down beard not usually seen on dwarves not nad Grimnir. King Fugnarus, for example, had his beard go right down to the bottom of his stomach, with almost half of it petrified into stone hair. anwhile, Broggis beard looked two weeks old and with his short hair cut, he looked like any regular human man, just shorter and with stone skin on his ears.
He asked us to show him the video recorder, Saori stated. After so reluctance, I nodded and took it out, causing him to smile as he received it gently, treating it like his most treasured item.
Ahhh, Goddess Chihiros recorder. I am happy to see it cleaned and maintained. Hmm, youve opened it, right? Who did it? he stated, sounding exactly like the person we heard on the video. He even played the recording where he fild himself to further prove it!
It beca even harder to not believe this person was Broggi but Grimnir ntioned how he personally witnessed his cousin die and even sent his body back to his clan. No complaints were given, so if Broggis body was sohow snatched away during the delivery, sobody should have noted it. For example his father.
Hmm? That seems too much of a coincidence. No, keep it to yourself for now.
I did, with Mister tosei Gunnisor from the railroad guild, Ellaine stepped forward, telling the truth.
He stroked his beard, showing so mild interest in her. Oh, I see. You cleaned it well, then, lass. Never thought a human would be able to make such a solid clean, especially with how small and delicate everything is considering what Goddess Chihiro strived to do. Hmph, that old coot Gunnisor still has it in him to teach people.
Nah, not him. Grimnir raised his head, showing eyes reddened and puffy from crying, and pointed at Broggi. Your apprentice. Her na is Ellaine, rember it, you bashthuda.
Mine? The dwarf raised a brow, before sizing up Ellaine, only too look even more confused.
Master Grimnir taught your techniques. Through your notes and docuntations; Ive read them all, I believe Master Broggart?
Astonished by what she said, Broggi froze on the spot, staring at Ellaine without moving a muscle. He kept looking like this until he nearly dropped the recorder, hectically correcting his posture to assure it didnt fall. He then clutched it tightly to his chest, carrying it as if it was a newborn. He blinked, before loosening up.
Ha, ha His breathing was ragged, probably since his treasure nearly fell down cause of his own clumsiness. Girl. Uh, a malfunctioning of the mana wires due to an overload of mana flowing through them, causing the circuitry to break down and damage the chanical piece. What do you do?
Ellaine tilted her head at that questioning, looking over at Grimnir as he gestured her to look at Broggi. She did so, nervously glancing around before letting out a deep sigh. Put on protective gear, first, as the mana knot could destabilize the machinery, causing it to explode. Locate the knot once you are protected, remove it by cutting the mana link. Remove the circuitry surrounding it and check on the battery, making sure the breakdown didnt damage it. Use a 10cm mana conducting hook to test out the conductivity of the issue. If everything is above 80%, then the pieces are at fault and its the smiths mistake. If its below, then too many wires were attached, causing too much stress on the entire item.
Exactly! You even took my wording on it! Never. Bla. Your. Own. Wiring. The smiths ruin most of the pieces anyways; either a lackluster quenching, terrible balancing of eoriant and arcanuit making it too mana conductive, or they just fucked up the bladdarg hamring!
Oi, bashthuda! Grimnir stood up, picking up Broggi by the scruff. I aint forgetting that way you spoke to . Smiths mistake?! You crazy? The fact of the matter is that we do what we can to appease you artificers demanding requests. You want this, you want that, always asking for more until you test it out and it doesnt work! You think I got the ti to make the 50th piece of junk so you can test out if it can handle the full throttle of six mana batteries?
Pah! he smacked Grimnirs hand away, pushing him back on the chair before bashing his fist into his chest. Ya punk, you think you get to say that? Ya got the hands of a master, but Ive been working in this workshop for months now, and I aint seeing the problem. If you just listen better, everything will work out! Right, lass?! This damn fool probably scuffed things up once or twice!
W-well, not exactly. Master Grimn But Ellaine couldnt finish before Grimnir struck back, pulling Broggi by the beard.
Crustacia give patience to endure this fool of a Luedbrumdar! She may have learned from your techniques, but I was the one to teach her everything! Everything! Down to the damn wiring that I cant do cuz of Taz hands! You know who could have done it better? You! He pushed his cousin onto his chair. You! You fool! If only you hadnt faked your damn death Pah, you think I WOULD BELIEVE THAT?! WHO ARE YOU and why did you assu my cuosos appearance and mimicked his mories?
Grimnir. I am not dead, I made a dea
LIAR!
Woah! I let out as Grimnir was about to punch Broggi, only for a wolfkin to suddenly jump out of his shadow and grab his arms, pulling him away while he was kicking and shouting.
Thank you, Sarasa, Saori said to her third fenrir, before grabbing Grimnirs fist and tightening her grip around it. Slowly but surely, he cald down, not wanting to hit one of his friends. Its alright.
I forcibly pulled his hand away, turning away from her. Its not I told myself to act better for the lass and lad, but look what I devolved back into. That pitiful, angry zuekluk who would drink to forget, showing none of that skill he ticulously trained for over 60 years. I thought I made peace.
Apologies, cuoso, Broggi said.
Daichi-san is probably waiting for you behind the portal. Maybe give him a wave and that youre okay? Saori suggested, causing the old dwarf to nod. Once he went into the smithy, she turned to and the others who werent here for the initial talks. That was how it went for a long while.
But, Grimnir is probably 80% sure this really is his cousin Broggart, Kyouya stated. We checked his mories, and he is able to recall events only he and Grimnir shared. Grimnir couldnt find any flaw in anything we ntioned, except for
Why he faked his death, right? King Fugnarus stepped forward. I understand why Grimnir is satisfied with this. I too would like to question you, old friend.
Old friend?
He drew closer, but unlike his calm or more goofy appearance when he addressed Grimnir and Ellaine respectively, he scowled at King Fugnarus, looking at him similarly to how Neill looked at VifiYok. However, the latter was undeterred and sat down where Grimnir sat.
On the day I exiled you from Inkoran-Tazul, what did we speak about? Not even Ungi or wife knows about it, so if you truly are Broggart, then you should know.
Broggi leaned forward. You asked if I found anything worthwhile in the Goddess Chihiros workshop. I told you, You should have never beco the Ankoran King, you child murderer.
Hmm? What is this about?
King Fugnarus stood up. This is Broggart. Whether hes undead or not, he has his mories.
Wait, what?! Hold on!
But Saori stopped . I also checked his Profile. Hes not undead or anything. Just Inko Dwarf. Nothing seed awry, he was also at level 59, five levels higher than before his death.
So this is Broggart, huh?
You can believe if you want or not. He stood up, his sour face still contorting his face before he looked at Ellaine. It was awkward he was showing her, but it was a smile nonetheless. Well, I know this is weird for all of you. You must have questions for why you are here. Co. I want to show the lass here my workshop! Might as well get so answers for it, aye?
Might as well. VifiYok joined in imdiately without asking anybody else, but even I couldnt reject his offer. I was quite curious about things.
Grimnir joined us eventually after he was done, handing over my [Room] runes before telling to be more careful with them. They take a lot of ti to make, he told , before showing a chuckle. Was he hiding his worries behind a joke?
Nevertheless, we boarded a minecart train, similar to the ones you could find in any dwarven city for quick transportation. After activating the lever, the carts slowly began to move along a rail, moving us through what looked like a mine.
All of you are currently on the 14th floor, right over Manethalas lairyour goal if you want to gain your unique Job. Well, its currently closed, and while I am on good terms with him, the old drake wont let you through that easily, Broggart began.
Bladdarg, Grimnir called him out. Good terms? Manethala? We broke into the one place he wanted to keep us out of us, including how he nearly killed us in a rampage after we showed ourselves, and you call that good terms?! I knew it, you are a damn
Close yer trap, cuoso, and let end my bladdarg explanation. He threw a nearby rock at his cousin, causing it to crash right against one of Grimnirs ram horns before it flew away. Even forr enemies can beco allies if the opportunity shows itself. He and I share a goal, currently, and to achieve it we must work together. Its that plain and simple.
I glanced over at Neill, who was sitting next to , causing her to roll her eyes. She couldnt bury the hatchet. Well, I couldnt admonish her for it, since this was VifiYoks third chance with , so if she blew it, I would really rip off her last arm. Then Franz could do the rest, depending on what he was planning on doing, but if possible, I would rather avoid the cruelness of such an action.
But, I guess you still are all wondering how it got to the point, or why I am stuck inside this dungeon, right? Well, to answer your questionyes, I did fake my death.
BULLSHIT! Grimnir shouted.
However, Broggart ignored it. I made a deal before, well, I died. See, I never really told this to anybody, but my valto had so shady dealings behind the scene. I was supposed to be his heir, but everybody in the bladdarg clan knew I wasnt going to be wasting the best years of my life sitting in so room, trying to settle every single matter and issue for the clan and its connections. I am not a people person; manatech and gnos are always easier to deal with.
Jeez, he really does sound like a recluse. Fitting his forr appearance. Valto, huh? Dwarvish for father, so Maagneil that bastard, huh? I should probably bring it up now
And after my father went mildly insane after I was exiled, his dealings and issues got worse, to the point he had to sell my talents to his dealer to make sure he wouldnt get killed. Well, they would have killed too, if I hadnt accepted it, so it wasnt like I could do anything else, Broggart interrupted my thought process.
I knew it! Maagneil that bastard really deserves the worst parent ever trophy! Piece of crap, that piece of dung!
I completely forgot what I wanted to bring up at this very mont where I understood Broggart too well. He really sounded like he hated that scum! Truly the correct way to treat that person, but the course of the storytelling quickly changed to the point he reminded I should have probably spoken up sooner.
Well, as you can see, Ive been stuck inside this place for a while now. Probably, hmm, a year? Yeah, yeah, Ive been working on what my valtos employer wanted for that long, and thats why I got all of this set up. The proof for that is in the dragonewt lasss head, since she t him in the other dungeon, right? Where she fought the earth elental emperor?
WHAT?! King Fugnaruss and Grimnirs head snapped over to .
Uuuuuuuh Broggart, that dwarf, caught off-guard! I swear, I wanted to tell you guys about it eventually. It sort of slipped my mind. I an, the boys knew about it!
I looked over to Tatsuya and Kyouya for help, but they completely ignored , looking over at the ore veins inside this mine. These two traitors!
Guhahaha! Well, it doesnt really matter, right now. Im gonna spit it out, anyways. Just as he almost sank , he rescued from drowning under the two dwarves glare! This Broggart knew how to manipulate people. Before I continue, again, sorry about everything, cuoso. I really didnt an to fool you, but I had to fake my death. Didnt you think it wasnt weird how I feel into that ravine and died? ? I might be an Inko, but we dwarves are made from harder stuff! Dying from cracking my head, pah!
You werent wearing a helt. That drop would have killed if I cracked my spine and head, Grimnir wanted to rebuke, but it didnt dissuaded Broggart.
He knocked on his head, causing that usual skull knock sound. Hard as ever but, seriously, I do apologize. That video I-I probably should have deleted that recording when I last visited the shrine. Had a chance to go out when valto was trying to deal with you and your friends. Visited my shrine to Goddess Chihiro, cleaned it everything to await you aside from deleting that recording.
Ooooooooooooooooh, didnt Haruka ntion how the shrine where we found the video recorder was unusually clean despite supposedly being decrepit and abandoned? It makes sense now.
Probably realizing it too, Ellaine, the boys, even Rajah made an aha sound. Everybody but Grimnir, who only remained silent. He didnt seem intent on shouting for this part.
Until he finally caved in, replying ekly, almost too quiet for us to hear over the sounds of tracks. Why didnt you?
For Goddess Chihiro. I was the first person to ever use the recorder since I managed to repair it. I couldnt delete the one proof for one of my greatest achievents back then, before we finished the blasthamr.
That sounds selfish.
Sounds like you, cuoso.
Alright, alright.
Grimnir didnt smile, but that dejected, crestfallen look returned. I hoped his inner turmoil wasnt leading him down sowhere, and while I wanted to support him, I couldnt as Broggart finally continued.
Which brings to the pri question here: tell , non-dwarves, do you know why the first waves of dwarves are nowadays considered nobility?
Brogg
You can shut up, Broggart imdiately silenced King Fugnarus. This isnt your court, Fugnarus. You cant play king inside Manethalas lands, so keep that abrasive temper of yours sealed. I dont need ya causing another incident to kill off another of my apprentices.
Huh? Ellaine and I let out, before we looked over at King Fugnarus, followed by Saori giving him an inquisitive stare. However, he stayed silent, acting exactly as Broggart wanted.
Good, he can listen to , but not his wife. Got himself in this situation cuz of that temper of his, probably. With that snarky comnt, Broggart composed himself, snapping his fingers to bring our attention back to him. With no one to stop us, let give you so insight on dwarven history the wisewoman council and the nobility wished to hide from the rest of the world. The story of a generous man who watched how monsters evolved into the race we call elves nowadays.
An origin story? Saoris interest was imdiately piqued. It was good to see her nerdy historian side was still there.
Correct. How else did the current races beco sentient, right? Well, it all started with the elves, and this is really sothing anybody can read from a book. Lass, mind telling us?
Nobody answered before Ellaine realized it was her he was speaking about. ?! Uh, uhm, well, this part of history is rarely repeated since its so long ago, but to be specific, elves were monsters turned sentient, similar to how dragons were intelligent, only that elves lost their ability to evolve. I-I do know humans were a sort of mutation from elves and that they separated themselves over soooo many years ago, but that is where my knowledge ends. Nobody in the Empire studies this subject, believing its all elven hearsay.
Yeah, yeah, the Imperials think humans are pure beings, and that they were born alongside the elves as two of the three first sentient beings, with the dragonkins being the third. Well, its all antique history that nobody really cares about anyways. History that far in the past has nothing to do with the future, so it doesnt matter how elves and humans ca to be.
I do. Nobody but Saori cared about the subject, and she wanted everybody to know about it. I an, why have I never heard about this before? Ah, right, I have mostly researched recent history.
Ignoring her, he continued. However, nowadays, we know about how dwarves, beastn, grimgarians, and demonkins were created, since its recent enough for people to care about. One of them, the dwarves, were created by the earth elental emperor, as he was jealous he couldnt create proper children like beings made from flesh. Faefolk are loosely related, after all.
It applied to fairies and lesser faefolk, this rule would apply to elentals as well. They just popped into existence, similar to monster spawning.
We dwarvesInkos and Tazwere the first couple waves. His imperfect results since we couldnt harness mana and use it like the other races. It is kinda obvious, I guess, since this whole inability to create mana caused us to strive more than enough in the very beginning. He sighed. But, sadly, when he made the last few waves of his perfected children, molded after himself in appearance, he underestimated the complexity of life. He was the ruler of the earth, the lifespring of the world but when he made the perfect creation, their lifespan was too short for them to work as a sentient race similar to the elves and humans. They couldnt make enough babies before all of them died from old age. Perfection? Flawed.
And that is why the major clans consist of the oldest dwarven families, correct? Since imperfection was considered flawless? Or sothing like that? I stated.
King Fungarus nodded. The emperor forgot about us when they found out their perfect creation was a flawed being. They isolated themself from us, but we still prayed to them. It all changed when Goddess Crustacia banished him, usurping his throne as the primarch of the earth elent. We have prayed to her ever since, knowing she was a face we could see and speak to. Sadly, even she couldnt fix our race's inability to expel mana.
Maybe that is how creatures made from earth and soil were allowed to even exist, Fugnarus? Everything beca quiet as this small mont ended, allowing us all to soak in what had been told to us. Philosophy aside, the point I am trying to make here is that my valto and his employer successfully managed to revive the real earth elental emperor. They require it to make sothing for them, and that is why they have allow it to grow. Well, after its defeat by the hands of the dragonewt lass, they still managed to get what they wanted.
The minecart suddenly stopped just as Broggart was about to reach the climax. He told us to leave the carts, leading us into a nearby tunnel before we stopped at a small hut, similar to the smithy from before. He opened the door, and in it, he revealed his artificer workshop. A huge desk was placed in the far end of the room, fitted with multiple tools I couldnt identify at first glance.
Fugnarus, listen to , for I am not lying here. Broggart let out a deep sigh. The creation I am working on for them requires an imnse fuel source, sothing that an ordinary battery cannot create so easily. To create sothing that can transcend our current technological limits, valtos employer suggested delving into history for the first being who ruled over this worlds rocks and ore. He found out that Goddess Crustacia did not kill the earth elental emperor, for it was too connected to the very world to eliminate without repercussion.
He turned around. He needs an ore that has no limit to its mana absorption. We want him to recreate the perfect dwarf, for the reason why their lifespan was so short was that they could absorb and expel mana better than even the elves. An impossibility to create a tool to kill even the dragons. To threaten the son of the Black Tyrant of the Skies.
Weapon? What is that supposed to an?! Kill us?
Grimnir. All of you. I have sothing to ask of ya. His face tensed up. You must kill my father and destroy his invention.
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