20demayo Chapter 197 : Dwarf (9)
Chapter 197 : Dwarf (9)
Chapter 197: Dwarf (9)
The moment Taironi’s hammer brought down judgment upon the Balrog.
Robin was not the only one who witnessed the scene.
Dozens of Dwarves in charge of the bombardment stared blankly.
“Taironi… has returned.”
“More importantly, that hammer just now…….”
To those who had refined iron their entire lives, Taironi’s hammering was beautiful.
The Domain he displayed was no different from the very essence of the metallurgy he had accumulated over a lifetime.
“Everyone should have seen this sight.”
“Why say that, when you used to look down on Taironi?”
“You fool, any Blacksmith would feel reverence.”
“That’s true. It’s embarrassing to say, but my chest felt tight.”
Though they had been conscripted into war and fought as soldiers, every one of them had their roots in hammering iron.
Because of that, they had no choice but to acknowledge it.
What the will of the exiled Dwarf sought to convey.
“The poem Taironi recited. It was a poem we all knew.”
“Yes. To be honest, I’m ashamed. He reminded me of something I had forgotten.”
“It’s not just you. We all forgot.”
A poem passed down since before the Dwarf Kingdom was founded.
How many still remembered the spirit of their ancestors who refused to bend their will even in the face of despair?
In times when not a few had yielded to the temptation to surrender.
Only Taironi carried his will through to the end.
“But Taironi is…….”
“He did what he believed was right.”
“I hope he’s safe.”
After performing a miraculous Domain.
Taironi had collapsed as if fainting.
Robin hurriedly carried him away, but whether he would awaken remained unknown.
“Save your sentiments for later and get to the restoration work.”
That was war.
Even if a comrade who had shared life and death with you fell.
Even after a fierce battle ended.
One did not neglect battlefield cleanup and supply inspections.
One prepared thoroughly for the battles yet to come.
The Dwarves of the deepest part, where Taironi had departed, slung shovels and pickaxes over their shoulders and descended.
“Maybe it’s because we’re at war. There’s no fish dish.”
“Serena, you can’t ask for too much. It’s obviously a difficult situation.”
“But I want to eat a fish sandwich.”
As familiar voices bickered, Taironi opened his eyes.
“Hm? You’re awake?”
“Ugh. Why are you all here?”
Aelin folded the map she had been examining and poured him some water.
He gulped it down in one breath, and the dryness in his mouth eased a little.
“Dunkal asked us. He said he absolutely needed Dragon parts and told us to transport them to the Kingdom.”
“You arrived quickly. It couldn’t have been easy to move all that.”
“Don’t even mention it. It took half a day just to move the heavy cargo.”
“Half a day? What date is it today?”
“The 26th. It’s been three days since we parted after subjugating the Dragon.”
Taironi let out a shallow sigh.
To think he had been lying in bed for three days.
In the midst of a war where every moment was urgent, that was not good news.
Sensing his thoughts, Aelin added,
“Don’t worry. Others have already made the Dragon Speech Stones.”
“In just three days?”
“Yes. There were plenty of artisans besides you, Taironi. I don’t know what moved them, but they were very motivated.”
The immediate crisis had been handled.
What followed relief was a sense of reality.
Sigbard, Serena, and Aelin stared intently at Taironi.
“W-why are you looking at me like that?”
“You deceived us under the alias Niaroti.”
“If it displeased you, I apologize.”
When Taironi bowed his head in apology, their expressions softened.
“Well, you must have had your reasons. We have some guesses.”
“I see. By the way, I don’t see Robin.”
“He went out to look at Dwarf weapons. He should be back soon…….”
Bang.
As soon as Aelin mentioned him, Robin opened the door and entered.
His face, carrying an armful of various arms and armor, was brimming with undisguisable satisfaction.
“Taironi, how is your body?”
“At this point, I should thank the gods. I feel very well.”
“That’s a relief. Then shall we begin the discussion?”
Robin set the equipment down in one corner of the infirmary, pulled over a chair, and sat beside him.
The question he wanted to ask Taironi was simple.
Whether the records they had discovered were true.
And if they were true, what had happened to the heroes who had ventured to the Demon Realm.
Perhaps a truth unknown to this world might come to light.
Just as he steadied his breathing to accept whatever words might follow.
“You know Gunrad, don’t you? He is my father. I would like you to speak about him.”
“I heard he was Lady Elicia’s companion. Tell us what happened with Lady Elicia!”
“Do you have any idea where Lexus went?”
The three of them voiced their own curiosities.
“Calm yourselves. I have no intention of avoiding questions now.”
“Then tell us! The legend of Gunrad of the Barbarian Tribe!”
“Lady Elicia must have maintained her nobility even in the Demon Realm, right? What was her secret?”
“Tell me where Lexus is.”
Robin pressed at the corners of his eyes.
How could he answer if they all spoke at once?
“Enough! There’s only one Taironi. You can ask one at a time!”
Only when Robin raised his voice did they quiet down.
After three seconds of silence passed, Robin spoke.
“We discovered several Memorial Halls and read every record written there.”
“You must mean the ones Sella made.”
“The writings there. Are they true?”
“They did not record events that never happened. Even the scribbles written like graffiti were based on facts.”
Serena nodded.
“Uncle being insanely strong—that part is true.”
“Hm, so you saw that. Lexus had strong self-love, so he wrote it like that without even a change in expression.”
Encouraged by Taironi’s reply, Serena slightly lifted her chin.
“Then the next question. This is the most important one.”
“Go on.”
“What your companions went through. Tell us everything, in as much detail as possible, without leaving anything out.”
“To recount that entire journey, even staying up for several nights wouldn’t be enough.”
“That’s fine. We have plenty of time.”
“I do not. I’m grateful for your cooperation, but I’ll be moving about busily.”
“Then at least give us a short version.”
Taironi closed his eyes and stroked his beard.
“Floren, Austin, Gunrad, Elicia, Lexus, Harold, Sella. Including myself, eight of us went to the Demon Realm. The battle with the Demon King lasted for a month. Both sides suffered heavy losses and withdrew.”
A summary that condensed far too much.
Robin recalled the story he had heard from Brandok.
Surprisingly, every one of Brandok’s conjectures had been correct.
“After the expedition ended, peace came to the continent. It was only a half-success, but we disbanded. We no longer had the strength to keep fighting.”
Taironi glanced at Robin and added,
“That was when Harold lost his left leg.”
“President Burt…….”
He wanted to hear in detail what it had been like back then, but he did not interrupt Taironi.
He was not the only one holding back questions.
“After that, it went just as you expected. My companions returned to their daily lives. Harold, who settled in the Empire, changed his name.”
“So it’s true that the Emperor felt threatened.”
“I never imagined it would go that far. To think he would treat us coldly because we posed a political threat.”
“I feel ashamed on his behalf.”
It was a predictable story.
A master looking at a hunting dog that had outlived its usefulness. The Emperor’s gaze had not been kind.
The mercenaries who saved the world vanished like that.
Carrying countless rumors.
“So the commonly known facts were fabricated. The story that the Emperor’s army defeated the Demon King.”
“That’s right. The Dwarves, the Elves, and even the Barbarian Tribe wouldn’t know about this. We promised to keep silent in case it brought harm to Harold.”
“Do you not feel wronged?”
“Rather than wronged, I felt dumbfounded.”
Taironi was a Dwarf who had fought the Demon King directly.
That overwhelming power, which could not be described merely as strong, was not something the Emperor’s army could defeat.
Even if he had weakened now, it would be the same.
He was certain that in this era, there was no one capable of slaying the Demon King.
“It seems the story I can tell ends roughly here.”
“There’s still much lacking, but well. At least we understand the broad outline.”
“Then what will you do now?”
“Nothing changes.”
Sigbard, Aelin, and Serena. The three agreed.
They would continue advancing toward the Demon Realm.
If necessary, even killing the Demon King.
“Hwahahahaha! Such overflowing spirit.”
“I know it may sound absurd to someone with experience. But don’t forget—we’re young with bright futures ahead.”
“I’m not mocking you. I’m just laughing because it’s pleasing to see.”
“Then give us some practical advice. I’m serious.”
“Advice? Hmm… It’s only natural that you’ll grow stronger from here on. If I had to say one thing…….”
After some thought, Taironi spoke.
“There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to. Would you meet them?”
“Who is it?”
“I can’t tell you that. Ask when you meet them.”
“Understood. I’ll meet them.”
“Good. It works out well—they’re nearby.”
As the brief yet weighty conversation showed signs of ending, the three of them felt their mouths itching.
They had a mountain of things they wanted to ask.
“Ah, the reason I sent a letter to an Elf named Brandok was also because that person informed me.”
“What kind of person knows even an Elf in the Western Uncharted Area?”
“They’re not someone who will harm you. They’ll welcome you warmly, so go at ease.”
Taironi tore off a sheet of parchment from the bedside table and scribbled down some writing.
Coordinates indicating the Uncharted Area.
“If possible, go alone.”
“What do you mean? We’ll come along.”
“Didn’t you have many things you wished to ask me? I’ll only take questions until today.”
“What! That’s unfair! The tide of battle might change because of us, and you’re doing this?”
“Yes. It might change, but it hasn’t changed yet. We can’t lose a hard-won opportunity over idle chatter.”
“You’re sly, Dwarf!”
Sigbard wavered between Robin and Taironi.
Aelin and Serena were no different.
In truth, Robin also had many things he wanted to hear, but he shook his head.
“I’ll go alone.”
“Robin, is that really alright?”
“It’s more comfortable alone. Aelin, Serena, you two stay here. I’ll return by tomorrow.”
Aelin saw him off with an apologetic voice, while Serena merely nodded calmly.
As soon as he stepped out of the infirmary and closed the door, the three once again began firing off noisy questions.
He expressed silent condolences to Taironi, who would likely be tormented without rest for a full day.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The Kingdom, which had seemed deserted with manpower concentrated in the deepest part and not a single Dwarf in sight.
Now the once-empty Kingdom was filled with the sound of artisans’ hammering.
With the Magic that had been pouring out all sorts of summons gone, mineral mining resumed.
Based on that, they busily worked to forge various weapons.
It was a positive change.
Unlike before. At least among the Dwarves, hope was circulating.
Robin recalled Taironi’s Domain.
“How does he produce such power?”
Even so, he had grasped a sense of what he should do.
It would not take long to create his own Domain.
With that resolve, he followed the coordinates Taironi had written and began walking toward the surface.