OKIH 52

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Chapter 52

"My goodness! You guys really helped me out there. I thought I was going to die when the Wyvern found me!"

The one who said that was the shorty that was leading us, in truth, he was actually a small old man.

He wore a red hat on top of his small but wide stature. One can see that it's a pretty sturdy body.

When we shook hands, the skin on it was very thick.

I thought this could be it, and I was right.

"Who would've thought that we could encounter a dwarf this easily"

Kawazu-san was also a little surprised, but the dwarf embarassedly laughed and told us,

"Ahahahaha...... I became quite absorbed while looking for ores. There are a lot of our mining sites around here. But aren't you guys really quite lucky to have run into me? Otherwise, you'd have to search around this rocky mountain for at least a few days!"

The dwarf man laughed heartily.

He may have said it lightly, but it was indeed incredibly troublesome.

I really wanted a break.

Had it come to that, I would've definitely used some magic.

However, I'm currently grateful for this good luck.

The place that we're currently traversing isn't on the surface of the mountain, it was inside a strange tunnel.

We were brought into this tunnel with his guidance. It was big enough for a few people to easily pass through, even though it was underground.

It was also subtly glowing even though I can't see a source of light. One really doesn't need to worry about the lighting.

If we're right about this path, it could immediately lead to the Dwarf Village. It's really much preferable to take shorcuts like this instead of walking along the mountain.

"What's this glowing stuff?"

"Hm? Is this your first time seeing it?"

I was looking at something that looked like a plant, and the dwarf guy snapped a piece and showed it to me.

"This is called light moss. We sprinkle the spores when we dig out tunnels, It's a convenient moss that glows in the dark, they easily take root"

"Digging...... this tunnel, Dwarves dug all of these!?"

I was surprised and did a double take, looking around the tunnel.

To make it in a scale that's similar to the ones found in villages, as expected of Dwarves.

This isn't just blacksmithing, it's civil engineering and construction is very surprising.

The Dwarf didn't deny it either, he laughed meaningfully.

"There ain't anyone better than dwarves at handling stones. This tunnel here extends through the whole underground of these parts. The mining site is also underground, you can go anywhere here"

"Wow...... but since you have this tunnel, why were you out earlier?"

Saying that, the Dwarf's actions were suspicious, but the person himself was self-concious and became talkative.

"Ha ha ha...... well that is, I thought of finding some strange materials. Right now, we have an interesting project in the village...... wait a bit, we're almost at the exit"

The Dwarf suddenly cut off the conversation, and went near the wall in front of us.

He grasped a potrusion in the rocks, and seemed to push it hard.

We quietly looked on, and there was a quick transformation.

There was a brief vibration, then the wall in front of us split in two.

The light spilled in and the path was opened. It was our destination.

"Welcome to our Dwarven Village. Take your time, alright?"

The Dwarf man proudly announced and invited us into the village.

With the aid of the Dwarf we helped, we've arrived at the Dwarf Village.

The sounds of clanging and the sounds of trading resonates, it was a very lively place.

It looked like a pioneering village at first glance, but it gives you a somewhat adorable impression of it. That's because the houses that were built were small.

With the short structures and the houses made of bricks, it really looked like a fancy diorama.

"This here village is protected by the rocky mountains. Some people from the outside occasionally come here seeking for weapons, but most of them don't reach here. They could be attacked by Wyverns, or simply give up due to the harsh roads; either way, there's rarely anyone who can easily come here"

"Oh? Then did you settle here in order to avoid dealing with them?"

Kawazu-san asked while looking around at the rare sight. The Dwarf laughed heartily.

"Hahaha! You can also say that. The biggest reason would be the availability of good rocks. But it's not just that. Our weapons are quite impressive. Won't it be very troublesome if we just make them on request? Besides, we have all the rights to choose who to give them to"

"Hmm, that implies you also screen those that get to use your weapons.

Hmhm, that's quite reasonable.

It's certainly not amusing to see your work used by someone incompetent"

"That's right, this guy gets it!"

Kawazu-san was laughing with a mean expression, and the Dwarf also laughed in the same manner. They seemed to get along.

We walked around the village for a while, but I noticed something strange.

We've already entered the village but we haven't encountered any of the villagers.

...... no, there's the presence of people.

But none of them are on the road.

The Dwarf man also looked restless, it seemed like he wasn't kidding when he said that they have a project within the village.

He led us to a slightly larger building, and the Dwarf immediately bowed his head to us.

"Well then, this is the lodging! I'll be going now, alright? If you guys want some weapons, we're a bit busy right now, so I'd be happy if you could wait. Especially you scary guy!"

From what he said, it seems like he brought me here with proper understanding about me. 

If so, the Dwarves are justifiably courageous people.

I hastily called out to stop him when he was rushing away.

"Please wait a moment! This is the last one! Do you know about this person?"

I took out the letter that the boss sent, and showed it. The dwarf looked at the address and nodded a few times.

"Ah, do you guys know him? Then it's that house"

He easily gave away the place where the house is, and immediately rushed within the village.

"...... that was, a bit of a rowdy Dwarf, wasn't he?"

Naito-san murmurmed unexpectedly. However, I prefer that he was talkative instead of the eccentric that they're so famously labelled as.

"Well, it seems like he'll make a you a proper weapon when he could, so isn't it great, Naito-san?"

"Yes, that's right. It certainly makes one to have expectations"

Naito-san seemed happy after saying that.

That Dwarf should also be aware of Naito-san's skills, and he can't just dismiss the request of the one who saved his life.

"What was it that the dwarf was talking about, what kind of thing are they building?"(K)

"Beats me...... I wonder how this'll all turn out"

Even though Kawazu-san said that, that's our main concern, since we can't do anything if it concerns the other party's convenience.

But you'll never know what'll happen after this.

We'll see after waiting a bit.

"Right...... Kuma is also looking forward to this, so I can't make him wait for long"

Naito-san seemed worried, but it can't be helped.

Following the directions, we gave a house a visit.

It was made of bricks like the other surrounding houses, but it had a green roof.

We knocked on the door and immediately got an answer.

"Come in! It's open!"

"Excuse us......"

We came in once we received the invitation.

However, in the next moment, I was stuck at the door's entrance.

Kawazu-san bumped into my back, and Naito-san looked over my shoulder to see what's up inside the house.

"What the...... quite a scary human has come"

Inside the open door was the same small old man.

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