Chapter 95

Well, there were a few decent points I didn’t expect.

The Dwarves, at least, have developed their own civilization.

In fact, proper ventilation systems were installed all the way into the mine, ensuring a good oxygen supply inside. There were long tubes made of some kind of leather, with fans attached all over, effectively pulling air from outside into the mine.

And no, I didn’t just walk aimlessly all the way to the back of the mine.

The Dwarves use the leftover caves after mining to expand their living spaces. So, for them, digging up a mine is akin to building infrastructure and city development.

Since walking aimlessly in a sprawling city wasn’t an option, the Dwarves operated trains powered by magic to efficiently navigate those long paths and transport goods. To be honest, it felt less like a passenger train for people and more like a cargo train laden with ores, making the inside quite messy and lacking any kind of roof.

“Ew, ew!”

As dust flew around and filled my mouth, I spat outside the train several times.

It wasn’t just me; all the Dwarves riding with me were doing the same.

Since it was a big project involving the ‘building of infrastructure,’ thankfully, the ceilings weren’t too low. So while there was almost no chance of hitting my head and spilling my brains out, it seemed the Dwarves lacked any concept of ‘safety devices.’

I should have at least brought a helmet or, dare I say, even a mask.

Saint Power is supposed to be healing, so I figured being in a stuffy area wouldn’t strip me of my skin, but it still annoyed me.

With no seatbelt to secure myself, I was jolted around, and Ria beside me held on tight, helping me maintain my balance.

“……”

Eventually, when I got used to the jolting sensation that made my rear numb, the train screeched to a halt.

Ria braced herself against me as my body leaned sideways.

…But for some reason, rather than just pushing me with her hands, Ria hugged me to keep me steady. Well, I guess that minimizes the chance of getting hurt, and having Ria’s body supporting me felt definitely safer and more efficient in various ways, but…

It still felt a bit embarrassing, so I quickly pulled away from her.

“Hey, you look quite something.”

“What?”

After saying that, I touched my face, only to realize a bit too late that my hands were covered in shards of ore.

Ria laughed incredulously.

When I shot her a glare, Ria casually pulled something from her nun’s outfit.

It was one of those disposable wipes you get for free at regular restaurants.

“Ah, I—buh.”

For some reason, Ria brought it close to my face while reaching out, but she nimbly dodged my hand and started wiping my face with that tissue, maintaining a completely unfazed expression.

“Who’s the child here!?”

But by the time I protested like that, Ria had already cleaned my entire face.

“Well, at least you look presentable now.”

Somehow, the way she treated me was starting to feel increasingly like I was a child.

I would have preferred if she outright acted like a mature, older female lead instead.

…Even if I was the one clinging to her like a mama’s boy.

“……”

But hey, I’m a rational and reasonable person with dignity, so I wouldn’t hold any petty grudges just because I caught glimpses of her past.

Instead, I showed my dissatisfaction by turning around with a huff.

For some reason, Ria laughed even more at that.

**

One thing was certain, though; most of the Dwarves treated me well. There wasn’t any real hostility toward an outsider, especially since I was meeting a new race for the first time and even had some importance to my name.

Even though I did good things for the Gnomes here and there, it didn’t seem to resonate much with these folks who weren’t nobles.

Moreover, the war had been in a stalemate for quite some time, so not many had actual combat experience, and unless someone was directly facing off against Gnomes, it didn’t seem easy to harbor any animosity.

Just like in Gnome society, the Dwarven society lacked a clear means to share all those tales. The concept of ‘nationality’ that people on Earth have didn’t seem to hold ground here for the ‘common folk.’

“……”

“What are you staring at?”

But there was a Dwarf, staring a bit too intently at me and Ria as we headed towards the Dwarf Sanctuary, making me a little nervous as I asked that.

With a massive pickaxe slung over his shoulder, his shoulders were broader than Ria and me standing side by side, with muscles on his arms bulging in unrealistic sizes.

Half his face was covered in a disheveled bush of a beard that honestly made him look a bit like a bandit. Or perhaps a pirate.

“Looking so scrawny, how are you going to dig properly?”

“I heard humans don’t dig, right?”

“Really? Then what do they do to survive?”

“They probably write stuff like those scribblers!”

“You think you can live off just writing? Sure, ores are one thing, but you can’t survive without mushrooms or livestock.”

“……”

The conversation was fitting for someone I’d call “old man,” so I felt a bit relieved.

“By the way, where’d your beard go?”

“I’m not a man, you know.”

“Well, I get that. Our female bodies look like yours. Definitely more curvaceous than yours though.”

I suppose that’s true when I look at the princess—

“Wait a second.”

I said while tapping my forehead with a finger.

“Are you saying women can grow beards too? Like old men?”

“Of course! It’s just that it takes longer to grow.”

“I thought that wasn’t true. I thought it grew at the same speed as ours.”

“What? You’re saying you groom it every day?”

“……You wouldn’t know since you haven’t married yet.”

“Huh?”

“Once the length of the beard changes even just a bit, they’ll pester you all day to ask how much it’s changed.”

“Ha ha… So do the young ladies trim their beards?”

“…What about the princess? Is she a special case?”

“Huh? Well, those of high status take extra care.”

The old man spoke as if he was mildly annoyed by my question.

“Honestly, it’s just nonsensical to follow trends instead of keeping traditions.”

“You’re saying you don’t want to live like those lowly folks? Ain’t it just nice to maintain a smooth face like a Gnome, huh?”

“……”

Hmm.

It felt like I was hearing things I didn’t need to hear. Definitely not information I wanted to know…

Since I didn’t see any trace of growing any beard, I guess they either hide it with makeup or manage it with magic?

When I looked at Ria, she just shrugged like it didn’t matter to her much.

So I decided to erase the conversation from my memory.

Although I’d probably think of it every time I see the princess.

**

“……”

While regular Dwarves were overall friendly, the priests seemed different.

The Dwarven society wasn’t elaborately described in the original work, but considering it’s a ‘kingdom,’ there must be a distinction between royalty, nobility, and clergy.

All the priests had a shade of orange in their hair. The color that comes to mind when thinking of a natural reddish hue, somewhere between gold and red.

It was a relief that it wasn’t as red as Ria’s hair.

….

Uh, not sure why that’s a relief, but anyway.

“Saint Candidate.”

“You can just call me Anna.”

“…Sister Anna.”

The priest who seemed the highest-ranking among them didn’t have a low and thick voice like the other Dwarves. But it suited him nonetheless.

Unlike the laborers I saw earlier, he had a typical round figure of a chubby person, which made him a bit less intimidating. To be honest, his long braided beard didn’t suit him at all.

“I heard you were introduced by Her Highness the Princess.”

“Yes, I came to keep a promise with the Princess.”

“Was that promise about persuading us priests?”

“…You could say it’s similar.”

I spoke while scrutinizing the priest’s face.

“I’ve come to help the people in this slum.”

To prove my strength.

That statement itself was somewhat ambiguous. I initially thought my power wasn’t truly mine, and the princess knew that well. We had a bit of a chat over drinks the other day, after all.

So I wasn’t sure if the princess wanted me to prove that existence or demonstrate I could definitely prepare for threats coming alongside her.

In that case, shouldn’t I demonstrate both at the same time?

Thus, I chose this place to showcase my power.

At my answer, the priests exchanged some murmurs among themselves.

Then they turned back to me and said,

“Sister, do you perhaps not know what ‘slum’ means?”

“I know.”

I answered.

“But there’s no need to worry. I have no intention of going deep inside there. Moreover—”

I looked at Ria.

There was only so many of us that could actually get inside. The train was always in use for transporting ores, and the conservative Dwarves told us they would let us ride only where there were workers and ores remaining.

A couple of workers and Ria.

Above all—

“Aren’t you priests a bit concerned that you might not be able to protect me?”

At my question, their brows furrowed.

Right, that makes sense.

This was a ‘kingdom.’

And that meant the king had the real power.

Only those planning a rebellion or treachery against the princess would dare to oppose her words.

Especially if the clergy took such actions, they’d be the first to be dealt with.

As I watched the grumbling priests, a smile crept onto my face.