“Rikaon.”
“Your servant, Rikaon Leonhardt, is here.”
“What are your thoughts?”
“………….”
“It’s good that you know you’re a bit slow compared to your strength, but still, try to answer.”
“……It’s just the words of a hopeless fool. Please do not take them to heart, Your Majesty.”
“Continue.”
“I believe this matter is wrong.”
“Go on.”
“The dwarves have been subjugated to the Empire ever since the age of war. But even after hundreds of years, their subjugation is not natural—it’s enforced by power.”
The Grandmaster, Rikaon Leonhardt, didn’t necessarily think that was a bad thing.
He is the pinnacle of Aura users. Despite being the child of a concubine, he rose to become a Grandmaster and one of the heads of the military solely through his power.
Having shattered all envy, prejudice, and obstacles with his strength and talent, he didn’t view the Empire’s suppression of the dwarves as entirely negative.
But that doesn’t mean he underestimated the dwarves as weak.
“The dwarves are strong. Of course, they are weaker than the Empire, but they are still strong.”
“…………….”
“The weapons and artifacts they create, their forging techniques, their physical abilities. Even though only about a hundred remain, if they were to fully arm and train themselves, they could easily take on ten thousand Imperial soldiers.”
“Don’t stop. Keep talking.”
“Moreover, they still have a focal point. The War’s Hammer, frankly speaking… is an Aura user stronger than me.”
Though the dwarves call him a traitor to their race, if they were to truly rebel against the Empire, the War’s Hammer would inevitably become their rallying point.
Even if he’s rusty, his power clearly surpasses that of Grandmaster Rikaon.
‘At that level, it would take someone like retired Knight Roland or the Northern General to step in.’
But I heard Knight Roland is busy trying to buy some card? and is short on money, so he’s working as a fixer, while the Northern General is too busy fighting monsters to even think straight.
So, could the remaining three Grandmasters stop the War’s Hammer?
Of course.
‘They can stop him.’
“But strictly speaking, that’s all. The War’s Hammer is strong, but if two or more Grandmasters join forces, he can be killed. And the dwarves, at best, would only be on par with ten thousand soldiers.”
“Rikaon, tell me how large the Empire’s army is.”
“The Eastern Army under my command alone has 200,000 soldiers. The Southern Army is similar, the Western Army is even larger, and the Northern Army is filled with elite troops.”
“And yet, do you still think the decision to liberate the dwarves is wrong?”
“Even if the dwarves rebel, the Empire’s victory is certain. It won’t cause much of a stir.”
“That’s likely true.”
“But Imperial citizens will die. If 100 dwarves can take on ten thousand soldiers, then 100 Imperial youths will die for every dwarf.”
“…………….”
“The War’s Hammer could kill ten thousand Imperial youths, surpassing a hundred.”
Of course, that’s only a ‘what if’ scenario if the War’s Hammer and the dwarves were to rebel.
But Rikaon was worried even about that possibility.
Because once, the elders of the Leonhardt family tried to kill him by forcing him to become a soldier in the North.
Having witnessed war and death there, Rikaon knew all too well how horribly soldiers—Imperial youths—could die.
‘They are all someone’s son, someone’s husband, someone’s father.’
Why make the decision to liberate the dwarves and open the door to that ‘what if’ where they could die?
Rikaon was criticizing the Emperor in his own way.
“……Do you know why I favor you?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Because you pledge absolute loyalty to me, yet you still clearly voice your own thoughts. Even if you know it might displease me, you stake your life on it.”
“…………….”
“To some, it may seem foolish, but that’s why you became a general.”
The Emperor, who had quietly risen from his seat, looked down at Rikaon, who was kneeling with his head bowed.
He was just a powerless man, neither a magician nor an Aura user.
And yet, even Rikaon…
He had an intimidating presence that made you break out in a cold sweat.
“I understand your concerns, but that ‘what if’ will never come to pass.”
“May I dare ask why?”
“Because I’ve placed a few shackles. Above all else……….”
*Smirk.*
Chilling, yet in a way, bloodthirsty.
The Emperor raised the corner of his mouth and smiled.
“Kyle Byron.”
“………….”
“That guy may be the one who freed the dwarves.”
At the same time.
“He will also be the strongest shackle against any ‘rebellion’ from the dwarves.”
“……Why is that?”
“Because he’s similar to me.”
“Similar, you say……….”
For a moment, Lycaon, who knew the Emperor’s temperament well, shuddered.
Then, could it be───
“That guy won’t leave the ox alone.”
“………Excuse me?”
“I’m not talking about a real ox. Like a farmer who can’t leave a resting ox alone, he’ll tirelessly alternate between the whip and the carrot to keep them working.”
“…………….”
“In a way, it’s a quality befitting an Emperor. Well, just watch. You’ll see soon enough.”
“……Yes, Your Majesty.”
If the Emperor and Kyle Byron share similarities, and that similarity is not being able to leave the ‘ox’ alone…
Lycaon, who had unintentionally become the Emperor’s ox, pondered seriously.
If he were to moo here, would it make the Emperor burst into laughter, or would he just give him a pitiful look………
*
“……R-really? Is that true?”
“Do you find it hard to believe?”
“N-no………How can I just believe this right away? I mean, come on.”
Suddenly, to escape this suffocating dome.
And to step out onto that continent.
“Of course, not all the dwarves will be able to leave. They’re sending a few as a test, and depending on the outcome, the rest will be freed later.”
“………Who said that?”
“Emperor Luquius, Your Majesty.”
“Hah, haha…………hah.”
The brown-bearded dwarf let out a hollow laugh, his hands trembling.
We can leave. They’re freeing us.
Born in this dome, I thought I’d die without ever seeing the real sun, forests, or land.
I thought I’d live a meaningless life.
“To the…continent.”
The real sun, not magical light. Real forests, not artificially created ones. Land where rocks don’t pop out if you dig just a little.
To that vast, sprawling continent.
“This…all of this………it’s not a dream, is it?”
“………….”
“If I close and open my eyes again, will you be gone? Will all of this just have been my dream……….”
I’ve already heard the plan. The human, Kyle Byron’s plan. The plan to free the dwarves.
I heard War’s Hammer is cooperating with him. And until that moment, I didn’t believe the words of the brown-bearded Kyle Byron.
I knew he was somewhat trustworthy because of the Tumbling Weapon incident, but being freed is a whole different story.
It was impossible unless the Emperor of the Empire himself allowed it.
“………Hah.”
“How does it feel?”
“It’s…not a dream.”
It’s happening.
It’s so hard to believe.
The brown-bearded dwarf slumped weakly into the chair in the secret workshop.
“Tomorrow, we’ll return to the continent.”
“W-wait. Isn’t that a bit too soon? I need a little more time to prepare myself……….”
“Only War’s Hammer and five dwarves, including the brown-bearded one, will return.”
“………….”
“If the five dwarves cause no issues, the rest will be freed in stages.”
In the past.
No, even before meeting Kyle Byron.
Even if they really were to free us, I would’ve felt deeply insulted and angered by those words.
‘If they cause no issues,’ as if dwarves are naturally expected to cause trouble.
The most dwarf-like behavior I could muster………
Then of course, he would have gone wild.
“……Let’s start by changing the title.”
“Huh?”
“Not Brown Beard……but Charlie.”
“………”
Now, he tries to break free from ignorance.
Insult? Anger? He still feels it. That will never disappear.
But what changed while he was raging and fighting? Even if he changed the name Charlie to a Dwarf’s way, even if he antagonized humans, what could he have achieved?
If he truly wants to liberate the Dwarves.
Brown Beard, no, Charlie had to learn about the Empire.
……Just like War’s Hammer did.
“But, there’s no helping the fear.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“The sun, the earth, the forest, the wind……facing them all for the first time, it’s rather frightening.”
“It’s not as great as you think.”
“Yeah, that’s right. And the future Dwarves should think that way too.”
So that the hundreds of years spent deep in the sea are just considered ‘the deeds of the ancestors.’
So that they can think, oh, that happened.
Charlie quietly clenched his teeth.
“So……that’s why.”
“……Hmm?”
Despite his recent resolve, Charlie couldn’t help but shiver at Kyle Byron’s voice, which seemed to have changed.
It was a voice he had heard before. And very recently.
For some reason, his body trembled, and he didn’t want to face it……
“His Majesty only intends to liberate the Dwarves, and there will be no financial support.”
“I…see.”
“There are only despicable humans on the continent, so there won’t be a proper place to stay. Beyond that, you’ll need the Empire’s currency.”
“The currency called gold? That’s easy to make……”
“That’s exactly what causes trouble. Anyway, with the Dwarves’ skills, you’ll surely find your place quickly, but the process will be tough and hard.”
“……What are you trying to say?”
Rustle.
“This is……?”
“It’s a bit awkward for me to say, but didn’t I help quite a bit in your liberation?”
“I can’t deny that. But……”
“Of course, I’m not asking for money or anything. What I want is ‘friendship’ with the Dwarves.”
Ah, Charlie finally realized.
Kyle Byron’s voice now.
……It was the same voice when he casually asked for 50 miniatures and then calmly added 50 more.
As if.
As if asking, of course you can do it, right?……words.
“Brown Beard, no, Charlie. Don’t you trust me a little now?”
“………..”
“If you give me the chance to treat you, there would be no greater honor. The Byron family is quite wealthy. There will be no problem for the Dwarves to live.”
“If that’s all.”
“Of course! Naturally! I’m not forcing you!!!”
“………”
“The humans on the continent will see the Dwarves for the first time, and it will be their first time facing your skills! Won’t you show off your skills!?”
No.
That’s just like when you made the miniatures this time───
“In exchange for a little help from you, we provide financial support. Isn’t that perfect?”
Kyle Byron’s eyes were filled with madness as he said that.
A madness that even made Charlie cower.
“What are you trying to make……?”
“Nothing much. The miniatures you made this time were of a level that even His Majesty the Emperor admired.”
“Really? Sorry but I suddenly have urgent business……”
“Just make a little more of that.”
“………”
Just.
A little.
“You trust me, right?”
*
How many days has it been already?
“Your turn, Princess.”
[………….]
“Princess? Princess?”
[Sigh………how long do I have to endure this uncomfortable magician………]
“I don’t think people usually say that out loud.”
[You’re not my husband, just a mistress aiming for my husband, and you’re speaking nicely…]
“There’s no reason to do it, right?”
“I’ve told you several times, but Princess and Kyle Byron are not in a marital relationship. The engagement rate is low, and of course, I’m not the mistress either.”
[Not yet, right? I’ve been working hard on overcoming my trauma…]
When will he ever come back?
Leisha, who had gotten bored playing board games with Adela, fell flat on the floor, synced with the Water Tiger.
It’s been over two weeks since Kyle Byron and that sassy maid left.
For the first few days, we at least received letters, but even that has long since stopped.
Unable to bear it any longer, Leisha talked with the servant and even asked her father once more to overcome her trauma. What on earth is her husband doing?
Although the daughter, who only met with the servant and never her father, made the request, Duke Nicholas used all his connections at the Everts Duke’s House to investigate.
[He’ll be back soon? Dad, you’re really useless.]
“If Duke Nicholas heard that, he would have shed tears of blood.”
[Let him cry. Strictly speaking, it’s because of Dad that I ended up stuck in the turret, right? That idiot pervert uncle.]
“……By the way, you’ve really overcome a lot. Although it’s a flaw that you talk too much now.”
[I don’t want to talk to a mistress or anything either, you know?]
Adela and Leisha’s gazes briefly collided in mid-air, but they both turned their heads away. It wasn’t the first time this had happened in the two weeks since Kyle left.
As Leisha was endlessly waiting for Kyle.
Someone urgently knocked on the door.
“Adela, it’s me! Vermily!”
“Senior Vermily? What’s the matter?”
“The photo has arrived! Glesia Magic Tower sent a photo of Kyle Byron!”
“Huh?”
Glesia Magic Tower. We knew Kyle Byron and the maid had gone there.
But a photo instead of a letter? Don’t they usually send them together?
Since Vermily was here, Leisha pretended to be the Water Tiger and didn’t speak, but she was jumping around the top floor of the turret. Enough to make the nearby spirits rush to stop her.
Anyway, Adela took the photo from Vermily.
“But Adela… um, it might be a bit shocking, so don’t be too surprised.”
“What do you mean? Did something happen to Kyle Byron?”
“Something did… happen. Uh, see for yourself…”
[Grr?]
Leisha, imitating the Water Tiger, approached Adela.
The moment Adela saw the photo.
“………….”
[………….]
The photo showed Kyle Byron. But it didn’t seem to be a normal photo; he was looking in a different direction.
A side profile of him engrossed in something. A look Adela secretly liked.
But the ‘something’ he was engrossed in was the problem.
A blue-haired beauty lying face down, completely naked, with her back exposed.
As if she had reached out to take a selfie while lying down, she smiled while Kyle Byron focused on giving her a back massage.
In the background, a few dwarfs, whose existence was only rumored, were moving some luggage, but it was a very minor detail.
At the bottom of the photo, there was a message.
<Your Chun-sik is awesome? I'll take him now.>
“……Crazy bitch?”
Adela muttered a curse under her breath.
[………]
Leisha quietly gathered the spirits of the turret after releasing her sync.
And only Vermily.
Quietly prayed for Kyle Byron’s soul.
……While wondering if selling popcorn would be profitable during the spectacle.
