[Translator - Prøks]
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Chapter 145
Two days after solidifying our resolve at the tavern.
As we had ticulously planned, preparations were swiftly completed.
Consumables swept clean from general stores and various artifacts acquired as war contribution rewards.
Even dedicated currency for use in Alfheim.
The preparation was more thorough than ever.
"Having so much certainly allows us to gather everything."
"Indeed."
Last night, we received the long-awaited war participation rewards.
A substantial amount.
Thompson, Kayla, and Barundel were all recognized with 3-star contribution ratings, while I, who had directly defeated Dercion and altered the war's course in nurous ways, received a 4-star rating.
As a result, we were currently incredibly wealthy.
The gold coins converted into Alfheim currency alone numbered a staggering 10,000.
And the artifacts received alongside were overflowing.
We lacked space to hang them all on our bodies, packing them separately into bags.
'Participating in the war was certainly a significant event.'
The war participation rewards were indeed generous.
Receiving so much wealth and artifacts from just a single participation.
'Well, it's all because we accumulated a good amount of rit, though.'
Luck was also on our side.
I heard that Elbert, who commanded us, had generously acknowledged our contributions.
Had it not been for that, not everyone would have received 3-star or higher contribution ratings.
Anyway.
"Shall we go?"
"Let's go!"
Fully prepared, we finally took our first steps.
Our destination was Alfheim.
It was the mont we set foot on another land for the first ti.
***
Clunk!
The train leaving Asternon abruptly stopped.
It had finally reached the terminus.
However, upon disembarking, we saw a vast expanse of land before us.
Nowhere could we find anything related to Alfheim.
That was because,
"Hoo... We really can't see it, whatever Alfheim is."
We still had a long way to go to reach Alfheim.
This was the limit of where Asternon's train could take us.
From here, we had to travel on foot.
Since Asternon didn't engage in trade with Alfheim, there was no road leading there.
"Let's take our ti. There's no need to rush."
"Okay."
As we said, we moved forward slowly on foot.
Of course, we were on high alert.
This was clearly outside the national borders.
We didn't know when or where danger might co.
As if to confirm our thoughts...
Screech!
Suddenly, a bizarre sound began to be heard.
"What is that?"
Looking towards the source of the sound, we saw a horde of cockroach-like demons crawling towards us relentlessly.
[Demon Roaches].
They had a na that matched their appearance.
"Disgusting..."
Kayla, frowning, abruptly extended her staff.
Whoosh!
Then, a crimson spiraling pillar of fire erupted where they were.
It was the magic I had learned from the secret magic book, and the fire magic I had diligently taught Kayla in recent days.
Kayla, possessing the Heroic tier trait [Ardent Desire], was a fast learner.
Sizzle!
The [Demon Roaches] writhed under Kayla's magic, then flipped onto their backs, legs in the air, and collapsed.
A gooey fluid oozed from their vicinity.
'These guys are a breeze now.'
[Demon Roaches] were classified as lower-ranking demons.
Though they looked grotesque and sward in large numbers, they were nothing special to fight.
Especially not for our party, which had surpassed the standards of the weak.
"Let's keep going."
Anyway, having safely dealt with the [Demon Roaches], we continued walking.
Demons kept ambushing us from various directions, but we were never in any real danger.
"Hamburger!"
Smash!
"[Blaze Field]."
Whoosh!
Everyone quickly used the appropriate magic for the situation to dispatch the demons.
How long had we been walking?
Just as the smooth progress continued,
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an arrow flew towards us.
"[Barrier]."
Clang!
We managed to block it with a barrier spell, but honestly, we were taken aback.
'...An arrow?'
As far as I knew, there were no demons who used bows.
With Alfheim so close, there was only one possibility.
'An elf.'
Just as I ca to that conclusion,
Swish!
A figure moved swiftly and landed lightly in front of us.
We imdiately took up a defensive stance and scanned the figure before us.
What ca into view was a figure with pointed ears, a slender body, fair skin, and a large bow in one hand.
As I had expected, it was unmistakably an elf.
Swoosh.
I dispelled the [Barrier] spell, glanced at the deflected arrow, and asked.
"What's the aning of this?"
"Hah, that's what I'd like to ask."
The elf scoffed as if he was the one who should be questioning us.
"...It seems like you're heading to Alfheim."
"Indeed, but...?"
"Don't you know that outsiders are currently prohibited from entering?"
"What?"
My companions and I exclaid in surprise.
I was just as taken aback.
'We can't enter?'
This was news to .
Asternon had practically cut off all communication with Alfheim.
The only way to get any information was through the request office.
However, I hadn't visited because I didn't think it was necessary.
But now, we couldn't enter?
The elf, seeing our surprised faces, tilted his head in confusion.
"Alfheim is currently at war."
"...War?"
"Yes, war."
"Have the demons invaded or sothing?"
The elf shook his head at the question.
Then, he looked directly at Barundel and continued.
"It's in a war with Kazandur."
Kazandur.
With that single word, everything beca clear.
Why outsiders were prohibited from entering.
Why he suddenly shot an arrow at us.
Why his gaze was directed at Barundel.
'If it's Kazandur...'
There was no mistaking it.
The Dwarven Territories.
It seed that the elves and dwarves were currently at war.
***
"Damn it, what's going on all of a sudden?"
Blocked from entering by an elf, we decided to camp here for tonight.
We had nowhere else to go, so it couldn't be helped.
More importantly, there was sothing else we had to focus on.
"Hmm..."
Everyone huddled together and pondered.
What to do next.
No matter how much we thought about it, no solution ca to mind.
"Do you really know nothing about this? Why the war started?"
I asked Barundel, hoping for even a small clue.
"...I told you, I don't know anything. I haven't been in contact with the dwarves over there for a long ti."
"Hmm."
Barundel shook his head, saying he didn't know.
If Barundel, who was from Kazandur, didn't know, how could we possibly know?
'This is troubling.'
After much deliberation...
'Should we turn back?'
Two options ca to mind.
Regretfully turn back, or find so way to infiltrate Alfheim.
Of course, neither was appealing.
'Both are unreasonable.'
The forr was a waste of ti, and the latter was risky.
Besides, what was the point of infiltrating a country at war?
Except for Barundel, the three of us were all human, so even if we infiltrated, we wouldn't be able to do much, and there was no reason to do so.
Then, a good idea ca to mind.
If the situation wasn't favorable, we could just not go to Alfheim.
"Let's change our course."
There was a place nearby that was perfect to visit in this situation.
"What? Where to?"
I glanced at Barundel and continued.
"We're going to Kazandur."
Our destination changed from the land of the elves to the land of the dwarves.
***
The Dwarven Territories, Kazandur.
It was currently in a state of chaos.
It was only natural, as they had been dragged into an unwanted war.
"Those damn elves."
Vagran, the chieftain of the dwarves, spoke in an enraged voice.
"Even though I explained it to them!"
To be honest, the dwarves were the ones who caused this war.
They had encroached on the elves' territory.
However, there were unavoidable reasons, and they tried to explain them to the elves.
Along with a sincere apology, of course.
But the elves, with their usual arrogance, wouldn't listen to any attempts at dialogue.
They only focused on the fact that their territory had been violated.
As a result, the war had broken out.
Whoosh!
"Ar, arrows!"
"Everyone, raise your shields!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Vagran silently watched the soldiers struggling to block the rain of arrows and fell into deep thought.
They couldn't afford any more aningless sacrifices.
They had to find a way to end this war as soon as possible.
How much ti had passed?
He finally ca up with a solution.
It stemd from the question of why communication had failed.
"It's because we're dwarves. Because we're dwarves."
The elves were a race that looked down on dwarves.
Well, other races weren't much different, but...it was worse with the dwarves.
They wouldn't even attempt a conversation.
And Vagran believed that was the biggest reason for the current war.
A lack of communication.
Then there was only one solution.
To have soone who wasn't a dwarf convey their situation to the elves.
Then they would surely listen, and if that happened, this war could be ended here.
However.
'But how...? There are only dwarves around here.'
There was no way to find such a person.
Kazandur was a continent completely cut off from the outside world.
Therefore, the only ones left in Kazandur were dwarves.
There were no other races to be found.
In the end.
'I'll have to bring them myself.'
Vagran made up his mind.
He would personally go and bring soone suitable.
Just as he was about to get up,
"Chief Vagran!"
A dwarf suddenly rushed towards Vagran.
"What is it?"
When Vagran asked, the dwarf, catching his breath, said,
"Ba-Barundel has co."
"...What?"
Vagran's body stiffened at the na.
Wasn't Barundel the na of his nephew?
The nephew who had completely left Kazandur years ago and cut off all ties!
"...Are you sure it's Barundel?"
The dwarf nodded repeatedly as if to confirm.
"It's unmistakable! It's Barundel Damascus!"
"Is that so?"
He wondered what was going on when...
The subordinate dwarf gave him additional information.
"He was with three unfamiliar human mages!"
And then,
Vagran froze.
"...Human mages?"
Vagran had a hunch.
He didn't know what kind of coincidence it was, but perhaps this was his last chance.
"Bring them in imdiately."
Vagran's face was filled with determination.
[Translator - Prøks]
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