(Walson)
Right now, we are on our way moving to the west, it's been a week since we left the Josephton Village, and now, the landscape surrounding us has transformed from a desert to a gravel plain and then into rocky terrain.
The convoy wobbled through mountain passes, entering a steel-roofed valley, also part of the territory of the Dwarven Kingdom.
Yes, we have left the Kingdom of Teigitan.
One of the neutral countries in the central part of the continent, established by dwarves – the [Mountain Bridge City . Mahamatra].
The entire country is covered in rolling mountains, and due to tectonic activity, earthquakes are frequent. There are also numerous geothermal features like volcanoes, and cities within the country are situated in ravines and valleys.
Yes! Due to the challenging terrain and perhaps its defensibility, it allowed the dwarves to establish themselves successfully centuries ago. Now, it serves as a natural barrier in wars from the east.
Moreover, despite being closed off, this country has not lost contact with others. The reason is its abundant mineral resources. Just like in many RPG settings, the equipment forged by dwarves is unparalleled.
Therefore, there are always a few adventurers or mineral merchants who brave the difficulties to enter this place. However, they can only reach the outskirts of the Dwarven Kingdom. Entry is generally restricted to cities within the first to third tier.
Steam power, the most precious technological core of the dwarves, is hard for outsiders to witness, but it does exist. According to records, a century ago, a bishop attempted to attack Mahamatra. While the initial siege went smoothly, they were repelled upon entering the mysterious "third-tier city" by a "giant armored warrior emitting high-temperature steam from its entire body."
The legendary steampunk! I really want to witness it with my own eyes!!!
Well, it's just talk. Revolutionary technology like that won't be casually shown to outsiders.
...
...
Under the lingering glow of the sunset, in the cool shadows of the valley.
Although we have entered the Dwarven Kingdom, there are few people along the way. Apart from the soldiers at the pass, there are no other dwarves. According to the map, it will take several more days to reach the labyrinthine city.
"Roar! Woof woof! Grrr! Grrr!"
By the newly lit campfire, Rifle and Bogy were playfully wrestling over a piece of meat, rolling to the side.
Yes, Bogy is the Griffin beast of Felia... She has been following us for more than a week now!
A divine beast pulling a cart is cheating! We can't shake her off. Her speed is much faster than our three-car convoy. Even if we drug her during dinner and leave her behind in the middle of the night, the next morning we'll hear an eagle cry, and damn, she'll be right in front of me!
"I say, can't you leave your partner behind and come alone?" I tossed chopped spices into the pot, looking very gloomy.
"If I come alone, Bogy doesn't need to pull the cart; she's faster. Besides, they're not fully healed yet. It's better for them to continue healing in the village and reunite using the [Party Telepathy] afterward," Felia said while eating preserved meat bread, straightforwardly.
"Can't you care more about your partners?! They're injured!"
"I'm different from you. I trust my partners. Moreover, if I let you go like that, the loss would be significant... don't you feel guilty doing this?"
Wait, guilt? Hold on... how much does she know?
"In the village, many people can't even afford black bread..." Felia looked at her bread in her hand and muttered with sadness in her tone.
"Then don't eat it! Give it back!" I reached out to snatch it back.
This person is clearly targeting me, enough is enough!
"Has no one told you not to waste food?" Felia flashed to the side, disappearing from my view. I turned my head, and I found her calmly continuing to eat the bread "I" made.
"..." Damn, bullying the [Villager] with her physique as the [Hero] is really despicable.
Since she stuck to our Party a week ago, she has been constantly criticizing me, claiming that I am lazy and extravagant...
Oh, right, I have to mention that the lifestyle that she has resembles those of the Heroes that I heard and read in fairy tales and books.
This girl does daily morning runs, followed by doing sword swings for two thousand times, walking on hands for two hours, and such...
Due to her daily training, Melon and Derisha actually get along well with her. These days, when I wake up in the morning, I always see them training together.
In addition to the class of the [Warrior] branch, Felia also has considerable proficiency in magic. While the [Dog House] slowly drove, she often stayed in the carriage, meditating with Grace.
As a result, my future wives and the hero are having an okay relationship. Derisha, in particular, is doing great.
Though, I'm not surprised by this, Derisha is a princess who loves her people and Felia is a hero who actually cares for the innocent and common masses.
….I really don't know how to get rid of this uninvited guest.
"...The soup is ready. Do you want a bowl?" I sighed, ladling a bowl of thick soup and handing it to the annoying hero.
"...For a perverted goblin, your cooking is surprisingly good. I heard you were a restaurant owner before?" She didn't show any courtesy, and after taking a sip, she praised my food openly
It would be better for her to opt out the start of her praise though.
"Yeah, the main purpose of this trip was originally to take them on a pleasant journey. Who knew I would run into you?" I'm too lazy to even complain.
"A pleasant journey? Do you think there are villagers of level 88 all over the place?" Felia said, tsk, it's really hard to deceive her.
Felia seems to possess a natural skill like [Intermediate Appraisal], which allows her to analyze information about items or creature levels through gaze, similar to my [Status Detection], but with the added function of scanning items.
In return, she also thinks I have the [Appraisal] skill. It's troublesome to explain, so I just acknowledged it.
"Anyway, I'm just an ordinary [Villager]."
"Are you pretending to be stupid again? I don't think an 'ordinary [Villager]' can Party up with top mages and warriors like Grace and Miss Melon. Oh, almost forgot, there's also the princess of Teigitan herself in your party."
"That's because of my strong personal charm. I'm just an ordinary [Villager]... By the way, even after seeing those girls, do you really not want to keep your distance of me? There is a high chance you are going to be joining my harem if you stick too close for too long." I casually joked.
"There is no need for you to worry, while I'm planning to settle down with a great man one day, it's not going to be with a man of another race."
"Wait, saying such discriminatory things as a hero isn't good."
"It is not, but it's a different story for a perverted goblin like you."
It seems like I can't expect this girl to have any decency!
"Back to the previous topic, you said you were a restaurant owner, right?"
"Yes, I'm 'just' an ordinary restaurant owner."
"But why did the Princess mention that you're a blacksmith? A man that is capable of crafting a spear made of [Orichalcum Steel] alone is enough to bring about significant changes in this world, right?".
Derisha! You blabbermouth!
...Damn it! I really want to be angry at her, but since it's one of my girls, I can't really do so, I'll settle down to just tease her a bit more in bed then.
"Fine, fine, fine, I admit it. I'm a blacksmith, alright? So what do you want?" I shrugged, looking at Felia with a sidelong glance.
"Since you're a craftsman who is good enough to craft your stuff with something like the [Orichalcum Steel], would you like to see a hero's weapon? Although mine is a bit different than Alwin, it's still in the same class" Felia smiled, raised her hand, and a dazzling light gathered and solidified in her hand, finally turning into a glittering silver rapier.
"No, thanks." I immediately refused.
"Really? This is a weapon of the same class as the Alwin greatsword! Here, take a look." Felia shook the [Holy Silver Weapon - Rapier] in front of me... I tried to look away, but I couldn't
In the end, I took the silver rapier, carefully examining it in my hands. After all, I was curious about what exactly [Holy Silver] was. I hadn't had the chance to do this before, so now I finally... immediately, my expression froze.
"Hey, female hero."
"My name is Bell."
"Alright, Bell."
"What's wrong?"
"This rapier... what has it been through to end up like this?" I looked at the almost shattered and cracked marks on the holy sword and said so.
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