When we returned from the Western Dungeon, we reported the situation to Pauline-san.
She seemed surprised that our next destination was Alvis, but she quickly agreed. The dungeon was also sealed off to investigate the golem that had appeared in the Western Dungeon.
I realized once again that the warrior group are “experts in dungeon investigations”. They know a lot about the dungeons. They seem to have various methods, such as using magic to reseal open passages to unexplored areas and completely sealing off one of the boss rooms.
Within a few days, it was discovered that a similar golem core had been lying in another boss room, and after the investigation was completed, the dungeon was finally opened to the adventurers.
Yes, a few days.
To be exact, today is the fourth morning since we entered the Western Dungeon. During this time, I spent time with Lu and mother.
The Raven Warriors’ base has a secret study. The royals got records of the true myth and the words of Odis. Both Lu and I borrowed a few books and did some research. The Raven Warriors also needed to prepare before leaving, so luckily we had time to spare.
On the second day, I turned over the books in the room and “unsealed” the Gods. All of us read the records together. I thought it might be kept a secret, but Pauline-san said, “Please do as you like~”.
I feel that the attitude of the princess in the Eastern Dungeon seems to be her true self….
Anyways, apart from reading the records, I trained with the warriors and received training from the gods, especially with Thor.
Of course, I couldn’t forget to say goodbye to the acquaintances I’d left behind in the royal capital. Because I am now “God’s Wake-up caller”, I could no longer wake up the citizens as the “Royal Capital’s Wake-up Caller”.
“…..The myth of the kingdom is quite detailed.”
“Yeah….…”
This morning, I organize what I studied with Lu. It was still chilly, so the two of us shared a blanket and looked at the parchment on the same table.
The magic stone lamp occasionally flickers like a candle. This place is only half underground, and there is a frosted glass window near the ceiling. Beyond that, it’s still dark.
Lu reaches out her right hand from under the blanket and traces the letters.
There, I noticed that there was a bandage on the tip of her index finger. Lu hurriedly retracts her hand and with her sky-blue eyes darting, she said, “It’s nothing.”
“A-ahem. Here, read it, Oniichan. When the seal of the gods covered the world, another god protected us from the icy cold….…”
I transcribed the sentence we found in an old scroll on the parchment.
However, this god ―who appears to be a goddess ―only appears here.
“Hmm, I wonder who it is……”
It was Solana who spoke. She is with us, in her doll-sized form. Such a goddess is also tilting her head while floating. From the records and the words of the gods, we also learned about the dwarves.
I also wrote it down on the parchment.
Dwarves……
Beings smaller than gods and humans. They are good at blacksmithing and crafting, and many are allies of the gods.
Aalv, who is called the Dwarf of Light (or White Dwarf). There is also Dwerg who is known as the Dwarf of Darkness (or Black Dwarf).
“They’re….”
Solana crosses her arms.
Perhaps because she was worried about us, the goddess often appeared in a small form during this stay. Solana, who I had vowed to “aim to be the kindest and strongest,” seems to have a special bond to me after all.
The goddess perched herself on the parchment and raised her fingers.
“I might have said it already, but first of all, they have good skills. There’s no doubt about that. It’s just…”
I said what she was going to say.
“They’re cunning, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Solana nodded her head.
“Especially the black dwarf —Dwerg—brought various weapons to the gods but also made deals with them. The dwarfs who betrayed the gods and turned into goblins and other demons—were usually dark dwarves.”
“Hmmm….…”
I organized the information from the Gods and the information that was left in the temple. The white dwarves might be best described as “fairies” from fairy tales. They have thin wings, and their bodies only grow to the size of a human child. Their special skill is “crafting” that makes use of magic.
The dark dwarves are of the same height. But they don’t have wings, instead they are super strong. Their special skill is “blacksmithing” that makes use of their strength.
Two type of dwarves and two special skill.
I crossed my arms and fixed my gaze on the ceiling.
“Crafting and blacksmithing……”
It’s exactly the same as the specialty of the mining town of Alvis, which we are about to go to.
“Yes. They are called dwarves, but some of them have powers that rival those of the gods. Half god and half human, or half god and half monster… they are beings with two sides.”
If Solana’s words are true, then they are someone we can’t let our guard down.
The goddess held up her finger.
“The Gjallarhorn might know something about that. They are craftsmen, after all.”
I rubbed the pouch and checked the horn inside.
The ability to “unlock all sleep” also requires God’s tools to be fully effective.
“A country of artisans huh.”
Lu summed up with a twinkle in her sky-blue eyes. Maybe it’s because she’s getting better, but she helps me by saying a lot of things like this.
It felt warm and I relaxed.
Solana smiles and nods broadly.
“That’s right. If the dwarves become our allies, there will be great possibilities. For example, we may even be able to recreate weapons from the mythical era and equip our warriors with them. Of course, we could also strengthen Rion’s weapons and armors.”
My chest felt a little hot again. Special weapons are something that I look up to as an adventurer.
“The magic characters – runes – were also found in the Western Dungeon where Loki was sealed, but the art of engraving them into weapons and tools is the expertise of dwarves.”
“……more than Loki?”
“Not really. But they should be good at it.”
That’s incredible……
Depending on the field, it means that they are more than capable and can even rival a God. They’ll surely be a pretty reassuring ally in the fight against slave traders.
While I had goosebumps, Lu had a twinkle in her big eyes.
“Was there a king?”
“Yes. The Dwarven King ruled over them.”
Solana puffed out her chest for some reason, and Lu and I exchanged glances.
““D-Dwarven King?””
Lu and I spoke in unison.
That’s impressive, right? Or maybe not……
……No, hearing about their power, it sure sounds impressive.
The peaceful time passes by quickly. I heard the bell ringing. The frosted glass was getting brighter, and it told me that it was time to go outside.
“…… I’m going.”
“Oniichan”
As I got out of the blanket, Lu’s small hand tugged at my sleeve.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
Lu also stood up.
Today is the morning we will go on a journey. I looked at Lu and we looked at each other as if we were remembering each other’s faces.
It’s not my usual adventure. This time, it’s not just a dungeon exploration where I say “I’m going” in the morning and “I’m back” at night, but a journey along the main road in a horse-drawn carriage.
“……Your body is fine now, right.”
“Yes. Maybe it’s thanks to Oniichan for slaying the boss monsters in the dungeon.”
I’m going to say goodbye to Lu and my mom for a while. As a “God’s Wake-up Caller” and an adventurer, I’ll embark on a journey from the Royal Capital.
Lu took something out of the Temple of Odis’ robe she was wearing.
“This is….…”
It’s a small item made of leather. It is palm-sized and has a shape that combines round leather and half-moon-shaped leather. It’s shaped just right to fit a coin ―a case, I guess.
“I made it for you to put the gold coin of the gods.”
Lu has always been good at making small items. Then I remember Lu’s injured finger I saw earlier.
“Your index finger.…..”
As I emphasized, Lu began darting her eyes.
“A-ah~, it’s been a long time after all.”
“Thank you.”
The coin case had a sturdy string attached. With this, I can tie it to my clothes and take out the coin whenever I wanted.
In order to prevent the gold coin from popping out of the half-moon-shaped case, it was held down with leather straps and buttons. The top half of the gold coin is exposed, just so my fingers can touch it when I unseal it.
Solana, in her doll-sized figure, jumped up softly and made eye contact with Lu.
“Thank you, Luisia!”
Then from the gold coin, Thor, Loki, Uru and Sigris also thanked her.
“N-no. Well, my brother…… please take care of him!”
Lu stood and bowed deeply to them. The white temple attire was a little dazzling. I might be being presumptuous, but maybe this is what makes her look more grown-up.
“People grow up fast.”
Solana muttered a little and spun around in the air. Then golden light dances around as if to bless us.
“As the goddess of the sun, I promise you that it will be fine. Your brother is strong, and so are we.”
I then placed the gold coin in the case.
Right after doing so, a person came in and called out to us.
We went up the stairs and went outside. The cold wind hit my face, but more than that, the brightness and warmth of the morning sun was pleasant.
It’s a bitter chill outside, but the sky is clear and the weather will be fine all day.
“Take care, Rion.”
My mother also came to see me off. She hugged me tightly.
“Have fun in your adventure.”
I nodded and headed for the carriage.
Several wagons with exposed loading platforms and boxed carriages were waiting for me.
Pauline-san knocks her staff on the ground.
“Are you ready? I know I shouldn’t say this to you, but may the Lord God bless you.”
Felix-san is already inside one of the boxed carriages and is looking at me. Mia-san is there too.
It wasn’t until I went to the Western Dungeon that I was officially hired by the Raven Warriors.
I put my foot on the steps of the carriage.
“I’m going!”
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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