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I tilted my head in confusion.

“Aren’t the other races supposed to get along?”

“Get along, my foot! Who’d want to hang out with those pointy-ears?”

“But I heard you joined hands against human invaders here.”

“That was only because those human bastards barged into our land! We just attacked from different directions to fend them off!”

Aha.

“So it was a temporary alliance?”

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It’s one of the oldest unwritten rules of war. It’s common to first eliminate a stronger foe together and fight each other later.

“That’s why going into an all-out war now isn’t an option. If we weaken now, who knows when the humans will invade again. Damn it, I’d love to bash those pointy-eared scoundrels right now……!”

“What exactly happened between the dwarves and the elves?”

At this point, I couldn’t help but be curious.

“……It all started when the elves elected a new leader.”

“A leader? Like a chief, similar to how you’re the head of your clan?”

“Something like that. But unlike me, their leader…… was a half-blood.”

“……!”

A half-blood. That said everything.

“A mix?”

“……Yeah. Rumor has it his father was human.”

“Wait, they made someone like that in charge?”

I wasn’t surprised for nothing. This was unheard of, even in my past life.

“We were just as shocked. The elves are even more closed off than we are. But one day, that half-blood snuck into their ranks, and they not only accepted him, but crowned him their leader. It was a curse for us.”

“A curse? Why?”

“That half-blood might look like an elf, but inside, he’s a cunning human. A good-for-nothing bastard. Just thinking about it……!”

Bolt slammed his fists on the table repeatedly, as if on the verge of an outburst.

“He was the one who suggested we join forces when the humans attacked. But that damn half-blood had ulterior motives.”

“Ulterior motives?”

“While we drove the humans off, the half-blood’s separate unit raided our warehouses. Weapons, tools, ores—everything, gone!”

Well, damn.

‘Smart.’

Now I could see why Bolt said he had a human’s cunning.

‘But they sure are bold. To think they would steal ores from dwarves.’

It was in their nature. Dwarves weren’t particularly obsessed with completed goods, but raw materials—especially ores—were another story.

Their passion for raw resources knew no bounds.

“And that’s not all! Even when we brought supplies from outside, they ambushed us in the forest and took everything.”

“……At that point, he’s an enemy of the clan. In some ways, worse than the humans.”

“So we were ready to march on them immediately! If it weren’t for Arsene stopping us……”

“Count Arsene intervened?”

Bolt nodded.

“……He said fighting would only benefit the humans. Supplies could be restocked, so we just needed to endure a little longer.”

As expected of the Count—always so wise.

“We’ve been waiting for a chance ever since…… But there haven’t been any more attacks for months now. Hah! Those pointy-eared bastards must’ve realized we’re not pushovers.”

That seemed unlikely. If their leader really thought like a human.

‘They’d wait until the supplies dwindled before striking again.’

Time erodes vigilance and causes complacency. Disasters that claim thousands of lives are quickly forgotten, and people eventually go back to acting like it’d never happened.

“That’s why we can’t act just yet. Don’t think we’ve given up on revenge, however. Dwarves never forget a grudge.”

His eyes burned with determination, locking onto mine.

‘Looks like I don’t have a choice.’

I nodded slowly. Stabilizing the area around us was essential for building a safer city.

And more importantly……

‘In other words, those pointy-eared bastards took what was ours, right?’

Then of course we had to reclaim what was ours.

“……Wait. Did those bastards also attack that Bullet guy?”

“……”

Bolt, who had been venting furiously, froze. He then made a bitter smile.

“……Of course not. If they had, we’d have stormed their place already—regardless of what Arsene said.”

His expression turned grim, filled with fear. An expression I’d never seen him make before.

“An enemy of the clan.”

“……”

“A human who single-handedly killed or enslaved half our population. The god of fire that took away my parents and children.”

His trembling voice echoed painfully in my ears.

“The Reaper you humans call the ‘Knight of Blazes’.”

“……”

My expression darkened.

“O-Of course, I know it’s not an easy request. But…… if you can grant this request, our entire clan will support you, even if it costs our lives. We’ll provide anything you need, without reservation!”

“……”

“No matter how long it takes. Dwarves live much longer than humans, after all. Time isn’t an issue for us.”

Suddenly, Bolt grabbed both my hands tightly.

“I know it’s shameless to ask someone so young. But there’s no one else we can trust. Only you, the disciple of Ancelot Heil Edenberg……”

I raised a hand, signaling him to stop.

“That’s enough.”

“……”

Bolt’s shoulders slumped, regret filling his expression.

“……I’m sorry. I got too worked up. What am I saying to a child……”

“……”

“Forget what I said. Just take care of that half-blood……”

“I’ll kill him for you.”

“……!”

Bolt’s eyes widened in disbelief. To be honest, I’d planned to kill him anyway.

‘I was only deciding who to take out first.’

Yeah.

I’ve made up my mind. In the upcoming Master Tournament, I knew exactly who I’d challenge.

For reference, as the tournament’s victor, I’d earn the right to duel any current Master. If I won the majority vote from the judges, I could replace the defeated Master, no matter the outcome of the fight.

Of course, most winners challenge non-Imperial Masters since it’s easier to prove their abilities with relatively lower risk.

But,

‘……You’re first, Theorg.’

I intended to challenge the only Imperial Master present at the event. And the one hailed as the ‘Heaven’ of the continent.

Before the meeting, I quietly summoned Trevor.

“We’ll be leaving this place soon.”

“Hmm……”

“So, I’d like you to stay behind with Verdant Vale and help build the city.”

As I spoke, Trevor gave me a wry smile.

“You mean you want me to act as a watchdog.”

“No, I want you to protect the newly built lord’s castle in my place.”

“What do you……?”

Shiiing.

I quietly drew my sword. Trevor flinched for a split second but did nothing more.

“Trevor Ben Minas. From this moment on, cast aside every title the Empire gave you.”

“……!”

“I’m asking you to live a new life as Trevor Heil Edenberg.”

Tap.

I rested the drawn sword gently on Trevor’s shoulder.

“I’m offering you the position of deputy.”

“……”

Trevor stood frozen like a statue for a long time, then finally let out a chuckle.

“……That’s quite the offer. Considering I’m a traitor to the Empire.”

“If you’re going to do it, might as well do it right, no?”

“……But……”

At this point, I even felt a bit nervous.

‘Don’t tell me he’s going to refuse.’

Thankfully, my worries were unfounded.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I went with you? You’ll need all the help you can get.”

“……!”

I blinked at him before bursting into laughter.

“Enough. With that body, you’d just get in the way.”

“True enough.”

Thud!

From where he stood, Trevor dropped to one knee.

Because the height wasn’t right, he adjusted his stance awkwardly for a while, but to no avail.

Frustrated with himself, he frowned. Then, he even threw the prosthetic leg aside.

“……Forgive me for my poor form.”

He placed a hand over his chest and bowed his head.

“Trevor Heil Edenberg swears to devote the rest of his life to his final lord.”

“Stop with the formalities. That’s not what I wanted.”

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I turned away.

“The meal you gave me before. It was delicious.”

“……Flattery won’t get you more. My services don’t come cheap.”

“It reminded me of the meals my first lord made for me.”

I halted mid-step, a bitter smile forming on my lips.

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“It’s high praise—nothing better comes to mind, no matter how hard I search my lousy brain.”

When I glanced back, Trevor was already struggling to stand, swaying slightly as he did so.

“Thank you. It felt like I’d gone back to those times.”

“If you welcome me back with good results, I’ll cook for you again.”

Trevor grinned brightly.

“I’d better push us and the dwarves harder, then.”

***

After sending Trevor off, the other key figures gathered in the room. I quickly briefed them on the current situation.

“……I never expected relations between the dwarves and the elves to be so bad.”

Marquis Foltaine sighed after hearing the details.

“If I could, I’d love to quickly subdue those pointy-ears and lay the groundwork for the city right away.”

“We should plant a proper flag while we’re at it. If the Meeke Principality meddles, we’ll need evidence.”

“What better evidence than a fully built city on what was previously flat land?”

“Hah, true. The dwarves wouldn’t build a city for humans unless they were hit with a crossbow bolt to the head.”

That’s when Milon spoke up.

“……I have a different concern. What if Meeke tries to install their own lord and take everything we’ve built?”

“Well, it’s true that this place has always been a coveted treasure trove and natural fortress for nearby nations.”

I cut into the conversation.

“I won’t stand by and let that happen.”

“……Why, are you planning to turn your own family upside down this time?”

“If I have to, yes.”

The marquis burst out in hearty laughter, amused by the thought.

“Now that’s a show I’d pay to see.”

“This is no laughing matter. This also concerns our country—the Hart Kingdom.”

However, Milon remained cautious.

“This land is on the border of the Hart Kingdom. The palace may not care now, but if a city rises here, right at the frontier……”

“Exactly. Tensions will rise, and military conflict may follow.”

The marquis’ jovial mood shifted to seriousness.

“That’s why I think we should head back to the capital for now.”

“And the pointy-ears?”

The marquis raised an eyebrow in question.

“We need a valid pretext for war. How about we return and deal with them if they provoke us during the construction?”

“True…… The deadline to report back to the Empire is also approaching.”

“So, it’s decided?”

A sly grin crept across my face.

“Let’s head back—to send that Imperial rat, Kaiman, or whatever his name is, back on his merry way to the Empire.”

***