Chapter 58

"I'll handle that part, so just prepare the materials as I said. Preferably from a reputable merchant."

This is a large-scale merchant guild that swept up more than half of the goods at the Moon Grass leaf auction with its overwhelming financial power.

They say these people can smell money like ghosts.

That's why they are called large merchant guilds.

Their pride is as strong as their desire for technology.

Although it wasn't intentional, I already have two items that could capture their interest.

Even though they are unfinished works that haven't even been named.

* * *

The dwarf race was once known as the Nanzin or Jijin.

Standing between 100 and 130 centimeters tall, they are a short but robust race with beards that humans cannot grow, bulging muscles, and tremendous heat resistance.

Moreover, due to their racial characteristics, they were once called the Iron Race.

Unlike the elves, who have become legendary due to their near 300-year disappearance, the dwarves still have some interaction with humans.

Though not numerous, they form tribes and settle in mountainous or volcanic regions.

They are a race of artisans by nature.

Although they are smaller in stature compared to humans, their strength is more than double that of humans, and their precision is far superior to that of ordinary artisans.

-Actually, no race can match the fairies in terms of precision.

"But weren't the fairies already extinct?"

-That's true. However, it's possible they are hiding somewhere and surviving.

Given that the fairies, who were said to be extinct, are no longer around, it's not surprising that the dwarves are called the best artisans on the Thionis continent.

King Krianes, after the successful cultivation of Moon Grass, asked me to name one thing.

The nobles must have thought I would ask to be made the next crown prince.

Indeed, the current Laun Kingdom has no crown prince, and none has even been selected.

However, since I had no interest in such a position, I boldly made a different choice.

Allow me to enter the dwarf village located in the southern part of the Laun Kingdom.

True to their nature, the dwarves, who do not welcome interactions with other races, set this as their first condition for interacting with humans.

No one below the level of a king or his representative may enter the tribe's territory.

It's a polite way of saying "don't come."

Of course, most dwarves on the continent set this condition and traded a few necessities in exchange for items made with their technology, which they supplied to the kingdom.

The Laun Kingdom has such a contract with the Yellow Rock dwarves in the south, exchanging a significant amount of meat and alcohol each year for their superior goods.

Indeed, the fine sword at King Krianes' waist and the crown he wears are all of dwarven make, demonstrating their exceptional craftsmanship.

Even with the same iron sword, the durability, sharpness, and preservation of their work are incomparably superior, showing the level of their technical prowess.

Moreover, they possess tremendous skills in architecture, making them the most needed personnel in the Haines territory, which lacks time, technology, and manpower.

-But unless they are insane, why would they follow you to the Haines territory?

In response to Perserk's words, I nodded quietly and looked at the caravan.

Since I have already informed them of my intention to contact the dwarf village, they cannot send me alone.

As a representative of King Krianes, it is inevitable that I will be accompanied by some attendants.

Ultimately, my journey to the Yellow Rock tribe, which I initially planned to be a small expedition, turned into a considerable caravan.

Of course, it was only after much reduction that it became this size.

"Your Highness, we are about to enter the territory of the Yellow Rock tribe."

"Alright."

A senior knight reported to me as I leisurely read a book on horseback.

Indeed, after passing through the mana gate and traveling for a day, the surrounding landscape had already changed to a vast area of yellow rock.

I recalled the reaction when I suddenly expressed a desire to meet the dwarves, after causing a major incident in the territory.

The nobles, thinking I was up to something, sent me a suspicious gaze, and King Krianes silently looked at me.

'Can I ask the reason?'

'Their help is needed for the territory's facility maintenance.'

'Hmm...'

'Your Highness! The dwarves are extremely picky! If you provoke them... '

The nobles, fearing I might cause trouble, shouted that it was impossible, but I naturally ignored them.

Indeed, in such a situation, they would think this way.

If I provoked them and they moved to another country's territory, it would be a significant loss for the Laun Kingdom.

'They are not human. Dave, if you provoke them with a lack of consideration, even if it's a reward... '

'Don't worry. I'll prepare a proposal that won't get me turned away at the door.'

The knights who accompanied me in the caravan also seemed to be there to prevent me from causing trouble.

I feel sorry for them, who are clearly anxious... but, I do plan to cause a bit of trouble.

-The smell of black smoke and iron. It's a very nostalgic smell.

'Have you had dealings with dwarves before?'

-At my age, have I not seen dwarves?

Floating in the air, Perserk leisurely admired the surroundings and showed an interested expression at the pungent smell of iron and black smoke coming from a distance.

After sleeping in a sword for so long, everything seemed fresh and new to her.

The caravan stopped in front of a massive iron and wooden gate blocking the gap between the rocks in the rock formation.

"Halt! Who are you?"

As soon as we passed through the rock formation, someone stopped the caravan and poked their head out from a large watchtower.

Standing about 1 meter tall, with muscles far more bulging than any human and a beard as long as their height, these were the dwarves of the Yellow Rock tribe.

One of them held a massive battle axe and wore sturdy armor, appearing to be a guard.

"From the royal family of the Laun Kingdom! Please allow us to enter the Yellow Rock tribe!"

A senior knight slowly rode forward and shouted on my behalf.

"We haven't heard of such a request to enter the village."

Their expression clearly showed their confusion at our sudden arrival.

"I have a good proposal."

I smiled kindly and spoke, and the guard with the most polished armor and a battle hammer looked at me thoughtfully.

"Who are you?"

"I am Dave, the first prince of the Laun Kingdom."

"Cough! I am Gert, the guard captain."

After an awkward cough, he nodded a few times.

"A promise is a promise. However, there is a significant issue within the tribe, so we cannot currently trade with your human kingdom."

"What do you mean! You can't trade?"

"Ugh, I don't know! But a promise is a promise, so come in! However, leave your horses outside; we don't get along well with horses."

The knights frowned at Guard Captain Gert's words, but I silently dismounted and walked towards the massive iron gate, which was slowly opening.

* * *

The village of the Yellow Rock tribe is quite large.

With about 2,000 dwarves living in the village, it can be considered a mid-sized tribe compared to the small-scale tribes of dwarves.

"Oh..."

"Goodness, they move on their own."

"How do they move like that?"

The people and knights in the caravan marveled at the self-moving gates and various mechanical devices.

It's rare for humans to enter the village.

In other words, while they have seen dwarves before, this is their first time entering the village.

And, this is true not only for humans but also for the dwarves.

The dwarves, who were bustling about in the village, suddenly became wary at the sight of us.

"Humans? How did humans get into this village?"

"Could the humans be planning to attack us?"

Anxiety, wariness, curiosity.

The mixed emotions in their gazes made the caravan feel like they were on display in a zoo.

"Your Highness, are you really sure this is okay?"

If I provoke them, it won't be me who has a problem, but their heads will be on the line, so they must be scared.

A knight cautiously asked me, but I remained calm and said nothing.

"Don't make a fuss. If anything happens, I'll save you somehow."

Thanks to my words, they seemed somewhat relieved, but the anxiety remained.

After leaving most of the caravan outside, I entered a building with large mechanical devices, accompanied by two knights. There, an elderly dwarf was waiting at a quiet round table.

He had an exceptionally long beard and a large build compared to other dwarves.

His wrinkles suggested he was quite old, but the one-handed axe at his waist, ready to strike a monster at any moment, showed his vigor.