Chapter 216

Chapter 216 - Tollgate Mountains (2)

Rampage pointed backwards with his thumb.

"As you can see, we came from the direction of the Black Wasteland. And we call this cute friend Vertigo."

"Vertigo?"

The mountain guards' entire attention was drawn to the armored beast accepting Rampage's touch. That is a natural thing for Dwarves.

Chareureureuk.

The palm wearing a gauntlet stroked the scales in the reverse direction. The slightly lifted scales closed back down, clashing with other scales.

"Sounds good, right?"

Gulp.

Swallowing their saliva, the guards nodded continuously.

"The feel is even more amazing. It's much better than sticking your hand into a pouch of silver coins and stirring."

"Just where on earth did you find such a fella?"

"Over there."

When Rampage pointed west, the guards' necks all turned together.

"Roman?"

"Hey, call out more."

"Then Gord? Could it be you found it in the Demonic Forest beyond the Shield Mountains?"

"If it were to be found there, it would have been discovered long ago."

"Then Britannia?"

"Tsk tsk."

Rampage clicked his tongue while twitching his index finger.

"Quite a spectacle."

Rex, who was watching that sight from a distance, covered his face with his hands.

"Are you just going to watch that, Knight?"

"It does look a bit childish."

"Then you should stop them. What are they doing holding Mayer's flag?"

Rex is now becoming aristocratic like a settled race.

- You guys are no longer a mere mercenary company. You are ones representing the dignity of the Knight's family.

Rex is diligently correcting the rough habits from their mercenary company days in his subordinates.

"Leave them be. It only looks like that to us, but wouldn't it just look cool and proud to them? The wish that had turned into a deep sorrow for generations of ancestors has come true. They should enjoy it excitingly when the mood is up."

The fact that the Dwarves, once one of the霸权 (hegemonic) races, lost most of the territory they possessed.

The reason they were pushed out to the outskirts of the world and mountains and became a point organization.

A major share of that is the weakness of not being able to ride horses.

The Dwarf Stone Cavalry is an existence going beyond just a romance realized. It's also resolving the sorrow they've longed for across generations.

That desperate sentiment could never be understood by Fairy folk who naturally rode horses well.

"Hind, you say something too."

"I am merely envious though?"

"..."

It's Hind who was launched exactly like a catapult while trying to ride on a Vertigo's back.

As for Dark Elves, except for a very small number of tribal knights, everyone fights as light cavalry. There was no particular reason to envy the Vertigo. Because horses are faster in speed, turning ability, and endurance.

However, the situation is different for those who function as heavy cavalry like Hind or human cavalry. They can't help but envy the Vertigo's overwhelming defense and strength.

"Deputy Chief, please be generous. Doesn't it look quite nice?"

"When did you guys get so close?"

When even the female warriors of the Caracal Special Forces stepped forward to defend them, Rex was bewildered.

Meanwhile, the mountain guards are making a huge fuss.

"Oh my god! Did you cross the Sea of Darkness? That is an achievement no Dwarf, no, no adventurer has accomplished!"

"You'd have to be at that level to find a treasure like this."

Rampage put a raw sweet potato into the Vertigo's mouth.

Crunch.

Crack.

Even though it was quite a large sweet potato, it disappeared without a trace in one bite. Perhaps a piece got stuck, it picked between its teeth with its nail, and its luster and sturdiness were reminiscent of an entrenching tool.

The more you look, it's a fella that only gathered elements Dwarves like.

"We plan to introduce the hometown to His Excellency under the name of the Hammer Brotherhood."

"We sincerely welcome your return. The gates are always open to the fighters who dedicate themselves for their compatriots."

Like that, Eugene entered the inside of the mountains.

In between, they encountered Dwarf guards on patrol or technicians doing construction. They greeted mixing astonishment and gratitude.

"Thank you for your dedication, fighters."

Although the mountains provide wealth, self-sufficiency at a kingdom level is impossible without plains. So Dwarves who go outside the mountains receive a lot of respect.

Because thanks to their hardships, they are not treated as a protruding stone by external factions.

Information or not-for-sale materials brought from the outside were as useful as gold to the Dwarves inside the mountains.

"Rampage. Aside from you, do you not collect tolls from us too? This is a place where even Great Lords or Kings drank water (failed/were humiliated) trying to pass for free."

Passing through the gate with a free pass, Eugene asked.

"We don't collect from fellow Dwarves. Since Your Excellency also came as a guest of our Hammer Brotherhood, it's naturally free."

"If it's like that, one could just bribe one tribe here and travel for free. Seems there are no guys using such cheap tricks."

"To receive outsiders as guests, the corresponding tribe must also bear strict responsibilities and duties. Even if a Great Lord or even a King comes, it's not easily accepted."

In a way, it's also a natural thing. A life where tolls have a profound impact on income and food security for the Dwarves here.

Naturally, strict safety devices will be placed on elements that would negatively affect collection.

"What are those over there?"

From small adventurer parties of around 5 people to merchants leading dozens of mercenaries at most are climbing the mountain. Uniquely, instead of hounds, they are accompanied by pigs wearing muzzles.

"The mountains where Dwarves directly reside barely exceed 10% here. The rest is open to outsiders too. They are probably going to gather truffles."

"They allow outsiders to get such expensive things?"

"The mountains are wide. And we lack hands anyway."

Being overly greedy will only result in becoming isolated. Furthermore, if outsiders explore the mountains and hunt monsters for them, consequently the lives of the Dwarves also become safer.

"It's a lesson learned through blood."

"In the early days, it seems the Dwarves tried to monopolize it? And then experienced a harsh taste."

"Even now there are many tribal chiefs making such claims. The King glosses it over with the logic of 'We are subcontracting subjugation until the mountains become safe enough.'"

However, the number of mercenaries coming and going on the highways or climbing the mountains is beyond imagination. It's an excessive number to say the purpose is merely gathering or hunting.

"I heard from the guards that the veins where they used to mine silver have dried up."

Silver mines are an important axis promising wealth to the Dwarves of the mountains. Though they say rare medicinal herbs or furs are produced abundantly, they can't maintain the kingdom with just that.

"So they are extensively looking for new veins."

"Since they must have already searched everywhere there is to search, the places they are stepping into now must be uncharted territories?"

"Yes. So we just started a sweeping purification operation hiring mercenaries."

However, finding the veins themselves is hard, but how common would a place equipped with profitability to support the kingdom be?

A life cooped up in the mountains with a semi-isolationist line is always tiring.

"I heard that because of this, hardliners advocating for subjugating below the mountains have been gaining power recently."

Rampage's face was utterly bitter.

* * *

The tribe Rampage belonged to remodeled the entire mountain which is their residential area.

"Not wooden stairs but stone ones?"

At the sight of stone stairs laid out from the entrance to the end of the mountain, those who were not Dwarves couldn't suppress their admiration. Even if it's the foundation of life, it's strictly outdoors, yet such construction. Because it was considered a tremendous luxury.

Before climbing the mountain, Eugene got off Might and changed to another horse.

"Why are you doing that?"

Rex was puzzled.

"Today's main characters are the Hammer Brotherhood. Since they and the Vertigos need to receive attention, Might should step back."

"I don't think there's a need to go this far, though."

"It's their hometown they are returning to after several years. They came feeling like a triumphant army. If we're going to uphold their face anyway, wouldn't it be better to uphold it properly?"

Eugene's eyes looking at the Dwarf Stone Cavalry are warm.

"Welcome, Count Excellency! The grace and consideration you bestowed upon the sons of our tribe! Our ancestors will also rejoice."

The tribal chief welcomed them enthusiastically.

"Every time a letter arrives, the adventure tales written there are always new. I was so looking forward to the next content."

Even while moving to the Vagrant Castle, the Hammer Brotherhood hired adventurers and sent letters.

Given the distance, there were not a few who fell behind. However, considering that from the beginning, they sent them by 5s and 10s. Someone always arrived and delivered the news to the hometown.

In the midst of that, letters stopped during the new continent expedition, so everyone was dying of curiosity. And that wait was rewarded in the best form.

"Messenger of the Earth!"

"I thought it was just a legend made up by the elders, but it was real!"

All the tribe members gathered at the giant pangolins unleashed in the empty lot.

"They are called Vertigo."

"Vertigo (Dizziness)? What a peculiar name."

"Because if anyone other than us Dwarves rides them, they go crazy like madmen."

"That fella is overflowing with loyalty just like he looks. Of course! He ought to be like that!"

At the answer hitting exactly to their liking, the older Dwarves laughed heartily.

Meanwhile, the Hammer Brotherhood warriors were sharing tears of reunion with their families.

"Look at this guy's facial complexion. Must've been wandering here and there picking and eating only good things, huh?"

"Hahaha! Do you know how sincere the Count Excellency is about eating!"

Passionate reunions between parents and children take place everywhere.

"Helka!"

A Dwarf Stone Cavalryman enthusiastically spread his arms while running towards his wife who was running at full speed.

"This damn human!"

Smaaack!

Instead of a touching hug, he was hit with a harsh slap.

"Leaving me living in an empty room (solitary confinement) for 2 years and you crawl in smirking?"

"I'm sorry, honey! We're together continuously from now on!"

"Then you're quitting the mercenary business?"

Helka, whose complexion brightened.

"That's not it."

"Are you playing word games right now!"

Pow!

This time a body blow went in.

The tribal chief, watching that sight as if amused, said to Eugene.

"There are also many people who do not believe in the Vagrant Castle. No matter how much it's a letter sent by our sons, it feels like too absurd a story."

"Ah! That could be possible."

Those who saw a lot of the world while living as mercenaries in their youth generally tend to believe it. Because they know the world is full of amazing things.

However, those who have only lived inside the mountains considered it the bluffs or exaggeration unique to mercenaries.

The Dwarf wife named Helka only hugged her husband tightly while crying after exchanging a scuffle for a while longer.

"Uup!"

In their embrace, a Dwarf kid about 1 and a half years old is held to the point of being squished. The daughter Helka raised alone, and the reason her husband meekly endured getting hit.

"Honey! I'll let you experience something good!"

"W-Wait a minute... Kyaak!"

The Stone Cavalryman who lifted Helka up high climbed onto his Vertigo.

"Let's gooo!"

Responding to the rider's shout, the Vertigo ran out at a brisk pace. Wife in front, husband in back. It's a play that couples owning horses definitely try at least once.

It was a romance Dwarves had no connection with, but not anymore.

"Ahahahat!"

On top of her husband's return, a sense of speed she couldn't taste with her own legs. Helka released her anger and laughed pleasantly.

"...!"

"...!"

Perhaps that sight looked cool, other Stone Cavalrymen also imitated it.

"Oh my. Living in luxury thanks to our son, huh?"

"What luxury. With just something like this."

In front of a Dwarf who doesn't have a family yet, his parents rode with bright smiles. The Dwarf's eyes welled with tears at his parents' physiques which seemed to have shrunk even more than before he left his hometown.

"Good."

While exclamations and laughter filled the village, Eugene unpacked the gifts he prepared. As long as one lives only in the mountains, supplies from the outside world are always received preciously.

"What is this? It's too white and big to be a bear skin."

The tribal chief, who was fiddling with the neat Yeti skin, rejoiced knowing its true identity. A System Yeti, notoriously hard to hunt in extremely limited habitats. Such an intact skin is a treasure even a King would have a hard time possessing.

Likewise, foods from tropical regions that cannot be obtained in mountainous areas are placed down. Barrels containing dried fruits and fruit wines pleased the Dwarves.

"If we only receive like this, our ancestors will appear in our dreams and scold us. Please receive our hospitality this time."

The tribal chief guided Eugene to a banquet table set to the point the table legs would break.

Perhaps because it was such a joyful return, or perhaps it's the tribe's family tradition, the small number of Dark Elves Eugene brought were also treated without reserve.

"The ladies drink quite heartily."

"Come come, misters, have a taste too! If you mix Dwarven dark beer and Fairy folk fruit distilled liquor... Ta-da!"

The Caracal female warriors, who became flexible through long cooperation with the Hammer Brotherhood, fit in particularly well.

As life in the Vagrant Castle became long, the cultures of Dwarves and Dark Elves gradually began to harmonize. That first button was naturally alcohol.

"This taste is?!"

"When a fight breaks out between both sides in the Vagrant Castle, it's easy to stop it. Just carelessly make this first."

The Caracal female warriors always took the lead whenever stopping quarrels between both races. First, they separate the Dark Elves and Dwarves from each other.

- Uup uup!

Next, they poured the cocktail of harmony into the snouts of both sides. Then passable quarrels are resolved in an instant.

Kkeo-ru-ru-ru-ru-uk!

A drinker of the tribe who emptied a large liquor glass in one go let out a long burp. He grins at the female warriors while bouncing his belly.

"Is that a provocation?"

Watching that sight, Cassandra chuckled and received a glass filled with distilled liquor from her subordinates. On her other palm, a flame flower bloomed by the witch's secret art is swaying.

Puhwaaaak!

Soon after, an intense Fire Breathing unfolded.

The tremendous lung capacity forged by ranger training doesn't go anywhere. It was much more fierce than even that of other entertainers. The Dwarves admitted defeat and clapped in admiration.

"This lady here, she might have inherited the blood of a Fire Dragon."

If it were Cassandra of the past, she wouldn't have done it saying it's undignified.

However, she is someone who has shared many stories about appeasement policies while being together with Eugene. She has also seen Eugene handling different races together from the side.

She also observed Valda's domestic support, gathering the love of the commoners while touching soil and crops in front of farmers.

Associating with them in their way while being treated by Dwarves. To the current Cassandra, it is not a difficult task.

* * *

The noisy banquet continued even into the night. Because whether Dwarves or Dark Elves, both are strong against alcohol, so neither side collapsed.

"Uwaah!"

"Ah, exactly as I say, corpses with mushrooms sprouting all over their bodies charged, you know? They were as hard as stone, but they were smashed powerlessly in front of our hammers."

There were also too many adventure tales accumulated. No matter what was unleashed, everyone listened with interest, so the speakers also got excited.

"The ringleader of the mushroom humans was a forest spirit. Not just any spirit either, but a bastard like a demigod that had lived for thousands of years. No, was it a bitch? Anyway!"

"...Perhaps an existence like that spirit might also exist in our mountains."

Tired of the heated heat of the tent, Eugene came outside.

"Phew."

Getting some cool mountain wind feels like he can live. The clean air washing the lungs is extremely refreshing. The oxygen concentration is thicker in the jungle, but there is no unpleasant noise or humidity here.

Just then, about 10 torches could be seen from a mountain quite far away.

"Uwaaah!"

Screams at the same time.

It seemed armed people engaging in night mountain climbing got into a fight with monsters.

"Perhaps they discovered a rare medicinal herb or beast during a daytime subjugation operation."

The Dwarf tribal chief standing beside Eugene said.

"I was wondering why they were doing that dangerously at night, now I understand. They probably set out to secretly take it for themselves, right?"

"That is correct. They are suffering a harsh fate being greedy."

With the sound of weapons clashing, the torches went out one by one, and now only 6 remained.

As they fled to the safe zone where they were camping, torches were lit simultaneously with shouts in the campsite too.

"It's a violation of military discipline and a breach of contract. Embezzling mercenaries will receive severe punishment. Well, it would be better than going into a monster's stomach, though."

The tribal chief, speaking as if mocking, gauged Eugene's mood.

"Your Excellency is the strongest expert of this era in monster subjugation. Do you perhaps have the intention to participate in the purification operation?"

"Trying to hire me?"

The tribal chief hurriedly waved both hands.

"I am not trying to hire Your Excellency as a mere tribal chief. The employing entity is purely the Royal Family, and I am merely an intermediate deliverer."

"It doesn't particularly matter even if you guys hire me. What difference does it make whether the King gives the money or you do."

Eugene didn't care at all about such things.

"It's perfect for the Stone Cavalry's first actual combat."

The Vertigos huddled together sleeping in one spot of the village. That figure is a sight like giants' shields piled up.

"Is there anything we can help you with?"

The Dwarves hired external mercenaries when they needed cavalry. As such, they were also proficient in procuring horse feed including hay.

"I need tuber types including sweet potatoes and carrots. Looking at the banquet earlier, there seemed to be a lot of lotus roots, gather those up entirely too."

The Vertigos also like the grass growing in the magical feed troughs of the Vagrant Castle. Even the carnivorous Direwolves often pluck it as a snack, so it needs no explanation.

The problem is the part where it naturally gets circulated in a dried state if airlifted to be used in outside operations.

Horses or goats ate it deliciously even in a hay state, but the moment the grass dried, the Vertigos wouldn't even touch it.

When force-fed through Homi's command, they immediately got stomachaches and cried pitifully.

- To feed this grass outside, we'll have to boil it and make porridge, you see?

This is the answer given by the stable keepers who had researched this and that and tried feeding them.

However, boiling porridge for feed with a large amount of firewood, water, and pots in the field where even feeding people is hard is an absurd task.

"Please leave it to us. The merchant caravans trading with us come in once every 3 days. Carrots and lotus roots can be obtained in unlimited quantities. For sweet potatoes and potatoes, we will request cooperation from other tribes."

The tribal chief nodded enthusiastically while clenching both fists. It seems he really wants to see the sturdy youths of the tribe riding Vertigos and bravely going out on subjugation.

And Eugene intended to make that wish come true.

* * *

Morning, not long after the sun rose the next day.

"Now! Let's do it!"

"We're just going exactly as trained!"

The Dwarf Stone Cavalrymen dressed in armor and aligned formed ranks behind Eugene.

As it is monster hunting, not anti-personnel combat, everyone is holding spears. Since both the rider and the Vertigo are wearing heavy armor, shields are unnecessary.

The sight of grasping spears, much longer than those used by general knights, that pikemen would use, with both hands.

It is different from the grip method of general mounted spearmanship. It is a special posture developed solely for the Dwarf Stone Cavalry.

On the left and right of their saddles, loaded heavy crossbows are slotted one by one. Eugene was reminded of cowboys wearing revolvers on both sides from that sight.

Before Eugene's eyes, the most dangerous uncharted territory even in the Dwarf mountains spreads out.

- I'll decline that place.

- Do you take us for fools? If we say we're going there, my subordinates will stab my back.

It is a place that even mercenaries hired from the outside stubbornly refuse.

"Our ancestors are watching!"

"Sons of the mountains. The abundance enjoyed so far was built by the sacrifices of our predecessors. Now is the time for us to shed blood and sweat for the next generation."

However, Dwarf tribes who came from various parts of the mountains were gathered here and there.

Because it was a place where various Dwarf tribes were scrambling to challenge with goals of loyalty to the Royal Family, concessions, or advancement.

"Wh-What are those guys?"

"Hammer Brotherhood?"

"It's the Messenger of the Earth! Those guys caught and brought the Messengers of the Earth!"

The Dwarves who had gathered forcefully fluttering flags of various colors all lost their minds.

The prestige of the Dwarf Stone Cavalry, wrapped in rock armor below and entirely in iron armor above.

That had something more overwhelming than even the Royal Guards of the mountains.