Chapter 221

Chapter 221 - Khazad-dor (2)

Eugene had many curious points about the underground world of the Dwarves since the past, and they were being resolved one by one in real-time. The first among them was how they solved the lighting of the vast city.

"Everyone please watch your step. It is common for guests visiting for the first time to trip while walking looking only upwards."

The warning voice of the Dwarf Prince is full of pride.

Because even the highest VIPs, Valda and Eugene, were looking at the ceiling. Super-sized mirrors are installed on the dome-shaped ceiling.

"So you were pulling in sunlight and using it as a light source."

"Lighting everything with torches and oil would be too wasteful. I've heard it a few times as rumors at banquets in Roman, but the real thing is much more wonderful."

The mirrors connected by mechanical devices pulled in the outside sunlight and sent it to various places in Khazad-dor.

"We are resolving 82% of the necessary lighting with those devices."

"Then what do you do at night?"

"We pull in and use the light from the furnaces of night workshops. Even though it falls far short of the sun, since it's night anyway, that is sufficient."

Seeing lamps in corridors or a few areas, it seems they are also mixing in conventional light sources together.

"Indeed. It can be called the peak of current engineering technology."

The Dwarf Prince, whose mood went up to the fullest at Eugene's praise and admiration, discovered one strange point.

Normally, guests coming for the first time stare blankly at the complex yet splendid ceiling lighting devices for about 1 minute. Like the knights of Barcia or the peninsula accompanying them right now.

However, Eugene and his subordinates scanning it for about 10 seconds and showing a reaction around 'Interesting.' was all.

"I heard the Count Excellency's Moving Castle also contains the essence of ancient technology. I am curious what structure you use to resolve internal lighting."

"Mmm. That is..."

Eugene agonized over how to explain it without touching the Prince's swollen pride.

It's a bit much to say that it illuminates 98% of the castle inside with intense daylight-color lighting, even makes crops photosynthesize, and can also tune the color.

"It is roughly similar to here. It emits light with power pulled from other places in the castle. Even though ours is a form where magic and technology are combined."

"Oh dear!"

The Dwarf Prince looked at Eugene as if feeling pitiful for him.

"That must truly be arduous."

"...?"

Eugene, who had a puzzled expression for a moment, realized with an 'Ah!'.

The Dwarf Prince mistakenly thought that the Moving Castle inevitably used lighting patched up with magic due to a lack of technological prowess.

"Cognwheels and pulleys always serve their master honestly, but magic... tries to escape the master's control frequently, you see. Since constructing a lighting device of this scale requires tremendous effort, it can't be helped, I suppose."

"The Prince does not have ill feelings towards Eugene. He is merely consoling him with a completely Dwarf-like way of thinking."

Eugene's subordinates flared up. They wanted to show off the magic lamps of the Moving Castle but held it in gritting their teeth. Because Eugene gestured for them to stay put.

Anyway, when coming as a guest, it is courtesy to save the host's face.

"Hmm? Prince! This path is towards the market, not the audience chamber."

A peninsula knight said to the Prince going in a bizarre direction at a six-way intersection where signboards were placed.

The signboards were made of jade, and considering the characteristics of an underground city, they seem to have adopted green which has the best visibility. Because Dwarves do not have dark vision unlike Fairy folk.

"I know. I was thinking of showing you folks around our city once before escorting you to His Majesty."

"Now?"

When invited for a crucial task, the basic rule is to meet the supreme leader immediately after the customary banquet ends.

Even if they gave a territory tour, they would have a scribe or butler do it; a person of the Prince's level wouldn't do it directly.

"If you are tired or wish to rest your bodies, you may go separately to the guests' quarters."

No matter how arrogant knights are, there is no one who would just leave saying 'Let's do that.' here. Because even though it's a small country, it is a favor bestowed by the Prince of a nation.

The reason he's doing this is simple.

The Dwarf Prince placed his right hand to his heart and bowed his head respectfully towards Valda.

"Noble one. Since being appointed as the administrators of the mountain range in the 1st Era, we have carved and refined this place generation after generation. The city is comfortable and the subjects live peacefully. Today, I wish to report that result."

"Benevolent Prince. I will gladly accept your favor."

Valda also held both sides of her skirt and lightly bent her knees, expressing courtesy.

The world had changed. The Dwarf Prince did not go so far as to equip the courtesy of a sovereign and subject. However, there was a duty to inform her that they were carrying out their task well.

The name of Lue'amoir is such a thing.

It's not just the Dwarf Royal Family. Groups that haven't forgotten the honor continuing since ancient times exist everywhere. Hearing the news of the Princess appearing in Britannia, each is preparing envoys on their own.

It's not that they too, like the Dwarf Royal Family, are vowing the loyalty of a subject. However, they could not ignore the duty to make their existence known and offer gratitude and congratulations.

That is the power the blood of the 1st Era Royal Family possesses.

* * *

The world's only underground megalopolis Khazad-dor. This place configures an ecosystem vastly different from the surface.

That's right.

Not a scenery, but an ecosystem.

The size of the city is also considerable, but it's a structure digging upwards and downwards of the mountain range too.

Although there are elevators, the 37,000 residents cannot use them at all times. So it's not rare for there to be people who see sunlight only once a week.

Adding the characteristic of the Dwarf race, a unique living culture distinct from any other city formed in Khazad-dor.

Due to waste and smell issues, livestock are raised in an area close to the entrance, but the composition is unusual.

Squeak-!

Squeeeeeak-!

The unique cry that grates on a person's nerves at the DNA level since farming life began.

"Tha-That's a rat, isn't it?"

"They eat rats?"

The Barcia knights freaked out. Their skin, trailing pale already, paled even further and became closer to a corpse.

"...I will apologize on behalf of my comrades' rudeness."

"It's fine. Because it's an understandable reaction."

The Dwarf Prince answered Aaron with a smile.

He had an expression around 'As expected of Barcia bastards.', but seemed rather surprised by Aaron's reaction.

Eugene observed the rats tearing at and eating fish scraps and mushrooms in the feed trough.

"They aren't sewer rats but guys whose breed has been improved, right?"

"Indeed, you have a good eye. Those seeing it for the first time are all busy being surprised so they pay no mind to such things."

The rats in the pen had their skin exposed cleanly without a single strand of hair like Sphynx cats.

"If you just wash the outside, you can eat the leather skin too, right?"

"That is correct. The skinning work is also troublesome, and the pieces of flesh wasted in that process are a pity too."

The Prince liked Eugene's attitude of showing interest without a speck of disgust.

"It's hard to give up the texture of the skin becoming crispy when roasted over fire."

"In reality, it is also savory and the taste is good."

Since they have no hair, they are placed at risk of skin diseases if exposed to sunlight, but that's not a problem. Because this is an underground city!

Eugene even bought a rat meat skewer from a nearby stall outright.

"Prince! It is an honor to serve you!"

Out of respect for the Royal Family that has bestowed good governance, the owner adamantly refused money. Just like the owner's heart, the rat meat taste was also good.

"If it represents no issue, could I receive these rats and the breeding method? I want to keep them as new members in the Moving Castle."

"How could I refuse that delightful request? Please spread them far and wide by all means."

A crisis of livestock with a vicious visual entering the Moving Castle full of only beautiful things.

"Ah, that can't happen, though..."

The tribal knights made pitiful expressions, but they dared not cut into a conversation between monarchs.

On the other hand, Eugene, who came with a mindset around 'Shall I do some sightseeing?', became elated having received a windfall.

The next place they arrived at was the market district.

"I already felt this while looking at the Hammer Brotherhood, but Dwarves truly like mushrooms, huh?"

Eugene admired seeing the various mushrooms spread out in the grocery stalls.

Gathering all the mushrooms he had seen traveling the world so far, there are 10 times more diverse breeds gathered here.

Valda, who looked closely lifting them one by one with a smile on her face, smelled the scent.

"They are mushrooms raised with utmost care giving them plenty of fertilizer. Since it's a crop that can be cultivated without sunlight, it's not strange that Dwarves love them."

"Well, yes. In a way, it would be natural."

In the beverage carts, they are selling as many as 8 types of mushroom tea. Among them, Eugene bought a tea with a familiar name.

Its name is Sun-kissed mushroom tea.

"There is one more reason mushrooms are important to us."

The Dwarf Prince said while handing the tea to Eugene and Valda.

"If one continues to live without seeing sunlight, they are bound to weaken. However, the mushrooms we cultivate prevent the demon of that disease."

Vitamin D deficiency. The Dwarves were overcoming a fatal disease that could come from underground life with mushrooms.

'Did they improve it to contain a ton of Vitamin D?'

The mushroom breeds Eugene knew also had some slightly different points here.

"Eugene. Will you try drinking a cup too? It's a truly healthy taste."

Valda excitedly brought tea full of green moss. Although not as much as mushrooms, moss is also a food ingredient Dwarves enjoy eating.

"I will receive just your heart with gratitude."

Valda made a sorrowful face.

However, Homi who became a sacrifice first stuck her tongue out and sent desperate sign language from behind Valda.

'This is incredibly bitter and astringent! You shouldn't eat it! I think the Elf's sense of taste is strange.'

Seeing her use bad expressions towards Valda whom she reveres, it seems the taste is truly terrible.

Puff. Puff.

In the smoking rooms located here and there, Dwarves biting stylish pipe cigarettes are resting.

Among them are those who placed a mushroom that looks suspiciously shaped at a glance on the bowl.

"...!"

"...!"

Discovering the Dwarf Prince, they stealthily took the mushroom out and hid it in their pockets.

The quick-witted Eugene agonized over whether to tell on them or not, then decided to pretend not to have seen it. Because it would only damage the Prince's face for nothing.

Eugene's group stopped at one place in the market district. It was a place where rails were laid and multiple people were standing in line.

"The Prince has arrived! As he is carrying out official duties, please clear the way!"

As the Prince's guard shouted, the people expressed courtesy and stepped aside. Then, the means of transportation of Khazad-dor hidden by the crowd appeared.

"It was a rail car station. Certainly, to go around an underground city, there's nothing like this."

"...Is Sir perhaps from this place originally? Like spending your childhood here secretly without my knowledge."

"Haha! That can't be."

To Eugene reacting immediately no matter what new cultural product was shown, the Dwarf Prince sent suspicious gazes.

When the group boarded the large rail vehicle, muscular Dwarf boatmen expressed courtesy.

The 8 boatmen who bared their upper bodies grabbed handles shaped like a seesaw in pairs of 2.

"Depaaart!"

With the shout of the foreman, the 8 people moved the handles up and down in unison. Then, the rail vehicle, receiving power, began to move.

Kururururururu!

That speed is faster than imagination! It's a speed corresponding to Canter, the stage right before Gallop, the top speed of a horse.

The Dwarves' strength is strength, but there must be the help of mechanical devices assisting them too.

"Waaaah!"

The excited Homi hopped up and down wagging her tail wildly. Then she grabbed the railing and watched the scenery refreshingly rolling away.

That appearance was reminiscent of a puppy standing up putting its front paws on a carriage window.

"Be careful."

Perhaps worried about Homi sticking her upper body out perilously, Valda hugged her from behind.

"Hufufu."

At that warm warmth and soft touch, and love, Homi smiled goofily.

"Twin Lakes! Arriving at the next station, Twin Lakes!"

The boatman foreman shouted letting go of the handle. Even though it seemed he exerted considerable strength, not a single drop of sweat broke out.

And the foreman was indeed a veteran.

Gurururu... Tuk.

Because the rail car, which decelerated with engine braking after he and his subordinates let go, stopped exactly at the station.

"Indeed. The name Twin Lakes wasn't attached for nothing."

Eugene, who had been calm all along, opened his eyes round this time alone. As if saying he knew that would happen, the Prince also laughed with satisfaction.

Splash splash.

This place is a water district where the entire zone was intentionally flooded. Under the dim lighting, 2 black lakes revealed their presence.

"The two artificial lakes are each connected to different underground waters. One connects to a freshwater aquifer and is being used as a fish farm. The other one connects to Gold Lake through the underground."

Gold Lake is the largest salt lake in eastern Roman.

"Here you can obtain salt and saltwater fish."

"It's one of the core places for self-sufficiency. In this zone, illegal acts are punished several times more strictly than in other places. Guests are no exception, so absolutely do not throw away trash."

At the lakeside connecting to Gold Lake, roughly 200 people were casting fishing rods.

Perhaps because lights are shining from the ceiling right above the fishing spot, fish are caught well.

Eugene was additionally guided to several zones overflowing with individuality.

In the workshop turning giant millstones, the sound of stones rubbing rang out endlessly.

"Rookie! Straighten your back a bit more. If you don't, you'll suffer after getting off work, you know?"

This is a place that crushes and grinds minerals to make inorganic fertilizer.

"No wonder! All the crops in the market were uniformly abundant, so there was that secret."

Valda rejoiced clapping her hands at the novel fertilizer production site.

"But are there no places like gardens?"

It was a vast city and various facilities existed, but artificial gardens, which exist in numbers in the Moving Castle, are not seen.

"Why would such things be needed?"

"What do you mean why."

When asked back a too obvious reason, Eugene was speechless for a moment.

- If we do not make a park here, 100 years later we will have to build a mental hospital of this scale.

It is the founding ideology of a park situated in the middle of a prime location in a certain metropolis.

Eugene strongly sympathized with those words. He commanded that a park be constructed inside Haven City, so even now a major construction is in full swing.

Tap tap.

Valda tapped Eugene's shoulder.

"All races do not heal while looking at trees, grass, and flowers. The race of the earth obtains food for their mind with their own methods."

"As the Princess said. We do not need green color or breezes, or the sound of swaying leaves."

10 minutes later.

Gurururu... Kkiiik.

"Arrived at Elysium Station!"

The boatman foreman's shout echoed in the giant underground cavern.

"What wets the soul of a Dwarf is exactly these things."

On the walls of the great cavern guided by the Dwarf Prince, gold is flowing like a river. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and other rare gems are also embedded everywhere like constellations.

"The underground more beautiful than the night sky. Welcome to the true Elysium."

On the promenades here and there, obsidian, quartz, and marble trees carved into the shape of large old trees existed.

Over 1,000 people are here for picnics in the cavern. It is essentially Central Park for the Dwarves' souls.

"I will believe that how diligently we have cultivated our heaven has been sufficiently conveyed. Now it is time to go meet His Majesty."

A delightful meal and a delightful journey. Playtime is over. Now it's time to return as a knight, not a traveler.

* * *

Normally, the guests would have met and greeted the King sitting on the throne in the audience chamber, but the circumstances are different now.

Eugene, a Great Lord and the real power among real powers of Britannia, and Elf Princess Valda.

Telling two people who are strong in both realism and duty to come and go is burdensome even for the Dwarf King Sovereign.

"I sincerely welcome your visit. I hope my son's hospitality was sufficient by all means."

"Thank you for the warm welcome. It was a truly proper time for a change of mood. It was a brilliantly shining city beyond imagination."

Sovereign had a more cheerful personality than the Prince. He directly held Eugene's two hands and greeted him.

"It is late, but congratulations on your marriage. I hope the gift passed on through my son was to your liking. It is a necklace this body himself crafted by mobilizing all my skills from my prime."

The Dwarf King kissed the back of Valda's hand with an even more polite attitude.

"It was a masterpiece fitting for a King's skill. I plan to receive that treasure after your crisis is resolved."

"Indeed! You have inherited the virtues of your ancestors exactly as they were!"

At Valda's praise and consideration, the Dwarf King laughed with satisfaction.

Now the group, plus the Royal Guards, descended into the underground of Khazad-dor.

Unlike the city where even the workshops were neatly refined, the underground has the noisy appearance unique to a mining site.

Miners swinging hammers and pickaxes were seen everywhere. Even if it's an emergency, they must continue mining in places where extraction is possible.

"Have you not figured out anything more about the monster lurking down there?"

Eugene asked as the representative.

The knights also know that the Dwarves endlessly dug down and awakened an ancient existence. However, they didn't know exactly what kind of monster it was.

Not because the Dwarves hid it, but because they also knew little.

"Brave warriors rushed to grab their axes and went down, but news from all of them was cut off. The only ones who returned alive went crazy and babbled."

Looking closely, the King's Royal Guards were all completely young. Because as the veteran guards went to subjugate the monster and repeatedly went missing in rows, they were replaced with rookies.

Despite not knowing much, far from being scared, the knights excitedly discussed it even more.

- Perhaps is it a dragon? The ill-fated relationship between Dwarves and dragons is famous, right?

- Maybe it might be a primitive troll coming down from antiquity. Instead of being larger and tougher than normal trolls, they say they turn to stone when exposed to sunlight, so they live underground.

- Do not rule out the possibility of it being an evil spirit. Whether dragon or troll, aren't both creatures anyway? It would be hard to endure in the deep underground with nothing to eat.

Even while imagining dangerous enemies, far from being scared, an appearance of being excited about the glory they'll grasp in their hands. They definitely looked like knights whose livers protruded outside their stomachs.

However, Eugene thought their 'common-sense guesses' would be way off the mark.

Because the only miner who returned alive and testified clearly expressed it as 'It hatched from something like an egg.'

Large monsters like dragons, primitive trolls, or serpents don't have the skill to shrivel down to a size one Dwarf could embrace and hibernate.

"Do you feel it too?"

"Yes, Marbas."

The mystery of another world creeping up as they went further down strengthened their certainty.

"The reason I called you Sirs is not because Dwarves are weak. It was because this terrible uninvited guest... knows us far too well."

"When you say it knows well?"

At Eugene's question, the Dwarf King tapped his temple with his finger.

"That guy doesn't just have sharp teeth. It gnaws at the minds of those who try to fight against it. The subjects of Khazad-dor have occasionally suffered from terrible nightmares. Until now we didn't know the cause so we kept finding reasons in bizarre places, but now I am certain. That monster has been together with us right along since our ancestors laid their foundation here."

From the 1st Era until now, the 3rd Era, every time a spiritual high tide rushed in, a lot of blood flowed on the continent. However, Khazad-dor could seek safety under the protection of powerful barriers.

But there is no free lunch in the world.

The residents here dreamed strangely frequent nightmares when the period of a spiritual high tide came.

"The hibernating monster has been filling its stomach by gnawing at the minds of our subjects generation after generation."

"It must be that proficient at digging into and蹂유린 (trampling) a Dwarf's mind."

"That is correct. It was useless no matter how solid the armor and thick the shields we raised. Since a Dwarf has no choice but to degenerate into that guy's single meal..."

It was the reason the Dwarf Royal Family had no choice but to call outside knights, enduring the damage to their face.

Finally, the group reached a territory without a single miner. Pickaxes sprawled everywhere and broken carts are seen.

Beyond that, in the passage, there is a seal. A desperate barricade made by mobilizing everything reaching their hands like wood, various mining tools, and the armor of the guard unit that sortied and died.

On them, dried blood and teeth marks whose identity is even terrifying to imagine are full.

The wicked mystery of another world was flowing out thickly from beyond the crevices of the barricade.

The existence waiting at the end of that will certainly not be a type of monster the knights can imagine.