Chapter 621: Arranging a Meeting with the Chairwoman
Tauro and his group, without even having time to enjoy the magnificent Cavern City built over many years, first decided to arrange a meeting with the leaders of the Dwarven Autonomous Region: the members of the Dwarven Roundtable Council.
At the center of Cavern City stood an enormous pillar. A spiral road ran along its surface, wide enough for carriages to ascend.
Far above, it seemed, was the area where the members of the Dwarven Roundtable Council worked.
Looking up from the very bottom, Tauro and the others couldn’t even tell how many meters tall it was.
Apparently, permission was required to ascend the great pillar, so they completed the necessary procedures at the office below.
“So you’re a messenger from the new lord appointed to the former Count Lunesk territory?”
The dwarf in charge of the office looked at Tauro suspiciously.
“Yes. It’s now the territory of Viscount Giro Sugar. I’ve come as his representative.”
Tauro deliberately avoided saying he himself was the lord.
For now, Tauro intended to maintain that distinction.
The dwarf in charge clearly seemed to have a poor impression of people from the former Count Lunesk’s domain.
He looked Tauro up and down.
“The members of the Dwarven Roundtable Council are very busy. However, Chairwoman Gasra foretold that you’d appear soon. If events are unfolding as she predicted… no, it isn’t my place to say more. The chairwoman has been setting aside time to meet a messenger whose arrival was uncertain. You should be granted an audience tomorrow at noon. Come back here then.”
The dwarf in charge of the office told him this.
“Prophecy? …Oh, okay. Then I’ll come back tomorrow at noon.”
Though puzzled by the strange mention of a prophecy, Tauro accepted it and left the office.
“That was surprisingly easy,” Aeris said, sounding confused. She hadn’t expected the leaders of the Dwarven Autonomous Region, who supposedly had the worst impression of humans, to agree so readily.
“But their impression of humans still seems bad,” Ankh muttered, noticing the harsh stares from nearby dwarves walking down the street as he quickly retreated into the carriage.
“Yeah. Because of the former lord, Count Lunesk, the dwarves here seem to have a very negative view of humans. Still, I’m curious about that prophecy that’s supposed to overturn it,” Ragune said from atop Garo, the wolf-shaped puppet.
“Right? A prophecy… I wanted to ask more, but the dwarf in charge clearly didn’t want to talk to humans any longer,” Tauro said as he boarded the carriage with Aeris.
Then Busasen spoke up:
“This is a major first step! I’ve requested meetings with the great leaders of the Dwarven Roundtable Council many times before, but I’ve never been able to meet them even once. We managed to get permission for this trade through a dwarf merchant, but even that almost got revoked at the checkpoint… Everything only became possible after it was discovered that you’re a messenger of the new lord, Tauro. This is a good sign.”
Busasen’s words carried weight—he had persistently tried to build connections with the dwarves.
“You’re right. We can’t afford to miss this opportunity. We’ll come early tomorrow,” Tauro replied carefully, determined not to let Busasen’s efforts go to waste.
The group decided to stay at a large inn along the main street.
Besides dwarf guests, there were beastfolk, lizardfolk, and even elves—who were said to be on particularly bad terms with the dwarves.
However, there were no humans at all.
It seemed the rumors were true: entering this territory as a human was extremely difficult.
Considering that, it was easy to imagine how much effort the Busasen Trading Company had put into steadily earning trust to be able to send messengers to this place so many times.
“I’ll make sure what you’ve built leads to real results,” Tauro said, acknowledging their achievements.
“I was surprised to learn you’re a messenger of the new lord, Tauro-kun, but I’d be glad to be of any help—as both a merchant and a citizen,” Busasen replied sincerely.
On the way there, Tauro explained that although he was an adventurer, he also had a mission as an emissary for the new lord. That knowledge strengthened Busasen’s sense of duty as a citizen of the Giro Sugar territory.
“I’ll say it again: I’m sorry we kept it from you. At first, we didn’t know how things would turn out. Tomorrow, I’ll deliver results in the meeting with the chairwoman so that I can live up to your expectations.”
Tauro promised Busasen success.
Before noon the next day, the Busasen Trading Company group left early to visit their dwarf business partners.
Before departing, Busasen told Tauro:
“I pray your meeting yields good results!”
Busasen’s words stayed with Tauro.
“Well then, shall we get going too?” Tauro said, calling out to Aeris and the others. Everyone mounted Garo.
Their destination was the top of the great pillar in the center, where the chairwoman of the Dwarven Roundtable Council awaited.
Tauro and the others rode Garo to the office beneath the pillar. There they found a carriage bearing the emblem of the Dwarven Autonomous Region: a crossed pickaxe and great hammer, along with a distinctive dwarf profile.
“…You’re early. Showing up before the appointed time is commendable. It may leave a good impression on the other council members as well. Now then—get in,” said the dwarf in charge, urging Tauro, the envoy, into the carriage.
“Can we come along too?” Aeris asked.
“Only the envoy is allowed to go up… correct?” the office dwarf asked the bespectacled dwarf seated in the carriage.
“Attendants may accompany him. However, please ensure proper conduct,” replied a bespectacled dwarf as he stepped out from the carriage and ushered Tauro inside.
“Alright, everyone—follow on Garo,” Tauro said as he boarded the carriage with the bespectacled dwarf.
And so, they set off.