Chapter 627: Return to the Territorial Capital

On the way, Tauro’s group met up with Zion and Seth, the boy-shaped autonomous-thinking puppet, who had been maintaining and improving the road to the mine during their absence.

This was possible because Tauro had communicated with Seth through thought sharing. That allowed them to meet up in time for Tauro’s return. Zion, Seth, and the ten Rock-series puppets had continued leveling the area near the mine where the valuable ore could be extracted until the very last moment, and had even begun preparing log cabins where the dwarves could live. The two of them had been doing an excellent job.

“Zion, Seth, good work! We’ve managed to resume relations with the Dwarven Autonomous Region.”

Tauro reported this again, even though Seth had likely already conveyed it to Zion.

“Welcome back, everyone! As expected of Lord Tauro! We’ve finished repairing the road to the mine. Just as you instructed, Seth and all the Rock-series puppets leveled the land to prepare an area for the new residents. The other Rock-series puppets are still working on it now.”

At that, two of the Rock-series puppets behind them struck triumphant poses.

“Looks like it. Hahaha! This is Rogas. He’s the younger brother of Rangas, the dwarven leatherworker from the Dragonfolk Village that Zion also knows. And these are our companions: Zion; Seth, the boy-shaped autonomous-thinking puppet; and two of the Rock-series puppets.”

Tauro introduced his companions to Rogas.

“What, Rangas’s younger brother!? Now that you mention it, I can see the resemblance!”

Zion immediately understood after looking at Rogas.

“Nice to meet you! Still, this is amazing…! I was already impressed with the wolf-shaped puppet Garo, but this humanoid puppet—Seth? At first glance, he looks just like a real person. And those two big ones behind him move pretty smoothly too…!”

Rogas, perhaps stirred by his dwarven craftsman spirit, became very interested in Seth and the Rock-series puppets as well.

“Can you guide Rogas-san to the mine, Seth?”

Since Rogas’ destination was the mine, Tauro asked Seth to guide him.

Seth raised his hand and nodded. He used the Rock-series puppets to help Rogas down from Garo’s back, then placed him on the shoulder of one of them.

“The ride isn’t as comfortable as Garo, but this has its own charm. Gahaha! Well then, Lord Tauro, this is where we part ways for now!”

Rogas laughed, waved at Tauro and the others, and headed toward the mine with Seth and the Rock-series puppets.

Zion had clearly discovered how much she enjoyed construction work with Seth and the Rock-series puppets and looked as though she wanted to go with them again. However, Tauro stopped her, partly because he wanted her to get some rest.

“Zion, leave that work to Seth and the others for now. Let’s return to the territorial capital, Sugar.”

“Yes, got it!”

Only then did Zion realize that she hadn’t returned to a populated area for several days.

She then returned the [Magic Storage] bag she had been looking after while Tauro and the others were away.

“I put all the monsters I hunted with Seth and the others inside the bag while we were working on the road!”

When Tauro checked its contents, he found four Sword-Horned Demon Deer, like the one Zion and the others had defeated on the way there, and twelve Hell Boars—huge boar-like monsters with four tusks—along with several other sizable monsters.

“Zion… you really did a great job.”

Tauro was impressed, but Zion cheerfully and modestly replied, “It’s all thanks to Seth and the Rock-series puppets!”

And so, after reuniting with Zion for the first time in several days, Tauro’s group rode on Garo’s back and returned to the territorial capital, Sugar, together with the Busasen Trading Company’s carriages.

“At first, I thought I was simply hiring a group of B-rank-class adventurers, but to think you were actually our lord—I was surprised. Still, the results exceeded my expectations, and I’m very satisfied. Thank you very much! Hahaha! I look forward to a long relationship with you from here on as well!”

Chairman Busasen of the Busasen Trading Company thanked Tauro with a laugh, signed the request form to certify completion, handed it back to Tauro, and ordered his employees to unload the cargo.

At last, Tauro’s group had completed their mission, so they headed to the Adventurers’ Guild.

“Ah, welcome back, Black-Gold Wings! It seems it took quite a bit longer than planned, but were you able to complete the request?”

The rookie receptionist Miu put a hand to her ample chest in relief at the safe return of Black-Gold Wings, whom she regarded as valuable adventurers for the guild.

“Here’s the signed request form proving completion.”

Tauro handed over the request form that had just been signed a few minutes earlier.

“Phew… thank goodness. The request has been completed successfully! Thank you for your hard work!”

After confirming completion, Miu processed the paperwork and paid the reward.

Then she continued:

“So… how was the Dwarven Autonomous Region?”

Lowering her voice in the empty guild, the energetic rookie receptionist asked Tauro.

“Hm? Ah, they were cautious at first, but the client successfully completed his trade negotiations, and we accomplished our own objective as well, so there were no problems.”

“I see, that’s great! I was worried because the Dwarven Autonomous Region and this territory had become like cats and dogs lately. I’m glad nothing went wrong!”

Miu misunderstood Tauro’s words as referring only to the quest and nodded in relief.

“Thank you for your concern. Well then, we’ll be taking our leave.”

Tauro said this and left the guild.

A few days later, Robin, the acting administrator, issued a statement announcing the resumption of relations with the Dwarven Autonomous Region and preparations to reopen the trading post. Cheers of joy rose from the residents of the new territorial capital, Sugar.