Kays Translations

Chapter 45: Dwarven Pride

In front of me was a box-shaped disposal facility assembled by the master builders.

There were doors on the sides of the box for entry, and led by the master builders, we entered inside.

Because the structure of the ceiling is gently descending like a mortar, the ceiling becomes lower and lower.

The height of a dwarf is roughly about 120 centimeters.

My height is 170 centimeters, and Mia is about 160 centimeters.

It got harder to bend down as we went deeper, but we managed to reach the bag in the center of the facility.

“Mia-sama, please finish it.”

"There's no one above us, right?"

Mia confirmed just to be sure.

One of the master builders called out to the disciples gathered outside and confirmed that no one was there.

"Okay then, here I go."

Mia placed both hands on the outside of the bag.

And she used the skill "Deformation."

After a while, the bag faintly glowed.

"There we go. It's done. I think it should be fine, but it's very dangerous, so please be careful."

"Ooooh!"

We went outside and moved onto the top of the box.

"Hey, bring the safety ropes."

When the master builder shouted, the disciples brought ropes connected to the handrails.

We grabbed them with one hand and slowly approached the bag in the center.

Looking into the bag, there was a membrane-like soap bubble with beautiful rainbow patterns.

This is a failed version of the "Storage Bag" we made when we first met Mia.

It can store things, but you can't retrieve them.

"Oh, what vibrant colors."

"It's beautiful. As expected of an artifact made by Mia-sama."

They all praised Mia, but I was more scared than being in the crater of a volcano.

If you put a small stone in the bag, it will disappear.

When Mia reported the successful creation of the artifact, the Dwarf King and the master builders, as well as the surrounding disciples and onlookers, shouted with joy.

Cheers erupted in this unchanging city.

As a result, more and more dwarves gathered, pushing forward like a wave. No, they were surging forward like a wave.

This is bad. If that wave floods into this box, there's a risk of falling into the bag at worst...

Now is the time for that device to come into play.

"Someone, please press the emergency button over there!"

I shouted towards the emergency button, and a nearby dwarf hastily pressed it.

With a sound like dragging cloth, the opening of the bag closed with the rope.

Oh, this is much safer.

It turned into an emergency drill.

We moved to the edge of the box and looked around.

The surroundings were filled with dwarves.

"Oh, everyone is gathering. This works out perfectly."

I had a bad feeling about this.

"Gon, please keep Mia's skill a secret."

“Oh, leave it to me. I'll just put a little extra effort into it."

The Dwarf King stepped forward and raised his right hand.

The gaze of everyone gathered focused on the Dwarf King.

"Listen, everyone! Although I can't reveal the details yet, it seems we are about to enter a new era of technological innovation. We will surpass not only magical tools but even the artifacts left behind by the ancient people."

It was a voice full of dignity, unlike the usual tone of the king.

The surrounding noise disappeared, and everyone listened attentively.

"We are dwarves. We are the dwarf race with the blood of craftsmen flowing within us. Should we be proud to live in this city, whose creator is unknown? Have we become so feeble?"

Hearing the words of the Dwarf King, some clenched their fists tightly, while others trembled and held back tears.

Not everyone was content with the status quo.

Behind their prosperous lives, they had been harboring bitterness.

"From today onward, we will change. We must change. The catalyst for that change is the new technology delivered by Kukuto and Marle, who are not here right now!"

The sound of sobbing vanished.

"We will create something that no one can surpass using this new technology. We are dwarves. We are the greatest craftsmen!"

The determination behind their fists changed.

"Everyone, begin your preparations! We can do it! We will turn the world upside down!"

“””””Ooooooooooooo!”””””

The ecstatic voices, almost shattering, resounded through the underground space of Gonhillrim.

Those voices reached their bodies and shook their hearts.

And a light ignited within their hearts.

The light acknowledged by the Dwarf King started to dispel the darkness that enveloped the dwarf race.

...Is that what he meant by ‘put a little extra effort’?

Wow!

Before me was the back of a great king.

◇

After that declaration by the Dwarf King, we managed to return to the Dwarf King's mansion.

I asked the Dwarf King to verify and create prototypes of the teleportation magic circles.

There are still some verifications left to be done for the teleportation magic circles created with Mia's "Deformation" skill.

There are various details to discuss, but the most important thing is whether they can be used outside Shirakami Dungeon.

I handed over all the papers of the teleportation magic circles that Mia had turned into artifacts to the Dwarf King.

"We'll use these to verify if they can be used outside Shirakami Dungeon, and we need to create something that keeps the magic circle from disappearing and can be carried around. Leave it to me! The current group of people will be delighted to cooperate."

We lack time and the technological expertise in crafting. We will compensate for that by collaborating with the dwarf race in joint development.

Above all, that is what the Dwarf King wants.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Takumi and Mia, what would you like as a reward for the disposal facility matter?"

This is our chance.

Since we arrived in this city, there's something I've wanted.

It seems that Mia shares the same opinion, as she nodded when our eyes met.

"Do you have any ancient civilization tools that are broken or whose usage is unknown? If so, I would like to have them."

"Ah, indeed we do. However, are you sure you prefer ones that are not functioning properly and cannot be used to those that are in good condition?"

"Yes. But please allow us to choose which ones."

"Understood. As a reward, Takumi and Mia will be granted the freedom to 'enter' and 'withdraw' from the storage facility."

Seriously? That's too good an offer!

"However, there are conditions. I know what Takumi is thinking. Any verifications you conduct must be reported to me without fail. When it comes to assisting with verifications or commercializing the products, you must rely on us. These are the two conditions."

"We are fine with those conditions. Thank you very much. It's a great help."

A Win-Win relationship has been established.

The dreams we discussed at that time.

The foundation for their realization is becoming visible.

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