Chapter 430 - Interview (1)
The volcanic zone used as a backdrop is a deformed land that naturally holds warmth, and such heat, mostly unable to spread evenly due to crustal shifts, circulates instead.
Then, when various factors cause the heat to clump and explode, the ground rises, and this is the origin of terrain such as the Red Volcano.
This is the nature of a volcanic zone.
However, since it is not as harsh as the Great Forest or the Desert of Silence, it can be partially developed by humans, like in Waystone.
Of course, dwarves are barely affected by the environment anywhere in the volcanic zone.
Called the race of metal, their resistance to flame is extremely high, and their metabolism is so strong that survival is easy.
Also, they do not need sunlight, and their bodies are as sturdy as they appear.
In other words, they can live healthy lives even if they stay in tunnels for their entire lives.
Thus, dwarves mostly live in massive fortresses they build by developing entire volcanoes as clans.
So long as they stabilize and manage them to prevent volcanic eruptions in advance───they can use the geothermal heat filling the inside to keep the fortress's functions always active, cultivate special crops to secure food, and protect the clan from outside enemies.
They can maximize mining efficiency by making the fortress a hub of tunnels.
They can even raise the temperature of lava at will with catalysts and facilities to use in advanced work, gaining many advantages.
It is dwarves' unique technology that makes this possible.
All of this, based on the basic knowledge of dwarves he had read in books, combined with the information he gleaned from his conversation with Vali and Kori.
From that, Verden obtained a clue to infiltrate the Red Volcano Clan.
'If dwarves directly or indirectly use the lava of a volcano... then surely they would have artificially carved out new channels, letting the flow spread throughout the clan.'
Unless they scoop lava each time as one would draw water from a lake.
It was his conviction as a Mage.
Whether human or dwarf, efficiency is always a concept to be considered.
───!
The sight of Verden, who had dived into the lava lake, was dyed orange.
Here,
For Verden, a Transcendent, this restriction was not even a problem...
'Objectively, this is sheer madness.'
If he were an ordinary Mage, he would never even have thought of such a method, let alone chosen it.
The instant his focus slipped, or his mana ran out, or the duration of the magic expired... in any of these three cases, he would be smothered in heat and pressure, becoming part of the lava.
He even had to sustain a barrier while continuously creating air.
Without magical tools, only a Mage who had mastered flame attributes and wind attributes, and Double Casting, could even attempt this.
'And there are countless other considerations besides.'
In short, even a seasoned Mage or Magus would not dare such a method of infiltration.
Generally, entering an active volcano is tantamount to suicide.
And such common sense... naturally applied not only to humans.
'As expected, nothing.'
Even after descending deep, no barrier protecting the clan appeared.
Exactly as he had anticipated.
It was evident that even dwarves could not imagine an intruder would bore through a thick layer of lava.
Soon, as the flow of lava deepened, its width narrowed.
───Hammer away! Hammer away!
───Nuaaaah! Cold beer awaits!
The roaring voices of dwarven craftsmen hard at work echoed. Their shouts were so loud, nearly noise, that the lava itself trembled.
'It's still too early to emerge.'
Verden manipulated the surrounding lava to silently increase his speed.
Countless metallic sounds passed by.
Following the direction of the flow all the way to the end.
An empty space.
There were traces, but no presence could be sensed, so it seemed the place was temporarily vacated.
Ssshh.
Verden emerged.
The lava slid down like slime along the curvature of the mana-formed barrier. Disabling the shield, he patted [Ainber] on the shoulder.
Alpha stuck its head out.
With its glimmering single eye, it scanned the surroundings and spoke.
[Infiltration complete.]
Thus, Verden and Alpha entered the Red Volcano Clan.
***
Having succeeded in entering the fortress-like stronghold without being discovered by anyone, now it was time to find Gharun.
Verden activated [Ainber] and wrapped it in
Even as he walked brazenly down the corridor, not a single dwarf noticed. They merely passed by noisily chattering.
After a while, he exited the dark passage.
When Verden lifted his gaze, the panorama of the Red Volcano Fortress reflected in his blue eyes.
'Seeing it directly, it is a spectacle.'
Rectangular buildings erected here and there.
Even at a glance, the craftsmanship was leagues beyond the structures of Waystone.
To the west, metal carts filled with ores moved smoothly along rails, dwarves riding them.
To the east, crops, dwarves' staple food, which could grow without sunlight and on minimal nutrients, were thriving.
From the south came unending raucous shouts and metallic clangs.
Finally, far to the north, a majestic citadel stood. It was surely the residence of the Red Volcano Clan Chief.
'That means this is the middle level.'
Verden vividly recalled the diagram drawn by Linus. Comparing his memory with the actual layout of the fortress, he moved with caution.
To reach the prison floor, he had to pass through the lowest level.
Thus, he found and boarded a mana lift in a secluded corner, where no one was around.
Alpha slid down the robe, and pressed the button for the very bottom level.
At that moment, a dwarf miner with soot on his face came running.
"Wait! Hold on!!"
The dwarf miner shouted urgently.
His gaze was not on Verden, but on the closing door.
Alpha repeatedly pressed the close button.
Thunk.
The door shut completely.
In the end, the dwarf miner missed the lift by a hair's breadth.
───Hey, you bastard!!!
A curse echoed from above.
Regardless, Alpha seated itself at the nape of Verden's neck, its designated perch.
[Priority to objective. Obstructions will be eliminated.]
It was Alpha's rational judgment.
To the mini golem that had fulfilled its duty, Verden nodded in praise.
Before long, the mana lift stopped at the destination.
Step, step.
Following Linus's directions, he went further down.
After passing numerous dwarven patrol guards clad in full armor, at last, he found the massive brass gate, the entrance to the prison level.
There was no way around it.
Even Linus did not know details beyond the location and structure of the prison floor.
This much, Verden and Alpha would have to resolve on their own.
"Alpha."
[Command confirmed, Verden Majesty.]
Alpha's single eye gleamed.
The metal door had been magically treated so that mana could not seep into it, thus, by targeting the minute gaps, he traced only the ranges where mana reached, and examined the overall internal structure.
Not the objects themselves, but perceiving their forms through the air surrounding them.
Alpha's scan was finished.
[Analysis complete. There are two total methods to open the door. First, a dedicated key is required. Second, partial destruction.]
Verden chose the second.
At this point, going to find a key whose location he did not even know was troublesome.
"Mark the spots."
[Confirmed.]
Alpha extended a narrow ray of mana light, pointing to a particular location.
Mado
He focused his dark crimson magic power.
Verden stretched out his right arm, touching the tip of his index finger to it. Exactly that spot alone collapsed and began scattering.
[Here. Here. Here. There. Here.]
Following Alpha's directions, Verden destroyed a total of twenty-six points.
Clang!
As he shattered the last part, a heavy resonance echoed, and the firmly closed door began to open on its own.
Beyond it, he descended the stairs into the depths below.
'So this is the prison floor.'
Mana stone lamps installed here and there cast a soft yellow light all around.
Hollow.
Rows of empty cells stretched on.
...All but one.
Verden released
Through the bars, he could see inside.
An aged, muscular dwarf sat restrained hand and foot.
"Are you Gharun?"
At the low question, the dwarf with a grim face lifted his head.
With piercing eyes, he scanned Verden up and down, then stroked his bushy beard.
"They said the Sword Saint and some Knight of Oath or whatever were coming... but it's a Transcendent that has come."
***
Even though Verden did not reveal his status, his identity was discerned at a glance.
It was not some lucky guess.
To such a gaze, Verden looked silently, and Gharun snorted.
"Hmph, when someone has so many artifacts hanging off them, wouldn't it be stranger if they weren't a Transcendent? Let's see. That ring is a natural artifact with the power of an abnormal species infused in the object, and that robe... hmm? Artificially made, yet on a level far beyond even ancient artifacts. Where in the world did you get that?"
Gharun was interested in the equipment Verden wore. He showed not the slightest concern about whether the other was a Transcendent or not.
As Linus had mentioned, a most unusual personality.
Then, Gharun lifted his gaze, fixing on Verden's appearance.
"Ash-gray hair and blue eyes... yes, it was you. The Mage who saved Linus, Asher."
"You have a sharp eye."
"That fool, careless enough to get hit from behind and lose his left arm, prattled on endlessly, so I remembered. Also read about it in the newspaper. I didn't hear about you being a Transcendent, though."
Although Gharun called Linus a fool, there was no tone of reproach.
Rather, a sense of favor.
"You seem to think highly of Linus. Is he a special disciple?"
"How could a one-armed blacksmith not be special? He may be pathetic in many ways, but even with one arm, he has not abandoned blacksmithing. That is praise-worthy. Among dwarves these days, none still carry such spirit."
Gharun smacked his lips.
"But how did you enter the clan? Surely you didn't receive entry permission... did you perhaps break through a barrier?"
"I snuck in."
"How?"
"There was no barrier on the lava side."
"Ha, just like a Transcendent, doing things that defy common sense."
Gharun straightened his hunched back.
"So then, strange Transcendent, what is it you seek to craft that you have come to me?"
"You get to the point quickly."
"Because every Transcendent that came to me before had the same purpose."
So even among his clients, there had been Transcendents.
Verden withdrew a dragon skull from subspace and set it upon the floor.
"Ho, so it is a material obtained from that Bone-Relic Dragon. I thought it had gone to the Luas Church, but that was a trick? Anyway, what sort of weapon do you desire?"
"A staff."
"A staff... ah, come to think of it, Linus said he made your staff? The Eastern Dawn, Orient. He boasted of it as his magnum opus, his masterpiece. Let me see it."
There was no reason to refuse, so Verden summoned Orient.
"Hmm."
Gharun narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Orient.
In minute detail.
His thick, coarse fingers twitched occasionally.
"For Linus, it is indeed a decent piece. But..."
Without even touching, Gharun pierced into Orient's inner structure.
"It seems to have endured multiple overlapping shocks that it could not fully withstand, and has often been exposed to immense mana nearing the critical point. You've handled it harshly indeed. Outwardly intact, but inside, a complete mess."
"Is that so?"
"Self-Restoration is not omnipotent. That function is nothing more than forcibly prolonging a weapon's lifespan. Sometimes because of Self-Restoration, even what could have been repaired cannot be. Still, this one is not that far gone, so its materials can be separated and reused."
Gharun nodded his head.
True to the reputation of a great dwarf, keen observation glimmered in every look.
But before that, there was something Verden had to confirm.
"So, can you handle this material?"
"If you ask only possible or impossible, it is possible. I once worked with dragon bone. To humans, that was ages ago... still, though I have never used a dragon skull, there is absolutely no reason it cannot be done."
It was not reckless bravado.
This dwarf did not doubt his own skill in the slightest.
Then, Gharun spoke.
"Then this time, let me ask."
"Speak."
"Do you have the qualification?"
Qualification?
"As a craftsman who creates tools, I do not allow those tools to be wasted. If it does not meet my standard, I absolutely do not take the commission. Emperor? Transcendent? Ha, what does that matter?"
He rose to his feet.
"The concept of Transcendence differs with each race. For humans, it is those who can interfere with the world, for beastkin, it is monsters wielding overwhelming violence, for elves, it is those chosen by the World Tree. But for dwarves, it is different."
The Hammer of Integrity twisted his lips as he clenched both fists.
"We do not transcend as beings. We are the ones who forge the transcendent. That is what it means to be a dwarf."
Tremendous conviction and pride.
The legendary dwarf looked straight at Verden.
"No need to drone on with lengthy explanations. Just the gist. What is it you intend, what is it you aim for?"
Gharun asked Verden of his Transcendence.
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