161 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

Chapter 161: The Miners' True Foe For miners, the true enemy is the heat. Gathering underground with others and swinging pickaxes feels like being enveloped in hellfire. When drenched in sweat, the dampness becomes uncomfortable, and in those airless depths, the evaporation of sweat is a nightmare. It's not uncommon to see apprentice miners faint from heatstroke after letting their guard down. As for freezing to death, that's a story from another world entirely. They constantly yearn for cold. For a more intense chill. A chill that could freeze them to the core! For these dwarf miners, Ashies' arrival was nothing short of a divine intervention, deserving of adoration, like the arrival of a princess. In the bustling dwarf underground cave under construction, the dwarves, each equipped with a safety helmet and a pickaxe, had gathered together. Karami stood before them. "Folks, do you want to cool off?" "Yes!" "That's barely a murmur. Do you want to cool off?" "YESSSSSS!" Their shouts echoed through the cave like thunder. The scene was reminiscent of an uncle at an idol fan meeting. Some raised their pickaxes high into the air, as if they were light sticks. Already, someone was holding two pickaxes, spreading their legs and dancing. "Now, Miss Ashies, they are eagerly waiting for you. Free them from the heat!" Encouraged by their cheers, Ashies cast her magic. Snow that blanketed the heat fell underground, and she created large blocks of ice, distributing them to each of the dwarves. Some used the ice blocks as beds to lie down on, others as chairs, and some as pillows. They crafted ice cups and poured the ale they had procured into them for a final touch. The dwarves savored the lightly slushed ale. For dwarves who drank ale in place of water, sipping some ale during work was no cause for concern. "This! This is it!" Sighs of pleasure erupted from the dwarves, tasting nirvana. The blissful break time was a luxury they could enjoy thanks to Ashies. "What will we do if the princess isn't around anymore?" "Indeed, who else could give us this kind of respite?" "Shouldn't we perhaps call a wizard from outside?" "Don't even joke about that. Expecting someone like the princess would just drive us mad." The dwarves couldn't deny it. They had become utterly dependent on Ashies. Even thinking about a future without her made their mind go blank. 'Yes, that's it.' And all of this was part of Karami's plan. It was only a matter of time before Skadia made her move. Defeating Skadia was the final step in guiding Ashies toward liberation. The problem was that Ashies couldn't defeat Skadia on her own. Though stronger than during the game due to the soul's shackles, their compatibility was poor. Ashies wielded the sword well, but her ice magic couldn't be ignored. Her magic was strengthened by the dragon's blessing, making it difficult to defeat the very Skadia who granted her that blessing. It was akin to a child having to defeat the parent who raised them. The key to Ashies overcoming Skadia was the dwarves. The seven dwarves protecting the princess from the evil queen. Not just the seven Meisters, but the help of Doomheim's dwarves was indispensable. Thus, winning their favor now was part of the strategy in preparation for the battles to come. 'There's still much left to do…' Making the dwarves feel more inclined to help Ashies was crucial. At least at 90%. Karami was pondering what approach would be best when— BOOM…! A massive tremor shook the underground. Startled, Ashies looked up. "What was that? An earthquake?" "I don't know. It seemed like it came from the surface." "An earthquake's tremors reaching underground? Could it be a dragon coming down?" "Haha. A dragon, you say? Why would a dragon come to Doomheim?" "Right?" While the dwarves exchanged trivial jokes, Ashies' expression was etched with bewilderment. Her pupils darted back and forth rapidly. It was a presence mightier than the Orc King. An entity that should not have come here had arrived. *** Doomheim, though an underground city, had its entrance above ground. True to the reputation of the dwarves, a race of master artisans, their stronghold was built robustly, with magic towers and brave dwarf warriors. It was one of the most formidable fortresses on the continent. While they were confident they could fend off any attack with laughter, even the dwarves were on edge this time. The reason being the arrival of none other than Skadia, the primordial dragon. The most perilous moment in the history of Doomheim had come. Standing in Skadia's path was a dwarf, small in stature. Though they didn't create hierarchies among Meisters, he was implicitly acknowledged as the strongest dwarf in their society. Known as the small giant, Ulebram stood before the dragon. In front of the dragon, his small frame looked even more diminutive, but Ulebram's spirit commanded a larger presence. He lifted his head proudly to meet Skadia's gaze. "What brings the great Ice Dragon to Doomheim?" "Descendants of Bargon, I have come with an item for you to repair." "The great Ice Dragon entrusts an item to the dwarves for repair? I'm eager to see what you've brought." Skadia retrieved a magical mirror nestled within her scales. It was the size of a dragon's claw but as tall as a dwarf. "It is a magical artifact with considerable power. For what is it used?" "It answers truthfully to any question." "I understand. There's a craftsman skilled in repairing magical artifacts. I shall entrust it to them. Do you have any other requests?" "Other requests…" Contemplating for a moment, Skadia narrowed her sky-blue eyes and asked, "Do you know of the Princess of Prisiam? She's the most beautiful woman in the world." "The Princess of Prisiam…" Looking at the ground as if in deep thought, Ulebram soon provided an answer. "I'm not sure. If the Ice Dragon speaks so highly of her, she should be memorable, yet I can't recall. It seems I haven't met her yet." "...Is that so? Perhaps she's hidden underground." Ulebram and Skadia exchanged a piercing gaze. Neither blinked, eyes locked firmly in place. It was Ulebram who finally broke the silence. "How could I lie to the Ice Dragon? If you have suspicions, you are welcome to confirm it yourself." "No need. Were I to enter, the ceiling would surely collapse. I shall wait here, so get the mirror repaired." "I'm sorry, but we must analyze the magical properties of the mirror and gather the necessary materials for the repair. It won't be possible today." "How long will it take?" Ulebram stroked his beard, pondering. "As a blacksmith's assessment, I would say it will take at least a month." "That's too long. Finish it within a week." "You, who have lived for eons, find a mere month too long? I don't quite understand, but all things require appropriate patience. Rushing the work could lead to failure. Please allow a month." Ulebram negotiated with unwavering resolve, not groveling before Skadia. The other dwarves were shocked, wondering if perhaps he had lost his mind, but Ulebram remained steadfast. "Very well. Since you plead so earnestly, I shall give you a month. However..." Skadia bowed her head low, her face close to Ulebram's. As she exhaled, frost formed on his beard. "If you are plotting any antics, it's best you abandon them now. Otherwise, the dwarves will fade from history." "I will take it to heart." Ulebram replied with a soft smile, his expression unchanging. As if losing interest, Skadia straightened her form. "To think the blacksmiths that amazed even the gods would falter over a single mirror. If Bargon saw what you have become, he would lament." "We shall strive to improve." "Humph." Skadia flapped her wings and soared into the sky, disappearing beyond the horizon in an instant. A storm that passed in a fleeting moment. Ulebram let out a deep sigh. *** In the roundtable chamber above Magmar's heart. An emergency meeting had been called. Gathered in the chamber were the seven Meisters, common dwarf citizens, and Ashies and Karami, the root causes of this predicament. Ulebram recounted his conversation with Skadia, from her entrusting the mirror for repair to her inquiries about Ashies. The only ones privy to this matter were the Meisters and Felka. Now that the truth was out, chaos ensued among the dwarves. "What are we going to do?" "What else? As much as I hate to say it, we have to give the princess to the dragon. Do you want us all to become frozen treats?" "Then what about the ale slushies? The ice chairs?" "You crazy fool! We're about to die, and you're worried about ale?" "What? Just ale? You imposter disguising as a dwarf!" The meeting broke into a frenzied uproar. Tap-tap-tap. "Everyone, please, calm down." Urrgdar banged the table with a metal gavel to quiet the clamor. While the fiery atmosphere seemed to subside visibly, the lingering tension hovered about. It was inevitable. Both the kingdom and their lives were in danger. They were walking a tightrope, barely hanging on. Ulebram surveyed the restless chamber, and offered a proposal in a low voice. “Now, I ask what you all think we should do. If there's anyone who wishes to protect the princess from the Ice Dragon, please raise your hand. Do not look to others; decide freely.” One by one, hands rose. Among the Meisters were Hargran and Urrgdar. Roughly sixty from the audience, but only about ten raised their hands, most of whom were miners who had received Ashies' help. "Next. Raise your hand if you believe we should hand the princess over to the Ice Dragon. Again, disregard what others think." This time, hands shot up across the entire chamber. Most were those without strong ties to Ashies, including Meister Immortal Blacksmith Hergen and Guardian of Steel Turntul. Just moments ago, miners worshipped Ashies like an idol, but now they stood with those raising their hands. Though they had received aid from Ashies, they thought, ‘Even still…’ “No matter what, not a dragon.” “We can’t win against a dragon. It’ll swallow us whole!” Dwarves, though known for their boldness, were largely cautious by nature. One need only look at their subterranean existence to see. "Those who do not raise their hand shall be considered neutral." The result was clear without needing to tally. In a way, it was expected. All Ashies had done was improve their working conditions. It was far from enough to stake their lives on. The gazes turned toward Ashies. Just hours before, those same admiring looks had morphed into expressions of fear and avoidance, much like a hero, once revered, falling into infamy. Under such pressure, Ashies lowered her eyes unconsciously. "Then, I'll conclude. As unfortunate as it is, a promise is a promise. By the principle of the Iron-blooded Council, it is decided by majority to hand the princess over to the Ice Dragon..." "Wait, hold on!" Urrgdar, about to strike the gavel, was interrupted. Karami, no surprise, was the one disrupting the decision. "I don't intend to disregard your decisions. Life is at stake; I'd have done the same. It's naturally a rational decision, and I respect it." Attention shifted from Ashies to Karami. "But is it not too soon? It seems we have a month, don't we, Mr. Ulebram?" "Yes." Ulebram replied with a smile, as if waiting for Karami's intervention. "Grant us this chance. One month. In one month, we shall sway public opinion. If nothing changes after a month, we will go to Skadia ourselves." The meeting concluded, and the dwarves dispersed. They left the assembly hall still engaged in passionate discussions, their opinions clearly divided. The once crowded meeting hall was now empty. Left behind were Karami and her group, along with a few remaining Meisters. Karami inclined her head slightly toward Ulebram in gratitude. "Thank you for supporting us." "For what, exactly?" "For granting us a month. You deliberately drew out the time for our sake, didn't you?” She was correct. If they truly intended to repair that mere mirror, it could have been done within days. But Ulebram had deceived Skadia to extend the deadline as long as possible. Moreover, Ulebram knew how the dwarves were likely to react. “It wasn’t for you. It was my own curiosity.” What intrigued Ulebram was how Karami planned to sway the dwarves' hearts in this life-and-death situation. "Judging by the confidence you exuded, you must have a plan?" "To some extent, yes. I can't be sure how well it will work, though." "Could you give me a hint? I’m dreadfully curious." "Sure. But you'll have to assist with my plan." Ulebram let out an incredulous chuckle but nodded in agreement. Karami laid out her single plan to captivate the dwarves. “I’ll craft a fairy tale. One that tugs at the heartstrings, where no one can resist aiding the pitiful princess.” Operation title: Become a plagiarizing fairy tale writer from a video game world.