I do not know what the proper appearance of dwarves is supposed to be, but they were short and had thick, stocky bodies. All the men had beards, and when someone said they were dwarves, they certainly looked the part.
The women had similar builds, yet for some reason they had large breasts. The imbalance was so extreme that there was no allure at all. No dreams, no hope. I kept my expression neutral, though.
We left dealing with the dwarves to Rusul-san while the rest of us prepared dinner. More than ten people had suddenly joined us, so we had to hurry or it would not be ready in time. The dwarves were emaciated, and the children looked like they might die at any moment.
「Bisha and Mebi, handle the stew. I’ll prepare something for the dwarves.」
If they had not eaten for several days, then it had to be something gentle on the stomach.
I boiled water and first had them drink lukewarm water to get their stomachs moving. After that, I prepared thin rice porridge and sprinkled just a little salt on it before letting them eat.
「Don’t eat too quickly. Take it slow. Tomorrow morning I’ll give you something with a bit more flavor.」
I once saw on the internet that suddenly giving solid food to someone on the brink of starvation is dangerous. I do not know if it is true, but to be safe I decided to let them eat little by little.
「A-ano, my child has a fever. Do you have any medicine?」
A young-looking mother asked with a tearful expression while holding her baby.
「Bisha. Take them to our tent and give both the mother and the child some recovery potion. Wipe their bodies down and buy some diapers as well.」
I had seen that even the giants had babies and bought diapers for them before. She should know how to buy them.
「Got it. Mebi, boil some water.」
I left that to the two of them and had the rest wash their bodies. They were so filthy that the smell was unbearable. Honestly, you people smell worse than beasts.
「Sorry for using such precious water.」
One of the men who had been fighting the Roselan knelt down in a deep bow and thanked me. Is that dwarf culture? Or is he a samurai?
「There is no need to worry about it. Well, it is not free, but it is cheap enough for me to generously share with you. No need for thanks. Go wash your bodies. There is soap as well.」
Soap has been invented in this world. Though I have no idea if these people know about it.
I handed out cheap towels for everyone and bars of soap that cost seventy yen for three, then had them wash themselves. Wash properly. What are you, children who hate baths?
The clothes they were wearing were nothing but filthy rags that only smelled, so I bought cheap underwear and cheap tracksuits and had them change into those.
「Go to sleep for today. You can drink the water over there as you like. The latrine is over there.」
I bought some 100-yen joint mats and laid them out for them, then started a campfire and let them sleep.
「Mishinie. I’m going to the meeting, so I’ll leave things here to you.」
「Understood.」
Leaving it to her, I entered Home.
Ladarion and Miriel had also returned, so I told them about the dwarves and had them report their respective situations.
It seemed Kainzel-san’s side would still take some time, while Miriel’s was nearly complete. Doing three places at once might not be possible. Maybe it would be better to stagger the timing.
After taking a shower and changing clothes, I went back outside.
The dwarves seemed to have fallen asleep, so we left the watch to the adventurers and rested first, then took over at two in the morning.
Morning came without incident, and before everyone woke up, I began preparing breakfast.
Perhaps drawn by the smell, the dwarves began to wake up.
「Is anyone feeling sick?」
「No, we’re fine.」
「I see. Then wash your faces. After that, drink some hot water and wake up your stomachs.」
Right now, I was cooking rice with water to make half-porridge. Once it reached that stage, I sprinkled some salt, added beaten eggs, and lightly stirred it. That finished it.
When I served it in bowls, the guys started shoveling it down with complete focus. I’m feeding you with safety in mind, so eat slowly.
「Once you’re done eating, rest again. Do not try to move around. Also, make sure the women eat too.」
The women and children were sleeping in the tent we had been using and had not woken up yet. The sun had already risen, so they would probably wake up soon.
「Takato-san. Good morning.」
While I was preparing breakfast for the adventurers with the ones assigned to cooking duty, Rusul-san woke up.
I made him a cup of instant milk tea.
「You really are diligent, aren’t you?」
「Working behind the scenes suits me.」
Standing at the front is exhausting.
After breakfast, Rusul-san and I had a discussion.
「We will be leaving before noon, but what about the dwarves?」
「That is for the dwarves to decide. We have no obligation to take care of them.」
Places without any form of social security are like that. At least they are not being driven away.
「…The weak and the ignorant have no choice but to die…」
If they do not want that, then become strong. Few people can say something like that. Even fewer can actually do it. And those who accomplish it are probably close to a miracle.
「If Koraus says they are not needed, then I will take them.」
After living in this world, I have come to understand that each race has its own traits. That means dwarves must have traits that humans or elves do not possess. If no one wants them, then I will take them.
「…You…」
「The strong should protect the weak. The weak should support the strong. That is how humans fight against unfairness.」
I believe humanity’s trait is the ability to form groups. The ability to unite.
I do not know if I can do that, but right now I am in a situation where it is possible.
The dwarves right now have nothing. No food to eat, no clothes to wear, no place to sleep in peace. If I want to place them in my debt, this is the best moment. If I want to give them hope, there is no better time than right now.
…No, humanity’s greatest trait is that we can become as dirty as necessary…
「If you do not make the first move, then I will.」
Believing that the dwarves can become a fighting force, I will place a bet using my future as the chip.
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