In the morning, while waiting in front of the inn, Pioneer One and Pioneer Two arrived.
「So, Sierra was the one driving.」
I had asked Miriel last night to come, but I did not expect Sierra to drive all the way here as well.
「I wanted to try driving too, so I asked Miriel.」
Even if it is an automatic, it is impressive that she managed to drive on unpaved roads. Even in my original world, driving for the first time is usually scary.
「The mother and baby go with Miriel. The rest go with Sierra. As for the men, we’re getting your equipment ready.」
Tracksuits only have about one point of defense at best. I should at least raise that to around ten. Otherwise, it will be a problem when it really matters.
「Miriel. Take care of the women. Also, ask the giants to build houses for the dwarves.」
There is no way they can all fit in the mansion. We will have them build something like a dormitory for them to live in.
「Yes. Also, regarding Milond Fortress, it is heavily damaged, and repairs will be difficult.」
That bad feeling is only getting stronger.
「Tell them to prepare thoroughly since I have a bad feeling about this. Just in case, I’ve sent Mishinie and Mebi there.」
「Understood. I will also send word to Cyrus-sama.」
So Cyrus-san headed to the makeshift fortress. That man is full of motivation.
After seeing Miriel and the others off, we headed to the shops used by adventurers.
Apparently, there is an area called the Blacksmith Street where shops that sell equipment for adventurers are lined up, and they open early.
We went straight to the shop Rusul-san had told us about. Using money as leverage, I quickly gathered equipment for the dwarves.
「Boss Takato, is it really alright for you to do this much for us?」
「I’m weak. That’s why I surround myself with strong people. This is necessary to protect my own life. You don’t need to feel indebted. As long as you work in a way that matches your pay, that’s enough for me.」
I do not need heavy things like gratitude or loyalty. A practical relationship that pursues mutual benefit is the easiest. There is only so much someone ordinary like me can protect.
「Protect yourself. Provide for your family. Think of it as simply being hired by me. That level of understanding is enough.」
If they build up enough savings, they are free to quit. Goblin extermination is not exactly a profession with much future.
「Hmm. As expected, there are no shoes that fit dwarf feet.」
Despite their height, their feet are around twenty-seven centimeters, and their shape is like Bigfoot, so they could barely manage with something like sandals.
「It can’t be helped. We’ll have a craftsman make them eventually. For now, make do with that.」
「Y-Yes. Understood.」
「Alright. Let’s head to Lasagna Village.」
Since we were within the territory, there was no need to worry about monsters, and the road was decent enough, so the twenty-kilometer journey was not too difficult. Taking breaks along the way, we still managed to arrive at Lasagna Village a little past fifteen.
「You lot, first take a bath and wash off the dirt. The women will wash your underwear and tracksuits.」
The underwear had been made in various sizes by the Luraize Company and delivered by Dyne-san. There were even sizes that Azur Rise could wear, so the dwarves should be fine.
「Until the dormitory for the dwarves is ready, let them stay in the mansion.」
After giving various instructions to the staff, I handed out cold beer to the dwarves who had come out of the bath.
It seemed they had not lived a life where they could drink alcohol, but just like dwarves in fantasy worlds, they were a race that loved liquor. They were drinking wine like it was water.
…So Mishinie really was a special case, even among elves…
「You will become contractors for goblin extermination. For every goblin you kill, you can drink about twenty bottles of that beer. You can buy other alcohol too. Good food, good clothes. If you want a better life, then kill more goblins.」
Dwarves who had lived under such harsh conditions would surely hunt many goblins to improve their lives. For themselves. For their families.
Still in their underwear, the dwarves once again prostrated themselves.
「As you command, boss.」
That Bisha… she must have said something while I was in Home. Damn it. I should have told her to keep quiet.
「For now, rest. Recover your strength. I’ll have you work after that.」
Leaving things to the staff, I had Sierra tell me about the situation at the makeshift fortress.
I had already heard some of it from Miriel, but there might have been things I missed or overlooked. Information changes constantly, so if I do not check regularly, it could lead to irreversible mistakes.
「There have been few reports of goblin sightings.」
「Unlike you, Master, we cannot sense the presence of goblins. They might be hiding.」
Well, if they are hiding, then we just need to lure them out. It might be better to deal with the makeshift fortress after winter has fully set in.
I had Sierra write the situation of the makeshift fortress, Milond Fortress, and Miroid Fortress on a whiteboard, while I copied it onto a sketchbook. Honestly, I do not even have time to learn the writing system here.
「Tomorrow, I’ll head to Milond Fortress with Bisha. Something about the situation there feels like it’s heading in a bad direction.」
「Is it a warning from the goddess?」
「If that were the case, it would mean I’m being controlled.」
If I were being controlled by that useless goddess, I would have died long ago. Maybe she is sending out something like warnings, though.
「Bisha, go to bed early today. We leave at seven.」
「Got it.」
After entrusting the dwarves to them, I returned to Home. Once Ladarion and Miriel had gathered, we held a meeting.
Everything is being made to dance in the palm of Sefuti’s hand.
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