Chapter 44: The New Recruit

Dawn, Emy, and I were sitting on the grass outside Emy's house as I asked for the story behind her father to better understand the situation. She started speaking in a lower voice.

“Three years ago… at the time of the war, we got tons of orders from the Human Kingdom to prepare weapons that would help them against the demons.”

“Wait…? Dwarves were also a part of the war?” I asked, confused, as I had never heard Valkira even mention Dwarves being a part of the war. As far as she told us, the Goblins were the only ones who joined the war alongside Humans.

“Not directly, but as we are the most experienced at creating machines, the humans demanded that we create weapons for them. In exchange, they offered to provide us with a great fortune.”

“Huh? Even as the closest neighbor to the Dwarves, I didn't even know about this,” Dawn pointed out.

“Not everyone knows. But Aunt Elsa knows, as this matter is too sensitive. The Elves are entirely against the war, and Dwarves being a part of it could create conflict between us and the Elves. So, Aunt Elsa kept this a secret from others because we need resources, and for that, we need money—and humans were giving us more than the actual value of our goods.”

“Hmm…” I nodded as she continued.

“My father was the chief advisor for the projects, but one day when he woke up, something happened…” She paused, her tone darkening as she continued.

“What…?” Dawn pressed.

“My father lost his memory all of a sudden… and started having weird dreams at night, where he started seeing an entirely different world with things he didn't even recognize. So…” she was saying, when I interrupted as I deduced…

“So… he started creating things even if he didn't know how they worked…” I muttered.

“Yes… and because of that, the Dwarves started to think that he was betraying them, as he was still creating his own inventions but often refused to give his support to the project. Because of that, we failed to deliver to the humans at the agreed time, and we lost our chance to gain a hefty amount that could have helped us in many ways.”

“I see… But where is he now?” I questioned.

“I don’t know…” She replied. “One day he suddenly vanished, leaving his notebook in his room with a note…” She pulled a note from her inner pocket and started reading it.

‘Emy, sorry for leaving you all of a sudden, but there is something I need to find. I don’t know what your father’s nexus was, but I am not him anymore, so I am sorry, and please take care of yourself.’

“Those were the last words he wrote to me… The last thing I heard was that he was seen being captured by the demon army in Ignis Veil.” She closed the letter, put it back, wiped her tears, dusted herself off, and stood up.

“That’s why… I wanted you to let me join you to find out about my father's whereabouts.”

“Hmmm…” I stood up myself.

I now had the gist of it, but what did he mean when he said he wasn't himself anymore? That line kind of worried me.

“But there is something I want to tell you before you join…”

“Huh?” She looked confused.

“If he really was caught by the demon army, then he might already be…” As I was stating the fact, she interrupted me.

“I know that he might already be dead by now… but there is a chance he might be alive somewhere. And even if I might not find him in Ignis Veil, I can somehow find one or two clues about him there. So…” She bowed deeply to me with tearful eyes.

“Please! Let me join your party for now… I will do anything you ask: carry your luggage, be your slave… Just let me in!”

“Emy…” Dawn called her name.

I sighed as I scratched the back of my head. “Well… we are already in your debt after we damaged your inventions, plus it will be great having a Dwarf on the team, so…” I bowed a little as she lifted her head.

“…rather than accept your request, I would like to make a request to you… Emy, it would be great if you joined us on our journey.”

“Really…?!”

“Well, I don’t have much of a choice after all,” I smiled at her.

After she cheerfully accepted, we waited until she packed her necessary things in a traveling bag that was quite big for her, and we left back for the Frozen Forest. As we were about to reach Dawn's house, my eyes fell on the others walking side by side, chatting among themselves as we stopped in front of the gate.

I looked toward Liriel and smiled as her cheerful attitude came back to her.

“So, you found your frog?” I asked.

“It’s Zacklina!!!” she corrected.

“Yes, Zacklina.” My eyes narrowed as Alira interrupted, looking at Emy standing beside me with a sigh. “So, you failed to convince her.”

“Well, yeah. So…” I scratched my head as I stood tall and raised my voice.

“Everyone, please meet our new member for the expedition: Emy!”

“Thanks! I will look forward to your support!” Emy bowed as she gave a gentle smile to everyone.

On the other hand, as the sky shone with stars, Yukki was still in position, watching the demons from a distance. As the demons were enjoying their dinner, chattering and laughing together while things went on as usual, he finally spotted a person who looked like an earthling with dark hair and a tracksuit exit the tent.

“Huh? Here he is!” Yukki focused his binoculars on the person who looked like an earthling to him.

The man, who looked like Zacken, went and took his seat alongside Verixa. He was laughing with them, teasing Verixa while being teased by Diana. To Yukki, it was a wholesome moment, but somehow unsettling to him. But as things went like that, everyone left the area for their camp, leaving the ground empty with only some guards on patrol.

Yukki pulled down the binoculars. “So, he is the earthling who is sided with the demons. He doesn't look special to me, but I can't say what kind of cheat skill he might have.”

He thought for a second as he muttered, “Maybe I should meet him in—”

As he turned, his eyes widened. Every guard was raising their weapons at Eva, who was floating above the ground with her hands behind her hips, her expression neutral.

“You… You are!!!” Yukki gasped, seeing her there as Eva lowered herself, stood on the ground, and bowed to him.

“Greetings… My name is Eva, and according to my scanner, it appears you are from Earth, perhaps.”

“You…? You know I'm an earthling?” He was shocked.

“Affirmative. I came here to ask: please state your business here. I am on standby because my master tells me not to harm anyone, which is why I was ignoring the presence of people. But considering you a variable, I calculated it would be best to meet you in person.” She paused and said, “Please state your business here.”

“You!!!” One guard rushed at her with a spear in his hand. Eva used her thrusters and flew backward. Seeing that, every guard rushed at her and started striking, but using her thrusters, she flew left and right, jumped, and ducked effortlessly to dodge everything.

As the guards became exhausted, Eva stood back on the ground and tilted her head. “You still have not stated your business. Please collaborate, or else…”

“Or else…?” Yukki went to draw his sword, looked at Eva, and then sighed and surrendered to her, lifting his hands.

“Well… I am just here to check whether the demons are making any suspicious movements, that’s all… Satisfied now?”

“Hmm.” Eva scanned him and continued, “Your heart pulse rate is clear, along with no changes in tone and behavior. It appears you are telling the truth.”

“See…? So,” Yukki muttered.

“Also, please don’t worry. My master is not thinking about any ambush or planning any war against humans, so I suggest you please leave the demons and my master alone.” She walked to the cliff, used her thrusters, jumped, and flew toward the camp.

Yukki remained cautious as the guards reached him.

“Hero-sama, what should we do…? It appears she is giving us a threat, even if she doesn't seem like it.”

“There is nothing we can do here. Tell everyone to gather—we are leaving. I have to talk about this to Celestia and Charles. It seems like he found a strong ally.”

“Yes!!” The guards nodded as they left Yukki alone.

This girl… It seems like this earthling got his hands on an insane cheat tool. I should talk about this with the others. She says that earthling has no intention of an ambush, but I don’t know whether that is true or not.

After a few moments, Eva entered the central camp where she found Verixa and the others.

“You finally came, Eva. So…?”

“It appears Tez-sama, disguised as Master, worked. The Hero totally believed that Master is currently in the camp.”

Tez sighed. “Thank goodness. My heart was pounding this entire time thinking he would find out who I am.” He snapped his fingers to return to his original form.

“Don’t worry, you are our ace after all!” Diana patted Tez so hard that he almost lost his balance.

“Then what should we do? There might be a chance the Hero will report ahead and the humans will ambush us again,” Siriel stated.

“I am concerned as well,” Dave agreed.

“We will see,” Verixa said, turning to Eva. “Eva, please be ready—maybe you really have to teleport us later.”

“As you say, Verixa-sama.” Eva bowed to Verixa, and a few moments later, everyone left for their camps to do the same.