Dwarf Town

August examined the gates of the Vin Gardner duchy. The familiar pattern in the metal that loomed over anyone who visits usually brought August comfort. It usually meant he could see his family again. Though now, there was a creeping other feeling at the back of his mind. Did he really belong in this house?

Either way, August couldn’t simply give up. He was still meant to be family, and maybe August could find the reason why the duke was so different.

He knocked on the acacia door. “Father, it’s August.”

The apathetic voice responded, “Come in.”

August closed the door behind him and walked towards the duke.

“You’ve come to find me twice within the month. Is there something I need to know?” he asked.

“This time I want to help with your work.”

The duke raised an eyebrow, forming a single wrinkle on his forehead. August recognises the possibility that this was because the duke couldn’t trust the troublemaker of years. Or maybe, he had forgotten that his son had graduated once again.

“I’ve graduated, Father. I can help.”

The duke scanned his documents, then took the top half of a stack and put it on his desk.

“You may start on these,” he said, tapping the smaller stack with the back of his pen.

It seemed that his father was still his father. Curt, but does give August opportunities to do things that could help the dukedom.

The documents the duke gave August was about finances. The duchess was usually the one to manage such. The only times August’s father touched finances was when the duchess herself had a lot to do and he would take off some of her burden. His parents were indeed that busy in this timeline. What was the difference?

The only thing he could think of was when he was 10, the two major businesses in the duchy would always request an audience with his mother. Suddenly, they stopped doing so, and after that, August would have a lot of family trips to a town tucked away in the forest, where the dwarves lived. They had one annually, making sure to bring him to place every time the academy had a long holiday. It’s been a while since he came home, yet they haven’t mentioned a single word about the trip.

“Father,” August started. “How’s the dwarf town faring?”

“What do you mean by a ‘dwarf town’?”

Don’t tell me…

“The one in the forest. Do we not visit it every year?”

“August, we do not have a dwarf town. Are you done with the work? You may leave now.”

August rushed to his room to find Heilke’s brooch. When she recast the protection spell, she had cast an extra spell that allowed them to communicate remotely.

“Hello, Heilke?”

As if she was waiting for him, Heilke responded immediately. “Hello August. What’s up?”

August said in a serious, rushed tone, “Have you heard of a dwarf town in the Vin Gardner duchy?”

“I have,” she replied. “Though it wasn’t discovered until the year 384. Why?”

“No, it’s just… I thought it was discovered when I was ten?”

“This seems to be further evidence that the duke caused your timeline.”

“It does.”

“So? Do you need me to come over and help discover the town?”

“No, it’s alright. Thank you, Heilke.”

“No worries.”

August put on his cape.

“Father, would you please come with me?”

The duke didn’t budge.

“I promise this is worth your while. It might even help reduce Mother’s workload.”

The duke looked up, sighed, then put down his pen. “Alright, August. I will go.”

They took their horses to the borders of the duchy. It was deep in the forest, where a piece of land that was untapped by humans lay. It had not been touched by humans, but it was as developed—nay, more developed—than the typical human town. Figures resembling humans, though of a much smaller stature, roamed the streets.

“August,” the duke began. “What is this?”

“The dwarf town.”

“The dwarf town. How did you know about this?”

August didn’t say anything for a few moments. He wondered if he should give the excuse that it came to him in a dream. Yes, a dream where his father gave more attention to August.

“I was exploring the duchy these few days,” August said instead. It made more logical sense.

A dwarf carrying a bag came up to the two. It spoke in a language both August and the duke didn’t understand. Noticing this, it pulled out a contraption with a small crystal embedded into it.

“What are you doing here?” it asked.

The duke’s eyes widened. A live translation tool. He analysed the town and noticed the same sort of crystals embedded into everything. The lights, the transportation, the clothing. There was an abundance of mana crystals.

“We’re here for a business proposal,” the duke responded. It didn’t take long for him to realise what he could do with the town. “A trading, of sorts.”

The dwarf nodded slowly, deciding what to do.

“I’ll talk with the village chef for you. Come back later.”

*

The duke briefly went to his office, then knocked on his wife’s office door. August followed in.

“I have a solution for the two businesses,” the duke said. “August found a dwarf town littered with mana crystals. I’m sure we can trade for some.”

The two conflicting businesses were of the food trade. The duke and duchess planned to have one of the businesses trade food for mana stone as it was obvious the dwarves did not need human technology, but the foods are less abundant. This way, the troublesome companies would stop competing in the market, and the duchy would gain mana stones—another source of income.

The duchess had been ignoring the requests for an audience with the owners, so they could meet up as soon as possible.

“Duchess Vin Gardner, please kick that company out of the duchy! My company is enough to provide for it.”

“Please do not listen to that person, that company was the ones who tried to steal my standing in the market by copying my produce and dishes!”

As usual, they would go on about how they were enough to provide for the whole duchy so the other should ‘get lost’. This shouldn’t pose a problem, however the businesses were so big and influential, it affected the other businesses around. This led to a continual shortage of proper businesses to provide for the citizens, increasing the duchess’s work.

“Enough. I have a different proposal for you,” the duchess said. “How do you feel about trading with dwarves?”

One pulled a disgusted face, while the other stayed silent.

“Trading with them will benefit the duchy well. Their currency is mana crystals.”

The one who stayed silent perked up. “I would like to try,” he said.

“Alright, problem solved.” The duchess pointed to the one who pulled a face. “Your main market can be for the citizens,” then she pointed to the other, “and you can trade with the dwarf town. Have a chat with the Duke about it.” She gestured for the two business owners to leave. “Do not bother me with the same conflict anymore.”

“Thank you so much, Your Grace!”