NOVEL WEB Volume 6 Chapter 11: Black Cat
Volume 6 Chapter 11: Black Cat
(Walson)
Upon careful consideration, I truly feel like a happy bastard.
After the five members of our [Party] were aware that I had officially established a relationship with Barella, the atmosphere of the whole [Party] seemed to shift from the original homely vibe to a honeymoon-like one, if it's being looked from the outside, rather than going on an adventure, we looked more like going on a honeymoon instead.
I also received many disdainful looks from Belle because of it.
I'm not sure why, but I got the feeling that it's because she's also often regarded as one of my wives.
The next day, I bid farewell to my fiancées who were going to enjoy the hot springs and left the fortress.
Then, together with Chuck, I stood inside the [Transmission Box] — Something that looked no different than an elevator, and functioned like one — and was carried by mechanical arms to other pillars.
This hanging mountain was several times larger than the fortress we resided in, and this was where we were going today, [Commercial Bastion No. 1] — one of the three commercial-type fortresses, just looking at it made me marvel at the grandeur of this city layout.
Afterward, we exited the [Transmission Box] and entered the ground floor area of [Commercial Bastion No. 1].
Regarding the architectural style of the dwarves residing in [Dying Steel Citadel], leaving aside the extravagant parts, I feel like "ant nest" would be a very appropriate metaphor, as they both involve carving holes into the ground and making a maze inside; well, dwarves carve into mountains and create shopping streets within them.
Walking through the streets made of gray bricks, I truly saw the architectural style of this city.
The "roads" carved into the stalactite mountain walls are the so-called streets, and the buildings here? Surprisingly, the buildings here aren't constructed; they are directly "sculpted" along the walls of the streets!
First, a rectangular building is carved out, then covered with rust-proofed iron sheets.
Overall, it feels gray, dark, but not dilapidated. On the contrary, due to the brightly lit lights and the clanging of ironwork around, coupled with the bustling shouts and singing, it feels lively and gives off a strange sense of prosperity.
It's my first time seeing so many dwarves gathered together.
When it comes to dwarves, what's the first impression that comes to your mind? Stout, bearded, holding a hammer? That's nothing but a stereotype!
From what I saw, the streets were full of young boys and girls— um, although it's true there were some young boys with big beards or wrinkles on their faces, as for the women, some of them wore black cloth in front of their faces, revealing only their eyes, so you couldn't see their faces, and those whose faces were visible were all like middle-aged women.
Their clothing style is peculiar, too complicated to describe in words, but let's just say it's a bit like ancient Egyptian clothing mixed with a hint of Islamic style— But to blend in and not stand out too much, I'm wearing it now too, so I don't have the right to call it strange.
Amidst the bustling crowd, Chuck and I walked side by side, smoothly blending in with the crowd. On one hand, I breathed a sigh of relief, but on the other hand, I felt a bit sad— Even among the damn dwarves, my height doesn't feel out of place!!!!
"Chuck, can I ask you a question?" I spoke up.
"What's up?" Chuck responded.
Today, he finally took off the helmet he had been wearing for a long time and was dressed in traditional attire similar to mine— He's actually quite handsome.
"Can I ask what the cat totem represents in this country?" I pointed to the flags hanging all over the streets and the sculptures placed on the roadside. Despite their varied poses and forms, they all depicted a sleeping cat.
"...'Tuvok above, the Great Sleeper, slumbers in the black cat of the day, will awaken at the national sacrifice, overlooking all people, bestowing cat god's grace.' Have you heard of it?" Chuck said in a difficult-to-understand idiom.
"No."
"I've told you before, Lord Tuvok is our sun god. On the day of the national sacrifice each year, He will awaken from his slumber and bless us." Chuck explained, "Every year at this time, a shadow of a cat appears in the sun. It's said to be the body of Lord Tuvok, a black cat."
I nodded, indicating my understanding.
This country has a very unique belief. From this perspective, the sun might actually be an Elemental Guardian— Although it doesn't seem like there's any trouble right now, it would be better to check if it's corrupted if there's a chance.
"Alright, alright, forget about the faith stuff for now. What's the deal with the commission you wanted to tell me about?"
"Hahaha, don't worry, Walson, my friend, I just want to open your eyes— and maybe get some information or something, but it seems like the information vendor didn't show up today." Chuck laughed heartily, putting his hand on my shoulder.
I thought it would be embarrassing, but the dwarves around us didn't seem to notice our appearance— Oh, I know why now, it seems like it's because the dwarves next to us are even noisier.
I looked to the corner where a drunken dwarf was causing a scene, Well, the stereotype of the Dwarves loving alcohol isn't wrong.
"...So, why are we still hanging around here?"
"It's okay! This is the intelligence report we got yesterday. You can take your time to read it later, Walson, my friend."
Chuck said as he took out a rolled-up paper from his pocket and handed it to me.
...Damn! Why didn't you tell me earlier why you brought me here!? And if you had this thing, you should have said it earlier! We wouldn't have had to come out, and I could have enjoyed the hot springs with my fiancées!
Hold on a second, you just don't want me to stay with them, right!?
"Let's go, let's take the [Transmission Box] across the street next." Chuck chuckled, "Let's go buy some metal at the mine. Walson, my friend, do you know about stone gambling?"