Chapter 111

Chapter 111

The situation was urgent, and Ivan and Enrique had to head straight for the council chamber at the urging of the dwarves, questioning whether Naveluns words were untrue.

Ivan had rarely seen so many dwarves unarmed, sitting like this. (He meant there had been times before. Now, however, no one could see it anymore.) All the council members except the dwarves who had come out to greet Ivan showed suspicion towards the two humans who had suddenly burst in.

Have you finally lost your mind? Comrade Navelun! How dare you bring humans to the council chamber?

Isnt it ridiculous? Wasnt it the councils initial decision to enlist Shadow Blades assistance in gaining Krasilovs backing?

The dwarves gestured towards Ivan, who stood with his arms crossed by Naveluns side.

I dont want to repeat the same fuss for nothing, but let me make one thing clear. Do I have a say in this, Navelun?

Speak freely. Shadow Blade, you are now an official envoy of Krasilov.

Alright, then listen to this, everyone.

Enrique, chest puffed out, strode towards the center of the council chamber and declared.

As an official envoy of Krasilov, present Krasilovs official position, dwarves. Councilors of Andgrund. We are the only support that Krasilov can provide, and

Angry shouts erupted among the dwarves. Nonsense! Dont spout bullshit, human! Are you trying to insult us? And so on.

Enrique spoke without a flinch amidst the chaos in the council chamber.

We are the most powerful support. Let me introduce myself, I am Enrique, Enrique Ceregeyevika. A member of the Hero Party and the witness who directly killed the demon king. If one were to name the most formidable force within Krasilov, it would undoubtedly be me, a position I have never yielded. Anyone questioning my capabilities is welcome to step forward and request immediate proof.

The dwarves still wore disgruntled expressions. However, none of them dared to challenge Enrique.

Scanning the audience, Enrique opened her mouth.

The man here is my apprentice who has mastered everything I taught, the executioner of Abiditas, and the commander of the Counterintelligence Command. Colonel Ivan Petrovich Yermov. If you remember the times well, he would have been a major. Yes. The Tarantula.

The Tarantula Ivan! I heard you were dead!

Do you think were obligated to reveal national intelligence to you?

At Enriques words, the dwarves fell silent. Their silence was nothing short of coerced. All the council members in this room couldnt hide their perplexed and fearful expressions.

The atmosphere in the council chamber was clearly changing. The swirling emotions centered around one man were vividly visible. Fear, hatred, anger, and once again, fear.

The Cleanup Units led directly by Ivan inflicted more damage on the dwarves than any single military regime in this world. During the war, dwarves only retreated on one front.

The defeat at that time transcended the realm of tactical domains. The news of defeat did not spread externally. That is, survivors did not return alive to report the defeat.

On the front that suffered defeat, a tremendous loss and expansion occurred. It was only after the number of lost troops exceeded a threshold that the defeat could be recognized and responded to.

As the spy network buried within the mountains gradually darkened, and beyond the shadows of the corridors, all unexplored zones turned into danger zones.

The dwarves realized fear. The fear that a lone tarantula comes to those left at the end of the corridor.

Our enemies are not them, comrades. They are reprimands against the lackeys of Abiditas and those despicable creatures who dare to challenge the authority of the secretary-general. Put down your axes and start a dialogue.

The crowd regained its composure at Naveluns words. They looked at Navelun and the two humans with silent eyes and spoke.

But is it not inappropriate for this Ivan to share frontline command? Even if victory is achieved with his help, do we have a future after that? If, in a situation where a direct line to Andgrind is open, Krasilov can fully understand all the corridors beneath our mountains, do our people have a future?

Even if not, is there a future?

Finally, Ivan spoke. The dwarf who spoke first flinched and stepped back.

The secretary-generals son is kidnapped, half of the nation is in rebellion, and behind the rebellion lurks the legion of Abiditas. Can you really remedy the situation with your strength alone?

Thats why we requested military support from you.

Thats why Im standing here.

Ivan walked to the center of the council chamber. He attempted to make eye contact with each dwarf, who were still cowering, one by one.

But none of the dwarves dared to meet his gaze.

I understand your reluctance to share the frontline of Andgrind. So I wont force you. Instead, I can make a promise.

A promise?

Under the assumption that there is no prior information about this area, I can accomplish the mission objectives within six months.

Ivan was part of the Cleanup Unit, which essentially involved operations infiltrating the enemys midst. Even when moving with the Hero Party on the frontline, his goal was to identify and neutralize the anticipated dangers along the partys route.

Therefore, he specialized in reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and survival in unexplored areas. He had never made a mistake on any front, allowing him to survive even in the Hero Partys ambush operations.

Hence, this situation, with clear positions of both allies and enemies, was not so much a challenge for him.

Interrogating the first encountered enemy, identifying the location of the enemys headquarters, striking the headquarters for interrogation, and then infiltrating towards the next operational point. He was adept at every step of the process.

So.

If you share the frontline situation with me, I can accomplish the mission objectives within two months.

Two months! Is that even!

And if you transfer frontline situation, substantial field command, and adequate firepower support capabilities to me, I can accomplish the mission objectives within a week.

Would it be too much to ask for at least a honorific?

I will keep that in mind.

Ivan nodded and followed Navelun.

Secretarys palace was located deep down along a staircase so huge that even five dwarven armored carts couldnt fill it.

Stone statues of dwarves wielding axes and hammers lined both sides of the stairs, looking down at the approaching visitors.

Ancient dwarven runes in gold were engraved on the arched entrance of the palace. [At the end of this path lies the center of the world.] Typical dwarven arrogance.

Unlike Navelun, who was awestruck, Ivan could remain composed, knowing that the center of the planet couldnt be just this shallow.

-Kugung.

-Kugugugugugu.

The gate of the palace opened, raising a cloud of dust. The thick stone gate swung open, emitting a metallic clang, clang sound.

Clang, clang, clang. And the sound of hammering on iron. The echoes of sounds reminiscent of a forge reverberated through the vast hall.

How far had he walked? Ivan found himself led to a towering furnace, from which heat was emanating.

Have you arrived?

A burly dwarf, covered in dirt and with a weary look, turned his head towards him.

Meeting the most wanted human in our world brings a new perspective. (Durandline)

Except for the Demon Lord and Dragon General, your bounty would have been the highest in our world. (Ivan)

And now its not? (Durandline)

In the future, it wont be. (Ivan)

In the midst of peace negotiations forged by the scars of war, the old dwarf chuckled.

Durandline Elavandi.

Ivan Petrovich Yermov.

Thank you for making time. Its not something Id say from a position of requesting, but I really wanted to see you in person.

Were you listening to the deliberations in the council chamber?

Isnt that what surveillance is about?

Ah. Ivan nodded. True dictators never easily reveal themselves. They knew that the greatest power lies in casting shadows from behind the veil.

Isnt it troublesome for the Secretary?

Blacksmithing? It doesnt matter who does it. What matters is who wields it. Whether its weapons or equipment, ultimately, its about who wields them and what they intend to achieve.

The Secretary wiped the soot off his cheek with the back of his hand. But since his whole hand was already covered in charcoal, his face ended up even blacker.

He looked at Ivan with a modest smile.

What weapon do you use?

I dont discriminate.

Which one do you prefer?

Axe.

Wait. Comrade Navelun?

Navelun, who had been blankly listening to their conversation, stepped forward in astonishment.

Yes, Comrade Secretary!

Open the treasure vault and hand him the best weapon. If he wants something, give it to him, even if it means raiding all of Andgrind.

The Secretary looked at Ivan with transparent eyes, then turned back to the anvil and stood beside it. He placed the piece of iron he had been hammering on the anvil and raised the hammer.

In exchange, return us half of the remaining mountains in this range.

So be it.

Its a deal then. Tell your master that we expect the next envoy to be from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now go.

Without waiting for a reply, the Secretary began hammering away.

After a brief bow, Ivan moved along with Navelun. The sound of hammering echoed behind him.

A man as tough as steel.

If Ivan were to return someday under the banner of Krasilov to reconquer this underground city, it wouldnt be easy. With that thought in mind

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