Chapter 304: The Exile’s Resolve.

Chapter 304: The Exile’s Resolve.

Grimnir Luedbrumdar.

Jadhund Heimhunter.

A taz and an inko dwarf sat at a table, locking eyes with each other. The taz dwarf was significantly larger and had a bulky build with flaring orange hair and two ram-like horns, whilst the smaller, but more well-proportioned, inko looked like your stereotypical dwarf. Similar to Ogni, the blacksmith I met in Firwood, this inko had a long well-kempt beard, hardened from the tips to the middle with rock.

Lad! The inko named Jadhund shouted at one of the nearby train engineers, commanding the young man to scramble next to the table. Tankards. A whole barrel. Now.

The order was swiftly filled. Two tankards were quickly placed in front of the two master artisans, while four other dwarves carried over a barrel large enough to accommodate three ogres. With a loud slam, the barrel was dropped next to the table, the sound of splashing waves of dwarven mead filling the room.

A large block of rock also was transported over, shoving the barrel of mead to the side. The same four dwarves from before grabbed the barrel once again, activating several bright runes in the process, and lifted the massive keg without any difficulty into the air, throwing it directly onto the stone. A spigot was then hammered at the bottom of drum, oozing golden brown liquid from it.

You got weak from all the human fruit juice, zuekluk? Jadhund spat out as he handed his tankard to one of the dwarves to fill up.

All the dwarves had stopped working in the train station, instead coming over here to watch this scene. They had tankards in their hands, banging them next to the stone floor or wooden tables to create drumming music. It made me anticipate something exciting.

Hmph. Fill it. Grimnir handed his mug over to the same dwarf, but unlike with Jadhund, the young man just scowled at Grimnir. However, this was quickly fixed when Jadhund shouted at him.

You fool, are you here to dishonor me? FILL HIS DAMN TANKARD! How is he supposed to compete with a dry mug, you larrunda! Bladdarg! Go away. Jadhund impatiently shoved the dwarven man away after taking Grimnirs tankard to fill it up himself. As he handed the drink over, another dwarf took the shoved mans place.

Drink. Zuekluk.

The banging of the tankards intensified, echoing inside this room like a loud festival. Ellaine, Tasianna, Reajaen, and I were weirded out by how much they were building up to each drink, while Mother just smiled peacefully. Daichi was the only one who was moved by the atmosphere, clapping his hands to the rhythm.

And at the climax of the banging, the two dwarves instantly downed their drinks at the same time, banging their tankards right on the table.

Next! they shouted!

Bruuuuu, unda sahmaliet te! Hoi! Hoi! Hoi!

Fill, drink, slam. Fill, drink, slam, Fill, drink, slam. The constantly banging of the tankards began to show color, displaying vibrance as the singing of the dwarves mixed into it. Cheers erupted, egging on both contestants as they kept on drinking. The sounds of their full gurgles, their swallows, and the mead flowing through the spigot all joined into this weird symphony.

Such simply sounds, honestly. It was just a bunch of dwarves making sounds and banging their mugs, but by joining all of them together, you could call this music. Some might call it rowdiness, but after being around adventurers whenever I visited the guilds, I was used to it. I liked the energy!

Bruuuuu, unda sahmaliet te! Hoi! Hoi! Hoi! More and more dwarves began to sing that single sentence, continuing whenever the two master artisans had to wait for their mugs to be refilled.

Hmm, you can still drink like a man, Grimnir? Ha, thats the least I should expect from any master, Jadhund complimented Grimnir, followed by the crowd shouting Hoi in response. Still, lets spice it up. This is too easy. Bring on the sake!

Ha! Grimnir laughed while the audience blurted a worried Oooooooh? as if this match was about to end. I was waiting for this. You cant understand how long Ive waited for real Ankoran wine after having to deal with that distilled rice wine we sell to humans! Come on, bring it in faster! We have a thirst to quench!

Aye! Surprisingly, the dwarven engineers cheered back at his request.

For some reason, the animosity and hostility everybody had been showing Grimnir at the start disappeared, replaced by the festive mood of this drinking contest. I was flabbergasted when they filled up Grimnirs sake glass with the rice wine willingly, without needing to be threatened by Jadhund.

Wait, did Grimnir even need me here? I asked myself as the two dwarves drank their wine.

Urgh! Guek! Grimnir grabbed his throat and banged on the table with his fist.

Gahahaha! Ahack! Bladdarg! Thats strong stuff! Urgh! Jadhund grabbed the table and shook his head, throwing droplets of mead hanging from his beard to the ground. Gahahah! You seem weak against the stuff, zuekluk!

Hahahaha! Bruuuuu, unda sahmaliet te! Hoi! Hoi! Hoi!

Bladdarg! Gaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Grimnir roared out and slammed his head against the wooden table, breaking it in the process.

What the fuck?!

Gahahahaha! Those damn taz horns! Gahahahaha!

Hahahahahaha!

Master Grimnir, dont give up! Beat him! Daichi cheered on.

Shut up, lad! I know that! Grimnir responded with a croaky voice before downing his own tankard to moisten his throat again. Come on! Drink!

Drink! Gahahaha!

Jeez these two are already drunk. And it looks like all the dwarves are drunk from the atmosphere alone

Certainly, this drinking challenge was a spectacle, especially with both contestants puking their insides out, then taking two more chugs, before puking it out again and then falling into their puddle of vomit, laughing. In fact, they were laughing together so much, we help but think they were lifelong friends.

After a couple more drinks, Grimnir called it quits in the end after they both drank another shot of the rice wine. Jadhund tried to celebrate with all the engineers around him, but he just fell right back onto the stone floor. I thought he would have got a concussion from it, but he was still conscious and laughed it off. Yup, he definitely had a concussion so I healed him before he became even more stupid.

And this was why I disliked drinking. Saori and Yorshka showed me too many times how they could go out of control. Not to mention Mothers accident.

Urgh

Tasianna pulled out a few hangover curatives, giving them to the two dwarves before we told all the other engineers to leave the room. With Mother around, it was easy enough to persuade them.

Once Grimnir and Jadhund had settled down, massaging their heads, Tasianna gave them a quick shower to get rid of the puke while I dried them up. Since they were still relatively drunk, Tasianna gave them another hangover potion. With the number of people in our company who were heavyweights with alcohol, Tasianna needed to keep making them.

So why was that exactly necessary? I asked after I gave them long enough to rest.

Lass, its just a tradition amongst us dwarven artisans. A master visiting another master usually had to earn the respect of each other through action, Grimnir answered. Its like that smithing challenge I did in Cedaraille. With mastery comes arrogance, and to beat arrogance, you must show your own talents. However, what happens if you meet a master from a different field? How would you earn their respect then?

A drinking contest. Dwarven men need to know how to drink, Jadhund answered as he stood up and kneeled before Mother and me. I apologize for not doing this sooner. Empress and Princess of Kargryx, this dwarf humbly greets you. I, Jadhund, am at your service.

You know us? I asked after telling him he could stand up.

He nodded. Mhmm. We dwarves might isolate ourselves from the rest of Estralia, but I still pick up rumors when I visit the merchant guild to file taxes. Also, I felt her Imperial Majestys presence the last time you came here. It was hard to ignore all of my workers shouting zuekluk all the time, so I knew what the two of you looked like.

He then turned around to Grimnir after we gave our introductions, offering our blacksmith a handshake. Grimnir, right? I heard quite a lot about you.

Grimnir stared at his hand, standing there as if he was frozen. After Daichi and Ellaine both spoke up, he shook his head and took Jadhunds hand. Honor to your ancestors, Jadhund. I am not talented enough to be known like this.

Mhmm. Being from the Luedbrumdar clan makes you famous, but for bad reasons. Jadhund then turned his head around to Ellaine and began looking at her hands. He then moved closer to her and asked her if he could inspect them.

Ellaine agreed reluctantly. Jadhund then began touching her hand, feeling them out for the calluses from both her training as a fighter and as a manatechnician. He nodded contently, thanking Ellaine for her time.

Youre an artificer, right? he asked and Ellaine nodded. Who's your master?

Master Grimnir, Ellaine answered, causing Jadhunds eyes to widen in surprise. He then closed them and sighed deeply, before returning to Grimnir.

So the rumors were true? Broggart is dead?

Grimnir nodded. An accident on the road. Cousin had a hard head, but not hard enough when he fell off that cliff. Grimnir then took a seat, sounding and looking more solemn as he spoke about his cousin Broggi. Broggi Bleidla cursed us after what we did, I say. Bladdarg. I sent my cousin home, hoping our clan would at least grant him a proper burial. I guess thats how you heard about it.

At the mention of that, Jadhund shrugged and shook his head, causing Grimnir to sigh. Seeing he needed some time for himself, Jadhund left Grimnir alone for a moment before turning over to Reajaen. Youve seen better days, foxian.

Ha A price worth paying for what I gained. Reajaen then pointed at me and asked Jadhund to take a seat. Come. Time is money, and my Lady wishes to have you speak with her a bit.

Youre always been too hasty for your own good, Reajaen Once we all settled down, he skipped over the small talk and bluntly asked me why I am here. I'm gonna assume you, as her Mistress, already know whats going on, Princess Hestia. But, how much?

I nudged Tasianna and she created an [Air Shield] around us. I then placed the artificial heart on the table. Jadhund nodded.

It shouldnt be outlawed, right? The only rule is that a dwarf must be the one who makes it, although I frowned when he acknowledged the artificial heart he help make for Parilostro. I had removed the one mana battery Reajaens son made, only showing the dwarf the ones he made. It wasnt necessary for anybody to know what Parilostro did for now.

Cant believe I am keeping blackmail now I shook that thought away as Jadhund began to speak.

Sure. But I knew what Reajaen was doing. Makes me no better than the humans who did all those things to the faefolk years ago. Hmph. In my situation, Im nothing more than a zuekluk. Jadhund then turned to Tasianna. Is she the one who will bring me in? I had thought a Haireti would capture me, but you dont look like one, yflei.

I am Lady Hestias maid, Tasianna answered.

Then, I apologize for what I did. Certainly shines a bad light on me after what happened to the fairys youngest princess.

It seemed like the news of Princess Schuris death was also known by the dwarves. It seemed Jadhund already knew Reajaen was at fault for it.

Ill be the one who will answer for my crimes, Master Jadhund, Reajaen tried to comfort him. You helped my son out of goodwill. I never asked you for more than was necessary. Never told you more than you needed to know. You are not at fault for the faefolk I killed.

Ha! I am not a fox like you, foxian. Dwarves live by their honor and we die by it. An artificer needs to take responsibility for his creations, and because I made batteries which could help you, I doomed the lives of so many faefolk. Jadhund stood up. Its enough. I should have announced this to the officials a long time ago. Now that you found out, its time for me to

Sit, Jadhund. Grimnir suddenly grabbed the inkos arm and pushed him back on his seat like some thug.

Blackmail? He raised an eyebrow. I thought after that drink I could trust you, Grimnir. But it seemed like you were a zuekluk to the end. You spit on your cousins legacy, you know that? Well, try as much as you want, but Im gonna

Master Jadhund, I am a merchant, Reajaen put her foot down during the discussion. I know how to use blackmail. Dont take me as an amateur, its demeaning. We arent here to blackmail you, were here to ask you for a favor.

A favor?

Tasianna nodded. Weve made peace, for now. Thats why Reajaen is alive and why my Lady was gracious enough to grant her son a new heart. Our Lady requires you help to rally the dwarves to our side to make Reajaen the president of Estralia.

What? Jadhund looked at us as if we were crazy, but Reajaen took no heed.

Im not planning on fighting him but, if what Ilsaphone said was correct, then I should expect something rough. Haaaaa, anyways, expect a new fenrir to appear the next time we meet, Hestia. Until then, stay safe.

She embraced me. I reciprocated it.

Youre a real drama queen. You know well meet up every then and so.

Who knows. Maybe well be too preoccupied to enter the subspace. If thats the case, then we better hug and wish each other luck, no?

True. Good point. As expected from you, Saori.

Three parties.

For the first time, Aurora will be splitting up.

Grimnirs group would head to the dwarven capital with Jadhunds help and the train, where he was planning on creating his masterpiece, the power armor weve kept hyping him up for. Saori and her three students would enter the Belaz forest to meet up with her ancient grandfather, Belzac, the S rank fenrir. She had already spoken with Ilsaphone, learning his motives, and now she wanted to confront him about it. In my opinion, I think Saori was going there to understand herself.

Her fenrir self.

Meanwhile, Artorias and Estralia would be run by our allies. All towards the goal of the dwarven summit in three months. In three months, even I had to be done with my goal.

And what was it?

Divine Quest: The Champion of Yeostar

Quest Giver: Origin Goddess of Light, Healing, Miracles and Kinship, Aurena

Description: Hestia, I would like you to travel to the Principality of Yeos inside the territory of the Five Princes. The Divide of the Five Princes, as they call it. There, a festival will be held in the honor of one of my subordinate gods, Yeostar. Not only will there be plenty of fun and festivities, but also a tournament will be held there. The reward for winning the tournament is to become the Champion of Yeostar through the ingestion of his blood synthesized by the ruling royal family. I want you to go there and assure the blood does not get into the hands of the demonkins or anybody with malicious intent. This is a personal request from Yeostar himself.

Reward: [Idol] proficiency gain, [Venerated Saintess] proficiency gain, a reward from Yeostar, Unique Job Unlock, +2 level

A divine quest, of course. And those who were accompanying me on this mission included Tasianna, Mother, Rajah, and the twins. If Yorshka and Priscilla were to come, too, this would have been a full-on family trip, you could say.

And, it was also an important family trip for my royal self, too. After all, during the discussion I had with Aurena, she told me something interesting.

My big sister was over there.

A note from AbyssRaven

Aurora is splitting up for their tasks. Just to remind everybody, Hestia's story is the main story, so any side story I will introduce soon will include Saori's and Grimnir's side of the story. So, prepare yourself, we about to go "It's family time" with Hestia and her big sis.

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 20 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

For two dollars, for the cost of a coffee, you can read up to four chapters for the whole month! You will have my eternal gratitude for any support you can give me! Please.

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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1 Fictions 7 Posts 1 Threads

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 1:22:43 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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