What's going on?!
Still no news?!
Can anyone give us a detailed report on the situation?!
General!
The Quagoa are trying to invade our stronghold!
So, there's enough of them to overpower the magic defense items we've installed?
Seal the gates!
But there are still soldiers fighting out there...
Fool! The tens of thousands of lives in Feo Jera are more important!
Seal the gates!
Don't let any of them in!
Spearmen, to the front!
Magicians, lightning attack!
Thunder Ball!
Thunder Spear!
Hurry and seal the gates!
It's fine! The fangs and teeth of Quagoa can't tear through these gates!
If you ask me, we should consider abandoning Feo Jera.
You think so, too?
Message! Message!
General! It's an emergency!
An undead appeared at the above-ground entrance wanting to talk about the Quagoa!
An undead?!
They said they got information from a Quagoa they captured in Feo Raidho.
They found out the Quagoa figured out a way to get across the Great Chasm
and rushed over here to warn us.
I'm the ruler of the Sorcerer Kingdom, Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown.
I am the general of the dwarven army.
I'm honored the general himself has come to greet me.
How are things with the Quagoa?
I see.
You understand the situation just from my coming to greet you myself.
Of course.
It seems the Sorcerer King is already aware of everything.
We've managed to hold the Quagoa at bay for now.
But since we have no additional forces, we're considering abandoning the city.
I've come to establish a relationship with your kingdom.
It would be problematic if your kingdom were to fall.
Would you consider accepting my assistance?
I will have to discuss that with my superiors, the Regency Council.
I don't mind the wait.
However, there's a saying that a congress often dances, but does not progress.
I understand.
General!
Your Majesty, the Sorcerer King, please lend us the strength of your kingdom.
Looks like the Great Chasm that's famous for its impregnability is useless
once we manage our way around it.
The rare minerals in their hands will soon be ours.
Lord Riyuro will be very happy.
Hey, report to the main force behind us that we've secured the invasion route.
Understood!
Are they surrendering?
Time to massacre the dwarves.
Let's go!
Hey, shorties! Come on out!
Wh-What's going on?
Are the dwarves counterattacking?
No way! They never go on the offensive.
Wh-What're those?
Giant dwarves?!
D-Destroy the bridge!
Lord Yohz!
Those things looked like golems.
Golems?
A type of monster.
The dwarves must have tamed them somehow.
They shouldn't be able to climb their way back up.
Retreat!
We've got to report this to Lord Riyuro!
Our kingdom currently has no king and is run by the Regency Council.
I see.
Please wait here for a moment.
Of course.
What?!
Wh-What's wrong, Your Majesty?!
Oh, nothing. Some personal business.
Please don't mind me.
Th-Then, I'll speak with the Regency Council immediately.
Two of the Death Knights I created have been eliminated.
They were both defeated at the same time...
If it was the work of a single opponent,
they'd have to be level 45 at very least...
Have I finally found a player?
A player would have no problem taking care of two Death Knights.
Maybe I've found the culprit that brainwashed Shalltear...
Thank you for waiting.
Please follow me.
Yes.
His Majesty the Sorcerer King is entering!
I am the king of the Sorcerer Kingdom, Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown.
Th-Thank you for coming, Your Majesty.
Please sit for now.
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Secretary General
First, we'd like to thank you on behalf of our kingdom.
Without you, I am sure our kingdom would have fallen.
It's only natural to help one another in dire times.
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Governor of Caves and Mines
The General tells us that you wish to establish
a friendly trade relationship with our kingdom...
That is correct.
We hope to interest you in fresh vegetables and foods that are hard to obtain in your kingdom...
As well as liquor from the human kingdoms and the Sorcerer Kingdom.
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Merchant Guildmaster
And what goods do you want from our kingdom in exchange?
First, I want mineral ores. My kingdom lacks a good source of them.
I see.
We also desire equipment.
I've heard that dwarven equipment is of very high quality.
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Forgemaster
We cannot thank you enough for the help against the Quagoa,
but we can't give an immediate answer to this request.
That's fine, of course.
Now, about the Quagoa...
Our kingdom took care of their initial attack of our own accord. Isn't that right?
Yes.
If the gates had been breached without your presence,
we would have needed to mobilize the people and fight to the death within the city.
However, the city of Feo Jera is still not completely safe.
Now that they've found a way to get past the Great Chasm,
the Quagoa will definitely attack again.
It would be problematic if your kingdom were to fall.
What say you? Would you accept my assistance?
With our kingdom's power, we can prevent the invasion of your kingdom quite for some time.
That would be very beneficial for us, but...
For instance, we could go to their nest in... Feo Berkana, was it?
We could reclaim the old dwarven royal capital for you.
Take back the royal capital?!
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Brewmaster
That would be too dangerous, Your Majesty.
The eight clans of Quagoa have been unified, becoming a powerful force under a single clan lord.
It's impossible to get to the royal capital.
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Director of Food Production
There are three dangerous areas that have to be crossed.
Even if you're lucky enough to get through those areas,
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High Priest of Earth
there's a terrifying frost dragon in the way.
Oh? A dragon?
Your Majesty, are you still saying you can reclaim our royal capital?
Yes.
This sounds too good to be true!
Why would you help us to that extent?! What do you want?!
Watch your words.
It's like a complete stranger offering you some delicious booze!
There's gotta be some kind of ulterior motive!
Your suspicion is warranted.
First, I'd rather have friendly relations with a race that has a concept of trade
and more common sense than the Quagoa.
I also know that the losing side is always more grateful for help than the winning side.
The second reason is that you have something I want for my services.
I see. You want a fitting reward?
I want to invite all the runesmiths of your country to my own kingdom.
What'd you say?!
Do you want to turn them into slaves?!
How could I turn the people of a friendly country into slaves?
I want to gather all the runesmiths and have them forge items in my country.
How about getting exclusive first access to the purchase of any rune crafted items instead?
No. That's not enough of a benefit for me.
I want to become the exclusive producer of rune technology.
This is what I want in exchange for reclaiming your kingdom's royal capital.
When will you give a response to my offer?
Well, perhaps tomorrow...
We're currently being attacked by the Quagoa!
Excuse me. Can you please wait for a reply in the reception room?
We will give you a response shortly.
Wh-What the hell was that?!
He's a super-powerful monster!
I almost pissed myself!
He's definitely evil.
He has an army of darkness.
We definitely shouldn't trade our weapons to him!
And he can't drink alcohol with a body like that!
A guy who can't drink isn't trustworthy!
That's right! That's right! Did you see? He wants hostages!
But the kingdom will perish if we don't do something about the Quagoa.
And the only person who can save us now is the Sorcerer King.
Sorcerer King, after some deliberation, we have decided to accept your terms.
Then I will lend you enough forces to reclaim the stronghold and hold off the Quagoa.
We also agree to hand over all of our runesmiths to the Sorcerer Kingdom.
However, we would like to send investigation teams to check on our fellow dwarves in the future.
Would you allow them into the kingdom?
Of course. I will promise to allow your investigators into the Sorcerer Kingdom.
Labor standards often fail to protect laborers,
but I don't plan on creating people like Herohero-san in my kingdom.
I plan to create labor laws that will impress any visiting dwarves.
Then, let us act immediately.
Hey, Gon-boy! I'm here!
Hand over the goods!
You'll get that after the Sorcerer King finishes his talks.
Just sit and wait.
Okay. So, Gon-boy. How about a bit before that?
His Majesty has all the alcohol.
You're so stingy, Gondo.
I've never had such delicious booze before.
You tasted it, too. You know what I'm talking about.
I haven't tasted it. I don't like alcohol.
That's right! That's right!
What a waste!
You're losing out on about 80% of life there!
You guys never change...
An undead!
A monster!
Such noise—
Silence!
Lord Ains, did you say something?
No, nothing.
My name is Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown.
My kingdom is south of the Azerlisia mountains, beyond the Great Forest of Tob.
I am truly delighted to meet runesmiths such as yourselves.
Now, my business with you is a very simple and straightforward request.
I'd like all of you to come to my kingdom
to develop new techniques to imbue items with magic through runecraft.
Let me ask you one thing.
Why our runecraft, specifically?
To be honest, it's a craft that's already on the decline in our own country.
What... What an amazing sword...
Let me get a closer look!
Let me touch it a bit!
Please!
Stay back!
Such noise! I demand silence!
Now, let me continue.
Is it possible to engrave twenty runes on an item like this sword?
Impossible.
There are six runes that were engraved on the dwarven king's hammer
during the great age of runecrafting 200 years ago, but that is the most that has ever been done.
I see. Then, this must be a weapon created through lost technology.
Lost technology?
This is an item I happened to obtain.
The one who made this is no longer in this world.
What a terrible loss...
I want everyone here to rediscover that lost knowledge.
I wish to revive this valuable craft.
That is why I need your strength!
I want to make it.
Me, too.
That's right.
I want to try challenging myself.
Me, too! Me, too!
They were more enthusiastic than I expected.
Presentation complete!
I just love this feeling of accomplishment!
I just want to jump up and cheer!
That was amazing, Lord Ains!
Their hearts were completely moved!
Only Lord Ains could do something like that with a mere speech!
I only spoke the truth.
Hm?
What's wrong, Gondo?
Has the Regency Council agreed to send all the runesmiths to the Sorcerer Kingdom?
Yes.
I see. The country really has given up on runecrafting...
That's right, Gondo.
But I believe in the great potential of runesmiths.
Even if one country tosses runesmiths aside, another is here to welcome you.
That means the history of runecrafting has not ended.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
We'll do our utmost to live up to your expectations.
We will be leaving for a few days starting tomorrow.
Where are you going?
We're going to reclaim your royal capital.
Your Majesty, about your guide to the royal capital...
We have a volunteer.
Last night, I spoke with all my comrades after we parted ways.
I know the best way to the royal capital.
Gondo, I can't have you risking your life like this.
I'm aware of the dangers.
There's a valuable book about runecrafting
passed down through the royal family in the royal treasury of the capital.
I want to recover it, no matter what.
Are you telling me to help you with robbery?
Isn't that one of the treasures of your country?
What's the point of a country that's forsaken runecrafting keeping a book about the subject?
I feel like I'll suddenly get a bout of blindness
when we happen to pass by the royal treasury.
Gondo, I understand your resolve.
Open the gates!
It seems that the Death Knights didn't hold back.
It can't be helped. Mass Fly.
Whoa!
The bridge...
One of the difficult areas on the road to the capital is the Great Chasm, but...
Did the Quagoa do this?
There should be no need to destroy the bridge
if they had someone strong enough to deal with the Death Knights...
Shalltear, let me tell brief you on some details while we have the chance.
Please, go on.
We'll be going to a very dangerous area soon.
I believe it to be dangerous because
an enemy that can easily take down two of my Death Knights will be there.
I shall fight them with all of my strength!
No, you mustn't do that.
Wh-Why is that?
You have to think of the actions the enemy will take.
What our enemy wants most is our information—a gauge of our strength.
They'll probably send out weaker opponents first to test our strength.
Is something bothering you?
Only after they've confirmed our strength and prepared a strategy for victory, will they...
Hmm. Could it be...
Um, Lord Ains.
Shh.
That's how I would go against a strong enemy.
Actually, that's what all my comrades would've done.
All of the supreme beings!
Shalltear, you have to keep thinking.
Keep thinking... Keep thinking... The supreme beings...
Aura, what were you trying to say?
The supreme beings... Keep supreme... Keep supreme...
No, it's nothing!
Is that so?
Then, we should move forward while guarding ourselves from a possibly strong enemy.
There are still two more dangerous areas!
The second is...
a red-hot sea teeming with magical beasts...
Lastly, there's a labyrinth of death!
We can't just fly through here.
Deadly poisonous gas shoots out from various directions
and the numerous splits in the path will lead you to death!
Gaseous or not, undead creatures aren't affected by poisons.
We'll protect the two of you with magic.
Breath of Titania.
We'll be able to take the best route through with this.
Goodness...
That was easy!
Yes. We'll reach the royal capital soon.
I'll tell you the plan now.
Yes!
The two of you will deal with the Quagoa.
If they submit to us, fine.
If they resist, show them the power of Nazarick!
Leave it to us!
Understood!
I'll take care of the dragon.
A frost dragon...
And, to the north of the Azerlisia mountains over there,
I've heard that there are quite a few living frost dragons.
Ah, do you know the name of the dragon that freely controls nature?
Huh? Oh, not its name.
She was originally going to check when we went back to town...
How unfortunate.