That's why I've been doing this.
Dwarven blacksmith nation.
I never thought there would be dwarves in this world. In fact, I didn't even know there was a fantasy demi-human (?) race.
Demons or something.
Elves or something.
Beastmen, for example.
Sa○ya people
I had never even detected any sign of the human-like races that always appear in fantasy alternate worlds, so I thought that humans were the only primates in this world.
But there were dwarves.
at least.
But when I think about it, dwarves also exist in space, and they've even made a gauntlet that can destroy the world with a snap of their fingers, so I wonder if they'd be found anywhere in a fantasy alternate world.
When I think of dwarves, the image that comes to mind is...
・He's short.
・But it's thick.
-Good at blacksmithing and carpentry.
・I love alcohol.
・He also has a beard.
・The main weapon used is a hammer.
That's how it feels, but does it apply to the dwarves of this world as well?
Well, either way, they seem to be a manly, muscular race, so I don't think they have much to do with me.
Let's just keep it as a friendship.
More importantly, there is the possibility of becoming acquainted with a beautiful blonde elf, a cat-eared female beastman, or an evil female executive of the Fuuma tribe, so while I look forward to the future, I will focus on dealing with the dwarf problem at hand.
The dwarves who live in the world I was reincarnated into have built a large nation and live together in unity.
As expected, their blacksmithing techniques are the best in the world and are in demand all over the world.
...If I write it this far, it may seem like the economy is booming, but the reality is that the situation is extremely ominous.
This is because the dwarves have no trading partners other than the Kingdom of Niosebuku.
The Dwarves create exquisite weapons, jewelry, and large structures...these include ships that can cross the seas, carts that can carry cargo long distances, and even siege engines...
It seems that all of them are delivered only to the Niosebuku Kingdom and are not given to other nations and races.
The Kingdom of Niosebuku loves war so much that it is called the "land of tigers and wolves."
If such people were to be given the finest weapons and arms made by the Dwarves, they would be like blades to a madman, not just a hammer to a demon.
For this reason, our mission this time is to get the dwarves to stop supplying weapons to the Kingdom of Niosebuku.
This disturbing monopoly trade.
We must find out why it is so rampant, eliminate the cause, and cut off all ties between the dwarves and the Beast Nation.
With its weapons supplies cut off, the Niosebuku Kingdom became weaker and weaker, and we were at a loss.
What's more, it would be even better if we (the Kingdom of Lenio Segura and the Commercial Alliance) bought up the works of the dwarves that no longer have sellers.
Considering that the Kingdom of Niosebuku is currently in the midst of civil war, it would make sense to cut off trade only with the dominant third prince and provide weapons only to the opposing force.
It's definitely true.
Is the third prince currently in complete control of trade with the dwarves?
In that case, we have to do something all the more.
If one of the factors supporting the third prince's advantage is the weapon from the dwarves, then if we can manage that, we can aim for a critical effect.
Because everyone was in complete agreement that they must not let the third prince win.
The above is a reaffirmation of the situation so far and our goals for the future.
With that in mind, let's get started.
The dwarven blacksmith nation is a hell of a mess.
◆
"Are you a messenger from the Sören Gren Commerce Union? This is the first time I've seen you."
"My name is Sao."
I'm currently having an audience with the Dwarf King.
The story is progressing too quickly, you say? I skipped all the unnecessary steps.
Right now, I'm considered an emissary sent by the Trade Union. This is the result of an arrangement by the Widow Corzet, an executive of the Trade Union who recently became my new sex friend.
I acted alone.
They thought it would be more convenient and nimble to be allies of Niosebuku, which might become enemy territory in some cases.
The female knight Ronpaia is staying with the commerce alliance.
Of course, they couldn't openly reveal the domicile of the Kingdom of Leniosegura, which was one of the targets of the Kingdom of Niosebuku.
Be on high alert.
So he disguised his identity and infiltrated the place.
I feel like a double O-Sa○n.
"We came here to ask you to consider doing business with the Sören Gren Trade Union."
"I've already refused that matter many times. We only do business with the Kingdom of Niosebuku."
Said the king of the dwarf blacksmith nation.
Sitting on the throne
He gave off a very arrogant air, but from everything I saw he gave off a strong impression of being ill.
First, the Dwarf King's appearance.
He has a thick beard, typical of dwarves, so thick that it completely covers his chest, and it is pure white.
Judging from his wrinkled face, he was undoubtedly an old man.
So, while it's fine that his hair is white, the whiteness of it all looks awfully sickly.
It's not a bright white like fresh snow, but has a slight yellowish tint.
Its fur was tattered and it looked like a dying stray cat.
His build is also bony and slender, a far cry from the image of a short, stocky dwarf.
And yet the light in his sunken sockets was shining brilliantly.
It shone brightly like a lamp, and the strength of its vitality contrasted with its body's sickly and frail appearance, making it all the more eerie.
Is this the king of the dwarves?
In fact, I would be more convinced if he was called a vampire.
Any normal person would be rendered speechless by just being stared at with those eyes, and the meeting would be called off.
However, I have a strong will that I've gained from having sex with many women!
You can push your own theory against the weight of this atmosphere!
"However, Dwarf King, monopoly trading is unsound from the perspective of market principles. In order for your products to receive fair value, I believe it is necessary to release them onto the broader market."
For now, I'll try singing something that sounds like something an emissary from the Trade Alliance would say.
"Besides, the Kingdom of Niosebuku, where you are currently doing business, is looking bleak. If that country were to fall, the damage to you, who are relying on that country as your only source of income, would be enormous."
"..."
"Why not take this opportunity to develop new business partners? I am confident that we would be a suitable new partner."
He pretended to be a merchant and tried to present himself as such, but the old dwarf king's reaction was not good.
In fact, there is no response whatsoever.
Why don't you say anything back?
What kind of feeling does that face make?
"I understand what you want to say. However, we cannot change our relationship with Niosebuku."
"Why?"
"It's an agreement between our two countries. It's not something an outsider should stick their nose into."
Was flatly rejected.
It seems there must be some reason why the dwarves are so supportive of the country of Niosebuku.
And there's a pretty unavoidable reason for this.
Seeing how ill the old Dwarf King looked, I intuitively thought so.
"Even if they say that, I can't back down that easily. HQ has told me not to come back until I receive their approval."
I persist in saying something that sounds like it.
It is not enough to be a negotiator to simply listen to what the other party has to say.
"Could you at least give it a little more thought? I'm not asking you to accept it unconditionally. But could you make a promise that there will be some conditions attached... that you will enter into a contract with us if those conditions are met?"
"Well, your promise... conditions... what are they specifically?"
"What if the Kingdom of Niosebuku were to perish?"
The old Dwarf King's mood visibly stiffened at this remark.
This was the first reaction he had elicited at this press conference.
"That country will be destroyed? That's ridiculous...!?"
"Of course, this is just in case. But even so, if we can bring back some degree of success, the higher-ups will be satisfied…"
but....
"Well, it's not entirely impossible. The king of that country died suddenly, right? And now there's a great civil war going on over the succession, so I wonder if that will lead to the country destroying itself easily…"
We are the ones taking the initiative with this goal in mind.
That's a secret.
"But there is nothing to be afraid of. There is no chance, not even a million chance, that that country will be destroyed. After all, you dwarves are backing us up with all your might."
"Nuuu...!?"
"If we have the best weapons and armaments the Dwarves can make, the Kingdom of Niosebuku will be invincible. Even if the nation loses all of its strength in a civil war, it will be easy to rebuild it if we have Dwarven weapons. We can immediately attack other nations, subjugate them, and steal their wealth and food."
"..."
"Thanks to the dwarves, Niosebuku has been in peace for many years. That country is truly blessed to have such a good trading partner."
I thought I had shaken him up, but how would the old Dwarf King react to this?
It was already clear that there was no fairness in the trading relationship between the dwarves and the Niosebuku Kingdom.
They have information that the weapons that the dwarves have painstakingly crafted are being bought up for next to nothing.
I can't imagine that there isn't any emotion involved, like resentment or anger.
How do they accept this predicament?
If only this shaking could give us a glimpse of a clue to unraveling it...
"...Envoy, please stay in this country for a while."
"yes?"
"Your proposal will be considered. This will take some time. While we are discussing this, you can relax and enjoy sightseeing around our blacksmith country."
"Oh, thank you!!"
"Don't get me wrong. I'm just considering it. I may decide that it's no good after all. It's not time to thank me yet."
"We are grateful that you are even considering it!"
At least I was able to avoid being turned away.
Now that you've been granted permission to stay in the dwarven nation you've visited, what events await you next...?
"Well, I just thought that there was a point in what you said. Times can change. So we dwarves must also adapt to these changes and make various assumptions."
"Is that a change that will result in the downfall of the Niosebuku Kingdom...?"
"It's an assumption about the change itself."
The old dwarf king deliberately remained vague.
What does he fear or hope for in the future?
"However, this is a foreign country for you. It must be unsettling to be abandoned without any help. I will provide you with a guide."
"Guide, you say?"
"Someone call Septequifa."
He calls himself a guide... but maybe he's actually just a supervisor?
It probably wouldn't be a good feeling to have a stranger running around freely in your pocket.
You may want to assign someone to restrict or watch over your actions as a non-offensive way of avoiding arousing suspicion.
However, if I were to blatantly refuse here, it would cause trouble, so I decided to just go along with it.
"I thank the Dwarf King for his kindness."
"You should accept people's kindness with sincerity. Leave everything, including arranging lodging, to the guide who will be arriving shortly. I will never do anything bad to you."
After waiting for about ten minutes, a young dwarf arrived.
"So you've finally come, Septequifa. Don't keep your guest waiting."
"Shut up."
He was violent from the very first words.
Compared to the aged Dwarf King, he looked noticeably younger, his skin was firm and lustrous, and his whole body was full of vitality.
However, being of the same race, they were short in stature, and their limbs were short and thick, as is typical of dwarves.
His face looks youthful, but there is still a boyish immaturity about him.
This was the only thing that was out of place and unbalanced compared to what was supposed to be a fully developed body as an adult.
"I will take Septequifa as your guide. Ask him for anything you wish."
"I still haven't agreed, old man. What on earth is this guy? Why did you have someone like this in the castle?"
The young dwarf who was called was rude and rude even to the king.
Moreover, she didn't seem to like me and attacked me with all her might.
"You must have heard about the guest from the Sörengren Trade Union. I will now consult with my vassals about the proposal he brought. In the meantime, you will entertain him. Please be careful not to make any mistakes."
"Tch..."
He replied with a click of his tongue.
"Messenger, this girl's name is Septequifa. Although she may have this kind of attitude, as a member of the dwarf race, she has the character to carry out any task she is given."
"Haa..."
"You can rely on me without worry."
Well, actually, he's probably a watchdog.
At best, you should be careful not to be suspected of being a spy and killed.
By the way what?
Is there a phrase in what you just said that interests you?
daughter?