Hambara’s POV:
Walking through the streets of Dwarfton, the mountain enclave was lively, more so than usual.
Most of the passersby were Dwarves, but being the capital, Dwarfton had a wide variety of races, unlike the homogenous Empire, so I didn’t get any stares.
From Elves to humans, Lizardkin, and other sentient races, everyone was welcome in Dwarfton—the capital of the High Kingdom and the City of Innovation.
Electric lights lit the streets—created in Dwarfton—showcasing the variety of stores and businesses in the Upper District or The Industrial City, which was no exaggeration, as the place had an estimated hundred thousand occupants and workers.
As I strolled on the pavement, I noticed the increased presence of armed dwarves since I last was here, years ago.
War’s knocking, eh?
“So what?! I fear none under the Hyn Mountain!” A dwarf shouted.
Although there was a congregation of Dwarves, I was still able to see the action happening in their midst, being taller than most by two heads at least.
A dwarf with a grey beard, and forearms as thick as thighs—probably a smith—shoved a soldier, felling him.
Two soldiers drew their swords, wanting to fend for their partner, but then…
“No need, no need for violence, gentlemen,” a… dwarf spoke. He didn’t look like most Dwarves, being on the thin side and with no beard; he also wore glasses and had soft features.
Mixed… maybe dwarf and elf? Now, that’s rare.
Dwarves and Elves hated each other’s guts, being of different elements and beliefs.
Elves, like humans and most races, had the usual green Mana—Life Mana, whereas Dwarves had grey Mana—Metallic Mana.
The soldiers didn’t immediately drop their swords, and as I came closer, I noticed who the bearded dwarf was.
Hamilton, the old smith, I had been meaning to see.
“Sir, I suggest we apprehend him,” a soldier said. His cold eyes didn’t leave Hamilton.
“Ye! He hit me, an enforcer with no real reason,” The felled soldier spoke as he dusted his plate armour.
“Let’s see if he’ll stay this brave when we reach the dungeons. You don’t fear anyone under Hyn Mountain? pfft!”
Hamilton looked calm, and I knew why. From the watching congregation, Dwarves started walking to Hamilton’s side, armed with weapons of their own.
Unlike in the Empire, owning a weapon outside state authority wasn’t considered a crime; the High Kingdom didn’t ban civilians’ weapon-ownership.
Not like they can.
Dwarves were easy-going and liked to live, but they were prideful. The last time a dwarven king had tried to disarm his subjects, a rebellion happened, dethroning him.
In the Empire, the ruling class were the strongest, but here, Unions ruled the strongest. That came with its advantages and disadvantages, but in general, it gave the people a unique relationship with the politicians and rulers.
The mixed dwarf looked around anxiously before fixing his glasses.
“Citizen Hamilton, you have till next week to pay your taxes, or I’ll unfortunately have to close your smithery.”
Hamilton smirked, crossing his arms.
“Don’t make me laugh, twerp. Close it now, I dare you.”
The tension thickened in the air, reaching an almost tangible feeling.
A fight was about to happen any second now.
I pushed a watcher by, entering the midst of the fray.
“Hananu of the King’s Intelligence Agency!” I shouted, raising my badge. “Tax Collector, take your men and leave the premise. Businessmen, return to your jobs. A fight in such precarious times serves no one but the Empire.”
I wasn’t sure if this tactic would work, but I had placed my bet on one thing: the KIA’s, King’s Intelligence Agency, reputation.
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The soldiers gave me a long look, as if judging me, before sheathing their weapons and turning around. The one who was felled lingered for a moment longer. The tax collector followed suit.
Hamilton spat. “Those bastards.” But upon turning towards me, his ugly expression morphed into a hearty laugh.
“Hohoho, long time no see, kid!”
We joined in a bear hug, which was a bit awkward to me—dwarves didn’t even know the meaning of awkward—due to the height difference.
After the hug, Hamilton talked his friends off and invited me into his smithery.
The place, like everything in Dwarfton, was carved directly into the mountain.
There was no reception, and I had to find a place to sit in the midst of the messy place, but I didn’t mind.
I stared around, recalling memories of my childhood.
Nothing lasts, eh?
“Done with your mission, Hananu?” Hamilton asked as he poured me some cola.
“Yes, I returned last week. Unfortunately, my stay won’t be long, so I wanted to check on you, old man.”
I sipped the cola and made the ahhh sound; Dwarves took their customs seriously, and I didn’t want to be too offensive.
“Remember, son, life isn’t all work. If you’re being held against your will, you can always work with me, and the union will protect you. Don’t be afraid.”
I smiled. The old man was like family to me, as he was the one who raised me after my father migrated and then died here.
“Thanks, old man, but I enjoy my job, so there’s no need to worry. Plus, I’m helping in creating the demise of the Empire, and that is enough reason for me to work with the agency. Anyway, what’s the matter with the Tax Collector?”
Hamilton sighed.
“When the war preparations began, shortly after you left, our business soared. We started earning gold, but after the failed campaign…”
I knew about the failed campaign. It was a push to reclaim a city that the Kingdom had lost approximately a hundred years ago to Ra’ara, who was a war general at the time.
“The King is trying to regain his lost investment, but instead of doing so through real work, they’re taxing our asses off!”
I stood up and sat next to the old man.
Taking a few gold coins from my pocket, I extended them to the old man, who, as expected, refused the gift.
“Who do you think I am, a beggar?!”
Plan B it is.
“Of course not, old man! Have you gone senile? This money is for you to make me a new set of armour and polish my sword.”
Hamilton stared at me for a long moment before shugging his cola down.
Ahhhh!
“Now we’re talking!”
***
Clap Clap Clap
Looking away from the disgusting mass of innards, I saw the clapping human.
She wore a white robe and had soft features, blue eyes, and golden hair. She was about Somani’s height.
Next to her were two male humans, one tall and large, the other thin and short.
Complex Mage, Lv. ???
Handy Butler, Lv. 78
Selfless Tank, Lv. ??
The girl bowed elegantly before walking towards me; the other two humans looked confused, but still followed her.
“Your Supremeness, it’s an honour,” The girl spoke, extremely calm, as if we weren’t in this stupendously hostile environment.
Your Supremeness?
‘Somani, prepare for attack.’
Our Mana situation was still bad—a quarter left—while our possible enemies looked perfectly fine.
“Stop!” Somani shouted of his own accord. “Taking another step and I’ll blow you to smithereens.”
The girl halted her motion, and her companions followed suit.
“I’d wanted to come closer and introduce myself respectfully, your Supremeness, but if it bothers you, I can do it from here.”
‘What should I do?’ Somani asked.
‘I think they’re competition. Converse, and we’ll try to gauge their intentions.’
Getting out of this situation without fighting was the best possible outcome. We were outmatched and outlevelled, and I doubted that any of the competitors here were weak.
“Sure, but any weird move and your insides will join the monster’s.”
The girl didn’t look intimidated as she faintly smiled, although the short butler was looking worriedly between us, indicating that she could be putting on a facade. The giant looked bored as he crossed his arms.
“As you wish, your Supremeness. I’m Sallera, a humble mage and an Elf, and these two here are my new comrades.”
An Elf?
I didn’t know much about this species other than that Elves lived in the Great Jungle, and that they had been stopping the Empire’s southern crawl until Bacalora’s intervention.
The Dark One is also an Elf.
The Elf stopped talking for a few seconds, for some reason, before continuing.
“If you’d hear me, your Supremeness, I have a proposition… an alliance for the purpose of beating these games. What do you say, your Supremeness?”
Somani’s shoulders relaxed.
‘Don’t drop your guard. This could be a trap.’
‘Of course, still, I think we should accept this proposal.’
‘I agree, but don’t be too forthcoming. Inquire more.’
‘Leave it to me.’
I had seen how Hambara haggled with merchants. Once they knew you wanted something…
This survival alliance might be good, but it was no different than buying food; you needed to know exactly what your cut was and how much you had to pay for it.
“And why should I join you? Don’t get me wrong, but I’m doing perfectly fine on my own.”
The Elf’s smile grew wider.
“Forgive me, your Supremeness, but before I recognised you as the Primus, I used [Identify], seeing your level. With all due respect, at your current prowess… it’ll probably be easier if you joined us.”
Somani stroked his chin, not denying her claim.
“I have a better proposition. Instead of me joining you… You join me.”
The Elf tilted her sideways.
“Excuse my ignorance, your Supremeness, but what’s the difference?”
It was Somani’s time to smile.
“By joining me, I’ll be your leader. Of course, if you don’t like my leadership, you can always walk off, but not during battle, as then, my orders will be absolute, and desertion won’t be accepted.”
Somani really played into the Supreme role, taking advantage of this strong position. The kid really wasn’t as gullible as I had first seen him—life had moulded him.
“Sallera, this can’t b—“
The Elf cut the short human off.
“Of course, your Supremeness. I had always intended for it to be this way.”
But then the huge human stepped forward.
“Supreme thing or not, I won’t take orders from anyone weaker than me. If—“
Sallera's skin faintly shone green—infusion. She punched the huge human, twisting him like a broken twig.
Ooof
The huge man dropped onto his knees, heaving for breath.
“Sallera! He didn’t mean any disrespect. He’s… rash, that’s all. Please forgive him!”
The elf glared at the kneeling short human.
“Shut up! Disrespecting the Primus? That’s not rashness,” She said before turning to face me. “If your Supremeness so wishes, I’ll behead this fool!”
I was surprised at how quickly the situation had escalated.
Do all Elfs treat Supremes in this way, or is this one putting on an act?
But the horror on the short human’s face told another story.
He turned towards Somani and started prostrating.
“Your Supremeness! Have it in your heart to forgive my retarded brother!”
Somani shook his head.
“Don’t worry. Sallera, I actually agree with him. Not kno—“
The butler crawled and kissed Somani’s feet.
“Thank you so much! I’ve been a fool all along, your Supremeness, but I’ve learnt my lesson. I’ll serve you better than I’ve served my Noblesse master before; I’m trained in this!”
Oh, no…
I felt it before it happened: the spike in Somani’s heartbeat when the guy mentioned the Noblesse.
Somani clenched his fists.
“Stop calling me a Supreme!”
The Elf raised her eyebrows, while the short human started crying.
“Of course, of course, your Sup—I meant your Highness.”
That made it worse, but Somani reigned in his rage and settled for a deep breath.
“I’m no highness. This… It’s all a hoax to get you to give me the most benefits. I’m no noble or supreme, so don’t go punishing people for disrespecting me, Sallera. If the way to defeat the Noblesse is to stoop as low as them, then I don’t want to defeat them! All beings are equal and shall be treated justly.”
Somani leaned down, then whipped the butler’s tears.
“I’m Somani, the one who’ll end Noblesse’s rule.”
The bulter looked at Somani with wide eyes before hesitantly nodding.
Somani stood straight, facing Sallera.
“Am I clear, Sallera?”
The Elf’s smile was nowhere to be seen, her face expressionless. She stared at Somani for a long moment, making the kid tense.
“Clear…”
Suddenly, the ground beneath us shone brighter before the announcer spoke.
“For disrespecting their highness, the Noblesse, an order has been issued. Monster agro has increased for the following contestants: Somani, Sallera, Tob, and Bod.”
At least now we can start gathering our points.