Chapter 422: The Dwarf Legion

In the Somodo Mountains.

“Hey, Hulim—are we just gonna charge straight at those Gulos guys?”

“No.”

Hulim replied, her eyes still scanning the intel in her hands.

“We’ll rendezvous with the Lidyall army first. Their intelligence should be the most comprehensive. If we try to track the enemy down on our own, who knows how long it’ll take.”

With that, she lifted her head, and the documents she’d finished reading burst into flames, turning to ash that was quickly scattered by the howling wind high above.

“Hmm, fair point. This mountain range is huge—even I would take a whole day to search it if the enemy was all clustered together.”

“That’s assuming they’re concentrated in one spot. Right now, they’ve definitely split into small squads and hidden themselves everywhere. It’d take way longer than a day to find them all.”

“Fly higher. We need to avoid being detected by the enemy at all costs.”

“Got it.”

Ignir’s massive form climbed even higher, ascending until he was level with the lowest branches of the colossal World Tree on the distant horizon. The air here had grown thin and crisp, but the upside was that no one on the ground could possibly spot them.

Some time later.

“That’s the spot down there. Land, Ignir.”

“Alright, hold on tight!”

With a thunderous roar, Ignir tucked his wings and dove toward the ground in a breathtaking nosedive.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The air screamed against the dragon’s scales, heating up so rapidly that flames burst into being around him.

At the very same moment.

Far below, inside the command tent of the Lidyall Dwarf Legion’s camp, the mood was grim and fraught with frustration.

CRASH!

Charkin slammed his fist down on the table so hard the wood creaked.

“I’m asking you, Eugene—have you got any plan at all?! The Federation forces to the south have already broken through the blockade and reached Ilz, but we’re still stuck here twiddling our thumbs!”

The dwarf named Eugene rounded on Charkin, his face turning crimson with rage.

“Shut your yap, you useless oaf! You think I wanna be stuck here?! Spending all those years forging iron in Langard must’ve turned your brain into a lump of metal too!”

“Hah? What did you say?!”

“What’s it to you?! You wanna fight about it?!”

“Bring it on! I ain’t scared of you!”

THUD!

Charkin hauled his warhammer out from behind his back and slammed the head of it into the dirt.

Not to be outdone, Eugene drew a massive greatsword with a sharp shing!, the blade glinting coldly in the tent’s dim light.

Instead of stepping in to stop the two, the surrounding dwarves erupted into cheers and jeers, egging them on.

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“Kick his arse, Charkin! I’ve had enough of his stuck-up attitude!”

“Show him who’s boss, Eugene! This bastard stole my prized ale last month!”

“Yeah, fight! Fight! If both of you croak, I’ll be the new leader! Hehe......”

Amidst the dwarves’ rowdy hooting, Charkin and Eugene stomped out of the camp, heading for an open clearing nearby.

They faced each other, chests puffed out, as a crowd of dwarves gathered around them—some even starting to take bets on who would win.

“One thing’s for sure, Eugene—if my hammer leaves you covered in bruises, don’t go whining that I picked on you!”

“Hmph! You’re spouting nonsense even before you’ve had a drink! It’s me who’s gonna teach you a lesson—I’ll shave your head bald!”

BOOM! BOOM!

Their auras flared to life simultaneously, clashing silently in the air between them.

Almost in unison, both dwarves raised their weapons, tensing for the first strike.

But just as they were about to lunge—

“Oi! Look up at the sky! What the hell is that?!”

Someone in the crowd yelled, pointing frantically overhead.

At the sound of the shout, the surrounding dwarves all craned their necks in curiosity.

Then they saw it: a blazing fireball hurtling toward them at breakneck speed.

“Who summoned a meteor strike?! That thing’s huge!”

“Is that the first thing you’re worried about?! It’s heading straight for us!”

“Sorry, folks—I’m outta here! If you all die, I’ll make sure to take good care of your precious ale!”

The onlookers scattered in a panic, scrambling to get away.

Charkin and Eugene realized they were in deep trouble—but backing down now would be tantamount to surrender, and neither was willing to swallow that humiliation.

So the two dwarves stared each other down, rooted to the spot despite their better judgment.

BOOM——!!!

A mushroom cloud did not billow into the sky. When the massive fireball crashed into the ground, it only stirred up a cloud of dust—not even a shockwave to speak of.

The dwarves who’d fled and hidden peeked their heads out cautiously.

“Are they dead?”

The dust slowly cleared, revealing Charkin and Eugene, completely unharmed.

“Tch! Still breathing! And here I thought I’d finally get to be the boss!”

THUD——!

A heavy footstep echoed from the center of the dust cloud.

Charkin and Eugene, the closest to the impact site, tightened their grips on their weapons at once, staring warily at the figure emerging from the haze.

“Charkin? Long time no see.”

A voice rang out, clear and familiar.

Charkin’s eyes went wide as saucers.

“That voice! Could it be——”

WHOOSH——!

A gust of wind swept through the clearing, scattering the last of the dust in an instant.

There, standing before them, was a colossal crimson dragon—and perched on its back, a young girl.

“Whoa! A dragon!”

“A dragon rider!”

“That’s awesome!”

The dwarves in the distance erupted into cheers, completely forgetting their fear of being flattened by a meteor just seconds earlier.

“Hulim? And Ignir?! What in the world are you two doing here?!”

Charkin shouted, his voice cracking with surprise.

......

Inside the dwarf legion’s camp.

“I see—you’re here to reinforce us. Wait a minute...... Is it just the two of you?”

“Yes. Ignir and I are more than enough.”

“Hmm......”

Charkin fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“I suppose you are. With the two of you, you can handle just about anyone short of the leader of Gulos himself.”

“Speaking of which, Charkin—there’s something I’m curious about.”

“What’s that?”

“What were you two doing out there earlier?”

“Uh...... Ahem!”

Charkin’s face turned an awkward shade of red as he quickly changed the subject.

“Oh right! Hulim, I haven’t introduced you to the folks here yet.”

He jabbed a thumb at Eugene, who was still scowling beside him.

“This is Eugene. He’s our temporary commander-in-chief—also the highest-ranking general in the royal army when we’re back home.”

Eugene, upon being introduced, straightened his posture and adopted a solemn expression, addressing Hulim with a formal nod.

“Honored guest, thank you for coming to our aid. I am Eugene Hips. If there is anything you need during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask.”

“Oh, thank you!” Hulim bowed politely in return. “I’m Hulim Heyerar. Please, Mr. Hips, no need to be so formal.”

Listening to this exchange, Charkin’s face darkened, and he let out a loud snort.

“Quit putting on that fancy act! Hulim, don’t let him fool you—this guy’s not nearly as serious as he looks!”

Eugene shot Charkin a withering glare.

“Charkin, you are far too rude. When did we dwarves produce such a boorish lout?”

“Ah......?!”

Veins popped on Charkin’s forehead as his anger flared up again.

“You bastard! You wanna go another round?!”

“Hmph! I am a commanding officer, remember? I could have you arrested for insubordination!”

“Try it! I dare you!”

As the two dwarves began bickering once more,

a dwarf standing nearby grinned mischievously and fanned the flames.

“Yeah, yeah! Fight! C’mon, you two—throw down already~!”

“?”

Hulim glanced at the troublemaker.

“Charkin, who’s this?”

“Oh, him? That’s Aznov the Coward—just call him Nov. He’s technically the third-in-command around here.”

Aznov’s grin vanished instantly, and he shot Charkin a venomous look.

“Hey! Who d’you call a coward, you git?! Just ‘cause you showed up a few days earlier and weaseled your way into a higher rank, you think you’re hot stuff?! Mark my words—when you two kick the bucket, I’ll be the one calling the shots!”