[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-67":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1334963,1778,"Chapter 67","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-67",67,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 67: The White Anvil Tribe (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since waking from his dream, the atmosphere in the Vince Territory had not been great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though there was no direct damage, a high-ranking demon’s attack after 20 years was enough to unsettle everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. If it weren’t for you, we’d all be dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica, sprawled out on the sofa in his room with her arms draped over the backrest, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, how did you know it was a dream?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows? Just a man’s intuition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Forget it. If you don’t want to tell me, fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking her tongue, she rose from her seat and muttered under her breath,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh, are your ears clogged? I said, thank you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica’s ears turned bright red as she spoke, clearly embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That said, since I saved your life this time, we’re even now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. Somehow, I feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Fine. How about this: if you need my help in the future, I’ll lend a hand once. Deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar smiled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This incident had brought them closer, no doubt about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to reassure herself, Veronica murmured,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And… what you saw of me earlier… forget it, okay? It’s so embarrassing I feel like jumping out the window.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Embarrassing? Which part?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The part where I—at my age—was still yearning for a family…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think that’s embarrassing at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shook his head firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demons are good at that sort of thing—exploiting what people want most.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You sound like you know a lot about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Read a book sometime. Then you’d know too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re insufferable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her curt reply was followed by a brief hesitation before she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, if you say so, I guess there’s nothing I can do. I’m off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice sounded brighter, a sign she still wasn’t great at hiding her emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar smirked slightly before heading off to see the lord of Vince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, how are you feeling? You truly saved the day this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was lucky. How’s the recovery effort coming along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve already reported the matter to the Imperial Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did they say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ll be sending someone to investigate soon. They’ll probably want to talk to you too, Oscar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Imperial investigator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was to be expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that this involved demons, it was only natural they’d react strongly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. I’ll stay put at the White Tower until then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, there’s much I’d like to share with you about this, but it’s all classified…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Palace would likely be keeping a tight lid on what happened in Vince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was possible other territories wouldn’t even realize there had been a demonic attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it would be impossible to contain every leak, but still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll never forget the debt we owe you, Oscar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need to call it a debt…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, truly. Between the Cadena Flue and now this, I know better than anyone that we wouldn’t have come through with so little damage if not for your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pietta Vince’s expression turned confident, his smile full of gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I vow that Vince will always be a steadfast ally to the White Tower and to you, Oscar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the White Tower, Oscar was informed someone was waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurried to the location without even pausing to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found himself in Elder Schwein’s research lab, where the elder greeted him with open arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here! I was waiting so long, I thought my neck might snap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apologies. I had to visit the Vince Territory for a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief hug, the elder nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard the rumors. They say a needle hidden in a pouch always finds its way out. You can’t help but draw attention wherever you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d much prefer to stay quietly tucked away in the pouch, honestly. But seeing you here means…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he trailed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schwein chuckled and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The magic-engineered battery is finally complete. It’s only a prototype, but it works.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come now, this isn’t just my achievement; it’s ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schwein handed over his research notes, saying,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take a look. Maybe you’ll come up with some improvements as you read.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m no expert in magic engineering, but I’ll give it a shot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, magical theorists practically lived to have someone read their papers and offer a 5,500-word critique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gathering the hefty documents, Oscar asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, all that’s left now is to build the airship?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed. While you were away, I scouted several shipyards. Which do you think we should go with?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he skimmed the list, Oscar blinked in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm? It’s a list of shipyards we could commission. I only picked the most reputable ones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that’s not what I meant…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were they considering humans for a project as crucial as building the airship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need a mirror to know his expression was less than pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wouldn’t it be better to entrust this to the dwarves? For various reasons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Dwarves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schwein looked surprised, then burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha! Sometimes I forget you’re an amnesiac because you seem so normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long story short, we can’t work with dwarves right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not? Doesn’t the White Tower have an exclusive contract with the White Anvil Tribe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the contract still had plenty of time left, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d know—he was the one who brokered the 50-year deal with them 32 years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their hands are tied. The Dwarven King has forbidden them from interacting with humans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why would the Dwarven King do that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking as if he were confronting an awkward self-portrait, Schwein gazed out the window and began his explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After the war with the demons, the Empire needed countless architects to rebuild its cities. Naturally, the dwarves were the most sought-after.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made perfect sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarves could construct safer, sturdier, and more aesthetically pleasing buildings faster than humans could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it must have been that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could build safer, more sensory, and sturdier buildings than humans, and do so faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, as you know, they were very few in number, so they had to sign contracts in order of priority, starting with those who held significant power or wealth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly struck by a grim thought, Oscar gave a look as if to say, ‘That’s not true, is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schwein, looking at him, gave a heavy nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, some lords from certain cities, dissatisfied with the arrangement, kidnapped dwarves and forced them into labor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, my god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar instinctively covered his face with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligent beings of non-human species were not particularly numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of this, they tended to stick together and shared a strong sense of camaraderie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To have kidnapped such beings and forced them into labor…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t take much imagination to guess that the Dwarf King must have been furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was entirely understandable that he had cut off all relations with humans altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this point, no human is able to have any interaction with the dwarves, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. The royal family is working hard to mend relations, but I hear it hasn’t been easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fury was unlikely to subside anytime soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially given that dwarves, who lived for centuries, probably wouldn’t consider 17 years a particularly long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But our case might be a bit different, don’t you think? We signed an exclusive contract with them beforehand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as Oscar knew, the White Tower was the only entity to have established an exclusive contract with the dwarves before relations deteriorated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, no other group would have been able to form any such contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schwein nodded, agreeing with his reasoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We thought the same. That’s why we’ve tried to negotiate with the White Anvil clan several times, but… they say the King’s orders are absolute, and there’s nothing they can do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we’ll need to have a direct talk with the Dwarf King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I doubt he’d even agree to meet. From what I’ve heard, he’s been ignoring even communications from the royal family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that case, I have a good idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intrigued, Schwein showed his interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I think the reason they’re being rejected is that they’re being too polite in their approach.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Just to be sure, whatever you’re planning, violence is out of the question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. Trying to resolve things with brute force in today’s world would be a disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this modern, smart world, Oscar confidently nodded and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to file a lawsuit against the Dwarf King for obstruction of business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oscar, dwarves aren’t subject to human laws.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. That’s why we’ll demand the convening of the Underground Tribunal. Even the King has no veto over that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Underground Tribunal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the highest judicial body of the Dwarf Kingdom, attended only by the leaders of the clans and the Chief Justice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a system usually invoked to redress injustices suffered by dwarves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Oscar’s plan, Schwein blinked a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it even possible for a human to demand the convening of the Underground Tribunal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is, as far as I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, but even if it is possible… do you happen to know who the Chief Justice of the Underground Tribunal is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the Underground Tribunal was an institution exclusively for dwarves, comprised of the most prominent leaders of the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, its Chief Justice was the most exalted figure in the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The King himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarves, as described in storybooks, are simple to picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Short in stature, with long hair and beards braided according to individual preferences, skillful, and heavy drinkers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of this was untrue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I want to drink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young dwarf, Goren, whose face still bore the downy features of youth, suddenly grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The part about being crazy about alcohol often led people to imagine dwarves as burly, bearded old men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, their physical appearance was not so different from that of human children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goren, didn’t you already have some this morning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not the stuff we make—I want to drink human-brewed liquor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… we haven’t had that in quite a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been 17 years since the Dwarves’ relationship with humans was severed due to the kidnapping incidents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about human alcohol made the other dwarves smack their lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to alcohol culture, humans far outshone the dwarves, who were limited in the types of drinks they could make in their dark, damp underground homes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foolish, greedy humans. Why did they have to resort to kidnapping…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard the Red Hammer clan out west sneaks up to the surface to buy alcohol. Can’t we do the same?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their area has poor security, so they can get away with it. But here in our territory, the patrols are too strict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To humans, we’re just little kids.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh. Isn’t there a store where we can get good alcohol…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m so sick of other clans showing off about the delicious drinks they’ve had.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officially, exchanges with humans had been cut off, but quite a few dwarves still snuck to the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the clan leaders turned a blind eye to such minor breaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When will relations resume?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least a hundred years will have to pass before His Majesty’s anger cools.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So we still have 83 years to go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, their longing for human alcohol was almost unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that their wishes had reached the heavens?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whew… this is so heavy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar arrived at the entrance to their village, pulling a massive cart loaded with various kinds of liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>",1965,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","9b152e370587525565452b8807787f98b8e47d037523edd6935753b722579f0d","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-68","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-66",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]