“Ruon! Can you slow down your pace a bit? My short legs can’t keep up with your stride!”
Hearing the shout from behind, Ruon let out a soft sigh and slowed down, eventually coming to a stop.
When he turned his head, he saw Stravo happily bouncing and waving his arms around, Igor walking beside him.
“I understand that a dwarf’s stride might be slow, but in return, I notice many things you might have missed. The scent of the earth, the chirping of birds, the gentle movement of the pure white clouds… Ah, today’s weather is really something. Anyway, things like that!”
‘He doesn’t seem to realize that he’s being hunted.’
Seeing Stravo completely caught up in his own excitement, Ruon couldn’t help but laugh at the dwarf’s lack of awareness.
At that moment, Igor spoke up.
“Stravo, I don’t know much about dwarves, but… you certainly seem to differ from the norm.”
Stravo responded with a bright smile.
“Oh, Igor! That’s my favorite thing to hear! Yes, you’re right, I’m fundamentally different from those simple-minded fools banging on steel in dull workshops!”
He quickly added, “Because I’m a dwarf who knows the romance of adventure!”
‘Should I not have released him?’
Ruon shook his head with a sigh.
He had finally adapted to Igor, the prayer devotee, but now he had to deal with an even more severe case, this romantic enthusiast dwarf… He felt a little blindsided.
“Just when I thought it was all over, a goat-headed monster appeared, killed the Iron Fist guys, and then you killed the monster, and now you’re the witnesses who will vouch for my innocence! Yes, this is what adventure and romance are all about. Ah.”
Impressed by his own words, Stravo closed his eyes and gently stroked his beard.
Watching the scene, Ruon urged them to continue walking.
***
A soldier with a stern face that paired well with the dull city’s outer wall raised his palm towards the approaching travelers.
“Halt! There will be a brief inspection.”
The soldier’s eyes narrowed as he formally scanned the faces of the individuals standing in a row.
‘What kind of group is this?’
He couldn’t help but feel perplexed. There was a big man with broad shoulders, a somewhat timid-looking man, and a dwarf with a curly beard… a dwarf?
Feeling a strange discomfort, the soldier scratched his head and began rummaging through his pocket.
While the soldier quickly pulled out a few rolled-up wanted posters, Ruon spoke.
“If you’re looking for a dwarf wanted as a demon, there’s no need for that. That’s him right there.”
“Huh?”
The soldier unconsciously clutched the spear hanging on his shoulder, and Igor spoke up.
“Can we see the Lord?”
“Why would the Lord need to see you?”
“I wish to testify for the innocence of this man, no, this dwarf, and have the wanted posters retracted.”
Amidst the uneasy atmosphere, a few additional soldiers closed in on the group. Among them, the most senior-looking soldier approached.
“If you wish to testify about someone’s innocence in front of the Lord, you will first need to reveal your identities.”
In response to the polite suggestion, Igor reached into his robe and presented a necklace adorned with a silver stag.
“I am Igor, a priest belonging to the Grand Church of Tibella.”
The soldier, after studying the necklace for a while, slowly nodded.
“…Alright. I will lead you to the Lord. However, we must bind the dwarf’s wrists. Since he is still wanted, we cannot allow him to roam the city freely.”
In response to the soldier’s resolute words, Stravo shrugged and extended his wrists.
“I have nothing to hide, so it doesn’t matter.”
Surrounded by soldiers, the three of them followed the path that led to the inner castle.
Ruon could hear some of the people around him muttering ‘It’s the demon’ as they spotted the dwarf with the cuffs on his wrists.
Ignoring such whispers, the group entered the inner castle and walked through the wide central garden, finally arriving at a tower with a white cone-shaped roof.
The interior of the tower, as expected of a defensive structure, had few windows and was dimly lit even though the sun had yet to set.
Climbing stone steps, the group reached the top of the tower, where they were greeted by a large iron door.
Next to it stood a knight wearing a surcoat over thin chainmail, arms folded.
“What’s going on?”
In response to the knight’s question, one of the soldiers leading the group stepped forward and spoke.
“I’m Captain Hanson of the guard. A wanted criminal has shown up with those who can prove his innocence, and we have brought them to see the Lord.”
With a brief explanation, the knight briefly nodded as he observed Stravo, who was tightly bound.
“Well done. You may proceed.”
As the soldiers bowed their heads and began descending the stairs, the knight forcefully knocked on the iron door with his fist.
“Go in.”
Without waiting for a response, he opened the door.
Looking at the knight, who gestured for them to enter while leaning against the open door, Ruon suddenly noticed a symbol embroidered on his surcoat.
It was the image of a black-painted fist.
Curious, Ruon entered the room and cast a wry smile as he looked at the banners hanging on the walls.
In the meantime, the Lord, sitting at the end of the long table, drinking from a teacup, turned his head and spoke.
“So, you’ve come to prove his innocence?”
He placed the teacup back on the table and continued.
“Ah, you can consider that door as just a formality. The soundproofing is quite poor. I’ve already heard everything the Guard Captain was saying outside. So, let’s skip the trivial explanations and get to the point.”
Stravo raised his voice as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“I suffered for nothing due to the ridiculous rumors about me being a demon! I am a druid, not a demon! A druid!”
Igor added on to the comment.
“I am Igor, a priest serving Tibella. I am pledged to oppose malevolent demons according to my Mother’s will. I solemnly swear that this dwarf is not a demon as you seem to think he is. If he were, I would have ended his life myself.”
“Eh? You would have?”
“Of course.”
The Lord nodded.
“If it comes from a priest who follows the Goddess of Mercy, I’ll believe it. I’ll accept that this dwarf is not a demon.”
Igor widened his eyes in surprise at the unexpected response.
Stravo seemed equally astonished, blinking his large eyes and mumbling.
“Is it supposed to end this blandly?”
“How could it possibly? Of course it won’t.”
“Huh?”
Upon hearing the Lord’s comment, Stravo’s face stiffened.
The Lord chuckled in amusement at the look on the dwarf’s face.
“Listen, dwarf. Whether you are a demon or not, it really doesn’t matter at all.”
With a sly smile, the Lord continued.
“Do you know who you tore the throat out of?”
Stravo answered without hesitation.
“That asshole? I know very well. He was just another piece of garbage among the trash, thinking it’s fun to torment the people of the city. He was a waste of human flesh, so I personally ripped him apart. Do you have a problem with that?”
The Lord’s face lost its amusement, and he growled softly.
“That asshole was my one and only nephew. You wretched dwarf brat. If you thought I’d let you live after doing that to my nephew, you’re sorely mistaken.”
Stravo retorted in disbelief.
“That fucking asshole was your nephew? Dammit, you knew all this time what those brats were up to, and you allowed it?”
Ruon, who had been silent until now, spoke.
“The Iron Fist is the Lord’s private army, so we shouldn’t have a problem, right?”
Upon hearing that, the Lord’s face contorted in anger.
“What did you say?”
“You’ve created a mercenary organization within the city because you knew that if you raised more men, you’d be sent on a northern expedition by royal decree… If you want to hide it, hide it properly. Isn’t it too obvious?”
Saying that, Ruon pointed successively to the coat of arms on the knight standing behind them and at the flag hanging on the wall. On each of them, a common symbol of a black fist was displayed.
Upon confirming the symbol of Iron Fist, Igor muttered quietly.
“Iron Fist…”
In an instant, the Lord’s expression darkened.
Ruon continued.
“I don’t care whether you’re forming a mercenary organization called Iron Fist or Steel Fist or whatever, but I’m not interested. However, I wonder if the king will see it the same way.”
In response to the calm words, the Lord gnashed his teeth and asked, “Are you trying to threaten me?”
“I’m just stating the facts.”
‘This guy is even dumber than I could have imagined.’
Not only did he create an organization with a name that could be easily inferred from the family crest, but he also made the awful decision to entrust its management to his own nephew.
Ruon barely managed to suppress a smile, continuing.
“I can understand your desire for revenge, but there’s no need to escalate the situation needlessly, is there?”
The Lord slowly opened his mouth.
“And if I just decide to become a murderer? Did you think I’d forget that this is my castle?”
Ruon smirked and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sacred sword.
“Go ahead and try.”
The Lord, looking into Ruon’s unwavering eyes, gritted his teeth and picked up a pen.
Dipping the pen tip in ink, he nervously scribbled something on the paper, stamped it, and held it out toward Ruon.
“It’s an official document declaring the withdrawal of that dwarf’s wanted status.”
As Ruon reached for the paper, the Lord retracted his arm and spoke.
“You can’t have it without a pledge. You seem like a warrior loyal to Tibella. Swear in the name of your deity that you won’t spread unnecessary rumors.”
‘That’s no problem.’
Ruon promptly replied.
“In the name of Tibella, I’ll take the words spoken here to my grave. Well, is that enough?”
Only then did the Lord re-extend his arm. As Ruon took hold of the official document and stepped outside, he added one last remark.
“Change the name from Iron Fist.”
***
After delivering the official document to the guards, the group immediately left the city and settled in a secluded forest, preparing to camp.
Even though they’d resolved the matter, he’d had a heated exchange with the Lord, so resting within the city was a bad idea.
“I still don’t fully understand what happened, but anyway, thank you!” Stravo exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up.
Igor nodded in response, saying, “When I heard that Stravo had killed the Lord’s nephew, I thought the situation would become much more complicated… I didn’t expect it to be resolved so easily.”
Ruon, who was watching the rabbit meat sizzling over the campfire, shook his head.
“It was resolved easily thanks to the Lord’s stupidity and excessive fear, so stop the chatter and eat.”
“I’ll enjoy it!”
Looking at Stravo as he eagerly brought the rabbit to his mouth, Igor asked, “Where will you go now?”
“Hmm? I was thinking of following you guys.”
“Do you even know what we’re doing?”
Stravo nodded, gnawing on his meat.
“You said you’re going to destroy evil, right? Seems like you’re fighting demons?”
“And you want to follow us even knowing that?”
“Favors ought to be repaid. That’s what makes them romantic!”
Igor turned his head towards Ruon while looking at the chuckling Stravo.
Understanding the meaning behind his expression, Ruon nodded.
“Since you’re a druid, I expect you to earn your meals.”
“You can count on it!”
The dwarf druid, who had joined the party, tapped his chest with his fist.
Watching him, Ruon, who had been smiling faintly, suddenly put down the meat he was about to eat and spoke.
“Stravo.”
“Huh? What do you need?”
“You’re going to have to pay your dues sooner than you think.”
“What do you mean?”
Ruon looked into the dark forest and spoke.
“It seems like your Iron Fist friends have found us.”
