Otaku Translation: The Amber Sword V3C70

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Chapter 70: The King Beneath the Earth, Part 21

“Ouch—”

The young girl ’s voice echoed through the dark tunnel. The who had just climbed out of the tunnel sighed heavily and turned back. There stood little Roma, clutching her forehead with both hands, tears welling in her eyes as she emerged from below.

“What happened?” The old dwarf brushed aside Roma’s left hand to reveal a red mark on her pale forehead. He frowned, exasperated. “How did you hit your head again? Didn’t I tell you—this tunnel was dug specifically for me, so it’s naturally shorter than what suits your height.” grumbled reluctantly, “You need to be careful when entering or exiting.”

“But you didn’t say that later,” Roma muttered, still cradling her head and knitting her small brows.

“You don’t need constant reminders, lass.” The dwarf sighed, extending his hand to pull her up. “There now, how does it feel? Still hurt?”

“Of course it hurts!” she replied without hesitation.

“Even if it does, endure it. We dwarves wouldn’t utter a sound even if we hit iron plates,” Odum declared while surveying the road leading into the mining area from atop the hill. “Alright, we’re here. Wrap your headscarf on quickly.”

But Roma seemed more intrigued by the dwarf's earlier statement. “Really?” Her eyes widened. “Even hitting an iron plate won’t make you flinch… is that true?”

“Naturally,” the old dwarf snapped, noticing her obvious disbelief. Glaring at her, he barked, “Ridiculous! Lass, do you think someone my age—with a beard longer than your hair—would lie to you?”

However, his mouth dropped open as he saw Roma rummaging through her backpack with great interest before pulling out a dark, heavy object.

“What’s this?” Odum asked suspiciously.

“It’s an iron plate.”

“For what?”

“To test, silly?” Roma blinked curiously.

“Bah! A dignified dwarf like me wouldn’t stoop to such nonsense.” The old dwarf’s face flushed. “Besides, where did you even get something like this?”

But his expression grew odd moments later.

Roma tilted her head, smiling mischievously, and traced a finger across her cheek. “Shame on you for boasting. Auntie was right; she said all dwarves love to brag.”

“Who told you that?” Odum exploded, shaking his fists. But then he remembered—someone of his stature couldn’t argue with a little girl—and reluctantly coughed instead. “Ahem. Whoever told you that must be a witch. Only would say such things.”

Odum didn’t realize how prophetic his words were. After some thought, he decided to maintain his dignity. “I’m not testing anything because there’s no need. This is a mine, understand? We snuck in here. If we make noise and get caught, it’ll be trouble.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Do you think a respectable elder like me would deceive you? I’m nothing like those sly humans.”

But before he could finish, a stern voice called out from beyond the trees:

“Who’s there?”

Odum froze mid-sentence. Turning stiffly, he saw a patrol of cavalrymen had appeared on the main road outside the forest, alerted by their earlier conversation.

“Blast.” Odum scowled, raising a stubby finger to his lips and signaling Roma to stay silent. Concerned she might misunderstand, he added, “Don’t make a sound.”

Roma nodded obediently but glanced around with wide, curious eyes, clearly excited by the situation.

Silence reigned among the two in the bush, but the riders weren’t fooled. One of them raised his voice again: “Whoever’s hiding inside, come out now! We’ve already spotted you.”

As they unslung pistols from their saddles, aiming inward, the leader warned, “Come out, or we’ll shoot.”

Roma immediately looked at Odum. Though she always appeared somewhat careless, having fought alongside a few times, she understood these riders weren’t bluffing. With a curious gaze, she silently asked Odum—what now?

Before Odum could respond, the mention of gunfire made him leap up from the bushes, hands raised high. “! It’s me! Don’t shoot!”

The rider holding the pistol paused, then relaxed. “Odum, so it’s you, sneaking around again. Perfect timing— has been looking for you.” He glanced at Roma curiously. “And who’s this?”

“... A relative of mine,” Odum muttered, his face reddening despite its usual thickness. He hadn’t expected to run into these men. “What does Orkins want with me?”

“Relative?” The riders exchanged knowing smirks. “Didn’t know you had bastards running around, old man.”

Their captain quickly cut them off. “The mines are in chaos. Someone breached the lower levels again, releasing that injured workers. Thanks to Marsha, I wasn’t on duty today—but as you can see, another hit, and it’s pandemonium down there. Sir Kulan went in too. Orkins needs your expertise since only you can help him.”

When mentioning the scribe, the riders showed little respect.

Odum snorted. Gold dwarves and high mountain dwarves were the finest miners (aside from underground dwellers), and growing up immersed in both cultures meant he’d mapped thoroughly in record time. His reputation spread unintentionally to that foppish scribe Orkins, earning him a decent position within the mine—a convenience he quite enjoyed.

“What’s the status of the passages leading deeper? Emergency routes A4, A12, and B3 intact? What about the elevators?” Odum rattled off questions like reading his own palm lines.

“No idea,” Mardel shrugged. “I’m not venturing in there. You can check yourself. But old man, reconsider going in. There are monsters below. Surely you don’t owe that ‘Orkins’ your life?”

“Hmph, what do you know?” Odum retorted sharply.

“I know enough to hope you drop dead soon, old geezer,” the captain shot back, eyeing Roma behind him. “But don’t worry—I’ll take good care of your bastard daughter.”

“Get lost!” Odum roared furiously.

The riders laughed and rode away.

Odum huffed, turning back—but froze when he saw Roma watching him with an inscrutable mix of curiosity and amusement.

“It’s alright, Grandpa,” Roma said earnestly, nodding. “I understand. I won’t laugh.”

Odum turned to stone, feeling his lifelong reputation shatter in an instant.

...

Brandon and descended leisurely onto the sandy center of the arena. As they lowered altitude, Brandon quietly instructed the princess flying beside him:

“The next challenge will likely involve terrain combat. In such battles, one side chooses the battlefield and rules. Listen carefully, as breaking the rules results in disqualification.”

Metissa listened intently, then nodded softly. “My lord, what should I do?”

“No need to worry too much. The rules won’t be overly complex, mostly mandatory ones. I’m just reminding you.”

The Silver Elf gazed at her summoner, silver eyes flickering with curiosity. “My lord, you are the most knowledgeable person I’ve ever met.” Her praise carried the graceful detachment characteristic of elves.

Brandon paused.

“The ’ knowledge stems from the and Buga,” he explained nonchalantly, deliberately understating the matter.

Metissa smiled faintly, nodding. She hadn’t expected him to explain, so his response surprised and pleased her, resolving her doubts. If Brandon’s knowledge came from —renowned for possessing every document in the world—his vast understanding suddenly made perfect sense.

The Silver Elves hailed from the Silver Lineage, but so did the Craftsmen Wizards.

As they landed, all eyes focused on them. However, Brandon noticed Kulan approaching from afar. The old man ran a few steps before being stopped by an invisible air barrier. Standing outside, he shouted:

“Boy!”

Brandon raised an eyebrow, turning toward the voice.

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