I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 88

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 88

Count Trabel closed his mouth at Baltar’s question, then stroked his chin thoughtfully.
‘It seems difficult to answer.’
But if I speak with Baron Oldman, I might learn what he knows about the Crest Mine.
Adamantite.
The dream of every blacksmith, a legendary mineral.
The most perfect metal in Baltar’s mind. Forge it into armor and no attack could shatter it; forge it into a weapon and no defense could withstand it.
There existed a dying testament from the Dwarf Elder stating that this mineral lay dormant within the Crest Mine, which belonged to the Trabel Family Estate.

“You intend to dig a tunnel connecting to the mine?”
“Yes. I’ll extract it without the Trabel family knowing.”

The Trabel Family Estate didn’t understand the true value of that mineral. All they knew was profit.
I had no desire to tell such merchants that adamantite lay within that mine. I wanted to mine the adamantite myself and reveal the mineral’s true worth to the world.
The Crest Mine near the Dwarf Village belonged to the Trabel Family Estate, yet it was abandoned in all but name—they conducted only periodic safety inspections.
Whenever I had time, I would go to the Crest Mine and dig tunnels. But years passed without success, leaving only the image of myself burrowing like a thief.
Then came that moment.

“Tsk tsk. The old man’s lost his touch.”

A note that had been included with Pearl’s appraisal certificate.
Its contents suggested that something lay dormant within Crest Mine, as if the writer knew this truth.
‘Baron Oldman!’
Baltar’s excitement surged. The ownership of Crest Mine was changing hands! It would no longer belong to the Trabel Family!
Though I’d never seen the Baron’s face, this man might be someone who truly understood the value of adamantite!
From that moment on, the most perfect jewel in my eyes became the pearl from the Shusubia Archipelago.
I sent my reply choosing the pearl and waited desperately for Baron Oldman’s contact.
But the Baron never reached out to me again after that.
“…Baron Oldman, is it.”
Count Trabel finally spoke.
Before that, I thought I’d heard a brief laugh.
But the only people in this place were myself, that massive Count Trabel, and his aide behind him whose expression was just as stoic as mine.
I must have misheard.
“I apologize, but I’m contractually bound not to disclose anything about Baron Oldman to outsiders.”
“Ah.”
Baltar let out a sigh of regret.
I see. He’s not someone one can simply meet.
Since Count Trabel had said as much, there was no point pressing further. I had hoped to at least learn where Baron Oldman lived, but Baltar continued with undisguised disappointment.
“It seems Baron Oldman must be quite an important figure among humans? To enter into such an agreement with Count Trabel.”
“An important figure, you say?”
The corners of Count Trabel’s mouth rose as if he’d heard something satisfying.
“Important, certainly. At least to me.”

***

Calips went to the Blacksmith with an Attendant, while Ciel moved with Madam Frea.
I remained near the entrance of the Dwarf Village.
The Twins grabbed me and dragged me toward the back of the carriage, then began explaining just how dangerous my earlier actions had been.
“What on earth were you thinking, staring directly at the Dwarf chieftain and greeting him like that!”
“Berry, didn’t you read that picture book?”
“What picture book?”
I blinked at Hati’s words. He tilted his head, then his expression shifted to one of realization.
“Right. You’ve lived as a commoner your whole life.”
“Ugh, what’s the point talking to someone from a commoner background.”
Mati brushed off his hands and tried to leave. I called out to him quietly.
“Mati.”
“….”
“If the commander doesn’t know what the subordinates know, that’s a problem, isn’t it?”
“Well….”
Mati obediently turned his body toward me.
The subordinate clause still worked wonders on the Twins, and it proved especially useful when extracting information.
“So? What’s this picture book?”
“There’s a picture book in the children’s section of the Trabel Family Library.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s called 【The Dwarf Dwarves】, and don’t be shocked.”
Mati spoke gravely. Hati swallowed in the same solemn expression, as if they were gathered on a summer night sharing ghost stories.
I leaned in, my ears perked with attention.
“Everything in that picture book is true. It shows just how terrifying the Dwarves are as a race.”
“Huh? How do you know that?”
“It’s written in the book’s preface.”
Hati answered my question. Mati warned me again.
“That’s why you can’t stare at the Dwarves or talk to them. The Dwarves eat children alive and burn their bones in furnaces…!”
“That’s probably not true.”
A picture book claiming to be based on true events wasn’t particularly trustworthy to begin with.
It was likely just marketing language designed to capture children’s interest.
Besides—
‘Marshall Grandmother has nothing but ridiculous rumors about her being a demon hag and all sorts of nonsense!’
Hmph. I narrowed my eyes fiercely and looked up at Mati.
“I don’t believe stories like that!”
“Hey, even with that look, you don’t scare me one bit.”
“Berry. Mati’s telling the truth. We’re telling you this because we’re worried about you.”
“Yeah, thanks for worrying. But I’m not going to believe it.”
“Tsk. Don’t come crying to us later saying you wish you’d listened. The Dwarves are monsters who hate children—little demons!”
“Heh.”
A deep, low laugh echoed from beside me and the Twins.
Mati and Hati turned to look at each other in the silence.
Ssssshhhhh.
“Kyaaak!”
“Kiiieee!”
The Twins sprang up like bullfrogs and bolted away at full speed.

***

Thud. Thud.
Pitter-patter.
“….”
Baltar found his current situation quite inconvenient.
The smallest granddaughter of Count Trabel—that little girl with eyes like green garnets and tsavorites—was now following behind me with hurried steps.
“…Is it alright for you to wander alone?”
Baltar finally spoke to Berry Quartz Trabel.
“I’m not alone! I’m going with the clan leader, so it’s fine~!”
Her answer was spirited. If she lost interest, she’d naturally fall away. Baltar moved his steps toward the Blacksmith district.
Beneath the clear blue sky, a massive orange-red Cliff encircled the Village. It was something Baltar had seen countless times and grown accustomed to, yet it was still a sight worthy of admiration.
Berry Quartz Trabel spoke.
“Clan leader, that’s really pretty~! It looks like someone kneaded dirt with orange paint and spread it on.”
Baltar found that remark amusing.
“Pretty, is it?”
Then he stopped walking, turned to look at the child, and bared his teeth.
“We devoured humans and painted it with their blood.”
“….”
“Young human blood spreads the best.”
Hmph. That should do it—she’d be frightened and leave.
The Trabel Family would certainly recoil. Even from a young human.
Since Dwarves and humans had different lifespans, it was difficult to judge age accurately, but that child was at most at an age where she’d still be running her nose and barely eating—
“Nah, that’s a lie.”
“It is not a lie.”
“Blood evaporates when it dries and turns to powder! If this much blood were spread here, blood powder would be mixed in the air, but the sky is clean, isn’t it?”
“Uh, u-huh?”
“That’s a cliff made of iron-rich rock. When iron meets air, it oxidizes and forms rust, and that rust appears red.”
“….”
Baltar fell silent.
This was her moment. Berry Quartz Trabel greeted Baltar cheerfully.
“You’re Marshall Grandmother’s friend, right? Hello! I’m Berry! I lived with Marshall Grandmother in Bonwell Village!”

“You seem to be in good spirits lately. Has something amusing happened in the human village?”
“Indeed. There’s a genius chick there.”

Thud.
Baltar’s lower jaw dropped as if it might fall clean off.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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