Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 233

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 233

158. The Forgotten Underground City (1)

The name of the dwarf we had rescued was ‘Darbado’.

Communication with the fellow wasn’t difficult.

Fortunately, after I defeated the demon, the sticky aura that had been covering the Habarosk Mountain Range disappeared.

-After that, changes have been happening in the mountain range. The rangers are moving faster, that’s one thing, but the plants and animals that couldn’t grow because of that sticky aura are growing again. You’ve had a huge impact on the ecosystem.

That’s something I never thought about.

Of course, it’s not something to be particularly proud of, but it seems to have affected various aspects anyway.

-And after the ruins became like that, the rangers from both countries combed through the mountain range like hunting for lice and clashed several times. But what can you do? Those guys have already left.

Listening to the voice of the dwarf Darbado, who seemed to enjoy it as if it were his own business, gave me a strange feeling.

Of course, the cause was ultimately provided by the lycanthropes and that remnant of the secret organization whose name I can’t even remember now.

We just defeated that guy and returned with Roksinna’s tears.

That’s all.

-So, what’s the reason for contacting me?

The dwarf, who had been telling me about the current situation in the Habarosk Mountain Range for a while, finally got to the main point.

And as soon as he heard the words ‘underground city’ from me, he showed a reaction not much different from Bulbark’s.

-…What kind of crazy talk are you suddenly spouting?

However, he was a bit more intense than Bulbark.

“Just as I said. It would be nice if you could help.”

-Ha, me? A request from a different race, not even a fellow dwarf, and one that digs up our pain at that?

“Well, you owe me a debt.”

-…Even so, recalling ‘that place’ again is… a terrible thing…

Darbado truly shuddered.

Even though it was just simple mana communication, that trembling was conveyed here so vividly.

Of course, I’m not one to give up because of that.

“I’d like to hear the reason. What made that underground city a memory too painful for you dwarves to even recall?”

-…Damn, if only I hadn’t owed a life debt back then.

Darbado surprisingly told the story obediently.

“Yes, it was a long time ago. But it’s also something that doesn’t fade even after a long time has passed. A dwarf’s memory isn’t much different from a human’s.”

To summarize, the story was like this.

The dwarves had to leave behind countless things in the process of abandoning and fleeing from the underground city they had built with their own hands.

The technology they were proud of.

The craftsmen they were proud of.

The weapons they were proud of.

The tools they were proud of.

All the things they were proud of.

From the moment the underground city was created, for the dwarves who had lived scattered, a homeland and pride, ultimately their own ‘nation’ had been created…

-We had to abandon all of that and leave.

“What was the reason for that?”

-…I don’t know the details either. I was very young at the time, and I had to flee while being led by the adults’ hands. Even when I asked about that incident later, not a single person would answer me.

In other words, he doesn’t know what the unknown creatures were.

That terrifying thing that made the dwarves abandon everything they had in the underground city and flee.

“Could it have been a dragon?”

-That wouldn’t be it. If it had been a dragon, even just considering its legendary appearance, there would be no reason to drive us out like that. Rather, it would make more sense to continuously receive treasure supplies while using us as workers.

Then it means there was something else.

What could it be.

I’m very curious.

At the same time, I also wondered whether this adventure was actually possible.

“Then I propose this. Help me.”

-…Damn life debt.

But Darbado was hesitating.

“I heard that dwarves never betray their faith.”

-Most of them are like that. Though there are some who aren’t…

“I don’t think you’re that type.”

Darbado definitely seemed like the type who couldn’t live with owing debts.

-Damn… Blast it! You fellow who should be melted in a furnace and made into scrap iron! Of all things, of all things, the underground city! I’d rather you ask me to make 100 swords!

It would have been fun if I had called Priscilla over to sit and watch.

-Phew, fine. What exactly do you want?

“Guide us and find the way to get in there. We have experts in pathfinding on our side too, but the dwarven underground city is different.”

-Of course it’s different! That place is the ultimate city that has never allowed a single intruder, both before we left and after we left!

“That’s why we need you. An excellent dwarf.”

-…You’re quite good with honeyed words.

I’m being sincere.

We have Ernest, an excellent explorer.

But for dwarven matters, we need a dwarf.

Especially if it’s a dwarf who experienced those events.

-…My memories from that time are hazy, but I’ll have to fumble through them.

“I hope you remember.”

-I once went to where the adults were having a meeting and happened to see the city’s blueprint. I’ll try to recall that and record it. Ha, damn it.

Darbado asked in a subtle voice while saying that.

-By any chance… what is your purpose?

“Adventure. And treasure. And a bit of thrill?”

-…Then can I claim ownership rights to the relics, technology, and tools discovered inside?

“We’ll look at them first. If needed, we’ll sell them for a price, and we might just give away some of them. Depending on contribution.”

Seeing his attempt to subtly go beyond a 1-to-1 exchange, I spoke firmly.

-Fine. I’ll help with all my strength.

Darbado was disappointed, but he still had some conscience as he said he’d help as much as possible.

-Then what should I do? Should I meet you right in front of it?

“No. Before that, we should meet so you can briefly greet the party members and we can briefly brief the plan.”

-Party members? How many are there?

“Seven including me. Eight if we include you.”

-…That’s disgustingly many people going.

It is a lot.

Still, well, there’s no one who would be uncontrollable or cause problems.

“Then can you come to the capital right now?”

-I’ll go right away. You’ll probably be surprised.

“Why?”

-Dwarven legs are short, but our steps are long. Three days will be enough.

Does this mean he has good stamina.

Well, humans aren’t the only ones who can handle mana.

“Then, I’ll see you in the capital.”

Good.

With this, I’ve secured one guide.

Then now the next thing is…

“Ernest, are you taking this?”

“Leave that behind. We don’t need that where we’re going this time. That’s something you only use in ordinary mountains…”

“What about this? Should we pack it generously?”

“It’ll be ten days at most. If you pack too much, it’ll actually be a minus. So you can pull it out immediately just by putting your hands behind your back, pack it tight in one backpack! Remember that!”

Ernest was doing very well.

So well that I didn’t need to do a pre-expedition check myself.

From now on, it seemed Ernest could handle everything on this side.

“Dane, you’re here? You’re a bit late today?”

Just then Leila approached, so I gave her a brief explanation.

“I found a guide.”

“A guide?”

“Yeah. We’re going to the underground city. We needed someone who knows the area well.”

“Then a dwarf… Ah! Don’t tell me it’s that dwarf we saved?”

“Yeah. His name is ‘Darbado’ apparently.”

“That’s so like you, Dane.”

Now that we had a guide too, all we needed to do was prepare to depart.

By the way, I don’t see Altur around.

“Where’s Altur?”

“Earlier he was talking with Ernest and packed all his stuff, then went somewhere. I wonder where he went. Maybe he’s busy since he’s an upperclassman unlike us.”

“Hmm.”

Based on his recent behavior, I had a rough idea of where he might be.

“I’m going to step out again for a bit. Ernest, don’t worry about my backpack since it’s all packed.”

“Oh, okay. Where are you going?”

“To find our two friends who are probably feeling intimidated.”

By the way, Jenna wasn’t around either.

I suspected the two of them were together.

And sure enough.

“Huff, huff.”

“Wow, I’m seriously dying!”

“Your speech keeps getting more casual?”

“Why, why not! Dane said club members should speak casually to each other!”

“Just because he said that… never mind. Fine, just do that. Yeah, what’s the point of acting like a senior now.”

The two were currently collapsed side by side in exhaustion.

But seeing they still had the strength to talk, they didn’t seem completely worn out.

Compared to the pre-midterm days when they’d throw up everything inside and need support to get back to the dormitory, this was pretty good progress.

“You’re both working hard.”

When I approached, the two who were lying down struggled to get up.

Seeing they could still stand, they weren’t quite at death’s door.

“Is this thing called adventure really that tough?”

At Altur’s question, I shrugged my shoulders.

“I don’t know. But with your current stamina, you won’t last a few days.”

“…I’ve never heard of mages running around like crazy like this.”

Altur sighed.

Well, mages aren’t exactly ordinary humans.

It’s a profession that hates getting off their butts more than death.

Altur wasn’t much different, but he seemed to be feeling a strange refreshment from this unfamiliar physical training.

“Still, it feels refreshing.”

“Right. It’s incredibly refreshing.”

Jenna felt the same way.

Of course, both of their stamina levels were still basically nothing.

Their stamina was so poor they’d gasp for breath just climbing a few flights of stairs, so intense fatigue was hitting them harder than any refreshing feeling for now.

Seeing the dark circles under their eyes made me laugh.

“You’ll get better as you keep at it. And you’ll never regret building up your stamina.”

People often emphasize mental strength, but physical fatigue ultimately affects how long mental strength can last.

The reason you can’t concentrate in fights.

The reason you get tired during mathematical calculations.

The reason you can’t sustain yourself long in any situation.

It’s all because of insufficient stamina.

“I’ll work hard!”

Jenna’s energetic voice and.

“…I’ll do it since you’re making me.”

Altur’s grumbling but determined-sounding voice.

Both of them didn’t seem like they’d give up easily.

“Good. Then since we’re on the topic, I’ll teach you some simple self-defense too.”

“Se, self-defense?”

“Oh, self-defense!”

Their reactions were completely different, but they both seemed curious about what I was saying.

Of course, if Jenna used necromancy, she could perform swordsmanship rather than just self-defense, but that wouldn’t always be possible.

“You need to know the best way to defend your body in close combat.”

And a little while later.

“…Is this right?”

“All my joints feel like they’re going to snap…”

Looking at their disastrous flexibility, I thought this was going to take longer than expected.

“No wonder… when I only used necromancy in close combat, my joints would ache…”

Jenna became dejected.

But those words meant the opposite – if Jenna’s body developed, her necromancy efficiency would improve.

The recoil would decrease too.

Anyway, with my self-defense training added on top, the two finally reached a state where they could barely move a finger.

“…I can’t do any more.”

“Huff. Huff.”

Still, seeing them follow through to the end was quite admirable.

Both of them would play various roles later on.

But for now, it was time to build stamina and gain experience.

“The expedition departs in three days.”

At my words, the two rolled their eyes while lying flat. But their eyes were full of anticipation.

Reading that anticipation, I curled up the corners of my mouth.

“It’s your first adventure, so make sure you prepare thoroughly.”

Their response went without saying.

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