“Andrew, put that sword away right now! Opsvor is not a bad person!”

“Yes, Andrew. Calm down.”

Andrew glanced at Guinness, who nodded, and finally, he sheathed his sword. The blade spun once in his grip before sliding smoothly into its scabbard.

“It was my fault for letting my guard down. I shouldn’t have left you two alone. This won’t happen again,” Guinness said in her usual strict tone. Andrew chimed in.

“She’s right. We got too comfortable, trusting your skills.”

“Weren’t we supposed to return before it got this late? That was the unspoken agreement, wasn’t it?”

“I must have worried you. I’m sorry.”

I carefully hugged the stiffened Guinness, patting her back. After a moment, she sighed and hugged me back.

“I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“How did you manage to find us?” Claude asked, now noticing that Andrew had seated himself by the fireplace, rubbing his hands together.

“When you two didn’t return after some time, we naturally panicked,” Andrew began. “We all gathered in the darkened inn, debating whether to call the patrol, and if we did, how we’d explain the situation. While we were discussing that, the innkeeper suddenly appeared from the shadows, offering to introduce us to a group that could help find people.”

Andrew grumbled about how suspicious the innkeeper had looked, while Guinness continued the explanation.

“The people we were introduced to mentioned seeing you both enter this place—’The Lizard Inn’—with a limping dwarf.”

“We had to spend a little extra money to get that information,” Andrew added, looking at Claude. “You owe me an extra ten silver from that dice game penalty.”

“Damn it!” Claude cursed, genuinely frustrated. Andrew, however, burst into laughter.

“Um…”

Opsvor, who had been forgotten in the background, raised his hand, looking bewildered.

“Oh, Opsvor, sorry!” I apologized. “These are my companions.”

I introduced each of them to Opsvor, then explained to the group who Opsvor was, how we met, and why we had returned so late.

“I see,” Guinness muttered. Andrew scratched his head before addressing Opsvor.

“Opsvor, I’m sorry for drawing my sword on you earlier… but not really. It was necessary at the time.”

Was that supposed to be an apology?

“Ha! You’re an honest one. No hard feelings; I understand completely,” Opsvor said, laughing heartily as he slapped his knee.

“I like you, mister.” Andrew grinned.

“Thanks.”

I wasn’t sure how, but the two seemed to hit it off. They exchanged a look and bumped fists.

“Well, I’m glad you made a new friend, Opsvor is safe, and everything’s sorted. But we should head back. It’s far too late,” Guinness said.

She was right. In another hour or two, the sun would rise.

Andrew and the priest had missed the festival because they were exhausted, and now we’d caused more trouble with this late-night adventure.

“I’m sorry, Father,” I said, feeling guilty.

“It’s alright. Saving lives is always something that pleases Runik,” Adrian said, his pale face even more drawn than usual as he perched on the edge of a table.

“We’ve been rushing through our journey, so let’s take a few days to rest here. The Muti Mountains lie ahead, and there’s no place to buy horses, so we should also give the ones we have a break,” Guinness suggested.

“The Muti Mountains? You’re heading south?” Opsvor asked, his curiosity piqued.

I nodded, confirming Guinness’ words. Opsvor leaned forward.

“But there’s no point going south. There’s nothing livable down there. What business do you have in the south?”

Guinness glanced at me.

Opsvor wasn’t wrong. No ordinary traveler would need to cross the Muti Mountains, a range dividing the continent’s middle region. Surrounding the Elven forest of Dalrimshad were scattered villages of various races, but there was no need for most people, especially from the northern Empire, to venture there unless on a religious pilgrimage.

Opsvor’s broad, honest face was filled with innocent curiosity. Something about him made me not want to hide our purpose.

After a moment of hesitation, I spoke.

“Yes, we’re heading to the Central Forest.”

“The Central Forest? Dalrimshad? The Elves’ forest?!”

I nodded again. Opsvor’s reaction was dramatic. He practically sprang off the couch like a spring.

“Why would you go to those pointy-eared brats? Khalia, you’re wasting your time!”

“We have our reasons.”

I explained briefly that we were seeking guidance in spirit summoning. Opsvor’s reaction was simple.

“That’s insane.”

“You, a dwarf dreaming of adventure, are saying that?”

I found it a bit ironic to hear such a remark from a runaway dwarf who had stolen half a year’s worth of family ore. But Opsvor ignored my muttered comment.

His face grew somber, and his voice dropped low.

“You really have to go? Listen to me. Think this over again. The Central Forest… something’s not right there lately.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the area near the Elves might be relatively safe, but I’ve never heard of them coming out to help anyone being attacked by monsters at the edge of their woods.”

His words hung heavy in the air, pressing down on the room. But Opsvor wasn’t finished.

“Even if those stuck-up Elves don’t throw you out, getting to the forest itself is dangerous. The journey through the mountains is treacherous.”

“Do you mean the monsters in the Muti Mountains have grown more aggressive?” Adrian asked, joining the conversation.

“Exactly. I haven’t seen it firsthand, but I’ve heard from others. The rumors are well-known around the middle of the continent.”

“We haven’t heard such stories in the Empire,” Adrian said, frowning.

“Those northerners wouldn’t know anything about it. No offense, Priest. I’m just stating facts,” Opsvor said, raising his hands defensively.

“May Runik protect us…” Adrian murmured.

I exchanged glances with Claude and the others. We were all thinking the same thing.

“That makes it even more important for us to go,” I said firmly. “Part of our mission is to investigate the increased monster aggression and the spread of dark magic across the continent.”

<i>“Sigh…”</i>

Opsvor let out a long sigh, shaking his head. Then, he rested his chin on his hands, deep in thought.

We all waited, unsure of what he was thinking but sensing that we were at a crossroads. The atmosphere became more relaxed, and the exhaustion from the night began to settle in.

Andrew yawned.

The sky outside began to lighten as dawn broke, the bluish hues of early morning replacing the night’s darkness.

Finally, Opsvor hopped off the couch.

Everyone stood up instinctively. Guinness jabbed Andrew in the ribs to wake him up, and he jerked, wide-eyed and alert.

Opsvor walked over to me, his gaze steady.

“A dwarf’s debts are carved into the stone,” he said.

“…”

“We never forget, just like the rock—whether it’s a debt of honor or vengeance.”

He extended his rough hand. His round eyes gleamed with sincerity.

“And I owe you a debt of honor.”

“It’s nothing, really…”

I wasn’t entirely sure what he meant, but I took his hand. He shook it vigorously, his grip strong and unwavering.

“If you really plan to cross the Muti Mountains, let me help.”

“How?” Andrew asked, only to immediately clutch his side when Guinness jabbed him again. Opsvor glanced at Andrew before turning back to me.

“The path around the mountains is long, treacherous, and filled with monsters. But there’s a faster way.”

“You’re saying… there’s another route? But the Muti Mountains are known for their steep, impassable terrain. Everyone says the only option is to go around,” I said, confused.

Opsvor grinned and released my hand.

He pointed up with his thick finger.

“You could go over the mountain.”

Then, he leveled his hand horizontally.

“You could walk around it.”

Finally, he pointed down.

“Or you could go under it.”

“Under?”

Opsvor smiled broadly.

“Yes. There’s a tunnel that runs beneath the Muti Mountains. With a couple of mules, we could be through the mountains and out the other side in a matter of days. After that, it’s a straight shot to that cursed forest.”

“Wait… Are you saying…”

The realization dawned on me, sending a thrill down my spine.

Opsvor’s smile widened.

“Since we’re heading in the same direction, it works out perfectly. I’m inviting you to my homeland—the Dwarven Kingdom of Underneath!”