Arrival at the dwarven town

 
 We were attacked by gorilla-like monsters along the way, but we successfully drove them off and hurried along.
 
 ”This magic truck moves really swiftly on the mountain path.”
 ”It has to be able to go over all kinds of bad paths, otherwise it would hinder the construction work.”
 
 The road to the dwarven country is a naturally formed mountain path, so of course it hasn’t been paved. It’s a really bad path, but if it’s the magic truck, then there won’t be any problem.
 
 ”We’ve arrived. This here is the town where we live.”
 ”Oh! It’s somehow amazing.”
 ”The mountain is filled with opened holes-noja.”
 ”Uni-!”
 ”Koo~♪”
 
 We got off the truck and took a look at the townscape where the dwarves lived.
 The town that Eph had guided us to was gradually built into the mountain’s surface. Bamboo Princess, Uni and Kani were looking around with interest.
 
 ”Mogu~”
 ”Mogyu~”
 ”Mogu-!”
 ”Mogu mogu”
 ”Mo~gu~”
 
 Apparently, the dwarves dig holes in the side of the mountain, and then make use of that space as a dwelling. The moles, who are expert hole-diggers, seem to have a favourable impression of these structures.
 
 ”Kyupi~♪”
 ”Go-!”
 
 Keon is bouncing around on top of Kobelco’s shoulder, gazing at the area.
 
 ”It’s surprisingly primitive, isn’t it? It’s even a little embarrassing.” (Eph)
 ”No, no, not at all.” (Wirk)
 
 Eph asked that with a wry smile. It’s true that people used caves as homes in the past.
 But I don’t think that’s an embarrassing way to live now. I am a magic architect, but that doesn’t mean I intend to force others by saying “you have to live in solid buildings!”.
 It’s not exactly how I imagined the dwarven lifestyle to be, but I do think it’s possible to live like this.
 
 ”It’s fine, you can say it bluntly. Even I think I’d like one of those good, proper houses built for me.”
 
 However, Eph somehow said as such in a fed-up tone. Then the complaints continued.
 
 ”Papa is the same, but generally the lot of dwarves here live a life of only striking iron to make things like swords and armour, without making a single useful thing.”
 
 Her tone is gradually becoming more and more heated. However, from what I’m hearing, they don’t actually like living in holes.
 Sure, the elves, for example, are a race in coexistence with nature, so they take go out of their way to not cut trees to make homes. The elves, who are able to talk with spirits, can converse with the spirits of the trees to make a hollow there and use it as a home.
 In the past, people used to show aversion to others who cut down trees and built houses out of wood due to a difference in perception in that area. Although these days it seems people are able to respect one another’s differences.
 That said, I had the impression that dwarves were in contrast to such elves. Dwarves are rather fond of making things, so it should normally be that they’d build their own houses. That’s why it certainly did feel out of place for them to be living in caves, but I thought that they may have had a change of heart.
 
 ”Is there equipment that you want to build that badly?” (Wirk)
 
 After listening to Eph talk, I had that thought. I wonder what kind of equipment they’re so obsessed with.
 
 ”I wonder? I just feel they’re being stubborn.” (Eph)
 ”Mogyu~♪”
 
 Eph said that while hugging Komatsu. Seems she doesn’t know the reason either.
 
 ”Anyway, I guess I’ll hear what they say.” (Wirk)
 ”Then, this way.” (Eph)
 ”What’s going on inside?” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 Then we climbed up the stairs on the slope and walked along the path.
 
 ”Princess-sama! Where were you! I was worried!”
 
 Then a girl came rushing out of the hole with her eyes wide open. Seems “Princess-sama” was referring to Eph.
 
 ”Sorry. I was a bit worried about something so I went out. Then I met these visitors yesterday.”
 ”Eh? Visitors, wha-, huh? Are you lying? Aren’t they human!?”
 ”I am the Bamboo Princess-ja!”
 ”Ba-, Bamboo Princess…?”
 
 The girl that came out was surprised to see us behind Eph. However, this person also looks very young.
 
 ”Right. THey came across to this island from the Carcel Kingdom. And then, I thought I’d have them meet Papa.”
 ”My head somehow can’t catch up with this sudden talk… So the Carcel Kingdom? Somehow sounds familiar…”
 
 The girl tried to rack her brain. Eph also seemed to have heard the name of the country.
 
 ”Anyways, they’re not bad people, so you can relax.”
 ”If Princess-sama says so… though I wonder what King Jay will say.”
 ”Well, I’ll talk to Papa somehow.”
 
 Then we separated with the girl and continued on our way to the king.
 
 ”Was that Eph’s friend?”
 ”A friend, you say, well, you could say that, but that person is far older than me.”
 
 I see — I had a feeling from her way of speaking, but I really couldn’t see any difference in age from her appearance.
 
 ”By the way, didn’t you tell them you were coming to where we were?”
 ”I did more or less tell Papa. But he didn’t pay attention to me at all. I got angry, so I thought I’d go see it myself.”
 
 So that’s how it was. Eph is a very aggressive child.
 Then Eph guided us through the tunnel.
 Right. It feels like a regular cave. Inside here are their homes and the King’s workshop, but, well, I wonder just what kind of dwarves they are…