The dwarven kings worry

 
 When I returned to the king’s workshop, everyone greeted me with smiles.
 
 ”Wirk! Thank goodness you’re safe!” (Eph)
 ”Afterwards, Sten told us that that was a dangerous place-noja. I’m glad you’re safe-noja.” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 Eph and the Bamboo Princess looked relieved. Seems I worried them.
 
 ”Unii~!”
 
 Uni ran up to me and jumped into my chest. We’ve been partners for many years, yet it seems I worried him considerably.
 
 ”Sorry for keeping you waiting.” (Wirk)
 ”Uni~♪”
 
 Uni was quite delighted when I hugged and stroked him. Eph had Kani on her shoulder, who was usually riding on my shoulder, and when I came nearer, she jumped over and rubbed her cheek against mine.
 
 ”I guess she likes Wirk more after all.” (Eph)
 
 Eph said so, scratching her cheek. I’m sure she likes Eph as well, but it’s just that I’ve been away for a while and she wants me to pamper her.
 
 ”Mogu~♪”
 ”Mogu-♪”
 ”Mogyu~♪”
 ”Mogu mogu♪”
 ”Mo~gu~♪”
 
 The moles came nearer, then gathered in a circle and danced. Just watching them made me feel happy.
 
 ”Kyupi~♪”
 ”Go-”
 
 Kobelco, as well as Keon who was riding on top of his head, also looked happy. Keon was also wobbling in a good mood.
 
 ”Hmph. That was quite fast, wasn’t it. I didn’t think you wouldn’t give up halfway through, but I want to question talking big yet withdrawing so soon.” (Jay)
 
 The lone dwarf said so, going “yare yare” while breathing a sigh. His expression showed his feelings of disappointment.
 That was quick, you say? I more or less had to deal with battles, so that alone makes me think it wasn’t fast.
 
 ”Wirk. Don’t worry about it. It’s Papa’s fault for telling you about that mine that you couldn’t get enough iron ore.” (Eph)
 
 Eph’s eyebrows were tightly furrowed. She seems a bit displeased.
 
 ”Umu. I heard it from Sten. It’s seriously not fair at all.” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 The Bamboo Princess said so while hugging Kubota. Her displeased expression was getting more intense. She had a sense of distrust towards Jay floating about her.
 
 ”I don’t want to hear your excuses. Even if you didn’t get any iron ore, exactly how far did you go?” (Jay)
 
 This time, Jay glanced at me and asked about the results.
 
 ”No, I think you’re all misunderstanding, but I did get iron ore, you know?” (Wirk)
 ”… I don’t like jokes.” (Jay)
 ”I’m not joking about it, but… oh, and I reached the deepest part of the mine.” (Wirk)
 
 When I answered Jay so, he folded his arms and scrutinised me.
 
 ”You’re digging your grave. There’s no way you can get to the deepest part.” (Jay)
 
 Jay gave me an exasperated look. Going there is impossible, huh?
 
 ”But it’s the truth. The miasma was very thick in the middle of the road, but that much wasn’t a problem for the magic heavy machinery.” (Wirk)
 ”— what do you mean?” (Jay)
 
 Jay showed a reaction to my words. He put his hand on his chin, then motionlessly stared at me.
 
 ”… so you noticed the miasma, huh. However, you’re saying you went deeper even under those circumstances?” (Jay)
 ”Yeah. I killed a creepy monster that showed up along the way and got some iron ore from it. Well, I didn’t mine it, but I hope you can forgive that given the circumstances being what they were.” (Wirk)
 
 Jay rubbed his abundant chin hair and squinted. He seems to be figuring out if what I’m saying is true.
 
 ”If you really did go to the end, you must have found something.” (Jay)
 ”Right. I was going to ask you about that too. Did you put the stone with that magic circle on it there? It looked like there was a fissure there that was leaking miasma.” (Wirk)
 
 When I told him so, his eyes suddenly widened, and Jay came closer.
 
 ”A crack, you say?” (Jay)
 ”Y-, yeah, that’s right. What’s wrong, what’s with the grim face?” (Wirk)
 
 Jay’s irises were shaking. Then he slumped his shoulders and dropped his head.
 
 ”I had a hunch. That something happened. But looking at it, I see the miasma is just overflowing more and more… in the end, we won’t make it in time.” (Jay)
 ”We won’t make it in time? Papa, what the h**l are you talking about?” (Eph)
 
 Eph was puzzled, so she ask about it. Then the words he spoke convinced me.
 
 ”I somehow had a feeling, but the reason you went through the trouble of using that magma furnace to make equipment was because of that miasma?” (Wirk)
 ”What on earth do you mean by that-noja?” (Bamboo Princess)
 
 Hearing me say that much, Jay sighed, then replied.
 
 ”So you understand that much, huh. Yeah, it’s as you’ve said. And because of that stone, that seal has up till now prevented the Rot King, who lies dormant in that mountain’s undergrounds, from coming aboveground.” (Jay)