Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182

Not long after Logan extended his offer, Clayton announced the relocation of the Mage Tower.

“Why again?! The design is all done, so why now the Mage Tower again!! Arghhh!”

A dwarf who had been actively directing the construction clutched his head, while Logan stood beside him, patting his shoulder, trying to console him.

“The Magical Workshop. Ah, the name alone sounds splendid. Just think about it. A collaboration between the Mage Tower and the Great Workshop producing artifacts. And you’d be the owner of that Great Workshop.”

Twitch.

Throwing in a tempting offer that even Hamar, who knew a thing or two about Clayton’s experiments, couldn’t resist.

“Aren’t a lot of spells needed even for fortification? If a large number of mages stationed inside, it would be better for security too.”

“Hmm, indeed….”

He also pointed out the practical aspect.

And finally.

“This is all for you, Master of the Great Workshop Hamar, the ruler of a strategic city that also has a Mage Tower. How about that?”

He even flirted with the dwarf’s dark desire for wealth and glory.

“Alright. I’ll give it a shot, Master. Just trust me! Modifying the design is easy. Let’s take this chance to build a sturdy fortified city with the power of magic considered!”

The ambitious dwarf’s eyes began to sparkle again.

However, there were those who became miserable because of this.

“Why are you installing ballistae on the mountain ridge barriers?! Who’s going to bring siege weapons over the mountains?”

The dwarves in charge of setting up the fortifications.

“I told you to build houses, who asked for art pieces?! Just stick to the blueprint and produce efficient houses identical to the original design!”

The dwarves responsible for urban planning.

“The foundation is solid enough as it is. The mud walls will be raised with magic, so leave it to the mages from now on. Artisans should focus on producing fine items. We’re going to be the kingdom’s top mining city, after all, the citizens should use at least iron tools!”

Even the dwarves assigned to the temporary workshops.

Strangely motivated by the head dwarf’s zeal, the dark circles under their eyes grew deeper by the day.

Dwarves who had been prepared to work hard in hopes of gaining their freedom after 20 years were showing an astonishing level of enthusiasm.

Ultimately, complaints filled with dissatisfaction among the new dwarves began to emerge.

“Aren’t we artisans, not tools?”

“At this rate, we’ll die from overwork before we even taste freedom.”

“Why is the workshop leader working so hard?”

During a brief rest.

Three young dwarves were spurting out complaints when a chilling voice came from behind.

“Curious why I’m working so hard?”

“Eek!”

“Gulp!”

“I, I didn’t say anything….”

The three dwarves turned around in shock, but Hamar, the actual source of the voice, was simply smiling and patting their shoulders.

“This city will become a haven for our dwarves. It might not be a grand metropolis like Stormrage, a pride of our ancestors, but it will be a major city where dwarves can live securely. That’s my goal.”

“Isn’t your goal to gain freedom? To be liberated and return to the mountains….”

One of the young dwarves, Geommaru, cautiously broached the subject.

“To follow the path of our ancestors who disappeared beyond the southern mountains?”

Geommaru nodded as if it made perfect sense.

“Yes.”

It was a dream shared by most non-human races who had fallen into slavery on the human-dominated continent.

Even Geommaru, born into human society under enslaved parents, had never once forgotten this other name for hope.

But.

“How do you plan to cross the Southern Mountain Range? What about the monsters within? Even if you’re lucky enough to survive, you’ll meet a fate worse than death at the hands of the legendary monsters rumored to dwell deep in the Southern Range.”

“Weren’t those just rumors?”

“If they were merely rumors, humans would have already conquered the Southern Mountain Range by now.”

The young dwarves, who had lived their whole lives in human society and knew a bit about human history, fell silent at these words.

“When I was younger, I thought merely entering the Southern Range would summon the spirits of our ancestors for guidance, but that’s definitely not the case.”

“Master Hamar, how can you say such a thing….”

Geommaru responded indignantly.

But Hamar continued undeterred, speaking calmly.

“Unless we can wield the power of earth spirits and create spirit artifacts like our ancestors, entering there is just suicide. Or we’ll be hiding in some other mountains, trembling in fear, hoping slavers won’t find us.”

His blunt assertion cast a shadow over the young dwarves’ faces.

It was the harsh truth they had been trying to ignore, now laid bare by an elder of their tribe.

However.

“So, I’ve decided to look for other possibilities.”

From the adult who threw them into despair came a sly smile and more words.

“Yes?”

“I mentioned it during the welcoming ceremony, but the lord of this land is incredibly… hospitable toward us.”

Hamar shuddered a bit as he said this, turning away quickly to cough when he saw the puzzled looks directed his way.

“Oh, it’s just a bit of a cold. Anyway, that’s not what’s important. Hm-hm. Relying on the lord’s kindness, I want to make this city a grand metropolis where our dwarves can comfortably live.”

“…Yes?”

“I couldn’t be honest during the welcoming ceremony, considering there could have been resistance like yours, but a foothold, not a settlement, is what I envision for the city’s future.”

“Master Hamar….”

“But, but is that really possible? Humans only think of us as slaves….”

“If the current lord is friendly, what if his successors overthrow the promise? Then it’s all for nothing, isn’t it?”

“That’s why we need a contract.”

“A contract…?”

“If we can show our worth and prove our value, we could use a magic contract worth 10,000 gold. The contract would stipulate that upon a certain period… Well, by Macline standards, that would be 20 years. After that period, our freedom and rights are guaranteed. A contract with the lord and his heirs, for generations to come.”

“Ah….”

At Hamar’s words, the young dwarves’ expressions changed.

For dwarves with an average lifespan of 300 years, 20 years was not a long time.

Especially if it was the duration required to attain true freedom.

Their understanding of the 20-year promise was now firmly embedded in the hearts of the young dwarves.

“A life of dignity in a big city, using things we created ourselves, provided with fair compensation and enjoying rights. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

“That, that’s right.”

“Yes! That’s right.”

“We’ll willingly cooperate!”