Chapter 128 Returning Tail Part 1
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"The fact that the elves turned down our food agreement made us nervous," Sig said. "On the other hand, we appreciate their honesty, but that also means they will leave us in a lurch if a food crisis were to happen again. That's why we are at a standstill now. We love to mine, and we don't mind becoming vassals, but if you cannot even guarantee our food, then it is no deal. Our territory is not suitable for farming, and we have no power to invade other countries."
"We could not possibly manage a vassal state," Edelweiss sighed. "That's why we are at a standstill now. We don't thirst to expand our territory. The food situation has stabilized, so we could give you a more open and preferable trade agreement. But unless you want to migrate to Edenthal and farm the land yourself, we cannot guarantee you food. The land gives us what they give. We should not force them just like you did not force your mountain to give you gems."
"You guys are ridiculous," Mattheus said, bewildered. He knew about the elves' population crisis. While elves could theoretically annex dwarven territory, the one ruling it would not be elves. Speaking of food, elves could give grains, greens, and fruits. However, if we talked about dairy, eggs, meat, and fish, that was another thing entirely. Even elves had some trouble transporting them to Edenthal. If dwarves demanded them, elves could not fulfill those even if they paid with a hundred gems due to the food equality law.
Elves desired equality above all, unlike humans who could just decide that these expensive products go to the richest person leaving others in a lurch. If elves let them happen, it would trigger their so-called high magic. Mattheus wondered how their high magic actually functioned. Maybe it was just a myth, like dwarves' current aversion to greed.
"Alright then. We will fulfill your request, King Sig. We will exterminate those worms now," Alistar said with a sigh. "This will push our return schedule back by more than a week."
"I am thankful, Lord Alistar."
We proceeded as planned. Many grumbled along the way, dwarves and elves alike, because we almost circled the jungle again, toward Edelweiss Titan ore pocket, but not taking any ores. Only Lily and fellow tailfolk, who seemed to enjoy chatting with each other, was unperturbed.
We found the fifth cave entrance to the dungeon that led deeper into the dungeon, but we didn't enter it. A week later, after eradicating every worm we could find, we returned to the cave-in that separated us.
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"How are we going to return now?" Alistar asked.
"We will mine our way back. Lord Edelweiss, please help us with earth pillars according to Helmet's orders," Sig said. They then asked Niece to bring out their pickaxes again, and they tunneled their way back into the lava zone after the boiling lake. Before we knew it, we were back in the lava zone, passing the atrium that housed the mimics. I scanned the surroundings, but they were of no threat as they all mimicked dungeon walls and rocks.
"It only took a day…" Lord Alistar muttered. He praised Sig and Helmet for a job well done. Sig and Helmet also praised Edelweiss and Rhander's magic ability that stabilized the tunnel they made.
"Should we go back here?" Alistar asked.
"That hydra…" Lily muttered.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about it. Nevertheless, we still need to pass," Sig said. "This is the final stretch, so let's go all out with our remaining supplies."
"Can I have two throwing axes? After that, we can jump onto the moving platform and run across the small bridge," Alistar requested.
"Unfortunately, our dragon friend won't let us leave peacefully. It's coming from below," Edelweiss warned.
"Is it a coward, or is it cunning to attack us like this?" Alistar smirked. "Lily, please summon your fire dragon. Edelweiss and Rhander, prepare your spells."
"Roger!" Lily nodded. Red mana oozed out of her tail and transformed into a fire dragon. As before, Lily led it away from our platform. Lhhorne asked Edelweiss to prepare her earth wall to shield us from the lava splashes in case the hydra wasn't lured away by Lily's fire dragon. However, it did take the bait.
"Is it stupid or prideful?" I muttered as the hydra chased after my dragon fireworks in the distance.
"Edelweiss! Rhander! This is our chance! Lily, when I give the signal, direct your dragon so it slams into the hydra. At that time, Edelweiss and Rhander will cast their spells and destroy its heads simultaneously!" Alistar instructed while preparing his throwing axe. "Lhorne, get your bow ready too. We're going to kill that thing."
When Edelweiss was ready with her staff, Alistar gave the signal, and several earthen spells crashed into its heads, decapitating one of them. Rhander's attack wasn't as accurate and only glanced off the hydra. The beast roared and dived back into the lava.
"Well, that settles it," Edelweiss said, looking at the fleeing hydra.
"It'll be back in the boiling lake, won't it?"
"We'll kill it there!" Sig smirked, and even Alistar jumped in. "I won't be satisfied until I see it dead."
"The feystones would be worth it, right?" Edelweiss muttered.
"By the way, Lord Sig, you mentioned that your region also has leyline leakage, right?" Lily attempted to make small talk.
"Ah, it was a long time ago. The dwarves who made the stakes and the mage who sealed them are already dead. So don't ask me about it. We only do regular checkups on the stakes nowadays," Sig explained.
When we arrived at the boiling lake, it was empty as usual. Edelweiss also confirmed that there was no mana signature, but everyone somehow knew that the beast wouldn't let us escape this place alive. And so, we stepped onto the platform, preparing ourselves for a death match.