The King of Tricks and Magic

Chapter 36: Dwarves

[ Name: Ren Arken

Age: 14

Race: Human

Strength: 500

Agility: 10, 000

Vitality: 2, 000

Mana: ~~~

Spiritual: ~~~

Intellect: 1, 000

Unique Skills:

-magic cards -appraisal -evil gaze -strengthen -leap -basic magics -fire magic -Fire Archmagic -illusion magic -water magic -light magic -nature magic -Grimoire of death -Real Clone [Heavenly Slime] -Eye of Wisdom -Sword God]

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“My name is Thydal! Are you the king these mans mentioned?” Asked a short burly man with long orange hair and beard. His voice is so loud that Azaline got startled because of it. Six dwarves are standing behind him, their short bodies confirm their identity as dwarves. But amongst them, he’s the burliest and biggest one.

Seeing the dwarves makes Oz remembered a tale from his old world, a story where a girl being helped by seven dwarves, similar to the dwarves in front of him.

“Yes I am, I wonder what the brave dwarves need from me?” Said Oz politely, Thydal wides his eye a little when he heard Oz’s words, showing a sign of surprise because of Oz’s politeness. But he immediately regains his composure and bows his head a little and said:

“What an honor to meet you, your highness. We dwarves give you our utmost gratitude for saving our lowly lives, we dwarves respect you from our deepest heart for the fact that you, a king, went personally to the battlefield and save people. I wonder how we could pay you back for your kindness?” Asked Thydal.

“No need to be too humble, dear brave dwarves. To avoid misunderstandings, I need to inform you that this body is nothing but a mere clone, so I doubt it could be said as the heroic act of a king. My real identity is just a human, and saving all of the prisoners that the demons imprison is a promise that I made to my people, so there is no need for you to pay me back,” Said Oz with a kind smile.

Thydal seem to be shocked when Oz said that the body he’s using is just a clone, and his shocked got multiplied when he heard that Oz is a human, considering how humans are hostile with almost all races in the world, seeing Oz leading the army with no humans inside it made Thydal to be shocked.

But just like before, maybe because of his experiences and old age, he regains his composure quickly.

“But without you, we dwarves would only be a corpse that got sacrificed by the demons, as we’re just dwarves with no home, we could only offer you our knowledge, I wonder if the human king that lead a lot of races will accept my offer?” Said Thydal.

The knowledge of the dwarves is alluring, but as a person from earth, getting compensation from doing a good deed gave a bad after-taste to him.

“Hm? Not that I’m not interested in the knowledge you possess, but I refuse to make a good deed as a trade. But I do interested in some words that you’ve said. If you don’t mind, would you tell me what do you mean by ‘we are dwarves with no home?'” Asked Oz as his eyes narrowed.

Hearing this question, Thydal raise his head a second to take a glimpse of Oz’s face, but he immediately lowered his head deeper after it.

‘Maybe, maybe this young king could help us!’ thought Thydal inside his head.

“It’s nothing to be proud of, it’s just, we’re banished from our own kingdom, the dwarves kingdom, because of treason. I wonder if your highness could accept these lowly dwarves to your country even though we’ve accused as a traitor before. But there is nothing we could do if you refuse us, as we’re just traitors that got banished from our kingdom…” Said Thydal with a hoarse voice.

Silent enveloped the place for a moment, Thydal and the dwarves behind him keep their heads down, like a criminal admitting their sins. Oz’s silent made worries not only the dwarves but to Azaline that had been eavesdropping the conversation from the start too.

“Fine, I accept all of you,” Said Oz full of determination.

“A-are you serious, your highness?” Asked Thydal.

“I just couldn’t imagine any of you doing a crime or something that similar to treason. So I conclude that your king or your lord must be the one whose corrupted,” Said Oz with a kind smile.

“H-how could you end up to that conclusion?” Asked Thydal with his voice raised a little.

“It’s simple, you said that you want to pay back my kindness right? But doesn’t it just you defending the integrity and pride of the dwarves by not owing to any other races? Or maybe it’s just my thoughts messed up because of your alluring knowledge. Now tell me dear my new dwarf friend, does my deductions right?” Asked Oz with a half-joking tone.

The dwarf widens his eyes and mouth because of the surprise, he thought that the young king he’s requesting is going to be a better king than his former king. He just thought that the king in front of him had some charisma and kindness at the same time, making him want to serve him.

But no one could expect that the king’s charisma is far more than he expected, no wonder even the arrogant elves accepted to be under his rule, and not just the charisma, he’s eyes are full of wisdom, making Thydal questions Oz’s age. Thydal broke into laughter when he remembered Oz’s half-joking tone.

“It’s exactly like what your majesty had said! I’m worried about whether the king is wise or not and whether the king will accept us or not, but who’ll expect that you actually saw through us! Not just the fact that our former king is an asshole, but you seem to notice that all of us, dwarves, have a bold personality! It’s our greatest pleasure to be your subjects, your majesty!” Said Thydal cheerfully.

Having the dwarves to the Tarot kingdom is hugely good news for Oz.

(Weapons! Buildings! All of them finally could be improved drastically!)

Oz silently cheered inside of his heart.

Having the dwarves at the Tarot kingdom will give a huge boost to the weaponry and building constructions. Anywhere, Dwarves are famous for their blacksmithing and their crafts, all dwarves are an expert in terms of making weapons, crafting, and constructing. Even though Oz had handled the construction of the kingdom personally until now, but with the dwarves present, the construction will have a great boost!

“Well, Thydal, since I can’t stay too long, you could rely on this girl if you have any questions,” Said Oz smiling while tapping Geeta’s shoulder.

“E-eh?”

A strange voice came out from Geeta’s mouth as she’s surprised for both the sudden touch and the sudden job she just tasked with.

“Help me out, Geeta. You’re the only one I could rely on this job!” Said Oz with his thumbs up.

“Haah… Fine, you better compensate me with something later,” Said Geeta helplessly.

(Ah!)

Oz suddenly remembered something and approaches Azaline.

“Don’t forget to ask the elves about your mother, maybe one of them knew something,” Said Oz to Azaline.

“Ah! Thanks for reminding me!”

“My pleasure, send my regards to the others, I need to go,” Said Oz to Azaline, and the goblin [king] clone’s eye lost its light, just like a soulless doll.

The sun is back from its deep slumber, illuminates every detail of the Grandaria kingdom. Different from the earth, the air here is more fresh and cold, maybe because there are no pollutions in this world.

Oz opens his eyes and stretched his body.

*Sound of bones cracking*

“Ugh… My body feels stiff!” Complained Oz.

The morning is more excited than usual because of the old man Kyron’s presence. All of the kids miss him, making the breakfast rowdier than before.

Today is a break day for Oz, there will be no sword lessons today. Right after Oz finishes eating his breakfast, he cleans up his dish and prepared to went outside, but when he’s about to step out from the dining room, Nash and Elena block his way.

“U-um… I believe I’m free today…” Said Oz with a wry smile.

“”Where are you going?”” Asked both of them.

“I-I have a business outside with an acquaintance of mine, though. Is there a problem?”

“You actually forgot your promise to me! I can’t believe you, big bro!”

“It’s bad to lie to someone, Ren. Especially to kids, what if they imitate you?”

Nash and Elena keep on complaining to him, but Oz seems to not remember any promise he had with them. Elena lowered her spatula that she had been pointing at Oz with, and sighed.

“You seriously forgot your promise, huh.” Said her.

“Huh? Promise?” Asked Oz, dumbfounded.

“Ugh… You promised the kids that you’ll bring them to a stroll at the town don’t you remember? And you said that you’ll buy me something…” Said Elena with a pout.

(Damn!)

(I forgotttt!!! It’s a promise that I made in a split second when they’re trying to bother me last night! Since I need to send my conscious to the goblin king clone I made that verbal promise to silent them!)

(Who’ll expect that they’re remembered about that verbal promise I made!)

“Ugh… Fine! Go call the others! Remember, anyone who won’t listen to my words must go back immediately to the orphanage, okay?”