518 - Hyphos, Heart of the World # 3

Elves who had left their homeland were blended into every corner of the Gaia Continent.

From adventurers and tavern servers to even here, in this Temple of Vulcanus.

Normally, it was a scene I would have just passed over with a "So that's how it is."

But given the current situation, I couldn't help but glare suspiciously at the sight of the Elf artisans working hard with their hammers.

I couldn't stop myself from wondering if they might be Elf spies planning a terrorist attack on the Temple of Vulcanus.

For that reason, I couldn't trust this Dwarf, Zacchaeus, either.

While there was a possibility that someone colluding with the Elves existed even within the Temple of Vulcanus, it was difficult to disclose information recklessly.

"Hurry up and tell me the truth about your real purpose for coming to the Temple."

At Zacchaeus's continued interrogation, I ran my brain in parallel, processing many thoughts in a split second.

Should I just bash his head in?

With Hippolyte's memory erasure magic, wouldn't we be able to get through this crisis safely?

No. If I act violently toward a priest of another god, I might incur that god's wrath.

Having dealt with Mars, I naturally became cautious about what might happen if I turned the gods of Hyphos into enemies.

How can I find out non-violently whether this man is a spy for the Elves or not?

Is the only answer a direct approach?

I'll just have to see through the truth with my sensitive ears-!

"Zacchaeus-ssi. What do you think about Elves?"

"Are you talking about male Elves? Or female Elves?"

I hadn't thought that far.

"Just Elves in general."

"Elves are pitiful fellows. Coming all the way to this distant foreign land and going through such hardships. The male Elves are picky, but that side of them suits being an artisan, and the female Elves are quite pretty."

I listened closely to Zacchaeus's words.

Just as Luna has a naturally gifted sense of smell, after becoming aware of my divinity, I gained a sense of hearing that was more than twice as sensitive as others.

With ears like mine, if I focus, I can easily see through most lies.

"Female Elves are very beautiful. But even among them, none are as pretty as my wife, Sigurd. Man, she's too good for a guy like me."

"Is your wife an Elf?"

"That's right. Followers of Vulcanus are famous for marrying well. It's likely thanks to the grace of Vulcanus-nim, who married the Goddess of Beauty, Venus."

So Zacchaeus's wife is an Elf.

If so, the possibility of him colluding with Elves is high, but...

A Dwarf living with an Elf. A Dwarf thick as a rock and a fairy-like Elf slender as a swan's neck...

In that somewhat bizarre combination, I suddenly felt as if shimmering silver hair was obscuring my vision.

You could say I thought of Elfriede, who must be somewhere in this world. Elfriede and I were also a bizarre combination, if you want to call it that. White and black.

I wonder what she's doing and where.

To think the day would come when I'd miss Elfriede.

Recalling Elfriede's face and long ears, I muttered softly.

"If she's an Elf wife, she must have many picky habits. She probably can't cook, either. And she's likely bad at housework."

"It's fine. I can do all of that myself."

"She's probably not honest, either. Just full of pride. Is she not stubborn or aggressive?"

"You surprisingly know a lot about Elf women. But that's the good part. Because her spirit is as tough as steel, when you strike it, it makes a 'kkang-kkang' clashing sound. Life isn't boring, you see."

Listening with my sensitive ears, I could tell that this man liked his wife very much.

She must be a beautiful and noble woman, as expected of an Elf.

"Sometimes I deliberately make mischievous jokes or tease her just to see her displeased face. Her reactions are intense and good, so it's fun."

What the man did was similar to how I would deliberately provoke Elfriede's anger. All men with Elves as lovers are the same.

"So-. Is the real purpose of you people being here related to the Elves?"

"Yes. I'm going to ask a few questions from now on. Depending on your answers, your safety may be at risk. Think carefully before you answer."

"...."

Whether he felt the pressure in my words or not, Zacchaeus shut his mouth for a moment and showed a fairly serious expression.

When I thought his mind was settled, I asked as a comrade who also had an Elf lover.

"The Elves are planning to attack this Temple of Vulcanus."

"And their target is the Nail of the World?"

"Uh, that-."

I had worked up the courage to say it, but the answer that came right back from the Dwarf artisan's mouth actually flustered me.

At that, Hippolyte, who had been quietly watching this conversation, said a word.

"Those words. It sounds as if you've had a lot of experience with this sort of thing?"

"It's only natural. Cultists. Bandits. Thieves. All sorts of lowlifes attack this temple aiming for the treasures it's filled with. It's something we experience once a week."

Contrary to my worries, this High Priest of Vulcanus, Zacchaeus, was a man whose mind worked more flexibly than I expected. He'd already had plenty of experience like this.

In that case, the conversation would be quick.

Flipping a gold coin he held between his fingers, Zacchaeus continued.

"The Pluto cultists from the southern regions used to invade here often. They tried to pull out the Nail of the World to dye the world in death. I've heard that some Elves have joined hands with them. So what they're after must also be the Nail of the World that Atlas is hammering in."

"I'll ask you point-blank. Do you have any connection to this Elf attack?"

"I don't. I can swear it on the beard and hammer I've raised all my life. I can swear by the River Styx, and I can even swear by my wife Sigurd and the child in her womb."

Dwarves take pride in the beards they've grown all their lives. An oath on one's beard is the highest form of expression for Dwarves, surpassing even an oath by the Styx.

Seeing him throw around such bold oaths, it didn't seem like a lie.

I suppose he is a man responsible enough to be in charge of the main hall of the Temple of Vulcanus.

I decided to release a bit more information and observe his reaction.

What I told him was roughly that on the last Fire Day of this year, the Elves would invade, aiming for the eruption of Hyphos.

"That story... where did you hear it...? The information that the last Fire Day is the day when the fire energy is strongest..."

However, even Zacchaeus, who had shown a seasoned attitude, appeared a bit flustered by the more detailed information.

"That is a story known in secret only to the great gods or the high priests of Vulcanus. It's a story passed down only to first-class tinkers and forging masters."

There might be a mole.

Zacchaeus seemed to have realized that as well.

"I think I have an idea who it might be. There are fellows who frequently met with Elves from something called the Advent Gwangmyeonghoe. I think we'll find out if we rough those guys up."

Advent Gwangmyeonghoe?

It's a name that reeks of a cult. I could feel for certain at a glance that those bastards were the main perpetrators of this attack.

You could call it my damn excellent intuition.

"So, what is your real identity?"

"...."

*Seuk.* Instead of answering out loud, I held out two clinking platinum necklaces from my pocket to him. Seeing them, Zacchaeus's eyelids trembled ever so slightly.

"The platinum patterns of a Dragon and a Gryphon. These are things I made with my own hands. To think I'd see them again like this... Even if you don't tell me who you are, I think I know your identity. I see, so that's how it turned out..."

Zacchaeus flopped down into his chair.

"If a big shot like you is stepping in, the matter must be more serious than I thought. It might not be just a simple raid. Whew-. This pressure is no joke."

As Zacchaeus wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, Hippolyte asked.

"First, I want to root out the mole. Is there a way you can help?"

"That's an easy task. I can already see who it is in my head as clearly as a blueprint."

Zacchaeus moved his hand and picked up something like a luminous stone sitting on his table.

MnZBMElkRjFKc3ZCR0RiWklQRlA5WlZINzRaZThhUzZ1cnMyS01IbEgxWkNjL01qYVZXSDVxT1FxSDk0dEVjSQ

When he shook it vigorously like a rattle, a rather annoying *ppiiii-* sound was heard.

"Ah, ah-. Darsil. Dido. Potiphar. Timotheo. And my beloved wife Sigurd. Come to my office for a moment."

So that luminous stone is like an in-house broadcasting microphone. I don't know on what principle it works, but I felt like I wanted one.

Of course, that's not what's important right now.

*Ttok, ttok-.*

After some time had passed, the sound of knocking on Zacchaeus's office door was heard. The murmuring of several people could also be heard beyond the door.

━Old man, why are you calling busy people and making a fuss? Are you going to pay out year-end bonus pay or something?

"Just come in."

At Zacchaeus's permission, four Dwarves of similar height soon entered the office. Finally, a brown-haired Elf with her hair braided into a single strand hanging forward came in and got angry.

"Are, are you crazy? 'Beloved wife Sigurd,' I told you not to do that because it's so cringey...! You idiot-!"

Seeing her wearing a leather apron and with black soot on her face, she seemed to be a female Elf artisan. Her belly, hidden by the apron, was quite bulging.

She's having a child.

She must be Zacchaeus's wife, Sigurd. Sigurd twitched her ears up and down.

"I'm busy. If you called me to play around, I'll be mad."

"I know. I know, so everyone, sit down there. I have something really important to say."

"What is it, Zacchaeus? Suddenly acting all serious. It's not cool at all. And who are these guests here?"

*Seureuk-.*

Instead of answering his wife's question, Zacchaeus gave a light tilt of his chin. At that, Hippolyte stood with her back to the entrance.

With this, the space was completely sealed.

In this chilly atmosphere, all the invited guests seemed to have felt that something was about to happen.

"O, old man, what's going on that you called us...?"

"Everyone, you have to answer truthfully from now on. Otherwise, you'll be thrown into the lava of Hyphos. I've heard something quite shocking."

"Old man. What did you hear that you brought busy people here like this?"

"This atmosphere is rude."

"That's right. We're in the middle of busy work. Hurry up-."

"Ttahaat-!"

While everyone was grumbling a word of complaint. Suddenly, someone jumped out. It was Luna, holding a thick Totem of Silence.

"Voodoo Art of Silence-!"

*Peok-.*

Luna had bashed the head of a Dwarf with his beard braided in two directions with all her might along with a strange incantation. I didn't even have a moment to stop her.

"Geuaaaek-!"

The Dwarf who was struck by it just collapsed on the floor and convulsed, *umjjil, umjjil-*. At that sight, the Dwarves and the female Elf all opened their eyes and mouths wide in horror.

I was also damn surprised.

"Darsil-! Darsil's head-! No, what are you doing-! Are you crazy-!?"

However, Luna, with blood on her robe, shouted boldly instead.

"This guy, he smelled like he was lying! And he smells strongly of Elves! This guy is the culprit! It's my intuition!"

Luna's intuition, huh. I would have doubted it in the past, but now it's worth believing.

"Luna, get 'em-!"

"I am Nyx-dot-i of the Small Yard! The Small Yard Tribe hates people who sell out their family and comrades the most! You traitors!"

Luna's spirit soared with rage. Whether they heard Luna's growling or not, the rest of the Dwarves also pulled out hammers from their waists, *seureuk, seureureuk*.

"Shit, we're caught. I figured you'd be certain from the moment you called us in like this-!"

"Long live the Gwangmyeong Advent Society-!"

"The world belongs to the Flash who will return-!"

The rock-muscled Dwarves holding hammers lunged toward Luna.

To think several burly men would try to attack a soft girl like Luna. I felt like I was going to foam at the mouth at that despicable and horrific act.

"Luna, be careful-!"

"Luna Evasion-!"

But Luna moved more nimbly than I thought, *seuk*, dodging the downward strike of the hammer to the left.

"Luna Knife-Hand Strike-!"

"Keok-."

And then, with her hand flat, she struck the nape of the attacking Dwarf's neck, subduing him. But does she really have to put "Luna" in front of every technique name?

"Luna Punch-!"

"Gek-!"

"Luna Kick-!"

"Wa, wait, euaaaak-!"

The power is good, though. As expected of the Queen of the Underworld.

In the end, the rebellion of the cultist Dwarves was ended by Luna, the Queen of the Small Yard Tribe.

Zacchaeus let out a sigh, *huu-*, after binding their unconscious bodies tightly with sturdy chains that even a dragon couldn't break.

Only the female Elf, Sigurd, who had been watching this, frowned as if she couldn't understand.

"Zacchaeus. What on earth is going on? I'd like an explanation."

"Honey, these guys are traitors who colluded with the Elves."

"Colluding with Elves? What does that mean?"

"You probably know better than I do. Sigurd. No, Gwangmyeonghoe Missionary."

"...."

"I won't say much. I'd like you to put on the handcuffs quietly. And I'd like you to answer my questions. Otherwise, you might experience something unpleasant."

"...."

Sigurd looked down at the floor with a detached feeling, as if she had given up on something. Then she held out her hands toward Zacchaeus and quietly put on the handcuffs on her wrists.

*Ttuduk, ttududuk-.*

Hippolyte cracked her knuckles.

"Has the time come to show the Amazoness secret technique, the Bone-Displacing Interrogation?"

I thought she might go easy on her since they were both pregnant, but Hippolyte seemed full of desire to rough up the female Elf.

Does her attack power increase even more like a lioness carrying a cub?

"There's no need for that. Since it's come to this, and my body is precious. I'll tell you everything."

However, Sigurd, who I thought would keep her mouth shut in silence, was locked in a temporary jail attached to Zacchaeus's office and answered our questions surprisingly readily.

"The execution is tomorrow. At two in the afternoon, when the fire energy is strongest."

Giving up and answering so cleanly makes me even more suspicious.

I asked.

"Aren't you giving up too fast?"

"It's not giving up. Even if you found out in advance, you won't be able to stop it. Because that man is said to be included in this attack squad. That man is strong."

"Who is that man?"

At my question, Sigurd leaned her back against the prison wall and said lightly.

"Thor of the Thunderbolt."