626 Just as Imagined? No, Not Exactly
"Hi there, so what business do you have in this country?"
That's the gatekeeper's question for me. The checkpoint inspection isn't particularly strict.
Thus I give an honest answer.
"I'm here for sightseeing. Also, I wanna do maintenance on uh, this weapon I have."
"Have you decided on which workshop?"
"Ah yes, I'd like to drop by Dongoro Workshop if I could."
"Oy oy, that workshop is this country's best you know? I get you're going for their prestige, but even if you manage to get a reservation, you're gonna have to wait a year. You sure?"
"Ah, is that how it is. Well, I've got nothing to lose trying. I could always look for another place."
"I see, then just one thing. Mind showing me that weapon? Just to be safe."
I wonder if this gatekeeper asks that to test if I'm lying or not.
Not like he can immediately tell that here and now anyway, but I guess it's something that needs to be done.
I offered no resistance and fetched my katana from magic bag.
"Oh a magic bag, are you a merchant? I suppose that doesn't matter. May I take it? ...This is, incredible. Alright, good. Let me see your ID."
I showed Second Class Pass and got in trouble free.
The gatekeeper was shocked at the pass like usual but he immediately focused his attention to the next person in line.
I can tell the guy has been trained well.
I took a good look of the dwarf kingdom.
It's got a semicircle rampart wall with a huge mountain in the back. For a kingdom, I don't see a castle anywhere.
Lively voices of what I assume to be merchants could be heard, shouting at their disciples, here and there.
There's plenty of food carts in the streets with many dwarfs eating and drinking booze.
But the moment I entered a workshop area, sounds of clanking hammers filled the space.
A busy bustling city of craftsmen. That's how I would paint this kingdom.
But, it's just that.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
(Why is it steam punk-ish? Moreover, it's...)
Coulomb castle. Steam punk nine dragon castle.
Where am I?
"Where have I wandered into? Isn't this a world of sword and magic? ...There won't be mechs and guns popping up soon will there? Please no."
I feel like I'd get lost right away if I keep wandering randomly. Yet the streets are nicely ordered and there's plenty of guideposts around.
Only the buildings look like they're randomly positioned, the streets themselves are well regulated.
I referred to a guidepost and decided on a direction.
Onward to Dongoro Workshop. I bought three pieces of BBQ Spits along the way lured by the fragrant aroma.
They had a thick flavor which parched my throat but I couldn't find any place that sells water. All of them offered booze instead.
(Oyyy, why's everything booze and more booze!? I mean sure that fits the bill and all!)
Left with no choice, I entered an alley and grabbed my own water barrel from magic bag.
Knowing it looks out of place, I quickly tidied it up once I was done.
(Asked a food cart uncle for water, only to get 'Why'd ya drink flavorless stuff like that. Ya want booze! Drink booze!'...)
That uncle's face was tinged red, he must have been drinking. In fact, every single dwarfs in vicinity looks like that.
Dwarf Kingdom really doesn't miss the beat huh. Booze for life or something.
It's a difficult place to be for a normal tourist. I mean asking for water only to get served booze is just whack.
Hope the inn is normal. I wished as I made my way deeper.
Since I come from the rampart wall, the direction I'm going takes me closer to the center of the kingdom.
Apparently Dongoro Workshop is there. As I kept looking around and taking in the sight, the mountain that could be seen from so far away gradually seemed even bigger up close.
As it turns out, the closer you get to the center, the more ordered the buildings become.
Posts
