Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

The little man's slender arm, clearly bearing a bruise, continued to twitch slightly.

Riveria, Aina, and Loki all stared wide-eyed.

"And that dwarf... when he threw a punch at Riveria, he actually intended to stop short of killing her. It's all my fault for standing in the middle that caused this to happen, but the punch still contained such power. It's simply amazing."

What's even more terrifying is that he has not yet received the "favor" of the gods.

That dwarf was a born "warrior".

Moreover, he was so outstanding that he shouldn't have spent his entire life as a miner.

"His counterattack, including catching the staff, was spectacular. I want him."

The little people, who didn't mind talking about their determination and ambitions, spoke their wishes out loud like teenagers with bright eyes who longed for heroic tales.

Despite Rivera and the others continuing their protests, which drew disgusted looks from the customers in the shop, they ultimately failed to deter the leader's unwavering resolve.

Because of this unexpected encounter, the Loki Familia ultimately decided to recruit the dwarf.

"Gris of the dwarves... huh...?"

Finn smiled unconsciously after saying the other person's name.

After deciding to recruit the other party, Finn and his team acted swiftly and decisively.

To be precise, Finn moved very quickly.

He ignored Loki and Riveria, who showed little interest in the matter, and began asking the bartender and customers for information. These people, who had initially looked like they were doing nothing, readily provided information after accepting the gold coins Finn had given them as a token of his appreciation. As a result, Finn quickly learned the whereabouts of the dwarves.

To the north of the inn town (Karuna) lies "Alfreson," while to the south, in the opposite direction, lies a massive mountain range.

The village that the dwarves built underground on the mountainside was called "Lonsa".

The dwarves' stronghold was located in that village.

"Wow!? All I see are dwarves!"

"While it can't be called an underground city... it's not so small as to be called a village either, which is truly astonishing."

After the group passed through a long tunnel made of earthen walls, Loki and Finn were immediately stunned by the sight that came into view.

Even Riveria, who had reluctantly followed, and Aina, who was by her side, reacted in the same way.

"I never imagined that the dwarves could create such a living space..."

"How on earth did they manage to build such a magnificent place...?"

This vast underground space could easily fit a town inside.

With a height of over ten meters from the ground to the ceiling, it eliminates the oppressive feeling typically associated with being underground.

The buildings are all constructed of special rocks, making one feel that this place is worthy of being called the same as the Elf Forest and could be given a title such as "the land of elves on earth".

Looking around, the women carrying laundry baskets, the bearded men resembling craftsmen, and the lively children running around were all dwarfs.

Despite their slightly tight financial situation, everyone's face was full of energy and vitality.

"The village as a whole doesn't seem very wealthy... but everyone is living a very resilient life."

Most of the villagers' clothes did indeed appear somewhat dirty.

However, along the way, one can see many recast tools or items, or shoes made from various materials, which gives one a sense of the self-sufficient lifestyle of the dwarf race, a people known for their many artisans.

The glowing spheres mounted high on the ceiling—the old-fashioned large magic stone lamps—are clearly the most expensive items in the village, and were likely secondhand purchases from merchants. Craftsmen (dwarves) can be seen repairing them, suspended from the ceiling by ropes, demonstrating their deep care for the magic stone lamps.

This is a dwarf society made of soil and rocks.

Faced with this wondrous sight, so different from that of elves and dwarves, and truly deserving to be described as a village of earth peoples, Finn couldn't help but smile. Riveria, on the other hand, seemed to be desperately trying to hide her excitement at witnessing this "unknown landscape," her long ears twitching gently incessantly.

"Hey~ Big brothers..." "Big brothers~"

"Um?"

"Are you a traveler?" "A person?"

As Finn and his party strolled around, observing the women busy washing clothes and raising children, and the craftsmen focused on their work, two children who looked like twins suddenly tilted their little heads and ran over to greet them.

These two were even smaller than Finn, and could be described as tiny dwarf sisters.

Because the two sisters are very short, and with their chestnut-like figures, they are really cute.

"W-What's with this adorable, pet-like (hamster) appearance...!? To be honest, I thought the dwarf woman's score would fall into a somewhat delicate range, but my divine will is beginning to waver...! The Netherworld is truly an amazing place!"

"Um, what does Lord Loki look like..."

"Ignore her, it's just like her old problem has relapsed."

Finn was already used to seeing Loki clutching his chest and panting heavily, so he simply ignored him.

After responding to Aina, who was dripping with awkward sweat, he bent his knees to bring himself to eye level with the sisters and asked with a smile:

"I would like to visit a dwarf named Grace. Do you know where he is?"

"It's the boss!" "Boss~"

"If it's convenient for you, could you take us to him?"

"Okay, sure!" "Okay~"

The two sisters happily helped lead the way, their brown hair swaying up and down with each step.

After the self-introductions, it is clear that the older sister, Nalu, has no problem with conversation, while the younger sister, Noru, has difficulty speaking clearly.

With her big, watery eyes and round cheeks, dressed in the traditional clothing of the dwarfs, plus a turban, she looks both sweet and lovable.

Rivera, who was following behind the two, suddenly looked into the distance.

"Such adorable children, growing up to become such crude and vulgar dwarves... the mystery of life... no, the gods who burdened this race with such a cruel fate are simply too cruel..."

"Female dwarves don't become like male dwarves! And not all dwarves grow beards!"

Just as Aina was gradually becoming the one in charge of making sarcastic remarks in the group, and was excitedly explaining to the princess of the tribe, the group had already arrived in front of their target.

"...It's you guys."

Before me stood an ordinary stone house.

A dwarf named Grace is maintaining utensils in front of the house.

Upon recognizing Finn and his group, his brownish-yellow eyes widened instantly.

Hi, I'm so sorry about the other day.

"...What are you doing here? Are those elves over there clamoring to avenge their defeat?"

As Rivera raised an eyebrow in displeasure, Finn, who was blocking her way, smiled and said:

"If I told you I was here to recruit you to join the [Family], what would you do?"

Grace, who had intended to turn her gaze back to the tools at hand, was forced to look up again because of those words.

And he stared intently at the little people whose faces still held a smile.

Then he snorted coldly.

"What a silly brat! Who wants to join you? Besides, before you try to win me over, I advise you to first deal with that disgruntled elf behind you. No, I should say, that naive, domineering princess, right?"

Perhaps having heard the news of the Elven royal family's journey in the inn town (Karuna), Grace made sarcastic remarks about Riveria, who had completely expressed her dissatisfaction on her face.

Rivera, who had been wearing a sour face, immediately blushed upon hearing this—for someone completely controlled by prestige and honor, such an humiliation was something she could not tolerate—and she immediately lost her temper.

"I have no desire to see your rude and barbaric faces again, you dwarves who resort to violence at the slightest provocation!"

Riveria was still resentful about being beaten up in the bar and angrily cursed.

Blinded by anger, she blurted out stereotypes stemming from prejudice.

"I never wanted to come to this lifeless village in the first place! Not to mention those tasteless dwarf dwellings!"

"...Then you'd better get out of here. This isn't a place for arrogant elves to run wild."

Grace narrowed her eyes and uttered harsh words to the princess who clearly looked down on her own village.

Just as Rivera was about to retort after being rebuffed—

"Big sister...do you hate this village?" "Huh?"

"Ah... um, I..."

When the little sisters, who were gently tugging at her skirt, looked up and asked her this question, Riveria was speechless.

As Loki spoke up saying "Don't be angry, don't be angry," and Aina tried to calm him down by saying, "Please calm down, Lady Riveria," Finn regained the right to speak.

"Would you be willing to consider it if I could handle her?"

"Hmph, no way. I've made up my mind to live or die with this village."

You must leave here immediately.

Grace said that and went inside.

Still sulking, Rivera glared furiously at the door that had been shut without a second thought.

"You got dumped, Finn. What are you going to do now?"

"Hmm~ After all, this is only the first time we've met, so I didn't expect it to go very smoothly."

"In the end, it was just us extending the invitation," Finn replied to Loki.

"However, the situation is more complicated than I expected..."

The boy recalled the dwarf's back, which left no room for negotiation, and fell into thought.

Finn's premonition came true.

Although Finn and his group decided to stay in "Lonsa" for the time being and frequently visited Grace's residence, he had no intention of communicating with them. Ignoring them became commonplace, and later he would even go to the mine when he had no work.

Since the eldest brother has this attitude, the younger brothers naturally won't give him a friendly look either.

Moreover, since they had already started fighting on their first meeting, the miners targeted Riveria as their primary target and regarded Finn and his group as a thorn in their side. Every time they met, they would make sarcastic remarks and try their best to keep them away from Grace.

Finn and his men couldn't use harsh methods to shut their underlings up.

As a result, Finn had to constantly try to appease Riveria, who was seething with resentment, and the number of times he sighed increased day by day.

"Wow, little Loki really knows how to drink! Just watching you drink is so exhilarating!"

"Auntie, you flatter me!"

This is the only inn in the village (Lonsa), called "Tulongting"; the first floor is a bar, and the second floor has rooms for guests to stay.

It was run by a kind dwarf couple, and Loki and his companions stayed there.

One of the most unexpected things was that, apart from the miners, the villagers were very welcoming to Finn and his group of outsiders.

According to the other party, Longsa Village is located at the foot of a huge mountain range that no one can cross, and in a remote location with no major roads passing through it. Therefore, it is rarely visited by outsiders except for their own people (dwarves).

Even though they could clearly sense the villagers' curiosity and their desire to sell their goods and make a little money, the local villagers still treated Finn and his party with great hospitality.

"Hey Rivi, it's about time you changed your mind a little, right? The uncles and aunties here are really friendly, aren't they?"

"Right, right~"

Loki, reeking of alcohol, raised the corners of his mouth, and the twin sisters Naru and Noru, who were the innkeeper's wife, echoed him with smiles.

The elven royals, whose attitude was not as friendly as Finn's and the others, were furious at the frustrating recruitment efforts. So they turned to self-cultivation, repeatedly using the "magic" they had obtained through "divine grace" to check its casting time and effect. In short, whether it was good or bad, the dwarves of "Lonsa" were all very kind-hearted.

After seeing Riveria, who had left the village alone to pursue her spiritual practice, they seemed to mistake her for a "poor elf who was being ostracized" and always showed her special care.

This left Riveria completely dumbfounded, and she retorted, her face flushed with anger:

Please don't worry about me!

"Everyone in our village helps each other out!"

"Look at your long limbs, why don't you come and help us (the aunties)?"

As a result, Rivera was dragged around by her mothers-in-law and mothers-in-law, and forced to take on all sorts of chores.

Riveria initially resisted angrily, but faced with these dwarves who didn't treat her like royalty at all, she gradually became resigned. They never held any prejudice against her or ostracized her, let alone felt any respect or fear towards her.

This made her feel the "friendship" from a different race, an experience she had never had in her boring palace life.

"...I admit I am biased. Putting aside the savage miner named Grace, there are still many people among the dwarves with whom I can communicate."

With Naru and Norl each occupying one of her thighs, Riveria couldn't help but smile, somewhat agreeing with Loki's statement.

But the fairy princess suddenly frowned and immediately added a "but".