Let’s Play Minecraft in a World of Swords and Spells Chapter 243: Volume 6 - 21: Chuck Side of Thing

A few days after Walson and Belle saw off Zakarina, the Silverfish who reincarnated in this world and became the [Vassal of The Earth], a girl sent to intercept the mad Hero King.

On Chuck’s end of things.

Early in the morning, an unexpected piece of news reached Chuck, compelling him to rush to the military camp even before tidying his attire.

Upon entering the camp, he was met with a chaotic symphony of shouts and groans. Rubble and dust permeated the air, while numerous severely wounded soldiers were being transported on stretchers towards the medical area.

Similar to the previous incident at the stone betting event with the red [Steam Motion Armor], the destruction this time was inflicted by military-grade combat [Steam Motion Armor]!

Military-grade [Steam Motion Armor] represents the zenith of the Dwarven Empire's technological achievements. The potential ramifications of such technology falling into the hands of criminals are too dire to even contemplate!

Chuck navigated through the inferno-like ruins of the camp towards the most heavily damaged section, only to witness a scene that filled him with dread.

The dark blue [Azure Queen], a proud creation representing the top graduate of the research academy, lay mangled and inert on the ground. Its chest plate bore a deep indentation, and its right arm was completely absent, presenting a truly pitiable sight.

"Leica! Leica!" Chuck cried out in panic, shoving aside the surrounding Dwarven soldiers as he clambered onto the wrecked [Azure Queen]. He seized a nearby iron bar, attempting to force open the chest plate.

However, the chest plate had been severely deformed by an immense impact, rendering his strenuous efforts utterly futile.

"Leica – no – I cannot lose you –" Chuck teetered on the brink of collapse.

"Hmph, Prince Chuck, how long do you intend to grieve over the [Azure Queen] before coming down to acknowledge my presence?" A frigid voice abruptly cut through the air.

Chuck spun around in surprise, his eyes landing on Leica, who stood before him covered in dust, her gaze fixed on him with a cold expression.

"Leica!" Chuck practically launched himself towards her.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing? Prince Chuck, we are in a public place."

Leica sidestepped Chuck’s impulsive lunge.

"Then let us find a more private location." Chuck, having landed face-first, picked himself up with a broad grin.

Relieved of the immense burden on his heart, he seemed to have reverted to his typically carefree demeanor.

"Prince Chuck, from a conventional social standpoint, your conduct is that of a ruffian."

Leica pouted, the hint of emotion she had momentarily displayed vanishing instantly.

"Even if I am a ruffian, I am Leica's ruffian."

"... This is a time for serious matters. His Majesty has already dispatched a message stating his personal arrival with the royal guards to assume command here. Before then, I believe you should attend to your appearance."

"Uh, Father is coming?"

"Indeed, Prince Chuck, as you yourself have noted, ten years have passed. It is time to confront certain matters with due seriousness."

"... It seems I will have to be exceptionally cautious with my words from now on, lest Leica catches me out every single time."

"Do not fret, Prince Chuck. Should our union proceed to marriage, you will inevitably have to undergo His Majesty's scrutiny sooner or later." Leica remarked, her tone imbued with a subtle self-assurance, betraying no concern regarding potential obstacles.

"Huh? Leica, are you proposing—mmph!" Before Chuck could complete his question, Leica swiftly pinched his cheeks, contorting his face into a comical, fish-like expression.

"Go and change your attire, Prince Chuck, and do not compel me to reiterate my instructions." Leica glared at Chuck, her eyes stern.

Chuck obediently sealed his lips, suddenly gaining a slightly clearer understanding of how Walson managed his fiancées.

Women are truly a force to be reckoned with.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Setting aside the jests, the lighthearted atmosphere quickly gave way to gravity the moment the true sovereign of this Dwarven Empire made his appearance.

The atmosphere grew serious, and undeniably awkward.

Within a chamber designated for private discussions, Chuck stood erect, facing the man before him with his hands clasped behind his back, his palms exhibiting a slight sheen of sweat.

"Ten years, and you have finally returned." The man broke the prolonged silence.

His hair, neatly tied in a small ponytail, had already begun to show streaks of gray. His deeply set features bore the unmistakable marks of time, yet the muscular arms exposed by his purple-black ethnic cloak gave no indication of diminished strength.

Possessing a robust physique and deep-set eyes that held a lingering spark of fiery intensity, the man exuded vigor despite his advancing age. His regal presence, amplified by the amethyst crown adorning his head, made him seem to tower over Chuck, despite being physically shorter.

This was the King, Chuck’s father, the supreme ruler of the underground Dwarven Empire.

"Yes, Father, I have indeed returned." Chuck responded, his tone shifting almost instinctively.

"Hmm, and at such a... convenient juncture. With these peculiar riots unfolding, and based on the reports I have reviewed, there is not a single clue as to their origin." The Dwarf King's voice carried a chilling resonance.

"... These incidents bear no relation to me."

"And by what means can you substantiate that claim?"

“... Enough. We shall set that aside for the moment,” the Dwarf King grumbled, turning his gaze toward the window and the strange purple sun hanging in the sky. “Chuck, you still refuse to abandon your defiance of tradition, don’t you?”

Chuck felt his heart clench; this was the core of the issue.

“I have never given up,” Chuck responded, his voice steady despite the rising anxiety within him. “A nation that sustains itself on deception and confinement possesses no viable future.”

This sentiment echoed the dying wish of his late lover, a wish tragically misunderstood until her final breath.

The Dwarven Empire ought not to be merely the “Empire of Noble Dwarfs”; it should rightfully be the “Empire of All Dwarfs.”

After crafting his own sigil and venturing into the world above, Chuck had personally witnessed the profound underdevelopment of the common Dwarfs. They were so misunderstood by other races that they were often perceived as nothing more than a race of blacksmiths, a people solely composed of [Villagers].

The Dwarfs’ continued isolation within Mahamatra was likely not a result of devotion to tradition or a lack of technological advancement, but rather a desperate measure to evade potential enslavement.

Our people should not remain shackled by such discrimination. We should have broken free from this confinement long ago.

The Dwarf King remained utterly silent.

Chuck realized with a jolt that his innermost thoughts had just been vocalized.

Leica stood frozen, but a subtle tremor ran through her body upon hearing her sister’s name.

Her dream had been to create Steam Motion Armor that could function without a [Thermodynamic Core], making it accessible for any ordinary Dwarf to operate. Yet, she had passed away before her dream could be realized.

“I have told you, this is for the protection of our people,” the Dwarf King stated firmly.

“Are we truly protecting them, or are we merely evading the reality before us?” Chuck countered.

Since he had already spoken his mind so plainly, there was no longer any reason for restraint.

“Chuck, you sound exactly like your uncle,” the Dwarf King remarked, his tone chillingly cold.

Years prior, his own brother had uttered these same foolish words.

He had absconded from the [Dying Steel Citadel] with their advanced technology, inadvertently allowing some of the [Thermodynamic Core] technology to seep out. The rudimentary technologies employed by surface-dwelling Dwarfs today were a direct consequence of that incident.

The resulting fallout was a predatory invasion by external forces three centuries ago, an onslaught that was only repelled through the deployment of the formidable [Guardian Mechs].

As for that traitor, he vanished without a trace; whether he lived or died remained an enduring mystery.

He had never imagined that his own son would tread the same perilous path.

“I believe my uncle was correct. The surface-dwelling Dwarfs are our kin, and they deserve our protection. We must emerge, no longer living in hiding from the world—”

“Enough!” the Dwarf King bellowed, forcefully interrupting Chuck.

“Father!”

“Captain Leica, apprehend this man at once and conduct a thorough search of his residence! I suspect this traitor of committing treason!” the Dwarf King commanded, his voice laced with fury.

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