Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World - Chapter 446

Chapter 446: Conspiracy

TL: Etude Translations

Imar walked out of the house with a grave expression and saw, from a distance, Gunther, the son of the Blood Bull Tribe’s chieftain, waving at him.

That damn rascal! Today was indeed full of unexpected surprises.

He quickened his pace towards him.

Gunther asked with a sly look, “What did that old man Eugene tell you?”

“You don’t know? Good, it’s none of your business!” Imar replied curtly.

“Hmph! Fine, keep it to yourself, I’m not interested anyway,” Gunther said indifferently.

“But I have something that might interest you.”

He put his hand on Imar’s shoulder. Given the height difference between the orc and the dwarf, from afar, it looked like an elder encouraging a younger one.

“Get your filthy hands off me!” Imar disgustingly grabbed Gunther’s wrist and flung it away.

“Your temper is as terrible as ever,” the chieftain’s son said, rubbing his wrist. “But the generous and kind-hearted Lord Gunther has a big deal for us. Are you in?”

“A big deal?” Imar’s ears perked up.

He needed wealth, and his conversation with the old orc today had reinforced his determination to amass more riches to fulfill his plans.

Gunther pointed towards the distance with a finger, and Imar followed his gaze.

“Humans?”

He disdainfully curled his lips.

“How did these scrawny creatures end up here?”

“Oh, don’t underestimate that human,” Gunther said excitedly, rubbing his hands and greedily eyeing the human.

“At the banquet, I personally saw him pull out a priceless… a priceless… some sort of porcelain treasure, and gave it to my father, who then hid it.”

“Huh! If it caught Chief Assoye’s eye, that thing must be precious,” Imar pondered.

“More than precious!” Gunther exaggeratedly waved his arms. “The moment that treasure was revealed, all the decorations in our longhouse paled in comparison. Let me tell you…”

“So, what’s the deal you have for me?” Imar interrupted Gunther’s increasingly exaggerated description, although he already had an idea.

“Hehe!” Gunther chuckled menacingly, his large mouth and protruding fangs adding to his sinister appearance.

“I had someone sneak a peek at that human and his companions’ luggage. They have several boxes and bags, likely filled with treasures like that porcelain. How about it? Fancy a joint venture?”

Gunther looked at Imar with persuasive eyes.

They couldn’t act near the Blood Bull Tribe; getting caught by his father would be disastrous. Gunther needed to lure the humans to a place that wouldn’t attract attention.

“Those humans plan to cross the Rocky Mountains and are looking for a guide everywhere. Where better than the Rocky Mountains to avoid outside attention? So, I want you to…”

Before Gunther could finish, Imar burst out, “Damn it, do you want me to become a traitor to the dwarves? A bunch of humans, you and your men, if discovered by our kin, would I still live?”

Gunther said mockingly, “Oh, dear Imar! You always talk as if you’ve never done such things, despite our many pleasant collaborations, and it’s always ‘do you want me to become a traitor to the dwarves?’ I admire your shamelessness. Alright then, let me persuade you once again, like the first time.”

“Their fate is already sealed not to leak dwarf secrets. Besides, we’re not letting them truly enter the Rocky Mountains. Just taking care of them in the peripheral area won’t alert the mountain dwellers.”

He raised his voice, “Now, Imar, give me a straightforward answer, are you in or out? And remember, even without you, I will find other ways to make sure those humans ‘stay’ here forever.”

The dwarf pondered, “How many are they? What weapons do they have?”

“Haha!” Gunther laughed joyfully, seeing the dwarf about to join. Such a greedy fellow, a little provocation was always enough.

“There are about thirty of them, armed with swords and light crossbows. The key is none of them wears heavy armor. I’ll bring a few dozen armored warriors, and we’ll take care of them easily.”

“Fine, we’ll split the spoils fifty-fifty after it’s done.”

“You get twenty percent, I get eighty percent!”

“You get sixty percent, I get forty percent!”

“No! Twenty for you, eighty for me!”

“Damn it, I’m taking a huge risk here!”

…

Stanford sat on a tree stump with a look of distress, troubled by his inability to find a guide.

Was he really considering braving the Rocky Mountains without a guide?

“Hey, human!”

He heard a call and looked around.

A round, slightly shorter than average dwarf was approaching him, with a notably thicker waist and meticulously braided beard.

Huh? He looks familiar.

“Uh, are you calling me?”

“Of course, who else is human around here?”

The dwarf strode up to him.

“Are you looking for a guide into the Rocky Mountains?”

“Yes, I’ve asked around your camp, but no dwarf seems willing to help us.”

“Hmph! That’s because you haven’t asked me, Imar! You said you’ve searched our camp, how come you didn’t find me? It’s not that big.”

“Uh…”

Stanford remembered; this was the grumpy dwarf who had stormed out of the tent earlier.

I really don’t want to get involved!
His face bore a smile, “I apologize, Mr. Imar, it was an oversight on my part. So, you’re willing to help us?”

Imar pulled Stanford by his clothes into a secluded corner.

“What’s your name?”

“You can call me Stanford of Alda.”

“Ah, they call me ‘Warm-hearted Imar’! I suppose I can make an effort to help, but you must swear to keep it a secret.”

Stanford closed his eyes, raised his right hand, and brought his index and middle fingers together.

“In the presence of the Lord of Light and Paul Grayman, I swear not to disclose that Mr. Imar is serving as our guide.”

“What’s all this?”

“My God and my lord.”

“Fine!”

The dwarf lowered his voice, stretching out his hand in front of Stanford, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.

“That… Although I’m helping you out of kindness, I’m also risking discovery by my kin, so… you understand, right?”

Stanford smiled knowingly, “I understand! Please, follow me!”

…

“Hmm… not bad.”

Looking at the utensils in front of him, as white as milk and adorned with exquisite patterns, Imar nodded.

These things should fetch a good price among those foolish orcs who even consider crystals as treasures.

Wait… maybe when I reclaim the position of clan leader, I’ll need a special set of tableware to assert my unique status?

These humans might have more. Ah! I should have demanded a larger share, thinking of that idiot Gunther taking most of it is infuriating.

Unaware of the dwarf’s thoughts, Stanford said beside him, “In addition to this set of utensils, we will also offer a bag of silver coins once we reach the other side of the mountain.”

“Good!” Imar clapped his hand, “You guys wait here a few more days. When my kin are set to return, I’ll find an excuse not to go with them and then depart quietly with you.”

“Thank you for your gracious help.”

Stanford squeezed out a grateful expression, shaking the dwarf’s hand, as rough as sandpaper.