Tucked at the foot of a massive mountain range lied the massive iron walls of [Gureom], one of the most fortified Dwarven cities in the province. With monsters swarming the city's outskirts and a rich deposit of high end materials thanks to it's rich mines, the place has become a meeting place for inventors across the province, testing out their new inventions and machines of war.
As the gates opened, many inhabitants and visitors, mostly Dwarfs, turned their eyes to an unknown vehicle entering their city walls. Many started to admire it's complex structure and foreign design.
Meanwhile, on the inside, Kaito and his former squad observed the townsfolk.
"So, this is Gureom?" Asked Yuuto, "Looks rather nice. A very Nordic design on the buildings."
"I'm just relieved we actually made it here." Said Watari, "I doubt this thing could travel another mile with how little gas it has left in the tank."
"Let's just hope it's enough then." Replied Yuuto, "We'll need a sample if we want them to replicate the fuel accurately."
Driving to the town's main workshop, they entered it's giant front door, over 15 feet high, as their eyes were enchanted by the sight of massive, borderline steampunk era machinery.
"So, tell me Fran, where can we find an inventor that can help us with our supply problem?" Asked Kaito.
"Where? Anywhere! Didn't I tell you this is the central hub for the most talented inventors in the province? I bet that if we just ask then..."
"Not happening." Said the first inventor that they met.
"What!?" Everyone exclaimed in unison.
"Sorry, this wagon you're showing me is indeed cutting edge, more impressive than anything I've ever seen in my life by a large margin, however, that's the exact problem: they are too cutting edge." Explained the owner of the workshop, "For something of this level, you'd need someone from the Dwarven Capital to look at."
"And where would that be?" Asked Yuuto.
"Just across this mountain range." Replied The owner, "Shouldn't take too long, only about half a day's worth of travel time."
"But that's the problem! We need fuel for this kind of expedition, fuel!" Exclaimed Yuuto.
"I dunno what to tell you." Said the worker, "Something of this weight would need super heavy duty carriages to tow up to the capital, and those things do not come cheap."
"Is there anything you can at least do about this?" Asked Watari.
The inventor shook in head, apologizing.
Leaving the workshop, the group sighed in defeat, leaving the thing parked by a scrap pile.
"Great, just when we thought we didn't need to abandon our poor old LAV Komatsu." Ranted Yuuto, "Alright ladies, looks like you need to get accustomed to hiking."
"Bummer." Replied Fuyumi and Rumiko.
"So anyways, what's the deal with you and that Franciska chick?" Asked Yuuto.
"Eh?" Kaito exclaimed in shock.
"Yeah, come on, tell us! Did you use your [Cheat Abilities] to make her fall for you?" Teased Rumiko, joining in on the action.
"Guys, it's not like that! She's my escort, nothing else!" Explained Kaito, "I swear!"
"Oh really? Suuuuure." Rumiko responded with teasing eyes, "Then let us just ask her about this!"
"W-W-Wait!" Kaito exclaimed, trying to stop her, only to get held back by Yuuto.
"I got him Rumi! Ask away!" Exclaimed Yuuto.
"Noooo!"
Rumiko ran up to Franciska, who was weirded out by the group's antics.
"So, do you... like Kaito?" Asked Rumiko.
"What's that?" Asked Franciska, taken by surprise.
"Come on, we're just two women in our 20s making conversation!" Smirked Rumiko.
"I'm 16." Corrected Franciska.
Both Yuuto and Rumiko froze at that statement, before glaring at Kaito.
"Okay you have taken it too far this time!" Exclaimed Rumiko, stomping on him.
"Impure! Degenerate! Pedo!" Exclaimed Yuuto, doing the same.
"I TOLD YOU WE AREN'T ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED!" exclaimed Kaito while getting beat up.
"Guys?" Fuyumi and Watari froze.
As Yuuto and Rumiko stopped beating on Kaito and looked, a wave of caution washed over them. Someone was on the roof of their truck.
"Who is that?" Asked Fuyumi, "A thief?"
"Of that size? That's got to be a child or something." Replied Watari, "Even the dwarfs we just met were taller"
"Should we shoot it?" Asked Yuuto, pointing his handgun at it.
"Don't, we can't afford to waste any more ammo." Watari stated, "Just toss a rock at it or something."
Following the sergeant's advice, Yuuto chucked a rock at the intruder, as he fell of the LAV in a thud.
"Ouch!"
"Oh dear god it's a person." Said Yuuto.
"Oi! What was that for!?" Exclaimed the intruder, revealing himself to be a skinnier and shorter dwarf with spiky red hair.
"I was gonna ask you the same." Said Yuuto, grabbing him by the collar and picking him up, "What are you doing on our vehicle?"
"Your vehicle? This thing's yours?!" Exclaimed the man.
Suddenly, the man broke out of Yuuto's grip with impressive strength, bowing to them.
"I'm so sorry for intruding! It's just that I was so impressed yet puzzled by your invention's design! I wanted to analyze it further and forgot that it actually belonged to someone! Many apologies!" He exclaimed.
"Yeah yeah, we get it, now, who the hell are you?" Asked Kaito.
"My name is Hugo, Hugo Esidon." He said, pulling out an emblem, "I'm actually an emissary from [Danos]."
"Wait, [Danos]?" Asked Franciska, shocked.
"What's that?" Asked Kaito.
"[Danos] is the capital city of the Dwarf Kingdom of [Tardonia]." Explained Franciska, "But what is an emissary from that kingdom doing here?"
"[Danos] sends emissaries to different towns annually to find new potential recruits for the royal court's science division." Explained Hugo, "I came here to inspect potential candidates."
Then he turned back to the wagon.
"However, I simply cannot take my eyes off this piece of work! This thing's far more advanced than even vehicles from the capital!" Exclaimed Hugo, "Who built it?"
"Well... the builder's aren't really... around anymore." Kaito tried to explain.
"Then this is a relic!?" Exclaimed Hugo, "If that's the case, than this is simple amazing one! Museum worthy indeed!"
"Yeah, it would be so much better if it had any fuel left?" Commented Kaito.
"Fuel you say? You're willing to tell me this thing runs on fuel?" Asked Hugo.
"Uh... yeah?" Replied Kaito.
"Very well then, I'll help you deliver this immediately to the capital!" Replied Hugo, "Follow me."
Following the man, they found themselves standing before a massive mechanical four legged walker. While it had a design eerily similar to Davinci's tank design, it was much bigger, with legs instead of wheels. As the massive machine lowered, the group drove their vehicle into it, surprised that it could even hold a vehicle of such weight.
"This baby will help us reach the capital before sundown!" Exclaimed Hugo, "So buckle up!"
And so, the group took off for Danos, the capital.
On their way in the rocking machine, Franciska decided to converse with Hugo, impressed with the machine they were riding in.
"I've been to [Danos] once or twice, but I've never seen such machinery." Said Franciska, "Has the country really progressed this much since my last visit?"
"You have no idea, Lady Franciska, [Danos] has made some mighty large leaps in technology since your last visit. I might say they have reached the point where they could conquer the world if they wanted to!"
"No kidding! And I thought the siege engines used in [Auru] were impressive." Commented Franciska.
"[Auru]? Oh you're from the [Rones] Kingdom right? I've been there I few times, and I must say, could really use a Dwarven touch!" Said Hugo with pride, "Then again, I could say the same to all capitals I visit. I mean, couldn't they at least consider using some plumbing? I swear, people put way too much importance in magic that they don't see that technology is where it's really at!"
Hearing this, Kaito and company quietly nodded in agreement, as they were all tired of pooping in a hole or outhouse. The thought of there finally being plumbing for once at somewhere they visit left them feeling assured.
Arriving at the massive walled city about 2 hours later, their vehicle was hauled into the royal court, as many engineers came running at it, examining it's every inch.
"How wondrous!" They said, "I've never seen such a complex contraption in the past! What is this thing?"
"That's our engine." Answered Yuuto, "So? Are you gonna fix this thing or no-"
Before Yuuto could finish, the dwarven inventor shushed him.
"Patience, my tall fellow! You must have patience for this sort of thing!" Replied the inventor.
"Look, there's nothing wrong with our vehicle, we just need fuel, can you maybe supply us with some?" Asked Fuyumi.
"Fuel? What kind? Coal perhaps? Though the exhaust port on this thing seems a tad too small for that, do you people just like the fumes?" Asked the inventor.
"No, not coal, Diesel, actually." Replied Yuuto, siphoning out some of the vehicle's fuel to show them."
However, upon witnessing the liquid, a sense of unease drew in the faces of the inventors. Their excited and curious demeanor shifted as they examined the liquid.
"Tell me, strangers, where did you get this relic?" They asked in a serious tone.
"W-We... um... found it in... a buried temple... and..." Kaito tried improvising.
"Cut the crap already Kaito!" Yuuto exclaimed, losing patience, "Look, this vehicle is ours, was always ours and I don't give two craps on who built it, now can you supply us with fuel or not!?"
"Liar..." The inventors muttered.
"What?" Asked Yuuto.
"LIAR!" They yelled out, "This relic of yours runs on the [Blood of the War God]! Tell us, how could you people possibly know about our national secret!?"
"National... what?" Asked Watari confused, "Listen, I really don't understand what's going on here but if we talk this out, maybe we can-"
Suddenly, dwarven soldiers busted into the room, wielding axes and old fashioned muskets, pointed at the group.
"Seize them! Don't let them escape!" Exclaimed the inventors, "And report this to king [Grendar]! Tell them our national secret has been found out!"
As guards flooded the workshop, Yuuto grabbed Hugo and held a knife at his throat.
"Drop your weapons now or your emissary gets it!" Exclaimed Yuuto.
Upon seeing this, the guards hesitated for a brief moment, as Yuuto used this and they height to his advantage, jumping over the guards.
Fuyumi and Rumiko followed suit, pushing one of them over as the group jumped out the nearest window.
"Thank god we're on the first floor!" Exclaimed Kaito, who jumped out last, still falling a decent 10 feet however."
"We were on the second floor though..." Muttered Hugo, too scared to move.
However, escaping the royal workshop was the least of their worries, as from all corners, dwarven soldiers came flooding in.
"They've got us cornered on all sides!" Exclaimed Franciska.
"Anyone still have a flashbang or smoke?" Asked Kaito.
"Yeah, but this is my last one!" Replied Rumiko, tossing down a smoke grenade, "So let's make it count!"
As the smoke went down, the group made a mad dash towards the stairs. The Dwarven capital was on a slope, and they place they were at was on top of that slope, and they were ready to tumble they way down if they needed to escape the guards chasing them.
"Ha ha! There's no way those midgets will see through that smoke!" Exclaimed Yuuto, "We're safe!"
However, upon saying that, the sounds of flapping rotors filled the air, as through the smoke came a squadron of dwarfs armed with crossbows, equipped which a helicopter pack of sorts.
"Oh come on!" Exclaimed Yuuto, narrowly dodging an arrow.
"It's the [Flying Ram] units! Combining Elven wind magic with dwarven ingenuity, the [Flying Ram] unit has done the impossible and allowed dwarves to achieve flight!" Exclaimed Hugo, in awe and amazement, "This is the first time I've seen them in action!"
"Would you just shut up for a second!?" Asked Yuuto, "At least be a quiet hostage!"
"Why do you even need to take me hostage!?" Asked Hugo.
"Because you have some answers to give us!" Replied Yuuto, as a crossbow bolt whiffed him by a millimeter."
As they reached the mid levels of the capital, the streets became a lot busier, providing the group with a lot more cover. However, due to the group being nearly twice as tall as the average dwarf, as well as their camo green outfits, they ironically stood out, allowing the Flying Ram unit to give chase.
Running ahead, they saw a three way fork in the road, as the group ended up splitting into three, causing their chasers to do the same.
Kaito, Franciska and Watari ended up together, Rumiko and Fuyumi were in their own group, leaving Yuuto alone with Hugo.
As the three sides split off, Kaito's side tripped and stumbled as they tried to navigate a street where most people were at hip height, as their chasers, unable to fire due to the sheer amount of people they would hit, switched to axes, as they slowly dove in like hawks, really to chop them up.
Letting out a swing, Kaito felt his hair became shorter, as the axe blade barely missed the top of his head. However, due to approaching so close to the ground, Watari was able to toss his jacket at the soldier, as the cloth got caught and tangled in the propellers, causing the pilot to swerve out of control and crash.
Rumiko and Fuyumi on the other hand screamed girlishly as they attempted to avoid each axe swing, each one tearing up their clothes little by little.
"Say, Fuyumi, is it just me, or are they doing this on purpose?" Asked Rumiko.
Suddenly, looking down at themselves, they saw that their chaser had cleaved open several openings for their breasts to show, and the pilot himself was having a bit of a creepy smile going.
Suddenly, the two stopped running, confusing the pilot, as he continued to charge at them. However, he then also saw them winding up their fists.
"YOU PERV!" They yelled in unison, knocking out the pilot with two vicious right hooks, as the pilot swerved off, crashing into a wall.
However, after defeating that one pilot, 5 more came, as their running continued.
Eventually, the split ended, as the group converged in the middle once again. However, looking at Yuuto, everyone else couldn't help but laugh.
"Ask me and you die." Replied Yuuto in a pissed off tone, as he was covered in 5 different colors of spices and powders from stalls he ran into and topple over while running from his chasers.
"These guys just keep pursuing, we can't shake them!" Exclaimed Kaito.
"There is a way." Said Hugo suddenly, "The lowest levels of this town are generally poor. The Flying Ram Unit should stop once we reach there."
Everyone stopped, glaring at Hugo.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner!?" They exclaimed in unison.
"You're the ones that told me to be a quiet hostage." Commented Hugo.
"Okay, so we can go to the lower levels, but you saw how steep the stairs were, one bad step and we tumble to our death!" Exclaimed Yuuto.
However, Fuyumi didn't falter, seeing an opportunity in front of her in the form of a shield, she kicked up the shield and grabbed everyone.
"Everyone, hang on!!" She cried out, as they all got dragged in by this one girl, who slid them all the way down the stairs.
However, halfway through, they ended up bumping into something in the road, making them all tumble down the remaining flight of stairs,
Seeing this, the remaining Flying Ram unit looked at each other.
"That's the lower levels." Said one of them, "I'm not going down there."
"Yeah, and those guys probably can't survive such a fall." Replied another, "Let's just leave them."
As the unit departed, at the lower levels, the group crawled out of a stack of hay, all thanking whatever god they believed in that they survived.
"Wow, what a thrilling adventure that was!" Exclaimed Hugo, jumping out the hay.
"You!" Yuuto exclaimed, grabbing Hugo by the collar, "You said the royal capital could help us resupply and refuel, so what the hell was that just then!?"
"Hey hey hey, don't look at me, I didn't know your vehicle was runs on the same fuel that power's our kingdom's hidden weapon!" Explained Hugo.
"Hidden... weapon?" Asked Franciska.
"Well, they already suspect you guys of knowing it's existence, so it's not like I'm losing anything telling you this, but deep within the mines of this kingdom lies... an ancient evil." Explained Hugo.