Mage Legend-Chapter 366: Travel and Travel Beyond - One Diary

Moni the Dwarf’s Diary

Today is destined to be a memorable day; I’ve had this premonition since morning. The annoying underground winds have ceased, and that damp, chilly air will finally stop tormenting my knees. Many dwarves felt the same way, and everyone is joyfully celebrating the arrival of the dry season.

Every year during the dry season, something exciting always happens. I remember last year’s dry season when old Puck from next door celebrated his 480th birthday; it was truly a miracle. On that day, he brought out a rolling chair he had made himself, allowing him, who could barely walk, to continue strolling around this city. This is something created by the oldest dwarf in Dwarf City, a true rarity.

The first day of the dry season before that was Nimo’s coming of age ceremony, one of the most important days of his life. This guy is taller than the average dwarf, and he’s smarter and more adventurous. I always knew he would accomplish things others couldn’t.

Back to the point, today (to be precise, yesterday, since I drank a bit too much, I’m now catching up with yesterday’s diary), Little Nimo and his friends returned from the Underdark! This is so joyous. The moment they stepped into the city, old Puck wheeled himself over to me to deliver the good news.

"Little Nimo is back! Your nephew is back!" Old Puck’s face was flushed with excitement; if he kept this up, he might live another 480 years. "And that mage who donated the mithril! He’s back too; aren’t you going!"

To be honest, I really wanted to go welcome them at that time, but I was afraid I’d break into tears upon seeing Little Nimo. Crying in front of everyone would be so embarrassing!

Since last autumn when the mage and his mithril suddenly appeared at the city’s teleportation testing platform, I knew the world was about to change. Little Nimo longed for life outside; he always wanted to increase his knowledge through adventures to create more and better things. Mage Lynch’s arrival was sure to strike a chord with him. He had more than once wanted to leave Dwarf City to see the outside world, but the dangers of the Underdark were something he couldn’t overcome alone.

Mage Lynch is a decent person; he’s very kind and easy to get along with, though sometimes a bit silent, always sitting quietly with some books, never stopping his habits of reading and thinking. We dwarves love people like him who prioritize knowledge over wasting life on trivial conflicts. During the time Lynch lived with us, he frequently provided suggestions for some of our inventions. Those recommendations made the things we crafted more perfect. Although he is not a dwarf, he maintained the same curiosity and passion for invention and creation as we dwarves. If I could, I’d love to keep him here forever, among his dwarf friends.

It’s precisely because of Lynch that I agreed to let Nimo go on the adventure. With a mage accompanying him, Little Dwarf wouldn’t face much danger. That warrior named Deluo, with immense strength, could also offer significant help during the journey. Even so, life in the Underdark was full of challenges, and I frequently worried about whether Little Nimo would encounter misfortune and when he could return.

But now, after 8 months, from that autumn to the beginning of another dry season, my Little Dwarf finally returned. I held back my excitement, focusing my attention on the small parts in my hands, stubbornly resisting the urge to meet him at the city gate. At that moment, my mind was indeed in turmoil; even my heart, usually so steady, was boiling over like bubbling hot water.

"Uncle!" Just Nimo’s call from behind me brought the tears I had been holding back down my cheeks. He threw himself into my arms, calling my name repeatedly. I felt as if I were in a daze, unable to remember to respond to his call, with tears as large as beans streaming down, soaking the top of Little Nimo’s head.

If I’d known it would be like this, I might as well have gone to the city gate to find him, so we could reunite a bit sooner.

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