Emojis
ForTestingPurpose“This is the key facility for drawing in the lava as a resource.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeBefore them spread a vast pool of lava, bubbling and churning, large enough to easily surpass the size of an average public swimming pool.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“If you compare it to a river, this would be the spring that feeds it. We connect pipes here to gather the lava.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I don’t feel as much heat as I expected.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Since this lava isn’t just used for the Dragon’s Breath but in many other places as well, it requires daily maintenance.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf the environment is too hot, it becomes difficult to work, so we use cooling agents and magical tools to keep the temperature at a manageable level just warm enough to be bearable.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeJust as Orson had said, despite the lava boiling right in front of them, Rosaria and her companions felt no more discomfort than if they were inside a low-temperature dry sauna.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“So, old man! What exactly is the problem?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“There’s no issue with the Dragon’s Breath itself. The machinery and test runs are all working perfectly.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“The problem is… the lava we’re using as fuel.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I heard something about this earlier… You said the lava lacks the power of the Salamanders?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“That’s right, kid.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“As you know, this fortress along with the Dragon’s Breath is sustained by lava.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Settled beneath a volcano, we’ve built an entire civilization utilizing its seething lava.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“From forging simple iron nails to crafting the countless weapons we export to other nations it’s all made possible thanks to this lava.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“And the reason for that is the fire spirits that inhabit the lava of this fortress.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“But recently, the Salamanders’ activity has dropped drastically. Naturally, that means the lava is no longer imbued with their power, and as a result, the Dragon’s Breath has stopped functioning.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ordinary ironwork can still be done with regular lava… but refining rare metals and creating magical tools has become incredibly difficult.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWe’re trying to figure out why this is happening, but so far… we’ve got nothing.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeSighing deeply, Orson rubbed his temples in frustration as he explained the situation with the lava and its impact on the fortress.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor now, they could manage, but if the Dragon’s Breath ceased functioning entirely, it would put the dwarves in an extremely difficult position.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ahem… Anyway, take a look if you want. I don’t have much hope, but if you manage to fix it, great. If not, well, nothing we can do about it.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeShrugging, Orson gestured for Rosaria to proceed, clearly not expecting much.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn truth, he wasn’t placing any real hopes on them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA spirit mage, a wizard, and an artifact made from the branches of the World Tree from the Grand Forest of the elves were interesting, but spirit mages and wizards existed here as well yet even they couldn’t figure out the cause.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith a light pat on Rosaria’s shoulder, Orson excused himself, saying he had some business to attend to, leaving them alone.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Alright, let’s take a look.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Think you can do it?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Well, we have to try.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Magic and spirits may be different, but I should be able to analyze the magical energy within the lava.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe first to take action was Felix.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Give me a moment… Hmm, alright… Hmmm… Hmmm…?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeClosing his eyes to concentrate for a brief moment, Felix then focused magic into his eyes and gazed into the lava pool.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Can you see anything?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“There really is magic in the lava. I can sense it inside… It’s not just naturally occurring magic drifting around it’s something artificial. But… hmm… something about it feels off.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What’s strange about it?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“It’s like… there are traces of magic left behind, as if something moved away in a hurry. There were definitely fire spirits here, but now… there’s no sign of them at all.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“So, does that mean the fire spirits really left?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Based on what I’m seeing, that seems to be the case. But this alone isn’t enough to be sure.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeFelix could see traces of fire elemental magic lingering within the lava, but the beings that once emitted that energy had vanished, leaving an eerie emptiness.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Then is there nothing we can do?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know much about spirits…”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“There’s got to be another way. This was finally our chance to work with dragon scales directly…”
EmojisForTestingPurposeEverything Felix had observed so far was already known to the dwarves. With so few clues to go on, they could do little more than slump their shoulders in disappointment.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt that moment.
EmojisForTestingPurpose—Mom!
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Huh? Ariel?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—Where are we?
EmojisForTestingPurposeAriel, who usually spent her time in the spirit realm, suddenly appeared beside Rosaria, looking around curiously.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“This is where the dwarves live.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—Ooooh… I see. I’m hungry!
EmojisForTestingPurpose“That’s the first thing you say after showing up… I’ll get you something later.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—Okay!
EmojisForTestingPurposeRosaria chuckled at Ariel’s usual carefree and food-loving nature, gently patting her on the head.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Wait a second, Felix. Maybe Ariel could help us?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ariel?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yeah! She’s a spirit too, right? Maybe she can figure something out!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeWatching them, Felix suddenly snapped his fingers as if he had an idea.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven though fire and wind were different elements, they were still spirits in the same realm. Maybe there was a way to use that connection.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Hmm… Ariel?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—”Whyyy?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Do you know where the fire spirits around here went?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—”Fire spirits?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yeah. We need to ask them something. Can you try to find them?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—”Gimme a sec…”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThinking Felix’s suggestion made sense, Rosaria quickly turned to Ariel, who was perched on her shoulder. At Rosaria’s request, Ariel immediately closed her eyes, focusing intently.
EmojisForTestingPurpose—”Oooover there. That way!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter a brief moment of concentration, Ariel stretched out her hand, pointing in a specific direction. Rosaria and her companions followed the motion of her fingertip with their eyes.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Over there? I don’t see anything.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What is she pointing at?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeTo Felix and Louis, it looked like she was just gesturing at a plain stone wall.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Wait. Could it be that?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeTo Rosaria’s eyes, things looked a little different.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe had thought it was just a rock wall, but upon closer inspection, she could see a faint, fluttering form.
EmojisForTestingPurposeRosaria began walking toward it, step by step.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs she got closer, the shape became clearer, and its true identity came into her view.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— A human. A human.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— What are they doing here…?
EmojisForTestingPurpose— I’ve never seen this human before.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTheir size was similar to Ariel’s.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHowever, their colors and form were distinctly different.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf Ariel’s form resembled the embodiment of the wind, with her entire body wrapped in something airy, then these beings looked as if they were wearing outfits made entirely of flames.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut it wasn’t just simple fire.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTheir appearance was striking like an inverted red rose in the shape of a skirt, with a vivid, burning glow.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTheir features were also much sharper compared to Ariel’s truly a look befitting fire itself.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThese were the spirits of flame.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Salamanders.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Uh, um…?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose— It’s coming closer!
EmojisForTestingPurpose— Should we burn it?
EmojisForTestingPurpose— Let’s do it!
EmojisForTestingPurpose“W-wait…! I just want to talk for a moment!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs soon as Rosaria stepped forward to speak, the Salamanders flared up, their bodies blazing even stronger.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe quickly shook her head, insisting she only wanted to have a conversation, but their fiery energy didn’t waver.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— Don’t hurt Mom!
EmojisForTestingPurposeAriel suddenly stepped between them, raising her hands and shouting.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— A spirit.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— A wind spirit.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— Why is it here?
EmojisForTestingPurpose— It’s with a human.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Salamanders started murmuring among themselves, surprised by Ariel’s presence.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— But that human… smells kind of nice.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— Yeah.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— Maybe they’re not bad?
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Uh, huh?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeRosaria was taken aback as the Salamanders, now lowering their flames, slowly stepped away from the rock wall and began approaching her.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— This human. A good human!
EmojisForTestingPurpose— It feels nice here.
EmojisForTestingPurpose— I like this warmth.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Is this really okay?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose— This spot is mine! Hehe!
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs the Salamanders giggled and settled onto Rosaria’s shoulders and head, she felt a little awkward.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMeanwhile, Ariel, who had lost her usual spot, quickly climbed onto Rosaria’s hand with a determined smile, as if to say she wouldn’t give up her place so easily.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Oppa! Are you okay!?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Hyung! Are you alright!?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yeah! Somehow, I think I’m okay!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs Felix’s group shouted from a distance, Rosaria looked at them and gave an “OK” sign.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFrom Felix’s perspective, it was a bizarre sight Salamanders had suddenly appeared out of thin air, looking as if they were ready to set everything on fire.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut then, just as quickly, they started clinging to Rosaria.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What are you guys seeing? I can’t see a thing.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeMeanwhile, Louis who had no magic and no talent as a spirit user could only tilt his head in confusion, completely unaware of what was happening.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Now’s your chance, Oppa! Ask them quickly!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Oh, right! Uh, hey, guys?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—What?
EmojisForTestingPurpose—What’s up?
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Don’t you guys usually live inside the lava over there?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—Yeah!
EmojisForTestingPurpose—Lava is warm and cozy!
EmojisForTestingPurpose—It makes our bodies feel all floaty!
EmojisForTestingPurpose“But lately, people have said they haven’t seen you in the lava… What happened?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose—That’s…
EmojisForTestingPurpose—Ugh… Uh…
EmojisForTestingPurpose—It’s scary…!
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen Rosaria asked why they had disappeared from the lava, the cheerful spirits suddenly became downcast, their voices trailing off.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt wasn’t just that they seemed sad they looked genuinely afraid.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What’s so scary? What happened?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeRosaria immediately pressed for more details.
EmojisForTestingPurpose—They’re taking us…
EmojisForTestingPurpose—They took the others too…
EmojisForTestingPurpose—It’s too scary…!
EmojisForTestingPurposeLittle by little, the Salamanders began to speak, their voices trembling with fear.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Taking you? Someone’s taking you?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeRosaria’s expression grew serious as the spirits trembled so much they could barely get their words out.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSomething dangerous something they had no idea about was happening in Karak-Zar. Not on the surface… but beneath the lava.