Lord of Avalon : Lost in Another World

Goblin, Gnome, Dwaft Pov

Goblins, gnomes, and dwarves had formed group naturally after Ardi disbanded the meeting. They realized they had similarities in skills and work, making the idea of forming a working group together.

Thrain, a bearded dwarf leader in a blacksmith apron, folded his arms and nodded.

Thrain: "I think we three should start an Artisan Guild someday. Our skills complement each other perfectly."

Rila, a tiny gnome with braided hair, smiled brightly.

Rila: "Great idea! We can make better tools, weapons, and machines if we work together!"

Zrud, the goblin leader wearing odd round glasses, grinned widely.

Zrud: "Yes, yes! Goblins, gnomes, and dwarves—three brilliant mechanical races! We can build something that will shake the world!"

Suddenly, a young goblin named Nok, with long ears and a curious face, stopped and stared at a Minori Village soldier in the distance. His eyes lit up as he saw a unique weapon in the soldier's hand.

Nok: "Hey, look at that! Is that... a bomb stick?!"

Grok: "Huh? A bomb stick? You mean like a goblin bomb?"

Nok: "No, no—it's like a dwarf's bomb stick! I heard stories about it!"

Their whispers grew louder until Zrud scowled.

Zrud: "Hey, why are you making such a racket? Act like respectable goblins of this village, not like wild beasts!"

Grok and Nok glanced at each other, feeling guilty. Rila patted Zrud's shoulder and smiled.

Rila: "Calm down, Zrud. What are they so curious about?"

Grok: "We're just curious about the weapon he's holding..."

All eyes turned to Ichiro, a Tenppo Ashigaru wearing the village's uniform, holding a Tanegashima Matchlock—a firearm unfamiliar to many people.

Thrain frowned, studying the weapon.

Thrain: "I think I've seen something similar in old dwarf designs..."

Dwarves, gnomes, and goblins began to gather around Ichiro, looking at the weapon with great interest. Ichiro, preparing for patrol, looked puzzled.

From the other side, Kenshin, leader of the Ashigaru, stepped forward.

Kenshin: (calmly, a bit confused)

"Is there something we can help you with?"

Zrud: "We want to know about that bomb stick you hold, soldier!"

Rila and the other gnomes and dwarves covered their mouths, embarrassed by Zrud's informal tone. The Ashigaru only smiled.

Ichiro: "Oh, this? It's not a bomb stick. It's a Tanegashima Matchlock, a gun powered by gunpowder."

Thrain squinted at it.

Thrain: "Hmm… it's different from the bomb stick we tried making, but the principle seems similar."

The dwarves circled Ichiro, examining the weapon with interest.

Rila: "How does it work?! Does it use an explosive reaction like our devices?!"

Ichiro: "Yes, it's similar. The bullet put in the barrel, and gunpowder ignites it, propelling the bullet out."

The dwarves and gnomes murmured among themselves, and the goblins grew more excited.

Then, a group of lizardmen approached. Their leader, Varkas—a large lizardman with a scar by his left eye—stepped forward, eyeing the matchlock with curiosity.

Varkas: "What are you discussing here?"

The dwarves and gnomes made way, but the goblins pointed eagerly at Ichiro's weapon.

Nok: "Look! A weird weapon! It uses explosions to attack!"

Varkas examined the matchlock, then touched his chin with a clawed hand.

Varkas: "Hmm… I haven't seen a weapon like this before. How effective is it on the battlefield?"

Ichiro: "Tanegashima has great range and firepower, but its rate of fire and performance in bad weather are weak. It isn't ideal for close combat, but it's very useful in tactical battles."

Varkas: "Interesting… a weapon that relies more on strategy than brute strength."

The lizardmen looked intrigued, while the dwarves and gnomes listened eagerly.

Thrain: "Maybe we can develop something even better based on this!"

Kenshin: "Looks like you've just attracted a bunch of curious engineers and fighters, Ichiro."

Ichiro laughed, knowing that Minori Village might soon have a new weapon research division, combining the talents of goblins, gnomes, dwarves, and lizardmen.

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Cat-kin Pov

The sun had climbed higher into the sky, marking midday. In the courtyard of Daimyo Castle, villagers were busy preparing for the celebration.

Amid the bustling activity, Yui and Megumi stood as the main coordinators, ensuring everything was going smoothly. The village women and cat-kin worked together—preparing food, setting up tables, and arranging seating areas.

Unlike the other newcomers, the cat-kin were working harder than anyone else. They moved quickly, always looking for new tasks, and seemed afraid of making even the smallest mistake.

Inside the Village Hall, Megumi was checking the food supplies when she noticed Noriko and Satsuki, two of the village's chefs, whispering with concerned expressions.

Noriko: "Megumi-sama, you've noticed it too, right? The cat-kin… they're working too hard."

Satsuki: "Yeah… It's like they're afraid of making a mistake."

Megumi let out a deep sigh. She had also sensed something was off but wasn't sure why.

Megumi: "I'll talk to Yui-sama. This… isn't what Ardi-sama wants."

After gathering her thoughts, Megumi walked over to Yui, who was giving instructions to Kazuo and Toru, two of the village's carpenters, about building a long dining table in the castle courtyard.

Megumi: "Yui-sama, can we talk for a moment?"

Yui turned to her, offering a small smile.

Yui: "Hm? What's wrong, Megumi-san?"

With a gentle tone, Megumi explained her concerns—how the cat-kin seemed afraid of making mistakes, how they were overly focused on pleasing Ardi, their new lord, and how even the other villagers had started noticing something was wrong.

Yui listened carefully, then closed her eyes for a moment. Using Quantum Connection, she linked her thoughts to Ardi's Nexus Garb and accessed the internet, searching for information about cat-kin and demi-humans from Ardi's world.

Yui: "…"

After a brief moment, Yui opened her eyes. Her once relaxed expression turned serious.

Megumi: "Yui-sama?"

Yui looked at Megumi, her lips curling into a bitter smile.

Yui: "I think I know why they're acting like this. And… it's deeper than we thought."

She then explained her findings—how demi-humans like the cat-kin were often enslaved and exploited in many stories from Ardi's world. How they were forced into servitude, treated as disposable warriors, and constantly feared being abandoned if they weren't useful enough.

Megumi fell silent, her eyes filled with sadness.

Megumi: "So… they think that if they're not perfect, Ardi-sama will cast them aside?"

Yui: "Something like that."

Without hesitation, they called for Felina, a blonde-haired cat-kin with golden eyes, who seemed to be the natural leader of her group.

Felina approached them energetically, her tail swaying playfully.

Felina: "Lady Yui! Lady Megumi! How can I help, nya?"

Megumi looked at her gently.

Megumi: "Felina-san… You and your people don't have to push yourselves so hard."

Felina froze for a moment. Her golden eyes started to glisten with tears.

Felina: "Are… we useless, nya?"

Yui and Megumi were stunned. Before they could respond, Felina's tears spilled down her cheeks.

Felina: "I knew it! We're just discarded tools, worthless! We weren't good enough for our last master… and now we're not good enough for Lord Ardi either, nya…"

Her words echoed through the castle courtyard, making everyone—including the other cat-kin—pause in shock. Some of them showed similar expressions of fear, disappointment, and confusion.

Panicked, Megumi quickly tried to reassure her.

Megumi: "No! That's not what I meant! I just don't want you to push yourselves too hard!"

Yui, who was calmer, took a deep breath and raised her voice.

Yui: "Everyone, listen to me!"

Her soft yet firm voice silenced the murmurs. All eyes turned to her.

Yui: "I'll be honest. You all see Ardi as your Lord. But in reality… he's just a regular guy with a ridiculous dream."

The villagers exchanged glances, listening intently.

Yui: "He wants to create a village where everyone can live in peace—regardless of race or background. That's why he's doing all of this. Honestly, I think his dream is too naïve!"

She sighed before continuing in a softer tone.

Yui: "He could have been a strict ruler, forcing people to obey him. But instead… he pushes himself harder than anyone, even when he doesn't have to, just to make this dream come true."

A heavy silence filled the air. The cat-kin looked confused as if they were hearing something completely foreign to them.

Felina, her face still damp with tears, looked up at Yui.

Felina: "So… we don't have to force ourselves, nya?"

Yui smiled gently and wiped the tears from Felina's cheeks.

Yui: "Of course not. You're not here because you're useful—you're here because you're part of this village."

Felina bit her lip, then gave a small, teary smile.

Felina: "I… understand. I'll try to tell the others, nya."

Megumi also smiled, feeling relieved.

Megumi: "And from now on, don't cry in front of everyone, Felina-san. You're the leader of the cat-kin. If you look weak, they'll lose confidence too."

Felina flinched, then let out a small laugh as she wiped her eyes.

Felina: "I was really embarrassing, nya?"

Yui smirked playfully.

Yui: "A little. But it's okay. Everyone has moments like this."

Small chuckles came from some of the cat-kin, followed by relieved whispers among them.

The villagers slowly resumed their work, and the atmosphere returned to normal.

Felina looked at Yui and Megumi with gratitude.

Felina: "Thank you, nya… Lady Yui, Lady Megumi."

Megumi smiled.

Megumi: "We just want everyone in this village to feel at home. That's all."

Felina clenched her fists with newfound determination.

Felina: "Then, I'll also help make Lord Ardi's dream come true, nya!"

Yui shook her head with a small smile and continued preparing for the celebration.

Today, Minori Village felt more alive than ever.

To be continued…