The continuous victories had finally strengthened the confidence of the entire old world in this great knight expedition. After receiving the news of the expeditionary army's victories and seeing the Britanians reaping the benefits, Grand Duke Schultz of Marlinburg took advantage of the situation and used his influence to publicize the victory of this war, suppressing the previous negative news in one fell swoop.
The whole kingdom was excited again. Kurona was decorated with lanterns and streamers to celebrate the victory of the expeditionary army. Large amounts of gold and silver were unloaded from the docks, and the newly established postal system sent many soldiers' spoils to their families. Many serf families were dumbfounded when they received the parcels. These country bumpkins had never seen so much gold and silver before. They were so happy that they couldn't even find the end of it. They even used their teeth to bite the parcels. What a bunch of idiots they were!
The influx of gold and silver into the populace led to a rise in social vitality, but it also led to a large number of robberies, burglaries, and fights. These were left to Regent Laun in Kurona and Suria and Morgiana in the Duke's Castle in Gene City to deal with.
Unexpectedly, when the first issue of Eight Peaks Mountain's bonds was sold quickly due to the victory of the expeditionary army, the major companies in Marimburg that opposed Laing remained silent and uncooperative. After hearing the news of the expeditionary army's victory, the business princes temporarily ceased their activities. In the peaceful festive atmosphere of Marimburg, who knew how many undercurrents were surging under the city, but for the time being, everything returned to silence.
At this moment, the expeditionary army finally arrived at the most important stronghold of the dwarves in the Wretched Lands, Balak Haimen Pass.
If one were to ask which dwarven citadel was the greatest in the world, many would say that it was the dwarven capital of the Eternal Peak, Karaz-a-Karak. The Angrande clan, for example, would definitely say that it was Karaz-a-Karak. Some particularly stubborn old dwarves would also say that it was the first dwarven citadel and the city of origin, Karaz-a-Karak. But if one were to ask the dwarves which city was the most open and lively, even the most stubborn of dwarves would reluctantly admit that it was Barak-a-Karak.
As the only port city of the dwarves, Haimen Pass was built in a huge mountain range near the sea. The dwarven engineers and craftsmen had hollowed out the mountain range and built a port under the cliff. As a trading port and a anchorage for the dwarven navy, there were more than a dozen dwarven ironclad warships docked in the port. These huge ironclad warships were like moving castles on the sea, easily able to defeat many powerful fleets.
Laing and the others gradually approached the port of Haimen Pass on the Poseidon fleet. Looking at the smooth black cliff and the huge deep-water port, thousands of cannons around the port, and the sky that was gradually swallowed up by the cliff, Laing said to Bellegar, "What an amazing city, brother Bellegar."
"Haimen Pass may have the most prosperous trade among all the dwarven strongholds. Only Eight Peaks Mountain could rival it before it fell." Bellegar stroked his white beard. In the past month, he had been killing green dwarves to his heart's content, so the King of Eight Peaks Mountain was in a much better mood. "The dwarves here … compared to other dwarven kingdoms, they are more hospitable. Well, I mean, other than humans, Haimen Pass is one of the few places that don't hate pointy ears. I remember … it seems like many years ago, the pointy-eared Phoenix King landed here."
"Phoenix King Finnuba?" Laing asked casually. It could only be him.
There was a story here. Lilith of the Lake once told Laing that when Finnuba re-contacted the dwarves of the old world, the current Phoenix King, who was a navigator at that time, had once proposed to the Supreme Dwarf King, hoping that the dwarves could return the Phoenix King's crown.
Even for the high elves, who had a long lifespan, the War of the Long Beard was a matter of several generations ago. The elves had begun to forget the ancient hatred. Finnuba said that as long as the dwarves returned the Phoenix King's crown to the high elves, he would return to Ossouin and put in a few good words for the dwarves. Then both sides would be able to bury the hatchet and reconcile.
The dwarves discussed for a while and felt that it was possible. The Supreme Dwarf King made a request: "Ask your Phoenix King to come to the ancestral hall of the Eternity Peak. Ask him to stand in front of the steps of the Supreme Throne and kneel down."
"Apologize loudly, say loudly, I'm sorry, brother dwarf, it was our fault! If you can't hear us, continue. If you can't hear us, continue. Continue until all the dwarves hear us! I'm sorry, brother dwarf, it was our fault! Say it like this! "
"If so, the dwarves are willing to return the Phoenix King's crown to the high elves."
As soon as this condition was mentioned, Finnuba knew that it was impossible to get the Phoenix King's crown back through diplomatic means. He could only give up on this idea. Obviously, Finnuba had underestimated the dwarves' ability to hold grudges. Even the elves, who had a long lifespan, had forgotten their hatred. The dwarves, who had an average lifespan of four to five hundred years, had never completely forgiven the elves' betrayal.
"It seems so." Bellegar expressed his indifference: "Oh, yes, and the Ocean Branch of the Association of Chief Dwarven Engineers is established here. If it's just about making all kinds of huge mobile machinery, even the Association of Chief Dwarven Engineers in Rapids Pass can only admit defeat."
"Oh, I see." Laing nodded.
The dock of Balak Sea Gate was bustling with people everywhere. The port of Sea Gate Pass was not as big as imagined. After a large number of warships were anchored, the Sea God's fleet could only dock in batches. Obviously, the news of the expeditionary army's victories had spread here. Many merchants and various dock vendors were already waiting at the port to see the expeditionary army's glory.
Laing noticed that the apprentices led by Veronica were exclaiming in surprise and excitement. Although the witches had enjoyed relatively good treatment in the entire expeditionary army, the environment in the Badlands still made them feel tired. Seeing that they had finally arrived at the town, the witches began to become restless. Even Veronica stood in front of the railing, looking forward to it.
"We're here, Mr. Laing." Black Heart Reppu walked up and said respectfully to Laing: "Sea Gate Pass is the protection of the prince's territory at the border. Whenever we encounter a strong enemy or an enemy we can't deal with, the only place we can trust and get reinforcements is Sea Gate Pass. The dwarven army here will immediately send out reinforcements as soon as they receive the signal. Of course, the price is not cheap, but it's worth it."
"It's the same. If the dwarven colonies and outposts are attacked, the only thing we can count on is the possible reinforcements from Sea Gate Pass." Bellegar nodded, and the King of Eight Peak Mountain signaled Black Heart Reppu to leave. The mercenary hurriedly smiled and left: "Brother Laing, as guests, we have to meet the King of Sea Gate Pass. Bayernoff Dragonhammer, just follow me."
"Bayernoff Dragonhammer?" Laing and the others disembarked from Sea Gate Pass through the ladder. The huge square dwarven fortress and buildings were crowded as far as the eye could see. More than a dozen giant stone pillars and giant dwarven ancestral statues were supporting the top of the rock wall. Laing noticed that there was already a team of hammer warriors standing on the dock with a serious expression. They were obviously the king's messengers, because in the dwarven society, hammer warriors were usually the king's personal guards.
"Yes, Bayernoff Dragonhammer, the king of Sea Gate Pass. After his father was killed by a sea dragon, Bayernoff spent a whole 20 years chasing the sea dragon in the ocean. In the end, one of his legs was bitten off by the sea dragon, and he killed the sea dragon. After that, he returned to Sea Gate Pass and inherited the throne." "Brother Laing, you have to cheer up. Bayernoff is a really stubborn old man. Since he ascended the throne, he has restored many traditions. He even sent his son to study in Karak Kadrin. Even I don't know many of his taboos. He will definitely ask you questions. Remember to answer in dwarven language and speak as little as possible."
"Well, that sounds a bit troublesome." Veronica emerged from behind Laing. Wizard Garland reached out and patted Laing on the back. "King Belegar, thank you for your guidance. It's very helpful."
"Haha, indeed. I've always felt that compared to Bayernoff, Supreme King Solgreen is not only reasonable, but also very rational." Belegar made a joke that Laing couldn't laugh. "But we have already arranged a gift."
Laing and Veronica looked at each other. Before Laing could say anything, Veronica smiled and pushed him from behind. "Then I won't go, my dear. Come back quickly! Olica and I will go to the hotel and wait for you! "
Before Laing could answer, Veronica and Olica went to arrange a group of witches, leaving Laing and Belegar behind.
"His Majesty Wang Laing of the Knighthood and King Belegar of Angrund, our king is waiting for you in the throne room. If there is nothing urgent, please follow us." The Hammer Warrior came up and motioned for Laing and Belegar to follow him.
Unlike the dwarven army of Breezy Castle and Angrund Clan, the dwarves of Sea Gate Pass were obviously much wealthier. The dwarven warriors of Sea Gate Pass generally wore more luxurious clothes and armor. Rare fabrics, such as silk, were the symbol of elite warriors. The long-bearded warriors of Sea Gate Pass were even more luxurious to reflect their status as elders. Compared to Belegar's army, the dwarven army of Sea Gate Pass had a large number of crossbowmen, musketeers, and artillerymen, while the number of rangers and miners was very small. The army of Sea Gate Pass also had a large number of artillerymen of all kinds. Firstly, there were a large number of engineers here, making it easy to produce and maintain artillery. Secondly, the defense of Sea Gate Pass was also very dependent on a large number of artillery.
Under the lead of the Hammer Warrior, Laing and Belegar followed the Hammer Warrior to the throne room of Sea Gate Pass.
Although there was a team of Hammer Warriors and even more long-bearded veterans, the throne room of Sea Gate Pass still seemed a little empty. Bright lanterns illuminated the empty and deep hall, and Laing could hear the sound of footsteps echoing in the hall. The top floor of the throne room was perhaps 40 meters from the ground, or even higher. The King of Sea Gate Pass, Bayernoff Dragonhammer, was sitting high on the throne. The King was wearing an ancient rune plate armor, and the rune battle axe beside his hand was full of holes, but the remaining parts were still sharp.
It was worth noting that under one of the Dwarf King's trousers, there was an artificial limb that was meticulously forged by the Haimen Pass Engineers Association.
The appearance of Laing and Belegar caused some noise in the hall.
"Who are you?"
"Your Majesty Bayernoff Dragonhammer, the real King of Eight Peak Mountain, Belegar Ironhammer, and the Brittany Knight King Laing Macado are here to pay a visit," the Hammer Warrior who led the way said.
"Pay a visit? Ha, Knight King from afar, what do you want from me? And Belegar, this is the fourth time you've come to Sea Gate Pass, right? " Bayernoff said. Laing found that he had to raise his head at least 45 degrees to see the King of Sea Gate Pass, and Bayernoff's face was hidden in the shadows, so it was almost impossible to see his face clearly.
Laing's action obviously made Bayernoff misunderstand. The King of Sea Gate Pass was stunned for a moment, as if he was searching and trying to figure out something. When Belegar was about to speak, Bayernoff raised his hand and motioned for him to wait. It was not until a few minutes later that Bayernoff said in the common language, "Who are you? Don't you understand the dwarven language? "
"I understand, Your Majesty Bayernoff. Thank you for accepting us in Sea Gate Pass." However, Laing took the initiative to step forward and said in very fluent dwarven language, "I've heard your name for a long time. It's an honor to meet you here."
The Hammer Warriors and the long-bearded veterans in the hall burst into a burst of praise.
What kind of human hero was this?
Seeing that the Knight King could speak the dwarven language so fluently, the King of Sea Gate Pass's face looked a lot better. This way, he did not have to think and think about the human language that he had not used for a long time. Seeing this, the King of Sea Gate Pass nodded and switched back to the dwarven language, "Your Kazadri language is not bad. It will save us a lot of trouble."
"Thank you." Laing nodded. As the son of the Emperor, he was proficient in eight languages, including the dwarven language and the elven language. This was his talent, and it seemed that this talent was also reflected in little Frey Derick and little Devonshire.
"I've heard your heroic deeds. You destroyed all the green-skinned fortresses along the Blackwater Bay. This is very good. You are a friend of the dwarves, but I still won't send any reinforcements or provide any help to you. You can stay here temporarily and hire mercenaries, but I won't send a single soldier to help you." Bernoff reached for the rune axe beside him and said, "I've done this stupid thing once, and I won't do it again."
Belega was a little embarrassed. The King of Eight Peak Mountain looked up and said, "Bernoff, we came prepared this time!"
"That's what you said last time!"
"It's different this time!"
"That's what you said last time!"
"No, listen to me, Bernoff. This time, with the help of the Brittany army, we will definitely be able to …"
"That's what you said last time when you borrowed the army from Solgreen, our Supreme King." Bernarov interrupted Bellegar's speech once again. His voice reverberated throughout the empty hall. In addition, the hall was filled with laughter. This laughter made Bellegar's face turn red. He was indeed a loser before he took back the Ba Feng Mountain and washed away the hatred between himself and his clan.
Seeing Belega's embarrassment, Laing quickly came out and said, "Your Majesty, we have brought you a gift this time!"
"Gift? Huh? For me? " Bernoff turned his attention back to Laing and said, "The Sea Gate is not short of gold and silver. King of Knights, I know you have robbed a lot, but obviously you have underestimated the difficulty of the expedition to Eight Peak Mountain. Keep it for yourself."
"No, I can bet that this gift is sincere enough." Laing took out a box. The hammer warriors and the long-bearded veterans put their lanterns and torches close to the box, and the light sources gathered in the box.
Soon, the dwarves in Sea Gate showed a disgusted expression and made an angry noise. They moved aside so that King Bernoff could see Laing's gift clearly.
"This is … Ha! It's a suitable gift. Are you really going to give it to me? "
"Of course!"
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