Chapter 88: Entering Gray Fortress! Secret News!

The dwarf queen and her party walked out of the underground city amid the cheers of all the dwarves.

After walking for a long time, they passed the massive fortress.

Iron Fortress!

This place has been sealed off!

Although they still live in the underground city beneath Iron Fortress, they are no longer worthy to enter it!

The dwarf queen stood before Iron Fortress and stared silently for a while.

Her emotions were completely different from months ago!

Months ago, every time she saw Iron Fortress, she felt a pang of emotion.

Although she had always strived to return to Iron Fortress, she knew full well how difficult it was!

But now, she had full confidence!

This confidence came from the Sword of Divine Punishment on her back.

It also came from the Great Lord of Flame!

Her only god!

"Let's go!"

After gazing for a moment, the dwarf queen stepped forward and walked out of the city.

A dozen dwarves followed behind her.

The mine cart creaked forward.

Gray Fortress was still a considerable distance from Iron Fortress, and progress underground was slow.

After a full day, the dwarf queen's party finally neared Gray Fortress!

Gray Fortress was built within a vast underground space.

The entire environment of Gray Fortress was exceptionally harsh.

One side of Gray Fortress backed against a cliff wall, while the other three sides were surrounded by a sea of magma!

This was an underground city encircled by a sea of magma!

A path along the cliff wall led to Gray Fortress.

There were also mine tunnels in the cliff wall, used to transport ore and other materials needed by the Gray Fortress dwarves; some Gray Fortress dwarves even used these tunnels to enter and exit!

After emerging from one of the mine tunnels, the dwarf queen's party walked along the cliff path into Gray Fortress.

Gray Fortress was bustling with activity.

Tomorrow was the Day of the Babu Society's Summit, so many Babu Society members had arrived in Gray Fortress.

As soon as the dwarf queen's party appeared, they drew attention.

"Look! Isn't that Queen Aivi of the Iron Fortress tribe? She's come to attend the Babu Society Summit too."

"Yes, the queen of the Iron Fortress tribe has always wanted to unify the eight tribes and restore the glory of the Iron Fortress Kingdom. It's said that to fulfill this wish, she's traveled far and wide seeking something capable of Melting the Heavenly Realm to forge the most powerful weapon and stun everyone at the Babu Society Summit."

"Do you think she can succeed?"

"Hardly. Heavenly Realm meteorite has never been melted before—if it were this easy to melt, it wouldn't be considered useless. But this time, the eight dwarf tribes might truly reunite."

One dwarf, drinking while speaking, revealed a secret rumor he'd overheard.

"Oh? Why say that? Tell us."

The dwarf beside him looked curious upon hearing him.

"The reason is simple: it's said the leader of Gray Fortress has forged a weapon nearly approaching Divine Weapon status—likely strong enough to sever the Cold Iron Sword left behind by the last king of the Iron Fortress Kingdom. If he truly cuts it, the Gray Fortress leader can take over Iron Fortress!"

"Wow, really?"

"If the Gray Fortress leader takes over Iron Fortress, that'll be interesting."

"Indeed…"

The surrounding dwarves began whispering among themselves.

"Queen, listen."

A female dwarf beside the dwarf queen reminded her.

The dwarf queen's expression remained unchanged: "It's fine. Let's keep going."

A weapon nearly approaching Divine Weapon status?

The dwarf queen felt no concern at all, for on her back was a true Divine Weapon!

A Divine Weapon forged from Heavenly Realm meteorite!

Dwarves are straightforward by nature, with no hidden agendas.

For the dwarf queen to unify the eight dwarf tribes is simple.

No battle, no war needed.

No elaborate schemes or treachery!

Dwarves despise schemes and treachery—if you use them, you'll face opposition from every dwarf!

All the dwarf queen needs to do is forge the most powerful weapon, then sever the Cold Iron Sword left by the previous king of Iron Fortress—her grandfather—and she will prove herself, unify the eight tribes, and reclaim her place as the ruler of the eight dwarf tribes!

Decades ago, the dwarf queen's father forged a weapon to claim the throne.

Though his weapon surpassed those of the other seven tribal leaders, he failed to sever her grandfather's Cold Iron Sword, and thus failed to win the people's loyalty.

That's why this dwarf kingdom beneath Misty Mountains split apart!

To be king of the dwarves, beauty means nothing.

Strength alone means nothing!

You must forge a weapon of supreme power yourself!

Every king of the dwarf kingdom is a master smith of the highest rank.

And they are all the greatest smiths in this dwarf kingdom!

Each generation must be even more powerful than the last!

Of course, if it were another dwarf kingdom, even if the succeeding king failed to forge a weapon surpassing his predecessor's, it would not necessarily split as severely as the Iron Fortress Kingdom.