Chapter 117: Trouble for the Stone Hammer Tribe?

At this moment, Martina's prestige reached its peak.

People began to understand that this young Chief Administrative Officer possessed not only extraordinary wisdom but also iron-fisted methods.

Under her governance, Vanguard Valley would never tolerate any form of betrayal or sabotage.

After the trial ended, Martina immediately summoned Lindsay and Old Morris.

"Lindsay, Old Morris."

Martina's tone was a bit softer than usual.

"You handled this matter very well."

Expressions of excitement and honor appeared on the faces of both Lindsay and Old Morris.

"Thank you for the praise, Master Martina!"

"This is all what we should do."

Martina nodded.

"After this incident, those petty scoundrels in the territory should restrain themselves quite a bit."

"However, we cannot let our guard down."

"Lindsay, the Civil Mediation Office you are in charge of must perfect its various rules and regulations as soon as possible to ensure fair and just distribution of supplies and to resolve conflicts among the people in a timely manner."

"At the same time, continue to keep an eye on those newly promoted management personnel to ensure their Loyalty and capability."

"Yes, Master Martina!" Lindsay replied solemnly.

Martina looked at Old Morris again.

"Old Morris, the Security Patrol under your command must strengthen its patrol intensity in every residential area and severely crack down on all kinds of illegal and criminal activities."

"Especially for those who spread rumors and bewitch the public, once discovered, they will never be spared."

"Please rest assured, Master Martina!" Old Morris puffed out his chest.

"I will definitely make those with ulterior motives have nowhere to hide in Vanguard Valley!"

Martina nodded with satisfaction.

The capabilities of Lindsay and Old Morris had been initially demonstrated in this incident.

They would become capable assistants for Martina to implement new policies and consolidate her rule.

In the study, Roko listened to Martina's detailed report on this incident.

A gratified smile appeared on his face.

"Martina, you did very well."

"Although there were some twists and turns in this incident, it also allowed us to root out the malignant tumor hidden in the dark ahead of time."

"Especially that spy from the Poison Scorpion Society; his intelligence is very important to us."

A hint of gravity also flashed in Martina's eyes.

"Yes, Roko."

"According to the confession of that spy, the Poison Scorpion Society seems to have already established a significant infiltration network in Xin Feng Province."

"Their goal is not as simple as just plundering property."

"They seem to be plotting something bigger."

"Vanguard Valley has already attracted their attention due to its rapid development recently."

"This disturbance was just a probe by them."

Roko's gaze became somewhat profound.

"The Poison Scorpion Society..."

"It seems these guys' appetites are even bigger than I imagined."

"Martina, what do you think we should do next?"

Martina pondered for a moment and said, "I think the first thing we must do is strengthen ourselves."

"On one hand, we must continue to implement new policies, perfect the management system, and unite the hearts of the people to make the interior of Vanguard Valley more stable."

"On the other hand, we must also strengthen intelligence gathering to grasp the movements and deployments of the Poison Scorpion Society in Xin Feng Province as much as possible."

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

Roko nodded.

"What you say makes sense."

"I will have Bake fully cooperate with you on this matter."

His gaze looked out the window.

The sun was bright, and Vanguard Valley was full of vitality.

But behind this prosperity, layers of crises were hidden.

The threat of the Temple of Light had not yet been lifted, and the shadow of the Poison Scorpion Society had arrived quietly again.

I wonder when it will ever end!

After a helpless sigh, Roko thought about going out for a walk.

As a result, as he walked, he arrived at the training ground of Vanguard Valley.

On the edge of the Vanguard Valley training ground, a few sets of armor shimmering with a dull metallic luster were sporadically hanging on the newly built weapon racks.

Those were the latest 【Obsidian Gold】 equipment forged by the dwarf Stone Hammer Tribe.

Knight Captain Hart was currently wearing a set of full-body Obsidian Gold armor, holding a longsword of the same material in his hand, and sparring with several other Storm Knights who had also changed into the new gear.

"Clang!"

?"

The sound of a heavy sword strike rang out, and sparks flew in all directions.

A longsword forged from ordinary refined iron was easily severed like rotten wood under the slash of the Obsidian Gold Changjian.

The Knight holding the broken sword wore an expression of both shock and helplessness on his face.

"Captain Hart, this Obsidian Gold weapon is truly too sharp."

He said with a wry smile.

Hart sheathed his sword and stood still, his voice beneath the Obsidian Gold visor carrying a hint of imperceptible excitement.

"It is not just sharp."

"The defensive power of this armor also far exceeds our previous equipment."

"More importantly, its conductivity for Battle Qi is excellent; I feel that every time I swing my sword, its power has increased by at least twenty percent compared to before."

Roko stood not far away, watching quietly.

Fula and Mike were also accompanying him by his side.

Mike looked at those imposing Obsidian Gold Equipment, his eyes filled with envy.

"Young Master, this Obsidian Gold Equipment is truly too powerful."

"If all of our Storm Knights, or even all of our soldiers, could be equipped with it, then the combat power..."

He dared not imagine it.

Roko nodded slightly.

The appearance of Obsidian Gold was indeed a huge surprise.

It would be the key to the improvement of the military strength of Vanguard Valley.

"Hart."

Roko called out.

Hart immediately stopped the sparring, walked quickly to Roko, and performed a standard Knight salute.

"Young Master."

"How is the re-equipping of the Storm Knights going?"

Roko asked.

Hart replied in a deep voice: "Reporting to Master, the first batch of one hundred Knights to be re-equipped has basically adapted to the weight and characteristics of the Obsidian Gold Equipment."

"Because of the improvement in equipment performance, the Knights' enthusiasm for training has also reached an unprecedented high."

"The combat power has also increased a lot."

"It is just..."

Hart's voice paused, appearing somewhat hesitant.

"Just what?"

Roko pressed.

"According to the agreement, the subsequent Obsidian Gold Equipment from the Stone Hammer Tribe should have been delivered a few days ago."

"But until now, there has been no news at all."

"I have already sent people to urge them, but the Stone Hammer Tribe seems to have encountered some trouble, and their reply was very vague."

Beneath Hart's visor, his brows furrowed slightly.

Hearing this, Roko's gaze narrowed slightly.

The reputation of the dwarves had always been good, especially Bagelumu, who was always respectful toward him.

Delaying the delivery of such important military equipment without cause was indeed quite abnormal.

"Has Martina received any relevant news on her end?"

Roko asked, already having some guesses in his heart.

Matters that could make a dwarf tribe feel troubled were likely not simple.

Vanguard Valley was currently developing rapidly, and the demand for Obsidian Gold Equipment was immense.

If there were problems with the supply, it would have a significant impact on subsequent military plans.

Hart nodded: "Master Martina has also noticed this problem, and she has already sent people to investigate the specific cause."

Roko pondered for a moment.

"Have the scouts strengthen reconnaissance in the direction of the Dwarf Mountains."

"Once there is any news about the Stone Hammer Tribe, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Hart accepted the order.

Roko's gaze turned once again to those Obsidian Gold Armor sets shimmering with a faint light.

If this level of equipment could be issued on a large scale, Vanguard Valley would possess a powerful force capable of intimidating any petty villains.

Whether it was the covetous Temple of Light, the Poison Scorpion Society acting in the shadows, or the restless orcs.

Absolute strength was the foundation of survival.

Just at this moment, a scout ran in hurriedly from outside the training grounds, his expression somewhat anxious.

"Baron!"

The scout knelt on one knee.

"Patriarch Bagelumu of the Stone Hammer Tribe has arrived suddenly and is requesting an audience outside the Lingzhu Fu."

"He appears to be very anxious."

Bagelumu is here?

Roko exchanged a glance with Fula beside him, and both saw a hint of realization in each other's eyes.

It seemed the reason for the equipment delay was about to be revealed.

"Take him to the council chamber."

Roko ordered, his tone calm.

"Yes!"

The scout received the order and left.

Roko turned and said to Hart, "Continue training, do not slack off."

"The future of Vanguard Valley still needs you to protect it."

"Understood!"

Hart's voice was resonant and powerful.

Roko walked toward the council chamber of the Lingzhu Fu with Fula and Mike.

Mike followed behind, feeling somewhat uneasy in his heart.

He faintly sensed that something important seemed about to happen.

Inside the council chamber.

The Chief Administrative Officer Martina had long been waiting there.

Her snow-white robe was exceptionally conspicuous in the slightly dim council chamber.

Her snow-white long hair was draped loosely, and those white eyes, which always carried a hint of coldness, were currently staring in the direction of the doorway.

"Roko."

Seeing Roko enter, Martina merely nodded slightly.

"Bagelumu has arrived."

Roko walked to the main seat and sat down, his voice steady.

Martina walked to his side and said in a low voice, "It looks like the trouble is not small."

"Dwarves of the Stone Hammer Tribe rarely show that kind of anxious expression."

Roko was noncommittal.

Soon, the burly Bagelumu, with his beard braided into several small plaits, strode into the council chamber under the guidance of an attendant.

Unlike his usual hearty and rugged self, Bagelumu was now full of sorrow, and even his most prized beard appeared somewhat disheveled.

As soon as he entered the door and saw Roko, it was as if he had seen a savior.

"Baron Roko!"

Bagelumu rushed to Roko in a few steps and, with a thud, actually knelt on one knee.

This sudden action made both Roko and Martina slightly stunned.

The dwarf race had a proud nature, and especially as the Patriarch of a tribe, Bagelumu was not one to easily bow his head to others.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, what are you doing?"

Roko reached out his hand, signaling for him to get up.

"Get up and speak."

Bagelumu did not rise immediately, his voice carrying a trace of hoarseness and pleading.

"Baron Roko, I beg you, you must save our Stone Hammer Tribe!"

"Our Stone Hammer Tribe is about to be finished!"

His voice was filled with despair.

Martina's white eyes narrowed slightly, flashing with a sharp light.

It seemed the situation was even more serious than she had anticipated.

Roko's expression also sank.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, get up first."

"Tell me exactly what happened, slowly and clearly."

"As long as it is something I can help with, I will certainly not stand by and watch."

Hearing Roko's promise, a glimmer of hope finally appeared on Bagelumu's face.

He stood up tremblingly and straightened his somewhat disheveled robe.

"Many thanks, Baron Roko!"

He took a deep breath, seemingly organizing his words.

"It happened like this..."

1

Bagelumu began to recount the crisis the Stone Hammer Tribe was facing.

Ever since the special Strong Liquor of Vanguard Valley spread among the dwarves through the Stone Hammer Tribe, it immediately caused a huge sensation.

That mellow, intense, and lingering taste was a supreme vintage the dwarves had never tasted before.

For a time, the Strong Liquor of the Stone Hammer Tribe became the most sought-after luxury item in the Dwarf Mountains.

Countless dwarf tribes wanted a share of the profits from the Stone Hammer Tribe.

Coupled with the fact that the Stone Hammer Tribe, through their cooperation with Roko, was the first to master the smelting technology for 【Obsidian Gold】, the weapons and equipment they forged made other tribes green with envy.

Especially those dwarf tribes also known for their forging were jealous to the point of madness.

"Our Stone Hammer Tribe, because of the Strong Liquor provided by you, Baron Roko, and the exclusive technology for Obsidian Gold, has been living an increasingly prosperous life."

"However, this has also attracted the covetousness of other tribes."

A trace of bitterness appeared on Bagelumu's face.

"Several forging tribes led by the Fire Beard Tribe have united to accuse our Stone Hammer Tribe of monopolizing resources and enjoying the benefits alone."

"They say we have become too close to humans and have forgotten the traditions of the dwarves."

Martina snorted coldly from the side.

"Typical case of green-eyed envy."

"If they have no ability themselves, they blame others for being too excellent."

Bagelumu sighed.

"Master Martina is right."

"But they have strength in numbers!"

"The Patriarch of the Fire Beard Tribe, that old fellow Fire Beard, has some prestige in the Dwarf Mountains."

"He incited seven or eight small and medium-sized tribes to form some 'Dwarf Tradition Protection Alliance', and they cause trouble for our Stone Hammer Tribe every day."

"At first, they only demanded that we share the recipe for Strong Liquor and the smelting method for Obsidian Gold."

"Of course, we couldn't possibly agree."

Roko nodded slightly, signaling for him to continue.

"Seeing that we wouldn't compromise, they started to escalate."

"Those bastards actually blockaded several important ore veins of our Stone Hammer Tribe!"

Bagelumu was so angry his beard stood on end.

"Those ore veins are the essential sources of raw materials for us to forge Obsidian Gold and other fine weapons and equipment."

"Now that the ore cannot be transported in, our forges haven't been running at full capacity for several days."

"This is also the reason why the subsequent Obsidian Gold Equipment promised to you, Baron Roko, cannot be delivered on time."

So that was it.

Roko understood in his heart.

This was indeed a thorny problem.

If the infighting between the dwarf tribes is not handled well, it is very likely to affect the interests of Vanguard Valley.

"Are they only blockading the ore veins?"

Roko asked.

"Have they proposed any other conditions?"