Chapter 118: Fire Beard Tribe! An Exclusive Agency for Strong Liquor?

Bagelumu's expression became even uglier.

"They have put out the word."

"If our Stone Hammer Tribe does not hand over the recipe for Strong Liquor and the Obsidian Gold Technology, they will declare war on us!"

"They even threatened to unite and completely wipe our Stone Hammer Tribe from the Dwarf Mountains!"

By the end, Bagelumu's voice carried a hint of trembling.

Although the Stone Hammer Tribe was not weak, they would definitely not fare well against a joint siege by several tribes.

What's more, the Fire Beard Tribe itself was a powerful forging tribe with strength not inferior to the Stone Hammer Tribe.

Once war broke out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"They go too far!"

Mike, listening from the side, was filled with righteous indignation and couldn't help but curse in a low voice.

Martina's brows were also tightly furrowed.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, has your Stone Hammer Tribe not tried seeking help from other neutral tribes?"

She asked.

Bagelumu shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Master Martina, you do not know."

"The relationships between dwarf tribes are intricate and complex."

"Those so-called neutral tribes are mostly fence-sitters, swaying with the wind."

"Now that the Fire Beard Tribe is powerful, who would dare to easily stand up and speak for us?"

"Furthermore, our Stone Hammer Tribe has indeed offended quite a few jealous fellows because of the Strong Liquor and Obsidian Gold matters."

The atmosphere in the council chamber was heavy for a moment.

"Besides these, there is an even worse matter."

A look of lingering fear appeared on Bagelumu's face.

"Just before I came, one of our teams responsible for transporting a small batch of finished Obsidian Gold weapons was ambushed by the Fire Beard Tribe on the road near Vanguard Valley!"

What?

Roko's gaze instantly turned sharp.

To dare touch his things!

"What were the casualties of our people?"

"And that batch of weapons?"

Roko's voice carried a hint of imperceptible chill.

Bagelumu's body trembled slightly.

He could feel that Baron Roko seemed to be angry.

"Baron Roko, please calm your anger!"

"Our people fought to the death and finally managed to repel the Fire Beard Tribe's surprise attack."

"However, we also lost over a dozen excellent dwarf warriors."

"As for that batch of Obsidian Gold weapons, a small portion was also lost."

Bagelumu's voice was filled with guilt.

"That was a batch of spare parts and a small amount of specially customized weapons we had rushed to make for your Storm Knights, Baron Roko."

"I didn't expect..."

A hint of coldness flashed in Martina's white eyes.

"The Fire Beard Tribe is openly provoking Vanguard Valley."

"Do they not know that those weapons were being transported here?"

Bagelumu hurriedly explained: "Master Martina, I think they should know."

"It's just that they probably feel that you, Baron Roko, would not truly fall out with their dwarf tribe alliance over such a small matter."

"After all, our Dwarf Mountains are still some distance from Vanguard Valley."

"Moreover, they seem to have recently received some outside support."

Outside support?

Roko raised an eyebrow.

"Tell me in detail."

Bagelumu recalled and said: "We captured a few wounded Fire Beard Tribe dwarves."

"From them, we learned that the Fire Beard Tribe has recently had contact with some mysterious humans."

"Those humans provided the Fire Beard Tribe with a batch of well-crafted weapons and equipment, as well as quite a few gold coins."

"In exchange, the Fire Beard Tribe seems to have agreed to some conditions from those humans."

"As for what the specific conditions were, those captives could not say clearly."

"They only said it had to do with ore."

Mysterious humans?

Several possible factions immediately surfaced in Roko's mind.

The Temple of Light? Not very likely; their style of operation prefers direct infiltration and control.

The Poison Scorpion Society? That is possible; those fellows are pervasive and will do anything for profit.

Or perhaps, some other noble faction within the Black Kingdom with resources in the New Wind Province?

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

"Patriarch Bagelumu, do those weapons provided by the humans have any distinguishing features?"

She asked.

Bagelumu thought for a moment.

"It is said that those weapons are extremely sharp, and their style is quite different from the weapons we dwarves usually use."

"They are more like improved versions of the standard-issue equipment in the Kingdom army."

"Moreover, those weapons all seem to be engraved with a special flame mark."

A flame mark?

Roko's heart stirred.

This seemed somewhat similar to the Flame Griffin mark of the Raymond Family.

But this was clearly impossible.

"It seems this pool of water is deeper than we imagined."

Roko said slowly.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, how do you hope for me to help you by coming here this time?"

A look of supplication appeared on Bagelumu's face once again.

"Baron Roko, our Stone Hammer Tribe is truly being pushed to the point of having no other choice."

"The Fire Beard Tribe is pressing us step by step, and we are almost unable to hold on."

"We hope that you, Baron Roko, can step forward and speak up for our Stone Hammer Tribe."

"If you could send a unit of Storm Knights to intimidate those fellows along with us, that would be even better!"

"As long as we can survive this crisis, our Stone Hammer Tribe is willing to pay any price!"

Bagelumu's posture was very humble.

He knew that the only one who could save the Stone Hammer Tribe now was likely this young human lord before him.

Roko did not answer immediately.

He was weighing the pros and cons.

Intervening directly with troops in the internal strife of dwarf tribes was clearly not a wise move.

This would not only consume the military strength of Vanguard Valley but could also invite hostility from more dwarf tribes.

But if left unchecked, once the Stone Hammer Tribe collapsed, the stable supply of Obsidian Gold to Vanguard Valley would also be completely cut off.

This would be a fatal blow to his future plans.

Martina saw through Roko's concerns.

She spoke softly: "Roko, I think the risk of direct military intervention is too great."

"The forces within the Dwarf Mountains are intricate and complex, and we do not have a deep enough understanding of the situation there."

"Acting rashly could very likely bring trouble upon ourselves."

Roko nodded.

"Martina makes sense."

"Patriarch Bagelumu, the conflicts between your dwarf tribes must ultimately be solved by yourselves."

"I cannot directly send troops to attack other dwarf tribes."

Hearing this, a look of disappointment immediately appeared on Bagelumu's face.

"However..."

"

Roko changed the subject.

"Although I cannot send troops directly, it is not as if there is no way at all."

Bagelumu's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Baron Roko, you have a way?"

A meaningful smile curled the corners of Roko's mouth.

"The reason the Fire Beard Tribe dares to be so arrogant is nothing more than relying on their superior numbers and having received some outside support."

"But their true goal is likely the Strong Liquor and Obsidian Gold Technology in the hands of your Stone Hammer Tribe, right?"

Bagelumu nodded repeatedly.

"Baron Roko is wise!"

"Those fellows are just jealous that we can brew such good liquor and forge Obsidian Gold!"

Roko stood up and walked to the simple map hanging in the center of the council hall.

On the map, Vanguard Valley, the Dwarf Mountains, and the surrounding major spheres of influence were clearly marked.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, have you ever thought about why your Stone Hammer Tribe has become the target of public criticism?"

Roko asked.

Bagelumu was stunned, feeling somewhat confused.

"Isn't it because we have Strong Liquor and Obsidian Gold?"

Roko shook his head.

"That is only the surface reason."

"The deeper reason is that your Stone Hammer Tribe is attempting to monopolize these benefits."

"You should understand the principle of 'holding a jade ring invites trouble'."

Bagelumu's complexion turned slightly pale.

He seemed to understand what Roko meant.

Martina added from the side: "Roko's meaning is, if your Stone Hammer Tribe can find a way to let other dwarf tribes also benefit from the Strong Liquor and Obsidian Gold, then their hostility will naturally weaken, or even transform into a willingness to cooperate."

Bagelumu's brows locked tightly together.

"Let other tribes benefit too?"

"But, these techniques were all painstakingly researched by our Stone Hammer Tribe..."

Roko waved his hand.

"The formulas and techniques naturally cannot be leaked easily."

"However, we can try another way."

His finger tapped lightly on the map.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, I have a proposal."

"Vanguard Valley can authorize your Stone Hammer Tribe to be our exclusive agent for our specially supplied Strong Liquor throughout the entire Dwarf Mountains."

Exclusive agent?

Bagelumu's eyes were filled with confusion.

This was a term he had never heard before.

Martina explained from the side: "The meaning of an exclusive agent is that from now on, all Strong Liquor produced by Vanguard Valley, if it is to be sold in the Dwarf Mountains, must go through your Stone Hammer Tribe."

"We will give you an internal supply price."

"Your Stone Hammer Tribe can then sell the Strong Liquor to other dwarf tribes at a slightly higher price."

"The price difference in between will serve as your Stone Hammer Tribe's profit."

Bagelumu's eyes widened bit by bit.

He seemed to understand a little.

"In this way, other dwarf tribes, if they want to drink our Strong Liquor, must go through your Stone Hammer Tribe."

"Your Stone Hammer Tribe will change from an owner of Strong Liquor into a supplier of Strong Liquor."

"Your status will naturally be different."

Roko continued to say.

Bagelumu's breathing began to become somewhat rapid.

He seemed to see a brand-new path.

"Not only that."

Martina added: "Regarding the Obsidian Gold ore, your Stone Hammer Tribe can also use the Strong Liquor to trade with other tribes that possess mineral veins."

"Believe me, faced with our Vanguard Valley's specially supplied Strong Liquor, there is no dwarf who would not be tempted."

"In this way, won't your problem of ore sources be solved?"

Bagelumu's body began to tremble slightly.

This plan was simply too ingenious!

This "general agent" scheme proposed by Roko was simply tailor-made for their Stone Hammer Tribe!

This could not only solve the immediate crisis, but could also allow the status of the Stone Hammer Tribe to be elevated to an unprecedented level throughout the entire Dwarf Mountains!

They would no longer be the object of jealousy and attack by other tribes.

Instead, they would become a partner that all dwarf tribes would want to win over and cooperate with!

"Baron Roko..."

Bagelumu's voice carried a hint of choking.

"You are truly the great benefactor of our Stone Hammer Tribe!"

He wanted to kneel down again, but was caught by Roko.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, we are allies, and even more so, partners."

"Helping you is also helping myself."

"Vanguard Valley needs a stable and powerful dwarf ally."

Roko's tone was full of sincerity.

Martina took out a parchment scroll that had been prepared long ago from the side.

"Patriarch Bagelumu, this is the cooperation agreement we have preliminarily drafted."

"You can take a look first."

"If you have any questions, we can discuss them further."

Bagelumu took the parchment scroll and read it through roughly.

The terms in the agreement were more detailed and more generous than what Roko had stated orally.

The Stone Hammer Tribe would not only obtain the exclusive agency rights for the Strong Liquor, but would also enjoy certain discounts and priority in the procurement of Obsidian Gold Equipment.

At the same time, Vanguard Valley also promised to provide the Stone Hammer Tribe with a certain amount of grain and other daily necessities regularly as an additional condition of cooperation.

Bagelumu felt his blood boiling.

This agreement was simply like sending charcoal in snowy weather—no, it was like adding flowers to a brocade!

"Baron Roko! Master Martina!"

"Our Stone Hammer Tribe fully agrees to this agreement!"

"There are no objections whatsoever!"

Bagelumu said without the slightest hesitation.

He wished he could sign his name right now.

Roko smiled slightly.

"Very good."

"However, an agreement alone is not enough."

"As for the Fire Beard Tribe, someone still needs to go and mediate."

"Patriarch Bagelumu, do you think anyone in your Stone Hammer Tribe is suitable to serve as this lobbyist?"

Bagelumu thought for a moment and said with some difficulty: "Baron Roko, that old fellow Fire Beard of the Fire Beard Tribe has a foul and stubborn temper; if people from our Stone Hammer Tribe go, I fear they won't even be able to get through the door."

"Moreover, they must think now that our Stone Hammer Tribe is at a dead end, so their attitude will surely be even more arrogant."

A faint, imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Martina's mouth.

"Therefore, this lobbyist cannot represent only your Stone Hammer Tribe."

"They must also represent our Vanguard Valley."

Bagelumu's eyes lit up.

"Master Martina means..."

Roko spoke up: "I will send an envoy, carrying our Vanguard Valley's sincerity—that is, our latest batch of top-tier Strong Liquor—to accompany you to the Fire Beard Tribe."

"On one hand, it is to show them our sincerity in cooperating."

"On the other hand, it is also to let them understand that behind the Stone Hammer Tribe stands Vanguard Valley."

"If they are smart, they should know how to choose."

Upon hearing this, Bagelumu was overjoyed.

With an envoy from Vanguard Valley stepping forward, the situation would be completely different!

No matter how arrogant the Fire Beard Tribe might be, they would not dare to easily offend a powerful human lord.