Chapter 140: Empire Dwarfs

Sinuoli understood the awkward predicament of these Empire Dwarfs, but he was powerless to change it. After all, he could be considered a direct victim of Dieter IV's betrayal.

Until this Grudge entry was settled or struck out, the clansmen before him could only pray to the Ancestor Gods and then try their best to protect themselves.

After three rounds of drinks, the Elder Stone-Mason steered the conversation toward the matter at hand. "Are you aware, Master, that our Human friends have discovered the Skaven?"

After receiving an affirmative reply from Sinuoli, this elderly Dwarf began to seek his help. Sinuoli found this somewhat strange.

"Forgive my bluntness, Elder, I don't know the population density of our settlement, but judging by what I saw on my way here, we have six or seven hundred clansmen, don't we?" Sinuoli asked, stroking his beard.

"Indeed, in fact, sometimes there might be more. Helmgart is a trading town. During the peak season for mining, many clansmen who sell gold, silver, lead ingots, iron ingots, and stone mined from the mountains stop by here." The Elder Stone-Mason let out a satisfied burp.

"Then I think we should have sufficient self-defense capabilities, right?" Sinuoli stroked his beard. Based on the Dwarf population ratio of two males to one female and the age distribution, they should be able to field about four hundred combat-ready clansmen.

Even if they were all the most ordinary Dwarf Warriors or Quarrellers, four hundred people relying on a fortress would be enough to deal with most threats. Not to mention that the actual ratio was certainly more than that.

Although Empire Dwarfs might not compare to their kin in the mountains in terms of total wealth, they were relatively more willing to spend money to arm themselves, as threats on the plains were more frequent than in the Shanbao.

"Ahem! Theoretically yes, but a small accident occurred." The Elder Stone-Mason's old face turned slightly red. For these clansmen who had left the mountains to make a living in Human society, turning back to seek help from the mountain Dwarfs was somewhat shameful.

"We have a young man here named Andemuge. He is, um, a Little Beard with an adventurous spirit." The old Dwarf weighed his words; it was clear that Andemuge was a complex figure who was difficult to judge.

"The adventurous spirit I speak of is not by the standards of you Karaks, nor by the standards of us Plain Dwarfs, but by the standards of our friends in Reikland."

"Then he truly is a talent!" Sinuoli praised. In a conservative race like the Dwarfs, an adventurous spirit was undoubtedly rare. "So, what has this Andemuge done?"

"He, he organized a Dwarf Mutual Protection Association, um, that is..." The Elder Stone-Mason's words were vague; it seemed Andemuge's actions were a bit beyond his ability to describe.

"Simply put, it's connecting the surrounding settlements together—when one side is in trouble, all sides provide support!" A middle-aged, sturdy Dwarf walked in, holding a large platter of meat in his hands and tucking two barrels of beer under his arms, pushing the door of the private room open with his round belly.

"Come, my son! Tell Master Sinuoli about Ande!" The arrival of this tavern owner rescued the Elder Stone-Mason from his embarrassment.

"I don't know much either. He was an orphan who fled to this place from some fallen settlement and grew up under everyone's care." The tavern owner scratched his head and recalled.

"He honed a set of good skills, following all kinds of heroes and tough guys, learning a trick or two from everyone. After all, he had no property to inherit, so becoming an adventurer was a good choice."

The tavern owner licked his lips, and Sinuoli smiled and poured him a glass of beer as well.

"How could I deserve this!" The owner quickly waved his hand to decline.

"No matter, no matter! Doesn't legend say the Ancestor Gods also feasted together with everyone?" Sinuoli didn't mind; he was a pragmatic person and didn't care for these empty formalities.

"Andemuge later grew into an excellent Ranger. In those days, my tavern menu had a lot more fresh game!" Recalling those days, drool was almost flowing from under the owner's beard.

"But he soon became dissatisfied with that. He left the settlement and traveled everywhere. I don't know what happened in between, but every time he returned, he could add quite a few stories to my tavern."

"Uh-huh, and then?" Sinuoli had been on the road for several days; although it wasn't very arduous, sleeping in the open was unavoidable. He signaled for the tavern owner to speed up so he could take a hot bath and get a good night's sleep.

"Then, a group of Little Beards gradually gathered around him, mostly people who shared his interests. They formed an adventure group and, relying on the bravery and integrity of us Sons of the Mountains, they made quite a name for themselves."

"Very good! Very good!" Sinuoli praised him twice. He began to take an interest in that Andemuge; growing from an orphan into a leader was undoubtedly a very inspiring story.

"As that pig Dieter IV ascended the throne, our days became increasingly difficult!" the tavern owner continued, which resonated with the Empire Dwarfs in the room.

"Persecution! Slander!"

"That pig! Cowardly as a rat but as gluttonous as a hog."

"He betrayed the ancient covenant!"

The clansmen in the room began to curse. Sinuoli also echoed them. As mentioned before, his own transmigration and that pig's betrayal of the covenant were inseparable from the Dwarfs facing Gulu's Herald alone. Sinuoli would not thank him for that.

"Jealousy of our influence and wealth grew rampant in his court. He and his cronies concocted several laws to tax us to satisfy his overflowing material desires!"

Sinuoli knew of Dieter IV's Greed. He also knew that this Emperor would, in a few years, grant autonomy to Marienburg—the largest commercial center and port city in the Old World—in exchange for a huge bribe, and would be deposed by the angry Elector Counts because of it.

Without waiting for Sinuoli to respond, the owner continued, "The passage of these laws brought us a heavy tax burden. Many clansmen suffered harassment or even imprisonment for failing to meet the unreasonable demands of the Empire Ministry of Finance, and their property was confiscated."

"How could this be?" Sinuoli was shocked to hear this. "How did I not know? Did no one tell my father this news?"

"His Majesty the High King might know the gist of it, or perhaps not. After all, not much time has passed. Sigh, when the Grudge Council comes, if there is still no improvement, this old man will submit a report in the Great Throne Room!"

Sinuoli only then realized that as a long-lived race, the Dwarfs had a different concept of time than Humans. Their resilience, combined with their willingness to solve their own problems, had also actively hindered the spread of the news.

Thanks to Cangjiang Sea Area for the monthly ticket, Luohua Qimeng, Yuan Zhi Yao, and Shui Jiao De VB for the monthly tickets.