Chapter 170: Result

Lord Luoleike puffed on his pipe, ruminating on his daughter's words. Competition between guilds and Clans exists at all times in any Dwarf society. In Kalake-Zifulin, due to the relative scarcity of mineral resources, the Dwarfs here more often choose to work as craftsmen to make a living.

Therefore, guilds large and small occupy a great deal of influence here, though thanks to the efforts of successive "Granite Hands"—besides holding the most important position of Mason Guild Master himself—they have also installed members of their own Clan into the leadership positions of other guilds.

Relying on these guild leaders with Clan backgrounds to convey the words of the Lord of Weifengbao, their orders are rarely questioned.

That is not all; the lords of Weifengbao also wisely maintain oversight and supervision of the guild leaders to ensure they act with integrity and perform their respective duties.

But the problem is that sentient beings always have selfish motives, even loyal Dwarfs. Lord Luoleike knows there are quite a few fellows who do not wish for Prince Sitelinge to become a Rune Lord, as that would mean the Clan would suppress the guilds more during his tenure.

"As long as Cousin Sangleike becomes a Rune Master before Sitelinge, wouldn't that Doom Anvil naturally fall under his control? If you intend to sit by and watch this happen, I think it would be better to hand the Doom Anvil to Master Sinuoli; he is willing to pay a matching price."

Princess Pamila did not use the word "sell" to reduce the irritation to her father.

"Is that really so?" Lord Luoleike did not respond directly; he blew a smoke ring and looked at his son.

"Basically, yes. It is almost impossible for me to become a Rune Master on my own, unless, unless the Ancestor Gods also favor me!" Sitelinge still had some thoughts about Sinuoli receiving divine grace.

Lord Luoleike fell into a brief contemplation. He did not doubt whether Master Haleke might have disloyal intentions, but he also knew that if he really let that father and son both be Rune Masters and control the Doom Anvil, Sitelinge's future influence would be weakened.

"After I became a Rune Smith, I asked my master to teach me deeper knowledge, and as you know, he always uses the excuse that I still need to settle down to put me off!" Seeing his father wavering, Sitelinge decisively pushed harder.

"Hmph! You two go back first; I need to go verify things!" This Dwarf lord, who was nearing old age, still did not immediately believe his children's one-sided story, and he signaled that they could leave first.

"Sister, why would you want to let that Doom Anvil go to someone else?" Sitelinge asked immediately after exiting the room. Princess Pamila had come in a hurry and had not consulted him beforehand.

"Becoming a Rune Master is more important than possessing a Doom Anvil! If you are capable, we have plenty of ways to get you one. If you keep staying here being suppressed by Cousin Sangleike, even if you have one, it won't be your turn to use it!"

Princess Pamila had, after all, studied at Everpeak. The knowledge she learned was secondary; the main thing was that her horizons had been broadened along the way, and she had a better understanding than the average clansman that "wealth must flow."

"Where, where else is there a Doom Anvil?" Sitelinge, like every normal Dwarf, loved wealth, even if it did not belong to him yet.

"Let's just talk about the nearest one: the one belonging to the Drazkrad Clan. Their Rune Master, the Iron Chisel Master, is of our grandfather's generation and is already at the ripe old age of four hundred."

"I understand. If it really comes to it, we can always buy it back!" Sitelinge nodded. As the person involved, he actually knew best in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a rush to go study at Everpeak instead of being a Prince, it was just hard to let go for the moment.

"If this matter can be accomplished, you will also have someone to look after you in the Rune Smith Guild at Everpeak! It is also good to give you a portion of that money for your study tour!" Princess Pamila continued to soothe her younger brother.

Although she had already completed the process here and married out of the family, Pamila knew that her status in her husband's family would also be affected by her maiden family's strength and the level of support they gave her; she did not want to sour her relationship with her brother.

Sinuoli was unaware of everything that happened in Lord Luoleike's room; he had completely let go after entrusting the matter of the Doom Anvil to his sister-in-law. In a place where he was unfamiliar with the people and the land, acting rashly might instead produce the opposite effect.

The next morning, after Sinuoli got up, he discovered that the entire Weifengbao was filled with a festive atmosphere. Although the New Year is relatively rare for long-lived Dwarfs, and strictly speaking this year was not a particularly good year, necessary celebrations still had to be held.

After finishing breakfast, Sinuoli received an invitation from Lord Luoleike. He hoped that Sinuoli could preside over the sacrificial rites to the Ancestor Gods at noon today on behalf of the local priests. This request was reasonable and fair, and Sinuoli decisively agreed.

Arranged by a messenger, Sinuoli arrived at the temple in the center of the citadel an hour early. However, he was not led to set up the altar, but was instead brought into a secret room.

"Good day, respected Chosen of the Goddess!"

Sinuoli discovered that the person waiting inside was none other than the Lord of Weifengbao, Luoleike. He noticed that the Dwarf lord before him did not look well; it seemed he had pulled another all-nighter last night.

Even though they are known for their toughness and endurance, not resting well for two consecutive nights is not easy for an elderly Dwarf; Luoleike's age was even greater than Thorgrim's!

"I have already understood the request you asked Pamila to convey. In principle, I am willing to hand that treasure over to you."

Hearing this, Sinuoli could not help but feel joy in his heart, but he controlled his expression well; the trials along this journey had allowed him to grow. He understood that the Dwarf lord before him might still have additional conditions.

"I hope that when you preside over the sacrificial rites, you can report to the Mother Goddess so that my pressure can be a little less." Lord Luoleike's voice carried some weakness; the results of his overnight investigation yesterday and the regret of having to give up an heirloom made his spirit as exhausted as his body.

Sinuoli stroked his beard. In fact, obtaining the Doom Anvil by bestowing divine grace or faking a divine oracle was originally his last resort. Knowing that the End Times existed, he understood that he could not delay.

But as long as there was a choice, he still did not want to do that; after all, it might lower the Mother Goddess's credibility, and his own prestige would suffer as a result.

"I understand your difficulties, but in fact, the Ancestor Goddess has not, and could not, instruct me to seize the ancestral property of my own kin. She only asked me to revitalize our Qunshan, and she hopes that this process will be as fast as possible!"

Lord Luoleike had revealed his bottom line right from the start, which put Sinuoli in a relatively advantageous position.