Chapter 202: Diplomacy and the Return Journey

"His strength is as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea, and he never asks anything of his believers!" Sinuoli repeated. This was no god; he was clearly a great philanthropist. With the groundwork laid by the previous conversation, he felt quite good about the Scholar before him.

"Then, who is He?" On a whim, Sinuoli asked this question. Although everyone knew he was the Chosen of the Goddess, deep down he knew he relied on the system and had not truly entrusted his faith to anyone.

"Hahaha, the time is about right; let's chat again when we meet next time!" Puteerke actually stopped talking. He stood up, pulled on his hood, and pushed open the door to go downstairs, leaving Sinuoli sitting alone in the room, still wanting more.

"Who exactly is He?" The unknown always makes people curious, and Dwarfs are no exception. "This guy is really something, holding back at the critical part!" Sinuoli muttered as he watched the rising sun and climbed back into bed.

After waking up, he went to the Duke's castle to inform Kangsitanting of the news he had just received. This young man had not yet recovered from the shock of the Lady of the Lake's manifestation before he was shocked once again.

Considering that the Dwarf influence in Bretonnia was currently not significant, Sinuoli did not interfere in the subsequent power struggle; Kangsitanting had his own helpers and staff to help him eliminate potential competitors.

As the only remaining legitimate son, he was already the top candidate for the succession, and he had received the news in advance. If he still couldn't grasp it, he could only blame his own lack of ability.

As agreed, Sinuoli assisted in the defense of Bordeleaux until the Duke returned. When that middle-aged Duke stepped off the ship, those in the know around him said he looked ten years older than when he had departed.

Having lost his eldest son but being powerless to do anything about it, the Duke logically named Kangsitanting as his heir, hoping to appease the wrath of the Sea God. Word also spread through the court that once the transfer of power was completed, the Duke would take the Crusade Vow to seek the Grail, and would no longer concern himself with worldly affairs, regardless of success or failure.

Sinuoli kept a low profile and watched all of this unfold. Before leaving, he and Kangsitanting reached the same agreement as the one previously made with the Duke of Bastonne—to send troops to the Badlands in the future to recover Karak Eight Peaks, and subsequently develop the Badlands together.

In addition, Sitelinge also signed some more in-depth trade agreements with Kangsitanting on behalf of Kalake-Zifulin, allowing high-end goods from Weifengbao to flow out through the port of Bordeleaux.

Cousin Tomi was not idle during the city's defense. As one of the few people who knew the specific return time of the Duke's fleet, although he had no goods on hand, he used the information gap to earn a tidy sum for himself and Sinuoli through short-selling.

The Dwarfs returned home fully loaded and set off on the road back to Weifengbao. Lord Luoleike's progress at Heishi Judian was also going smoothly. He had routed the Vampires and, like his ancestors, sought to further occupy Jinte Kuangshan. The spoils brought back this time also happened to supplement his military expenses.

Sinuoli was not entirely idle for the next two months. Although he did not resort to arms again, he personally visited the two nearby duchies of Jisuo-ao-lai and Mengtefute, and in addition to learning about the local customs, reached similar verbal agreements.

The territory of Mengtefute Gongguo lay along the Grey Mountains and the land was barren. Aside from a small patch of plains, most of Jisuo-ao-lai was forest and mountainous terrain that was difficult to utilize.

Their lords both had strong desires for expansion, and reaching an agreement that currently required no payment with Dwarfs, who were known for keeping their promises, was not a difficult decision to make.

Sinuoli's deeds of rushing to the aid of Bordeleaux and routing the enemy with both courage and strategy, along with the "Knightly Epic" that was intentionally spread and exaggerated, also made his diplomatic journey go more smoothly.

"Chosen of the Goddess, War God's Messenger, High Prince, Rune Master, Storm Hammer, Generous One"—these were the higher-value titles Sinuoli had currently obtained; the minor titles obtained from events, such as Savior of Helmgart or Leviathan Slayer, were not worth mentioning.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the caravan to return. Carriage after carriage was made ready, and besides the Dwarf merchants, some Humans also intended to travel along. To avoid the taxes of Hemujiade Yaosai, they were willing to climb over mountains and ridges just to catch up with the tax-free caravan.

Three small clans from Weifengbao and the surrounding settlements were also going to the World's Edge Mountains to develop along with the caravan; Sinuoli's population migration strategy, bolstered by his own prestige, achieved good results.

Sinuoli sat on the Doom Anvil, reviewing his troops. The burden on him did not lighten on the return journey; besides the carriage she rode in, Sister-in-law Pamila also brought her dowry and a considerable amount of private savings.

Prince Sitelinge somehow convinced his parents and also wanted to set off with the team to the Rune Smith Guild at Everpeak. He wanted to complete his professional certification and, incidentally, find opportunities to learn more knowledge.

Lord Luoleike arranged for twenty Hammer Guard to provide personal protection for his son and daughter, in addition to their maids and advisors. This was also common practice; the children of high-ranking Dwarf nobles always needed capable people to command when away from home.

A formal Rune Smith and twenty of the strongest among the Dwarfs undoubtedly strengthened the caravan's power, and there was also a significant proportion of qualified warriors among the five hundred clansmen of the three clans.

Sinuoli successfully passed through Axe Bite Pass and entered Hemujiade Yaosai again a few months later. The place had recovered from the Skaven invasion, and the former Witch Hunter Sir Meng-ke was very vigilant. After repelling a Skaven sneak attack, he had survived an assassination attempt by Clan Eshin and was working hard to fulfill his duties.

After staying for a few days and absorbing the Human merchants, Sinuoli continued on to Fearless Fort. This place also had a brand-new atmosphere; the city walls were being reconstructed in a rush, and the young Lord Sawake had launched sweeping reforms.

His methods were somewhat radical, but in the long run, they might be effective; this small fortress had reached the point where a total overhaul was needed. Many clans that lost power during the reforms joined Sinuoli's caravan, as they also wanted to go to Everpeak to find opportunities.

Knowing that Sawake had once pursued his sister-in-law, meeting again was inevitably awkward. Sinuoli did not stay long, and after a short rest, he urged the caravan forward. This time his team had swelled significantly, and the old, weak, sick, and disabled who had joined greatly slowed down the pace of the march.

"I wonder how the revenge operation of Lord Lufusen at Haojiaobao is going!" Sinuoli sat on the back of a Rock Sheep, stroking his beard as he looked at the scenery before him and fell into thought. This stretch of road had just thawed, and no news had come through before.

"Master Sinuoli, a clansman wants to see you!" When they set up camp at night, a scouting Ranger suddenly came in to report. "He, he doesn't look very presentable. Do you want to see him?"