Chapter 21: Anvils and Guards

After the Doom Anvils were forged, they were fairly distributed by the Ancestor Gods to the various clans located in different strongholds. As a clan passed down from the Ancestor era, the Drazkrad Clan naturally received an anvil, though it is currently in the hands of the Iron Chisel Master.

"You know, Sinuoli, I am currently using our clan's anvil; production in the workshop cannot do without it..." The Iron Chisel Master was about to explain further, but Sinuoli interrupted him.

"I understand, Uncle Tiezhuoshugong. Your experience and wisdom far exceed mine. I fully support you in holding the clan's Doom Anvil!"

The elders present expressed their praise for Sinuoli's sensible behavior, though the Iron Chisel Master seemed still uneasy that the Chosen of the Goddess had no anvil to use.

"Our Rune Smith Guild originally received three during the initial distribution under the care of Thurni, but over these thousands of years, two have been lost because the Masters who held them met with accidents. These matters are all recorded in the guild's Book of Grudges."

Although Sinuoli had already expressed his understanding, the Iron Chisel Master continued to speak to himself.

"Of course, I estimate that there might be one or two in the private collection of Krag Master. Although he rarely accompanies the army in these years, the battles he participates in basically all end in victory, but you know, his strength is enough to change the course of the war."

The old Dwarf caught his breath, "But his stubborn temper is no less than his strength. In my opinion, trying to get one from him is not as good as trying to search in the lost Shanbao!"

The Iron Chisel Master took a sip of beer and continued: "Every time we have a meeting, Krag Master complains about those two lost anvils from back then. Sigh, better not to mention it!"

"Then where did the Molten Master's Doom Anvil come from?" Thinking that the Molten Master came from a small clan, Sinuoli couldn't help but ask.

"Don't be impatient, child, listen to me slowly," the Iron Chisel Master took another sip of beer, "His anvil was traded from the Angrund Clan!" Hearing this, except for the shocked Sinuoli, the other elders had different expressions.

The oldest Dolson and Yushou Nainai looked regretful and sorrowful, while the three fathers mostly wore sneers.

"The Angrund Clan that once ruled Karak Eight Peaks?" Sinuoli asked uncertainly. He vaguely remembered that the legendary Dwarf lord Belegar Ironhammer in the game was always shouting, "For the glory of the Angrund Clan!"

"Is there a second Angrund Clan in this world?" The Iron Chisel Master sighed, "Who would have thought that a clan that was once so powerful would be reduced to selling the treasures of their ancestors to raise military funds?"

"Military funds? You call that military funds?" Before the voice fell, Uncle Longchui shouted:

"That is clearly blood money to buy the lives of the clansmen!" His emotions seemed a bit agitated.

"How many compatriots have been buried in foreign lands because of this! Do you call that reclaiming their homeland? That is clearly called suicide! Thousands of people wanting to take back Karak Eight Peaks—do they look down on the craftsmanship of the ancestors who built the stronghold, or do they look down on those pits and valleys full of Greenskins?"

"In any case, trying to reclaim the lost Shanbao is a good thing..." Yushou Nainai tried to defend the Angrund Clan, which also represented the attitude of a large portion of the older Dwarfs. "That's because the one who died wasn't your younger brother!" Longchui roared.

"Enough!" Thorgrim frowned and spoke in a low voice, "Kelimu, if you are tired, go back and rest."

Longchui knew he had said the wrong thing. He drank the beer in his glass in one gulp and then smashed the glass onto the table, making a "bang" sound. Sinuoli vaguely saw the corners of his eyes were wet.

"Let me continue," the Iron Chisel Master smoothed things over,

"Dulingen took out an exquisite weapon handed down from his clan's ancestors and his own masterpiece, plus a large sum of Oath Gold, to exchange for that anvil. It has been a long time since I have seen a Doom Anvil so well preserved. If we had known about today, we should have made a move too!"

The Iron Chisel Master spoke very quickly, wanting to end this topic as soon as possible.

Although the rarity of a Doom Anvil is comparable to a legendary weapon, its value is far inferior to the latter due to issues of applicability. Many adventurers from other races also often go deep into the lost Dwarf strongholds, and they have also brought out Doom Anvils, trying to exchange them for treasures from the Dwarfs.

But some of these recovered anvils were damaged due to improper storage and lack of maintenance over the years. Others were even deliberately destroyed by Chaos races; although they could not do anything to the material of the Doom Anvil itself, they could still grind away the runes engraved on it. Because they require major repairs to be used again, and some are even impossible to repair, their value is not very high.

However, the one held by the Angrund Clan is different. It has been meticulously maintained since it was transported out of Karak Eight Peaks. It was only put up for trade because the clan had not produced a Rune Master qualified to wield it for too long, so it sold for a high price.

"Let's leave the matter of the Doom Anvil for now; our family will find a way later!" Thorgrim signaled to end the discussion on this topic.

"The last item, let's discuss the matter of Sinuoli's personal guard! What was it called? Hammer..."

"Anvil Guard!"

"Right, Anvil Guard, how do we do this? Last night at the dinner table, several clan chiefs who have close relations with our clan came to me and mentioned this matter. They meant that they could provide both the men and the equipment."

"Hahaha, it seems that our little Sinuoli's golden signboard as the Chosen of the Goddess is very attractive!" The Iron Chisel Master laughed happily.

"The clan's efforts to promote it through various channels were not in vain. Those guys drinking our beer have to say some good things!" Aunt Sonia added.

Hearing this, Sinuoli was stunned. He only then realized that his chuuni nickname, Chosen of the Goddess, was deliberately spread by the clan.

"They all feel that following Sinuoli is a very glorious thing. Besides gaining honor, perhaps they can also get the attention of the Ancestor Goddess," Thorgrim continued.

"But the manpower must be carefully selected! Don't stuff in guys who are thinner than those pointy-eared things! If they get crushed by the Meteorite Armor and can't walk, it will be our people who lose face!" Uncle Longchui chimed in.

"Last night, many clansmen also came to me, both Longbeards and Little Beards. They were all asking when Sinuoli would form the Anvil Guard! Such a glorious thing as fighting under the gaze of the Ancestor Goddess cannot all be cheapened by other clans."

"The Anvil Guard is eighty men per squad, just like the Ironbreakers, right?" The oldest Dolson looked at the Iron Chisel Master.

"That's right, the three of us are all equipped according to this number!"

"Then how about forty from the friendly clans, and forty from our own Drazkrad Clan? According to the teachings of the ancestors, when you are really on the battlefield, blood of the same origin is the most reliable!" The Dwarfs present had no objection to such mature words.

Asking for votes and collections. I will add more chapters at my discretion if there is a certain amount.