Chapter 27: Fortress and Banquet

Sinuoli groomed his beard, dressed neatly, pinned the badge representing his status as a Rune Master to his chest, and, accompanied by guards, headed toward the Throne Room located in the upper section of the fortress.

The Everpeak, Karaz-a-Karak, was the first fortress built in the World's Edge Mountains, and its architectural layout was imitated by most Dwarf Karaks thereafter.

The main body of the fortress is divided into four parts; the uppermost layer is the castle portion exposed above the surface, primarily used for defending against enemies from the surface and for the lord to conduct business and hold meetings.

The subsequent three parts were all built by hollowing out the mountain. The second part mainly houses the temples of the three gods, the living quarters of the Dwarf nobility, the halls of a few powerful Clans and guilds, and the fortress's storehouses are also established in this section.

The third part is the main body of the fortress, where the production and daily lives of most Dwarf commoners are concentrated; in the third part, one can find workshops of all trades, markets, schools, barracks, and a large number of residential areas, etc.

The lowest level of the fortress consists of winding mine tunnels and the Earth Vein Network; the vast majority of Dwarf Karaks are established upon mineral deposits, having developed gradually from initial, crude mining points. At the same time, the tombs of the ancestors are also established on this level.

The control range of a typical Dwarf Karak also includes the land at the foot of the mountain, where the Dwarfs' farmland and pastures are located, and where markets for trade with other races are also built.

Heading upward, Sinuoli encountered many Dwarfs in luxurious attire along the way; clearly, they were also going to the banquet just like him.

Stepping out from underground, this was the first time Sinuoli had seen the sky since returning to Karaz-a-Karak; there was no time to be sentimental, so he strode toward the Great Throne Room at the very center and the highest point.

This is the landmark building of the Everpeak: "The King of the Mountains dwells here, the Book of Grudges is read here!" Recalling the description of this place in the game, Sinuoli surveyed this magnificent hall.

At the entrance of the hall stand the statues of the three main Dwarf gods; they are displayed here in their most classic forms.

Grungni is in the center, his expression stern, clad in heavy armor, with his Warhammer planted on the ground. The God of War Grimnir stands to his left, bare-chested, holding a Battle Axe in each hand in a pose of roaring at the sky. To his right is the Mother Goddess Valaya, who carries a scroll in one hand and a goblet in the other, wearing a gentle smile.

Walking through the gate, Sinuoli was stunned by the magnificence of the hall. The hall is a full twenty meters high, with the walls and ceiling carved full of murals concerning Dwarf mythology and history; at the deepest point is a platform over ten meters high, which is the seat of the High King, where the Throne of Power is placed, and everyone who wishes to catch a glimpse of the High King's demeanor must look up.

Because of the ancestral gods' secret forging techniques, the throne is almost impervious to damage, although the gorgeous carvings on it that vividly depict the Dragons or Greater Daemons fought by successive kings already have slight indentations.

In the center of the hall, two long rows of tables are placed lengthwise, and in the gaps between the tables are one after another wine barrels fitted with dragon heads. A fair amount of dishes had already been placed on the tables, but there were still a few Halfling chefs directing the servants in making the final arrangements.

By convention, the grandest Dwarf banquets are held in the form of a buffet to ensure that even the hungriest guests can eat and drink their fill.

The Halflings of the Mootland in the Empire of Man are the best chefs in the world, and their presence is indispensable at every high-level banquet; when necessary, these fellows, who are even more petite than Dwarfs, can also transform into deadly stalkers.

Under the guidance of a servant, Sinuoli found his seat—a round table in the front row on the right. The two Dwarfs sitting by the table stood up to express a warm welcome when they saw Sinuoli walking over; upon getting closer, Sinuoli discovered these were the two Masters, Iron Chisel and Molten.

After exchanging greetings, he sat opposite the empty seat. "This is?" Sinuoli asked, pointing to the empty seat.

"Master Krag's seat! It's just that he never attends this kind of banquet, so we can sit more comfortably!" Master Iron Chisel answered with a smile.

Exchanging pleasantries with the two Masters, Sinuoli began to size up the guests in the hall; he discovered that two-thirds of the seats were already filled, and considering that there might be some Dwarfs who were absent like Master Krag, the guests who could actually come had already mostly arrived.

Sinuoli was surprised to see quite a few Humans; this was the first time since his transmigration. Most of these Humans sat at their own tables, their attire was also very luxurious, wearing top hats on their heads and medals pinned to their chests.

Sinuoli also saw quite a few female Dwarfs, but most of those who could come here were clansfolk of a certain age and status; Sinuoli scanned the room and didn't find any young Dwarf maidens.

After less than ten more minutes, the chefs and servants withdrew, and the High King Thorgrim Grudgebearer appeared at the side door; he walked slowly along the steps toward the Throne of Power.

The steps of the high platform are exceptionally steep; this is to remind successive High Kings to think twice before exercising the power in their hands.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, Thorgrim spoke; he first welcomed every guest present. From his welcoming speech, Sinuoli learned that because the banquet was of a very high standard, the Dwarfs present included not only clan high-ranking members, local Dwarf nobility of Karaz-a-Karak, and guild leaders, but also Masters and caravan leaders stationed at the Everpeak from various Dwarf Karaks.

The Humans present mainly came from the Empire, composed of ambassadors from various Elector Counts and heads of merchant guilds; only a very few were from Bretonnia and Tilea, and they seemed to be of low status. Sinuoli secretly made a note of this discovery in his heart.

Afterward, Thorgrim inevitably gave some empty, high-sounding speech, reviewing the past, looking forward to the future, and so on. These words had been spoken by countless people before, and would be repeatedly mentioned again in the future; when the stomachs of some guests present began to protest, Thorgrim's long-winded speech finally drew to a close.

"Let us finally thank the Ancestor Goddess for bestowing divine grace, and then begin to celebrate the addition of a new young Rune Master to the entire Mountain Kingdom!"

Amidst the cheers, Sinuoli stood up and waved to all the guests, and Thorgrim also slowly climbed down the steps. The father and son drank the first and second cups of beer respectively to announce the start of the banquet.

Dwarf delicacies mainly include various roasted meats, sausages, stews, and cold dishes; of course, there is also no shortage of large quantities of various alcoholic beverages.

Dwarfs favor their home-brewed high-proof beer and ale, but to accommodate the Human friends present, there is also some fine wine provided.

As the main course of the banquet—a whole roasted Wyvern—was pushed to the center of the hall under the frantic direction of the Halfling head chef by the attendants, the banquet officially reached its climax.

The more powerful the Warcraft, the coarser and tougher the meat; even if it was boiled first and then roasted, this Wyvern meat was somewhat difficult to swallow. Such a main course serves more to demonstrate the host's immense wealth and strength; after all, wanting to hunt a flying monster is no easy feat.

As time passed, the guests, having eaten and drunk their fill, began to gather in twos and threes to toast and converse. As the protagonist of the banquet, the Dwarfs coming to toast Sinuoli were endless.

Thanks to the book friends for their monthly tickets and to book friends like Old Luo next door for their recommendation votes; there will be an extra update tomorrow night.