Chapter 303: The Ironforge Treaty

"Forget it, you state your price first," William III shrugged. "However, I must remind you that I retain the right to wage war, and as for whether you want to stand against Ghal Maraz for those merchants when the time comes, you weigh that yourself."

"My demands are not high, just three points." William's reaction was within Sinuoli's expectations, and he did not intend to push this Human Emperor too hard; he would have to cooperate with his sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons in the future.

"The first point is simple: Marienburg promised me a large sum of military funds; it is fine not to protect them, but you should compensate me for the amount beyond the pension." Sinuoli's first demand was very Dwarf-like, but it did not stem from a desire for gold.

Previously, to coordinate with his momentum-building, half of Bretonnia and the Old World mountains were mobilizing; he needed to give his supporters an explanation, otherwise, such things would be hard to do next time.

"Those parasites are truly wealthy!" William could not help but click his tongue at the amount, but he was not worried; as long as he held Marienburg in his grip, he could squeeze more oil and water out of those merchants.

"I agree! Continue."

"The second point is also not difficult: abolish all persecution of my people during the reign of that pig Dieter, and reaffirm the terms of the Ancient Covenant."

"This is what I should do; our two races have been each other's most reliable allies since ancient times, from the Battle of Black Fire Pass all the way to the Great Holy War. Those laws that violated the covenant never received the support of the broad masses from the moment they were promulgated."

William III shifted his sitting posture; he relaxed, as Sinuoli's current two points were quite mild, without the likes of demanding millions of gold coins as he had imagined.

"Perhaps this King of the Southlands can truly live up to the nickname of 'the Generous'!" the Emperor thought to himself.

"The third point is to support my development of the Southlands; specifically, it is a package of mutually beneficial agreements." Sinuoli pushed a document over.

"Looks good." William flipped through it and nodded in agreement. "Is that all? As long as I agree, you and your troops will withdraw to Everpeak?"

"You can trust the promise of the Sons of the Mountains. Of course, as the Empire Emperor, is it not also within your scope of responsibility to protect her from being ravaged by marauders after you take back Marienburg?"

Sinuoli also had to consider his own reputation, which was a wealth more precious than gold anywhere. But if the demand was proven to be non-existent, then terminating the service seemed understandable as well.

"That is inevitable; do we take her back just to let the Northmen do as they please with her!" William understood Sinuoli's meaning, "This point can also be written into the treaty."

"It can be said that reaching these consensuses is beneficial to us both, and even to this world." As the treaty was drafted and signed, Sinuoli revealed a satisfied smile.

The Schleistain family of Reikland, right down to that final Deathclaw pendant, were reliable allies; he did not intend to fleece them bald all at once, as maintaining a good relationship would be helpful for many things.

"By the way, I heard that the Sigmar Cult is suppressing evil scriptures of the Lord of Undeath; the Ancestor Goddess of my race revealed to me that I must find and destroy them, lest Nagash return to the Mortal World." Seeing William III was in a hurry to leave his seat, Sinuoli mentioned it seemingly unintentionally.

"It seems there are some; I do not know for certain, but my family and the Arch-Lector have always had a good relationship. Out of gratitude to you, I am willing to do my best to facilitate this matter."

William III agreed very readily; he did not expect Sinuoli to be so magnanimous, and his biggest problem could be said to have been solved easily. As for the Dwarf King's motives, he chose to believe him; after all, no one would suspect a Dwarf blessed by a god of wanting to learn Siling Mohua.

"Then I wish you good luck, Your Majesty the Emperor!"

Immediately after, this agreement was spread throughout the entire Old World via Rune telegraphs and messengers. Now it is called the "Ironforge Treaty," though many years later it would gain a more widely circulated new name.

"I am increasingly believing that your origins are extraordinary." On the way back to Everpeak, Grom walked into Sinuoli's tent at night. "That human, you held him in the palm of your hand, then gently put him down, and he still has to be grateful to you."

"Why did you suddenly want to bring this up?" Sinuoli sighed; he knew the changes that had occurred in him were too great, and it was impossible to gloss over those behaviors that were not very "Dwarf" with simple excuses to his closest kin.

"We, and this world, are under a huge threat; the Ancestor Gods chose me." Sinuoli brought a beer for his big brother and himself.

"Is that rumor true?" Grom continued to ask.

"It is true; Father and Master informed all those in the know about this, hoping everyone would not spread the word." As a member of the Dwarf ruling class, Grom knew something about the Old Ones.

"If there is anything you need me for, just say it; Pamila feels the same way." Having received a definitive answer from Sinuoli himself, Grom seemed relieved; he gave Sinuoli a fierce hug, drank the beer in one gulp, and walked out.

Sinuoli watched Grom's back; his big brother seemed to have hunched over a little. He could understand his big brother's thoughts very well; a younger brother he had watched grow up suddenly pulled a move of "the golden scale is no creature of the pond, it transforms into a dragon upon meeting the wind and clouds"—anyone would be greatly impacted.

After the treaty was promulgated, the Dwarf armies of the Grey Mountains and the Knight armies that were originally restless immediately ceased their activities. It and the new Emperor's decree arrived in Marienburg at almost the same time, leaving the big merchants with no room to react.

Lacking a regular army and having no backup plan, the City Council found it difficult to offer effective resistance; William III easily controlled the city and punished several big merchants who had led the collusion during the independence process with thunderous means.

After confiscating their assets for treason, he reshuffled the council and strengthened control over this trade center. And the quiet rise of Boss Harvey and Tomi's chamber of commerce among them was not something to be told to outsiders.

"My dearest cousin, others only say your Storm Hammer is invincible; only I know that your wisdom is as peerless as your hammer." In Karake-Duomaer, Sinuoli met his cousin.

"You deserve the top credit for getting this done! If Marienburg hadn't sought me out, I wouldn't have known how much trouble it would have been!" Patting Tomi's shoulder, Sinuoli felt a wave of flesh.

"Relying on your help, Eagle King William has instantly made a name for himself!"

"Eagle King?" Sinuoli smiled at this blunt nickname.

"From his ascension to resolving Marienburg, let alone the promised year, he didn't even use a month. It was as swift as an eagle catching a rabbit."