Chapter 304: Two Bald Men

"After learning of that nickname, your compatriots in the Empire have started using the term 'Hunter' to refer to you." Tomi smirked once again.

"Hunter, heh, still as plain as ever." Sinuoli also shook his head with a smile. Dwarfs were always like this; they were proud and liked to outdo each other in every aspect, and verbal sparring was a major battlefield as well.

"The closed-door meeting you arranged didn't have the intended effect. The rumors outside about the process of establishing the Ironforge Treaty are bizarre, and I suspect other Electors are fanning the flames." Tomi's intelligence network in the Empire was nearly fully established.

"Human lifespans are short, and their transfers of power are quick; William is already over fifty."

"Report! Grand Lector Kasimier VII of Nuln wishes to see you!" A guard knocked and entered, interrupting the conversation.

"Invite him in quickly!" Sinuoli stood up. If the Empire of Man was the Dwarf's most loyal ally, then the Sigmar Cult could be said to be the most fanatical. The first Human Emperor, Sigmar, swore that his human subjects would never refuse a request for aid from the Dwarfs, and as his followers, the Church had written this into their fundamental doctrine.

"Greetings to you, respected Dwarf King. May the Twin-Tailed Comet always guide us." Soon, a sturdy old bald man walked in. He placed his left hand on his chest, extended his right arm forward, kept his hands level with his head, clenched his fist, and extended his index and middle fingers to form a "V" shape.

This posture was very similar to the "peace sign" from Sinuoli's past life, but here, the "V" gesture represented the Twin-Tailed Comet. Legend had it that Sigmar's birth was heralded by a comet with two tails, which became another important symbol of the Church, alongside the holy hammer.

"Welcome, follower of Heldenhammer." Sinuoli stood up to return the salute; Heldenhammer was the nickname the Dwarfs gave to Sigmar, meaning "Hammer of Heroes."

Although Sigmarites were highly respected in the Qunshan, Sinuoli returned the salute primarily because of the man's status as a Grand Lector. This position wasn't something that could be recruited openly like in a game; there were only two, serving as the right and left hands of the Grand Theogonist, stationed in Nuln and Talabheim respectively, each holding an Elector vote.

"Forgive my abruptness!"

"Not at all, the gates of the mountain fortress are always open to you!"

The two exchanged pleasantries while sizing each other up. Sinuoli noticed that the old man was full of vigor; he wore a breastplate over his ceremonial robes, a circlet on his bald head, and a warhammer hanging at his waist that shimmered with the luster of runes. It was a replica of Ghal Maraz, but it counted as a top-tier item among epic weapons.

"I have come to visit you for two reasons. The first is regarding your immigration plan. We hope to build churches in your southern territories to spread the faith of the God-Emperor and prevent his subjects from falling into the hands of Chaos."

"I agree, and I will provide you with convenience in every aspect. However, you may have already heard that the Lady of the Lake has also been granted the right to spread her faith among the immigrants." Sinuoli agreed readily; he didn't need extra pleasantries with these bald men.

"I promise you, we will try our best not to make things difficult for you." Kasimier nodded; he didn't make empty promises, but he gave a clear stance.

"The second matter concerns the evil tomes of Nagash; the Inquisition in Altdorf has suppressed two of them. The Conclave has discussed the message you conveyed through Emperor William, and we are all willing to trust in your ability." Having received authorization for the mission, Miskal began to speak of the other matter.

"But we must remind you that the Lord of Undeath possesses heaven-defying power; even the God-Emperor suffered non-trivial wounds to defeat him. You must not underestimate him."

"I have absolute certainty." Sinuoli laughed. He intended to use the Nine Scrolls of Nagash to trade for artifact fragments with Settra the Great, and once they were inside the Khemri Great Pyramid, they would naturally be safe.

"Then when do you plan to return? I will personally escort them to your hands, and then follow you to the Southlands to preach. All the dark cultists in this world crave those nine evil tomes." Kasimier VII trusted the Dwarf King before him.

"It should be after the New Year. My fleet welcomes you and your fellow believers." A sincere smile appeared on Sinuoli's face. He had a great battle awaiting him on this return trip, and the Grand Lector before him was a true powerhouse. The fire of Sigmar's Justice burned fiercely within him, and the Warrior Priests who followed him would not be weaklings either.

After seeing off Kasimier VII, Sinuoli hummed a tune as he returned to the Everpeak. He had gained so much from this short trip. Afterward, he spent his time in the deepest part of the guild, forging his armor alongside Krag Master. By the time the Eternal Hammer Guard knocked on the workshop door, it was already time for the Grudge Council to convene.

"Is there anything else I need to do?" Looking at the festive and busy atmosphere along the way in the fortress, Sinuoli asked his father.

"Heh, our Fuwentiejianghanghuifuhuizhang has finally decided to come out? What you need to do now is take a bath and groom your beard." Thorgrim muttered, shaking his head. "This time is for you to meet a potential wife; what are you doing looking like this?"

Returning to the Clan hall, Sinuoli tidied his appearance while listening to Gotrek's report on the visitors. During the days he was busy forging, almost every attendee's second order of business after meeting the High King was to come and pay their respects to him.

"Tsk, I have to see them eventually, so it doesn't matter if it's now." After getting himself ready, Sinuoli hurried to the Great Throne Room on the top level.

"Looks like I arrived just in time!" Chairs were arranged below the dais where the Throne of Power was placed, and currently, only a third of the seats were occupied.

"Over here!" Grom waved him over. "Hmm, your seat isn't here." Seeing Sinuoli about to sit beside him, his older brother stopped him.

"You should sit in the first row, the King of the Southlands chosen by the Ancestor Gods!" Grom smiled and pointed to a chair diagonally in front of him, almost directly facing the Throne of Power.

"Bang!" Sinuoli moved toward the sound, but before he could sit down, he took a heavy punch to his chest. This blow caused his body, which had undergone six upgrades and reinforcements, to go black before his eyes, and he nearly couldn't withstand it.

"Little Beard, truly a hero among the young!" As Sinuoli steadied his blood and Qi, a bold voice rang out. "In all the Qunshan, those who can take this punch of mine head-on without Legendary Armor are few and far between!"

"Who are you?" Sinuoli turned his head to his right. The one who threw the punch had an orange-red beard, though it didn't look natural. But what was more eye-catching was his shiny bald head; this was a bald powerhouse.

"Agelimu, King of Karak-Kadrin."

------------------Author's Note------------------

Thanks to syr, Kui Ying Lian Sha, Ni De Cha Xiang Ge Ge, Li Xin Peng, book friend ending in 1315, and Chu Mo Wei Liang for the monthly tickets.