Chapter 31: Preparations Before Departure (Thanks to book friend

After cursing the unreliable Empire Emperor a few times, Thorgrim returned to the main topic.

"You say you discovered traces of Skaven underground? Recently, the surrounding Shanbao and patrols haven't reported any news of the rats gathering in large numbers. It should, at most, be a small Clan that failed in their infighting, or the vanguard of some Clan. If that's the case..."

"Let me go with my big brother!" Sinuoli spoke up. Failing his first mission and nearly losing his life had left a fire burning in his heart.

"Have the Iron Chisel Master's Anvil Guard, who were assigned to assist you, reported for duty?" Not rushing to give Sinuoli an answer, Thorgrim asked about something else.

"They arrived that very day! They are quite excellent!" Sinuoli replied.

"Hmm, when they were first formed, the troops the Clan selected for him were true elites. Although they have lacked practical combat experience in recent years, their original foundation should still be there." Thorgrim nodded.

"With them protecting you, I can be more at ease, but... Gelunsen!" Thorgrim shouted toward the door.

"At your service! Your Majesty, High King!" Gelunsen, the Captain of the Eternal Hammer whom Sinuoli had met before, strode into the room upon hearing the call.

"Master Sinuoli is going on an expedition with the army. I entrust you to take ten brothers to protect him!"

"Hmm? Your Majesty, this is not in accordance with the rules. Our Eternal Hammer guard is only responsible to you alone! The last time we protected Prince Genuomu-Suiluozhe was because he is your eldest son, but Master Sinuoli..." Gelunsen's words were interrupted before he could finish.

"Besides being the youngest Rune Master and my youngest son, Sinuoli is also the Chosen of the Goddess of the Ancestors!"

"Very well, I obey your will! In the name of the Ancestor Gods, I swear that anyone who wishes to harm Master Sinuoli must step over our corpses!"

Having received a definitive answer, Thorgrim nodded again. "By the way, regarding the matter of the last assessment, I did some investigation. The report is here! Take it and look at it yourself. Overall, there are no major problems!"

He pulled a document from the pile on the table and handed it to Sinuoli.

Thorgrim looked at Genuomu-Suiluozhe again: "When do you plan to set off?"

"Tomorrow morning, Father. Although the situation there cannot be called ever-changing, the sooner I return, the better. Yesterday, I was worried that returning during the day might lead to being discovered by Greenskin scouts, causing the stronghold to be raided at night, so I ran back in the middle of the night!"

"Hmm, for a novice, being careful and cautious is never wrong. Let it be so! Take good care of Sinuoli!"

Having received Thorgrim's approval, the brothers were very excited. Walking out of the room, Sinuoli wanted to pull Genuomu-Suiluozhe back to the Clan to chat more, but unexpectedly, Genuomu-Suiluozhe refused him with a mysterious look on his face.

"I have other things to attend to. You go back and get a good rest! Meet at the West Gate of the fortress at eight o'clock sharp tomorrow morning with your guards! I will also tell Uncle Gelunsen about it."

"What are you going to do? Recruiting other troops? Perhaps I can go with you!"

"Hahahaha! Recruiting? You could say that. But, you can't help me. Hurry back, the road we have to travel tomorrow is long!"

Sinuoli shook his head. He tucked the document into his chest and returned to his residence with his few guards. Entering the main gate, he saw the Anvil Guard taking off their armor and sparring in pairs.

"Uncle Jian Dun, call the brothers to assemble. I want to announce the expedition for tomorrow morning!"

The Captain of the Anvil Guard ran over upon hearing this. "Just call me Qiangsen, respected Chosen of the Goddess. What did you say? An expedition tomorrow morning?" The thumping sounds of the guards' bodies colliding and their shouts made it hard for him to hear clearly.

"Yes, I am going to the front line of Karak-Varn with my big brother Genuomu-Suiluozhe. Is it okay for you to accompany me?"

"Of course, no problem! My Battle Axe has long been thirsty and impatient! This is our duty! Where the oath goes, we are as solid as rock!"

Qiangsen stood at attention with a bang and shouted loudly. "Brothers, assemble! We have a mission!" Following his command, the Dwarfs who had been scattered in the courtyard quickly gathered and formed a dense formation.

After simply organizing the formation, Qiangsen retreated behind Sinuoli and signaled for him to announce the order. This was Sinuoli's first time giving a speech to his subordinates. He coughed twice to clear his throat; Qiangsen's thunderous voice put a lot of pressure on him.

"Everyone, my great-uncle, the Iron Chisel Master, has assigned you to me, so I won't stand on ceremony! We will assemble here at seven o'clock tomorrow morning. Everyone bring your gear; we are going to Mountain Lake Fortress to kill Greenskins and rats!"

"Great! Having been stuck in the fortress for these years without a battle, I look at the rats in the gutter and think they look like Stormvermin!"

"Finally, no more worrying about having nothing to talk about at the dinner table! My old friends now call me a gatekeeper!"

"This time we are following the Chosen of the Goddess. It won't do to be untidy when the Goddess is watching! I'll go to the barbershop in a while to maintain my beard!"

Hearing the news of the expedition tomorrow, the guards not only showed no signs of fear or difficulty, but were all extremely excited, wishing they could set off right now.

Seeing this performance, Sinuoli nodded inwardly. It seemed that this team had not been destroyed by a comfortable life, and his personal safety was still quite guaranteed.

After dismissing the team and letting them go home to pack their bags, Sinuoli returned to his room. Balin, who had received the news of the expedition, was also eager to try. In Dwarf society, compared to improving professional skill levels, performing meritorious service on the battlefield was undoubtedly a shortcut to gaining prestige and status.

Sinuoli himself had nothing to pack. He prepared two sets of clothes and put the newly acquired Iron Chisel Ring on his hand, and that was basically it. He did not intend to read that document first, so as not to be distracted during the battle.

Balin, however, was very excited, running around to organize two large bags, bulging and full, though it was unclear what was inside.

The afternoon passed quickly. After dinner, the old Dwarf Gelunsen brought the other nine members of the Eternal Hammer guard to Sinuoli's residence. They were silent, their hammers never leaving their hands and their armor never leaving their bodies, finding a place to settle down and wait quietly for the expedition tomorrow morning.

The next morning, before dawn, Sinuoli climbed out of bed. Seeing his subordinates gathering one after another at the door, he also walked out of the room with Balin.

Looking at the forty Anvil Guard and ten Eternal Hammer members under his command, Sinuoli felt good. These were the true elites of the Dwarf race! It was a pity they were all borrowed; the only real people of his own were his advisor, Balin, by his side.

Reaching out to stop Qiangsen's thunderous voice that was ready to go, Sinuoli did not want to disturb the sweet dreams of the surrounding clansmen early in the morning.

"Brothers, let's set off! Target: West Gate. Everyone, keep your footsteps light!"

A group of fifty-two Dwarfs set off in the dim light without lamps.

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