Chapter 343: Treasures of the Main God

"Oh? You actually need this thing? I thought it was just a ring!" Brian stroked his copper-colored beard; it seemed this was not the top-tier item he had in mind.

"Hmm, one hundred Oath Gold, how about that?" Sinuoli gently flicked the Beard Ring; he had no intention of returning it to Brian once it was in his hands.

"Of course! I will thank you for your generosity in my next work!" The adventurer was also very happy. Although he was experienced, bold, and meticulous, the places he went were too mysterious and dangerous, and it was often difficult to find a large group of companions.

Going it alone ensured his mobility and flexibility, allowing him to enter core areas. But having few hands also meant thin strength; for good things guarded by enemies, Brian could only watch and drool. Being deep in a treasure mountain but only able to pick up scraps on the outside was still very painful for a Dwarf.

"A toast to your adventurous spirit! Perhaps you could tell me the story of how you found it, and at the same time, with your extensive knowledge, give some advice on where similar things might be found."

Having settled the primary matter, Sinuoli and Brian had a drink together. He was very willing to listen to the opinions of professionals on this kind of archaeology-like work; the adventurer had performed excellently in previous expeditions.

"The second question is relatively easier to answer." Brian lit his pipe and leaned comfortably into the backrest.

"Those large fallen fortresses in the Badlands, Black Crag, Dragon Crag, and Eight Peaks! The most precious treasures should have been taken away by the retreating kin; whether you need these is uncertain."

"Another possible place, may the ancestors forgive my sins! It is Aosuan. Hmm, just like the Phoenix Crown in the Everpeak treasury."

The adventurer recited a divine name. Although that war, which lasted for hundreds of years, ended with the beheading of Kaleduo Ershi, the Mountain Kingdom also suffered heavy losses. Although no Dwarf was willing to mention it, it was an indisputable fact that many treasures had fallen into the hands of the pointy-ears.

"That makes a lot of sense!" Sinuoli praised; Brian's analysis was well-founded and logical, which made him very satisfied.

"As for this, uh, Beard Ring you mentioned, I found it not long ago in the Troll Kingdom north of Kislev. It was an ancient battlefield frozen for long ages." The adventurer recalled with a solemn expression.

"A large number of ancient creatures eroded by Chaos and some twisted Daemon fragments were scattered everywhere. Judging from the cross-sections, they suffered slashes from sharp weapons. Their enemies were very powerful; their distorted armor and fur seemed to have played no role at all."

"Who finished them off?" Sinuoli guided.

"I don't know! Perhaps the troops that dealt with them cleaned the battlefield after the victory. I searched the entire area, and apart from this Beard Ring, I found nothing else that had not been eroded by Chaos." Brian stated his deduction.

"Actually, there is another possibility: that they were bumped into by Grimnir heading north, and the God of War surrounded them all by himself." Sinuoli guessed from the origin of this item, but he did not say it out loud.

"Hmm, understood. Then, besides this Oath Gold, do you have any other needs?" Taking the Rune Gold Ingot just retrieved from the treasury from the hands of the attendant official and handing it to Brian, the Dwarf King changed the subject.

"It looks like you still need more artifacts?" The adventurer raised his eyebrows.

"Indeed, retrieving lost treasures is one of the three great oaths I made before the Mother Goddess." Having transmigrated for ten years, Sinuoli could be said to have not forgotten his original intention.

"Then perhaps you could support me in forming an expedition team to go deep into the fortresses in the Badlands to explore." Brian's words hit the nail on the head for Sinuoli.

"Good! With the Alliance of Three Hammers, you can use my warrant to mobilize manpower and resources from the Southlands to Tiefengbao within a reasonable range! King Belegar and King Kazador also need more news about them."

The Dwarf King laughed loudly. Those three large fortresses had been fallen for a long time, and under the destruction of the Greenskins and rats, the old maps in the hands of the Dwarfs had their reference value sharply reduced. Collecting intelligence in advance would be of great help in reclaiming them.

Three days after Brian left, Gaoyuanbao welcomed another figure of great prestige in the Mountain Kingdom—the Brewmaster Joseph-Bergman.

"What wind blew you here? Last time I passed by Kalake-Duomaer, I didn't have time to pay a visit; the glutton in my stomach has been complaining ever since!" Sinuoli stood up to welcome this stout Dwarf he had met once before.

"Hahaha, the Ancestor Chosen is too polite! You have traveled thousands of miles and worked tirelessly for our mountains; the least I can do is ensure you and your warriors have good wine to celebrate after victory!"

The Brewmaster spoke with humble courtesy; Sinuoli was no longer the Little Beard who had just started out at the time of the marriage proposal.

"The day the news of your reclamation of Kalake-Zuen reached the Old World, I opened a barrel and brewed a batch of truly good wine to celebrate. Now that the cellar-aging period is over, I have specially brought it for you to taste."

As Bergman spoke, he took a beautifully decorated barrel from his attendant. After opening it, the fragrance filled the room. Sinuoli took a sip; it was indeed clear in body and mellow on the palate.

"Good wine! Good wine! What is its name?"

"I want to call it Jubilee Diamond; the myriad fragrances are like the brilliant facets of a diamond. What do you think?"

"Good meaning, I like it!" Having drunk someone's wine, Sinuoli naturally would not go against Bergman's wishes. Pushing cups and changing goblets, the small barrel was soon bottomed out, and the Brewmaster waved his hand again to take out a treasure chest.

"Take a look." Bergman dismissed his attendants, undid the Rune, and pushed the box toward Snuori.

"Good heavens!"

Inside the box lay a wooden wine cup; it looked unremarkable, the wood had several dents, and the iron hoops were no longer shiny.

"Sure enough, you recognize this thing." Seeing Sinuoli's expression change drastically, Bergman relaxed instead.

"Indeed, this should be the wine cup of the Mother Goddess. Legend has it that the nectar inside is inexhaustible and has many miraculous effects." Sinuoli confirmed as he watched the system's reaction.

"It is a pity that it is incomplete and has lost its divine efficacy." Bergman sighed with emotion.

"This is an heirloom treasure of mine, but its authenticity has always been questioned by the clansmen. After my great-grandfather died in a duel with a peer for the sake of the family's honor, my grandfather sealed this cup away."

"I need it; what do you need?" Sinuoli closed the lid and stared at the Dwarf opposite him. Bergman had long since gained both fame and fortune; theoretically, he lacked nothing. The Dwarf King did not know how to make him part with this treasure.

"This cup can only regain its former divine radiance in your hands; keeping it only adds to my troubles. I want nothing; I only need you to be willing to vindicate it and my family."