Chapter 450: War Preparations

"After I leave, I hope you will not let the bonds of our sect fade; help and support one another so that my craft may be passed down. There are more and more little ones in the Qunshan with a talent for Runes now, aren't there?"

Kelage puffed on his pipe with a sigh. He had no children, having dedicated his life's work to the Guild, and now, just as the Guild was flourishing, he was about to leave this world.

The Rune Smith Guild was able to become the premier guild in this era largely due to his contributions—if not seven-tenths, then at least half. Among the Ancestor Gods, Thurni was merely a junior, and in terms of numbers, they could not compare to the Miners or Warriors, who had no such barriers to entry.

"Understood. I will strengthen my connection with the Second Senior Brother as soon as I return; I have long wanted to explore the mysteries of the Norsca Rune heritage."

"Speaking of you, my original plan was to leave this old companion to you, but since you have found the divine hammer of Sidemunier, it seems unnecessary. You are not lacking in other things; I have some in my possession, though I dare not say they are as precious as those awaiting you."

Kelage had pondered carefully before summoning Snorri. He had made some preparations himself, but if he wanted his faith to remain unbroken and even flourish, the support of the third disciple before him was crucial.

"How can you say that? Aside from the Mother Goddess, no one has supported me more than you and my father. I am not afraid of being accused of heresy: as long as I am here, the Divine Thurni must rank behind you for one more day!"

Snorri immediately patted his chest to pledge his loyalty. After he had proven his worth, Kelage had spared no effort in providing manpower, resources, and equipment, and was now painstakingly teaching him the experience of ascending to godhood; the debt of gratitude was immense.

"I have disbanded my Anvil Guard, but only half are willing to return to their original homes as my priests; the rest hope to fight for you until they enter my Divine Kingdom."

"This is my honor."

Although this group was slightly inferior in martial arts, their equipment was even better than that of the Eternal Hammer Guard. Under the protection of Kelage's divine power, they were perhaps the strongest force in the Qunshan.

"If you have no particular objections, I also intend to take Sitelinge as a nominal disciple. His talent is a bit lacking, but he makes up for it with diligence."

"How could I have any objections? Him becoming a Junior Brother would only make our bond closer."

Snorri laughed. Sitelinge was indeed lucky; if it weren't for Kelage's imminent ascension and the unique geographical factors of Weifengbao, such a good opportunity would never have fallen to him.

"Good. Most of my treasured materials were used to forge the Titan, some of the collected and manufactured equipment has been bestowed, and another portion is reserved as the Guild's foundation; the rest is for you to divide."

"I don't..."

"Your house is large and your business is vast; take more. If you can't use it yourself, reward it to those below you; it will also teach them to remember this deity's favor."

"Then I thank you on their behalf!"

Snorri bowed to Kelage. The master was distributing his own personal wealth; what the Guild had inherited was not under discussion. By tradition, the position of Guild Master was not appointed by the predecessor but elected, though it was unlikely anyone would come to compete with Snorri this time.

"Hmm, then call Sitelinge over, perform the ceremony, and then we can choose together."

"Greetings, Master, Senior Brother!"

After placing offerings before the altar where the statues of Thurni and Kelage stood, Prince Sitelinge of Weifengbao turned around. The rune energy on his body fluctuated; he had clearly just broken through to Master not long ago.

The Eldest Sister-in-law had told him many stories about the Guild members. To learn something under Kelage's teaching style—where he would scold nine times before teaching once—required great perseverance and patience.

"Senior Brother came in a hurry and didn't prepare any special gift. You have seen this ring before; the rune upon it was taught by the Mother Goddess herself, and the ring was a gift from the Iron Chisel Master. I hand it to you today; I hope you use it well!"

Since he was taking a nominal disciple, Kelage only nodded slightly. Snorri stepped forward, helped Sitelinge up, then removed the ring from his hand and placed it into his. As his own strength increased, this former primary output tool had become less useful, and to avoid damaging it before each activation of Avatar of the Gods, he had to remove it anyway; it was perfect as a gift.

"This, this..."

The newly promoted Rune Master was stunned with joy. The Iron Chisel Ring itself was a rare and exquisite accessory, not to mention its immense symbolic significance. One had to know that Snorri's status as the Chosen of the Goddess had been solidified back then precisely because he had crafted the Flight Rune upon it in three days!

Gifting it was undoubtedly a declaration to the world that the Ancestor Chosen Demigod Snorri Thorsson had officially acknowledged this Junior Brother; whether he was nominal or not no longer mattered. In the final distribution, Snorri received ten exquisite weapons; these treasures from the hands of a true god were rewards that all mortals would covet.

"Suppressing my power to linger for a few more days is meaningless. Is there anything else in the Qunshan that needs me to do?" After finishing the ceremony and the handover, Kelage had no more worries.

"Skavenblight is a heart-deep threat. If possible, could you give those rats a heavy blow?"

"Good! Then we shall meet again in the God Realm!"

Snorri watched as Kelage, carrying his Forging Hammer and shouldering his Rune Tunteng, disappeared into the mountains. He knew the timing was infinitely close to maturity.

"Help me prepare the Helicopter, and make separate appointments with the Human Emperor, the Knight King, and the sect leaders."

Returning to his office, he passed down several orders. Whether in the Old World or the Southlands, Dwarfs and Humans were intertwined; the powerful knew the strategic goals of the next phase for the Qunshan, and they knew what roles they were expected to play and what benefits they would gain.

"Time is not yet set, within three years. Due to the environment of the Badlands and logistical pressures, the requirement is at least professional soldiers/adventurers. The Dwarfs will provide a one-time mobilization fee and all military expenses; benefits include, but are not limited to, spoils of war, land, and the wealth buried under Eight Peaks."

As the Helicopter shuttled across the Old World, the news quickly spread among the human elite and received an enthusiastic response. Without a doubt, the Skaven also received the most detailed version simultaneously.

The humans soon began preparing for the expedition; their desire for expansion had long been irrepressible. Reality was not like a game; the Duke of Le Angulang could not go and destroy Leonnesse, and the Elector of Reikland could not go and seize Wissenland. One of the tasks of religious leaders and the nominal High King was to control the intensity of internal conflicts.

There were constant small frictions between the major human powers, but the whole body was affected by a single hair; if a total war of annihilation aimed at permanent territorial seizure were to break out, the Everchosen would not even need to take the field—the existing evil forces would be enough to bring the world to the brink of destruction.

Snorri did not want to make the "Great Plan" known to everyone so far in advance, but without the human mobile forces, the Sons of the Mountains could not achieve pursuit and annihilation; no matter how familiar they were with the terrain, they could not outrun rats and Goblins.