Chapter 515: Meeting the Human Emperor Again

"Are you not going directly to Tilea?"

"Of course. How much of a population can Tilea have? The faith of Ranald is especially scattered; it is not much anywhere, but it is everywhere. Go; just act as if nothing has happened and wait for my orders."

Not taking the familiar Kuata Port, Snuori took his personal guards and boarded a ship from Araby to the Old World. In the port city where Suleiman got his start—which had been renamed Istanbul—he met with Long-Zhuo and his Pirate Slayers.

As everyone knows, because they went from one victory to another, what the Southlands lacked most were Slayers who had shaved their heads to show their resolve; as for the veteran sailors that were always rare in the Dwarf Realms, they satisfied that requirement as well.

"How much time has passed? The scene of bidding farewell to you and my pair of children seems as if it were still before my eyes. I am still idling away in a single city and corner, while you have already transformed from a rising star of the mountains into the greatest defender of the world of order."

When Snuori stood at the bow, the sea breeze was no longer affected by pressure differences, and without much effort, they landed from Bretonnia and rushed to Karak-Breeze Fort. It was still the magnificent gate, and Lord Granite Hand greeted him with the etiquette of a High King's arrival.

"I owe much to your care back then; that Doom Anvil accompanied me in defeating I don't know how many powerful enemies."

Snuori laughed and returned the courtesy. He was very appreciative of the sentiment; Weifengbao was deeply tied to his own faction, and Lord Luoleike was willing to cheer and echo his every decision.

"With the revival of the mountains, the young people are growing rapidly. The intricate racial relationships in the Southlands have made Sitelinge's coordination and communication skills advance as rapidly as runic craftsmanship! Hello there, buddy, have you become a Captain of the guard?"

While exchanging pleasantries and walking inside, Snuori suddenly saw a Hammer Guard wearing Runic Plate Armor with a complex expression. Looking closely, he recalled this was the first guy to stand out and challenge him during the wedding reception; his agile footwork and the title of "Terror of the Western Mines of Arden Forest and Surrounding Areas" had left quite an impression.

"You, you still remember me! Ancestor Gods above, that day I moved against you, sigh, I committed a crime of great disrespect! Forget it, my Lord, for the honor of the Golden Hammer Clan, I, Dwarin, will head to Slayer Keep now."

The Captain of the guard let out a long sigh and took off his helmet with both hands, preparing to hand it to Luoleike. Snuori had not expected that reminiscing would lead to this, so he hurriedly reached out to stop him.

"My kin, the ignorant are not guilty; besides, that was a friendly sparring match witnessed by the whole city. I should even praise your bravery; the road to the revival of the mountains cannot do without good hands like you!"

"Praise the great Reviver!"

"I have always said, with his generosity and mercy, how could he hold a grudge against that kid?"

"Those who lost the bet, pay up! I'll treat everyone to drinks at the central bar later!"

Qualified to be the first to stand out and challenge him, Dwarin's family background and ability were top-tier among the younger generation of Weifengbao. As Snuori's reputation grew, the sparring match between the two was repeatedly brought up, which caused the young man to suffer great psychological torment.

"What is the reason for your sudden visit? Is there anything Weifengbao can do for you?"

"There are indeed some small matters; listen as I explain them in detail."

"Is that you, Heisenberg? Is there an urgent matter?"

In Altdorf, the lights in the Emperor's study in the palace on the south bank of the Reik River were still bright. To wear the crown, one must bear its weight; William realized that wanting to accomplish something in an Empire divided by warlords was not as easy as he had imagined.

"William, William Franz, the revered Hammer-Bearer. Still busy with official business so late?"

"Clang!"

"Don't be nervous, you almost hit me. Ghal Maraz is not some small toy."

The abrupt, unfamiliar voice startled William III. Combining this with recent reports of undercurrents surging within his territory, he grabbed the divine hammer at his side and swung it violently, only to be shocked to find the hammer head frozen in mid-air.

"Hoo! Sigmar above, Snuori, the greatest of the mountains, you really gave me a scare!"

"Likewise, your vigilance is good; with the tightly patrolling Reiksguard and the Court Wizard maintaining the early-warning barrier—one really couldn't get in without some supernatural power."

Snuori smiled slightly and loosened his grip so that William could put down the divine hammer. This was ore mined by Grungni, forged by Sidemunier, and enchanted by Thurni, with Sigmar's divine power residing within; even a mortal could unleash boundless might when wielding it.

"Hot tea or brandy?"

"Brandy will do. Since our hurried parting at Duantiebao, the Empire has developed well in your hands, which shows I didn't misjudge you back then."

"Misjudge, oh~ Kislev, right, Kislev."

A meaningful smile appeared beneath William's mustache. With the Sigmar Cathedral and the College of Wizards both in Altdorf, as the Emperor, he could grasp enough information to speculate on Snuori's schemes.

"They will know that besides gold and fine wine, warhammers and heavy cannons are also specialties of the mountains. By the way, I didn't come to see you for idle chatter this time; I have important matters to discuss, regarding cleaning up the black and gray areas of the Old World."

"Black and gray areas, what do you mean?"

"Brothels, casinos, sewers, thieves, swindlers, fake apothecaries, and so on; Chaos corruption is most easily bred among them. The Four Gods have already personally intervened in the Mortal World; my being able to resist does not mean you all can."

"This requires great determination and investment."

William muttered, his lips moving. In the Old World, this could be said to be a tacit understanding between lords and the common people—if the people don't report it, the officials don't investigate. Although every clear-headed administrator knew that indulgence was not the solution, occasional crackdowns only brought about brief restraint.

"Coincidentally, I lack neither of those two things."

The faint smile on Snuori's face held a different meaning in William's eyes. His courtiers had countless times used various rhetorical devices to make him understand how much power this Dwarf before him possessed—perhaps turning him, or even the entire palace, into gold would only take a single thought.

"With the divine hammer as witness, my family and I have supported your decisions from beginning to end."

The Emperor raised the Warhammer, the runes upon it shining brightly, echoing the massive runic energy within Snuori's body. Why did his sect avoid Altdorf? The sense of crisis in William's heart reached a new high after bringing it back to Marienburg.

"Good, very good. Invite the Archbishop over; I believe the believers of Heldenhammer will put their doctrines into practice."

"Offering you the highest greetings, great Snuori Thorsson, the bane of the wicked, the guardian deity of the good!"

The Reik Palace and the Cathedral were adjacent, with a corridor provided for high-level passage. Soon, an old man with a sturdiness unmatched by his age walked in quickly; the coarse cloth robe on his body highlighted that he came from the Anvil Order, which was famous for its asceticism.

"Pardon the intrusion, Archbishop Akama. The Twin-Tailed Comet bears witness to our friendship."

After completing a set of highest etiquette that included fist-bumping and shoulder-touching, passed down by Sigmar and Ku'ergan-Tiexu, the highest secular and religious authorities of the Empire of Man sat together at a small table.