Chapter 553: The Final Leg

"Great Restorer, how shall we proceed next?"

"Need you ask? Clear the path between Death Pass and Mad Dog Trail; I want to walk back to Karaz-a-Karak on my own two feet! As for the name Death Pass, I see no need to change it; let it remain for future generations to remember that era of sorrow."

Following the great victory, as was customary, there were sacrifices to the Ancestor Gods and a grand celebration. Without immediate spoils of war, Sinuoli still generously drew enough wealth from his own treasury to reward merit.

"And what of Blood River Valley?"

"Ignore it. Detouring through Zhufuba won't save us many days, even if they have repaired the railway to the Everpeak. Besides, there is no need to place our main artery under the enemy's pincers."

Grimgor's Hardboyz legion withdrew from the Stone Mine Outpost, and the Dwarf Coalition set out to return to Eight Peaks. Sinuoli and Belegar discussed the map; upstream of the Bloodwater River, Black Crag and Gangtieyan faced each other across the water, each marked with a giant green skull circled in red.

"Many kin who rushed here from the Old World have not yet had their fill, and King Lufusen is one of them. Why not take this opportunity to assemble a great army and head north? Thunder Mountain is already under the control of the Sons of the Mountains, and Squig Horn Mountain and that rat's underground city should not be able to block our advance."

"With Red Eye Mountain reclaimed by the Slayer Demigod, this will be the final leg of the complete unification of the World's Edge Mountains. Please allow us to share in this supreme glory!"

"Indeed, settling the new Grudges of Tiefengbao also requires manpower. The blood of the Thunderhorn Clan cannot be shed in vain!"

The scale of this coalition was no smaller than the Battle of Eight Peaks, and a long-distance expedition from the Old World required great cost. Those not chosen to participate in the Champion Duel or those who failed in the duels all needed a great victory to boost their prestige.

"Very well, then let us return to Eight Peaks first before making further decisions."

Sinuoli would not turn away the enthusiastic suggestions of his generals. Once seated in the throne room, Sinuoli stroked his beard to review the battle reports, then issued orders with composure, dispatching scouts and air fleets toward the likely paths of the Greenskin raiding parties.

"Belegar, you discuss the matters ahead with everyone; I need to rest."

The grueling battle with Tiepi was not easy, and being briefly possessed by Gork and Mork and then forcing one's way back was an even greater drain on the spirit. Only after everyone dispersed did Sinuoli show his fatigue; he collapsed and slept, and when he awoke, three days had passed.

"The Troll Gefang Lanya was cornered in a mountain hollow yesterday and had his head smashed in by King Kazador. The Goblin poison-spitter is still fleeing in the mountains, but our encirclement is tightening."

"Has it hatched another Queen Spider? What about the Wood Elves? Did they not intervene?"

"Your wisdom is no less than the divine Thurni. The Rangers of Eight Peaks blocked it once, but it broke through. As for those sharp-eared... except for you, Great Restorer, anyone who approaches their camp is forced back by a sharp arrow pinned to their toes; King Belegar is no exception."

Ailike, who was in charge of intelligence with the army, explained softly. Sinuoli sighed and stood up; with the strength and pride of the Xinge Sisters, he would have to step in to coordinate personally. Dwarf aircraft had superior firepower, but in other aspects, they were inferior to Giant Eagles.

"Mission accomplished, respected Demigod!"

After only half a day, Auleiliya Xingge's forest dragon landed on the newly repaired viewing platform of the fortress, clutching the remains of a giant spider. The Woodland Lord leaped down and presented a head, with a look of panic frozen on its face, to Snuori.

"Aolai'en's sharpest arrow, truly lives up to its reputation."

"Won't you praise me? That cunning goblin was discovered by this young lady first!"

"Yes, Wende dodged several clusters of spider-web slime before landing the tracking arrow. I might not have been able to do that at her age."

Auleiliya looked at her sister with eyes full of affection. Having accepted the orders of the God-King and God-Queen to leave Athel Loren with her, she lacked the gentle guidance of the spirit trees of the forest and the romantic gatherings of Midsummer Night.

"Is that so? It is a pity I could not witness your dashing heroic posture!"

Sinuoli's praise made the Ranger's joy almost overflow into her golden hair. Sinuoli knew this was more of a young lady's admiration for the strong and the mysterious; perhaps it should be left to develop slowly in the future.

"Pass my order: unite the forces and push straight through in a line! Summon Buluokesen and his team of Engineers; open roads through mountains and build bridges over water!"

Riding on the back of a Rock Sheep, Sinuoli felt as excited as his warriors. In all his years of raising an army, this was the first time he had fought such a wealthy war. With a stroke of a charcoal stick on the map, the steel torrent plowed a path in reality.

Facing the elite coalition, the Skaven and small Goblin clans didn't even have the qualifications to flee, let alone resist! The heads of Black Orcs were not enough, so theirs had to be used to make up the count, and the treasures accumulated by robbing merchants and adventurers were an unexpected joy.

"Great Restorer—my dear cousin, you may have received the news as well. The High King has telegraphed the decision to hold the Grudge Council early to the entire Mountain Kingdom, in order to gather together to celebrate your achievements."

With the clamor of activity at Death Pass, the Everpeak naturally received the news. Five days later, a gyrocopter landed in front of Sinuoli's command tent, and cousin Tomi's stout body squeezed out with effort.

"I will thank my father for his kindness in person; thank you for making this trip. I understand his thoughts; keep in touch, and I can control the progress of the road construction here to within half a day."

Sinuoli nodded. Thorgrim was not on the scene when Eight Peaks was reclaimed, but this time Karaz-a-Karak was the home turf of the clans, and he would certainly want to make it more ceremonial.

"Boom—!"

"Your Majesty, this bit of smoke and rubble is nothing to you, but the brothers below cannot take it. Shall we retreat outside the safety line?"

"The funds I allocated to the Advanced Technology Research Institute were indeed spent where it counts. It is a pity that such a massive project will likely have no successor."

The Engineers used dynamite blasting to deal with the jagged, broken terrain formed by the earthquake; then they drove Rune Colossi and temporarily modified tractors to clear the remnants, and finally relied on the great power of the Colossus to tamp the foundation, combined with inscribed Runes to reinforce the road surface.

"These are technologies developed for excavating deep tunnels and clearing the passages long defiled by the green-skinned rats. You know, the mine shafts of many fortresses in the Old World have been dug too deep."

Buluokesen tapped Mogelimu's focusing lens to get a better look at the progress. Underground mineral deposits were not inexhaustible; reclaiming the homeland was only a relief, and in the long run, developing technology was the future growth driver for the Dwarf Realms.

"Your Majesty, according to current progress, the final leg will be cleared by tomorrow morning."

"Well done! Pass the order: let the warriors take turns bathing and grooming their beards starting this afternoon. No alcohol for the night; bring out the best spirit, for the kings of the realms are waiting to see!"