Chapter 558: Karl and the King of Gold

"Watch my Storm Hammer!"

"Well done, Deathclaw!"

In the Imperial Palace of Altdorf, a little boy threw the wooden hammer in his hand, knocking over a dummy not far away. A small, greyish monster chirped and helped him retrieve the hammer.

An experienced Beast Tamer would have been able to see the extraordinary nature of the little beast; although its feathers were still sparse, its muscles and bones were strong, already showing a hint of majesty. If raised properly, it would surely be a magnificent griffin in the future.

"Karl, come here!"

"Grandfather, didn't you go north to Nordland for an inspection?"

"Good child, listen closely. What I am about to say concerns the Savior, Snorri Thorsson."

"The Savior, Snorri, the King of Gold of the mountains!"

"Yes, the King of Gold. Tell me, why is he called the King of Gold?"

"His magic power is heaven-reaching; he can turn opponents of Demigod status into golden statues with a single thought. He led the Dwarfs back to a Golden Age. He possesses a character as noble as gold, and the promises he makes never fade. Furthermore, as the High King, he possesses the endless wealth buried within the earth."

A bright golden light rose in the little boy's eyes. Who in this world does not worship heroes? Especially one who has suppressed an entire era, completed great feats that predecessors could not, and is an Order power about to ascend to godhood.

"Well said. You once asked about the origin of that Amulet. He came on the day you were born and hung this Amulet on you. Your name was also given by him personally: Karl, Karl-Franz."

"How is that possible? He hasn't left the Everpeak since the destruction of Skavenblight. Doesn't this world no longer have room for such a powerful being?"

"Yes, the Elves all say so, but he did come. He said you were born extraordinary and have the opportunity to achieve great things. He told us to send you to the Everpeak for his instruction once you were old enough to understand."

"It is time to set off, Your Majesty. The Reiksguard have already changed horses."

It is hard not to be talkative when one is old, and William III, a leader tested by time, was no exception. A strong old general took the packed luggage from a maid and walked to his side.

"Isn't this a glorious thing? Why must we secretly..."

"Haha, my little Prince, you must know that there are always those who do not want you to receive guidance from that person. If you follow him, you will truly become remarkable!"

The Reik Marshal laughed until his mustache twitched. He recalled the day he first met the High King: Snorri Thorsson sat high upon the Throne of Power, smiling as he watched the monarchs and powerhouses of the various Human factions. He said that he would not need to take a single blow from them; if anyone could land a single blow on him, he would rescind his order.

And the result? He was at the peak of his swordsmanship and in the prime of his life, preparing to test his blade against the world and display his fame. Yet, facing that person's pressure, he used all his strength just to move his right hand to the hilt of his sword, but he absolutely could not draw it.

"Depart!"

The Reiksguard, both men and horses, were fully equipped in Dwarf-forged heavy armor, rushing out of the bridge at the south gate of Altdorf like a torrent of iron. William III held his hammer in hand, riding the same horse as his grandson Karl.

"We will be safe once we enter the Grey Mountains!"

"Indeed, King Sitelinge, the Granite Hand, and that person both studied under the God of Armaments. With his mastery of two sets of Divine Arts, he has few rivals on the west coast."

"Rest assured, he has already replied to the letter saying he will meet us."

The rapid march under guard made the Knights somewhat weary, and the Seal Chancellor whispered words of encouragement. The Emperor planned to take this opportunity to visit the Everpeak to meet the High King and clarify some misunderstandings, so he brought his core team.

"Something is wrong, Your Majesty. According to the time, we should have seen the mountains half a quarter of an hour ago." The Reik Marshal drew his Runefang; the runes on the precious sword flickered as if giving a warning.

"The news has leaked after all. I fear the traitor is among us."

"Illusion magic, battle mages, move!"

After the Chaos Portal was destroyed, the Great Vortex was also lifted. The Eight Winds of magic, which had previously been bound, were released. This is a blessing for spellcasters; the same spells consume less, allowing them to keep pace with the rapid progress of firearms so as not to be eliminated.

"Good, you filthy Vampires, daring to show your faces in the Grey Mountains! Did the battle at Silver Pinnacle not break your spines yet?"

The guards formed a circular formation to protect the Emperor and the little Prince, preparing for a bloody battle, when a holy flame tore through the curtain of shadows. A Thunder Airship appeared overhead, and a sturdy, middle-aged Dwarf with a magnificent beard stood at the bow, raising his right arm—which wore a bracer—and roaring.

"Your Majesty Granite Hand, you have come just in time."

"I said I would come, William. Is this your grandson Karl? How could I dare to challenge my senior's prophecy, but he doesn't look that... that extraordinary."

After participating in the Northern Expedition and making a name for himself by fighting three Chaos Champions and two Greater Daemons in succession, Lord Luoleike passed the throne of Weifengbao to Sitelinge. His close connection with the Everpeak helped him hold the reins of the Grey Mountains.

"How did the Vampire Counts pop up again? The one just now was likely an ancestor."

"You know as well as I do that my senior hasn't appeared often in recent years, and there are always some fellows who can't hold back. We'll talk later; let me clear the way for you first."

Without waiting for the boarding ladder to fully descend, the Dwarf King leaped from the airship—just like the Storm Hammer, the Thunder Strike was also a move that countless warriors vied to imitate. He stared at Karl-Franz for a moment, then punched a Knight beside him to the ground.

"In the name of the God of Wealth and Oaths, no disguise can remain hidden!"

A shadow as dark as ink was forced out of the Knight's body. Under the golden light, his eyes gradually cleared. Sitelinge released his hand; it was indeed this person who had been secretly controlled by evil magic to leak their whereabouts.

"You take this child and your close ministers onto the airship; the others can just go back. The master of Gaiermulazi will make proper arrangements once he reaches the embrace of the mountains."

Sitelinge made quick arrangements; the wanton behavior of the Vampires made the King of Weifengbao feel offended. Without wasting more time, a train with only two carriages sped eastward that night.

"This efficiency is much faster than a carriage! Trade has gained the upper hand."

"It's alright. This is a pre-registered direct express train, for the sake of your face and mine. The train dispatch is under the Ministry of Transport, and they are more concerned with efficiency. The Grey and Black Mountains need to radiate to the settlements, so there are many short-distance transfer shifts."

In the span of a single night, they had passed through Axe Bite Pass, and William III could not help but marvel. Sitelinge muttered an explanation; Snorri had brought the governance style of the Southlands to the Everpeak, and before returning to Weifengbao, he had also held a high position in the High King's Court.

"Are those Beastmen? The twisted race demoted to forced labor?"

"Yes, the spatial tremors caused by the destruction of the portal allowed the fallen races in the east to smell an opportunity. Their evil drills connected to the Divine Kingdom of Hashut with relative ease."

At Kalake-Duomaer, Lord Lauren the Punctual received the Emperor and Sitelinge's party. The monsters moving cargo at the train station caught Karl-Franz's attention; these four-hoofed fellows were even more useful than Ogres.

"How could the great Savior tolerate it? He raised an elite force, issued a call to arms all the way, and arrived at the gates of Zharr-Naggrund. The commander, Zhatan the Black, led an army several times larger to line up and resist, but before he could finish announcing his name, the monster he was riding turned into a real 'golden bull,' falling to the ground and smashing into a gold pancake, and he was crushed to death along with it."

"I know, the bull alien god Hashut descended in an avatar, manipulating a K'da..."

"K'daai Destroyer, my Prince."

"Right, a huge construct, a fellow similar to a Rune Colossus. The great King of Gold suppressed it after a fierce battle, the Tower of Zharr was toppled, the Hell Forge was extinguished forever, and the grudges of the fallen races were also struck from the Great Book of Grudges."

Speaking of Snorri's great achievements, the Dwarfs scrambled to answer. The Golden Age does not mean how wealthy they became, but that glory and pride returned to this ancient race.

The prosperity of Kalake-Duomaer, besides the temporary peace in the Badlands, is also due to the changes in the Border Prince Territory. The Sunfire Knight Lailun, with the help of many parties, integrated this chaotic coastal area and further demonstrated his stance and value by actively participating in the Northern Expedition, leading the major factions to recognize his rule.

What's more, one can even see sporadic Greenskins here, bringing local products from the Badlands to trade. Grimgor Ironhide is holed up in Black Rock Fortress, and the High King has let it be known that he will not move against him. Snorri believes that the Old World and his people need threats and challenges; this is the driving force for continuous progress.

"Distinguished guests, please!"

After passing Black Fire Pass, there was only one day's train ride left to the Everpeak. Upon arrival, the newly appointed Minister of Racial Relations greeted them in front of the train. This was a backbone who had grown up in the immigrant towns of the Southlands, and now their status and responsibilities had risen accordingly.

The Everpeak had long since restored the grandeur of the Golden Age. The station that once only ran the Mountain Lake Fortress-Jiliuguan line had been expanded into a huge transportation hub. Not to mention the north-south routes, trains heading west to the Black Mountains and east into the Dark Lands also converged here.

Before they could digest the shock of the station, the Rune Colossi and guards lined up along the path left the humans dumbfounded. The constructs displayed as an honor guard here were enough to force Altdorf to exert its full strength, let alone the war machines and living forces.

"The King of Gold has prepared a banquet in the Throne Room to welcome the master of Gaiermulazi and his old friend."

Taking the lift to the Great Throne Room, Sitelinge stroked his long beard and sighed repeatedly. Since taking the throne, he often missed the clear and simple days at the Everpeak, when his senior fellow apprentice would command with certainty and he only needed to follow instructions.

"What kind of look is that, little one? Am I different from what you imagined?"

Karl-Franz did not feel any kingly aura that looked down upon the heavens; he only saw a plainly dressed young-to-middle-aged Dwarf—at first glance, he looked like a not-so-wealthy shopkeeper or a bard. His figure was not particularly imposing or tall, and he even seemed slightly frail.

"Your Majesty Sinuoli, my good senior fellow apprentice, why must you do this!" Sitelinge rushed forward with teary eyes, but the High King raised his hand to support him with movements as sluggish as an old man in his twilight years.

"You ask knowing the answer. The White-Bearded Ancestor let go of his Grudge against Malejisi during the final battle and returned to the halls of the Ancestor Gods. Gotrek has also followed in the footsteps of Grimnir into the Warp; I must wait until one of you makes a breakthrough."

The King of Gold spoke slowly, and every word he uttered stirred ripples in the space around him. Among the gods of this world, his faith was the most profound, and the divine power he had transformed had become inexhaustible, overflowing and drifting outward.

"After dealing with Archaon, my time will be nearly up. My two clashes with Hashut and the Great Horned Rat have already exceeded the limits of this world. The spatial rifts in the Withered Swamp have swallowed many lives over these years, haven't they? It is only out of consideration for my great contributions that the world has shown leniency."

Sinuoli spoke unhurriedly of those earth-shattering battles, using the vast majority of his power to maintain Resistance against the world's rejection of him. For the purpose of self-Protection, the world wanted to squeeze out every living being that could pose a threat to her.

"Where is that little griffon? Bring it over for me to pet. You lad, if you don't work hard, your fate will be to serve as its pendant later on."

"A pendant?"

Grabbing Deathclaw by the scruff of its neck, Sinuoli smiled slightly at Karl. His fate had been completely changed, and Sinuoli had already met with the God-Emperor Sigmar, who had freed himself from the Wind of Heavens.

"Haha, knowing too much will do you no good. My time is limited; how much you can learn depends on your own comprehension."

Laughing softly, Sinuoli thought of Kajielin far away in the northern frontier. With the Chaos Daemons driven away, Kislev was able to expand northward. The person in charge of this heavy responsibility had been cultivated by his own hand, and her great reliance on him gave him a sense of accomplishment.

Looking at the little boy before him, Sinuoli believed he would achieve great things, and not just because of the contributions he made to fighting Chaos in another timeline. This world still needed heroes; he did not have the time to finish everything himself.