Chapter 74: Preparations Before Departure

"Oh, what makes a noble Knight like you make such a decision? Did your merchant friends offer a high price?" Sinuoli asked with some curiosity.

"That is not it. I have embarked on the path of the Questing Knight to seek the Grail, and have long since abandoned worldly wealth," Fatisi Qishi said stiffly.

"Is it because Weifengbao is close to Bretonnia, and you want to stop by home to take a look?" Sinuoli felt he had guessed the answer.

"No. For one such as I, who bears such sin, it is either to receive the Lady's forgiveness and drink the Grail Water, or to face death!" Fatisi frowned.

"To tell you the truth, I have come for you!" He did not want Sinuoli to keep guessing.

"What?" Sinuoli exclaimed, and he involuntarily tightened a certain part of his body.

"Is this a Questing Knight? Could he be a Chosen of Slaanesh? Why is his taste so heavy..." Sinuoli muttered to himself.

"I heard from merchants that you have received the divine grace of the Ancestor Goddess, and are the first in thousands of years. Therefore, I rushed over from Stirland," Fatisi said, not noticing Sinuoli's reaction, continuing in his stiff manner.

"I think, since both are goddesses, perhaps there are some commonalities? I feel I can certainly learn some tips from you on how to gain the favor of a goddess."

Watching Fatisi's solemn expression, Sinuoli suppressed a laugh and nodded, "I wish you success in your wish and that you find the Grail soon!"

Though he said this, Sinuoli was secretly shaking his head inside; this was likely another chivalry-obsessed patient brainwashed by foot-washing water, though he did look quite capable in a fight.

After chatting a few more times, Fatisi Qishi took his leave; he still had to spend the night in the wild to avoid staying in the same place.

Sinuoli arranged for his Anvil Guard to find two carriages to load his own munitions, and just as he was standing with his hands on his hips surveying the busy scene, a familiar Dwarf appeared.

Gelunsen, the Captain of the Eternal Hammer Guard, arrived before Sinuoli with members of the guard. "Respected Chosen of the Goddess, His Majesty the High King summons you!"

Sinuoli nodded and followed the three Dwarfs toward the upper level of the fortress. "I have to get my boots back!" he thought as he walked.

"You finally came out! The Iron Chisel Master said it was best not to disturb you, but if you hadn't come out tonight, I would have really had to knock on your door!" As soon as he entered the room, Thorgrim spoke up.

Sinuoli was surprised to find his father wrapped in a blanket, putting on a weak appearance. Thorgrim stared at Sinuoli with a strange look, and it took him a moment to react.

"What is wrong, Father?" Sinuoli put on an anxious expression.

"Nothing, I caught a cold while inspecting the flying squadron the other day." Thorgrim acted very convincingly, even adding a bit of a nasal tone.

Sinuoli felt his father's painstaking efforts. To prevent certain interested parties from noticing his own surging energy and subsequently linking it to the divine grace Sinuoli had bestowed, he was willing to feign illness to share the pressure for his son.

"Please take care of your health, Father!" After a few rounds of empty conversation, the father and son finally got to the point.

"Sinuoli, the security force for the caravan has been gathered. Counting you and your Anvil Guard, the strength should be stronger than ever before. However, with Grom's dowry and the money you have for the anvil, the temptation for those with ulterior motives is even greater. Be very careful!"

Thorgrim reached his hand out from the blanket and picked up a steaming mug of beer from the table to take a sip.

"Butterbeer, a way of drinking passed down from our Human friends. It is suitable for ladies and the sick, but you can try it too; it is better than coffee!"

"Rest assured, I will keep a strict watch. But, what do you mean by my anvil money?" Sinuoli replied.

"It is like this: according to reliable intelligence, Karak-Breeze Fort preserves two Doom Anvils, but currently, it only has one Rune Master qualified to use this treasure, so you have a chance to get one from there," Thorgrim explained.

"I have prepared five hundred Oath Gold for you. If it is not enough, you can add more at your discretion. The extra expenses can be drawn from the caravan's cargo funds! The Clan will replenish the caravan when you return."

"How can that be!" Sinuoli cried out. He knew the preciousness of Oath Gold; his custom Warhammer only cost twenty pieces.

"The anvil you bring back does not count as your personal property. Its ownership belongs to Karaz-a-Karak and our Dekkaz-Klad Clan; you are only given the right to use it!" Thorgrim reached out to stop Sinuoli from continuing.

"Moreover, after I discussed it with the Council of Elders, we inferred that with the awakening of the Ancestor Goddess, the number of Rune Users may increase in the future. At that time, the Doom Anvil will be a hot commodity. Hoarding one early does no harm!"

Thorgrim's words dispelled the guilt in Sinuoli's heart. He nodded.

Thorgrim pressed a button on the table again, and a few minutes later, Gelunsen ran in.

"At your service, Your Majesty!" the old Dwarf said loudly.

"I still have to trouble you to take ten brothers to protect Sinuoli. You won't have any objections this time, will you?" Thorgrim said with a smile.

"Hahaha!" Gelunsen, the senior warrior who had always been stern, actually burst into laughter.

"My Majesty, you should feel fortunate that Master Sinuoli is the Chosen of the Ancestor Goddess and not of the Father God Grungni, otherwise you would have to recruit a new personal guard for yourself!" Gelunsen said with a straight face.

"By the Oath!"

"Solid as rock!"

After the oath was sworn, Gelunsen withdrew. This time was different from the last; it definitely counted as a long-term mission, and even the Eternal Hammer Guard needed time to pack up.

"The Clan will supplement you with thirty more Hammer Guard, making a total of forty for your honor guard, which won't be losing face!" Thorgrim said.

"That is truly great!" Sinuoli was very satisfied with this arrangement; he had already witnessed the lethality of the Hammer Guard, which was far stronger than that of the Ironbreaker.

"Your Anvil Guard will be counted as the caravan's escort as well. You can go to the Internal Affairs Officer later to collect the maintenance fees and your reward for this trip!"

"I have a reward too?" Sinuoli was overjoyed. He found that Thorgrim was quite skilled at using public office for private gain.

"Manpower is tight, after all. Protecting the caravan and going to welcome your eldest brother's bride do not conflict!" Thorgrim seemed to see what Sinuoli was thinking and explained briefly.

Sinuoli himself was certainly not that stubborn. He happily went to the Internal Affairs Officer to collect his reward. Seeing a large sack of gold coins, Sinuoli felt even more motivated. He left the upper level of the fortress and headed down to the Blacksmith Guild.

Calculating the time, it was almost there. Once the hammer was settled, the day of departure would be soon.

Thanks to Chaos's Black Apostle for the monthly ticket, and Watch Hero League 233 for the tip.