Chapter 97: The Gathering of Kings (Thanks to book friend ending in 11119 for the tip and the extra chapter)

"A hundred years from now, if there is an opportunity, I will receive the support of Huangwu Bao?" Snuori repeated with confusion. "What does this mean?" he asked.

"The Gathering of Kings. Personally, and the elders of our Karak-Norn also believe that the current Mountain Kingdom needs a High King who aims for reform, at least one who continues the style of His Majesty Thorgrim," Borok replied.

"Your older brother, Grom, well, as it stands, is a fine lad who respects tradition." He stopped mid-sentence.

"Ahem!" Although there was no one else around, Snuori still found such blunt remarks a bit hard to accept; he was very grateful for his older brother's constant help and care.

"Thank you for your support. If there really is an opportunity, I will do my best to make our mountains better. This is also the oath I made before the Mother Goddess!"

Snuori thought for a moment and spoke. Whether he could become the High King and gain the power to lead the entire Dwarf race was crucial for him to change the End Times, a fixed fate. At this moment, brotherly affection had to take a backseat.

"If you do this, won't your father-in-law, that wealthy Lord Lagos, have objections?" Snuori asked with concern.

"By the Ancestor Gods, compared to your Drazkrad Clan, their Grinzags Clan lacks the foundation and prestige to compare!"

"The biggest threat to you, by convention, is the Slayer King of Karak-Kadrin, though by that time, I fear it will be his son, Prince Kragrim, who runs for the position."

"Prince Kragrim?" Snuori thought of the owner of the pair of chain axes mentioned by the Master of the Anvil.

"Hmm, he is the eldest son of Agelimu. I hear he is also a valiant warrior, but as of now, the merits he has established are not enough to threaten you, who are the chosen of the Ancestor Goddess!" Lord Borok analyzed.

"Why is that? Can't the Slayer King himself run?" Snuori asked, feeling a bit strange.

"Well, this is considered an unwritten rule. Generally, it is best for candidates not to be of the same generation as the original High King; otherwise, it is inevitable that they will be old and frail. If the change happens too quickly, the development of the mountains will add a few twists and turns as policies die with the people." Lord Borok knew Snuori had not yet begun to consider this matter, so he provided a more in-depth explanation.

"We are meeting for the first time, why do you have so much confidence in me?" Snuori still couldn't help but ask.

"Hahaha, it's very simple, young man!" Lord Borok patted Snuori on the shoulder and said. "There are fewer than ten people who are truly qualified to compete. It's like the Angrund Clan, which runs in every election, but do you really think the clansmen would choose a king without a Shanbao?"

"So, the dozen or so clansmen who competed with my father back then?" Snuori was interrupted halfway through his sentence.

"If it were a normal election, half of them wouldn't have a shred of a chance!" Lord Borok said firmly. He took out his tobacco pouch and took a puff. Seeing this, Snuori secretly worried whether he would accidentally ignite the Flame Cannon.

"Therefore, the people I can observe and bet on are very limited. Lord Selending and Guild Master Buluoke speak highly of you. In their letters, they both said that you have an open attitude toward reform, don't you?" Lord Borok stared at Snuori.

At this moment, Snuori realized that this Dwarf lord, who was publicly insulted by the elders of his clan and endured the misunderstanding of many clansmen, was by no means a mediocre person; his vision was quite far-reaching.

"In my view, whether it is new technology or old tradition, as long as it can strengthen our Dwarf race and help us revitalize the Mountain Kingdom, it is a good thing worth learning!" This was the third time Snuori had said this, but each time it could achieve the desired effect.

Lord Borok was silent for a short while, savoring Snuori's words. Finally, he nodded and walked out of the hidden underground artillery position with Snuori.

Upon coming out, Snuori discovered that several of his Eternal Hammer Guards had been pulled by Lord Borok's personal guards to a spot dozens of meters away, where they were drinking and chatting.

Such a method of ensuring the privacy of the conversation made Snuori nod repeatedly in his heart. The Dwarf race had loud voices and violent tempers; being able to think of confidentiality was already quite remarkable.

The two continued to visit other targeted defensive facilities on the walls of Huangwu Bao, and Snuori was constantly amazed by the war wisdom of his clansmen.

In Snuori's initial understanding, Dwarfs were a very slow-developing race, but now he learned that this was only compared to those with maxed-out development like the Skaven and Humans. If compared to the arrogant pointy-ears, the Dwarfs could even be said to be embracing technology.

For thousands of years, the ancestors of Huangwu Bao had studied the attack methods of the Wood Elves thoroughly; everything these green-clad ladies could do was effectively countered.

Like to invade via an air force composed of Forest Dragons, Great Eagles, and ordinary hawks? Dense ballistae and repeating crossbows turned them into hedgehogs in an instant.

Like to harass quickly with cavalry, bullying the Dwarfs for their lack of speed? A large number of caltrops, traps, and tunnels would restrict even the Giant Stag Cavalry, let alone ordinary Elf steeds and small deer.

Have long-range units with fast fire rates and high accuracy? The ancestors built three-dimensional, multi-layered bunkers, and the fellow clansmen were all clad in heavy armor.

Flame Cannons, Iron-drake Handguns, and even incendiary bombs with Dwarf spirits as the core made it difficult for Tree-men, Dryads, and Tree Spirits—those Forest Spirits that feared fire—to move.

As for a lord leading elite infantry to launch a surprise attack, not to mention whether the scantily clad Wood Elves could withstand the equally fierce long-range firepower of the Dwarfs, even if they really rushed onto the city wall, they would be restricted by the low, narrow passages to the point where they could almost only offer their heads to be taken.

Snuori returned to his room after half a day of visiting; he needed to spend some time digesting what he had seen and heard today.

The experience accumulated by the ancestors over thousands of years was not something he could easily surpass with his amateur-level knowledge from his previous life. It was more important for him to perfect the telegraph rules on hand as soon as possible.

The caravan would also stay in Huangwu Bao for nearly a week. This was because nearby human merchants had channels to trade with certain Wood Elves. Although no Dwarf was willing to admit it, the popularity of Elven goods in this world was on par with that of the Dwarfs.

Athel Loren also produced many precious medicinal herbs and plant materials containing the Winds of Magic; these were high-end products worth selling to the entire Old World.

Although he had obtained the promise of Lord Borok, Snuori did not intend to take too many actions at the moment. Apart from going to the local Rune Smith Guild to ask the Master of the Anvil for advice on using the Rune of Wrath and Ruin, he had been keeping a low profile.

Thanks to the book friends for the tips, 12 Dudulu, 99 Radish, 66 monthly tickets.

Asking for tickets, collections, and tips, haha.