Chapter 737: The Dwarf's Pie

"Count, I have long admired your great reputation."

The Zhigao Shan King Thorgrin, Fragment Star, clearly holds a higher status than the other two Dwarf Kings, and he first speaks for all the dwarves.

His voice is far younger than his appearance, hoarse yet powerful, yet also laden with the wear of many years, and he surveys Lei En with an examining gaze.

Even though the other party shows no hostility, Lei En still feels immense pressure.

A hint of surprise appears on his face, "Your Majesty Thorgrin knows me?"

"I have heard of you," Thorgrin said coolly, nodding.

However, Lei En's Soul Eye perceives that the Zhigao Shan King's emotions are not as calm as they appear.

He is extremely interested in himself, and his understanding of himself is far beyond mere hearsay.

"How are your Extreme Warriors cultivated?" Dan En, Iron Hand, the Du Feng King, suddenly asked.

He had been watching the Extreme Warriors in the great hall, as if he had discovered a treasure, frowned and said, "Makulage barbarians—I had contact with them in my youth and even went to Astat. Their tribe has been in decline for many years; it could never have produced so many legendary warriors."

Lei En looks at this black‑haired, black‑bearded dwarf king.

Du Feng is Karl Peak, the towering summit seized by the ancient Red Dragon "Yu Yan", with the planar teleportation array to the Storm Temple located on its mid‑slope.

And deep beneath Du Feng lies the Du Feng Kingdom.

Lei En has visited Du Feng many times, occasionally spotting dwarven traces, all black‑haired and black‑bearded like Dan En, Iron Hand.

The origins of the Extreme Warriors are no secret.

However, Dan En, Iron Hand blurted it out, even claiming to have been to Astat, indicating he had investigated himself.

The Soul Eye saw no hostility, suggesting a blunt, straightforward personality that dislikes beating around the bush.

Even if unintentional, it touched upon one of his greatest secrets.

Lei En frowned, "Your Majesty Dan En, please forgive me, I cannot disclose."

Dan En, Iron Hand seemed not to notice Lei En's displeasure, instead laughing, "Hehe… everything in the world can be priced clearly; if you are willing to tell me how to cultivate legendary barbarian warriors, I will certainly give you a satisfactory price."

"Oh?" Lei En's eyes narrowed, a flash of dangerous light passing through.

He does not like such reckless individuals.

"I'm afraid you can't afford it," Lei En said calmly.

"You just set the price."

Dan En, Iron Hand showed no sign of backing down, like a child who sees a favorite toy and vows not to stop until he gets it.

Lei En fell silent.

He glanced at the other two Dwarf Kings, and, surprisingly, did not intervene in Dan En, Iron Hand's provocation, seeming to enjoy the scene.

This contradicts earlier judgments; a Dwarf King would never be so short‑sighted.

Lei En immediately realized.

They, too, have developed a keen interest in the Extreme Warriors, so they watch from the sidelines.

The Extreme Warriors rose within a few years, their fame shaking the world; in the Empire, no one dares covet the details of the Extreme Warriors.

But in Rongyanbao, the Dwarf Kingdom, they are less wary.

If they could obtain the cultivation method of the Extreme Warriors, the dwarves might even rise again, reforging their former glory.

In comparison, a project worth tens of millions of Gold Shields is negligible.

Even if Dan En, Iron Hand becomes hostile with Lei En, he would still be willing to try.

The three kings evidently reached an unspoken agreement at some point.

They considered the entire dwarf race, but for Bulestein and Zuo Er Tan, this was too awkward; their faces turned as red as ants on a hot pan, yet they lacked the right to speak.

Lei En, having understood the cause and effect, let out a cold snort.

People hold a stereotype that dwarves are stubborn and straightforward, which is a gross misjudgment.

Their cunning guts are no fewer than humans'.

Otherwise, how could dwarves in the Third Epoch contend with elves, ruling half of the Old Continent and half of the New Continent?

Lei En, of course, would not betray the Extreme Warriors' secret, as it concerns the safety of the entire Makulage barbarian tribe.

He did not look back, sensing the symbionts' anxiety and anger.

After pacifying the primal Element, Lei En stared at Dan En, Iron Hand, and coldly said, "Exchange it for your own head; I might consider it."

Dan En, Iron Hand was stunned for a moment.

Then he gave a response that shocked everyone present: "It can be done."

The dwarf king drew a battle axe and swung it toward his own neck.

The Soul Eye confirmed he truly intended to chop off his own head, not merely pose.

Lei En was greatly surprised, but did not intervene.

He had only said he could consider it, not that he would definitely exchange.

"Your Majesty!" a dwarf from the Du Feng Kingdom shouted in alarm, but it was too late.

"Nonsense!"

With a scolding shout, Dan En, Iron Hand's battle axe was firmly grasped by a hand, the axe seemed frozen, just a hair's breadth from his neck, yet unable to move another half‑inch.

The one who stopped his suicide was the Zhigao Shan King Thorgrin, Fragment Star.

"Count, I was only joking with you; you took it seriously?" Thorgrin seized the battle axe, eyes narrowed, stroking his beard, and berated Dan En, Iron Hand.

"As long as it restores the great honor of our ancestors, sacrificing my own head is nothing; that's a bargain," Dan En, Iron Hand replied nonchalantly, "I trust your Count's credibility; your word is binding, and you will fulfill this deal."

"If you die, who will guard the Du Feng Kingdom?" Thorgrin asked with a look of bitter resentment.

"The Iron Hand clan already has outstanding successors."

The two engaged in a heated argument.

What seemed like a senior mentoring a junior was actually a direct challenge to Lei En.

Lei En has seen this kind of moral blackmail trick many times.

You two, stop this double act.

He watches coldly, not saying a word, watching the two perform.

When Lei En stays silent, the two kings stop arguing.

At that moment, Magnus quickly steps forward to smooth things over: "Gentlemen, don't disgrace the dwarves in front of our honored guest."

Thorgrin relaxes his grip, and Dan En does not cut his own throat again.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Lei En lightly claps a few times and laughs: "His Majesty Dan En's fervent heart, willing to sacrifice his life for his people, earns my admiration, but unfortunately, Extreme Warriors are priceless, and their training methods are unsuitable for dwarf warriors."

He says he admires them, but he is actually mocking.

The three Dwarf Kings pretend not to have heard the true meaning.

They are skeptical of Lei En's words, eventually ask no more, ending the farce.

Bulestein lets out a sigh of relief.

He hurriedly reminds, "Your Majesty, we should discuss the proper matters now."

Magnus nods, "Everyone, please follow me."

He leads the two kings, Lei En, and Bulestein around the throne into a spacious council hall at the back.

The others remain in the palace, and even Zorutan has no right to participate.

Magnus, as host, sits on the chief seat, with Bulestein behind him.

Thorgrin and Dan En sit on the left and right.

All four dwarves face Lei En, assuming a negotiating stance.

"Your Excellency, Count," Magnus says, "Let's get straight to the point: are you planning to build a city on Shield Island?"

"Yes," Lei En nods.

"Bulestein told me this city will be massive, eventually housing a million people, with an investment of thirty‑million to one‑hundred‑million Gold Shields," Magnus continues, "Such a project has never been seen in dwarf history; Lava Fortress is willing to undertake it, but I have several questions for Your Excellency, Count."

"Your Majesty, please speak," Lei En says, unsurprised by the dwarves' caution.

"You must be well aware of the dangers on the New Continent, Count. A few years ago, Weizelan was invaded by the Catastrophe Legion, and the New Village Floating City was seized—that's a lesson," Magnus says, staring intently at Lei En, "How can you guarantee this city won't fail like the last time?"

Lei En replies without hesitation, "By my own strength."

The three Dwarf Kings are all dismissive.

He calmly says, "First, the previous failure had another cause; it involves a huge secret that I cannot disclose."

"Second, New Village Floating City lacks Saint Rank elites stationed there and does not have enough Transcendent Legion forces, whereas I am different."

Lei En glances at the dwarves, "Since Gotham City was built, at least three Saint Rank elites have guarded it, including two Grand Mages and a Saint Rank Demonic Hunter."

"My Extreme Warriors will also garrison Gotham City, along with the Spearwing Knights, over a thousand of Ilyas's followers, and blood‑elf allies."

Upon hearing of Zorutan and the blood elves, the three Dwarf Kings' expressions shift slightly.

They despise elves.

The grudges between dwarves and elves span countless days and nights; the friction, hostility, and hatred between them have driven the course of the Third Epoch.

One could even say the Third Epoch is the war history of dwarves and elves.

At the end of the epoch, the two sides set aside their hatred and jointly resisted the Abyss invasion, but the truce was brief; after both races retreated to the Old Continent over three thousand years ago, they have remained dead‑locked ever since.

Occasionally when elves and dwarves meet, they glare at each other, and bloodshed often erupts.

"Those pale‑skinned …"

Dan En grits his teeth.

Thorgrin and Magnus also wear displeased expressions.

Lei En naturally understands the dwarf‑elf feud, but it cannot be hidden; they will learn it sooner or later, so it's better to explain it up front.

He will not abandon Zorutan and the blood‑elf allies for the sake of dwarves.

Lei En states firmly, "If you cannot accept elves, then we have nothing to discuss."

The three Dwarf Kings exchange glances, hesitate for a few seconds, and finally Thorgrin nods, "Ilyas's followers and the blood elves differ from Aoroan's arrogant elves; their will is tenacious, their conviction steadfast, their quality comparable to dwarves. As long as contact is limited, we can tolerate working with them on Shield Island."

Lei En nearly rolls his eyes at that.

The enemy constantly decries elves as arrogant, yet they are no better themselves.

Magnus doubts, "Relying only on the Transcendent Legion may not repel the Undead Army, right? The Death Lord and the Death Knot Seal even dare to attack Weizelan …"

His meaning is that even if Anxiwodasi intervenes, it would still be hard to match the enemy.

"That's exactly what I meant."

Lei En smiles, "Aside from myself, I have also enlisted Ouroin Master, Lord Yuyan, and a Titan elder to jointly confront the Death Lord and Sazastan. I only fear they might not come."

"Lord Yuyan!"

Dan En's face is shocked, "You mean the demon dragon on Lone Peak?"

"Naturally, it's him," Lei En nods. The infamous ancient red dragon is known throughout the dwarf kingdoms beneath the Shi Jie Shan Mai.

"Why would that demon dragon agree to act?" Dan En finds it hard to believe.

Lei En gives a mysterious smile, "That's also my secret."

Thorgrin isn't tangled over the dragon issue, but he is stunned by the lineup Lei En has summoned.

A full seven Saint Rank elites!

No wonder Lei En has such confidence to dare build a city on Shield Island.

Thorgrin and Magnus exchange a glance, seeing the shock in each other's eyes, contemplate briefly, then slowly say, "Your Excellency, Count, we have no further issues."

"But …"

Hearing the word 'but', Lei En's spirit lifts, realizing the dwarves are finally about to raise their demands.

"We don't just want to take on the city‑building project; dwarves must also take part and become Gotham's first residents," Thorgrin said with a serious expression.

"Dwarves joining Gotham City?" Lei En pretended to be surprised, as if he knew nothing about it.

"Yes," Magnus nodded in confirmation.

"Welcome to the extreme." Lei En's face showed delight, then a hint of hesitation, "Your Majesties, what are your terms?"

Thorgrin stroked his snow‑white beard, extended a finger, "We have only one request."

"After Gotham City is built, a dwarf district must be established, covering at least one‑tenth of the city's area, exclusively for dwarf habitation. Thereafter, regardless of how many dwarves settle, Count must recognize them as legal residents, and dwarves must have a seat in the city's ruling class."

Lei En shook his head inwardly as he listened; this is extraterritorial jurisdiction!

"Gotham is my city; I wield absolute authority and will not allow any residents outside my jurisdiction."

"Please forgive me, I cannot agree," Lei En replied outright.

"Count, please don't be so quick to refuse," Thorgrin hurriedly said, "Dwarves never take advantage without contributing; listen to me fully."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Lei En wore an unaccepting demeanor, yet his mind was calm, having seized the initiative in the negotiation.

"First, the cost of building the dwarf district will be funded by us and can be deducted from the project payment," Thorgrin said.

Lei En remained unmoved.

If the dwarf district is for dwarves only, it is their own homeland, and they should pay for it from the start.

"Second, the three dwarf kingdoms—Zhigao Shan, Rongyanbao, and Lone Peak—will jointly form an elite dwarf legion to guard Gotham, totaling three thousand, pledging loyalty to Count and obeying your commands entirely," Thorgrin presented the most crucial condition.

Lei En finally showed emotion, yet asked cautiously, "Will this dwarf legion remain stationed in Gotham forever?"

"Exactly."

Thorgrin solemnly nodded, "Count, you may rest assured. We are drawing the elite dwarves: half are steel shield guards, eight hundred barbarian hammer warriors, three hundred hunters, two hundred firearm soldiers, plus fifty each of butchers, mages, rune blacksmiths, and priests, providing a complete dwarf legion composition."

"Finally, the legion's commander will be a King of the Hills, also loyal to Count."

Hearing that, Lei En grew increasingly astonished.

A three‑thousand‑strong elite dwarf legion is an extraordinary force not to be underestimated even within the Empire.

The Silver Star Duke's Silver‑Clad Knights number only about three thousand, and in terms of individual strength, they certainly cannot match the dwarves.

And there is also a King of the Hills!

This is what astonishes Lei En the most: the King of the Hills is the most powerful dwarf, a super‑warrior above Saint Rank, and even in the Third Epoch their numbers were few.

Now, there are fewer than ten Kings of the Hills among dwarves, yet they are willing to send one to serve them…

Lei En could not believe such a favorable arrangement existed.

Yet all three Dwarf Kings repeatedly confirmed it, and the Soul Eye sensed that their emotions fluctuated strongly when they mentioned the King of the Hills.

Especially Thorgrin, who even showed aversion.

There must be some issue hidden within.

"Please give me some time to consider," Lei En did not agree immediately.

"Very well, Count, please decide promptly, preferably before we change our minds," Magnus escorted Lei En out of the council hall.

Lei En returned to the palace, saw Zuo Ertan, and laughed, "Invite me to your home for a visit."

Zuo Ertan gladly accepted.

(End of Chapter)