“I will strengthen the militia forces north of the Weiss River and also notify other lords to be more vigilant.”
Having made this decision, Paul and Stanford did not discuss the dwarf issue in the eastern part of the Rocky Mountains much further.
Stanford inquired about the news of the other two exploration fleets.
“The last message from the fleet headed south came last month. A letter was passed back through a series of trades from a merchant convoy. According to the letter, the place of dispatch was in the southern part of the Church, in the Narro Kingdom – Heaven knows where that is. They mentioned sending several letters with the same content, entrusted to different merchant convoys and adventurers, but only one reached my hands – that was already quite fortunate. In any case, the fleet is in good condition, and they plan to continue sailing eastward.” Read complete version only at novelꞁire.net
Paul’s brows then furrowed.
“As for the fleet sailing deep into the western ocean, regretfully, there has been no news since their departure. Let us continue to pray for the blessing of the Lord of Light for them.”
Hearing Paul’s words, Stanford had a vague sense of foreboding, and he could also sense a pessimistic mood in the lord’s heart regarding the western exploration fleet.
“By the way!” Paul switched to a more upbeat tone.
“I heard you brought back a dwarf with you this time?”
“I want to meet him immediately.”
Imar entered the hall, looking uneasy.
Although he tried to appear calm, he couldn’t quite manage it.
When he first entered the castle, the human guards thoroughly searched him, inside and out.
This inspection reminded him of an unpleasant experience when he first stepped into human territory.
First, he was asked to bathe, which he initially thought was a unique hospitality custom of the Northwest Bay. But after the bath, something felt off. He was stark naked, pinned down by two burly men in white gowns, covering their mouths, who even checked his private parts.
Fortunately, he didn’t have to suffer the same ordeal when entering the lord’s residence.
A man who claimed to be the steward named Philip came in, served him a cup of honey tea, curiously examined him for a few moments, then left.
Imar curiously observed the furnishings around him. In one corner of the reception room, a huge porcelain vase caught his interest. By the hammer! The vase was huge, as tall as him. The small bottle Stanford gave him paled in comparison to this giant.
He extended his short, thick fingers, affectionately touching the vase.
“Count Grayman has arrived!” A sudden voice from behind startled him.
Imar immediately withdrew his hand.
Turning around, he saw a young human standing at the entrance of the corridor, looking at him.
Behind the newcomer was Stanford, who had just spoken.
So, this young man must be the master of this land, Paul Grayman, whom Stanford mentioned.
“Hello, King of Humans!” Imar approached him and extended his hand.
However, to his confusion, the human lord didn’t move at all, just staring at him intensely, his eyes following only his target – himself.
Well, even if it’s the first time seeing a dwarf, this attitude seemed a bit exaggerated.
Too what! Both Imar and Stanford looked puzzled.
“A living dwarf, standing right before my eyes.”
The human lord stood for a while before finally uttering a complete sentence.
Imar and Stanford had underestimated the impact of the dwarf’s appearance on Paul’s heart.
In his previous life, as a mild fan of Western fantasy, terms like elves, dragons, and mages often lingered in his mind. He was a fan of famous fantasy works and settings like The Lord of the Rings and Dungeons & Dragons.
After coming to this world, he had already encountered mages, an essential element of fantasy worlds, like Ladi Sertia and Seviya Acitini, both of whom were witches.
But they were, after all, human – at least in appearance and looks, and quite attractive humans at that.
He had never seen any race other than humans.
Oh, creatures like goblins, almost beast-like and unable to speak human language, didn’t count.
Paul reached out to touch the dwarf’s thick beard but then thought better of it, considering it impolite. He then quickly extended his hand again to shake the hand offered by the dwarf.
This left the shorter guest somewhat annoyed.
“Lord Grayman, this is our guide, Mr. Imar Mason,” Stanford broke the silence.
“Oh! Welcome, welcome, please sit down, Mr. Dwarf,” Paul warmly greeted, firmly shaking the dwarf’s hand – indeed, the dwarf had a strong grip – and invited him to sit again.
“Ruler of Humans!” As soon as he sat down, the dwarf eagerly exclaimed, “I have something to discuss privately with you.”
Paul glanced at Stanford, “Even he cannot be present?”
He turned to Stanford, “I’m sorry, my friend, but what I have to say is somewhat sensitive.”
Stanford nodded in understanding, bid farewell to Paul, and left the hall.
“Those people?” The dwarf gestured towards the guards at the door.
Paul waved his hand dismissively, “Haha, don’t worry about them. They are utterly loyal to me. If they ever reveal a word, it would only be because I ordered them to.”
The dwarf continued, “Well then, ruler of humans, first I must explain my identity. In your human terms, I suppose I would be considered a ‘prince’ or something.”
“Is that so?” Paul was somewhat surprised, “Then I apologize for my ignorance, ‘Your Highness’.”
The dwarf eyed Paul intently, “I have a very lucrative deal to propose, if you’re interested?”
The dwarf cleared his throat and spoke in a lowered voice: “I was born in a dwarf clan in the eastern part of the Rocky Mountains. Originally the son of the clan leader, I was framed by conspirators, and my foolish and incompetent father banished me from the clan.”
“Now, you just need to provide me with an army and a large sum of money – preferably hard currency like gold and silver, or those porcelain things you have – and I can go back to claim the position of clan leader.”
“Once I secure the position of clan leader, I will repay your help many times over. The Rocky Mountains are filled with countless mines, and my people are top-notch blacksmiths.”
Having said so much in one breath, the dwarf’s eyes even started to redden.
Paul was astonished! He had never dreamed that this newly met dwarf would propose such a thing.
Wait a minute, why do these words sound so familiar?