Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 495 The Dwarves' Generous Gift, Half of the Gray Mountain Treasure
King Kadrin's mountain-like oath still echoed in the solemn air of the sacrificial hall, but he himself had restrained his overflowing emotions and regained the composure befitting a king. He nodded heavily to Su Li, indicating that he could leave this place where sorrow and glory coexisted.

Su Li understood and made a "please" gesture, leading King Cadlin and his core retinue—mainly his relatives and several important ministers—out of the sacrificial area and back towards the main banquet hall of the Bauhinia Palace, which was brightly lit and filled with the warm aroma of food and cheerful music.

The atmosphere along the way gradually shifted from extreme solemnity to a grand and enthusiastic one. When they stepped back into the banquet hall, everything was already prepared. Long tables were covered with pristine white linen and laden with gleaming silverware and crystal glasses. Roasted whole lamb, smoked ham, mountains of black bread, various cheeses, and a large quantity of freshly caught and meticulously prepared seafood from Blue Mirror Lake emitted an enticing aroma. The barrel-sized black beer mugs, a favorite of the dwarves, were also filled to the brim, topped with thick foam.

Su Li stood side by side with King Cadlin before the main seat. Su Li raised a glass of wine first, her voice carrying clearly throughout the hall:

"Ladies and gentlemen! Let us once again welcome our distinguished guest, His Majesty Kadrin Ironsworn from the Kingdom of Greymountain, and his valiant generals and wise men, with the warmest applause and cheers! May the friendship between Blacksin and Greymountain be as rich and enduring as this fine wine!"

Thunderous applause and the booming sound of dwarves striking their shields with their battle axes immediately filled the hall in response.

After the noise subsided, King Kadrin raised his enormous beer mug and said in a booming voice, "Thank you for the warm hospitality of the Blacksin Territory! Dwarves do not speak falsehoods; the mountains will remember your friendship and help! May our alliance be as unbreakable as forged steel! Cheers to friendship, to our shared future!"

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses and drank heartily, instantly creating a lively atmosphere.

After finishing his first drink, King Cadlin wiped the foam from his beard with his large hand and began to formally introduce his core group of men. He first patted the equally imposing dwarf standing beside him, whose beard was slightly shorter but still very thick, and whose eyes shone with shrewdness and wisdom.

“Lord Su Li, this is my younger brother, Bairga Iron Oath,” Kadlin said. “You met him at the last grand ceremony in your territory. He is in charge of foreign affairs for our Grey Mountain Kingdom, and he is also my most trusted brother and advisor. He was the one who made the initial contact for the trade agreement with your territory.”

Bayga stepped forward and gave Su Li a standard dwarven salute, his smile more outgoing than his brother's: "Lord Su Li, it's been a long time. Since our last meeting, the Black Forest Territory has developed far beyond my expectations. It is my honor to see you again and witness the strengthening of our friendship."

Kadrin then pointed to a dwarven elder with a beard braided into countless fine braids, adorned with various intricate tools, and eyes as sharp as an eagle: "This is Dragi Bronzebeard, the chief master of our Engineers' Guild, and the chief engineer who repaired the defenses of Dragonrock Keep. Without him, our fortress would probably have been smashed to pieces a dozen times over by the Greenskins' catapults."

Master Dragi nodded reservedly, but his gaze had already begun to unconsciously assess the dome structure and load-bearing walls of the banquet hall.

“This one,” Kadrin pointed to an old soldier clad in heavy armor, with a gruesome scar on his face and fierce eyes, “is General Goring Stonefist, commander of the Dragonrock Iron Guard, my strongest shield and sharpest spear. He stood shoulder to shoulder with me in the battles of Blackrock Pass and Sorrowful Rift. Of course, he will also be in charge of the trade with your territory going forward. After all, mountain roads are never entirely peaceful, are they?”

General Göring simply slapped his chest in silent salute, his movements clean and decisive, exuding the fierce aura of a seasoned veteran.

Su Li observed him very carefully, after all, he was in charge of trade security matters, and for a long time to come, he would be the person who dealt with the territory and the Gray Mountain Kingdom the most.

Su Li then noted down the names and duties of each of the dwarven ministers, and then smiled as he began to introduce the important figures on his side.

He first gestured to the imposing marshal beside him, a man as tall as an iron tower, clad in heavy armor emblazoned with the divine emblem of the blazing sun: "Your Majesty, this is Orstein, the marshal of the Hessian Territory, the commander of my army. He is in charge of the defense and military construction of the entire territory, and is a trustworthy partner." Orstein stepped forward and gave King Kadlin a standard imperial salute, his posture resolute, taciturn yet exuding a powerful aura.

Then, Su Li's gaze shifted to another striking woman. She wore a well-fitting set of purple scale armor, not metal, yet shimmering with an unusual luster. She had long, fiery red hair, casually draped over her shoulders, and her beauty was breathtaking, yet carried an inhuman, dangerous arrogance. Her eyes were languid, yet seemed to see right through people. She was toying with a golden cup, seemingly indifferent to the surrounding noise.

“And this one,” Su Li looked at her with a hint of helplessness, “is Lady Morkana. She is our territory’s… special guest and powerful guardian. You may be more familiar with her by another name—'Crimson Calamity'.”

King Kadrin and his ministers' eyes sharpened instantly, clearly having heard of the name "Crimson Calamity." Bairga narrowed his eyes even more, his astute gaze quickly sweeping over Morkana's unusual purple scale armor and languid yet dangerous aura, as if assessing the value and risks of a legendary weapon.

However, to Su Li's surprise, Morkana merely raised her eyes lazily, a half-smile playing on her lips, as if to say hello. The faint dragon aura emanating from her and her unique scales clearly indicated that she was no ordinary person, but rather the incarnation of the legendary crimson dragon left behind by the legendary engineer Gorenson Anvil.

Logically speaking, this being, with such a profound connection to the legendary ancestors of the dwarves, should have aroused great interest in King Cadlin, perhaps even leading to some form of "family reunion." For the dwarves, who placed great importance on their ancestral heritage, the creation of Master Gorenson held extraordinary significance.

But His Majesty Cadlin's reaction was unusually restrained. His sharp gaze lingered on Morkana for about the time it takes to make one heartbeat, as if quickly weighing countless ancient laws, the ownership of lineage, and the covenants of reality. In the end, he simply nodded to Morkana with utmost solemnity, almost ceremonial, a small nod, but one that carried a clear, respectful distance.

He did not inquire about her origins, nor did he trace her specific connection with Master Gorenson, nor did he reveal any intention to "take back" or "deepen his understanding" of this heritage that belonged to the dwarves.

This silence itself is an attitude. It is the wisdom of a mature politician and a profound respect for the sovereignty of an ally. King Kadrin was well aware that, regardless of Morkana's origins, her current public identity was that of a "special guest and powerful guardian" of the Black Forest Territory, an important force under Su Li's command. Forcibly tying the issue to ancient ties or pressing for answers would not only be impolite but could also touch upon sensitive sovereignty issues, damaging the newly established and hard-won trust and friendship.

He tacitly accepted the status quo, acknowledging that Morkana belonged to the Black Forest Territory. This act of "avoiding suspicion" demonstrated his respect for Su Li and his cherishment of the current alliance far more than any enthusiastic questioning. He gently set aside this historical connection, focusing instead on a grander, more realistic future.

Bairgar Iron Oath noticed his brother's reaction. The initial hint of inquiry in his eyes quickly disappeared, replaced by the smooth smile befitting a diplomat. He nodded to Morkana as well, as if she were a powerful ally to be treated with courtesy, rather than a "living legacy" flowing with the legendary blood of the dwarves.

This brief and subtle interaction happened almost in an instant. Just as Su Li was about to skip over her and continue introducing the next minister, Morkana's languid voice suddenly rang out, her words seemingly carrying a sharp edge.

She remained reclining in her chair, swirling the golden cup in her hand. Her long, wine-red hair cascaded down like flames, and her inhuman vertical pupils, carrying a hint of amusement and undisguised provocation, were precisely locked onto King Cadlin.

“Hey, you old man with the white beard over there.” Her voice was casual, yet every word was clear to everyone. “I just remembered something. My ‘old man’—you know, that old man Gorenson you’re all talking about—didn’t say this when he used to reminisce about the King and ramble on and on in my ear.”

She paused deliberately, savoring the dwarves' frozen expressions and the sudden chill in the atmosphere, her alluring yet dangerous smile deepening.

"He told me that in Grey Hill... in that throne room, it's not some Ironfist family sitting there. The golden bloodline, the supreme royal lineage, shouldn't they be called Ironfist?"

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes both innocent and cruel, as if she were merely asking a trivial question: "What, are you... regicides? Or did you secretly steal the throne of our Iron Fist family after my father and the others died?"

The word "we," spoken by her, carried a strange sense of ownership and alienation, sounding particularly jarring.

These words were like a silent bomb dropped into the banquet hall. All the dwarves froze, their wine glasses hung in mid-air, and they forgot to chew their food. Bairgar's face turned extremely ugly, General Göring's hand instinctively reached for the handle of his battle axe, and even the chief engineer, Dragi, frowned.

A palpable tension of anger and shock filled the air. This was the most direct and vicious accusation against the dwarven monarchy, striking at the very core of the Iron Oath family's legitimacy!

King Kadrin remained remarkably calm. After all, he and the entire Grey Mountain Dwarf community were well aware of the intricacies of the succession to the throne. Moreover, the Ironfist family had died out, leaving only this young dragon without the right to inherit. Therefore, he did not wish to make a big fuss and merely grunted with a livid expression.

Just as tensions were rising, threatening to escalate into a diplomatic incident or even bloodshed, Morkana suddenly chuckled, as if she had merely made a harmless joke. She waved her hand lazily, with an extreme contempt for ancient hatred that was completely out of place among the dwarves.

"Relax, relax~ Look how nervous you all are, your mustaches are practically standing on end!" She said in a flippant tone, "Don't worry, I'm not like you old fogies whose brains are filled with nothing but stones and ancient hatred. What do I care about those trivial matters from thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago, who was right and who was wrong, who sat on which stone chair... I'm too lazy to risk my life for that."

Her words sounded like soothing, but more like a condescending mockery. Then, she abruptly changed the subject, her vertical pupils flashing with an undisguised, dragon-like greed for treasure.

She leaned forward slightly, revealing a seductive smile, her voice lower but clearer:
"Well, I just wanted to ask you..." Her gaze seemed to pierce through Kadlin and see into the treasure trove hidden deep in the mountain, "Since you've taken that position, you must have inherited a lot... a lot of shiny, heavy good things from the royal treasure trove accumulated by our Iron Fist family over generations, right?"

She stretched out her slender finger and gestured in the air, her smile becoming increasingly alluring yet also increasingly dangerous:
"Give me half?" she asked, as if begging for a trivial toy. "Look, I'm at least half a 'Iron Fist legacy,' right? Give me half, and I'll be generous and let bygones be bygones on your... um... 'transition of power' little details. How about that? Fair enough?" Her words were like sweet poison, instantly transforming a serious questioning of the legitimacy of the monarchy into a blatant, mocking, and threatening extortion, perfectly in line with her dragonborn nature and her unrestrained, rule-ignoring style.

The air in the banquet hall seemed to freeze, and all eyes were focused on King Cadlin, watching how he would deal with this unprecedented and dangerous provocation.

Kadrin, worthy of being the greatest king of the Grey Mountain Dwarf Kingdom in nearly a thousand years, was not angered by the dragon's words at all, and calmly said, "Wealth? I have indeed brought a great deal of treasure to thank my big friend for his generous help."

"If you want it, then ask Lord Su Li for help. After all, without his rescue, you'd still be trapped in the illusions of the Valley of Memories, let alone knowing about the past of the Gray Mountain Kingdom."

King Kaderin's calm and precise counterattack was like an experienced craftsman striking the most crucial wedge with just the right amount of force, instantly freezing Morkana's charming yet dangerous smile on her face.

She whirled her head, her wine-red hair almost sparking, her vertical pupils fixed on Su Li, who maintained a calm smile. Anger raged in her eyes, not at Kadlin, but at this seemingly gentle human lord who actually had her completely under his control.

It's him! It's this man!
Su Li, the Bauhinia, appears gentle and refined, like the warm spring sunshine. However, as the chosen one of the Goddess of the Sun, Violet, his intricate schemes and unfathomable cunning are more troublesome than the most complex dwarven locks!

Morkana had just been "rescued" from the shackles of the millennia-old illusion of the Valley of Memories—or rather, cleverly transferred from one cage to another, one that left her with even less leverage. Su Li knew all too well how to deal with dragons, especially ancient creatures as proud and greedy as her. He never confronted her head-on, yet he always managed to pinpoint her weaknesses, using contracts, benefits, and conditions she couldn't refuse to gradually bring her under his control.

What's even more infuriating is that he has that damned, slippery green dragon, Ariria, by his side! That traitor! She must have been giving Su Li plenty of advice behind the scenes, revealing the dragon race's quirks and weaknesses! The thought that she not only failed to gain any advantage from this human lord, but almost lost even her original "bed" (treasure) made Morkana grit her teeth in anger.

Want to take half of the wealth the dwarves gave her from Su Li? The thought had barely crossed her mind when she felt utterly powerless. It was utterly delusional! This man's control over wealth and his ability to plan his territory were more meticulous than hers in protecting her brightest gem. He would surely use a whole host of high-sounding reasons—"territory development," "military expenditures," "long-term investment"—to leave her speechless, and in the end, she might even have to put in extra effort!
"Tsk!" Morkana clicked her tongue in extreme displeasure, glared at Su Li, but ultimately didn't pursue the issue of the dwarven treasury any further. She deflated like a punctured balloon, though outwardly she maintained her haughty and languid demeanor, leaning back in her chair, grabbing her wine glass and taking a large gulp, as if she were drinking Su Li's blood rather than fine wine.

Su Li took in her reaction, his faint smile remaining composed. He looked at her like she was a sulking child, with a touch of tolerance, but more so with an air of complete control. He made no comment on Morkana's provocation and subsequent anger, as if the little incident that had almost caused a diplomatic incident was nothing more than a gentle breeze.

He easily steered the conversation back on track, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. His tone was calm yet authoritative, instantly drawing everyone's attention back: "It was just a little joke, nothing serious. Your Majesty Cadlin, please allow me to continue introducing you to one of my most important arms."

His arm gracefully turned to the tall, radiant blonde female knight beside him.

“This is Hilde.” Su Li’s voice was filled with undisguised praise and trust. “She is not only my female courtier, but also the Grand Master of the Vengeful Sun Half-Griffin Knights, the sharp blade of the Sun Faith, and the High-Ranking Attendant Steward of my Blackforest Territory. She is not only the holy representative of my lord Violet in the world, but also the sharpest sword and the strongest shield of the Blackforest Territory. Although she is young, she is already a legend, and her courage and brilliance have guided us to victory countless times.”

When Su Li introduced Hilde, the young Sun Maiden and legendary knight, King Kadrin's face revealed an even more obvious and sincere expression of admiration. The contrast between Hilde's youth and power, her divine status and illustrious achievements, all better aligned with the dwarves' intuitive understanding and standards of appreciation for "heroes."

"I have heard of your glorious deeds and numerous epic victories. To achieve such legendary status at such a young age, to shine so brightly, is truly admirable!" King Kadrin's voice boomed, filled with undisguised admiration. "The power of the Sun Lady is perfectly embodied in you. Black Forest is immensely fortunate to have you."

Hilde bowed gracefully once more: “You flatter me, Your Majesty. All glory belongs to my lord; my sword is wielded only to uphold order and justice.”

Hilde stepped forward, her movements graceful yet powerful, and gave King Cadlin a perfect knightly salute, her voice clear and firm: "Greetings, Your Majesty Cadlin. May the brilliance of the sun illuminate the path of our friendship."

Her fame had already spread with the battle reports; her legendary status at such a young age drew surprised and scrutinizing glances from several high-ranking dwarven officials.

The introductions of key figures from both sides were completed in a friendly yet slightly scrutinizing atmosphere. This was more than just a polite exchange of names; it was an initial demonstration and recognition of the core strengths of both factions. As the glasses were refilled, the feast officially began, and the real conversations concerning the details of the future alliance would unfold slowly amidst the delicious food and wine.

As the banquet atmosphere warmed up, and the two sides exchanged toasts and began to establish a rapport, King Cadlin put down his enormous beer mug, let out a satisfied sigh, and then clapped his hands. The sound wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, immediately drawing all eyes in the hall.

Several exceptionally strong dwarven warriors filed in through a side door of the banquet hall. They did not come empty-handed; instead, they carried in pairs, laboriously lifting several cages covered with thick black cloth, yet their enormous size was still evident. The metal cages scraped against the stone floor, producing heavy thuds.

When the cages were placed in the open space in the center of the banquet hall, King Cadlin stood up, walked to the nearest cage, and reached out to grab the black cloth covering it.

"Lord Su Li, and friends of Black Forest Territory," his voice boomed, carrying a hint of dwarven pride that he rarely displayed, "empty words of thanks are not worthy of your mountain-like kindness. We dwarves are more accustomed to expressing our feelings with tangible things."

He yanked it sharply, and the black cloth slipped off!

In an instant, a sharp, piercing, and wild screech echoed throughout the hall! Inside the cage, a massive creature slammed into the thick iron bars, causing the entire cage to shake violently!

The creature possessed a body as strong and agile as a horse, covered with coarse, short, dark brown hair, but on its neck was the head of a ferocious raptor! Its sharp, hooked beak gleamed with a cold light, its amber eyes burned with wild and untamed fury, and its powerful talons scratched irritably at the bottom of the cage, producing a teeth-grinding scraping sound.

Horse vulture!

And not just one! As the other dwarven warriors tore off their black cloths, more cages were revealed. Each cage contained an equally ferocious and powerful adult horse vulture! Agitated by the sudden light and the surrounding crowd, they uttered threatening howls and pounced, displaying astonishing wildness and strength. The sudden appearance of twenty-four powerful flying beasts in the banquet hall, with its visual impact and primal, untamed aura, left all the humans present breathless!
Even the well-traveled Marshal Orstein showed a hint of surprise in his eyes. Hilder's eyes widened slightly, clearly recognizing this extremely rare and powerful creature.

King Cadlin paid no heed to the commotion of the horse vultures, instead gazing at the beasts as if admiring a masterpiece, his voice filled with pride:

"I've heard that your territory has been seeking powerful aerial mounts to build a force capable of protecting your airspace and deterring enemies. These grumpy creatures are not as easy to harvest as barley in the field."

He patted the sturdy cage, making a loud thud: "Before coming here, I personally led a team to destroy a sizable eagle nest on the eastern cliffs of the Gray Mountains. These are the twenty-four strongest and fiercest adult individuals among them! In trying to capture them alive, several of my lads were almost kicked off the cliff by them!"

He turned his head, his eyes shining as he looked intently at Su Li, his tone sincere and generous:
"I hope this small 'gift' will be of some help to the air power of the Black Forest Territory, and can be considered as a small reward for your contribution in helping our Redbeard and Grayrock clans reclaim Frostfang Mountains! May their wings in the future protect our common friendship and interests!"

This gift is by no means "insignificant." The griffin is one of the most feared flying beasts of the Old World, possessing immense strength, incredible stamina, and a combination of mobility and impact, making it an excellent choice for building a top-tier air cavalry. However, wild populations are rare, and their nests are mostly located in treacherous terrain, making them extremely difficult to capture, let alone capture so many healthy adult individuals alive at once. King Cadlin's gift is not only priceless but also reflects his deep understanding of the needs of the Blackwood Territory and a weighty, practical friendship forged deep within the mountains!

The hall fell silent for a moment, save for the restless screech and cries of the eagles. Everyone was awestruck by the dwarves' generous and powerful gift of thanks.

Looking at the ferocious beasts brimming with wild power in the cages, Su Li's eyes finally flashed with undisguised surprise and admiration. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and solemnly addressed King Kadlin:

"Your Majesty... this gift is too precious! It is by no means insignificant; it is a powerful force capable of changing the course of a war! The Black Forest Territory sincerely thanks you and the Gray Mountain Kingdom for your generous gift! We will remember this kindness!"

He looked at the strong eagles, as if he could already see them soaring through the skies of Blacksend Territory, becoming the sharpest weapon of the territory.

"Rest assured, we will properly train and utilize them, so that their bravery will become the strongest witness to our covenant!"

This unexpected and substantial gift brought the friendly atmosphere of the banquet to a new climax, and everyone became exceptionally excited and enthusiastic.

(End of this chapter)