Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 497 A Heroic Destiny and Choice, and Legendary Armor
King Kadrin listened with satisfaction to Su Li's gratitude, his hearty laughter echoing through the banquet hall. He waved his hand, signaling his attendants to carefully carry away and properly store the gifts symbolizing technology and power. Then, he stroked his snow-white beard, his gaze becoming deep and solemn once more, and looked at Su Li.

"Lord Suli, what you just saw was the collective gratitude of the Gray Mountain Kingdom—all the dwarven people—for the selfless help of the Black Forest Territory." His voice calmed down, carrying a more personal emotion. "But besides that, I, Kadrin Ironsworn, as king, and as a dwarf grateful for your recovery of my ancestor's remains, have some... well... more practical 'worldly things' taken from my private treasury that I wish to give to you personally, to express my sincerest gratitude."

As soon as he finished speaking, another group of dwarven servants carried in several even heavier, iron-clad chests that required four people to barely lift. The chests were placed heavily on the ground with a reassuring and opulent thud.

Kadrin stepped forward himself and used a uniquely shaped brass key to unlock each box one by one, then suddenly lifted the lid!
Swish-!
In an instant, the entire banquet hall seemed to be illuminated by countless suns simultaneously! It was a golden light!
The first chest was filled with exquisitely crafted dwarven covenant gold. These coins were larger and thicker than the Empire's golden crown, clearly imprinted with the mountain emblem of the Cadrin clan and ancient runic oaths. Each one shone with a deep and pure brilliance, symbolizing the dwarven kingdom's unbreakable reputation and profound heritage.

The second box contained neatly stacked, equally dazzling imperial gold crowns. The sheer number of them was almost overflowing. This was undoubtedly the hard currency Blacksene desperately needed—currency that could be immediately put into circulation to pay military salaries and recruit manpower. The sheer quantity even caused the well-informed Hilde to hold her breath slightly.

However, compared to the dazzling brilliance of the first two boxes, the contents of the third box, though their radiance was slightly more subdued, caused Su Li and everyone who understood their value to suddenly shrink their pupils and hold their breath!
Inside were not gold coins, but a pile of unremarkable metal ingots shimmering with a strange silver-blue starlight. They lay there quietly, yet emanated a powerful, almost tangible energy field, as if containing the power of the stars.

“One thousand catties of vibranium.” King Kadrin’s voice was calm, yet it resonated in Su Li’s mind like a thunderclap. “I know you are forging star armor on a large scale, and this thing is the biggest bottleneck. These should help you create quite a few good things.”

A thousand catties of vibranium! The value of this "personal gift of gratitude" may even exceed the total value of all the previous gifts combined! The rarity of vibranium is well known, and it is usually measured in ounces, but King Cadlin's gift was in the thousands! This is not just generosity, it's practically giving away his entire fortune!

But that wasn't all. Kadrin pointed to several boxes behind him, filled with various high-quality, unrefined ores that shimmered with elemental luster—deep purple amethyst, a powerful conductor of magic; ice-core diamonds emanating a chilling aura, used for ice enchantments and alchemy; and lightning silver ore crackling with electric arcs, a top-tier material for forging lightning-attribute weapons… These were all extremely rare and priceless strategic resources.

"These ores are some of the finest pieces I've collected over the years while conquering the monster lairs that occupy the mines," Kadrin said casually, as if he were simply handing over a bag of sweet mountain fruits. "They're just decorative in my treasury, not suitable for dwarves to forge equipment. Perhaps they'd be more useful if given to the skilled mages of the Black Forest Territory."

Looking at the mountain of gold before him, the vibranium that would drive any power mad, and the precious magical ores, Su Li was momentarily speechless. Any one of the "common things" King Kadrin spoke of could have sparked a small-scale war. And yet, he had so casually sent them out in tons.

This fully embodies another form of dwarfism—perhaps not eloquent, but their way of expressing gratitude is absolutely heartwarming. It's not just about gratitude, but also a demonstration of the Grey Mountain Kingdom's unfathomable wealth and its unreserved support for Blackwood.

Su Li took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and bowed deeply to King Cadlin with the most solemn imperial noble etiquette.

“Your Majesty…this personal gratitude of yours is far too heavy.” His voice was filled with sincere thanks and shock.

King Kadrin, faced with Su Li's earnest gratitude, simply waved his hand magnanimously, a sincere expression appearing on his granite-carved face: "Lord Su Li, there's no need for such formality. Gold coins wear out, ores are melted down, and even vibranium will eventually run out. But these material things are as light as a feather compared to the gratitude we dwarves remember. No matter how many gifts are given, they cannot truly measure even a fraction of the kindness you have shown us in helping us welcome back the spirits of our ancestors and wash away ten thousand years of shame."

He shifted his tone, still sincere, but with a newfound composure and clarity befitting two pragmatic rulers: "However, just as the finest armor needs to be forged in a furnace and hammered on an anvil to take shape, the strongest friendship also needs to be constantly tempered and strengthened through shared goals and practical cooperation. You and I both bear the expectations of our people and the future of our territories. Simply indulging in gratitude will not be enough to weather the storms that may come."

King Kadlin's gaze deepened and became wise. He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and magnetic: "I wonder if Lord Su Li would be interested in taking advantage of this rare opportunity, with our core members all here, to have a preliminary discussion on in which areas the Black Forest Territory and the Gray Mountain Kingdom can engage in deeper and more specific cooperation in the future?"

"For example, how to make the trade routes between the two places smoother, how to enable our artisans to exchange ideas, and even... how to enable our armies to support each other more effectively when necessary. I believe that our complementarity can create value far beyond the simple exchange of gifts."

Upon hearing this, Su Li's face showed a look of deep agreement. He admired King Cadlin's straightforward yet dignified pragmatic attitude. In response, he also toned down some of the formalities, his gaze becoming sharp and focused.

“Your Majesty is absolutely right.” Su Li’s voice was clear and firm. “Sincere friendship is indeed the cornerstone of all cooperation, and only clear and mutually beneficial plans can make this friendship last. The Black Forest Territory looks forward to engaging in comprehensive and in-depth cooperation with the Gray Mountain Kingdom.”

As he spoke, he turned slightly and gestured to Hilder beside him. Hilder immediately stepped forward, carrying a tray lined with black velvet. On the tray were not gold or silver jewels, but two items radiating powerful energy fluctuations of different natures—two legendary runestones.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to it. Even the well-informed King Cadlin and his high-ranking officials immediately became extremely serious.

Su Li first pointed to one of them. The rune stone had a dark, deep red color, like dried blood, and its surface was covered with wild and angry lines. Just looking at it, one could almost hear the roars and indomitable battle cries of countless warriors before their death, and a violent aura of tragic, resolute, and mortal-death struggle spread out.

“Your Majesty, gentlemen,” Su Li said respectfully, “this [Rage Rune] was discovered beside the remains of the Butcher King Agrim Ironfist. It carries the boundless rage and indomitable fighting spirit of that great ancestor in his final moments. We believe that it may have extraordinary significance for your country… especially for those warriors who follow the path of the Butcher.”

He slowly pushed the rune, which carried the last glory and tragedy of the Ironfist Clan, toward King Kadrin.

Then, his finger moved to another runestone. This runestone was completely different; it was a warm and dazzling golden-white, like solidified sunlight. The runes carved on it were intricate and sacred, radiating a pure, fiery, and powerful force that dispelled all darkness and evil. At its core, it seemed as if a miniature sun was eternally burning.

“And this one,” Su Li’s voice carried a hint of pride, “is called [Wrath of the Sun]. It did not come from the ruins, but is a legendary rune bestowed by the divine power of my lord Violet. It has extremely powerful purification and destruction effects on the undead, demons, and all dark and corrupted creatures.”

After displaying the two legendary runes, Su Li did not pause. Instead, he made a well-considered request, his attitude sincere and open, fully demonstrating the foresight of a mature ruler and his respect for his allies.

“Your Majesty Cadlin,” he looked at the dwarf king with clear eyes, his tone devoid of any hint of ulterior motives, only sincere sincerity based on equal cooperation, “these two runes, one bearing the glory and tragedy of the past, the other representing the light and hope of the future. I believe their best destiny is not to be treasured in a vault, but to be forged into a powerful force capable of truly protecting reality and fighting against darkness.”

He first pointed to the golden-white [Wrath of the Sun] rune, whose light seemed to subtly flow in response to his words.

"I implore Your Majesty, could you perhaps utilize the most skilled rune blacksmiths in the Grey Mountain Kingdom and the legendary forge of Dragonrock Fortress to forge the core power of this [Wrath of the Sun] rune into a legendary plate armor suitable for our human knights?" Su Li described his vision. "I hope this armor will not only provide unparalleled protection but also imbue the armor with the divine purifying power of the sun, making it a mobile bulwark and source of destruction against undead, demons, and other dark beings. This would be of extraordinary significance to me, to the Black Forest Territory, and even to the entire Order faction."

Immediately afterward, without waiting for King Kadrin's response, Su Li proactively and clearly stated the exchange conditions he had already considered. He pushed the dark red [Rage Rune] a few more inches closer.

"And as payment for this forging, and as a token of my respect for the profound forging skills of the Grey Mountain Kingdom," Su Li said with absolute certainty, "this [Rage Rune], originating from the Butcher King Agrim Ironfist, will be entirely bestowed upon the Grey Mountain Kingdom. It rightfully belongs back to the mountains, back to the dwarves who truly understand and revere its history and spirit. I believe that in the hands of your rune masters, it will surely shine anew, perhaps forging another legendary weapon or armor that embodies an indomitable will, or enhancing the kingdom's power in other ways."

Su Li's considerations were very clear. He knew that even though he had done the Gray Mountain dwarves a great favor, true and sustainable friendship must be built on mutual benefit and respect, not one-sided demands. He completely trusted the dwarves' reputation and skills—even when he sent the precious [Wrath of the Sun] rune to Dragonrock Keep forging, he never worried that the dwarves would withhold it. But he insisted on paying a "fee," and an extremely generous one at that, one that they could not refuse and would be grateful for.

This [Rage Rune] holds invaluable symbolic and historical significance for the dwarves, especially for the Grey Mountain Kingdom. Exchanging it for a legendary forging opportunity is not only fair but also demonstrates sincerity. It is a full recognition of the dwarves' hard work and top-notch skills, and it shows that Blackwood values ​​this friendship and is willing to share precious spoils with its allies, rather than keeping them for itself.

He concluded by adding, his tone filled with absolute trust in his allies: "Of course, all other auxiliary materials needed for forging, whether precious metals, gems, or the magical energy consumed, will be provided entirely by the Blackwood Territory. We only implore our friends in Grayhill to wield their masterful craftsmanship." Su Li's words clearly stated his needs, offered a reward far exceeding expectations, and maintained an equal stance, brimming with admiration and trust in dwarven craftsmanship. This undoubtedly made King Kadrin and all the dwarven ministers present feel extremely comfortable and respected.

King Kadrin stared at the two runes, especially the [Rage Rune] that emanated the Butcher King's last will. His thick fingers unconsciously stroked his snow-white beard, and his eyes flickered with an extremely complex light—awe for the relics of his ancestors, a desire for legendary forging, and a deep, imperceptible solemnity.

He was silent for a moment, a silence so heavy it seemed one could hear the wind whistling through the mountains outside the hall. Finally, he raised his eyes, his gaze piercing as he looked at Su Li, his voice low and honest, without the slightest concealment:

"Lord Su Li, your request and the exchange conditions you proposed have impressed my people and me with their sincerity and value, and have deeply moved us." He first affirmed Su Li's proposal, then changed the subject, his tone becoming extremely serious.

“However, there are some realities about Dragonrock Fortress that I must explain to you, lest you have unrealistic expectations of us.” King Kadrin’s voice carried a hint of barely perceptible weariness. “You may know that activating the Dragonrock Forge is extremely costly. But you probably don’t know that the core of the Dragonrock Forge, which has stood for tens of thousands of years—that ancient volcano connected to the earth’s core—is rapidly losing its power.”

This word caused all the informed dwarven ministers to turn pale.

“It is too ancient, Lord Su Li.” Kadlin’s voice seemed to echo from the depths of the earth. “After countless years of wear and tear, the flames deep within the ley lines have been extinguished. Now, every time we restart the forge, we are extremely careful, for fear of hastening its demise. Collecting a thousand oath gold is less a fee and more a way to gather resources to barely keep that precious embers burning.”

He explained in detail, “Right now, using this remaining heat, we can only forge some perfect-grade equipment at most, that’s the limit. To forcibly forge a rare-grade masterpiece would consume the already limited primordial flames in the core of the forge, making it weaker with each attempt. And legendary-grade…” King Kadrin took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the [Wrath of the Sun], “The energy required is devastating. Perhaps a few legendary forging attempts could very well… very well, extinguish this ancient forge, which carries countless glories and legends of the dwarves, completely, turning it into cold, lifeless rocks.”

This candid confession was incredibly somber, revealing the severe crisis hidden beneath the glamorous exterior of the Gray Mountain Kingdom.

However, just as Su Li frowned slightly, considering whether to withdraw his request, King Kadrin's voice suddenly became impassioned, like a long-dormant volcano finally erupting:
“But!” His booming voice reverberated throughout the hall, “we accept your request! The Gray Mountain Kingdom is willing to forge this legendary armor for Lord Su Li of the Black Forest Territory!”

He glanced around at his dwarf colleagues, whose gazes quickly shifted from solemn to resolute and fervent.

"Why?" Kadrin asked himself, his emotions surging. "Not only because of your immense kindness to the dwarves, Lord Su Li! It's because this is the rightful place for the Dragonrock Forge!"

His words were filled with both tragedy and glory: "To let it linger on for countless years, struggling to forge some 'perfect' swords and armor, slowly exhausting its last bit of heat, and finally dying silently and coldly? No! That is absolutely not the ending it wanted!"

"The life of a legendary forge should end with the forging of a legendary piece of equipment that will shake the world and be remembered for eternity!" King Kadrin's eyes seemed to burn with the flames of the forge itself. "Its name, along with the legendary armor it forged, should be sung for eternity! It should, in its final, most glorious, and most fervent roar, completely immerse its soul and will in its creation, and then march to its end in a magnificent display! This is the greatest respect we can show it, the ultimate sublimation of its meaning!"

These words ignited a fire in the hearts of all the dwarves, and even the most composed Master Dragi was so excited that his beard trembled.

King Kaderin slammed his fist into his breastplate and uttered a resounding vow: "And I, Kaderin Iron Oath, will personally wield the forging hammer for you with my legendary strength! I will stand guard day and night by the dying forge, pouring out all my knowledge and strength to forge the wrath of the sun and the resilience of the mountains into that armor!"

But then, he calmed himself down a bit, and a dwarf-like seriousness, tinged with a hint of mockery, appeared on his face as he looked at Su Li: "However, Lord Su Li, forging legendary items requires more than just runes and vibranium. You may be thinking a little too simply about the creation of legendary equipment."

He began to count on his fingers: "Do you have the finest Sun Gold, the base material needed to stabilize and guide the power of the blazing sun? Do you have enough Dragon Crystal Dust or Phoenix Feather Ashes, needed to fuse energy and enhance rune effects? Where can we find the extreme cold of the Moonwell's Frost Waves or the core of the Eternal Frozen Glacier, which are required for quenching? Not to mention the large amount of other rare magical materials needed for assistance and blending..."

King Kadrin shook his head: "Even with the accumulated resources of my Gray Mountain Kingdom over thousands of years, it would be no easy task to gather all the materials to forge a legendary suit of armor in a hurry. It would almost require plundering the treasures of every clan, and might even require using some... treasures that were originally intended for other strategic purposes."

His gaze fell once more on the [Rage Rune], his tone becoming incredibly solemn: "However, the 'reward' you paid is worth all of this! This [Rage Rune]... it means we have the opportunity to forge a true set of legendary armor, imbued with the will of the Butcher King!"

His eyes blazed with an intense, burning light: "A set of such legendary armor has immeasurable strategic value! It's enough to give me, and the Gray Mountain Kingdom's army, the ultimate power to turn the tide of future wars! To reclaim our homeland, to completely annihilate those greenskins, rats, and even darker creatures entrenched in our homeland, even if it means emptying half the kingdom's treasury and temporarily depleting all the clans' storerooms—"

King Cadlin's voice was resolute, full of royal decisiveness:

"It was all worth it!"

This promise far exceeded Su Li's expectations. It was not merely agreeing to a forging request, but a solemn declaration by the Gray Mountain Kingdom, staking a portion of its national destiny, to deeply bind itself with the Black Forest Territory and jointly move towards a stronger future.

A brief silence fell over the hall, not from astonishment or doubt, but from the overwhelming and intense emotion surging within the chests of every dwarf noble and high-ranking official, who needed a moment to process this earth-shattering decision.

The first to break the silence was the old runemaster Draj, his beard trembling slightly with excitement. He stepped forward, pressed his right hand heavily to his heart, and bowed deeply to his king, his voice hoarse with reverence: "Your Majesty... your decision is as unwavering as the mountains, and as fiery and dazzling as the core of a forge. Let the end of Dragonrock Keep coincide with the birth of a legend... This... this is the vision and courage that only a true dwarven king could possess! Its name will be immortalized by this final blow!"

"To empty the treasury to forge a legend?" General Goring Stonefist's booming voice followed without hesitation, his eyes burning with the fighting spirit for the future. "Your Majesty, if we can truly obtain a sacred artifact that bears the wrath of the Butcher King, even if my men have to temporarily repair their armor with inferior iron ingots, I will have no complaints! Such a weapon or such a suit of armor is worth a thousand soldiers on the battlefield!"

Bairga Iron Oath clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of adoration for his brother and national pride: "Your Majesty! You have shown us what true 'Iron Oath' is! Not clinging to the embers, but daring to use the remaining embers to ignite the most dazzling glory! The gods of the mountains will surely nod in approval of your decision!"

Whispers quickly arose, coalescing into a torrent of agreement and excitement:
"That's right! It's better for the forge to perish in glory than to languish in coldness!"

"For Agrim's runes! For the future of Greyhill!"

"So what if we empty the treasure vault? We can always collect more materials, but the chance to forge a legend is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy and intense, as if the flames of the Dragonstone Forge had already begun to burn there. Every dwarf realized that what they were about to witness was not merely a gift or a collaboration, but the beginning of a legendary chapter destined to be recorded in the annals of the mountains. And their king was the one who would write that first chapter.

(End of this chapter)