Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 499 Su Li's Ambition and His Deal with the Dwarf King: The Butcher's Knife
After the grand gift-giving ceremony and in-depth strategic talks, King Kadrin Ironsworn did not rush to leave like some of the more impatient envoys. The pragmatic dwarven monarch decided to stay in Blackwood for a while, to personally assess the strength of his human ally, and, more importantly, to use this time to handle some matters that he considered crucial.

His schedule was tightly packed and efficient, reflecting the pragmatic style of a dwarf. The day after the banquet, accompanied by Su Li, he meticulously inspected the Blacksin Territory's defensive wall system and armory. His rough fingers traced the joints between the bricks, tapped on the reinforced metal gates, and occasionally exchanged whispered opinions with his engineer, Master Drage, offering suggestions for improvements to the bastion angles, ballista placements, and logistical access routes. In the armory, he carefully examined the locally produced and captured weapons and equipment, offering no comment on the differences in quality, but asking exceptionally detailed questions about the maintenance procedures.

His second stop was the workshop district of Blacksend, where he spent a considerable amount of time at the blacksmith's shop and the newly built smoked fish workshop. At the blacksmith's shop, on a whim, he personally demonstrated the dwarven's unique folding forging technique, drawing gasps of amazement from the human blacksmiths. At the smoked fish workshop, he sampled various flavors of smoked fish, expressing his approval of the workshop's efficiency and scale, and discussing with Master Drage how to optimize the flue and temperature control to improve both production and quality.

The highlight of the dwarves' visit was undoubtedly the brewery. King Kadrin toured the breweries of Hessian territory with great interest, tasting various brews ranging from malt spirits to wines. The dwarven brewers he brought engaged in a "enthusiastic" and "frank" exchange with the local brewers—primarily offering numerous suggestions for improving human brewing techniques. Ultimately, the dwarves couldn't resist trying their hand at it themselves, using their own dwarven yeast and local ingredients to experiment with improving a few barrels of beer; the results would remain to be seen.

Of course, there were also things that pleased him—King Kadrin's inspection of the brewery naturally led to the troll skull tavern, a sacred place for all the dwarves in the city.

This is the tavern that Su Li established after defeating the Lake Assond Rippers and slaying nearly a thousand river trolls, including Ugmar. That battle was a crucial turning point in Su Li's fight against the Green Dragonflight, nearly leading to the annihilation of Hilder's elite knightly legion on the banks of the Blackwater River. Thanks to the vigilance of the Sun Goddess's chosen knights, they ultimately managed to wipe out all the monsters on the left bank of the Blackwater River. Their corpses forged this dwarven holy land.

As soon as he stepped into the tavern, even the well-traveled King of Grey Mountain couldn't help but let out a satisfied hum. The atmosphere here was finally right! The air was filled with the rich aroma of roasted malt, smoke, and the distinctive sweet and pungent scent of troll brew.

The tavern's interior was decorated in the rugged and bold style of the dwarves. Most striking were the hundreds of troll skulls hanging on the walls and displayed on the counter. These skulls were meticulously crafted, polished smooth, with brass-bound edges and metal linings, and were used to create enormous goblets and jugs. Some particularly large skulls were even transformed into hanging barrels. Behind the bar, a single tanned troll hide, covered in warts and thick fur, served as a tapestry, its grimace and power illuminated by torches on either side. The dwarven regulars dwelt, clad in vests or cloaks made from scraps of troll hide, exuding both bravery and experience.

King Kadrin's nostrils twitched a few times as his gaze locked onto the largest troll skull jug behind the bar, inlaid with silver patterns. It was filled with dark red troll brew—an extremely potent beverage made from troll liver and blood (specially treated to remove toxins), mixed with deep-mountain berries and various spirits, and beloved by dwarven warriors.

The dwarves in the tavern were overjoyed to see the king arrive in person. They rose to their feet, beat their chests in reverence, and shouted His Majesty's name. However, they were in awe of this legendary monarch, and none dared to approach him for a drink as usual. The atmosphere was lively but slightly reserved.

King Kadrin returned the greeting solemnly, exchanged brief words with the tavern owner and several elderly dwarf customers, and praised the tavern's atmosphere. But his gaze kept inadvertently drifting to the largest troll skull flask, and his Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly.

He was clearly craving it, but his royal pride and dignity prevented him from asking for it directly like an ordinary drinker.

After a while, King Cadlin seemed finally unable to contain himself. He cleared his throat, adopted a serious and inquisitive expression, pointed to the enormous wine jug, and, in a tone as solemn as if discussing military deployments, loudly questioned those around him:
"Ahem... Gentlemen, look at that jug... a standard troll brew. With my drinking capacity, could I drink it all in one go without stopping?"

The question immediately fell silent in the tavern. The dwarves looked at each other, realizing the king's "little secret"—he was clearly craving wine but wanted a respectable excuse!

Su Li smiled and cooperated, "Your Majesty has a huge appetite! There's definitely no problem! Quickly fill His Majesty's cup! Let us see what he's made of!"

The atmosphere instantly ignited, and the awkwardness vanished. The tavern owner struggled to lift the heavy troll skull wine jug and respectfully presented it to King Kadrin, which was filled with dark red, blood-red, and intensely fragrant troll brew.

King Cadlin's face showed a smug smile of "his plan had succeeded," but he quickly concealed it and returned to his dignified demeanor. He took the wine jug with gusto, but before tilting his head back to drink, his eyes darted around, and he thought of an idea that would better liven up the atmosphere and be more in line with his status.

He raised the wine jug high, surveyed his surroundings, and his voice rang out like a war cry:
“Drinking alone is not the act of a warrior! Just drinking it all down is too boring! How about this!” His eyes gleamed with a cunning yet heroic light. “Tonight, I’ve set up a drinking contest here! Anyone who considers themselves a good drinker, whether dwarf or human, may come up and challenge me to a drinking contest! The rules are simple: we’ll use this troll brew, one full cup per round, and see who falls first!”

He paused, then threw out an insane prize: "Finally, if anyone can drink me under the table..." He deliberately dragged out his words, looking at everyone's wide eyes and held breath, and said heavily, "I will reward him with my spare weapon—a God-chosen battle axe just like the 'Rockbreaker'! I mean it, I swear in the name of Granny!"

"For the Mountain Kingdom!!!" the dwarves roared excitedly, and the entire tavern erupted in cheers! A God-chosen Battle Axe! The King's own promise! The chance to drink as much Troll Brew as possible! The temptation was off the charts!
Instantly, countless hairy, muscular arms shot up, vying to take on the challenge. Some of the most notorious drunkards among the human soldiers were also eager to try.

King Kadrin, watching the lively scene, laughed heartily with satisfaction. Then, he raised the enormous skull wine jug and declared loudly, "Very well! In that case, I'll drink first as a sign of respect, to open the arena!"

Having said that, he tilted his head back and, amidst the cheers and counting of everyone, drank the entire jug of troll brew, enough to knock out a bull, in one gulp!

"Hiccup..." The king put down his wine jug, letting out a loud, satisfied burp. His beard was covered in wine, his face flushed, but his eyes shone even brighter. He waved his hand: "Who's the first challenger? Come up here!"

That night, the troll skull tavern was filled with noise and revelry until dawn. King Kadrin perfectly demonstrated the affability and wisdom of a monarch, cleverly defusing the awkwardness of no one daring to offer him a drink with a reward, enlivening the atmosphere, satisfying his craving for fine wine, and also taking the opportunity to test the bravery and courage of his allies and subjects—those who dared to challenge him to a troll brew must be exceptionally bold.

Of course, he also contributed a large amount of gold coins to Su Li. In just one night, the king drank himself into a stupor at three taverns, generously paying the bills for numerous drinkers and consuming over 2000 Imperial Gold Crowns. For the wealthy dwarf king, this amount was merely a drop in the ocean.

The only problem was that the king, who staggered back to the embassy, ​​was still suffering from a hangover and slept for more than a day. It wasn't until the next day that he mustered his strength to conduct military observation and guidance.

He first observed the daily training of the Blacksend army, especially the Amethyst Ironclad troops. He was deeply impressed by this unique force, a product of the dwarven ancestors' creative invention. Its power was comparable to the dwarven's elite musketeer units. However, he still had reservations about the training results and progress, sometimes frowning, sometimes nodding, and occasionally having General Goring Stonefist step forward to shout out basic power techniques and positioning points in Dwarven. Although the language barrier existed, the fierce aura and direct demonstration were more effective than any translator.

Furthermore, one of his most important journeys was to delve into the dwarven community of Blacksend City. Accompanied by local dwarven leaders such as Dorok Redbeard, he visited artisan shops, taverns, and settlements, speaking to each of his fellow dwarves in their rough dwarven language, listening to their living conditions, inquiring about the smoothness of their cooperation with the human lord, and whether they had been oppressed. This was both a king's duty and a silent test of Su Li's governance abilities. The results clearly pleased him greatly; he witnessed a peaceful and vibrant dwarven community, and their heartfelt respect for Lord Su Li.

King Kaderin's extended visit to the Hessian Territory lasted for several weeks. As the summer heat was gradually replaced by a cool breeze and the sky became high and clear blue, the Hessian Territory ushered in its busiest and most joyous season—the autumn harvest.

For this land that worships Violet, the goddess of the sun, and Rhea, the goddess of agriculture, the autumn harvest is not only the culmination of agricultural work, but also a sacred celebration, the greatest reward for divine blessings and a year's hard work.

King Kadrin, of course, wouldn't miss this opportunity. Accompanied by Su Li, he left the city and workshops and came to the vast fields of Blacksend Territory. The sight before him shocked even this dwarf king, who was accustomed to underground mines and rocky mountains.

As far as the eye could see, there was an endless golden sea. The plump ears of wheat bent low, shimmering warmly in the sunlight, rippling in waves with the wind. The air was filled with the intoxicating aroma of ripe grain, mingled with the fragrance of freshly turned earth.

In the fields, a bustling scene of activity unfolded. Thousands upon thousands of farmers, sickles in hand, advanced like skilled soldiers through the waves of wheat, neatly bundling the harvested stalks. Harvesters, pulled by sturdy horses or rams, roared through the Halfling farms. Wagons laden with grain drove one after another toward the village threshing ground, their wheels creaking heavily.

Besides the vast wheat fields, there were also expansive barley fields and hop fields—the latter particularly attracting King Cadlin's attention, as these green vines climbing trellises nurtured the precious ingredients for brewing beer. In the distance, herds of cattle and sheep grazed in the pastures, plump and healthy, clearly indicating the abundance of summer grazing. Ponds of all sizes shimmered, and fishing nets rose and fell, catching fresh fish to store for autumn and winter.

But on the threshing grounds of each village, a different scene unfolded. Flails rose and fell rhythmically, sending grains raining down like golden rain. Women used wooden shovels to winnow the grains, separating chaff from impurities. Children chased and played joyfully among the haystacks. Everywhere, mountains of straw and grains awaited storage, a picture of abundant harvest and overflowing granaries.

“Violet’s radiance shines upon this land,” Su Li explained with a smile, her tone proud. “The goddess Rhea has also bestowed fertile soil and favorable weather. This year is another exceptionally bountiful harvest. Your Majesty, the grain you see will soon be transported to Gray Mountain by caravans.” King Kadrin remained silent for a long time, simply gazing intently at this golden sea with eyes accustomed to ores and gems, listening to the vibrant clamor of life emanating from this land. For a monarch who had long been troubled by food shortages, the sheer scale of this bountiful harvest brought an indescribable sense of awe and reassurance.

He squatted down, picked up a handful of freshly threshed wheat grains with his thick fingers, examined them carefully in his palm, and even put them in his mouth to chew, feeling their firm texture and starchy sweetness.

“Good wheat…” he murmured, his tone filled with the pragmatic appreciation of a dwarf, “plump, dry, and with few impurities. It’s good grain that can be stored for a long time to feed soldiers.”

He stood up, looked into the distance at the endless fields and busy crowds, and took a deep breath, the air filled with the scent of sunshine and harvest.

"Lord Su Li," he turned to Su Li, his expression more solemn and satisfied than ever before, "now I truly understand what you mean by 'grain trade.' This is not just a transaction; it is... a lifeline. It is the cornerstone that allows the Gray Mountain Kingdom to truly look forward to the future with peace of mind."

He could almost see these golden grains being transported into the Gray Mountain warehouse, turning into fragrant black bread in the oven, into rations for the soldiers on their march, and into porridge for mothers to feed their children.

"The richness of the Black Forest Territory exceeds my imagination," King Kadrin concluded, his eyes now filled with unwavering trust and anticipation, free of any doubt. "Our cooperation will surely yield the most abundant fruits, just like these bountiful fields."

Upon hearing this, Su Li smiled calmly and said, "Your Majesty, what you have seen is merely the foundation of the territory's output. You have not yet seen the truly special things." He made an inviting gesture, "If you are interested, I would like to invite you to a place, the territory's sacred site—Bjorn Shallow Bay."

King Kadrin raised a thick eyebrow, clearly intrigued: "Oh? A holy site? Related to the goddess you worship? Well, I'd love to see."

The group left the vast plains and headed towards Lake Lovelyn. Soon, a wide, shallow bay surrounded by a meticulously constructed dike came into view. This was Bjorn Bay, its dikes sturdy and thick, clearly having undergone numerous reinforcements and expansions, now stretching for over eighty Imperial miles.

As they climbed the sturdy embankment, the view opened up before them. The fervor of the autumn harvest reached its peak here, but the atmosphere was quite different from the celebrations outside.

Before King Cadlin lay the vast, shallow bays of the eighty-odd empires, now transformed into a boiling sea of ​​gold and silver-grey. Countless serfs toiled among the furrows, but their attire was peculiar—almost everyone wore old but sturdy chainmail, thick leather gloves, and some even had barbed wire masks over their faces. They wielded not ordinary sickles, but specially crafted, thick-bladed scythes.

The reason is obvious.

On this fertile land nourished by the sacred Lake Leflin, what ripens is no ordinary thing. Most striking is the steel-like wheat field that occupies the sacred hill of the "Ring of Maidens" and a vast expanse of surrounding farmland. The stalks are not a soft, golden yellow, but a cold, hard grayish-white, the ears of wheat sharp as spearheads, gleaming with a dangerous metallic glint in the sunlight. A gentle breeze brings not a rustling sound, but a "snap" like countless tiny blades rubbing together. The serfs must harvest with extreme care; the slightest misstep and the sharp awns can easily slice through flesh.

This dangerous working environment naturally required close monitoring. Squads of heavily armored soldiers, wielding halberds and clad in purple crystal armor, patrolled the field ridges, their sharp eyes scanning every working serf warily, guarding against any potential disturbance caused by the hardship and danger. Several battle nuns from the Church of Dawn stood at key positions; their presence was both a blessing for the harvest and a silent deterrent to maintaining order.

Besides the astonishingly large steel wheat field, King Cadlin saw other wonders: small plots of land planted with "pearl wheat" that looked like strings of perfectly round pearls, each grain round and white, emitting a faint glow; another cabbage-like crop (moonlight cabbage) emitting a soft, moonlit halo was carefully dug up whole and placed into baskets lined with soft cloth; further away, there were other extraordinary plants of various shapes that he could not identify, all demonstrating their value in this harvest season.

The scene on the threshing floor was equally astonishing. Threshing steel wheat required a special iron-clad threshing yoke, and what flew up during winnowing was not light, fluffy chaff, but real, heavy, ominous-looking metallic particles.

Su Li's voice rang out from the side, calm yet powerful: "Your Majesty, what you see now is the true foundation of the Black Forest Territory. These fertile farmlands below produce food to feed the people, while these extraordinary crops, bestowed by Lady Leia and nourished by the sacred lake, are the territory's armor and blade. Last year we harvested 30,000 catties of steel wheat, and this year, this place alone will yield more than 300,000 catties."

King Cadlin silently gazed at the unimaginable abundance of the harvest. His gaze swept over the deadly grains that required armor to harvest, over the patrolling soldiers and devout nuns, over the endless fields brimming with power and danger. His rough fingers unconsciously tapped the handle of his battle axe at his waist, his mind racing with calculations. Three hundred thousand catties of extraordinary grain… enough to arm a powerful army, giving their soldiers bodies and strength of steel.

The pragmatic dwarven monarch finally understood the deeper meaning behind Su Li's bringing him here. The wealth of Blackforest lay not only in its vastness, but also in its ability to transform divine grace into tangible and formidable war potential.

He took a deep breath of the air, a mixture of holy water, earthy fragrance, and metallic sharpness, and gave a heavy hum, a sound filled with dwarven, unreserved admiration and a hint of barely perceptible solemnity.

“Lord Su Li,” he turned to the young man beside him, his eyes sharp and sincere, “I understand now. Your territory truly possesses profound potential comparable to the foundations of ancient mountains, and also contains dangerous power like a furnace. This shallow bay… is a true treasure trove and armory. Our alliance is stronger and more necessary than I imagined.”

"I'm sure you brought me here for more than just to show me around, right?"

Su Li's smile deepened as he met King Kadlin's all-knowing gaze and said frankly, "Your Majesty is wise. These steel ears of wheat, though difficult to harvest and requiring serfs to don armor and wield weapons, are indeed a year-round crop in my territory thanks to Lady Leia's grace and the nourishment of the sacred lake. This place yields three harvests a year, and even in the winter when all things hibernate, thanks to the protection of the sacred land, there is still a considerable harvest."

He paused, lowering his voice as if revealing an even greater secret: "Moreover, in the most central and heavily guarded gardens of my territory, even rarer Azure Spikes and Emerald Spikes are being cultivated. Those... are the true treasures that can produce significant effects even on Chosen Ones. Both the knights of my territory and the warriors of the dwarves will benefit from them."

His words carried a calm confidence as he steered the conversation back to the steel wheat field before him: "While these may be slightly inferior, their effects are already astonishing. Bread made from their flour, once consumed, can significantly enhance a soldier's strength and physical resilience in a short period, with the effect lasting for four hours. This means," Su Li emphasized, "that a legion whose staple food is this will experience a substantial and sustained increase in combat effectiveness."

He looked at King Kadrin, his gaze intense: "What is the value of this to the dwarven legions who need to hold the line and constantly engage in brutal hand-to-hand combat with greenskins, rats, and even more terrifying monsters? Think of it, Your Majesty's warriors will receive such a boost every day. Even small groups of rangers or expeditions, carrying this bread as rations, will become more elite and skilled in battle as they trek through treacherous mountains and hunt enemies, greatly increasing their survival rate and the likelihood of completing their missions."

King Kadrin listened in silence, his thick fingers twirling his steel-needle beard, his eyes sharp as diamonds beneath a rock. He fully understood what the scene Su Li described meant to the dwarven warriors—it would be a real advantage, a victory built on the corpses of more enemies. But he also knew that such precious power would never be given away for nothing.

After a long silence, he let out a heavy snort, his voice echoing like the deepest part of a mine, directly interrupting Su Li's description: "Granny's beard! Kid, just say it. After going through all this trouble and showing off such good stuff, what do you want? Gold coins? Ore? Or do you want my engineers to work for your Black Forest Territory for another ten years?" The dwarf's directness was unmistakable.

Su Li did not answer immediately. He simply maintained that enigmatic smile, then suddenly changed the subject, asking as if in casual conversation, "Your Majesty, do you know... how much dwarven covenant gold is currently stored in my treasury?"

The question struck like a thunderbolt, instantly freezing the expression on King Kadrin Ironsworn's face. His previously probing, even slightly negotiating, gaze suddenly became incredibly solemn. He leaned forward slightly, and the aura of authority befitting a legendary dwarven king unconsciously emanated from him. He stared at Su Li and spoke, word by word, his voice low and serious:
"You... if that's the case..." He paused, as if weighing the immense weight that might be behind his words, "Young man, what you've set your sights on is probably not just some simple item in my treasure trove. What you're after... is far more significant!"

Any dwarf facing the Dwarf Oathgold must take it seriously.

(End of this chapter)