Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 669 - 620: Furnace Slag

"I need someone, someone who is well versed in the Craftsmen’s Council’s examination content and who has a certain amount of influence. Tell me, Freheimer, as a Dragon Priest held in high esteem, do you have such connections..." Lyle was excited now, like a brother inspired to prepare the best performance outfit for his sister, his steps on the floating stones sent splashes of magma around, easily evading the encirclement of fire elementals. His fingers tapped the Fire Evader’s helmet, the sound of the collision drowning out the rumbling and bubbling of the lava.

Freheimer followed closely behind Lyle, for this fiery young man was like a flame ignited, burning fiercely, highly unstable. "That’s difficult, Lyle. The Craftsmen’s Council and Mackenbert were established at the same time, and all the kingdom’s laws are promulgated from that Bronze Hall. That’s where Mackenbert is most obstinate and stubborn; you simply cannot modify the Craftsmen’s Council’s examination regulations."

While stepping across the floating stones in the magma pool, Lyle looked back and spoke to the Red Dragon Priest. "I am quite clear-headed, Red Dragon Priest. For once, bad omens and I agree on something, and I already have a clear idea in my mind; just need some clues, some conditions that can be exploited. I need more help to let my thoughts gather together like drops of water in a pipe, forming a sea. Maybe I can change the Dwarves’ current situation, you have also been dissatisfied with the Dwarves’ isolation, have you not?"

"Interesting topic, may I join the conversation, confident guest?" A strange voice sounded ahead of Lyle, and as he turned around, the imposing man with deep black curly hair was standing on the molten staircase, extending his right hand to Lyle. After a brief pause, Lyle took the Dwarf’s hand and was pulled to shore.

"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty." Lyle had already seen the well-equipped guards behind the man, so it wasn’t hard to guess the identity of the person before him, who wore a crown atop his head.

"Visergg?" The call from the Red Dragon Priest made the Dwarf King let go of the tight grip he had with Lyle, the hand as powerful as a vise brought the Red Dragon Priest over.

"Visergg Firehammer, distinguished guest. I’m deeply sorry for my uncle’s presumptuous invitation for you to my realm without hosting a feast. I hope I may have a chance to make amends; I can offer you assistance."

"It’s my honor, King Visergg. I am Lyle, Dragon King Priest, and I am here on behalf of ’father of dragons’ to visit his children," Lyle replied. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Perhaps we could move to a place more comfortable for both parties, the Great Furnace is clearly not suitable for a heart-to-heart talk." The bright-eyed Dwarf King led Lyle and the Red Dragon Priest up the steps, returning to Mackenbert. Along the way, the gentle monarch did not show much of his majesty, taking a familial stance on the complaints of the Red Dragon Priest.

"Uncle, I thought after the last assistance you would see me as your aide. I feel guilty about the unfair treatment the Red Dragons have received, but Mr. Lyle’s arrival, you didn’t inform me at all. If it weren’t for the rumors spreading in the city that an Alien Race followed a Dragon Priest, I would continue to be left out by you. Do you really think I’m not trustworthy?"

The Red Dragon Priest scratched his head in embarrassment, "Visergg, I did it to maintain the royal majesty. Last time, shaking the heart of the mountain has already made you the subject of much criticism in the Craftsmen’s Council, I can’t let bad rumors hurt you again."

"The concealment among family hurts me more; a light breeze would not leave a scratch on steel."

The group quickly arrived on the street, where the surrounding Dwarves bowed to the king. After all, Visergg did not put on the hood that concealed his crown, and although the process was not formal, it was an official meeting.

"Please step out from the Fire Evader, Mr. Lyle, let my subjects see the guest who has traveled from afar," commanded the Dwarf King, his voice booming mightily, his invitation sounding more like an order, reaching the ears of every Dwarf.

A crack opened behind the armor, and the tall human stood before a crowd of Dwarves, standing by his own king, looking down at the noble sovereign.

However, King Firehammer let out a hearty laugh, spread his arms wide, and hugged Lyle’s waist in a casual embrace, patting his back like a friend as Lyle hunched over. The surrounding Dwarves fell silent, maintaining their decorum, watching the Dwarf King lead the alien guest away.

"I’ve heard that humans are all tall and thin, and it seems there’s some truth to that rumor, Mr. Lyle. You’re tall and lean; you must eat well later. Roasted mutton and fine wine should fatten you up a bit, at least enough to make you look a little more like the Fire Evader. When I was young, I always thought that the Fire Evader resembled the appearance of an alien race."

Lyle thought about the issue of the Fire Evader. Despite the magic device that adjusted the armor’s appearance, it was clear that the bulky armor was not designed for Dwarves. This clashed with the Dwarves’ isolationist and xenophobic principles, that armor...

"The Fire Evader armor is made with Dragonfire, a magic armor forged by the Red Dragon Fleisheimer himself. He prepared it for the first outsider who might step into Mackenbert one day. The Fire Evader is a symbol that represents the warmth of the Dwarves. Although now it can only gather dust in my workshop..."

Visergg took over from the Red Dragon Priest, smiling apologetically at Lyle, "In my youth, I often interacted with the Red Dragon Fleisheimer because of my family’s relations. He was a gentle sage. While he existed, it was as if his warmth heated us like a furnace, even though we extinguished that furnace flame with our own hands. I still remember the forlorn look in my father’s eyes when he passed away, and I acknowledge that my subjects, as my uncle had said, have indeed developed some rust. I have wanted to change this situation; Imelt would be a new turning point. I had hoped for that. But the events of the past few days have shown me that the Dwarves can no longer wait for redemption."

"At least, I cannot just wait idly."

"Mr. Lyle, I want to show you that the Dwarves have more to offer than what you’ve seen. A spark from our glorious past has been passed down. Come, join me in savoring those sparks that inspired my growth."

"I want to recommend the best restaurant in Mackenbert to you."

"Forge Slag."

It was a large pub with a cobblestone base and pine beams, located on the passageway between the forging area and the residential district. When the surrounding buildings all turned into steel structures, this misfit tavern seemed even more out of place. Its doors were firmly shut, and sheepskin curtains blocked all the windows; only the chimney released cooking smoke that blended into the smog clouds of Mackenbert, as if it had been forgotten by the city.

This restaurant, praised by the Dwarf King, was clearly not very popular with the Dwarves.

"I... won’t go in, Lyle. I don’t need to eat," the Red Dragon Priest said with a laugh and a wave of his hand, staying put with a somewaht strained smile.

"Uncle... alright, guards, then you must stay outside as well, wait here. This is an order. Don’t worry, Forge Slag won’t have anyone who could harm me."

In the end, the Dwarf King and Lyle entered Forge Slag together.