Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 675 - 626 Idol Frenzy

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Since the day the meeting of the Craftsmen’s Council ended and the Molten Dwarves issued new laws, Mackenbert had seen fights erupt with more punctuality than meal times.

Beards, fine ale, forging, and brawls. These had always been part of Dwarven camaraderie. But the once rampant god wars had drastically reduced the population of able-bodied individuals, causing a demographic gap among the Molten Dwarves. To prevent infighting, brawling as a bloody sport had been banned. Perhaps it was the prohibition of such entertainment that led Dwarves to prefer drunken stupors and backbiting.

"Only cowards speak ill behind others’ backs; I solve problems with my hammer." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Regardless, after the legalization of brawls, bloody conflicts became frequent, and the arenas were often packed to capacity, with the Dwarves’ fighting spirit boiling like a giant melting furnace. Surprisingly, though, there were no deaths because a new group of fully armed Dwarf Warriors started appearing on the streets.

Imelt, the Life Warlord. They all carried a warhammer and were always ready to beat any Dwarf they encountered, swaggering through the streets of Mackenbert like bullies. More outrageous was that the army guards turned a blind eye to them, and gradually, the Dwarves who clashed with them realized that the hammers could not injure them. Not only that, Dwarves who had been beaten by the Life Warlord found themselves full of energy and vitality.

However, after repeated clashes with the Warlord’s forces, they discovered that regaining life was not as pleasurable an experience. This group of hardened fighters had combat skills that could easily overpower the common folk, particularly when they realized they could beat their foes "back to life." The Life Warlord’s attacks became incredibly vicious. The Hammer of the Red Dragon could heal life, but the pain from the hammer blows was very real. At first, the pain might have motivated the warriors, but when they discovered they couldn’t defeat the Life Warlord regardless of their anger and seemingly endless energy and strength, they became utterly demoralized, especially when they saw the Life Warlord, realizing their weakness, strike themselves with the hammer. Then, with even more spirited and fanatical zeal, they continued to beat the populace.

Through these battles, the Life Warlord had made it clear to the public that they were an undying legion of legend.

This army not only obeyed the Dwarf King, but they also obeyed the Red Dragon. Eighty percent of the Dwarves beaten by the Life Warlord were those who showed disdain for the Red Dragon. They were caught red-handed by the Life Warlord on the streets.

After that meeting, every day in Mackenbert there would be a procession for the worship of the Red Dragon. The protocol involved Imelt showcasing the posture of the dragon, riding around the city on a float provided by the Fire Hammer Royal Family, while the Life Warlord conducted inspections throughout.

As a result, the Life Warlord fought from the south of the city to the north, from the east to the west. Cries of anguish and roars of rage were constants throughout the city.

One day.

Lyle and Visergg sat on Imelt’s float, sipping brandy they had prepared earlier, pleasantly watching the chaos below as the public and the Life Warlord clashed.

"Let me give you a punch, damn Warlord!"

"Stay down!" The Life Warlord hammered the man into the ground, then bellowed, "By the Life Force bestowed by Red Dragon Imelt!" He then vigorously knocked down another man with the same fervor.

Imelt leaned on the float, looking at the passing streets filled with blood and Dwarves exhausted from the struggle.

"Is this really alright, Your Majesty?"

Visergg had just toasted Lyle, drained his drink, and laughed heartily.

"It’s fine, Lady Imelt. The Great Forge is warm; they’ll not catch cold. Besides, if they fall ill, the Life Warlord will give them another hammer blow to fix it."

"I’m worried that prolonged oppression will lead to a rebellious mindset, which isn’t good for maintaining your rule."

"This isn’t oppression, dear. Look closely into those people’s eyes; there is no resentment. Dwarves love to fight; they aren’t fools. Plus, standing here with you makes it abundantly clear to them the purpose of the Life Warlord—to strengthen our people with the power of the Red Dragon. They understand that themselves. Look, those two Dwarves by the railing threw their offspring into the most intense part of the fray. Like us, they’ve realized the benefits of your power."

Lyle opened the door of the float and pulled Nia, who had her face half buried in a barrel of alcohol, out.

"I’ve studied the power of the Red Dragon more closely and found other uses for it."

"Is that so, Lyle? You always have surprises for me."

"Dwarves that have been hit by the Hammer of the Red Dragon receive a ’Vitality’ gifted by Imelt, which can be understood as a state of agitated spirit. This force urges Dwarves to release the energy within their bodies. That’s why all your Dwarves are like chickens on steroids."

"That doesn’t sound bad, and I can understand why the arenas are almost too full. At least now, no Dwarf wants to idle at home, which I think is a good thing. Lyle, I believe you should pay attention to the missionary activities of the Red Dragon faith. Compared to the fervor the Dwarves now show, their acceptance of the Red Dragon isn’t as active. The royal family can only issue laws, but rules can’t force people’s hearts."

Lyle smiled slightly, "I’ve already figured out a way to guide the thoughts of Dwarves."

"What way?"

"Idol operation."

The Molten Arena, located at the intersection of Mackenbert and the Great Forge, is a natural arena half-covered by magma. Due to the terrain, Fire Elementals who like to join the crowd act as spectators or Gladiators. With a severe shortage of management staff, the arena’s operation had been assigned to the Baron of the Garden, a high-ranking Elemental lord of the Great Forge.

Currently, the Baron of the Garden was standing at the commentator’s stand, holding two magical crystals and giving a roaring commentary, finding the sight of two Dwarves brawling exceedingly entertaining.

With the arena session over and their weapons damaged, the Gladiator Dwarves had to take a mid-event break. First, they sought out the doctors, who were none other than the gruff-looking Life Warlords, now something of a new profession found in every arena, one or two to each.

After receiving fierce hammerings and scoldings from a Life Warlord, one of the Gladiators, Anxi Ranzu, stepped into the repair tent. He needed to find the Forging Master to fix his weapon or, if necessary, get a new one.

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He lifted the door curtain.

"That contest just now was fantastic, Gladiator. Could you tell me your name?" That gentle voice was like a warm breeze blowing into Anxi’s ears. His gaze crossed the counter where the weapons were displayed, over the furnace, and settled on the figure by the anvil. She had flame-like dazzling hair, a sunny smile, and beautiful features. Her perfect figure could even rival his own.

Anxi had never seen such a beautiful Dwarven woman; she was so perfect that she seemed like a piece of equipment emerging from the furnace. Anxi felt his mouth go dry, and his face so hot that he didn’t dare to look directly at her.

"Hello, sturdy lady... I-I-I... My name is Anxi Ranzu, a single Gladiator."

The smile that appeared on the girl’s face across from Anxi seemed to melt the young Dwarf’s heart.

"I’m delighted to meet you, Anxi. May I take a look at your weapon?"

"Of course, m’lady."

"Hmm, it’s quite extensively damaged, but no matter, I will fix it for you."

"Please don’t strain yourself, m’lady. I know it’s a difficult task. If it’s not possible, just make me a new weapon. I’ll still win, using your weapon."

"Hahaha, don’t worry, Anxi. There’s not much that I’m good at, but I have great confidence in my forging."

Then the red-haired Dwarven woman made the Gladiator completely submit with her god-like forging abilities. Holding the brand-new weapon and touching the Dwarven woman’s palm through it, Anxi mustered the courage and made a man’s vow.

"M’lady, I will not let down your efforts. I will definitely become the Gladiator champion, for you!"

The red-haired Dwarven woman’s expression was somewhat strange; the corners of her mouth twitching slightly before she managed to respond.

"Please do your best, my warrior."

Anxi felt like his life was complete. He looked at the Dwarven woman’s face behind the counter, her lips, slowly leaning in.

"Please don’t disturb the adult, you little brat!" Anxi only saw a hammer shadow smashing onto his face, and then his entire body flew out, crashing into a heap of weapons, and he stood up angrily, looking at the Life Warlord with contempt on his face.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, I was just helping you understand your place. This great person is not someone an ordinary mortal like you can touch."

That was when the woman who had captivated Anxi with just one glance shyly bowed her head, looking troubled, and said, "I’m sorry, Anxi, I’m actually... Imelt, a Red Dragon... In the contest, please keep fighting hard."

In the end, Anxi was carried out by the Life Warlord and thrown into the Gladiator’s rest room.

He was a bit out of sorts, the memory of her face did not fade away; it only grew stronger with the revelation of her identity.

"I’m in love, I’ve fallen for a Red Dragon!"

"I love the Red Dragon Imelt! I will fight for my beloved!!!"

"Huh? You think you’re worthy of Lady Imelt!"

"Only I can earn the love of the Red Dragon!!!"

"It’s me!!" "It’s me!!!"

Only then did Anxi realize that in the same rest room, there were other young Dwarves just like him, with brand-new weapons just like his, and just as determined.

So, I’m not her only one, huh.

Anxi’s eyes became fervent.

Then I’ll take them all down, and Imelt’s affection will be mine.

"Fight for the Red Dragon Imelt, come on, you bunch of losers!!"

"Draw your sword, Imelt is my wife!!"