Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 680 - 631: The Fiery Male Model

The movement of the Elemental Lord in the material world did not cause much stir, contrary to what Lyle had thought. As the Baron of the Garden glided along Mackenbert’s steel corridors, the flames at the very bottom of his body were like the shrinking heart of a fire, having almost no impact on the floor.

"If necessary, Flame Elementals can fly. Our bodies are connected to the Elemental Plane, and we can draw the energy needed for survival from there. Unless the environment is too harsh, we will not die in the material plane. However, Spellcasters can enact exile upon us, after all, to this world, we are akin to stowaways. The Great Furnace is actually a rift that connects this world with Elemental Creatures. I was born here, but in reality, all Fire Elementals are born in the Land of Blazing Flames, a region of the Elemental Plane. The Great Furnace is my homecoming to the material world." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Lyle and the Baron of the Garden walked the streets of Mackenbert, with the towering Elemental Lord, even when trying to shrink, still reaching four meters in height. Such conspicuous beings naturally drew the attention of the Dwarves, but they were more inclined to raise their hammers or mugs, offering simple greetings before diving back into their own work or conversations.

Mackenbert had grown accustomed to the presence of Fire Elementals wandering about. Street performers juggling fire could draw cheers, and those with Flame Elementals could gain even greater applause. Due to the presence of the Life Warlord, burns and scalding from contact with Flame Elementals had become a minor annoyance akin to an itchy beard, and the Molten Dwarves, out of their worship for the Red Dragon Imelt, had adopted a love-through-association mentality. Moreover, Flame Elementals were excellent assistants in forging and sparring partners in combat.

"Those Fire Elementals that had departed have now returned to the Great Furnace, to fight and to burn. Merriment and destruction are in our nature, it’s hard to find playmates of as high quality as the Molten Dwarves. Forging is also one of our pleasures. I mean, seeing our power condensed into powerful weapons by Dwarves, we too feel a sense of accomplishment." The Baron of the Garden drew a smiling face in the air, "All of this has been brought by little Mel, I mean, by the Red Dragon idol we guided together. So, Lyle, we Fire Elementals have actually benefited..."

"Not enough, Baron of the Garden. You haven’t yet seen the true power of the idol’s activities," Lyle interrupted the Elemental Lord, his tone slightly stern, "I will teach you more techniques, so please don’t speak of retreat and disheartenment again, can you do that, sir?"

"...Yes, Mr. Lyle."

Lyle nodded, his previously tense lips quickly turning up into a friendly and gentle smile.

"First, we need to ascertain what the Fire Elementals need, what you can obtain from the Dwarves. Do you need weapons, armor, or more detailed material support..."

The Baron of the Garden reached out his large hand and grabbed a nearby Blazing Flame Elemental, shaping it into a fireball amid the low-tier Elemental Creature’s howls, aimed, and threw.

"Hahaha..." The laughing fireball exploded against the Bronze Hall’s gate, sparks flying as the original Blazing Flame Elemental reformed and laughed heartily by the door. The city gates of Mackenbert had been magically forged by the Craftsmen’s Council and didn’t even dent under such playful blows. It had become a playground for the low-tier Fire Elementals.

"Elemental Creatures have a very limited pursuit of material pleasures. We enjoy causing mischief, fighting, destruction, and annihilation. The energy needed for survival is amply provided by our connection to the Elemental Plane, and some rare magical materials and powerful spells from the material world might make us stronger."

"Striving for strength is a universal desire among all beings, but these Dwarves probably can’t provide that either."

"As for external enhancements like weapons and equipment, I have to say, their effect on Elemental Creatures is limited. The gear for flesh and blood beings is not suited for us, and the equipment suitable for Elementals is quite special, often made of special materials and requiring a Blacksmith Master to forge powerful weapons. Divine Artifacts, of course, clearly enhance all species, but those aren’t exactly bubbling on the lava like bubbles."

"It’s rare to have weapons and equipment specially prepared for Elementals, they are not practical, and the same cost, if invested in flesh and blood beings, would yield much better results."

The Baron of the Garden spread his hands.

"Elemental weapons do have an effect on us, but it’s limited, and no master-level Forging Master would engage in such cost-inefficient crafting. To become a Blacksmith Master, one first has to be sensible, they aren’t the type to undertake thankless tasks."

Lyle nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing into a smile that resembled a dozing fox.

"Is that so? I tend to think there are quite a few fools of that sort."

"Let me handle it, Baron of the Garden."

...

Bronze Hall.

Craftsmen’s Council.

This place gathered the most skilled Blacksmith Masters of Mackenbert. They were the reason for the Dwarves’ strength, the supporters of the army, the guarantors of daily life. Arrogant, noble, wise, mature Dwarven Masters ... were now collectively slumped over in their seats.

"Why has His Majesty the King suddenly summoned us today?"

"I’m not sure. I was still trying out new ideas in my workshop when my son, leading the Life Warlord, broke down my workshop door and beat me to notify me about the meeting."