The Demon Queen's Royal Consort-Chapter 62 - The Shadow Game of the Six Crowns - III

** Frozen Peaks Karak

Nestled in the heart of the Icy Mountains of Atlas, the dwarven capital, Frozen Peaks Karak, stood with enviable elegance and unshakable grandeur.

The city was a marvel of engineering and resilience. Carved directly into the mountain's core, the fortress was protected by walls of black stone reinforced with ancient runes that glowed softly with a bluish hue. The main entrances were guarded by massive gates made of rare and powerful metals, engraved with ancestral symbols that told the story of the dwarven kingdom's founding.

Inside the mountains, the city stretched across interconnected levels, each dedicated to a specific function. While Chaos, the imperial capital of the demonic realm, was built outward, Karak was sculpted inward, a masterpiece of dwarven engineering.

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The upper levels housed residences, markets, and taverns, where the sound of songs and the smell of craft beer filled the air. The streets were illuminated by crystal lamps that emitted a warm, cozy light, contrasting with the intense cold outside.

At the heart of the city, a massive central forge, known as the Forge of Legends, burned perpetually. Its fire, fueled by ancient magic and coal from the depths, never extinguished. The forge was so hot that its warmth could be felt throughout all levels of the city, keeping the mountain's ice at bay.

Below the forge, on an even deeper level, was the Council Hall, a majestic chamber carved from black stone and adorned with mithril columns. At this moment, the hall hosted a tense meeting. A heavy atmosphere hung over the round stone table where the leaders of the dwarven clans were gathered.

Their serious faces reflected the light of the crystal lamps hanging from the high ceiling, so high it vanished into the darkness. The floor was covered with a detailed mosaic depicting the great battles and conquests of the dwarves.

At the center of the table, maps and reports were scattered, showing trade routes, mining areas, and records of recent activities.

Ragg Ironbeard, the Mountain Lord, slammed his ceremonial hammer on the table, producing a deep sound that silenced the side conversations.

"Enough murmuring! Let's get to the point," he roared, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "First, the issue with the humans. These new 'blessed' by deities are multiplying like rats, and now they're demanding lower taxes for mithril. Does anyone have something useful to say about this?"

"Do they think they can pressure us just because they have some shiny powers? Mithril isn't cheap to extract or easy to refine. If they want our metals, they'll pay the fair price!" said Fargrim Stoneeye, the miners' representative, standing up and shaking his red beard as he spoke with contained anger.

"Fair? Fair?!" interrupted Astrid Silverhammer, the only woman on the council and the blacksmiths' representative.

"They're not even paying the current price! These 'hero parties' are raiding our low-level dungeons, clearing everything out, and leaving crumbs for our youth. How do they expect the next generation of dwarves to gain experience and resources if everything is already being looted by humans?"

A murmur of agreement spread across the table but was cut short by Baldur, the strategist. "And that's not all. These blessed ones are becoming an indirect threat. If they continue to grow in number and power, who's to say they won't want more than just reduced taxes? They might start demanding mines, forges... or even Karak!"

The silence that followed was cutting. Ragg furrowed his brow, his fingers drumming on the table as he pondered the words. "And what do you suggest? War? Negotiation? We can't just ignore the problem."

"We need to be shrewd. If they want lower taxes, we can offer discounts. But in exchange for something that benefits us. Perhaps exclusive access to certain mining areas or military support in case of conflicts. We can't give in without gaining something in return," said Brokkr, responsible for the dwarves' trade activities.

Ragg nodded, considering the proposal, but before he could respond, the topic shifted abruptly.

"What about the anomaly in the demonic territory?" asked Astrid, breaking the silence. "This Glenn, or whatever his name is. We received the invitation to the banquet celebrating his incredible nineteen victories, eleven draws, and only six losses in the Crown Challenge," she added. "He's becoming a living legend, and that's not good for us."

"Another genius rookie. Exactly what we needed. We're already struggling to maintain our relevance in the political landscape, and now another prodigy emerges to pressure us," huffed Fargrim, crossing his arms.

"This Glenn could be a bigger threat than we imagine. If he continues like this, the demons will gain even more influence, and we, well, we'll be left behind. Is there any dwarf of the new generation who could replicate such a feat?" said Baldur, leaning over the table, his narrowed eyes reflecting the light of the lamps.

The dwarves' silence was answer enough for everyone to understand that there was none.

"How could a rookie be a threat?" questioned Ragg.

"Duel requests!" said Astrid. "It would further increase his fame, reinforcing the demonic realm's strength."

"Requests for special dungeons that our rookies can't complete!" said Fargrim. "At least they'll have to clash with those human rats."

"Requests for rare ores!" said Baldur. "Do you remember the chaos we had when the demons came asking for materials to craft Elian's Nexus?"

Shivers ran down the dwarves' spines as images from decades ago flooded their minds.

"So, a damn genius in their ranks could trigger a series of demands under the excuse of fueling the growth of these monsters!" cursed the Mountain Lord.

"Yes!" they replied in unison.

"Perhaps we don't need to act directly. We could spread rumors, undermine his reputation, or even try to recruit him. If he's so talented, why not bring him to our side?" suggested Brokkr.

"Recruit a demon?" Astrid laughed, but without humor. "That would be like trying to tame a dragon with a gold chain. But maybe we can use him."

"Any ideas?" asked Ragg.

"We could try to pit the demons against the humans. They already share a border. It shouldn't be hard to create a situation that at least alleviates our problems."

Ragg sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. "We're in a complicated situation, my friends. Humans pressuring our economy, heroes stealing our dungeons, and now a genius rookie threatening our balance. We need a plan, and fast."

The room fell silent again, each dwarf lost in their thoughts. The distant sound of the forge echoed through the walls, reminding everyone that, no matter how much the outside world changed, the heart of Karak continued to beat strong.

But for how long?