Chapter 805: Chapter 151: Gush’s Eye

Lord Titus’s expression grew increasingly grave; the Dwarf King was entrusting his legacy, which meant he had thoroughly given up on his own life, bracing for a serene embrace of death.

The Ancient Gold Dragon lowered its head, with a hint of regret in its pale golden pupils, its voice becoming heavier: “Lord Ed, have you really made your decision?”

“Of course,” Ed replied with a smile. “My time is running short. Rather than being a frail waste, I’d prefer to die on the battlefield like a true warrior, just like my father, Thor Klein, who fought the enemy to his death.”

Titus sighed lightly, still wanting to persuade: “If it’s a hopeless war, why not lead your clansmen to relocate?”

“No, you do not understand Dwarves, Lord Titus. We Shield Dwarves have lived here generation after generation; Aivendel is our homeland and our grave.”

Ed shook his head, stretching out his rough hand to stroke the ancient Dwarf Language characters on the wall: “Long ago, the first King of High Mountains, Berndt Klein, led the war-torn Shield Dwarves to step onto this land for the first time.

For thousands of years, we have mined ores and forged weapons in Black Stone Mountain, indulged in fine ale; we know this land, the rocks, and mineral veins well. Each mine, each tunnel was chiseled out by Dwarves, hammer by hammer, pickaxe by pickaxe…

Abandoning Aivendel, giving up Black Stone Mountain is akin to forsaking our homeland, betraying our ancestors–something no brave, loyal Dwarf could ever do.”

Toward the end, the voice of the Dwarf King resonated more forcefully, like the crisp sound of a hammer striking mountain rock.

Having heard this, Titus saw the resolve of the Dwarf King and knew he couldn’t sway the King of High Mountains, and could only answer helplessly: “Lord Ed, your request… I promise.”

“Hahaha, good, Lord Titus, our Dwarf Clan will remember your kindness. You are our eternal friend!” With that, Ed laughed heartily and reattached the Warhammer to his waist.

Dwarves often say, “The difference between an acquaintance and a friend is about a hundred years.” Short-lived Humans have difficulty forging truly solid relationships with Dwarves. The best Dwarf-Human friendships occur between Humans and the Dwarves who liked their parents and grandparents.

But the Dwarf King also knew that, compared to the long-lived giant dragons, Dwarves too seemed particularly short-lived. And for Gold Dragons, the longest-lived among True Dragons, it was equally hard to forge a solid relationship with Dwarves.

Although Titus had once fought side by side with Ed, and could just about claim to have “shared life and death,” this was not much to a giant dragon.

Ed made no attempt to hide his intentions, merely stretching out two sturdy fingers, saying earnestly: “Lord Titus, I only hope you can protect those children for two hundred years.

Two hundred years may be but a nap to you, a Gold Dragon, but for us Dwarves, it’s already more than half a lifetime.

During that time, let them serve you, work for you. If after two hundred years they still have not reclaimed Aivendel, then let them start anew, find a place to continue the Shield Dwarves civilization.”

“Alright.”

The Ancient Gold Dragon did not say much more, merely nodding solemnly.

Even though strictly speaking, he was far younger than the Dwarf standing before him, from the perspective of a Gold Dragon, this was not an onerous condition.

But Ed’s speech was not yet finished: “Of course, I cannot let you protect them for nothing. You may select from the treasures accumulated by our Dwarf Clan over thousands of years, and you can possess one-third of them.”

“This, this is a bit…”

Suddenly, the Ancient Gold Dragon looked astonished, confusion and greed flickering in its pale golden eyes, momentarily uncertain whether to refuse or not.

Like any good Metal Dragon, they too possess the innate dragon greed for treasure, yet they also have high moral standards.

It should be noted that Dwarves also value gold, gemstones, jewels, and the works of art crafted from these precious materials. Although their greed for treasure is not equal to that of the giant dragons, it is certainly not insubstantial either.

Ed perceived the Gold Dragon’s thoughts and once again laughed heartily, stroking his thick brown beard: “Lord Titus, although I trust your moral caliber, interests are the best binding. You deserve these treasures.

Even if I did not give these treasures to you, they would mostly end up in the hands of the Ashen Empire. It’s better to give them to a truly good person.

Moreover…”

Ed’s tone paused as he walked to the end of the chamber, placing his rough hand on the iron door inscribed with Dwarf Language runes, which suddenly lit up: “I have one more important thing I want to entrust to you.”

“Boom–”

With a deep, muffled roar, the iron door slowly opened, revealing the space behind it, where the glow of gold shone on the Dwarf’s face and made the Gold Dragon’s scales sparkle.

Inside the treasury, the lights illuminated each valuable treasure. Gold Coin piles towered like small hills, dazzling as if to reflect the greedy eyes of avaricious beholders; rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and other precious gemstones vied for brilliance under the lights, their luster spectacular.

In the vault, apart from the gold and silver, there was an array of exquisitely crafted weapons and ornaments. Each piece showcased the superb craftsmanship of the Dwarf artisans, be it the exceedingly sharp Great Swords or the ornately decorated Rings, all imbued with the Dwarves’ pursuit of beauty and worship of strength.