Seeking Kaigin

Under the leadership of the dwarf soldiers, Mo Li and Rimuru quickly arrived inside the Dwarf Kingdom.

Upon entering the city and observing the surrounding buildings, it was apparent that the city was not bright, but rather somewhat dim. This was likely due to its mountainous location, preventing sunlight from fully penetrating.

However, the surrounding architecture was exceptionally well-crafted. While the level of development here couldn't compare to Mo Li's previous world, it was still remarkable. Considering the Dwarf Kingdom's history is certainly not a thousand years old, and perhaps not even eight hundred, its current development level was comparable to nations in Mo Li's past life that had developed for over several millennia.

It could be said that the Dwarf Kingdom was an extremely powerful nation. According to Mo Li's memories from his previous life, the Dwarf Kingdom was a miniature nation located within the Angerishia Mountain Range, originally composed of four underground cities. This nation was once prosperous, but over the past 200 years, it had suffered numerous attacks from external enemies and monsters, leading to the abandonment or ruin of many cities and a decline in national strength. Currently, only one city named Fyo-Jura remains. With the help of the current Magic King, some old royal capitals and southern cities have been successfully recaptured. Furthermore, this nation operates under a form of kingdom-republicanism, and with the current Dwarf King being an exceptionally capable monarch, the Dwarf Kingdom can be considered extremely fortunate.

The Dwarf Kingdom's geographical location is highly advantageous. It is a beautiful city situated at the foot of the Kanato Mountain Range, upstream of the Abeludo River. These mountains provide natural caves that the Dwarf Kingdom utilizes for city construction. The Dwarf Kingdom has various transportation routes connecting it to other nations, including paths through the Jura Great Forest, roads crossing the Kusha Mountain Range, and sea routes. Many merchant caravans travel these routes for trade. Despite the risks involved, these caravans still conduct trade with the Dwarf Kingdom, bringing significant benefits.

In the original storyline, Rimuru and the Dwarf King Gazeru-Dovaruug were fellow disciples, and Tempest formed an alliance with the Dwarf Kingdom, becoming an important partner. This was a significant aid to Rimuru.

Upon entering the Dwarf Kingdom, Rimuru seemed like someone who had never seen the world before, looking around with curiosity at everything.

Mo Li also observed the surroundings. Humans were not commonly seen here; instead, there were more monsters and demi-humans. Mo Li also detected several powerful presences within the Dwarf Kingdom, with an extremely potent magical aura emanating from the central area. Mo Li was certain he was no match for it currently. If his guess was correct, that aura belonged to the Dwarf King. Mo Li's current strength was S-rank, just one step away from becoming a Demon Lord Seed, but with his special and unique skills, he was confident that even if he couldn't defeat the Dwarf King, he could at least escape. Moreover, Mo Li was not alone; Rimuru was by his side. The two of them fighting together might even stand a chance against the Dwarf King.

However, this was not the time to dwell on such thoughts. Mo Li had not forgotten the purpose of their visit: to meet Kaijin, who would later become the chief blacksmith of Tempest, his two brothers, and the person who opposed Kaijin, Besta, Tempest's chief biologist. Honestly, Mo Li strongly suspected this was the World Will's doing, aiming to deliver the three dwarf brothers and Besta to the Moe King. Otherwise, why would it be such a coincidence that Besta would trouble Kaijin precisely when Rimuru arrived at the Dwarf Kingdom, and not only that, but deliver several top-tier talents? Seeing this, Mo Li couldn't help but exclaim at the terrifying power of protagonist halos, easily acquiring several top talents.

"Alright, Rimuru, stop looking around. Don't forget why we came here," Mo Li reminded the curious Rimuru.

"Got it, Ari. We're just looking for skilled craftsmen to teach us their techniques, right?" Rimuru replied somewhat uninterestingly.

"Good that you haven't forgotten," Mo Li said calmly. At this moment, Mo Li suddenly thought of something.

"Alright, Gobta, we'll part ways here. Go trade those hunted monsters; we have other things to do. Do you understand?" Mo Li said to Gobta beside him.

"Understood, Lord Morax," Gobta replied before heading off in a specific direction.

"Alright, Rimuru, let's not delay. Let's head to the place where weapons can be forged first," Mo Li suggested to Rimuru.

"But why go to the place where weapons are forged first?" Rimuru asked, confused.

"Don't you forget what else the Dwarf Kingdom is known as? The Forging Kingdom. There are blacksmiths everywhere here. If we're looking for blacksmiths, where better to go than a place for forging weapons? Besides, the goblins' weapons are too poor. We also need to procure some weapons and armor for them," Mo Li said, rolling his eyes at Rimuru.

"That makes sense, I guess." Rimuru pondered for a moment and found it logical.

"But, we don't have any money, Ari." Rimuru only now realized that he and Mo Li were completely broke, so how could they purchase weapons?

"But we have Magic Ore and Hippocrates Grass! I asked Rigurd, and these things are quite valuable. And didn't you already make 100% concentrated Recovery Potions from the Hippocrates Grass? Those things are worth a lot," Mo Li reminded Rimuru.

"Really? I didn't know that," Rimuru finally reacted.

Seeing Rimuru's dazed expression, Mo Li felt a headache coming on. It seemed he would have to put in a lot of effort for the future establishment of Tempest.

"But Ari, can't we just rest for a bit?" Rimuru said, blinking his large, watery eyes at Mo Li.

Looking at Rimuru's hopeful gaze, Mo Li reluctantly said, "Alright, I know you want to go shopping. Once we're done with our business, I'll personally take you around. How about that?"

"Ari, you're the best!" Rimuru exclaimed happily.

Afterward, Mo Li picked up Rimuru and began preparing to find their destination.

Walking down the street, Mo Li was surprised to find not a single creature causing trouble; the public order was extremely stable.

Looking at the stable city, Rimuru couldn't help but sigh, "This country is really good, with stable public order. It seems the laws here must be extremely strict."

"Actually, what's more important is the Dwarf King's strength and the nation's power, which makes any creature that comes to this country afraid to cause trouble. It's the same in any world; as long as you are strong enough, there's nothing you can't accomplish," Mo Li explained to Rimuru.