The Gate Opened

"Woooo—!"

The long, mournful horn echoed throughout Lilac Valley.

A squad of dwarf warriors carrying spears entered the area in orderly formation.

After reaching the largest open area in the center of Lilac Valley, the dwarf warriors first changed their column into a line, then slowly formed a curved line. The warriors stood in solemn, orderly ranks facing the valley entrance, waiting for the "guests" to arrive.

A huge, muscular boar with long tusks slowly emerged from the dwarf formation. A dwarf was riding on its back, just as humans or orcs rode horses.

Though he was just as stocky and wore a bushy beard, one glance was enough to tell that this dwarf looked different from the others.

His hair and beard were groomed meticulously. He wore brightly colored silk clothes that made him look extremely wealthy, with a gold-trimmed cloak draped over his back. A ring set with a massive emerald adorned the middle finger of his right hand.

Malo, the clan chief of the Stonemason Clan, sat quietly on his mount, gazing into the distance as he waited for the exile to come challenge him for the position of clan chief.

Time passed, and the sun gradually moved southward.

Malo frowned impatiently.

"Ramsden!"

He called for his subordinate.

"My clan chief, what are your orders?"

Ramsden ran over and respectfully asked Malo.

Ramsden had come today as one of the ten warriors who would fight in the clan chief's place.

"Why hasn't that criminal arrived yet? Wasn't it supposed to be today?"

"This..." Ramsden scratched his head, unsure how to answer. In truth, he was puzzled too.

Could that bastard Imaer have tricked everyone? If so, he'll become a complete laughingstock.

"Perhaps he was scared off!"

Another warrior who had come to fight offered his guess, prompting