The news of the Stonemason Clan's surrender reached Lakeheart Town through the Raise Flag Signal Station and a relay of fast horses in just thirty-six hours.
Paul Greiman immediately convened an emergency meeting.
The most influential figures in Lakeheart Town sat on either side of the long table in the Lord's Manor's great reception room: Old Ford, Hansel, Schroeder, Brad...
Paul pushed the battle report to the center of the table. "Derrick's unit killed the gigantic worm known as the 'Throat of the Abyss,' and the Stonemason Clan surrendered outright. I propose that the entire army be formally commended, that every soldier at Mountain Throat Fortress be promoted by one rank, and that Derrick be credited with the greatest contribution."
Everyone nodded, and no one raised an objection.
But when Paul asked, "What should we do with the Stonemason Clan next?" the two sides of the long table instantly split apart.
Chief of Staff Schroeder spoke first. "Greiman, I believe the Stonemason Clan should no longer continue to exist as an independent power. We should completely annex the dwarves' territory. Their tunnels, ore veins, and strategic high ground should all be placed under Lakeheart Town's control. I suggest that we immediately send civil and military officials to station there, rebuild their territory into a fortress in the mountains, and stockpile gunpowder and provisions. In the future, our attacks against the Grassland Orcs can be launched from the Rocky Mountains."
Brad nodded in agreement. "The dwarven tunnels are natural military passages. Now that we have explosives, we have nothing to fear from their resistance. We should use this opportunity to bring the entire eastern section of the mountain range under our control and forge a spearhead thrusting straight into the heart of the grasslands."
Chief Steward Ford slowly shook his head.