Encountering Dwarves

These monsters were not very strong, and as darkness fell, their attacks quickly weakened, almost as if it were just a routine task.

I saw the giant ram on the opposite bank continuously spewing pillars of flame, turning the night sky a fiery red, interspersed with the golden light of Khopesh.

If I launch an attack from here now, coordinating with them from both inside and outside, I can crush them instantly.

Of course I cannot do that. The time is not yet ripe. When I have mastered their secrets, it will be the moment of the Void's demise!

About an hour later, the Void Creatures finally retreated, just like the ebb and flow of the tide each day—they came on strong but left just as quickly.

I climbed down from the tree only after they were far away. Sivir was checking the surrounding area to make sure no survivors remained.

I took the opportunity to say goodbye to her, "I succeeded. The Void Creatures didn't attack me; they just walked right past me."

It looks like we won't see each other for quite a while.

"It's okay, this is so we can be together forever!"

"Ha, I never thought there would be a day when you would say such warm things to me."

"To be honest, I didn't expect it either. Life is unpredictable, and fate had already decided our destiny."

"Actually, you don't need to care so much about my thoughts. I'm not that weak. It would be best if we found Riven together in the future, and then we could clear things up. It would be better for you to make a choice then. I don't want to tie you down because of some unexpected events."

"Look at what you're saying, you don't let me care about you, but you care about me so much."

"It's not a matter of whether I care or not, I just feel it's unfair to Riven, and I don't want her to see me as a slut who's trying to steal her away."

"Okay, then wait for me to come back!"

Sivir is not a naive girl; she has her own thoughts about what's going on between us.

Ultimately, Evelynn was the one who interfered in our relationship, and Riven was unaware of this.

If we were to get together now, it would become a stone in my heart, something I would never be able to face with equanimity.

Also, I want to see Riven's attitude after she learns the truth. Does she really think we're not a good match, or is she just holding back her anger?

After bidding farewell to Sivir, I embarked on a journey to uncover the truth of the Void. Having experienced so many battles, both large and small, this should be the final one.

The ravaged land exuded an unsettling aura, and when I arrived at the former territory of the Winter's Claw tribe, I found many monsters lurking there.

After nightfall, they seemed to die and remained motionless. The further north I went, the more numerous they became. When I arrived near Frosthold, I had to be careful walking, or I would step on them.

This place used to be our defensive line, but now it has become a paradise for monsters.

As I walked, I suddenly sensed something moving nearby and became alert.

I haven't seen any awake monsters along the way, so why are they suddenly showing signs of activity?

Instead of rushing to search, I used the Wind's Breath Insight to investigate, and soon I found a figure in a room!

That's right, not monsters, but people, and many people at that!

Could they be humans who didn't have time to evacuate? But that doesn't make sense either; if they were humans, they would have been killed by the monsters long ago.

I quietly approached, and when I got close to the room, I slowed down. Then I heard people talking inside:

"Queen, I know you mean well, but the other humans look down on us. Rather than living under their contemptuous gazes, it's better to hide here. So far, it seems the monsters haven't done anything to us."

"At this rate, we'll die sooner or later. Even if the monsters don't kill us, there isn't enough food here to sustain everyone's survival. As you've all seen, the plants here are contaminated, and we can't harvest our crops."

"Then please leave, Your Queen. With your appearance, you shouldn't face any discrimination, but I don't want to go."

"Please believe me, people will not discriminate against us in the face of such a disaster!"

The group argued incessantly, mainly revolving around the question of whether to "leave" or "stay."

The Queen was very keen to leave and join us, but the others were largely against it.

Their reasons were remarkably consistent: fear of discrimination.

I find it strange that they are afraid of discrimination. Is it because they look unusual?

That's alright, isn't it? As long as they're not monsters, that's fine. After all, many tribes in the far north have strange appearances.

If Lissandra hadn't turned the Trolls back, wouldn't they have been even more disliked?

I gently pushed the door open and entered, intending to persuade them to go south and inquire about the monsters, but unexpectedly, the people I met turned out to be "acquaintances."

These are the dwarves I saw when I first came to Frosthold.

They were enslaved by the Lost People at that time, and later became involved in a conspiracy, and unexpectedly, they are still here.

They were all startled by my sudden appearance and assumed defensive stances, but they quickly recognized me:

"He's my benefactor!"

"What a benefactor!"

"Don't call me that. My name is Yasuo. Just call me by my first name."

They were very polite to me, but I don't like being called "benefactor," which also shows that they were very humble.

If you belittle yourself, how can you expect others to respect you?

However, although these dwarves were thin and ugly, their Queen was very beautiful and looked no different from ordinary people.

"My benefactor, no, Yasuo, what brings you here?"

"I came to investigate the Void Creatures, but I didn't expect to run into you here. I've overheard your conversation. Don't worry, the tribes of the Far North have already headed south, so you can go without worry!"

"I knew people wouldn't discriminate against us! But... we don't know the way..."

"I have a compass here. Just head south, and when you come across a formidable defensive line, ask the people there for help."

"Thank you so much! You saved my life last time, and now you're saving me again!"

"Last time? I saved you?"

"Have you forgotten? You saved me when I was being held captive by Guna and the others."

"Are you Stori?"

"Yes! I'm Stori."

"But aren't you... a different person?"

I remember the Dwarf Queen being bulky and not human-like, more like a giant insect. How did she become so beautiful?

Stori laughed after hearing this, "Actually, when we last met, I was under a spell and turned into an egg-laying machine, but I've recovered now!"

"Oh, I see. I really didn't recognize you, haha. Don't rush off yet, tell me about the situation here."

"Okay, that's exactly what I was going to tell you..."