The open-top off-road vehicle sped across the construction site and soon reached the Expeditionary Force's outermost defensive line.
Before long, a party appeared on the horizon.
It was Thorin and his hundred-odd clansmen.
As they drew closer, their bedraggled state became clearer.
Every goat looked as though it had been fished out of water, soaked through and panting heavily.
Many of the Dwarves were wounded, their exquisite armor covered in savage claw marks and dark bloodstains.
Their once meticulously groomed beards were now caked with dust and tangled in disarray.
Yet their expressions remained resolute and fierce, with a hint of exhaustion in their eyes.
"Lord Lin Mo!"
Thorin called out from afar. Beside him stood an even more burly Dwarf whose beard was woven into four braids, presumably the commander of this mission.
"Allow me to introduce Balin Copperhammer, the commander of this delegation," Thorin said.
Balin dismounted from his goat, his movements somewhat stiff. Clearly, he was injured too.
He gave Lin Mo the customary hand-over-chest salute, his voice booming.
"Honored Lord Lin Mo, thank you for coming to our aid."
"Without your help, we would likely have suffered many more casualties."
He had witnessed that "heavenly fire" firsthand, and his awe of Great Xia had already reached its peak.
"You're too kind, Commander Balin. We're allies. Helping each other is only right."
Lin Mo stepped forward with a smile and patted his armored arm.
"You've had a hard journey. Seeing all your injuries, you must have suffered quite a bit."
He turned sideways and pointed toward a newly vacated area deeper inside the camp.
"That's where our Half-Orc brothers stayed before. The tents and facilities are all still in good condition, and the everyday supplies have all been washed. Settle in there first and get some proper