652. Each Harboring Their Own Schemes

After Linden decided to ask for help, he immediately wrote a letter and handed it to the dwarves' newly established communications station on the border. The whole process took no more than ten minutes.

"—The Fungal Fortress will provide the best logistical and medical support for all dwarves who come to its aid. Lastly," the dwarf messenger reading the letter paused, his gaze sweeping over the clan chiefs present, "as a show of sincerity, they offer a small gift symbolizing the friendship between both sides."

With that, he placed the sealed box in his hands on the long table.

The chief of the Deepforge Clan was the first to let out a scoff. He stroked his beard, his tone full of mockery. "How many days has it been since we established relations? They're using the craftsmen we sent over, we haven't seen a single bit of return yet, and now they dare ask for military aid. Their skin is certainly thick enough."

The chief of the Firebeard Clan waved a hand instead, his tone carrying approval. "You can't put it that way. That Fungal Fortress managed to repel the Empire's vanguard on its own and force two Dukes to withdraw. Even if they did it by taking out the commanders, that record, in a hellhole like the Northern Territory, is skill enough. I think they're worth investing more in."

The chief of the Zafa Clan's gaze fell on the box instead. Leaning on her staff, she said with some curiosity, "I'd rather see what this little gift of theirs actually is first."

Deepforge snorted. "What good thing could come out of that rotten place in the Northern Territory? Maybe a few beast hides."

Zafa stepped forward. She had just undone the magical lock on the box and pulled it open