After telling the story, Talhand slowly swept his gaze across the crowd, as if trying to get some response from their expressions.
Rudeus rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought;
Roxy bit her finger lightly, her brows furrowed slightly, clearly analyzing the problem carefully;
Elinalise covered her mouth, her face filled with disbelief.
As for the remaining two...
Talhand had no idea whether they were actually listening.
After a brief silence, Rudeus spoke first.
"So, what were your original plans?"
He looked at Talhand, his tone serious.
"Should we just let this situation continue like this?"
Talhand paused for a moment upon hearing this, then shook his head and sighed softly.
Of course not.
"I am a man, and I have my own dignity."
His voice gradually became firmer.
"Therefore, one day, I will forge a truly peerless weapon with my own strength, and then return to the tribe to let them witness my power firsthand."
At this point, Talhand's eyes became incredibly determined.
It was as if that road had already become the only direction for his future life.
"Yeah?"
Rudeus did not immediately agree, but instead asked in return:
"But wouldn't doing this play right into the trap set by those old fogies?"
Talhand paused for a moment.
He clearly hadn't expected Rudeus to see the problem from this perspective.
"What those guys want to see is you going to prove yourself by pursuing the path they approve of."
Rudeus spoke slowly.
"I believe that tempering and fire control are extremely important aspects of forging. Therefore, the assistance of water and wind magic is equally indispensable."
"But your elders, the Mine Race, are stuck in the past."
"They cling to the experiences of the old era, treating past knowledge as the only correct answer, and are unwilling to accept any new possibilities."
Rudeus looked at Talhand, his tone gradually becoming serious.
"This is the real reason why your forging technology can no longer develop."
" Rudeus..."
Talhand stared at him blankly, then a complicated smile appeared on his face.
"What you said really touched me."
"But..."
He lowered his head.
"I didn't stand up at that time to fight for my courage and opportunity."
Rudeus pondered for a moment, then spoke again.
"Actually, my trip to the Mine Race wasn't solely for travel."
"After all, the Mine Race possess the most advanced forging technology on the continent."
"If a major war were to break out in the future, your strength would be an indispensable part."
Rudeus's gaze was resolute.
"Therefore, I must try to establish contact with the Mine Race."
I will do my best to help you get another chance to prove yourself.
"If all goes well..."
He smiled slightly.
Consider it an obligation you owe me.
Talhand was stunned.
" Rudeus..."
His expression was somewhat complicated.
Why are you so good to me?
"I... I don't even know how to repay you."
As he spoke, Talhand suddenly turned around, his back to Rudeus.
"To express my gratitude to Rudeus..."
"I'll make an exception for you today and be your zero~"
The air fell silent instantly.
Rudeus's temple twitched violently.
"If you keep saying that, I'm taking back what I just said."
"Hehehe~ Just kidding, Rudeus- kun~"
Talhand smiled and waved his hand.
Rujierd patted Rudeus on the shoulder, a relieved smile on his face.
"As expected of you, Rudeus."
"They just won over the Long-Ear Race, and now they're preparing to win over the Mine Race."
"I'm getting more and more excited for that big battle ahead."
After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
For Rujierd, anything is worth looking forward to, as long as Demon God Laplace falls once again.
At this moment, Eris gently tugged at Rudeus's sleeve and whispered:
" Rudeus, what did you mean by that?"
What should we do next?
Rudeus glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Then, he leaned close to Eris's ear and said mysteriously:
"Cooked rice..."
Eris paused for a moment.
Then, her brows slowly furrowed.
"Hmph! Fine, don't tell me then."
Seeing this, Roxy asked with some confusion:
" Rudeus, since you say the Mine Race are a stubborn bunch, how do you plan to communicate with them?"
Rudeus smiled.
"I've already thought about this issue."
As he spoke, he opened his Magic Pocket and took out a jar of wine.
"There are some things that others may not understand."
"But in this respect..."
He looked at Talhand.
" Talhand definitely has a say."
Rudeus handed over the wine jar.
"Open it and try it."
Talhand took the wine jar and examined it carefully.
The wine jar is dark black overall, with complex and mysterious patterns engraved on its surface. Although the meaning of these patterns is not clear, they exude an ancient and profound aura.
The moment the lid of the jar was opened.
A complex fragrance with distinct layers immediately wafted over.
Talhand took a deep breath, closed his eyes slightly, and seemed to instantly become intoxicated by the sensation.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, and without saying a word, tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful.
Glug...
Glug...
The wine kept dripping down.
Talhand's Adam's apple bobbed rapidly until the wine jar was completely emptied, at which point he reluctantly lowered his hand.
"How about it?"
Rudeus asked with a smile.
"This wine is pretty good, isn't it?"
Talhand licked his lips, his face full of lingering satisfaction.
"Hey-hey..."
"I drank it too fast just now, I didn't even taste it."
Is there anything else?
Rudeus raised an eyebrow.
Of course.
"However, one jar of wine is worth one royal decree."
How do you plan to pay?
Talhand's expression froze.
Uh... that...
"Is payment via physical payment acceptable?"
The words had barely left his mouth.
He then saw Rudeus's expression gradually turn dangerous.
"Hahaha! Just kidding!"
Talhand quickly waved his hand.
"However, this wine is definitely one of the best I've ever tasted in my life!"
He then offered his serious evaluation:
"The top notes are the rich aroma of ripe sorghum, the middle notes develop a mellow aroma of fermented grains and a subtle aged fragrance, and the base notes have a faint hint of fruity sweetness."
"It has a rich and full-bodied taste, smooth yet powerful, without the harshness or harshness of new wine. It goes down smoothly and roundedly, with a long and lingering aftertaste."
"The aging effect brought about by long-term storage in jars is even more pronounced; the aroma and taste have been refined over time, achieving a rare harmony."
"The aftertaste... can even linger in the mouth for several minutes."
Talhand patted the wine jar.
"I guarantee it."
"They'd do anything for us, as long as there's enough of this wine."
"Really?"
Rudeus looked doubtful.
Not only him, but everyone else was equally skeptical.
Upon seeing this, Talhand couldn't help but laugh.
Take me for example.
"Don't let my habit of always carrying a flask fool you; I often get completely drunk."
"But among our tribe, when it comes to drinking..."
"I'm just a little girl."
"Loli?"
Rudeus's lips twitched.
"That's right."
Talhand nodded seriously.
"You just haven't seen our tribe's real 'wine barrels'."
"You'll understand what I mean when we get there."
Rudeus listened, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.
If what you say is true...
"That makes things much simpler."
" Rudeus!"
Just then, Eris suddenly tugged at his clothes again.
"Stop chatting!"
"How long has this soup been simmering?!"
Rudeus gave her a helpless look.
"Alright, alright, you little glutton."
After saying that, he lifted the lid of the pot.
The next second.
The rich aroma instantly filled the entire room.
That enticing aroma seemed to warm even the air itself.
"Wow!"
Eris's eyes lit up.
"It smells so good!"
Roxy couldn't help but move closer.
" Rudeus, what exactly did you put in there?"
Why does it smell so good?
Seeing their reactions, Elinalise gave a meaningful smile.
" Roxy."
"In my opinion, if you take down Rudeus..."
"Won't we be able to eat these delicious foods every day from now on?"
"You bastard..."
Roxy's cheeks flushed instantly, and she glared at her fiercely.