Bronn took a deep breath and began telling the story.

“While we do not have an exact date for when the dwarves came into existence, we know, that they have been on this continent for longer than recorded human history. And that dates back about a thousand years.” He let that sink in with Faust.

“So dwarves have been on this continent for so long… how come they haven’t taken it over?” Faust asked curiously.

“Dwarves are quite peculiar. There are several Princedoms beneath the mountains to the east, where they reside. Their armies, which we know they have, never ventured out of the mountains. They wage war beneath the earth.” Bronn smiled, waiting for Faust’s reaction.

“That is unbelievable! You’re telling me they have a separate world underground where they reside?” Faust asked, having a hard time to wrap his head around this fact.

“Yes. I only know what I have heard from the mercenaries that I met… if we can believe their words, then we are lucky they stay in their caverns… their armies are larger than ours and their culture is… fearsome.” Bronn admitted. Faust could even see some reverence in his eyes.

‘To invoke admiration from Bronn, they must truly be an incredible fighting force.’ Faust thought.

“What do you mean? You mean we wouldn’t be able to beat the dwarven princes?” he asked with round eyes.

Bronn sighed and leaned back.

“You have heard me mention dwarven mercenaries repeatedly, haven’t you?” he asked the younger knight who nodded.

“Well, Faust, there is a reason they are the most sought-after mercenaries in the kingdom… dwarves have strict laws. The highest punishment they know is to be banished from the dwarven realms…”

“You mean to tell me, that only their worst criminals leave the mountains and band together to survive above the earth?” Faust asked with big eyes.

Bronn nodded with a sour expression.

“I do. Those criminals sell their prowess on the battlefield. Some are more honorable than others. Dwarves are famed for their lack of fear in the face of death. They do not know the word surrender.” Bronn smiled and clenched his fist.

“Those bastards might be criminals, but their courage is commendable. I have fought alongside some of them… been saved by one years back.” The older knight smiled, thinking back to a past event.

Bronn stood up and scratched his chin.

“Anyways, enough of dwarves. We will find ample opportunity to talk about them in the future. For now, how about I teach you a lesson in wrestling?” he offered and earned a grin from Faust.

“Hell yeah, beware, I’m quite slick.” He laughed and removed his gambeson.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

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Meanwhile in Antioch

Cao Ming sat on the couch in his small underground base that had previously been a Tide of Blood branch. He was sipping wine from a cup when Elena came in through the door. She was carrying a large wooden chest, that looked way too heavy for her to carry, and placed it before Cao Ming, taking a knee. Not a drop of sweat could be seen on her beautiful, pale face. Her red hair fell down her neck as she lowered her head.

“Milord. The messenger sent to Tiberius has returned and brought this chest with him. He has accepted the offer and sent this as a sign of his goodwill.” She opened the chest.

“Oh?” Cao Ming sat up with a smile.

“How thoughtful.” He grinned as he saw the entire chest filled with gold and treasure.

‘Tiberius Epicrotia… you have an eye for opportunity to accept my offer and send me this money…’ Cao Ming chuckled and played with a coin he picked up from the chest.

Elena still knelt before him.

“Stand up sweetie.” He cackled and she stood up, fuming inwardly. Of course, she couldn’t show this. He did not care.

“Give me his letter.” He stretched out his hand and Elena passed him a small envelope.

He took it and opened it, taking out a small letter. There was not much text on it.

“I gladly accept your proposal. What I sent you is but a small token of appreciation. You have chosen the right person to approach. I choose the third of the manuals you offered. You will receive my support to take over Antioch in return.”

The letter ended and Cao Ming looked up at Elena with a smile. He raised her chin with a finger and looked her in the eyes with a cocked head. He had a large grin on his face.

“We will be rich… and powerful…” he started laughing like a maniac and threw away the letter.

“Elena. Now that we have gotten an answer from both Alexander and Tiberius… its time to play them against one another. I expect both to send parties to this city… especially after I have killed some of their envoys.” He snickered.

‘I may be able to flee from him with the help of one of them… maybe I can gain Alexander’s support… if I helped such a strong force against my master… then maybe I can bring about this bastard's downfall! Sister, I will avenge you!’ Elena thought and the desire to kill the man before her engrained itself into her bones.

She knew she couldn’t kill him as of now… but she had learned techniques from him… she felt the energy inside of her and smiled inwardly.

‘I know he is suffering from some kind of injury… his body is weak… but he can wield the energy like none of us… he is much higher in skill, but that is only if he has his guard up around us…’

Then suddenly an idea crossed her mind.

‘I have seduced and gained the trust of many men in the past… maybe I could assassinate him if he starts to trust me… then in an intimate moment… death.’ She planned it in her head but shook her head.

She didn’t believe she was strong enough yet. Nor did she think he would ever let her get this close. She sighed.

‘If I ever want to escape without the constant fear of being hunted down… I need backing to take him down… if I betray him by supporting Alexander… then that could get me into a favorable position.’

Her head spun with thoughts like these. She couldn’t make up her mind, but there was plenty of time to ponder these things.

“Elena.” Cao Ming smirked. She was startled out of her thoughts.

“I want you to take Ryat with you and send a message to Alexander. Deliver this letter and this box to him.” He took out a small wooden box and an envelope out of a chest in a corner of the room.

“Make sure he is the only one to receive it.” He nodded at her.

“You can leave.” He waved her out of the room, and she disappeared as fast as she had entered the room.

He looked after her and chuckled.

“Oh sweetheart, you don’t really think I trust you?” he laughed, and an evil smirk formed on his face. She had left already. She couldn’t hear him.

‘If you dare to betray me… I will make sure to refine your spirit into a ring of suffering…’ he smirked and looked at his right hand where he wore two rings. Each of them was golden with a large red stone on top of it. Within this red stone, he could see energy moving about chaotically.

If someone with his affinity for the new energy inspected it closely, they would be able to hear anguished screams emanating from it.