Chapter: Chapter 25: Groin Sanderson
Chapter 25: Groin Sanderson
With such thoughts in mind, Xi Wei, holding Ruo Yi, and their two companions rode out of the forest.
Although Winter Lake was vast, it was already within Nina’s detection range.
Just as he was about to have Nina use her skill, a roar echoed from the other side of the lake, behind the gravel beach.
“Boom—”
The ground trembled, trees swayed, and a large number of birds were startled by the explosion, flapping their wings and flying everywhere, leaving behind a few hastily shed feathers.
Xi Wei saw a plume of black smoke slowly rising from behind the gravel beach.
This was clearly the result of a gunpowder explosion, but who would pollute the environment near Winter Lake?
Xi Wei dismounted, and he, Ruo Yi, and Nina cautiously approached behind the gravel beach.
It was a basin-like terrain, with pitted rocks everywhere. Before they got close, he heard an angry curse:
“By stone, I’ll skin that brat Mail alive when I get back! What did he put in the gunpowder!! If I hadn’t run fast, my beard would be gone!!”
Xi Wei and the others looked at each other. They approached the gravel beach and saw a heavily bearded dwarf, covered in gray smoke and looking utterly dishevelled, behind it.
[Name: Groin Sanderson·Warhammer]
[Identity: Chieftain of the Warhammer Tribe]
[Strength: Forging Grandmaster/Dwarf Warrior Level 60 (Original Level 67) (Champion Level) (Internal Injury)]
[Skills: Grandmaster Forging Technique, Intermediate Earth Resistance (Passive), Hill Might, Explorer’s Eye, Stone Form, Alcoholism (Passive)]
[Equipment: Self-made Chieftain Armor (Grandmaster), Eternal Hammer (Semi-Artifact) (Damaged) (Current Grandmaster Level)]
[Dwarf Reputation: 72463 (A Forging Grandmaster who wields a giant hammer to protect his kin. War has tempered his blood, turning him from a blacksmith into a ferocious warrior. The blessing of the Dwarf God Moradin helped him forge the Eternal Hammer. Groin loves forging and utterly despises humans.)]
A Forging Grandmaster at his peak of level 67. Fortunately, Xi Wei was also level 60, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to see Groin’s status panel.
He had only asked Clemon to search for dwarves yesterday, and now, to his surprise, a dwarf was right under his nose, and a Forging Grandmaster at that.
Groin also noticed the commotion above. Seeing a human noble followed by a demi-human maid, his face immediately darkened, and he picked up the thunderous hammer hanging at his waist.
He had come from the Southern Continent, leading the remaining dozen or so tribesmen across the Death Desert near the Orc Empire.
Two months ago, on the Southern Continent, his tribe was attacked by a human allied force. Out of more than a hundred dwarves, only a dozen or so survived. Even he, a blacksmith, had to pick up his hammer and join the fight.
However, the human allied forces were fierce and unstoppable. In his grief and despair, he accidentally found the Modongold Ore and Eternal Gemstones hidden in a cave, capable of forging Divine Artifacts.
In his desperate situation, he received the blessing of the Dwarf God and forged the Eternal Hammer, with which he repelled the invading human vanguard and then led the remaining tribesmen in a hasty escape.
In this battle, the Eternal Hammer was damaged, and he was severely injured. After arriving on the North Continent and resting for only a few days, a prince from the Kolon Empire appeared out of nowhere and stole their last dozen or so King of the Hill Siege Cannons.
All these encounters made Groin deeply detested humans.
He had come to this lake today to investigate a rare mineral vein, hoping to mine it to slowly repair his Eternal Hammer. He never expected to encounter humans again.
“Human, step back! Leave here, or I won’t mind smashing you into meatloaf!”
Groin slammed the Eternal Hammer onto the ground with a loud clang. The ferocious power sent stone shards flying everywhere, and crackling electricity flashed on the hammer, making him look very formidable.
Ruo Yi’s eyes turned completely cold as soon as she heard the dwarf’s words. She was completely different from her usual affectionate and charming self in front of Xi Wei.
At this moment, Ruo Yi was like a cold, emotionless ice sculpture, her indifferent gaze seemingly capable of freezing the very air.
She raised her beautiful blue-gold eyes, which shone like starlight, and looked softly at Xi Wei, her eyelashes fluttering.
Although her two soft jade hands were still clasped around Xi Wei’s arm, they had quietly tensed. As soon as Xi Wei gave the order, she would instantly transform into a blur of light and charge forward to kill the dwarf. Even though she could sense that the dwarf before them seemed formidable, she would still rush forward without hesitation.
Xi Wei patted Ruo Yi’s soft hand and gently shook his head. Ruo Yi obediently relaxed and leaned against him, but her killing intent was still locked onto the dwarf.
Xi Wei wanted to recruit this dwarf and did not wish to resort to force, because dwarves were notoriously stubborn. Even if he captured him, he would not yield.
Xi Wei looked at the dwarf’s information panel with a headache. The fact that he detested humans was a problem. He didn’t even know why. Was it because his tribe was attacked by humans?
Then they were truly mortal enemies. He didn’t act rashly at this moment, likely because he felt he might not win, or perhaps, as a dwarf leaning towards the good-lawful alignment, he still retained some reason.
In such a situation, Xi Wei could only try to communicate with the dwarf. From his understanding of dwarves, besides their stubborn nature and love for forging, they had two other characteristics: they loved to drink and were very concerned with their reputation, enjoying flattery.
With this thought, Xi Wei immediately put on a sincere smile and said loudly:
“Greetings, honored Dwarf Master. I am very pleased to meet you. I was curious and came to see what was happening when I heard the commotion. I apologize if I have disturbed you.”
As he spoke, Xi Wei performed a standard knight’s salute.
Upon hearing Xi Wei’s sincere and respectful words, Groin, who had been looked down upon and oppressed by humans all along, twitched his facial muscles, almost losing control of his expression and the desire to smile.
Those words, “honored Dwarf Master,” made his heart bloom with joy, and he even loosened his grip on the Eternal Hammer.
“Hmph… Hmph!”
Groin’s expression turned serious. Recalling the various atrocities humans had committed against his tribe, his eyes turned cold again, but the aggressive aura had diminished.
“Human, I am looking for a mineral vein here. Do not disturb me, and I can pretend I never saw you.”
“Looking for a mineral vein?” Xi Wei feigned surprise and then said with a smile:
“Honored Dwarf Master, have you found any mineral veins? I am the lord of this area and am also looking for mineral veins. Perhaps I can help you.”
“You? Looking for ore?”
Groin looked at the noble before him and the charming maid behind him. This setup looked more like they were out for a picnic; what were they looking for ore for? However, his good upbringing prevented him from showing his dismissive expression, and he said with a strange look:
“I haven’t found a mineral vein yet, but human, your attitude is quite good. Since you are the lord of this place, I can help you look. But after we find it, if there are any ores I need inside, you must give them to me free of charge.”
[Information That Can Be Skipped]
Dwarves are known for their combat prowess, their resistance to physical or magical damage, their understanding of the earth’s secrets, their hard work, and their heavy drinking. Their mysterious kingdoms carved within mountains are also renowned for the extraordinary wealth they produce either as gifts or commodities. Dwarves have many traits, including: high combat skills, the ability to withstand physical or magical damage, a deep understanding of the earth’s strata, diligent work ethic, high alcohol tolerance, and more. Dwarves like to carve out mysterious kingdoms in mountains and underground, and their magical treasures are also famous.
[Personality]
Most dwarves are taciturn and suspicious of strangers, but they are very generous to the few who earn their trust. Dwarves cherish gold, gemstones, jewelry, and works of art fashioned from these precious materials, and they sometimes succumb to this greed. They fight neither recklessly nor timidly, but with a cautious bravery and tenacity. They have a strong sense of justice, but this sense of justice can turn into a desire for revenge at its worst. Among gnomes, with whom dwarves famously get along well, there is a not-too-harsh oath: “May I meet a dwarf if I am lying.” Dwarves stand between 3.5 and 4.5 feet tall, but due to their thick and sturdy build, they weigh almost as much as humans. Male dwarves are slightly taller and considerably heavier than females. Typical dwarf complexions are tan or light brown, with dark eyes. Dwarf hair is usually black, gray, or brown and is worn long. Male dwarves greatly cherish their beards and trim them meticulously. Dwarves favor simplicity in the style of their hair, beards, and clothing. Dwarves come of age around 50 and can live for over 400 years.
[Racial Relations]
Dwarves get along well with gnomes, and are on decent terms with humans, demi-humans, and halflings. Dwarves say, “The difference between acquaintances and friends is about a hundred years.” Short-lived humans find it difficult to forge truly strong relationships with dwarves. The best dwarf-human friendships occur between humans and dwarves whose parents and grandparents like them. Dwarves do not appreciate the subtle feelings and arts of elves, considering elves unpredictable, capricious, and unstable. However, elves and dwarves eventually find common ground in their fight against orcs, goblins, and gnolls. Elves have thus earned the grudging respect of dwarves. Dwarves generally do not trust half-orcs, and half-orcs feel the same way about dwarves. Fortunately, dwarves are a fair race and give individual half-orcs a chance to prove themselves.
[Alignment]
Dwarves are typically lawful and lean towards good. However, dwarves who adventure are not always of a similar temperament, as they are more often those who cannot fully integrate into dwarf society.
[Religion]
The main god of the dwarves is Moradin, the Soul Forger. He is the creator of the dwarves and expects his followers to work to improve the lot of the dwarven race. It was precisely because Groin received Moradin’s blessing that he was able to forge a Divine Artifact.
