Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 29: Mastered
Xi Wei understood a bit why the dwarves could carry so many Hill King Siege Cannons across the desert. As long as they were disassembled into parts, with the dwarves’ strange strength, carrying these heavy machines would be like playing!
Look at Groin’s appearance. With every step, he left deep footprints on the gravel beach, yet he wasn’t even out of breath, walking as fast as if he was used to it.
It was definitely not the first time he had carried a forging furnace around.
“I’ve kept you waiting. You can now go to your territory.”
Groin shifted the forging furnace to hold it with his other arm.
In reality, he was only using one hand to exert force; the other hand couldn’t even reach the edge of the forging furnace and could only provide auxiliary support.
Xi Wei smiled and nodded. He didn’t stand on ceremony with the dwarf, but he didn’t ride his horse anymore. It wasn’t possible for the three of them to ride horses while Groin carried the forging furnace behind them.
Winter Lake wasn’t too far from Winter City. It wasn’t even noon yet before they could see the gates of Winter City.
On the streets, the players stared dumbfounded at Groin’s peculiar appearance. After all, a dwarf less than 1.5 meters tall carrying a forging furnace over 6 meters long was a bit too shocking.
“Is this a new NPC? He looks so powerful!”
“A dwarf… he’s probably going to make equipment again?”
The players chattered amongst themselves, following behind Xi Wei and the others, watching the spectacle.
Groin looked at the surrounding players and felt a little strange. He looked at Xi Wei curiously and asked:
“Are your citizens always this… uh, lively? It’s quite different from other human empires. The humans there are either numb farmers or arrogant nobles.”
“Heh, my place is indeed a bit different from other countries. These lively ones are foreigners. You’ll get used to it. Perhaps you’ll deal with them frequently in the future.”
As Xi Wei explained to the dwarf, he began to issue system prompts to the players.
【Ding! A new NPC has arrived in Winter City】
【Dwarf Forging Grandmaster: Groin】
【If there are enough materials, Groin can forge equipment up to Epic grade. He likes good wine and rare materials. If you are willing to help Groin build a blacksmith shop in the Inner City, perhaps you will leave a good impression on Groin】
【Trigger Quest: Build a Blacksmith Shop】
【Quest Restriction: None】
【Quest Reward: Groin’s Favorability, Unknown Reward】
…
“You say that and I’m no longer sleepy!”
“Ah ha, Epic equipment, awesome, awesome! Master, Grandmaster, Hero, Epic. I think I’m on the path to full divine gear!”
“Wake up, brother. First, you need materials…”
The players readily accepted the temporary quest and followed the map’s instructions to the designated location to start the infrastructural work.
Now that Winter City was the Royal City, some mages had begun to arrive. After being hired by Xi Wei, they also contributed to infrastructure construction in their spare time.
Xi Wei led Groin on a leisurely stroll, introducing him to the history and various facilities of Winter City. After wandering around for quite some time, they finally arrived at the location of the blacksmith shop in the Inner City.
With the help of some Earth element mages and the marvel of cement in construction, the blacksmith shop had already taken initial shape.
Groin curiously glanced at the bustling players, casually found a spot, placed down his forging furnace, and took out his tools one by one.
Then he sat in an open area, observing the players, whose behavior seemed strange to him.
“These foreigners are so enthusiastic. How much did you pay them?”
“They don’t need payment.”
Xi Wei shrugged, saying calmly.
“Don’t need payment? How is that possible? Are they working for you for free? Then why would they have such great enthusiasm?”
“Their enthusiasm is because of your existence.”
Xi Wei revealed a cunning smile.
“Because of me?”
Groin looked stunned, not understanding.
“That’s right. As soon as these foreigners heard that you were settling in Winter City, they were willing to build a blacksmith shop for you for free. They highly respect dwarf forging grandmasters like you.”
Xi Wei’s words were like a bowl of iced water in the sweltering summer, making Groin feel utterly refreshed from the inside out.
So, could dwarves who had been hiding everywhere be respected and liked like this?
Recalling his experiences on the South Continent, those cold and greedy humans, compared to these players with enthusiastic eyes, Groin couldn’t help but sigh.
But one thing was certain: he had developed his first sense of favor towards this unfamiliar city.
To further win over Groin, Xi Wei had instructed Ruo Yi to leave with Nina in advance as soon as they arrived in Winter City. At this moment, Ruo Yi had arrived at the blacksmith shop’s entrance carrying a pot of wine.
Before even walking in, Groin’s big red nose began to twitch, and his large eyes, hidden beneath his high brow bone, grew brighter and brighter.
Wine! And it was definitely a rare vintage.
Groin, who had lived for over three hundred years, had never smelled such a rich aroma of wine before.
This wine was naturally something Xi Wei had exchanged for long ago.
He occasionally drank some himself, but he usually drank red wine or other wines. What he had Ruo Yi bring now was 96-proof Thunderclap Little Bird Vodka.
Xi Wei didn’t drink this kind of alcohol; it was too strong.
He had exchanged some of it in case of unforeseen circumstances.
After all, it took time for Loli and the Priest to treat soldiers. Strong liquor could be used to disinfect the wounds of soldiers who were still queuing up in advance.
And in the cold weather, a small amount of strong liquor could also help soldiers maintain their combat effectiveness.
Xi Wei had the players bring over a simple table. Ruo Yi gave the player a grateful nod before gently placing the vodka, repacked in a crystal bottle, onto the table.
“What is this?”
Groin’s large beard trembled, his throat bobbed as he swallowed, and his fingers tightly gripped his trousers, looking restless.
He was clearly already impatient with desire for the fine wine before him, but out of pride, he still suppressed the yearning in his heart and didn’t act rashly.
“This is the Royal Wine of the Winter Empire. It’s only available in Winter City, and it’s rarely sold to outsiders. I know dwarves love strong liquor, so I brought a pot for you to try.”
Xi Wei’s benevolent smile grew even more pronounced. He knew that he was not far from completely mastering the Dwarf Forging Grandmaster before him.
“Oh, this… How can I accept this?”
Groin smacked his lips, rubbed his rough hands, and his gaze darted between the fine wine and Xi Wei’s face. However, most of his gaze remained fixed on the wine.
Xi Wei knew he was still being demure, so he directly opened the crystal bottle containing the vodka in front of Groin, and a strong aroma of wine immediately filled the air.
Groin leaned forward slightly, his eyes wide as he stared at the crystal clear liquor in the bottle. His tongue flicked in his mouth, and he took a deep breath.
“Stone above, I swear on the honor of the dwarves, noble human king, no dwarf can resist the temptation of this pot of fine wine, no one!”
