Volume 8: The Road to the Ancient Dragon Chapter 412: A Game of Thrones - Dwarf Edition
After arriving at Nanhai Town, we boarded the fleet and sailed towards Ironforge.
In less than two days, they arrived at the port near Ironforge and landed.
Marching along the snow-covered wilderness of Khaz Modan, the closer they got to Ironforge, the more excited Bacter Anvilmar became. When he saw the majestic fortress in the snow-capped mountains, the dwarf prince's eyes were filled with tears of excitement.
However, this excitement disappeared immediately when the team arrived at the entrance of Ironforge.
Bact Anvilmar (Dwarf Prince): "Damn it! Why did they replace the statue at the door? Why is my father's statue gone?"
Modimus Anvilmar was the first king of Ironforge. After Anvilmar died, the country split and the three major families fought each other. In the end, the Bronzebeard family won, and the statue at the door was naturally replaced by the ancestor of the Bronzebeard family.
The dwarf guards had noticed this group of soldiers a long time ago. Although Murphy had left most of the soldiers on the ship and only brought a hundred dragon-blooded giant warriors as guards, a hundred shirtless men with giant swords were still very eye-catching.
From a distance, a team of dwarf guards were seen appearing at the gate. Before Murphy had the time to explain their purpose, a dwarf wearing a horned helmet had already pushed his way out of the crowd. It was Muradin.
Muradin Bronzebeard (King of the Hill): "Haha, Aidan, we meet again. It's been a long time."
Aidan (Prince of Alterac): "Long time no see, Muradin. You still look so energetic."
"You're not bad either. I heard about your feat of slaying a dragon in Northrend. Good job, boy. You're worthy of being the son of the King of the Mountains for defeating the White Dragon King. Why didn't you call me for this? We dwarves are experts in slaying dragons."
Mo Fei thought to himself, you are not a nanny, and you are not a long-range person, so there is no point in looking for you.
"I will definitely do it next time. I will definitely do it next time. Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to this ancient dwarf explorer whom I rescued from the white dragon's lair in the Frost Mountains. He can be considered your predecessor, right? What's his name? Oh, by the way - Bact Anvilmar. Have you heard of this last name? I seem to remember that the founder of Ironforge was named Anvilmar."
Muradin's face suddenly turned red, and he glared at Murphy angrily.
"Um... his name is Anvilmar. King Modimus Anvilmar was once the ruler of the dwarves, but that was a long time ago."
"Oh, there is actually such a thing. Today's event can be regarded as the return of the king. Oh, I think this kind of happy event must be publicized so that the dwarves of Ironforge will know about it and share in the joy."
"Hey, Aidan, please stop messing around. Ironforge abstained from the vote because they didn't want the Alliance to split. For the sake of our old friendship, let's talk about this later."
Seeing Muradin's pleading look, Murphy didn't want to threaten him anymore. He wasn't too angry in the first place, but he had to do what he said. If you don't take my threats seriously, then I will make a big deal out of it and act like I have a good temper.
"All right, let's talk about it later—let's talk about it later."
Muradin chuckled twice and turned to look at the dwarf prince with an embarrassed expression on his face. However, the dwarf was a straightforward person and gave him a big hug.
"Prince Bucket, welcome back to Ironforge. I'm sure you miss it after being away for so long. But this city has changed a lot, so you must be mentally prepared."
"But don't worry, the Bronzebeard family will always welcome you."
There's something else going on, Murphy thought.
It's changed a lot - that means the Kingdom of Ironforge has changed its name to House Bronzebeard, so you don't have to think about the throne anymore.
You are always welcome in the Bronzebeard family - as long as you don't make trouble, we can discuss it.
Such a 'euphemistic' subtext is already the most euphemistic wording for a straightforward dwarf.
It was not known whether Bact Anweimar heard it or not, but he could not wait to walk into Ironforge.
As he walked, he muttered, "Ah, you must be a descendant of the Bronzebeard family. I once drank with your great-grandfather."
Muradin was choked back at the next words.
The group walked into the gate of Ironforge. The huge space inside Ironforge made Bact Anvilmar dazzled. Ironforge in the past was not so magnificent. It has reached its current scale after thousands of years of continuous excavation and mining. It seems that the Bronzebeard family’s rule over Ironforge has been very competent for the past one or two thousand years.
The dwarves passing by looked at the group curiously, especially Bact Anvilmar who was walking in the front. He was dressed in extremely simple and ancient clothes and looked like an ancient dwarf warrior in the dwarven epic.
What made it even more strange was that Prince Muradin was extremely respectful to this man.
Muradin also noticed the gazes around him and greeted them hurriedly.
"Let's go have a drink first. I have a barrel of fine honey wine in my collection, so it's a good opportunity for us to taste it together."
Bucket shook his head and said, "I want to go around and look around, if that's okay."
"Of course, of course. Duval Thunderspear, you take Prince Bakt around and make sure he doesn't get lost."
Watching Bact walking away, Muradin glared at Murphy who was watching the joke.
"Come on Aidan, it looks like we need to have a good talk."
Dwarves usually talk over wine, and today is no exception, especially when old friends meet. Muradin originally planned to drink only with Murphy, but soon several dwarves smelled the wine and shamelessly joined in.
Muradin did not drive them away. These dwarves were all very sociable and could not move when they saw the wine.
Everyone drank around the table, and the atmosphere soon became lively.
"Aidan, I think you should understand - uh (Muradin burped), this is no longer the barbaric era when Ironforge was first established. The Bronzebeard family has ruled Ironforge for thousands of years. If Bucket exercises his claim, it will definitely be very ugly, which will not benefit you, me or anyone else."
Murphy nodded. The dwarves, or the entire Alliance, attached great importance to the right of claim. As a descendant of the Anvilmar family, Bacter Anvilmar naturally had the right to claim Ironforge. But after all, thousands of years had passed, and Ironforge was very stable under the rule of the Bronzebeard family. It was really hard to say how many people would accept it.
Murphy was not so easy to talk to. "But he is a descendant of Anweimar after all. Does that mean that King Anweimar's noble bloodline is meaningless?"
"Of course not. We are willing to give him the title of a royal member. Territory and gold are no problem, but the political structure of Ironforge cannot be destroyed. I heard that you are going to hunt dragons again. As long as you can help me convince him to accept our arrangement, I can send a team of dragon hunting musketeers to assist you - Hemet!"
Muradin suddenly roared.
"Oh, I'm here." A drunken bearded dwarf raised his glass and continued to drink.
Muradin pulled him over, patted Hemet on the shoulder and introduced him.
"Hemet is a world-famous hunter. He has hunted adult black dragons and adult red dragons. During the Orc War, he once blew off the head of an Orc Warlord with one shot. With the help of my Dragon Hunting Rifle Team, your operation will definitely be more effective this time."
Dragon Hunter Riflemen are a unique extraordinary soldier type in Ironforge.
It has several powerful traits such as Carnage, Powerful Armor Penetration, and Deadly Shot. Because it is too valuable, it did not appear in the previous battles and only played a role in the defense of Ironforge.
But as a player, you can naturally learn about the power of this extraordinary army through various channels.
For Murphy, who lacks ranged soldiers, it is indeed very attractive.
"Haha, of course I can help you. However, although the firepower is sufficient, my team still lacks a strong healer. You see..."
"That's no problem. I'll take care of it."
"Okay, I'll persuade him for you. This is for his own good."
After the banquet, Murphy returned to the residence arranged for him by Muradin. Bact Anvilmar was staring at the city view of Ironforge outside the window. Ironforge is located inside the Dun Morogh Mountains and is shielded from sunlight, but the lava flowing in the center of the city and the huge furnace fill the entire city with a hazy red light and a stuffy feeling.
This intense heat is a perfect counterbalance to the bitterly cold climate of the Dun Morogh Mountains.
"Bakht Anweimar, how is it, how do you feel about returning to your hometown?"
Bact nodded. "My ancestors built this city, and I was born in it. I never expected it to become so magnificent now. It's just that this is no longer my home. But all this will end today. I want to take back what my ancestors lost."
"Uh—but it's been a thousand years."
"Hmph, so what? The noble bloodline of Anvilmar is destined to rule the city of Ironforge."
"actually……"
"You don't have to persuade me, Prince Aidan. I am very grateful to you for rescuing me from the white dragon's frost, but as the last descendant of the Anvilmar family, I have my responsibilities to fulfill. When I become the king of the dwarves, I will form an alliance with Alterac, and I will repay you then. This is my promise."
The dwarf's stubborn personality made him disregard everything when his temper flared up, which gave Murphy a headache.
It seems that I have to find a way to convince (trick) him.
Heroic feat: Bluff Master activates -
"So tell me, Bact, Anvilmar, does your family rule all the dwarves, or does it rule the city of Ironforge?"
"Of course it's all dwarves. Anvilmar is the king of the dwarves, the king forever!"
"But the Ironforge of today is no longer the same Ironforge as before. The three major dwarf clans have long since split up, and the dwarf kingdom of the past no longer exists. The Ironforge in front of us, although still called Ironforge, is no longer the same Ironforge as before.
The Dwarven Kingdom no longer exists, so how can the Anvilmar family rule?"
Bact was stunned for a moment. He always felt that something was not right about these words, but it seemed to be true.
"Think about it, after the War of Three Hammers, the three major clans completely separated, and the Dwarven Kingdom no longer existed. Anvilmar's goal of ruling naturally no longer existed. The Bronzebeard family only ruled the Bronzebeard clan, and in the past the Bronzebeard clan was also ruled by the Bronzebeard family.
They just happened to win the civil war and seized Ironforge. The most you can do with your claim is to get the city of Ironforge back. But Ironforge back then was far smaller than it is now, and they built Ironforge so magnificently, you have to compensate for the difference.
In fact, the Ironforge at that time had been almost demolished due to continuous reconstruction, and only a small part of the cave area remained. After all the calculations, the most they could give you was demolition compensation, or return the cave area to you.
The cave area is often harassed by troggs and kobolds, and there are water and oil leaks. I'm afraid you alone can't maintain it."
Bucket was stunned. How could it be calculated like this?
"Then-what should we do then?"
"So why don't you name a price and I'll tell Muradin and the others. The Bronzebeard family is fair and will definitely give you a satisfactory price. Gold, territory, royal title, no problem."
But Bucket shook his head, "No! I don't want money. You are right, Aidan. Anvilmar's ruling power is based on the unity of the three major clans. Without the Three Hammers Alliance, there would be no Dwarf Kingdom, and without the Dwarf Kingdom, there would be no throne to inherit.
I will go to Blackrock Mountain to find the Dark Iron Clan, and to Aerie Mountain to find the Wildhammer Clan. I will reunite the dwarves and rebuild the Kingdom of Anvilmar. Only then will I have a chance to inherit the throne."
Damn, you are so bold to think like that. The Bronzebeard family is quite respectable. The Wildhammer dwarves probably can't do anything to you. At most they can drive you out. But the Dark Iron dwarves are not that good. They are already a monster force. What can they do if they kill you directly?
"Why don't you think about it."
"No, I have decided that the glory of the Anweimar family must not end in my hands."
Bucket said seriously.
Murphy looked at Bucket helplessly and thought, well, at least Muradin's commission was done.
When Murphy told Muradin the outcome, Muradin was also stunned.
I stood there for a long time and couldn't help but sigh.
"As expected of a descendant of King Anvilmar, if he can truly unite the three clans, why wouldn't it be a problem for our Bronzebeard family to pledge allegiance to him?"
