Chapter 311 (1/2)

”Ugh, what's that smell?”

”Think that's motor oil?”

”Motor oil?”

Beatrice asked not knowing what Zhang Dong was talking about. The hero party had ventured into the underground city of the dwarves called Kalburim. This was supposed to be the capital of innovation.

It looked quite steampunk-inspired. Which made things uncomfortable as placing a city filled with steam and smoke underground wasn't the best option. There were large vents that funneled all this smoke outside into the volcano above. Apparently, the volcano wasn't even active but it was this city that was generating all of the heat and smoke to run it.

Zhang Dong looked at all the strange contraptions that this place had to offer. There was even a tram system going through this huge city, even something that looked like uni rails on the ceiling.

The thing that stuck out the most were the rock and metal golems that were wandering through the city. They were mostly carrying heavy objects with a dwarf walking in front. When Zhang Dong focused he could feel that these golems were using some kind of internal mana engine to run. The dwarves that were in front of them always had some sort of control item with them that was sending signals into this engine.

'Interesting…'

These golems were similar to puppets that cultivators created. He had even fashioned some life-like variants when he was on a crafting spree. The way these golems were constructed was different but also similar in some places. They didn't seem to be as intelligent as the puppets he used to make and also quite bulky.

'I'd need to get my hands on the schematics, they look less advanced but that mana engine looks useful, with a few tweaks it could expand the life of a puppet.'

”It's something from the spirit realm”

He replied to the motor oil question.

”So, when are we going to meet the council?”

”They should have the meeting ready for today.”

The one replying this time was Isabella. She had ordered some of the people from the Duke house to go ask around. From The information that they had the dwarves were in the middle of some internal struggles.

Their king had died of old age and it was time to replace him. In contrast to the monarchs of the humans and elves, the title of dwarven king wasn't hereditary. Anyone with enough resources and power could try to get this position if they met some prerequisites.

First of all, they needed to belong to the noble cast. Just as the humans the dwarf kingdom was split into noble houses and common workers.

It was kind of silly how these dwarves decided on their new monarch. As it wasn't the individual strength that was important but what they could create. They would actually use the golems to fight in a tournament, the winner would be crowned the dwarven king.

Zhang Dong wasn't really interested in this tournament as he just wanted to get the help of the dwarves in attacking the demons. There was a council of the main houses that was still able to make a decision.

He was hoping that they would lend him some sh.i.p.s, golems, and cannons that this race was famous for. The fight for the throne wasn't something that he was interested in, there was no reason for him or anyone from the hero party to get involved.

”Great, let us get this over with then.”

Regretfully the party of young heroes wasn't as interested in waiting as he was. This was a once in a lifetime fantasy world for these youngsters but for him, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The cities back in his own world were larger and more beautiful than what any of these could offer.

Thus the party split up where the members from the royal family followed after the four heroes like little ticks. They were continually praising them just as they were ordered to. Anyone from the outside that took a second to think would know this but these youngsters were blinded by the beauty of the royal line.

”Are you sure we should leave them alone…”

Beatrice said while being concerned. She was glancing at the two sisters that were being led away by the green-haired prince and his older brother.

”We could try but I'm not sure if that would amount to anything…”

Zhang Dong could try to pry the pink-haired princess or her brothers away from Takeshi and his three friends but he feared that they would hate him for it. He could see that they were already succ.u.mbing to their l.u.s.t by this point. It was as if the higher levels were magnifying their desires and making them more irrational. He was afraid that if he stepped in a fight would break out between them and they would need to put the whole expedition on hold.

”I'm not sure we should leave those heroes alone for too long...”

Isabella chimed in from the side while glaring at old moss head. She was the one hit the most by her old fiancé's infidelity. She was the one that knew him the most here, the young man had a silver tongue and knew how to speak to girls his age. She was afraid that he would charm the heroines in time, making them his puppets that he could control.

”Well, if it gets out of hand I will act, till then let us give them some space. Sometimes the best way to mature is to make your own mistakes.”

Zhang Dong knew how young people operated as he had a childish personality. He knew that if a young person didn't go through a given experience they would have a hard time learning. A.d.u.l.ts could warn them as many times as they wanted but not many youths would adhere to that advice. They needed to burn their hands on the stove first before they would believe that it's hot to the touch.

”If Mr. Leigong thinks so…”

Isabella nodded and all of them moved further into the city. They need to get the accommodations sorted out as they were diplomatic guests from the other races. They had a certain immunity in this city as no one would want to anger emissaries from two other powerful races. The danger of war was always looming.