Chapter 27: Hidden Circumstances
Standing at the end of the tunnel, at the entrance to the dwarven underground city, Joshua looked into the distance and nodded.
Compared to the scattered residential areas around the surface lava lake, this city, built within a vast underground cavern, was more like the true dwelling place of the dwarves. In this enormous underground cavity—whether naturally formed or artificially excavated—countless stone buildings stood in dense clusters. The underground city, brilliantly illuminated by Glowstone Lamps, was filled with residential districts and assembly grounds. The main streets featured a magnificent temple and an imposing city hall, and naturally, at the city's center, there stood an immense structure, entirely forged from black steel, reaching up to the cavern's ceiling and down to the earth below.
Before he could continue his observations for a more detailed analysis, he saw a group of dwarves emerging from the city's streets not far away. They carried banners and advanced toward the warrior and his party.
Joshua immediately spotted the figure surrounded by the crowd at the center.
This was an aged dwarf, wearing a steel circlet, with white hair and beard. Wrinkles covered his face and body, yet they could not conceal his strength. Muscles tougher than steel formed a fortress, composing the old dwarf's solid physique. His eyes shimmered with a golden light like molten iron, and his entire being radiated an aura as imposing as a mountain peak.
Strong!
In that instant of eye contact, Joshua clenched his fists, his entire body ready for combat. In his eyes, everyone else faded into the background; only this powerful opponent before him was worth his attention.
Joshua could sense that this old dwarf, at least a hundred years old or more, was the strongest being he had encountered since his transmigration, second only to the Ultimate Wild God and Nostradamus. The old mage, though powerful as a spellcaster, was merely a kind old man when not casting spells. But the old dwarf before him exuded a powerful aura that marked him unmistakably as a formidable warrior. If he held a warhammer in his hands, he could not only forge legendary weapons but also pound an enemy's flesh and bones into a thin sheet.
"At least Gold Peak, and perhaps even touching the boundary of Ultimate Essence."
With this thought flashing through his mind, Joshua smiled and walked directly toward the other party.
Meanwhile, the old dwarf, Steel Body Moria, the current leader and supreme smith of the Northern Rune Dwarves, was also observing the warrior slowly approaching him. Their golden and crimson eyes met. This old dwarf, renowned for his toughness and wisdom, stroked his beard and said with some surprise, "Gold High-rank? Truly astonishing talent."
Having lived for so long, he himself was only at Gold High-rank. Though he had brushed against the edge of Ultimate Essence, in terms of pure power, there was no fundamental difference between him and the young human before him.
While surprised, Moria couldn't help but nod approvingly and smile. In his mind, an image appeared of a figure with the same black hair and crimson eyes.
Old friend, it seems your descendant has unknowingly surpassed you... The power of inheritance passed down through human generations is indeed extraordinary.
He attributed Joshua's strength to the Order Force inherited from the Chaos Warden.
Moria shifted his attention away from Joshua, but before he could observe the other knights, he was shocked again upon seeing Lynn on horseback.
"Divine Mechanism... Wait, this aura is different from the one I sensed a few months ago—could it be a second Divine Mechanism?!"
As the forger of the Divine Mechanism weapon forms, Moria could sense the process of the first Divine Mechanism contract. But the second time... since no one had successfully contracted a second Divine Mechanism for so many years, the alert magic hadn't been designed with that function. Only now did the old dwarf realize that Joshua had successfully contracted two Divine Mechanisms.
"Wait, does that mean I'll have to forge another set of armor?"
Before marveling at Joshua's incredible strength and talent, this thought suddenly crossed Moria's mind: "According to the contract, one Divine Mechanism, one set of armor..."
At the same time, before the other party could finish his thoughts, Joshua strode forward toward the old dwarf. The dwarves he encountered along the way involuntarily made way, allowing the warrior to pass unimpeded. They could feel the immense power contained within this human's body, along with an aura that filled them with fear, preventing them from daring to block Joshua.
Moria naturally noticed this, so he shook his head and stepped forward directly to greet the warrior.
Joshua reached the old dwarf and naturally extended his hand. Moria grasped it just as naturally, and both unleashed their immense physical strength simultaneously. Translucent shockwaves rippled outward from their clasped hands.
After personally experiencing the other's strength, Joshua released his grip. The warrior grinned and said, "Joshua van Radcliffe, Lord of Moldavia. I've long heard of your name, Master Moria."
"I am Steel Body Moria, current leader of the Rune Dwarves, merely a blacksmith."
Still seemingly feeling the power that had come through their handshake, the old dwarf's expression was somewhat serious. But then he shook his head and smiled as well, saying, "Don't be modest, Joshua. Your fame has already spread throughout the Northern Lands, and even in the Imperial Capital, you have many admirers. I believe that soon, the entire Empire, and even the whole world, will know of the powerful warrior from the North who single-handedly broke through the Chaos Tide and closed a Space-Time Gate."
As the two exchanged pleasantries, Moria noticed Claire standing nearby. The Wood Elf Druid was, as usual, wearing a hooded robe, concealing her face and green hair. But the old dwarf's eyes, sharpened by years of experience, were keen. He had been distracted by Joshua and Lynn earlier, but now sensing something amiss, he immediately frowned and said in surprise, "You... Claire Wind-Song, you're still alive?!"
"Steel Body, you're alive too, so why shouldn't I be?"
Gently lowering her hood, the green-haired elf stepped forward and replied calmly, though her tone was clearly barbed.
...So there is indeed a problem.
Without needing to guess, Joshua knew perfectly well that there must be some unresolved issues between these two, possibly related to his own ancestors. This was evident from the letter Moria had previously sent to the warrior.
Thinking it over, it made sense. Why would a Gold High-rank Balance Druid, a Wood Elf who loved forests, come to the North? The icy, snowy environment here was the one she disliked most. Even if she claimed it was to purify the land, Joshua didn't believe that Nostradamus, with his strength and connections, couldn't find a better candidate.
Now it seemed that Claire's reasons for coming to his territory and insisting on following him to the dwarven settlement were deeper than they appeared.
Regardless, the atmosphere instantly became heavy, even deathly silent. The knights on Joshua's side wouldn't speak out of turn in such a situation, and even the dwarves beside Moria, no matter how oblivious to the mood, could at least tell that their leader was in a bad mood and wouldn't dare to chatter.
But Moria had lived for many years; he wouldn't let the scene remain awkward. With a heavy cough, the old dwarf abruptly cut off the topic with Claire and turned to look at the warrior.
"Welcome to the underground city of Blacksteel, Lord. If you don't mind, would you care to join us for lunch?"
Joshua naturally had no objection to this proposal. He nodded and said, "No problem."