The dwarves had been waiting underground for three hundred years, spanning five or six generations, all spent in this place. Now, they had pledged allegiance to a master, given nothing in return, and already received so much. First, they had subdued a black dragon, gaining ample food and even sharing a drink. Now, they were able to return to the surface, living a landlord-like life according to their master's wishes. This master was truly worth serving.
The dwarves' possessions were few: a set of custom-made armor and a hammer. Each dwarf carried two ore chunks, each as tall as a dwarf, on their backs. No other daily necessities were taken. Under Li Xi's direction, they successively passed through the teleportation gate and arrived on the surface, in Cardo City.
"Greetings, Madam." Upon seeing Avril for the first time, all the dwarves knelt and paid their respects.
"Get up quickly. Remember, from now on, you can only call me Madam Avril, not just Madam."
The dwarves looked confused. What difference would three extra words make?
"Have you forgotten what I told you? Your current status is that you are invited guests, not our vassals."
"Yes." The dwarves stood straight, remembering to respectfully respond to Li Xi, their master, even when facing the legendary surface world.
Avril gestured down the empty street. "Rooms, household items within the rooms, beer for bathing, and equipment for blacksmithing – everything is ready. The City Lord will visit this afternoon. You must maintain your dignity. Remember, you are Cardo City residents whom we invited multiple times, not refugees from the underground world."
Avril explained the entire situation in detail. Their purpose here was to use their skilled craftsmanship to boost Cardo City's economic recovery.
Bronzebeard Hammer patted his chest and guaranteed, "Master, Madam, rest assured. I can't speak for others, but blacksmithing and weapon forging are our specialties. We guarantee to complete the task beautifully."
The two arranged for the dwarves to settle down. Since the entire street had been guarded by the military, the residents of Cardo City had no idea that two hundred dwarves had moved in today.
With everything arranged and a unified narrative, even the young dwarves were sworn to secrecy. Avril then sent someone to inform the City Lord, young Monton.
Monton was only eight years old, still a child. However, the first time Li Xi met him, he sensed a maturity in the boy far exceeding his peers, though still not reaching that of an adult.
Bronzebeard Hammer led the tribal dwarves, not to greet them, but stood at the entrance of the houses, watching a small child, even shorter than himself, being escorted by a group of people.
Avril smiled and introduced Li Xi to Monton. "City Lord, this is C-class mercenary Li Xi. It is entirely thanks to his efforts that we were able to invite so many dwarves."
Li Xi nodded slightly to acknowledge the City Lord. This seemingly disrespectful gesture displeased Monton's protectors. However, young Monton had no objections. "With the addition of these dwarves, the recovery of our Cardo City is within sight. Mercenary Li Xi, you have made a great contribution to Cardo City and are a hero of our Cardo City."
Monton spoke with a clear voice, saying serious words and even putting on a solemn expression. Li Xi was quite satisfied with this genuine concern for Cardo City, even if the tone of his voice sounded like a dramatic recitation.
"I am also a resident of Cardo City, having lived here since childhood. It is my duty to contribute to my hometown."
Monton's eyes slightly glazed over, as he searched his mind for the appropriate phrases for the current situation. "Cardo City is not prosperous at the moment. I will note this down. Once Cardo City's tax revenue recovers, you will surely be greatly rewarded. I must ensure that no hero who shed blood for Cardo City goes unrewarded. This is my duty as City Lord."
"Thank you, City Lord." Li Xi bowed slightly.
Avril glanced at Li Xi and then led the young City Lord to Bronzebeard Hammer. "City Lord, this is the patriarch of the Bronzebeard tribe, Bronzebeard Hammer."
Perhaps fearing that young Monton might not understand the significance of this "Hammer," a guardian resembling a tutor immediately stepped forward and whispered a few words into Monton's ear. His gaze was fixed on the three braids of Bronzebeard's beard.
After hearing his teacher's explanation, Monton's eyes lit up. A dwarf with three braided beards was almost equal to his own status; this was the status of a viscount. Sultan Novels.
Cardo City was currently in a position of needing favors. Monton stepped forward and bowed. "I, Gadro Monton, City Lord of Cardo City, thank the Bronzebeard tribe for their assistance. I promise that within Cardo City, I will fulfill all the needs of our Bronzebeard friends that are within my power."
"It's not that complicated. Our request is simple: drinking and blacksmithing. As long as it doesn't affect our lives, we're fine with anything." Bronzebeard Hammer crossed his arms. Even when Monton bowed to him, he did not lower his hands.
However, the more he acted this way, the more at ease Monton and his entourage became. High-caliber talents disdained manipulation.
"Then, may we bring some of our people to assist you?"
Bronzebeard Hammer lowered his arms, doing his best to conceal his respect, and said to Avril, "You discuss with Madam Avril. We have already agreed that she will handle all the daily affairs for us."
Facing the ever-stoic, iron-faced Bronzebeard Hammer, Monton felt a bit intimidated. He almost forgot the pre-prepared speeches his tutor had taught him. Now, hearing that his personal advisor could handle these matters entirely, his nervous tension immediately eased.
Avril seized the opportunity and stepped forward. "City Lord, the dwarves of the Bronzebeard tribe are actually quite simple. As long as no one disturbs them, everything is fine. Hiring human blacksmiths to assist them, uniformly selling the weapons they craft, and even paying taxes normally are all acceptable."
"Really?" Young Monton could hardly believe it. The discussions at the City Lord's mansion had only mentioned a symbolic tax payment. He never expected them to pay the full amount. The difference was not small.
"City Lord, our words as dwarves are more reliable than refined gold. We are not like those greedy dragons. With our skills, would we ever evade taxes? Such behavior is only found among the dirty goblins." Hammer raised his arms, indignantly expressing his dissatisfaction with the City Lord's doubt.
"I... I..." The young City Lord was still too young. Just being shouted at by Hammer brought tears to his eyes.
Despite his mature demeanor, he was still a child. Li Xi stepped forward, placing himself between Hammer and Monton. "The City Lord's sincerity is evident to all, and the dwarves' straightforwardness is even more commendable. I believe our cooperation will proceed harmoniously."
Seeing Li Xi in front of him, Hammer immediately quieted down, even showing a hint of placation in his eyes.
Monton felt Li Xi's presence was immense, blocking all the intimidation from the dwarves.
Avril quickly took Monton by the arm. "City Lord, you should return to the City Lord's mansion to rest for a while. Cardo City has many more matters that require your attention. We can handle the small matters here."
"Alright. I'll leave this matter to you. If you encounter anything you cannot handle, be sure to come to me. I will fully support you." Monton also felt that he was insignificant in the eyes of the dwarves. They weren't interested in him; staying any longer would be pointless. Since it was confirmed that these dwarves would stay, he led his retinue back to the City Lord's mansion.
With the foundation laid and the overall direction agreed upon, the dwarves immediately lit their furnaces, and the guards outside the street opened the road.
During this half-day, the guards had strictly secured the intersection, preventing any eyes from peering into the street. Many who could not suppress their curiosity were arrested and thrown into prison. The more strictly they guarded, the more enticing it became, like a veiled face. Moreover, the young City Lord had also arrived. With so many things happening simultaneously, many residents of Cardo City began to worry.
"Is something happening in the city again?"
"Hard to say. Cardo City has really been through a lot. I think it's best to sell our property and leave. If we stay any longer, we might die one day."
"I want to leave too, but my ancestors have been here for generations. If I leave, I'll be letting down my deceased parents."
"You'll be letting down your parents if you die. The current situation in Cardo City is not your fault."
...
It's not that the citizens were unreasonable. It was simply that Cardo City's repeated upheavals had made everyone's nerves as fragile as noodles. The slightest disturbance could make them react like startled rabbits. Living in such constant fear was unbearable.
With the army guarding the entire street and the original residents relocated, anyone could surmise that something was amiss.
Of course, these were all publicity tactics Li Xi had seen in his previous life. To create the most sensational impact from the arrival of these dwarves, Li Xi and Avril had the City Lord's mansion keep the news strictly confidential.
"They've opened. They've opened."
Given the gravity of the dwarves' arrival, the guards, upon learning that people could enter, did not leave. Instead, they continuously patrolled within Willow Street, apprehending anyone who posed a threat to the dwarves. This was also at the City Lord's behest. To ensure the dwarves' comfortable living, young Monton was practically offering his City Lord's mansion.
The first wave of worried citizens entered the street. All they heard was the clanging of hammers. Upon closer inspection, they saw that the blacksmiths were, in fact, the short, stocky dwarves. But with their strong arms, each swing of their hammer could deform a glowing piece of iron like dough.
"Dwarves! It's dwarves!" It was as if their throats had been constricted; every person who saw so many dwarves screamed.
Even mercenaries who had traveled extensively might not see so many dwarves in their lifetime, let alone ordinary citizens who had never left Cardo City.
Seeing the dwarves with their stoic, unsmiling faces, no citizen dared to approach them. At this moment, several young men, who had been prepared for this, walked over with smiles. "Greetings, everyone. We are merchants from the Willow Merchant Group. We have invited these dwarves from the Bronzebeard tribe to collaborate with Cardo City."
"From now on, all weapons and armor produced by the dwarves will be sold uniformly by us. If anyone wishes to learn forging techniques from the dwarves, you can also sign up with us."
"Additionally, we are recruiting staff for inns, teahouses, bars, and tailor shops. Specific details will be posted on the notice board at the entrance of the street."
The entire street had been allocated to Avril for hosting the dwarves. With less than two hundred dwarves, only seventy rooms could be filled, occupying less than a third of Willow Street.
Avril naturally wouldn't leave the remaining space empty. She hired a few managers and, with a wave of her hand, assigned each one to manage a shop. Their salaries were linked to sales; the better they sold, the higher their salary. These managers' eyes immediately blazed with ambition. Everyone knew that with these dwarves present, this street would quickly become prosperous. Now, with the news that they could start doing business, they couldn't wait to spread the word of the dwarves' arrival across the continent.