Hero of Darkness

Kahn rejoiced in the fact that the aftereffects of their plans were exceeding his expectations by manyfolds and now even without causing a big scene or making out an enemy of some local force or top figures. Just their income through embezzling the company's funds was going to make them filthy rich without extra effort or any life-threatening risks.

[And yet… nobody thanked me.] complained Rathnaar in a grumpy voice. 

"Yes, yes… you were the mastermind of this all. 

I guess I can learn a thing or two from you." said Kahn as he acknowledged the fact. 

Because this was something beyond his capabilities and experience when it came to elaborate planning.

In Rakos Empire, he could mess with three noble factions because of the public support and since he was the sovereign of Verlassen. 

But here… even him being a human was a problem. 

"Only if I had the complete dwarven bloodline… I could've avoided a lot of problems." said Kahn as he sighed. 

[Then why don't you get it?] questioned Rathnaar. 

"What do you want me to do? Kill some innocent dwarves for the sake of it? 

I can't even afford to go and kill some criminals or underworld organizations here because that's too big of a risk. After all, it would attract the attention of imperial rule. 

I have absolutely no authority here and I don't plan to take unnecessary risks that would blow my cover. 

Just that blacksmithing challenge is more than enough because it was beneficial for me to set up a perfect background." he rebuked. 

"Now, I will focus only on perfecting my skills and abilities. 

Being able to calmly focus on myself without having to worry about money and resources is something I needed the most to rank up quietly. 

So let's keep it that way." he said. 

The next week, however… the peace they had wavered after a particular envoy visited the company. 

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Throk had a somber expression on his face while Kahn was standing behind his seat like an advisor of a king as they both faced five people that had ancient dwarven texts as sigils on their uniforms. 

"And what does the council suddenly want to do with me? 

It's been nearly 3 months since the incident and only now do they want to have a conversation with me? 

If the council truly cared about my well-being as you say… then why didn't anyone send a word when I appealed them to interfere three months ago?" he questioned with a grumbling voice. 

"Please attend the meeting tomorrow, master Oakenshield. Many important people will be visiting it tomorrow. 

If you're not present, then Tawerik might use that against you saying that you don't put the council in high regards." spoke a semi-saint rank dwarven official. 

"Tch! Fine! I'll visit tomorrow. But don't expect me to be respectful or treat the council like some gods. 

Tell them that I have no intentions to parley with Tawerik either." spoke Throk in a discontent tone. 

The members from the council nodded their heads and after some irrelevant talks to drag the conversation, they left the office. 

"What do you think is going to happen?" asked Kahn. 

"Nothing bothersome… I hope." replied Throk with a serious expression. 

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The next day, both Throk and Kahn visited the main headquarters of the Dwarven Council in a city situated at another sector of capital Arkensan named Dvalin. 

After visiting through a giant wooden flying ship with an appearance matching that of a submarine, their duo landed close to the main Council House in Dvalin city. 

Soon, a flying vehicle that came to pick them up escorted their duo to the Council House situated at the western end of the city. 

After entering the vast building filled with nothing but dwarves, whether they worked here or were only visitors… Kahn followed Throk under thousands of surprised and suspicious gazes on him since he was the only human in the whole building. 

Half an hour later, Throk and Kahn were seated in a court hall… the old blacksmith had no problem but Kahn felt like sitting on a toddler's chair because the whole building had the furniture made solely for the dwarven race. 

But he couldn't complain either and sat… funnily. 

Soon, 5 distinguished members of the dwarven race, each adorned in high-ranking official attires entered the hall and everyone stood up until these 5 individuals took their seats. 

All of these dwarves seemed to be very old based on their appearance… even older than Throk who was already 154 years old himself. Yet their eyes emitted an aura of wisdom just by looking at them. 

"The High Elders of the Dwarven Council will commence the official hearing regarding the dispute between Throk Oakenshield and Bifur Tawerik." announced an official. 

This was the reason why they were called here in the first place. Although the dwarven council didn't want to directly involve themselves publicly… Tawerik had filed an appeal against Oakenshield.

Saying that his company had intentionally spread rumors against him and his franchise throughout the empire and thus, it resulted in him and all of his people suffering major losses because now they had a bad reputation in the entire Vulcan empire. 

And seeing the Defamation case, the Dwarven Council was using this as an excuse to make a contact with Throk. 

To them, it was just a first step to improve their relationship with the blacksmith using this dispute if they favored him. 

Because of which, Throk himself had no choice but to appear here because his reputation was on the line and being absent would also signify that he could be the guilty party instead of being a victim. 

Kahn and Throk looked at the other side of the hall where Tawerik, the old dwarf who made a scene in the Oakenshield company building and Helsi, the old dwarf's former top disciple who chose to abandon his master when the calamity struck were seated with furious gazes. 

The atmosphere in the entire hall was full of tension as if there would be a battle very soon. 

Just then, the Dwarven Elder seated at the center announced in a loud voice. 

"The Dwarven Council will officially start the hearing!"