"… and this is the second smokehouse. We're using pinewood to slow the burn and increase the meat's aroma. In this speed, we'll go through what was brought in three to four days." The butcher said, pushing his chest out.

"Wonderful, we'll have some breathing space. The next shipment is due in a few days, so keep up the good work." Horn replied as they finished the tour of the new facilities.

He had to give Grom that when he focused on something, then the results were amazing. Not even two full days and both smokehouses and a Warehouse were done. The cold storage would finish in a day or so, as digging through solid rock took a while, but they could start stockpiling the food with that finished. In the past few days, through a bit of summoning and a lot of retraining, the builders' count increased to forty, with four constructors watching over them and Grom himself, they came up to almost a thousand build points a day. That was split between four different buildings, as only a single crew was more than enough. Still, the speed of construction was astonishing. Buildings just kept popping up all around him.

Some good news awaited him as he logged in. The mine was finally working full time, with wagons of ore being dropped next to the forge a few times a day. They still didn't have enough stockpile to properly arm his troops, but the backlog was slowly being worked on. The main smith promised him a scale armor in a few days, the first they would prepare. It was easier to make than chainmail but needed a bit more metals. However, the speed of creating was the most significant factor in choosing this type of equipment.

He summoned another batch of fifty warriors upon logging in, which brought his capacity up to 208/325. Herrak's adventurers' guild took only twenty-five off his Soul Well instead of fifty as Ingrid's riders did. He wondered why that was, but realizing he had a whole squad of people dedicated to such research, he just loudly stated the question. Hopefully, in the next log-out window, they'd have the answers.

He had almost a hundred and fifty warriors between his veterans, newcomers, and two rounds of summons. Most of them were green, but both Goran at the hunting grounds and Rockbitter at home pushed them through their loops to increase their skill level. The main issue was the lack of easy Essence gains to level them up, and summoning at the double the cost for each level wasn't attractive. However, soon it would become Horn's default choice. The tax from almost seven hundred dwarves was astonishing. Nearly a hundred thousand Essence was collected, with the bounty from the challenge, he had over one hundred fifty remaining.

His eyes focused on the upgrade section, five hundred thousand Essence, and other materials. The list was surprisingly short.

1 Ton of Obsidian,

100 Kilograms of Arcane Powder

10 Soul Crystals – Fist sized at least

The first one was manageable. The miners claimed they could get it within a few days, as they found traces of old lava flows in the mines. It was just the matter of locating the good pocket of it. The second one was entirely outside his realm of possibilities. He had 500 grams of the powder. However, the third one was the worst. He didn't even know where to start looking for the crystals. The undead valley was the only place coming to mind, but he had no idea if that was a part of the game world.

For a moment, he pondered about summoning more warriors, but plain soldiers wouldn't give him the victory. He needed adepts. He needed other casters, pathfinders, heavy riders, and hundreds of other specialists. Yet, the options remained grayed out. Setting up the required building for them would be a priority, but he had no idea what the requirements were. At least he could summon a group of ten engineers, which took off to replace the scorpions they left behind. The blueprints were still available, and besides being quite resource-intensive, they could make more of them. However, without a dedicated siege workshop, the speed of crafting them would be pretty disappointing.

Finishing with the Soul Well, Horn proceeded to a quick round of shouting with Grom. Changing the building priorities once again, this time focusing on making the shrine and the arena as soon as possible. A few minutes and many curses later, the almost naked head builder took off grumbling to fulfill Horn's wishes.

Overall, all was good in Lightforge.

"All of you want to leave?" Horn asked, after hearing out the representative of non-dwarven people.

"Yes, my Lord. We are grateful for what you've done for us, but this isn't our place." Sigrid translated as Portius finished speaking.

Almost every single non-dwarf was gathered behind the speaker. All ex-slaves and most of their kin. Almost a hundred. They weren't a part of the Lightforge, but they helped in the rebuilding efforts. Their loss would hurt him, but maybe long term, it would do more good. However, he didn't feel comfortable just letting them walk away. They knew a lot, and he felt somewhat responsible for them. Banging his fingers on the table, he pondered.

Gibbins would be ecstatic about receiving such a group. He lost quite a few of his own in the last attack, but more importantly, he'd be able to wrangle Horn's secrets out of them. This wasn't the thought that put Horn at ease.

On the other hand, he couldn't just force them to stay. Well, he could, but that would probably backfire. His mind wandered to a building blueprint, Slave Pens, but he quickly dismissed the idea. That wasn't the road he was willing to take.

Sending them on their merry way also wasn't an option. Who knew where they would end up. He already asked if they wanted to start a village in the valley, but they claimed it was too cold for them in here. Horn completely didn't understand it, the weather was pleasant, but he noticed that some of them shivered. Maybe that was a dwarvish thing, or his cloak, which had a minor resistance to cold, helped in here.

Portius patiently waited for his answer, but people behind began to stir. A few started whispering, some looking around for a trap to spring. Horn let them stew a bit before answering,

"I have a proposal for you. There is a city not far from here being built up from the ground up. A Free Trading city, they say. Lightforge wants to be a part of that, but I don't have people to spare. Join the Lightforge and build up our presence out there. We'll supply you with trade goods as soon as we can, and you will be protected by the clan if something happens. I'll even send two squads of my warriors to protect and help you. Portius will be my voice in there. He'll be ruling you. You will remain a part of the Lightforge and guard our security and secrets, but you will be able to live with others of your kind and prosper. What say you?"

As Sigrid translated the words, the previous whispers died down, only for a whole choir of voices to start shouting over each other. Horn didn't understand a thing, but he noticed the tones. They weren't hostile nor afraid – they were eager and curious. He raised his hands, hopping on a crate, and the crowd began calming down before he added, "Sigrid will answer all your questions, take time to think about my offer."

Stepping down from a podium, he whispered to Sigrid, "Make this happen and make sure Portius understand he's working for us. Also, find some possible agents through this crowd. We'll need ears and eyes. You'll be joining them for a while to set up our presence."

Nodding, she asked, "Will this Gibbins allow us to take over a part of his city?"

Walking away, Horn answered, "Sometimes you get proposition you just cannot reject. This is one of these times. I'm heading to their camp. I'll be back in a few days."

Horn was securing sacks on Snouty's back, to her displeasure, when Herrak found him.

"You’re heading out, Chieftain?” He asked rhetorically, “I didn’t know the news already reached you.”

“Enigmatic as always, what do you want, Guildmaster,” Horn replied, accenting the position that Herrak owned him.

“You’re learning fast,” The adventurer chuckled, “We’ve just completed your quest. We’ve found the dungeon.”

“Where?!” Horn immediately focused his whole attention.

“Western fort, there’s a crevice leading into the portal there. It allows for ten to enter at once. As you’ve said, we didn’t explore it yet. But it needs to be claimed sooner than later.”

“You’re right, but I need to head out for a few days. As soon as I’m back, we’re heading in. We need a party. Inform Ingrid that she plus one can join us. You and three of yours are also welcomed. I’ll be bringing Goran with me, which is eight. We’ll add Sigrid. The last one, hmm, we’ll see. Be ready in four days.”

“I think that’s a was-“ Herrak started arguing, but Horn interrupted.

“Do as I say, and I have another quest for you. A profitable one. Around a hundred miles South-East from here, there’s a valley with a Soul Well. Two ways led into it. On the top of the mountain over the small pass, there’s a strange altar surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of Arcane Crystals. On the altar, itself is an old artifact. Find them and bring it home, I’m willing to split the crystals 70:30, and the item goes to me.”

“That’s unreasonable. That’s at least a two-week journey one way! Then a climb and who knows what, for a few crystals?”

“I’ll throw in five thousand Essence per party member and mounts for all of them to keep.” Horn sweetened the deal.

“Hmm, that might convince some,” Herrak said with greed gleaming in his eye.

“But I need at minimum two hundred kilos of the crystals.” Horn added, “And I trust in your honesty. I wouldn’t want to end our partnership early finding that someone cheated me.”

They measured each other for a moment. Herrak’s look didn’t betray anything, but Horn knew he was tested right now. He kept a steel gaze on the adventurer when finally Herrak said, “But of course, the guild’s reputation is spotless, and it will remain so.”

“Good! The crystals will serve to create magic arms, which you’ll be able to buy and to improve the Soul Well, probably granting you some extra bonuses. Make sure you’ll send the good crew.”

“Of course, Chieftain,” Herrak replied with a slight bow.

Horn wasn’t naïve to believe that the adventurer was honest, but he knew it was a progress in their relation. An unwilling ally was always much better than an open enemy. Getting back to attaching sacks with provisions, Horn wondered what was hidden in the dungeon. If it was manageable, then his worry about leveling his warriors should be solved.

As he finished his preparation, Rockbitter appeared with a squad of riders. “Chieftain, your escort is ready.”

“Good to see you, change of plans.” Horn started, seeing a frown of his newly appointed Captain. He continued, “I want you to take four squads and head out immediately to the western pass. Herrak found a dungeon there. I want our men to guard the entrance until I return. No one goes in without my permission! Whatever it takes!”

“It will be done,” The dwarf replied, a bit confused,

Horn was a bit amused. It was clear to him that the dwarf had some questions. He was even ready to answer most of them, but having someone not asking unnecessary details was refreshing. Either of his champions would grill him until they were satisfied, “Huh, good. Carry on.”

The journey to Gibbins camp was quick. With a few riders and determined Horn, it took only a day. He pushed the mounts as far as they could, covering the distance quickly. His backside ached like crazy, and even Cure wounds didn’t help for that, but at least he got a level up in Exotic Beasts. It seemed that forcing yourself to endure through the pain of annoyed boar was all it took.

They approached the camp at night, and it was a surprising view. A few days ago, it was a battlefield, now looked like taken out of a history book about roman legions. A ditch was dug around it, with an earthen beam serving as an obstacle for calvary charge. Guards were posted around the perimeter, mixed from both humans and dwarves. The tents were set up in neat rows. Even latrines were dug in some distance, away from a small creek that served as the water source.

Despite the late hour, the work was still on. Carcasses of buffalos were hauled on carts, leathers were cleaned, and meat cut into chunks. Late dinner was served, and he saw his dwarf intermingling with humans. That was more than he expected. From a distance, he saw Goran talking with Joran over one of the campfires, and Gibbins sat at another playing some lively tune on a guitar.

The dwarves' guards quickly passed him away, taking Snouty to be cleaned and fed. Horn pitted his people, as she was irritated after a long journey. He wouldn’t be surprised if blood would flow soon.

He approached Goran. After a quick greeting, he asked what had happened since he left.

“Not much, but that’s the calm before the storm. The hunting is going on great. The buffalos are quite stubborn to remain near the watering hole. With our riders, we’re able to separate a part of the herd and slaughter them, not provoking a reaction from the rest. We’re almost ready to send another shipment out. The wagons are already two-thirds full. However, there were sightings of Gnolls. They’re watching the camp. Herewith Joran, we came up with the fortifications you’re seeing, but that’ll just slow them down.”

“A mixed news then. I’m glad you’re working easily with humans, and the food is good news. As I left, we’ve been already through a tenth of the first shipment.”

“Aye, that bunch isn’t too bad. Frontier people, not some spoiled noblemen. Joran here is an old veteran. Without him, that Gibbins fella would perish already.”

“Hmm, interesting. We’ve found a dungeon back home. Will you be able to join me in the first run? There’s also other news, direr, “Horn said, but he noticed Gibbins stopped playing and was listening in from a nearby campfire, so he just added, “But they can wait until we’re alone.”

“We should be fine in here. We have fifty dwarves, half of them warriors, with our sergeants and Joran’s people no Gnolls should be an issue. Not unless they show much bigger force than the last time.”

“Good, let’s talk with our host. You can translate, don’t you?”

Either he was paranoid, or the other player understood what they said. There weren’t many other options. Taking Goran with him, they approached. Horn caught himself frowning, he focused on maintaining a neutral face, but Gibbins had to notice something. He raised to his feet, bowing his head and saying in passable dwarvish, “Good to see you again, Horn. What brings you here?”