A cool breeze was blowing which had a fragrance of flowers that showed the signs of coming spring. It's been a week since Zain and his group left Vermillion city for the dwarven nation. They were just at the border of the Zinovia empire. Past the borders of the Zinovia empire was the Holy Moon Alliance.

But between them was a mountain range. This was a place where the dwarven kingdoms and other creatures who lived under the mountains were located. This was where Zain's destination was. They entered the mountain range.

Zain was currently travelling with a hundred and fifty big carriages in which he was transporting the food and supplies and a squad of soldiers. He was in a luxurious carriage with Draig and Raina.

"We have reached the border of the Bourbon kingdom. According to the map, we should be reaching their outer outpost."

Raina said as she looked at the map in front of her. Zain and Draig sitting opposite her were also observing the map. After travelling for some more time they finally arrived at the entrance of the Bourbon kingdom. The entrance was a large black iron gate into the mountain.

A group of dwarves were guarding the entrance. They were just a metre tall but were all in the saint realm. They were a considerable force for a small kingdom like Bourbon. But compared to Zeidan's Dukedom which was at least fifty times larger than this kingdom it wasn't much. Even the squad of fifty soldiers that Zain brought were forty Skysaint and ten grand mages not to mention Raina who was a legend.

The group was inspected before letting inside the mountain. But seeing that they brought large supplies the soldiers gave them good treatment. And a guard went to notify the king. This was Zain's first time seeing a dwarven kingdom. He was mesmerised by the sight of such a big city carved inside a mountain lightened by magic lights. Sky covered by mountain ceiling. Every house and shop is carved out of rock but it doesn't look bad but rather more stylish and clean.

But even so, the situation of the residents' dwarves was not good. One could see expressions of exhaustion and depression on their faces. This was because of the ongoing war with gnomes. They were experiencing casualties every day and their food supplies were constantly shrinking.

When they noticed Zain's group coming with food supplies, they quickly surrounded them. Zain didn't let go of this opportunity to earn goodwill and started distributing the supplies to the crowd. Dwarves were very touched by this gesture, some even started crying and thanking Zain repeatedly.

The things were worst than what Zain had imagined. The shortage of food was rather serious. If Zain didn't appeared they would have probably died because of hunger. His arrival was a lifesaver for many dwarves.

Not long after Zain started distributing food, the King of Bourbon, Durin arrived with his private guards. Every dwarf in the street kneeled. King Durin approached Zain.

The King was a little taller than the rest of the dwarves. He had a majestic presence. He was wearing black armour. The dents and cuts on the armour showed that he was personally fighting the war. The rest of his guard was in the same condition.

He observed Zain for some time before asking about his identity.

"I am Zain Bane, son of Duke Zeidan Bane." Zain formally greeted him.

"I am King Durin Welmoth the Seventh. It's pleasure meeting you. I don't know why you came here but I am really thankful for your help. And I also know that nothing comes free of cost, especially from you humans." Said the king.

"I knew that it would be against your honour to accept something which you didn't earn. I respect your majesty's morals." Zain answered.

"You have good control over your words, kid. I didn't expect it from someone your age. Go on then, tell me the real reason why you came here?" King said.

"Thanks for the compliment, King Durin. I think it was a wise choice for me to come here. Let's not waste our time. I will tell you what my Father, Duke Zeidan send me here for. His intention was to seek your friendship." As those words escaped from Zain's mouth King Durin's expression changed.

"Care to elaborate what you mean, young Duke." King said.

"I am not an heir to Duke, yet. Please just call me, Zain." Zain objected.

"Okay, Zain. Tell me why does your father have sent you here?" King asked.

"It has come to our knowledge that your majesty's kingdom is currently facing a difficult situation." Zain said.

The King first turned back and looked at the battered armour of his guards. Then said.

"Yes, Zain. We are at war with gnomes but nothing to worry about. Every time their assault lasts only till the end of winter after that they go back to the inner mountains."

"But King Durin, isn't the situation supposed to be calmed down by now? The gnomes are still continuing their assault with full power I guess, right?"

This time around the expression of King Durin tensed up. He already had a feeling that there was something off about this war. The gnomes have never been this desperate in the previous war. They were sacrificing two to three just for killing one. Some even throw a suicidal attack.

Although their losses were less than their enemy's but at this rate even if they came out victorious their foundations would have been shattered by the losses they would have suffered.

"What are you pointing at?" King asked.

"I just want to have a conversation with gnomes and try to stop the war."

This statement surprised King Durin.

"And I guess you would want something in return, right?" King asked.

"As you have already seen our land produces surplus food and that is what we want to trade with you in exchange for your weapons. We have already brought 100 tonnes of ration as "

"So you want our weapons." King said.

"Let me correct you here King Durin, look at the state of your people. I think it's you who require our food resources more desperately than how much we want the weapons." Zain stated.

Durin attention went to his people. Tattered cloths, empty stomach and sorrow-filled eyes. These were no people, their condition could be compared to the beggars. Durin was unwilling to produce weapons for the Duke, but he also couldn't let go of this opportunity and let his people die of hunger. So, in the end, he agreed to Zain's request.