Back at Edgar’s dining room Sparrow’s father coughed awkwardly and explained, “His majesty, Hogard Goldplate, wants to see the lad Kairos Astroire about his ale.”

The dining hall turned rowdy immediately. Being summoned is a big thing, and punctuality is expected.

Yet, right now, the person being summoned still do not know.

Fortunately, the messengers this time is the high prince and princess themselves and would not be punished harshly.

Still, the irk of a king is tough to bear. Sparrow and her father hurried after Kairos once they found out that he should be at the inn.

When they caught him having dinner with Relestia and the rest, the two dwarves sighed in relief.

“GOOD NEWS!” Sparrow bellowed, “I’ve arranged a royal audience for you, Kairos!”

Kairos looked at the dwarf girl that suddenly rushed in and dropped the bomb. He wiped his hands on a handkerchief and then put the dirtied cloth aside.

After a while, Kairos nodded at the two dwarves and stood up.

“Then, I shall prepare myself.”

Excusing himself, Kairos went to change his clothes.

Unexpectedly, when he returned downstairs, Relestia, Leo, and Linda have already finished their food and were dressed to go with him.

Unlike Kairos who had to change out of his blacksmith attire, the others only had to get a coat or put on some ornaments.

While they had not changed much, it was adequate to meet with the dwarven king.

Kairos gave them a nod and the group headed straight to the palace.

The dwarven palace is a colourful place. All kinds of rare stones and precious gems adorned the walls and are lit up by molten lava that never cools.

However, while walking through the place, Kairos could not feel the scorching heat he was expected.

Instead, the gentle glow from the magma only made this place more enchanting. Kairos looked around and as expected there is magic at work in this place.

Led by Sparrow and her father, the group continued deeper into the palace and as they walked, the magma slowly turned into a cold blue glow that continue to turn brighter. Until finally, when they arrived outside the throne room, the magma has turned iridescent white.

The guards outside the audience hall banged maces on shields and roared.

The louder their cries were, the greater their hospitality to this guest.

They were trained to make very precise volumes to announce the visitors’ welcome.

For a moment, the noise that announced Kairos’ arrival was equal to welcoming a prince of another race.

And, just as the bellowing ended, the gates to the throne room shifted open revealing two rows of dwarven soldiers that stood at attention, patiently awaiting the guests to step into the hall.

As Kairos and his party walked in, the dwarven soldiers will bang their maces just as they passed before reverting to an at ease position.

Two courtiers came forward and indicated to Kairos where to stand before backing away respectfully.

Then as everyone had come to a stop, they waited quietly for the king to address them.

Unexpectedly, Hogard Goldplate stood up from his throne with sceptre in hand and gave Kairos and his group a smile.

“I’m sorry for all these formalities,” the dwarven king tugged at his clothes awkwardly and said after much fidgeting, “our gnomish cousins are very particular about etiquettes and sometimes a king needs to bear certain… inconveniences… to maintain good relations.”

Kairos, Leo, and the High Prince slammed a fist into their chest and bowed to the king while the girls in the group curtsied.

Suddenly the Hogard knocked his sceptre twice against the floor, and the guards quickly closed the gates as most of the soldiers and courtiers filed out.

Only the court mage and his trusted advisers were left after a moment.

Almost immediately, the stoic atmosphere seem to fade like receding tides and everyone relaxed.

Kairos’ party looked with bewilderment as every dwarf in this place seemed to have changed personality.

An adviser munched on an apple while another is digging through his pockets looking for a swig bottle.

Meanwhile, the court mage was bringing out treats and candy from her item box and generously giving them to everyone including the king.

Instead of the throne room, it’s as if they are in a bar.

Looking at their ease, Kairos realised that the real decisions of the dwarven kingdoms are made like this.

Unlike the humans who have many Jarls, the dwarves only have one king, Hogard. Thus it was unexpected to see such a scene.

Fortunately, the lad had seen his fair share despite his years and he quickly took out some drinks from his own collection.

Then, as if he was conjuring items from thin air, every person in this place suddenly found themselves facing a small table with several different mugs, cups, and food.

Linda’s hands reached forward wanting the grab food off her table, despite having a full lunch, but Leo quickly stopped her, “Linda, you can’t eat until the king ate first.”

Hogard noticed the gesture and laughed heartily, and with a booming voice declared, “Children are not bound by our laws. Let her eat.”

The dwarven king then looked at Kairos with interest.

This time, Kairos brought up more selection than just the fruit ale he had shown others.

There were mead, spirits, and wine as well. Linda, of course, only received mock drinks and juices.

After an adviser ensured the drinks and food are not poisoned and some protective spells were cast, the king took a mug and drank everything in one go.

“This mead… How artistic is its burn! It scorches yet dances…,”Hogard paused in mid speech as if considering how to best describe what he tasted, then promptly giving up, he sat down and quickly savoured every food and drink on his table as if unwilling to let the moment pass.

Once the king started, everyone joined in.

At this time, the throne room gates were pushed opened just as they were about to gorge themselves on food and drinks.

Five old fellows flocked in like bees attracted by pollen.

“HOGARD! You didn’t wait for us!” Whittleblade screamed.

“I-I didn’t know you guys were coming,” the king protested weakly.

The five dwarves vehemently insisted it is Hogard’s fault, and then promptly found a place to sit down.

Kairos made sure no one saw him rolling his eyes before summoning tables for the new arrivals. The five dwarves had reached late because they were gobbling up food and drinks just moments ago. And now, they are already ready for round two.

As Kairos expected, there really are no limit to a dwarf’s stomach.

Soon more drinks were inhaled and food disappearing so quickly it is as though they fell into the void.

Of course, for the humans, their stomachs were limited and they can only regretfully eat a little, but even then everything was gone that even the dishes do not seem to require scrubbing clean.

After everyone had finished gorging themselves on the food and drinks Kairos prepared, they started enjoying the treats that the court mage brought out.

It was then that Edgar and the other dwarves told their king of what Kairos is doing.

Hearing that the five secret scrolls could be simplified and restored, Hogard jumped out of his throne with pure undulated elation.

He asked a few questions that was promptly answered.

After making certain that Kairos has the confidence to demystify the old writings into something that they could study and research from, the king thanked the lad profusely and called him a friend of the dwarves.

Little did he know that this title is rarely given and a great honour.

From this day forward, Kairos will be treated as a benefactor of the dwarves. Any favour that he asks will be treated with great importance.

To be a friend of a dwarf is a great thing.

Countless people hoped to earn the trust of even one dwarf because it means to have a friend for life that could be relied on when it counts.

The dwarves doesn’t accept anyone from another race as a friend easily, because no one else are as loyal as they are. Thus to be considered a friend of the dwarves will instantly make Kairos a person that kings dare not offend.

Of course, the news of this had yet to be spread, and even if everyone on the Axis knows, there are still plenty who will not hesitate to target Kairos.

With the affairs of the five ancient scrolls settled, King Hogard finally explained his purpose of wanting to meet Kairos.

As expected, it is the ale the lad brewed that piqued the dwarf king’s interest. In fact, hearing the incredible news regarding the five ancient scrolls wasn’t why the dwarven king made Kairos a friend of the dwarves. It was also because he tasted the brews and wanted to win this talented lad over.

The dwarves’ love for drinks is unquestionable. Brew is the reason why gnomes and dwarves built their cities in the same place.

So when Hogard heard of Kairos’ ale, he wanted to try it no matter the cost.

Because everyone knows how the dwarves’ undying fondness of alcohol, Hogard did not expect Kairos to bring out the drinks so easily just now. He had thought that there will be some haggling and exchange of coins before he can have a sample.

Nevertheless, it was love at first sip.

Each drink that Kairos made were delicate and had their own unique attraction, and it made everyone in the throne room feel as if their souls were soaring the heavens.

When the brews first enter the mouth, they were already taken away by the fruity, nutty, or earthly tastes. Then as the liquid flows over their tongue and swims down their throats, it became refreshing, or mesmerising, or shocking.

And when they finished all the drinks, the aftertastes overlapped and there was a kind of satisfaction and peace as though they were rejuvenated by a hot spring.

In fact, it isn’t too dissimilar from soaking in healing waters, as their very cells were renewed and they feel a warmness from their bellies. After all, these drinks were concoction mixed with the herbalist knowledge learned from Helena.

Just as they basked in the sense of peace, tears started falling from everyone who had a drink. Even the hard-headed dwarves felt their eyes moisten because their bodies were thanking them and repaying them with such a good feeling that it stirred up their hearts and brought them into reminisce.

It took several moments before everyone snapped out of it.

Just recalling the drinks, Hogard addressed Kairos with even more respect than he gave the human Jarls, “The taste of your brew started with flavours, then emotions, and finally memories. The privilege you have bestowed everyone here is something we cannot repay.”

On the dwarven king’s face is a look that says he can die without regrets after what he drank today.

Kairos almost fell over when he noticed Hogard’s expressions before asking for permission to speak.

The king gave him a nod and Kairos said, “Your majesty, I have only brought out a fraction of my creation. Because of time restrains, many of my brews are still fermenting.”

Hearing this, Hogard no longer feel he can die without regrets. His eyes are so fired up as if flames can leap out.

“I will give u fifteen stores and a brewery if you open shop in Blacken Soot City,” the king declared immediately.

Kairos went silent and his face fell for a moment.

He really wanted to accept the offer. For one, he is starting to run low on funds and this will be a really good source of income.

Secondly, once the brewing started, he can just hire people to continue and his work is done. This is attractive to him and will free up a lot of time to spend on finding a way home instead of trying to get resources.

Thirdly, he still needs to study the scrolls right now and could not leave the city. During this time, having a brewery will be a perfect timing.

However, before Kairos said out his reason for refusing, Edgar stood up.

“You know it will piss off the gnomes, so why are you asking my student to do such a thing?”

Hearing that the throne room fell silent.

After a while Hogard said only one thing, “Don’t think that the relations between us dwarves and our gnome cousins are all that good.”

The king had long uncovered a lot of the gnomes hidden agendas and he was not pleased with many of them.

Hogard looked at Kairos then said, “From the day you entered the city using your ale, and with it sought apprenticeship with Edgar, you had fallen within the gnomes’ sights.”

Then, the king turned towards Edgar and added, “Although the lad may not understand, you should know the meaning of being a friend of the dwarves. Isn’t that also a form of protection I have given the boy?”

The room fell silent once again, with everyone occupied with their own thoughts, measuring the dwarven king’s words.

Then Kairos asked for permission to speak and once received acknowledgement he said, “If I am targeted from the start for my ale, then I feel it is better to go all the way. I shall accept your majesty’s generosity and open shop in your city.”

Hogard Goldplate gave Kairos a nod of approval and called for an adviser who led Kairos away to make the necessary arrangements.

At this time, several shipments had already arrived in the Blacken Soot City: The books and scrolls from the gnomes, human, and elven kind that Kairos had asked for.

Yet, the people delivering these items had received other instructions and many of them had a wicked smile on their lips.