บท 21: Grandmaster Kholic

Their journey through the Darkwood Forest proceeded smoothly after disposing of the Gnoll Pack; Samiel and Yvraine proceeded to enter the Lambrean Mountains soon after. While not many thought about it, Lambrean Mountains were a gloomy and depressive place, not entirely majestic, and the environment was shit.

Lambrean Mountains were like desolate lands, without much vegetation or magical beasts. Everywhere where the eye could see just grey rocks, boulders, stones, and all over again. Basically, luck of flora and fauna, one would expect to be in some mountain range. Probably because of this, Rock Trolls chose this as their home and came here from whatever they came.

After they entered the Lambrean Mountains, Yvraine already knew where to go, as she had already memorized the road to the mining outpost of the Nesser Dynasty. Apparently, it wasn't that far from their current location where they entered the Mountains.

Yvraine learned about all outposts, territories, and places under the control of the Nesser Dynasty and its vassals before she started climbing Tower. Her reason was so she could take some resources or things needed.

Fortunately for them, during their journey through the narrow valley and cliffs of the Lambrean Mountains, they didn't encounter any monsters, magical beasts, or any other hostile species or people. This was because they were at a very remote location, and a few people knew about its existence.

Within 5 hours, they managed to arrive at the secret area of the Lambrean Mountains, which was controlled by the Nesser Dynasty, where they mined rare and precious resources. Even though it was just a 1st Floor, Lambrean Mountains had some precious loges of ores, which were considered valuable even on the higher floors.

As they were entering the area of the Nesser Dynasty's mining post, suddenly, an overwhelming aura descended upon them as a handsome middle-aged man descended from the sky. The fact that he could fly indicated relatively clearly the man's Tier by itself.

He was clad in a Wizards gown and holding staff. He belonged to the High Elf species, so his appearance was pretty similar to that of the Silvermoon Elves. However, unlike Silvermoon Elves, his hair was golden instead of platinum silver.

"Oh... it is you, Crown Princess."

Stated the High Elven Man as he dusted off his robes altogether; he was giving off a sharp and powerful feeling. Even though the man was clearly a Legendary, Samiel wasn't intimidated a bit, as he just curiously looked at the first Legendary being he encountered.

"Crown Princess greets the Tree Guardian Bemarthein."

Yvraine greeted him politely, and Samiel followed her immediately. He knew from her what the Title of the Tree Guardian symbolized to the entire Elvenkind. Also, it was proper etiquette to be polite to those more powerful. Especially when it came to experts who could wipe out entire contents with their magic.

For Elves as a whole, there were two most important things. One of them was the Well, and another one was the World Tree and Trees of Life. The same was for the Elven Gods, though they had their own in their Divine Kingdoms, not all Elven Gods. Still, if an Elven God had World Tree in his Divine Kingdom, it was said to boost up his power several times over.

Tree of Life was a special kind of Tree that produced countless precious resources, and the Tree of Life, when matured, had combat prowess of the Transcendent Level; it was one of the few Transcendental Lifeforms that could freely exist in the mortal part of the Tower.

The title of the Tree Guardian was bestowed on the strong Legendary Elves who dedicated their lives to the live in seclusion from everything and just solely dedicated their focus to protecting the Tree of Life when it was sleeping.

In the Elven Society, the Tree Guardians were one of the most worshipped people as they directly served the Tree of Life. It was one of the highest social-standing related occupations one could achieve.

'So what do we have here...Old Deus? Let me look a closer look.'

Thought the Tree Guardian Bemarthen as he looked at Samiel with scrutinizing eye, as he was able to disclose Old Deus species with a single glance.

'Not hiding his Eldritch Aura? Probably a young one and didn't know how to do it. Though the question is, how can such a monster appear on the 1st Floor without anyone noticing it? Damm... Times are getting more and more interesting and at the same time dangerous.'

The reason for that was that they always had that weird stench of cold, freezing void around them and touch madness in their eyes that is impossible to hide from the outer world.

As Elves were naturally long species, and he was Legendary on top of that, Bemarthein met many Eldritch-related things, not to mention he even once met an Outer God more than fifteen thousand years ago.

He knew very well the terror of what Outer Gods represented. And just like many before him, and countless after him, he also preferred to avoid anything related to the Outer Gods. Just the existence of the Hall of Kadath, the mad worshippers of the Outer Gods, was enough to send shivers through one's spine all over again.

Not to mention meeting living and breathing Eldritch Creature.

"What is bringing you to the Lambrean Mountain, Princess?"

Questioned Bemarthein, as he warily looked at the young man beside her, as he knew that worshippers of the Outer Gods were unpredictable and mad personas. Even though he could see that Samiel was holding himself up very well, at least for now.

And most importantly, even though he was a Legendary Level expert, he didn't want to have anything to do with anything related to the Outer Ones that just smelled like trouble.

"Searching for some rare metals and ores, possible or the Dimeritium."

Answered Yvraine smoothly, as Bemarthein looked at her before he nodded his head, not really caring for what she needed it. Nesser Dynasty was rich enough in resources to prove their Crown Princess with few kilograms of some ore and or metal.

"You should ask the person in charge, but there should be some of the newly mined. I must depart now to take a look at the new world that got connected to the Tower."

Stated Bemarthein as he waved his staff and dispersed into the shadows.

Meanwhile, Yvraine and Samiel preceded to enter the place as they soon arrived at the small mining village. Even though it was a mining village, it was well fortified with several guarding Towers, and several tens of powerful Elven Knights were patrolling the village.

Even though it was just a mining outpost, many soldiers were present, like they were preparing for some battle.

After they arrived at the mining village, Samiel could see a lot of o Elves going here and there, but also a lot of Dwarves. Actually, the Dwarves were doing most of the mining work in the mine. At the same time, Elves were responsible for other things.

Dwarves were short, below 150cm, sturdy and muscular. All of them had a natural affinity for metallurgy, blacksmithing, invention, mining, or stoneworking. Not to mention that Dwarves were fierce warriors.

Their natural lifespan was around 500 years in even mana-less environments. Thus, they were often termed as an Elder Race, and all of them were born with unnatural strength and a strong aptitude for being Warrior.

Additionally, many Dwarves were adept at the Runic Magic and Runes in general. Runes were a rare branch of magic that only those gifted with special aptitude and talent could learn.

Still, most of the dwarves had some level of affinity to their dwarvish runes.

They used these runes as inscriptions on their weapons and armor, creating far superior equipment than anyone other could. Because of this, dwarven weapons and armor were highly sought after, as they were of superb quality.

Yvraine took Samiel to the house of the Chief Miner, who was an elderly dwarf with sturdy, muscular arms and runic tattoos around his entire body. By just looking at him, one could say that this dwarf was a very powerful Legendary Level expert.

"What ye doing here, little girl?"

Shouted at her the Chief Miner as he continued to hammer the weapon on which he was working, as they probably disturbed him in the forging process. Dwarves hated when someone disturbed them in their smithies; as for them, their smithy was a holy place for a dwarf.

"You are still alive, Grandmaster Kholic? I thought that you would have long ago gotten a heart attack from all of those anger problems you have."

Stated Yvraine back to Grandmaster Kholic Kragchin. He was one of the Grandmaster Blacksmiths and was even a Runesmith, which was a very prestigious occupation among the Dwarven Race.

"Dammed Elfling! What problems do I have? I am a perfectly healthy dwarf!"

He shouted back in anger as he struck the sword he was hammering so much that it almost broke apart. Usually, Dwarves had a fiery temper and were prone to anger issues.

"Of course, can I get some Dimeritium?"

She asked as he suddenly stopped hammering the sword and looked at Yvraine. Now, he was genuinely intrigued by his request.

Asking for Dimeritium was not an everyday request as the metal was a pretty precious one. So the dwarven Grandmaster was pretty interested in why she wanted it.

"What for?"

Dimeritium was one of the most precious metals across not only Tower but countless worlds and dimensions due to its anti-magic properties. Such things were very valuable to come by, even for strong factions.

One of the few anti-magic metals in the Cosmos and was very rare.

Yvraine just pointed at Samiel's armor, and Grandmaster Kholic's eyes almost popped out as he rushed at Samiel and started observing his armor. It was a dream of every blacksmith to one day forge an Ego Artifact.

Of course, Grandmaster Kholic was no different from this goal, so having a chance to inspect a genius Ego Artifact was precious, even though he could see that the Ego of this one was extinguished.

Even still, it was precious artifact and he could learn much from studying it even if the Ego was extinguished.

"It was in the vaults of the Nesser Dynasty, and it never reacted to anyone until I let him wear it... after it woke up, we found out that the Armor is severely damaged and is falling apart."