Chapter 33: Come Back Quickly, the Village Is Handing Out Succubi
The leading dwarf hesitated for a while, but in that short time, two caravan guards had already lifted the barrel of Mahakam spirits and placed it in front of him.
The aroma of the wine emanating from the barrel almost hooked out these dwarves' hungry worms.
This made him stop insisting: "Okay, then thank you."
The caravan continued on its way.
After that, they passed several more checkpoints.
With the Mahakam badge leading the way, all checkpoints were cleared.
And Istrad returned the favor.
Without exception, they all gave away a barrel of Mahakam spirits for free.
With barrels of Mahakam spirits being given away, one could clearly feel the obvious change in the attitude of these dwarves.
Geralt rode his horse to Lynn's side and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Lynn, do you know why Istrad is doing this?"
Lynn nodded.
"The high-quality weapons produced by the dwarves have filled Mahakam's treasury with wealth. However, contrary to what most people think, ordinary dwarves don't actually live very well."
"The money earned from each transaction goes directly into the hands of the elders."
"Or more precisely, it is sent to the vault deep in Carbon Mountain."
"Dwarves get their daily necessities from their clans: clothes, food, tools..."
"Besides, dwarves who want more things won't live long in Mahakam."
Geralt said with a sigh.
"As you said, ordinary dwarves in Mahakam cannot keep their wealth. Therefore, they can't often drink the famous wine produced in their hometown."
Lynn raised his eyebrows: "It sounds really miserable."
Geralt was noncommittal about this: "Maybe, this is also the reason why some dwarves choose to escape from Mahakam, but some humans envy this kind of life?"
"Envy?" Lynn gave Geralt a strange look.
He couldn't help but wonder if he had misheard.
Geralt smiled.
"It feels incredible, right? Although most of the wealth created by these ordinary dwarves is handed over to the elders, ordinary dwarves living in Mahakam don't have to worry about tomorrow and the future. The clan will arrange everything for them."
"The clan teaches them to read and write, and teaches them how to become a real dwarf. Even those dwarves who don't really know how to swing a hammer, the clan will assign them to suitable positions."
"When the clan thinks someone is suitable to be a father, the clan will also introduce him to a partner."
"When they have children, the clan will help them raise their children so that they can go out to work during the day."
"When they are old and can't move, the clan will take care of them and help them live their old age."
"Therefore, although ordinary dwarves generally don't have much wealth in their lives, they don't have to worry about tomorrow and the future."
"This is also what some humans envy them for."
...
When they passed the last checkpoint, the peaks suddenly unfolded.
Green fields, blue skies and snow-capped mountain peaks appeared in the field of vision.
The huge valley stretched out in front of them, all the way to the misty east.
At this moment, the valley was bathed in sunlight.
Protected by mountains on all sides, the valley was full of large and small mines, foundries, forges and armories.
Standing on the top of the mountain and looking down, you could see the dwarves below as dense and busy as ants.
At this time, thirty dwarven soldiers came up to greet them. The leading dwarven captain said politely but with some sense of distance.
"Your Excellency Istrad, the elders asked me to lead you and your people."
"Thank you for your trouble."
The dwarven captain waved his hand.
His men were divided into two groups.
One group led the way in front.
The other group went around to the back of the convoy.
When the team had walked a third of the way down the mountain, the dwarven captain suddenly came to Lynn's side.
Compared to when he was talking to Istrad, the dwarven captain's attitude was even more polite at this time.
"Are you two Witchers?"
Although he was confused as to why they were looking for him, Lynn nodded.
"That's right."
The dwarven captain immediately showed an "I knew it" expression.
"When you get to Carbon Mountain, please come with me. The elders have a commission and are looking for Witchers to help."
Lynn and Geralt looked at each other.
"Captain, do you know what the elders want us to do?"
The dwarven captain shook his head quickly: "Sorry, please ask the elders in person when you see them for the specific situation. I don't know either. I'm only responsible for conveying the message."
Geralt mouthed to Lynn: "It's okay to go and take a look first."
So Lynn said to the dwarven captain.
"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."
It took a full two hours to walk from the top of the mountain to the valley.
By the time the slope under the horses' hooves began to slow down, it was already evening.
The narrow mountain road also began to become wide and straight.
Before parting, Lynn went to Istrad and told him about the elders' summons.
Although Istrad was surprised, he thought about it and said.
"We may stay in Mahakam for three to five days. If you are still unable to get away by then, then we will discuss the future situation at that time?"
Since the employer was so understanding, how could Lynn refuse?
So, Istrad and the others in the caravan found a hotel to stay in after arriving in the valley.
And Lynn and Geralt followed the dwarven team and continued to move deep into the valley.
By the time they arrived at the solid castle deep in the valley, it was completely dark.
The torches on the battlements were burning brightly.
Lights also streamed out from the windows behind the city tower.
Lynn couldn't help but ask: "Are we here?"
The dwarven captain smiled and pointed his finger upwards.
"No, Master Witcher, please look up."
Look up?
Lynn raised his head in confusion and looked up.
Then his sight kept rising higher and higher.
At first, he only saw rocks and trees, and the mountains covered by the night.
But then, he noticed the misty lights high up.
It was a castle tower, embedded on the steep cliffs.
The lights on the tower were like orange eyes overlooking the earth.
Above that, there was a higher and farther tower.
And then there was another one.
Finally, at the extremely high place where eagles soared, there was a starlight that dotted the night sky.
But if you look closely, you will find that it is not starlight, but dots of lights.
"Carbon Mountain, the capital of Mahakam."
Lynn heard Geralt next to him say this.
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