Chapter 231: The Request of the Black Iron Clan Leader

Chapter 231: The Request of the Black Iron Clan Leader

In the geothermal hall of Forge Fortress, a three-meter-wide pit had formed on one side of the wall and the ground.

Where a Tempering Forge once stood, it was now gone.

The stone gate of the hall had been shattered, and the scattered debris had been cleaned up by the Black Iron Dwarves and piled up beside the main entrance.

Lu Heng looked at the scene with a sense of helplessness.

He never expected things to turn out this way.

I

The Black Iron Clan had suffered an Abyssal invasion, similar to the Banseer Tribe, and after centuries of migration, the clan gradually declined, with their population dwindling.

Although they still retained the forging and tempering techniques from their glorious era, many forging and tempering equipment had been lost during their journey.

N

Rebuilding a new Tempering Forge was beyond their capabilities.

...

This was the uncertainty of the Abyssal Battlefield summons.

Based on the main storyline tasks from the Abyssal Battlefield, the tasks seemed to guide humans to help the Black Iron Dwarves, but it wasn't mandatory.

In other words, the summoned metahumans had countless choices.

They could help the Black Iron Dwarves, assist the Bloodline Demons, or choose not to help either side.

Of course, they could also plunder treasures from either party.

When the interests were significant enough, incidents of metahumans robbing the natives could occur.

Now, with just the theft of a Tempering Forge, it was nothing compared to what humans had done when they first landed on the Blue Planet.

A

Lu Heng expressed his stance, stating his willingness to help the Black Iron Dwarves retake Blackstone City.

A

"

Lu Heng paused before continuing, "My sword was forged by Guru Master, and I believe the leader can see that this is the unique forging technique of the Black Iron Clan.

"The leader doesn't need to trust me completely right now, just temporarily set aside your prejudices and observe the actions of this group of humans.

"We will find a way to help the Black Iron Clan retake Blackstone City, and in this regard, our goals are aligned.

"Additionally, my team consists of three people, and I can assure you that the leader can trust my team members absolutely.

"As for the other humans, the leader should not completely let down his guard, but also not hunt them down. Observe their actions and make a decision later.

"If they are willing to assist the Black Iron Dwarves in attacking the Bloodline Demons in Blackstone Mine, our chances of success will be greater.

"Temporarily set aside your prejudices, and the Black Iron Clan won't suffer any additional losses. Instead, there's a possibility of gaining human assistance to retake Blackstone City.

"I believe the leader should seriously consider my proposal, as I think this is the best opportunity for the Black Iron Clan to retake Blackstone City."

The ongoing three-year conflict was accelerating the decline of his Black Iron Clan.

For the past three years, the Black Iron Clan had been attempting to retake Blackstone City, hoping to reclaim their former home.

This situation could easily reverse at any moment, and if the Bloodline Demons switched to the offensive, attacking Forge Fortress, the current weak state of the fortress might not withstand even a single assault.

At that point, his Black Iron Clan would either be annihilated or forced to flee, starting another migration and slowly walking the path of extinction.

He didn't want to see this happen.

Moreover, he had a grudge to settle.

A

H

Their clan had also shown signs of a renaissance due to the abundant mineral and geothermal resources in Blackstone Mine, allowing them to forge more powerful weapons and strengthen their clan's combat capabilities.

However, one day, the Bloodline Demons suddenly descended and attacked Blackstone City.

H

Blackstone City was strategically located, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

He couldn't understand how the Bloodline Demons had managed to conquer Blackstone City.

On the night Blackstone City fell, he wasn't in the city but was away on a clan mission.

When he received the news and returned with his guards, the ram-headed Bloodline Demons had already occupied Blackstone City.

Learning of his father's death in the city, his eyes filled with hatred.

However, he knew he couldn't rush in and die in vain.

So, he and his guards searched far and wide, gathering the scattered clan members and temporarily settling in Forge Fortress, waiting for an opportunity to retake Blackstone City.

This conflict between the Black Iron Clan and the Bloodline Demons had been ongoing for three years.

If the current situation continued, it would eventually lead to the extinction of the Black Iron Clan.

D

The Bloodline Demons occupied Blackstone City and Blackstone Mine, possessing the most resources and the most strategically advantageous location.

Dakville's closest approach to the center of Blackstone City was when he dug through the mines, leading an elite group to stealthily infiltrate the city.

That was also the most promising opportunity to reclaim Blackstone City, but it ultimately ended in failure.

That was two years ago.

In the following two years, the Black Iron Clan had been blindly persisting, seeing no hope of turning the tide.

Now, Dakville had two choices before him: continue fighting against the Bloodline Demons until the Black Iron Clan was completely annihilated, or leave Forge Fortress, depart from the Lava Plains, and find another place to recuperate.

Just like his grandfather, Dakville I.

His grandfather, Dakville I, had led the Black Iron Clan on a migration, arriving at the Lava Plains and constructing Blackstone City on Blackstone Mountain, a city that showed signs of the clan's renaissance.

It was the clan's glory, and his father, Dakville II, also had grand ambitions, wanting to continue the clan's revival.

But one night, the Bloodline Demons descended, severing the Black Iron Clan's renaissance.

Now, it was his turn.

He faced the same choice as his grandfather, Dakville I—whether to search for a new homeland.

He lacked confidence because he was born in the Lava Plains, born in Blackstone Mine; his roots were there.

He didn't know if he could find a suitable place for the Black Iron Clan to settle down if they left the Lava Plains.

He also didn't want to leave because his grandfather and father were here, and he... also wanted to stay.

So, even with just a glimmer of hope, he wanted to take a chance.

...

Lu Heng followed Dakville through the mural corridor of Forge Fortress, listening to him recount the history of the Dakville Black Iron Clan.

This history wasn't long; it spanned about a century from Dakville I to the present.

Before that, there was the even more ancient history of the Black Iron Clan.

It began with the Abyssal Descent, when the Black Iron Clan split into multiple branches and began their migration.

After listening attentively, Lu Heng said, "Leader Dakville, I'm willing to help you. I'll do my best to assist the Black Iron Clan in reclaiming Blackstone City.

"This is also the wish of Guru Master Gru. If there's a chance in the future, I'll bring him to meet you."

Dakville now had two options: trust the human before him and take a chance, or lead his clan away from the Lava Plains in search of a new home, a destination unknown.

He lacked the confidence to replicate his grandfather's feat and undertake such a migration without a clear goal.

After an afternoon of interaction, Dakville also saw the sincerity in Lu Heng.

As the clan leader, he had exceptional qualities to keep so many clan members by his side during times of crisis.

Feeling Lu Heng's sincerity, Dakville made a decision.

"I'm willing to trust you, but you must show your sincerity. After all, what you've done is unforgivable to us," Dakville stated his request.

Lu Heng understood this was a test of loyalty and nodded in agreement, "Sure, will thirty Bloodline Demons be enough?"

However, Dakville shook his head, "I've seen your ability to disguise yourself. Aside from impersonating a Black Iron Dwarf, can you disguise yourself as a Bloodline Demon?"

Lu Heng had initially infiltrated Forge Fortress by disguising himself as a Black Iron Dwarf, so Dakville was aware of this ability.

"I can, but it's dangerous," Lu Heng replied.

"My father's ashes are still in Blackstone City, enduring the humiliation of the Bloodline Demons. I hope you can enter the city and retrieve my father's ashes. If you succeed, you'll earn the complete trust of the Black Iron Clan," Dakville pleaded.

As he finished speaking, a hidden quest appeared before Lu Heng's eyes.

【Hidden Quest: Dakville II's Ashes】

【Content: During the fall of Blackstone City, Dakville II perished in the city, and his ashes remained there. Dakville III hopes you can enter Blackstone City and retrieve his father's ashes.】

【Reward: Dakville's Gratitude Gift】

Upon seeing the quest information, Lu Heng understood that this was the quickest way to gain the Black Iron Clan's trust.

Although the task was dangerous, the current situation was complicated.

Completing this quest could quickly turn the tide and restore order.

After a moment's consideration, Lu Heng replied, "Alright, I agree. But I have one condition."

"Go on."

"During the time I'm in Blackstone City, I hope the Black Iron Clan will temporarily cease hunting down other humans. Of course, necessary vigilance should be maintained, so it's more like a temporary ceasefire. Is that possible?" Lu Heng asked.

This request was not unreasonable.

After a moment of thought, Dakville agreed, "Sure, if you can retrieve my father's ashes, I'm willing to make peace with you."

"Great, I'll take on this task," Lu Heng confirmed.

After both sides reached an agreement, all the metahumans summoned to the Lava Plains witnessed a change in the quest information.

The first main quest underwent a slight alteration.

【1. Evade the pursuit of the Dakville Black Iron Clan. (Paused)】

This meant that the Dakville Black Iron Clan's pursuit of metahumans had temporarily ceased, and whether they would resume the hunt depended on future developments.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end