Chapter 1017 - 144: Reclaiming the Frost Fang Mountain Range and Obtaining the Book of Hatred
To capture this place, Redbeard and the warriors of Gray Rock fought fiercely at the narrow entrance, enduring the tide-like onslaught of the Beastmen. The War Axe cleaved through thick fur and bone, the Warhammer smashed twisted horns, and the Shield Wall thunderously absorbed the frenzied impact, yet remained unmoved. The Dwarf Engineers braved the hail of arrows and falling rocks, rapidly surveying the structure of the rock walls under the cover of the Shield Wall.
On the high ground behind, the crossbowmen and firearms soldiers of the Hesse Territory formed a dense shooting line, firing precise arrows and lead bullets like rain upon the enemies above the pass, suppressing their long-range firepower and shooting down monsters attempting to climb the rock walls from behind. Rangers and Butchers used ropes and rock spikes, scaling the treacherous cliffs from the side under the guidance of the Dwarf Engineers, trying to find a path to attack from the enemy’s flank and rear.
After a prolonged battle, the Dwarf Engineers finally discovered a weak point on the rock wall beside the pass, likely remnants of ancient dwarf blasting tunnels. Under the desperate cover of the Shield Wall, they quickly planted powerful dwarf explosives. A mountain-shaking roar! Rocks and dust leapt skyward, blasting a large gap in the rock wall on the side of the pass, crushing a host of enemies and opening a new attack route!
At this critical moment, Dorok Redbeard roared "For the ancestors!" and led the Redbeard elite in a furious charge from the blasted gap. Meanwhile, the rangers who had successfully climbed initiated attacks from above. The beast herd and bandits, caught in a pincers attack, instantly collapsed, divided, and annihilated by the alliance army. The pass was painted red with blood, yet signified that the alliance army of the Hesse Territory and dwarves had fully breached the interior of the Frost Fang Mountain Range.
Upon entering this ancient colony abandoned by dwarves, the returns exceeded everyone’s imagination.
The first discovery was the dwarf defense works. Within this pass, after clearing the overgrown vines and piled rubble, the engineers of the Gray Rock Clan uncovered several buried resentment catapult turrets. Although the crossbow cannons were corroded, the turrets’ Seeking Rune (Dragon Hunting Rune) remained. With simple repairs, this place could once again become the most vital trade route checkpoint for dwarves and ensure the Frost Fang Mountain interior would remain free from invasion by Green Skin and Beastmen.
During further exploration, the rangers brought even more thrilling news. In an underground palace near a suspected ancient artisan area, after clearing loose rock and Beastman trash piles, they discovered an ingeniously hidden, almost intact large storage cellar. Though the heavy fine steel door was rusted, it swung open thunderously under the deft unlocking skills and gunpowder power of the Dwarf Engineers. Amidst the dense dust smell, an even deeper, more enticing aroma was unveiled—barley beer! The cellar contained dozens of massive, well-sealed dwarf oak barrels neatly arranged. The barrel surfaces were etched with long-lost clan insignia and brewing years. The beer masters of Gray Rock cautiously tapped open a plug, instantly releasing a rich, mellow malt aroma that permeated the air, making every dwarf present take a deep breath, their exhausted faces breaking into incredible ecstasy. This was the ancestors’ gift, the liquid amber left from the lost Golden Era!
This was not merely wealth but a vital food supply. During Bergman’s generous fierce flame, Hesse Territory knew well that the dwarf barley beer, being very potent and energy-rich, could provide nutrition for dwarves for several days.
But the most crucial discovery was in a command center partially buried by fallen rocks. Dorok Redbeard personally led the cleanup. They pried open a severely deformed fine steel door, revealing a small room filled with dust and cobwebs. On the stone table at the center lay a hefty tome, bound with sturdy metal and leather. The book’s cover was embedded with dim gemstones, engraved with an ancient Rune—the Book of Hatred of Frost Fang Mountain dwarves.
It detailed the tragic encounters of the last days before the fall of Frost Fang Mountain: the Beastman Tribe’s despicable ambush, the siege’s brutal battles, the loss details of key defense points, and the systematic slaughter by monsters against the dwarf bloodline!
Should one clear the enemies mentioned, avenging the dwarves’ deep hatred, a treasure left by Frost Fang Mountain dwarves could be uncovered.