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Chapter 557.5: Arranging for the Cole Elven Kingdom
Watching their new round of arguments, Ashes felt a bit dazed.
He never expected that the failed-trade scenarios he had imagined wouldn't happen at all.
Although they were arguing even more intensely than before, they had no intention of stopping the trade.
This both relieved Ashes and left him feeling helpless.
Indeed, he shouldn't have overthought things!
The new negotiations concluded even faster than before.
Woggi successfully raised the price of each captive to an average of fifteen tons of food.
This price would only hold for this transaction, as he planned to raise it further in the future.
Chris, unwilling to back down, sought to mask his real goal of acquiring more skilled labor.
He started demanding the gray dwarves add some precious metals to the deal.
For example, mithril, valued at 300 gold coins per gram.
Not much—just one gram per person would suffice.
Given their abundant rare metals, second prince Kreiser agreed without hesitation.
The gray dwarves' centuries of accumulation was an immense fortune.
Even with only a portion of it in hand, Kreiser didn't consider this demand significant.
He assumed that this price hike was Bay Territory exposing its true objective.
They were after rare metals!
On the first day alone, the two sides completed six transactions.
The trade contents remained unchanged, but the scope and volume had begun expanding.
It now included gray dwarves' smelting techniques, mining blueprints, rare gemstones, and specialized occupations.
Meanwhile, Bay Territory provided enchanted crossbows, higher-tier teleportation formations, large-capacity storage equipment, and specialized combat golems.
Through continuous probing, a certain level of trust was established between them, no longer as tense as in the beginning.
Of course, by evening—
A satisfied Chris returned to the castle.
As Woggi escorted him back, he noticed the walls lined with Bay Territory reinforcements and several newly appeared Dragon Cavalry Mark I golems, immediately dismissing any lingering thoughts.
Meanwhile, upon returning to the dwarf camp, Woggi immediately urged Kreiser to strengthen their defenses and vigilance, wary of a surprise attack from Bay Territory.
The trust between both sides was purely superficial. Neither was willing to expose any weaknesses nor believed in each other's promises.
Still, such a mutually beneficial trade would undoubtedly continue.
Over the next ten days—
The scale of trade between Bay Territory and Kreiser expanded significantly.
Correspondingly, Bay Territory increased its military presence in the underground world.
After negotiating with the Dwarven Kingdom, Bay Territory helped them defend cities and fortresses.
More and more castles made contact with Kreiser's controlled areas.
Despite this carefully selected partnership, Bay Territory remained cautious, ensuring no opportunities were left open.
To prevent greed from disrupting future plans.
With food supplies and military support from Bay Territory—
Kreiser reorganized his army and territory.
With remarkable decisiveness, he transported his people away from dangerous regions.
Simultaneously, he enforced stricter restructuring and training on his army.
Earlier, while defending, he had already sent people to investigate the strength of the two surrounding forces.
The highly decisive second prince Kreiser and Woggi.
Delivered 3,000 captives to Bay Territory in one go.
In exchange, they received tens of thousands of enchanted weapons and armor, along with a significant amount of military supplies.
Fully prepared, they mobilized their forces and launched a swift assault on the enemy's border troops.
The battle progressed smoothly.
The enemy never expected that they would still possess combat supplies, abundant stamina, and alchemical potions for healing injuries and restoring energy.
The prince's army took advantage and captured three large castles.
Seizing over 500,000 people in one move.
Capturing more than 30,000 enemy soldiers.
Kreiser did not fully trust these soldiers.
He chose to trade most of the captives to Bay Territory in exchange for more resources.
Bay Territory, naturally, accepted them all without hesitation.
In response to these unique captives—
Bay Territory had prepared a special education method.
Ashes would usually take them on a tour of Matthew's underground laboratory first.
Letting them witness firsthand the consequences of violating Bay Territory's rules and disobedience.
Most gray dwarves became exceptionally obedient after seeing the horrors within the underground lab.
Especially after personally witnessing a few surgical modifications.
The sheer terror that pierced through their skulls easily shattered their stubbornness and resistance.
Afterward, Ashes would take them to their proper workstations.
Introducing them to Bay Territory's exceptionally high salaries and excellent benefits.
A simple contrast, yet one that yielded remarkable results.
Any rational gray dwarf could easily make the right choice.
They were initially assigned to jobs with supervision and oversight.
While receiving technical training, they also learned the various rules of Bay Territory.
Unprecedented amounts of food.
Sweet and intoxicating fine wine.
A safe environment without the threat of death.
All of this quickly led to significant changes among the once-cruel and stubborn gray dwarves.
Of course, their ideological transformation and supervision would be a long process.
Fortunately, even the elderly gray dwarves, considered old and frail, were only just stepping into their final years—most still had 20 to 30 years left to live.
There was plenty of time for them to change.
Especially as the "troublemakers" and "rebels" repeatedly served as living examples before their eyes, the process would be faster than expected.
Thanks to the dedication of these gray dwarves, Annie's surgical expertise advanced at a rapid pace.
She even personally performed two surgeries. Though the results were somewhat unsettling, her progress greatly pleased Matthew.
Apart from the silent protests of the test subjects, no one raised any objections.
As the number of gray dwarf workers continued to increase, Bay Territory's production capacity for high-level magical equipment and artifacts rose to a new level.
Various production technologies and knowledge also received a significant boost.
Matthew placed great importance on training personnel, ensuring they accumulated and applied technology as quickly as possible.
In preparation for future plans, Bay Territory remained quiet in all aspects except for accepting refugees.
It continued to grow silently, digesting its acquisitions steadily.
While many were unaware, Bay Territory's trade network had already spread across the Netheril Empire.
With the completion of Fort Seawatch and the successful establishment of a large-scale shipyard—
The first batch of coastal ships had already been produced, and the navy and overseas trade fleet were steadily taking shape.
More soldiers and adventurers were being guided into the underground world by Bay Territory.
Bay Territory had taken over the defense of one-third of the Dwarven Kingdom, including a critical location—
The passage connecting the surface world!
This was also the most frequently attacked area by gray dwarf forces.
However, the three different gray dwarf factions all suffered disastrous defeats at the hands of Bay Territory's First Division.
After sustaining heavy losses, they abandoned further attacks.
Bay Territory was not only cooperating with the second prince but also actively supporting rival factions within the gray dwarf kingdom, fueling internal conflicts.
Of course, Matthew did not expect them to wipe each other out—he simply wanted to dull their edge first.
On the other hand, the second prince, who had been the first to ally with Bay Territory, displayed exceptional strategic vision and decisiveness.
Over the next half-month, he launched relentless campaigns with Bay Territory's support.
On one hand, he was honing an elite force; on the other, he was gathering more gray dwarves under his command.
However, as the number of gray dwarves under his banner grew, the food shortage from their lack of production became increasingly severe, forcing him to rely on Bay Territory's aid.
Facing Bay Territory's ever-growing appetite, Kreiser and Woggi felt increasing pressure.
They knew well that, for now, they could still use war spoils and previous stockpiles to satisfy Bay Territory.
But in the future, that might not be the case!
The more they learned about Bay Territory, the greater the pressure they felt.
Its population was rapidly expanding—rumor had it that by February, it might exceed three million.
Though its territory wasn't vast, its production capacity was terrifyingly strong.
What worried them even more was that Bay Territory had a true dragon.
The underground world was not exempt from the Dragon Frenzy's influence; it, too, was in turmoil.
Creatures like the Azurefoot Serpent Dragon, One-Clawed Mirage Serpent, Weave Dragons, and Shadow Dragons were devastating threats to ordinary gray dwarf cities.
A rational, intelligent true dragon alone was enough to deter any reckless ideas.
However, their fear of Bay Territory continued to deepen.
Just after they completed a trade, delivering 30,000 captives to Bay Territory—
In exchange for 600,000 tons of food and a massive batch of military supplies, they were already considering halting all trades with Bay Territory.
Unfortunately for them, Matthew had already predicted this and prepared accordingly.
With a faint smile, Chris showed no anger or reluctance at Woggi's proposal to stop trading. Instead, as he turned to leave, he casually remarked:
"It doesn't matter much. After all, it's not Bay Territory that's in a hurry."
"I've been missing the bright sunlight and boundless fields of the surface."
"Sometimes, I wonder—don't you ever want to leave the underground world?"
Seeing Chris's meaningful smile, Woggi's heart skipped a beat, then he was overjoyed. He hurriedly caught up and grabbed Chris, asking without hesitation:
"You can help us leave the underground world?"
Chris shrugged slightly and made a money-counting gesture that Woggi despised before replying slowly:
"Mhm, now that's another mutually beneficial deal!"
Outside Bay City.
The dazzling sunlight fell upon Woggi.
He blinked in disbelief and clenched his fists, trying to grasp the warmth of the sun.
A gentle breeze blew, and in the vibrant season of spring, fresh green shoots emerged from the earth.
Gazing at the lush greenery and recalling the sunless underground world, Woggi declared in an unquestionable tone:
"Let's talk about this trade. I believe you've already prepared everything."
Chris nodded as expected, pulled out a map, and under Woggi's astonished gaze, pointed at an inconspicuous location:
"This is one of the passageways connecting the underground world, and Bay Territory is currently guarding it."
Woggi recalled witnessing Bay Territory's First Division in action and felt a dull ache in his molars.
Formidable strength, exceptional weaponry, seamless coordination, towering and sturdy walls, and Bay Territory's dazzling array of battle supplies.
Even though Bay Territory's First Division only numbered 10,000, not even the second prince's 100,000-strong gray dwarf army stood a chance of victory.
Pushing aside his bitter thoughts, Woggi knew full well that if Chris had brought this up, he wasn't here to waste time.
He got straight to the point and asked, "Are you saying you're letting us go?"
Chris nodded, then shook his head before shifting his finger on the map to a nearby mountain range. With Woggi watching expectantly, he smiled and said:
"This is a vast, rolling mountain range spanning over 8 million square kilometers, rich in known metal deposits and abundant food sources."
"The Cantrel Mountains alone could support tens of millions of dwarves!"
Woggi was immediately drawn to the Cantrel Mountains Chris pointed at.
He carefully examined the rolling peaks, the labeled summits, and the veins of minerals meticulously mapped on paper.
He envisioned gray dwarves settling in the mountains, constructing castles, and carving out intricate networks of mines.
The population easily surpassing tens of millions, reaching an unprecedented peak since the faction split.
With some difficulty, Woggi tore his gaze away, looking at the Cantrel Mountains within the Cole Elven Kingdom's territory with bitter reluctance as he shook his head and said:
"Even in our prime, the gray dwarves could never match the Cole Elven Kingdom."
"We'd be wiped out before even reaching the Cantrel Mountains."
Woggi blinked regretfully, preparing to refuse the deal—until he heard Chris's confident response:
"If you reach the Cantrel Mountains and establish fortified castles, do you believe you can survive there?"
Upon hearing these words, Woggi's murky eyes lit up with a terrifying gleam. He locked eyes with Chris and nodded without hesitation:
"Once we take root, no one can drive us out—not even the Cole Elves!"
Chris clapped his hands lightly and gave Woggi a thumbs-up, his tone calm and confident:
"Exactly. Your goal is clear, but you lack strength. Even with Bay Territory's help, you won't get far."
"But what if someone else distracted the Cole Elves, drawing their attention and hatred?"
"In just 30 days, Bay Territory could construct at least ten castles deep in the mountains!"
Woggi's breath instinctively grew heavier, his pupils dilated slightly as he blurted out:
"Are you saying… you'd let the other gray dwarves leave too?"
Slowly folding the map and placing it into Woggi's trembling hands, Chris smiled and continued:
"Why not add the drow as well? They are the ones who desire revenge against the Cole Elves the most…"
An elven civil war would be quite the spectacle!
This was the "event" package Matthew had arranged for the Cole Elven Kingdom.
More people, more chaos, more excitement!