Arrival at Steelmelt City
After three days of arduous travel, Fa and her team finally arrived at the capital of the Steelmelt Alliance—Steelmelt City. This city was nestled among undulating mountain ranges, resembling an unyielding steel fortress. The city walls towered into the clouds, forged from mithril alloy, their surfaces emitting a cold metallic sheen, impervious to destruction. Steelmelt City's design was hexagonal, with six city gates distributed in each direction, each guarded by a majestic dwarf statue. These statues were lifelike, symbolizing the glorious history of the Steelmelt Alliance's seven founding ancestors. Upon entering the city, the seventh statue stood in the central square, overlooking the entire city, as if safeguarding the honor of the dwarf race.
General Amber rode a mechanical war bull, leading the team slowly through the city gate. The iron hooves of the war bull clattered against the stone pavement, producing crisp and rhythmic sounds. She turned her head toward Fa and her group, her tone filled with pride: "Welcome to Steelmelt City, the pride of the dwarf race. The seven statues represent our seven founders, who laid the foundation of the alliance with their wisdom and superior craftsmanship." She extended her hand, pointing to the statue above the city gate, which held a war hammer or tool, its face resolute and exuding unparalleled aura.
Fa looked up in admiration; the details of the statue were astonishing, every line showcasing the beauty of dwarf craftsmanship. However, her gaze was soon drawn to one of the statues—a dwarf holding a massive war hammer, with a resolute face that bore a striking resemblance to Tisk. When Tisk saw the statue, his brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of doubt in his eyes, and he muttered softly: "Your founding ancestor... how does he look so much like me?"
Upon hearing this, Amber smiled and patted Tisk on the shoulder: "I thought the same when I first saw you, but similar appearances among dwarves are common; perhaps it's just a coincidence. Don't overthink it; we have important matters to attend to." She then turned, ordering the soldiers to escort Grum and Rock to the alliance's military prison, before leading Fa and her group to the palace to meet the dwarf king.
Steelmelt City's streets were wide and tidy, lined with tall buildings that blended the dwarves' practicality and aesthetics—sturdy yet elegant. On the streets, dwarf craftsmen busied themselves in forges, the sounds of hammers striking metal rising and falling, sparks flying and illuminating their focused faces. Street vendors bustled with activity, selling various peculiar mechanical devices and magical items, attracting passersby's attention. The air was filled with the scent of molten iron and coal smoke, adding a unique vitality to Steelmelt City.
Audience at the Palace
The team passed through the bustling streets and finally arrived at the palace. This magnificent structure was built from massive stones and metal, guarded at the entrance by six enormous mechanical sentinels, their eyes flickering with golden light, emanating powerful intimidation. After layers of announcements, Fa and her group stepped into the palace's grand hall.
The hall was spacious and bright, with walls adorned by scrolls depicting the history of the dwarf race, recording the heroic deeds of the seven founding ancestors. King Secretforge Titan sat upon his high throne, his build robust, his beard woven with metal rings, holding a scepter glowing with blue light, his presence majestic and radiating unquestionable authority. His gaze was piercing, sweeping over the group as if he could see through everything.
General Amber stepped forward, saluting respectfully, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, General Green's death has been confirmed; he sacrificed himself to protect the alliance. We have captured the traitors Grum and Rock; their crimes are numerous, and they have been escorted to the alliance's military prison."
Upon hearing this, Secretforge Titan's face showed grief, a flash of sorrow in his eyes: "Green was a hero of the alliance; his sacrifice pains us. We will arrange a state funeral for him in seven days to honor his spirit." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Fa and her group, finally landing on Tisk with a hint of surprise: "This one is..."
Tisk stepped forward, bowing respectfully but remaining silent, not speaking initiative. His expression was calm, as if waiting for the king's question.
Secretforge Titan stared at Tisk for a moment, a peculiar gleam in his eyes. He smiled faintly, his voice low and powerful: "You look just like my old friend from back then, Hils Kingsk."
Tisk was slightly stunned and responded loudly: "You knew my grandfather?"
The king sighed, slowly standing and descending from the throne, approaching Tisk. He carefully examined the young dwarf, his tone carrying a touch of reminiscence: "Hils Kingsk was a legendary figure in the alliance; his inventions and contributions were unmatched. Back then, he should have become king, but he chose to leave, taking his family and some citizens away from the Steelmelt Alliance."
Fa and her group showed surprise on their faces upon hearing this. General Amber nodded in agreement: "Yes, Your Majesty. Hils Kingsk was a hero of the alliance; his departure cost us a great leader."
Secretforge Titan turned to the group, his gaze profound, and continued: "You may not know that in the dwarf alliance, the kingship is not hereditary but given to those who contribute the most and have the most outstanding inventions. If Hils Kingsk had stayed, he would have been the undisputed choice for king."
Tisk listened to these words, a complex emotion surging in his heart. He knew his grandfather's story and understood his reasons for leaving—for freedom, to escape the struggles of power. Yet, the king's words still stirred ripples in his heart.
The king patted Tisk on the shoulder, his tone gentle yet expectant: "Tisk, since you've come, are you willing to stay in the alliance, serve as a general, and help us protect this land?"
Tisk raised his head, looking toward Fa. Fa smiled faintly, her eyes full of encouragement and trust, as if telling him she would support whatever choice he made. Tisk took a deep breath and responded firmly: "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve the alliance, but for now, I wish to adventure with my companions and uncover the secrets of the star fragments. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will return to the alliance."
Secretforge Titan gazed at him for a moment, then nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes: "Good, you have your own choices. The doors of the alliance will always be open to you." He turned to Fa and her group, saying gravely: "Thank you for bringing the traitors and the truth. Green's state funeral will be held in seven days; you may stay to attend."
Fa responded respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will stay for the state funeral and hope to access the alliance's ancient documents to search for clues about the star fragments."
Secretforge Titan nodded: "I will arrange for the documents. Rest for now."
Conspiracy in the Prison
Meanwhile, in the Steelmelt City's alliance military prison, a conspiracy was quietly unfolding. The prison was located in the city's lowest level, guarded by heavy iron doors and magical barriers, with strict security. Grum and Rock were confined in a narrow, dim cell, their hands and feet bound tightly by thick iron chains, rendering them immobile. The cell had only a few faint lamps, their light illuminating the prisoners' pale faces, eyes filled with fear and despair.
Suddenly, a white mist surged into the prison, causing all guards, prisoners, and surveillance equipment to simultaneously faint and malfunction, as if interfered by a mysterious force. The lights flickered once and then extinguished, plunging the entire prison into darkness. Dozens of figures appeared silently before the cell—a dwarf clad in black armor, holding a razor-sharp magic explosive dagger, his face covered by a gas mask, revealing only a pair of cold, ruthless eyes. He used a special key to open the cell door and slowly entered the cell where Grum and Rock were.
Waking the unconscious Grum and Rock, when they awoke and saw him, a glimmer of hope flashed in their eyes. Grum urgently whispered: "Shadow Wolf, you're here! Quick, get us out!"
Rock nodded in agreement, his voice trembling: "We know too much; the alliance won't let us go!"
Shadow Wolf stared at them coldly, his tone low and icy: "You've suffered; you haven't revealed any information about the organization, right?"
Grum and Rock nodded in affirmation: "Of course not! We didn't make a sound the whole way."
Before the words finished, Wolf's magic explosive dagger struck like lightning, precisely piercing Rock's heart. Upon penetration, the magic caused the heart to explode instantly.
Rock's eyes widened in disbelief, blood spurting from his chest. He opened his mouth but made no sound, his body collapsing limply, his breath fading rapidly.
Grum was terrified, struggling to retreat but unable to move due to the chains. He roared: "What are you doing?!"
Shadow Wolf turned to Grum, a cold glint in his eyes: "Only the dead can keep secrets." Without hesitation, he swung the dagger again, plunging it deep into Grum's chest. Then he turned to his subordinates and ordered, "Kill everyone here, including prisoners and guards."
Grum let out a desperate groan, blood staining the ground. Bound by chains, he had no way to resist and could only watch death approach. However, in his final moments, he used all his strength to etch a hidden symbol on the ground with his finger—this symbol was written with special energy, invisible to ordinary people, discernible only by those with the Star Mural Eye.
Shadow Wolf did not notice this detail. After confirming both were dead, he coldly led his subordinates away, their figures quickly vanishing into the darkness.
Fa's Crisis Perception and Investigation
In the palace's grand hall, Fa suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis wash over her. Her Star Mural Eye flickered with dazzling silver light, as if sensing danger from afar.
At that moment, a soldier rushed into the hall, gasping for breath, kneeling on one knee, and reporting urgently: "Your Majesty, an incident at the military prison! Grum and Rock, along with everyone in the prison... they've all been killed!"
Secretforge Titan and Amber's faces changed drastically. He immediately ordered: "Take me there at once!"
The group was shocked, and Fa and her companions quickly followed Titan to the prison. Guards along the way cleared the path, the atmosphere tense and heavy. When they arrived at the prison, the scene before them was shocking—guards and prisoners lay on the ground, surveillance equipment thoroughly destroyed, the cell door of Grum and Rock wide open, their bodies lying quietly in pools of blood.
Fa stepped forward, her gaze scanning the bodies and surroundings. Suddenly, her Star Mural Eye flickered with silver light; she looked down at the ground and discovered a hidden symbol—this symbol was written with special energy, undetectable to the naked eye, visible only to her Star Mural Eye. She whispered: "There are three symbols here... reading 'Doomsday Rebirth', 'Dr. Zheng', and 'World Rebirth', with ten human figures drawn beside them."
Amber frowned, asking gravely: "Doomsday Rebirth, Dr. Zheng, and World Rebirth? What does this mean?"
Fa shook her head, a hint of worry in her eyes: "I don't know, but this symbol must be related to Grum and Rock's deaths. They were killed obviously to silence them."
Secretforge Titan stepped forward, his face as stern as iron: "It seems our enemies are more cunning than we imagined. This 'Doomsday Rebirth', 'Dr. Zheng', and 'World Rebirth' must be thoroughly investigated."
Fa nodded, a flash of determination in her Star Mural Eye: "Yes, Your Majesty. We will assist you in uncovering the truth about this organization."
Back at the palace, Secretforge Titan gathered everyone to discuss the next steps. He said gravely: "Although Grum and Rock's deaths have cost us the chance to interrogate them, the clues about 'Doomsday Rebirth' and 'Dr. Zheng' cannot be ignored. We must uncover their purpose and stop a greater conspiracy."
Fa nodded, her gaze firm: "We will do our utmost to assist you, Your Majesty."