"This is the emblem of the Great Elder." Gabor strode forward to approach these infantrymen that Lann coveted so much and began to talk to them.
Gabor had been one of them in the past. Although he now held a diplomatic post, his reputation remained intact. The guards at the gate recognized him immediately.
"They are guests of the Grand Elder."
However, although Gabor was well known, rules were rules. In Mahakam, tradition, procedures, and norms were sacred. So he still had to present the required documents for entry.
Finally, the group arrived at the place where the Great Elder was.
Even before entering, his powerful voice could be heard, not only rivaling Yarpen's but far surpassing it.
To some people's surprise, the Great Old One wasn't in an audience chamber, but in a forge. Amid the incessant clang of hammers against steel, his voice thundered above all else.
"Damn it! What the hell happened to the Great Cleansing this year? Have they spent so much time in the mines that their eyes are covered with stone like the Shaelmaars?"
"How is it possible that all the clans are reporting monster attacks to me?! Even that giant lizard hasn't been able to hold them off!"
Following the sound of his voice, the group finally spotted him.
He was an old dwarf, with gray hair and skin as wrinkled as the bark of a tree.
His appearance was that of an old man, but his body was still as solid as rock. In his hands, he held a massive double-edged axe, which he used to smash a metal table, sending sparks flying and striking the face of a terrified dwarf officer in front of him.
"Barclay! Tell me, for the gods' sake, are your eyes covered with stone or something?!"
"...No, Great Elder."
"Then explain to me why the Big Cleanup has been such a disaster this year!"
From a distance, Gabor watched the scene, his face pale. No one wanted to face the Great Old One's fury in that state.
He tried to step back, waiting for the old man to calm down before approaching. But before he could move, the old dwarf seemed to notice his presence. He turned his head, and his gaze fixed on Lann and his Cintra escort.
In the blink of an eye, his expression became even angrier.
"Damn it! I've had enough with the underground monsters, and now humans appear too! What do they want? Money? Manpower? Humans only come to us when they're desperate!"
Lann raised his eyebrows.
Gabor couldn't escape anymore. He hurried forward before the old man said anything that might turn into a diplomatic problem.
"Great Elder, this is the Lannister Duke of Cintra, Lann Lannister." he said urgently. "He is the same one who sent the plans for the long-lost equipment through Carlo. He has come hoping to meet with you."
Carro Varese, also known as Cleaver, is one of the gang leaders in Novigrad.
The Grand Elder restrained his anger. He had sent Gabor on this mission some time ago, and if he calculated correctly, this was indeed the moment the Cintrians were bound to arrive.
Barely a breath later, his expression, once incandescent like a furnace, instantly transformed. His face became as radiant as if he had just drunk a jug of Mahakam's finest beer.
"Hahaha! Lannister, the Lion of Cintra! You've finally arrived!"
Seeing such a change in attitude, Geralt, who was standing behind Lann, couldn't help but recall Rayla's words: "Brouver Hoog is extremely cunning. He's probably even more politically adept than most of the northern kings."
"When we arrive, it would be good if you remembered to warn Duke Lannister not to be fooled by stereotypes about dwarves. He must remain vigilant during negotiations."
When they saw the Great Elder change from a stormy mood to a more cordial expression, the tension between the members of Cintra eased slightly.
After all, they were about to enter into negotiations. If his counterpart started raging before the conversation even began, the situation would be extremely unfavorable for Lann.
Rayla stepped forward and displayed the lead ring in her hand. "Great Elder, I have come by order of His Majesty Demavend. Hoping we may strengthen our friendship…"
Before she could finish, the Great Elder's face changed once again.
The leader who had ruled Mahakam for years smiled mockingly. "Ha! Demavend! I understand now, young lady. I gave that fellow a symbol of friendship, but he treated it like an air kiss and passed it to someone else. Does that call you friendship?"
Rayla froze. The old man's words were a direct insult to her king, and her first instinct was to respond with fury. However, she knew how to gauge the timing and the situation, so she held back.
The Great Elder continued, dismissing her reaction. "But seeing this, it's clear that Demavend holds Duke Lannister in high regard. Did he think that without this ring we would close the gates to him? There's no need!"
For the third time in as many minutes, the Great Elder's expression changed again. "Lannister was invited by us. He has no need of that ring. If you wish, I can forge you a new one at any time."
Brouver Hoog smiled amiably again. With his completely white hair, he even looked like a lovable old man for a moment. However, the people of Cintra could no longer relax.
An adversary who only displays anger is predictable. But one who changes moods constantly is a real nightmare.
If the Great Elder really was that volatile, it meant the situation was completely out of control. But if he was acting intentionally, then things could only get even more complicated.
Having finished his statement, the Great Elder stopped paying attention to Rayla and turned to Lann. "I regret that our first meeting has to be in a place like this, but well, this is a custom for us dwarves."
The thunder of steel echoed in the forge. Unfinished weapons released a cold ferocity into the air, a scent that intoxicated any warrior.
Lann nodded slightly, showing respect for the Mahakam leader. "On the contrary, this is the best possible place. In fact, the matter we came to discuss has much to do with this site."
The Great Elder gave a carefree laugh. "If you like a place filled with steel like this, then I'm starting to like you."
But Lann wasn't fooled. He knew well that the Great Elder had no appreciation for humans. It was one of the reasons Mahakam maintained a policy of near-total isolation.
Shortly after, the Great Elder changed his mood again and fiercely scolded several dwarven officials within the forge.
After venting his frustration, he ordered the officers to guide the group to a more secluded spot, far enough away that the sound of hammers wouldn't drown out their conversation.
Two chairs were placed. Lann and the Great Elder took their seats. The long-awaited negotiation finally began.
As soon as he sat down, The Great Elder got straight to the point.
"That brat, Carlo, brought me some plans. Designs for dwarven weapons and armor lost centuries ago in the war, as well as the methods for forging them. He told me you have more."
Lann nodded without hesitation. "That's right."
"I obtained these plans through certain… special channels. What Cleaver gave you was merely a gesture of goodwill. But I have even more valuable designs here with me. Those are the true reason for our conversation."
The Great Elder frowned, showing serious interest. "I want to see them with my own eyes."
Lann smiled without changing his expression. "I can show you part of it."
With no intention of hiding, Lann chose to demonstrate. For dwarves, seeing the power of the Elder Blood in action often made a stronger impression.
He raised his left hand and tapped it lightly on the table. When he raised it again, a thin stack of plans appeared on the surface.
The Great Elder's eyes narrowed instantly. For a moment, he even forgot about the plans. His gaze traveled over Lann's hand, then her lion-like eyes, and finally the Lady of the Lake's sword on his back.
"I should have known. Those ballads about you… I should have suspected it before!" the Great Elder muttered.
He knew that since Lann had deliberately demonstrated this ability, he obviously wanted to talk about it. However, the topic was underway, and the focus remained on the equipment plans Lann had brought out.
"A Piercing Sword engraved with Mahakam Runes… it's an ancient design. It was lost centuries ago. We've managed to recreate seventy percent of it over time, but this is how the original runic lines were drawn… If we combine it with new technology, perhaps we could forge an entirely new sword…"
The Great Elder hadn't become a leader by chance. In his youth, he had been a blacksmith, and one of the best of his age. His expert eye scrutinized every stroke with growing enthusiasm.
He moved on to the next design. "A Mount Carbon armor… Uh, why is there only the armband?"
As he reviewed the plans, he realized that most were incomplete. Each contained only a portion of a suit of armor or weapon, enough for a skilled craftsman to see its value… but useless without the complete set.
In fact, the Piercing Sword engraved with Mahakam Runes was the only blueprint with a complete design.
The Great Elder laid the plans on the table, his gaze calm. His mind shifted from the blacksmith's trade to that of a politician.
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