Translator: CinderTL
News of the Stonemason Clan's surrender reached Alden Town in just thirty-six hours, relayed through the Flag Signal Station and a relay of swift horses.
Paul Grayman immediately convened an emergency meeting.
Around the long table in the Lord's Manor's grand conference hall sat Alden Town's most influential figures: Old Ford, Hansel, Schroeder, Bryce...
Paul pushed the battle report to the center of the table. "Derrick's unit has slain the colossal worm known as the 'Abyssal Maw,' leading to the Stonemason Clan's unconditional surrender. I propose a general commendation for the entire army, a promotion for every soldier at Mountain Throat Fortress, and official recognition of Derrick's primary contribution to this victory."
The group nodded in agreement, with no objections raised.
However, when Paul asked, "How should we handle the Stonemason Clan next?" the assembly instantly fractured into opposing factions.
Chief of Staff Schroeder spoke first. "Grayman Dwarves, I believe the Stonemason Clan should no longer exist as an independent entity. We must completely annex their territory—their tunnels, mines, and strategic highlands—all must be brought under Alden Town's control. I propose immediately deploying military and administrative officials to transform their territory into a mountain fortress, stockpiling gunpowder and provisions. Future offensives against the Grassland Orcs can then be launched directly from the Rocky Mountains."
Bryce nodded in agreement. "The dwarven tunnels are natural military passages. Now that we have explosives, we don't need to fear their resistance. Let's seize this opportunity to bring the eastern section of the Rocky Mountains under our control and forge a spearhead deep into the Grassland."
But Old Ford, the Chief Administrator of the Council of Administration, slowly shook his head. "While your ideas are tempting, they're deeply flawed. The Rocky Mountains aren't just home to the Stonemason Clan; other dwarf clans reside there, and they've remained neutral so far. If we annex the Stonemason Clan, it would signal that all dwarven territories are fair game, potentially uniting them against us—or even driving them into the arms of the orcs. We must proceed with extreme caution."
"Then what do you suggest, Lord Steward?" Schroeder asked with a wry smile. "Keep them as pets? Pay them annual stipends?"
"Perhaps we could grant them limited autonomy," Old Ford replied firmly. "Humans and dwarves haven't lived together for millennia. Our cultures are vastly different, and our laws might not work in their society. Perhaps we should let them govern themselves."
The Chief Administrator of the Council of Administration shifted his tone. "Of course, we should station supervisors to control access to the tunnels, levy taxes on strategic resources, and make them our vassals. This soft control is more reliable than outright annexation."
Derson, recently returned to Alden Town, had also been summoned to the meeting. News of the victory had arrived just days after his return, and he regretted not witnessing it firsthand.
Suddenly, he spoke, his voice as cold as ice:
"Honorable lords, you're all discussing how to manage the dwarves, but have you considered that these creatures are inherently a threat? The Rocky Mountains are vast—who knows if there are secret tunnels hiding large numbers of rebellious dwarves? Their artisans can build siege weapons, and their alliance with the orcs could pierce our heartland. Since we already know the potential danger, why not eliminate it once and for all?"
He swept his gaze across the room. "I propose the physical extermination of every dwarf we encounter. We won't enslave them, nor will we govern them. We will utterly annihilate them—physically. We'll seal all the tunnels with explosives, erasing the Stonemason Clan from the map forever. These wretches dared to establish their home on Aldor's natural border, occupying it for millennia. It's utterly preposterous."
Derson's proposal plunged the council chamber into sudden silence.
After a long moment, Old Ford stared at him in shock. "Are you insane? We're talking about thousands of lives—the elderly, children, babies! Dwarves aren't like goblins, some beastly creatures. Apart from their shorter, stockier build, their anatomy is essentially identical to ours. How could we possibly bring ourselves to do this?"
Derson remained expressionless. "Lord Steward, war knows no such considerations. There are only threats and non-threats. We've already demonstrated our power; now we must show our resolve."
Derson's words struck the chamber like a red-hot iron plunged into cold water, sending a wave of steam and sparking heated debate among the council members.
Paul sat at the head of the table, his face impassive, as if Derson's "physical elimination" proposal were merely a gust of wind passing by the window—an absurd suggestion not worth his attention.
With a slight gesture, he steered the discussion back on course. "Lord Steward Ford's plan is more prudent. The Stonemason Clan can retain a degree of autonomy, but they must accept oversight from our supervisors, pay strategic taxes, and relinquish control of all main tunnel access points. We have no intention of annexing them, but we must maintain absolute control."
He swept his gaze across the assembled council members. "They are neither allies nor subjects, but vassals. Like mountain vines that cling to towering trees for support, their roots must remain firmly in our grasp."
The council ultimately adopted this compromise.
Schroeder and Bryce, though dissatisfied, understood that the war was not yet over and that creating new enemies would be unwise. Derson, however, remained silent, turning and leaving without another word.
After the meeting adjourned, Hansel lingered behind and asked in a low voice, "Lord Marquis, do you truly believe this 'vassal' arrangement can last? The dwarves are inherently proud. Won't they eventually betray us? I still think Lord Schroeder's proposal—complete annexation—would be the better course."
Paul stood by the window, gazing at the distant lights of Alden Town reflected in the lake. He replied softly, "I don't trust them, nor do I intend to assimilate them."
His voice, deep and tinged with a barely perceptible weariness, continued, "Aldor should belong to the Aldorians. In my vision, Aldor has no towns where different races coexist, and certainly no fairy tales of multicultural harmony. The land's order, language, laws, and faith—all must be unified. I refuse to turn it into a racial melting pot or some kind of anthropological museum."
He turned away, his expression conflicted. "But I can't do what Derson suggests—send an entire race to the grave. I can't bring myself to do that."
In the reception hall of Mountain Throat Fortress, Imar sat rigidly on a human-style hardwood chair, his back straight as a captured stone statue.
He had been "visiting" here for three days, ostensibly awaiting Alden Town's final decision, but in reality, he was a hostage.
When the messenger entered with the sealed document, Imar's fingers tightened slightly, his nails digging into his palm. He had expected an annexation decree—the humans would rename Anvil Hall "The First Fortress of the Northern Territory," appoint a governor, conscript dwarf miners for forced labor, and send their children to Alden Town as "hostages" for "re-education."
But when the translator finished reading the proclamation, Imar froze in place.
"The Stonemason Clan may retain internal autonomy, with Imar Stonemason continuing to serve as Clan Chief for the time being. However, they must accept the supervision and guidance of officials appointed by Aldor, who will oversee tunnel passage, strategic resource extraction, and diplomatic affairs. Violation of this agreement will result in Aldorian military action, as per previous precedent."
(End of the Chapter)
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