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Chapter 326 - 326: Solar Furnace, Money Collection, Trade Taxes

He then picked up the enormous hammer and swung it towards the crystal pillar.

One strike, two strikes, three strikes, and the crystal shattered completely, losing its function.

Seeing this, Thotmudo breathed a sigh of relief as he carried Claudio Blackiron on his back. After closing the secret chamber, he navigated through the fortress to its deepest recesses, as if venturing into a vast underground cavern.

Scattered around were ores, various damaged smelting facilities, and battle scars. But amidst the ruins of the Blackiron Fortress, which had fallen thousands of years ago, this place had not been spared.

However, Thotmudo paid no attention to these details. Instead, he ventured deeper until he reached a massive lava lake.

At this moment, the location where the dwarves took great pride in their creation, the “Solar Furnace”, which stood above the lava, was now empty.

Clearly, it had also been taken by the Deceivers.

The “Solar Furnace” was a furnace device painstakingly crafted by generations of Blackiron Dwarves. Just as its name implied, it was like a sun-shaped furnace.

With this furnace, the dwarves could efficiently forge weapons and equipment. Not only could it melt various metals and materials, but it could also create entirely new ones. The “Dwarven Shield” was one such creation.

But that wasn’t all; under the right conditions, the “Solar Furnace” could forge legendary treasures, and even… artifacts of demigod quality.

This was the foundation of the Blackiron Dwarves.

For a lawful and orderly race like the dwarves, it would be a safeguard for their people. However, in the hands of the Deceivers and their evil ilk, it would only become a weapon of world-threatening proportions.

The Deceivers had taken the “Solar Furnace” thousands of years ago. Who knew how many weapons and equipment they had manufactured with it, arming countless evildoers?

After a moment of hesitation, Thotmudo left the area, following his memories to a high point outside the Blackiron Fortress.

From here, he could see the exposed portions of the fortress clearly. It was also where he and Claudio Blackiron often stood in the past, making a vow to protect the Blackiron Fortress.

Thotmudo buried Claudio Blackiron’s remains here and skillfully chiseled a smooth tombstone with his name on it.

After a deep, final look, Thotmudo left without turning back.

Seeking revenge against the Deceivers now seemed like an uphill battle, especially for a race that had fallen so far from grace, no longer even on par with trolls. The odds were slim.

Moreover, he was aware of his own limitations. While he could engage in combat, forge weapons, and fight battles, uniting the fractured dwarf clans was a monumental task.

In this situation, Thotmudo naturally thought of Ji Chen, even though his current strength was not considered very high, and his territory consisted of a remote island in the open sea.

However, Thotmudo remembered Ji Chen’s past performances and the qualities that had earned him the favor of the gods.

Perhaps this seemingly weak human, in his eyes, could help him unite the dwarf clans and seek revenge against the Deceivers in the future?

He was somewhat hesitant.

But Thotmudo had been isolated from the world for thousands of years. Besides Elin, that pointy ears, and Ji Chen, he didn’t know anyone else. Those he knew were long gone.

There wasn’t much choice.

Compared to seeking help from the pointy ears, he found it more acceptable to seek Ji Chen’s assistance. That young man’s personality seemed to align better with his tastes.

As for the elves?

Not a chance!

The next morning.

In the same hall as before.

Raymond was reporting the results of his negotiations and discussions with various merchants from the previous day.

“Except for Gilder’s forty percent share, the remaining sixty percent has been distributed among nine merchants, each receiving a share ranging from half a percent to one and a half percent.

Because of our long-standing partnership, they agreed to some pricing concessions, resulting in prices about 15% higher than the previous agreement.

Considering their prices and their strong presence in the market, I turned down cooperation requests from other merchants, except for these nine.

Besides Gilder, these ten merchants will oversee the weapon and equipment business of the Crown of the Ocean in the Northern Continent.

I’ve provided a draft of the commercial contract for your review, my lord. Feel free to suggest any changes you might want to make.”

Raymond placed a stack of parchment on the table. It contained standard business contracts recognized and protected by the Maple Principality’s authorities. Once signed, they would become effective within the principality’s borders. Any party violating the contract would be subject to investigation by the principality’s specialized business regulatory agency. Due to the Maple Principality’s absolute neutrality and robust commerce, these standard contracts were widely used across the Northern Continent, recognized by multiple kingdoms and duchies, and held significant legal weight.

This world may appear to be one with a strict hierarchy, cloaked in medieval attire, but in certain aspects, its achievements are not inferior to Earth.

Ji Chen picked up one of the contracts and examined it. He didn’t find any issues and looked quite satisfied. “You’ve done a great job. It seems 1 made the right choice. However, you need to be careful not to let others with ill intentions plot against our trade.”

He wasn’t afraid of overt attacks, but rather, he was concerned about the indigenous people with hidden agendas who might secretly conspire to cause trouble for the Crown of the Ocean.

“Without the opportunity you’ve given me, my lord, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this task,” Raymond replied humbly. Upon hearing the rest of Ji Chen’s words, he spoke confidently, “As long as Gilder and the others want to make money, especially big money, they will proactively help us fend off those hidden troubles..”