"Ugh, what's that smell?"
"Think that's motor oil?"
"Motor oil?"
Beatrice asked not knowing what Zhang Dong was talking about. The hero party had ventured into the underground city of the dwarves called Kalburim. This was supposed to be the capital of innovation.
It looked quite steampunk-inspired. Which made things uncomfortable as placing a city filled with steam and smoke underground wasn't the best option. There were large vents that funneled all this smoke outside into the volcano above. Apparently, the volcano wasn't even active but it was this city that was generating all of the heat and smoke to run it.
Zhang Dong looked at all the strange contraptions that this place had to offer. There was even a tram system going through this huge city, even something that looked like uni rails on the ceiling.
The thing that stuck out the most were the rock and metal golems that were wandering through the city. They were mostly carrying heavy objects with a dwarf walking in front. When Zhang Dong focused he could feel that these golems were using some kind of internal mana engine to run. The dwarves that were in front of them always had some sort of control item with them that was sending signals into this engine.
'Interesting…'
These golems were similar to puppets that cultivators created. He had even fashioned some life-like variants when he was on a crafting spree. The way these golems were constructed was different but also similar in some places. They didn't seem to be as intelligent as the puppets he used to make and also quite bulky.
'I'd need to get my hands on the schematics, they look less advanced but that mana engine looks useful, with a few tweaks it could expand the life of a puppet.'
"It's something from the spirit realm"
He replied to the motor oil question.
"So, when are we going to meet the council?"
"They should have the meeting ready for today."
The one replying this time was Isabella. She had ordered some of the people from the Duke house to go ask around. From The information that they had the dwarves were in the middle of some internal struggles.
Their king had died of old age and it was time to replace him. In contrast to the monarchs of the humans and elves, the title of dwarven king wasn't hereditary. Anyone with enough resources and power could try to get this position if they met some prerequisites.
First of all, they needed to belong to the noble cast. Just as the humans the dwarf kingdom was split into noble houses and common workers.
It was kind of silly how these dwarves decided on their new monarch. As it wasn't the individual strength that was important but what they could create. They would actually use the golems to fight in a tournament, the winner would be crowned the dwarven king.
Zhang Dong wasn't really interested in this tournament as he just wanted to get the help of the dwarves in attacking the demons. There was a council of the main houses that was still able to make a decision.
He was hoping that they would lend him some ships, golems, and cannons that this race was famous for. The fight for the throne wasn't something that he was interested in, there was no reason for him or anyone from the hero party to get involved.
"Great, let us get this over with then."
Regretfully the party of young heroes wasn't as interested in waiting as he was. This was a once in a lifetime fantasy world for these youngsters but for him, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The cities back in his own world were larger and more beautiful than what any of these could offer.
Thus the party split up where the members from the royal family followed after the four heroes like little ticks. They were continually praising them just as they were ordered to. Anyone from the outside that took a second to think would know this but these youngsters were blinded by the beauty of the royal line.
"Are you sure we should leave them alone…"
Beatrice said while being concerned. She was glancing at the two sisters that were being led away by the green-haired prince and his older brother.
"We could try but I'm not sure if that would amount to anything…"
Zhang Dong could try to pry the pink-haired princess or her brothers away from Takeshi and his three friends but he feared that they would hate him for it. He could see that they were already succumbing to their lust by this point. It was as if the higher levels were magnifying their desires and making them more irrational. He was afraid that if he stepped in a fight would break out between them and they would need to put the whole expedition on hold.
"I'm not sure we should leave those heroes alone for too long..."
Isabella chimed in from the side while glaring at old moss head. She was the one hit the most by her old fiancé's infidelity. She was the one that knew him the most here, the young man had a silver tongue and knew how to speak to girls his age. She was afraid that he would charm the heroines in time, making them his puppets that he could control.
"Well, if it gets out of hand I will act, till then let us give them some space. Sometimes the best way to mature is to make your own mistakes."
Zhang Dong knew how young people operated as he had a childish personality. He knew that if a young person didn't go through a given experience they would have a hard time learning. Adults could warn them as many times as they wanted but not many youths would adhere to that advice. They needed to burn their hands on the stove first before they would believe that it's hot to the touch.
"If Mr. Leigong thinks so…"
Isabella nodded and all of them moved further into the city. They need to get the accommodations sorted out as they were diplomatic guests from the other races. They had a certain immunity in this city as no one would want to anger emissaries from two other powerful races. The danger of war was always looming.
They had a group of well-dressed dwarves take them to a large hotel-like building. They even rode the uni rail through the city that let them behold its glory. It was about the size of the human capital which was also not even close in scope to Zhang Dong's Spirit Spring City.
The group ended up in a somewhat lush-looking hotel suite with room for the most important members. The people that weren't part of the hero party would need to wait in their ship outside. Zhang Dong's group consisted of Beatrice, Isabella, the two elven ladies that the Queen lent them, and a few bodyguards from the Hohenberg household.
The people with Takeshi and the others were a few levels above them in this hotel right at the top. With them were various soldiers from the royal guard as the members from the royal family needed to be protected.
Just like before this part of the party wasn't taken all that serious. The focus was on the four heroes and the royal family members that were accompanying them.
"I guess you two can practice your breathing…"
The two girls nodded as they were waiting for word to reach them. The council needed to give them an hour that the meeting would be taking place. At least that is what was supposed to happen but after waiting for many hours no word reached their ears.
"Did something go wrong?"
Zhang Dong called out to Isabella who had one of her bodyguards ask for the meeting. The person in question was also in this room. He shook his head and also apologized but he repeated what he knew. The noble dwarfs told them to wait while they organize the meeting and when they did they would come looking for them.
"Did they lie to us? If so for what reason?"
Zhang Dong asked Beatrice along with the other people in the room.
"As expected from dwarves…"
One of the elven women commented from the side while frowning. The other elven mage also nodded, it was clear that these two races didn't see eye to eye. From what Zhang Dong could tell this was due to elves being in tune with nature while dwarves liked using it without caring for it. Pollution and destruction of forests was the least they were ready to do to create their massive golems and machines.
"Is the Hero party still here?"
He asked as he had left towards his own soul dimension and began cultivating his soul again. The idea of the dwarf nobles pulling a fast one on them didn't cross his mind. He decided to come out next to Beatrice to perform a small scan.
'Hm?... most of them are there… but Takeshi is missing along with some of the guards…'
The three girls were there, he could feel their unique mana signature. The most important member from the hero party wasn't there though.
'This feels fishy…'
"Hey Beatrice, Isabella lent me some power."
The two girls looked at each other and nodded. They weren't sure what Zhang Dong wanted but they trusted him enough to know better by this point. They held their hands together and started channeling their mana. In just a moment the two were covered by a thin layer of golden light.
Since having time to train this soul skill they had grown accustomed to it. It didn't need to produce a large light show anymore and they could use it sparingly.
Zhang Dong's eyes glowed in golden light as he sat down in the lotus position. With thee increased energy he would be able to cover most of the city with his spiritual sense. He did so in hopes of finding where Takeshi had gone.
With his enhanced senses he could really take a good look at this city. It was really mostly built out of rock and steel. Steam and smoke everywhere while the dwarfs were either busy with work or getting drunk at one of the pubs.
He went a bit further in, finding where Takeshi was wasn't all that hard as he had a unique mana signature. He found him in a large far away building and he was standing in some open hall with a couple of the royal family members.
Zhang Dong could feel that there were some old dwarves there in a circle looking down at the group of humans.
"Why would they…"
"Is something wrong Mr. Leigong?"
"It would seem that our companions have begun that meeting without us…"
"Oh no!"
Beatrice replied at this revelation.
"I bet they wish to strike a deal without us being involved!"
Isabella added from the side. It seemed that the people from the royalist faction didn't like that he was gaining so much status. He had the large elven ship and the Duke was also on his side.
"That might be the case… we should go pay them a visit before it's too late."
The group soon departed, if they would make it in time before an unfortunate deal could be struck remained to be seen.