Warhammer Divine Throne

”So, the Wood Elves need more ores, iron tools, food, and wood? Hmm... and also amber.” Laine listened to the Wood Elves’ requests and then briefly summarized all of them.

”Yes, we need more amber and ores, but most importantly, food and iron tools.” Forest Lord Delina was anxious when she saw Laine holding back, and she quickly emphasized, ”The price is negotiable.”

Delina told Laine that the infamous Shadow Demon Beast Group had reappeared in the Aisloron Forest again this winter. Led by the notorious Holy Sanctuary Beast King, Shadow Demon Mogul, the Beastman Battle Group had gathered thousands of Beastman troops, attempting to approach the Era Oak once again, known as the World Tree to humans.

The Eslelin fought a grueling war against the Beastmen. Some forest lands changed hands repeatedly and turned to ashes. The fierce tug-of-war left the Wood Elves in agony. During the cold winter, the Tree-men and tree spirits fell into slumber, and even the King and Queen of the Forest walked into the flames to die. This was the forest at its weakest, leaving the Wood Elves to rely only on themselves.

The vast resources obtained from trading with Laine and the masterwork armor produced by the dwarves proved immensely useful. Although the Wood Elves were very reluctant to admit it, even the Wood Elf Armor from Val Anvil was far less practical than the masterful dwarven-made armor and various rune weapons. The continuous food trade ensured that no Wood Elf starved due to shortages during this winter, preserving some vitality for the war-weary Wood Elves.

Finally, as the ice and snow melted and life was renewed, the King of the Forest Olein was reborn from the Era Oak. Upon discovering the forest’s tragedy, Olein blew the Hunting God Kuros’ horn.

The Wild Hunt began!

After paying a painful price, the Shadow Demon Beast Group was defeated, and Shadow Demon Mogul was defeated and wounded by the renowned Wood Elf Hero, Forest Lord Alaros the Brave, escaping after his defeat.

The war ended, leaving behind a vast corrupted forest, countless Beastman corpses, and Wood Elf ghosts. Even the King of the Forest Olein had to admit that trade with humans was useful and necessary. Otherwise, the Eslelin might take twenty to thirty years to recover from this war.

Forest Lord Delina came with the goodwill of the King of the Forest Olein. She hoped to continue expanding the construction of trade posts within the Laine Territory to obtain more urgently needed resources.

Laine thought the Wood Elves were a group that did not engage in farming; they valued harmonious coexistence with nature. No wonder they always faced food shortages and lacked wood. The forest almost completely lacked ores, relying entirely on imports from Laine.

Clearing his throat, Laine smiled and said, ”Lady Delina, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help you, but as you can see, our workshop’s production is also limited, and orders are booked until winter. As for food, I will discuss with the Duke to find a solution. I have plenty of ores that can meet your needs.”

”Can’t production be increased?” Delina took a deep breath and said in a negotiable tone, ”I understand your difficulties, but the forest really needs enough dwarf-made masterwork armor and weapons. The Val Anvil Forest was severely damaged by the Shadow Demon Beast Group. The forest’s mineral veins have been declared entirely exhausted hundreds of years ago, and food is also in short supply. Many areas’ compatriots are starving, and many places are resorting to rationing food.”

”Expanding production takes time, my friends from the forest, we will do our best.” Laine nodded repeatedly, ”We have always cooperated very happily, please convey to His Majesty the King of the Forest to give us a bit more time.”

”And please rest assured, Lord Laine, our King also wanted me to convey to you that you are the only trading partner of the Eslelin outside the forest. Those greedy and deceitful Knights have been completely purged by us. The Eslelin will not believe a single word they say.” Delina haughtily raised her head.

The Forest Lord brought hundreds of troops from the forest this time. They left with dozens of carts of recently ordered dwarf-made products, food, and ores, leaving behind a large quantity of Wood Elf wine, Magic Jewelry, exquisite handicrafts, precious Wood Elf medicines, and pottery. As soon as these items were placed on shelves, they were quickly snapped up by nearby duchies, even by merchants from the Southern Realm and the Empire.

”No wonder Duke of Paragon Casvan is so envious of me.” Laine complained to his Steward Kasenberg on the way back, ”Just trading with the Wood Elves alone brings me a thousand Gold Crowns in taxes each year, and the medicines from the Wood Elves are priceless.”

Kasenberg, with his hands behind his back, walked half a step behind Laine, his face sincere and admiring, ”Wood Elves, isolated from the world and utterly self-contained, my Baron, it is your glory and prestige that have brought these Wood Elves out of the forest to trade with us.”

”Most importantly, it’s about strength, Kasenberg.” Laine chuckled, ”Do you think the Wood Elves didn’t want to increase trade before? Clearly, they also learned of my victory over the Great Nurgle Demon. Strength is the capital that determines whether we can further cooperate and increase trade volumes. I first gained their trust, which is crucial, and then demonstrated my strength, which is also important.”

”Indeed it is so, but I believe it still has to do with the Baron’s personal charm. As far as I know, Mr. Francois also attempted to contact the Wood Elves, but the Sharp Ears rudely refused the trade. They firmly stated that the forest’s resources are abundant and self-sufficient, with no need to trade with the Duke.” Kasenberg still said very earnestly, ”So I still believe the Baron is special; whether it’s with dwarves or Elves, they are all willing to connect with the Baron.”