The Conquerors Path

Chapter 862: Chapter 860-Hall Of Whispers.

”I came to observe you and ended up learning things about myself.”

Zora muttered with a troubled tone as she stood beside me, the two of us now standing in the Aurum Crown. This is more of a secluded area with less amount of dwarves, and I can tell with a glance that luxury is the best description of the place. Dwarves of different lineages with powerful backing and that air of arrogance around them could be seen everywhere.

Even getting into this sector is not a simple task, but thankfully, I had help, so it was easy to get in here and stand at a more designated area for some safety. We headed here right after that drink, with Zora not saying much after that revelation on her face, as we spent time like this in the sense of silence, standing for things to change.

”Well, I strive to surprise.”

I spoke with a relaxed tone, the two of us knowing the fact that Zora needed some time to clear her mind, and perhaps this opportunity to see the highest peak of this place would give Zora a chance to untangle many of the thoughts in her mind, which would be a huge help in her decision on how she should move forward.

ʼWith this, I have opened up her eyes fully. She wonʼt even be able to deny her love for me anymore.ʼ I thought Zora, with her intelligence, would have figured out by now that bringing her into this trip was also to help her, something to help her achieve a new beginning and a new task in her life. The truth being laid bare for her goes to show how much I care about and think about her well-being, which directly hit her heart.

ʼWith this, there will no longer be any doubt.ʼ

And the only thing remaining would be for me to deal with the awakening on her side, which is inching closer and closer, a certain trigger is left for it to activate. I know what I have to do then, too. Everything wonʼt be clear to Zora yet, but when she goes back and sits on it, the truth will come to her naturally, and she will have to soon fight for it, too.

As we waited here in peace, suddenly, the whole aura around the place turned a bit dark, an ominous aura or one of a certain darkness coming over as two hooded figures appeared right in front of the two of us, their presence seemingly belonging in the world and not being felt by the moving crowd around.

The funny part is that they are dwarves, so their heights barely reached till my chest as they appeared. Yet their presence wasnʼt one to be fooled around with, as one of the voices spoke.

”Austin Lionheart?”

At the question of the voice, I showed a badge. The second it was verified, the air around turned less stale and more welcoming as I took in the sight of them still locked in front of me, the same voice speaking again.

”Follow us.”

At those words, I moved through the crowd along with them, shifting through some paths until we came upon a huge gate leading towards a large mansion, the doors opening to us as we walked in, seemingly acting as if we owned the place, following the dark figures. Soon, we reached the main door, which opened for us.

The fun part of all this is that this place is functioning as normal. There were several assistants around, powerful guards, and everything kept moving around, yet as we walked through, it was as if they couldnʼt sense us at all. Well, thatʼs not the whole truth-they see us and know we are there, but they are trained to leave us be in this situation.

”This is creepy.”

Zora spoke, to which I nodded my head. The walking around stopped in front of a door to another room. The door to the room itself looked normal, but my senses picked up on the heavy spatial elements shifting around it, not to mention that the material used to build the door is extremely rare, and even its tensile strength is off the charts.

ʼBreaking through it will be near impossible for anyone of the origin realm.ʼ

As I thought of this, one of the dwarves seemingly took out a normal-looking key, the key perfectly fitting into that single hole, unlocking it as the door spun open. A heavy pressure pushed towards us as I saw Zoraʼs expression twist for a moment, and when the door opened, it wasnʼt a room that was showing, but just swirling darkness seemingly inviting one into the abyss.

”Well, you know what they say-ladies first.”

I spoke, pointing towards the door, to which Zora gave me a very nasty stink eye. I chuckled at it, waving my hands in front of her as an apology as I looked at the two dark-dressed figures standing on either side of the door, seemingly inviting us to enter.

”You know, when I said I want it all low-key, I didnʼt expect it to turn so...mysterious.”

They didnʼt respond to those words, seemingly the time ticking away as one of the dwarves spoke.

”This way, please.”

I nodded my head at it, giving a small reassuring pat to Zoraʼs shoulder. I walked into that darkness, my sight going blurry for a moment, after which I found myself walking into a humongous hall, one that seemed to shine beauty in all and every angle.

The darkness didnʼt just fade—it retreated like a curtain being drawn back by invisible hands. I remember the way my heart stuttered in my chest, not from fear but from sheer wonder, these guys really have stretched the tech. Beside me Zoraʼs presence, and when she gasped, the sound was so pure, so genuine, that I found myself smiling.

”Sweet mercy of the destruction,” she whispered, her calloused fingers reaching for my arm. I felt her trembling slightly, though whether from excitement or nervousness, I couldnʼt tell. ”Have you ever seen anything like this?”

How could anyone have seen anything like this? The hall that stretched before us was nothing short of a dream given form in stone and precious metal. The ceiling-gods, the ceiling seemed to float impossibly high above us as if the dwarven architects had somehow captured a piece of the night sky and transformed it into a canvas for their art. The mosaic that sprawled across it wasnʼt just decoration; it was history made manifest, each tiny piece contributing to a greater story that seemed to shift and change as we moved.

”Look there,” I said, pointing to a particular scene where gemstones had been worked into the mosaic with such precision that they caught and reflected light like captured stars. ”Thatʼs the Battle of Broken Anvils. See how the rubies catch the light? They say those were taken from the crown of the Flame King himself.”

Zoraʼs eyes followed my gesture, and I watched her face as she took in the artistry. As a craftswoman in a sense herself, she understood better than most the skill required to create such beauty. The floor beneath us was so perfectly polished that it created the illusion of walking on a mirror of black ice, reflecting the massive columns that lined our path like silent sentinels.

”The columns,” she murmured, her professional interest piqued. ”Those arenʼt just decorative, are they? The way the metal bands spiral up...”

I shook my head, pleased sheʼd noticed. ”Theyʼre conducting channels. The gold and silver bands carry magical energy throughout the hall. Itʼs why the air feels so...” I waved my hand, searching for the right word.

”Alive,” she finished for me. And she was right. The air here had a presence, a weight to it that went beyond the subtle scent of metal and incense. It felt ancient and new all at once, like

standing in the heart of a forge just before the metal was struck.

The banners that hung between the columns caught my attention next. They werenʼt the stiff, formal standards Iʼd expected, but living things that seemed to breathe with an inner light. The runes embroidered along their edges pulsed in slow, hypnotic patterns, and I could feel the magic radiating from them-protective spells woven into the very fabric.

”Did you see that?” Zora asked suddenly, pointing to one of the banners. ”I swear I just saw a figure move across it.”

”Probably did,” I replied, keeping my voice low. ”They say the banners show visions sometimes-echoes of important moments in the kingdomʼs history. The magic preserves

more than just the fabric.”

But it was the three figures standing before the throne that truly caught and held our attention. The maids-though calling them mere maids felt like calling a dragon a lizard- stood in perfect formation, each one a study in contrasts.

The silver-haired one reminded me of the mechanical calculators in the Grand Library— precise, efficient, with eyes that seemed to catalogue every detail for future reference. Her dress wasnʼt just clothing; it was a statement of innovation, with tiny gears and clockwork elements that moved with purpose, marking the passage of time in their unique way.

”I know you,” Zora breathed suddenly, and I glanced at her in surprise. ”Youʼre Mistress Silverthought, arenʼt you? The one who designed the time-keeping system for the entire

mountain?”

The silver-haired maidʼs expression didnʼt change, but something flickered in those piercing blue eyes-approval, perhaps? ”My reputation precedes me,” she said, her voice carrying the same precision as her appearance. ”Though these days, I serve a different purpose.”

The red-haired maid stepped forward then, and the atmosphere in the hall seemed to warm instantly. Her presence was like stepping close to a well-tended hearth after a long day in the mines. ”Come now, Silva,” she chided gently, ”youʼre making our guests nervous.” Her dress caught my attention-the embroidered gears and vines werenʼt just moving; they were telling a story, shifting and changing to show different scenes from what I assumed was the kingdomʼs history.

The third maid, with her obsidian dress and warriorʼs stance, watched us with the calm

assessment of someone who had seen both peace and war and was prepared for either. The silver filigree on her dress, I noticed, formed patterns that resembled battle formations, and the way she moved-even the smallest gesture-spoke of years of combat training. ”The welcome drink,” she said, her voice surprisingly melodious for someone who carried themselves with such martial grace. She presented us with crystal goblets that seemed to have materialised from nowhere, each containing a liquid that glowed with its inner light.

I took mine first, hoping to ease Zoraʼs obvious hesitation. The drink was... extraordinary. It tasted like summer sunshine and spring mornings, with an effervescence that reminded me of the first breath of mountain air after emerging from a deep mine. But there was something else, too—a warmth that spread through my body, chasing away fatigue I hadnʼt even realised I was carrying.

”Itʼs honey from the Aurum Crownʼs orchards,” the red-haired maid explained, clearly

enjoying Zoraʼs look of surprise as she tasted her drink. ”But not just any honey. The bees are

fed on flowers that grow in soil rich with gold dust. The magic they produce in their honey is...

unique.”

As we drank, I noticed how the hall seemed to shift subtly around us. The mosaic overhead became clearer, its stories more vivid. The runes on the banners pulsed in time with my heartbeat. Even the air seemed to carry whispers of ancient voices, telling stories just beyond the edge of hearing.

”Few are granted the privilege of standing where you stand now,” the silver-haired maid- Mistress Silverthought-said, her tone carrying both pride and warning. ”This hall has witnessed the making and breaking of kingdoms, the forging of alliances that have lasted centuries, and the birth of innovations that changed the face of our world.”

The black-haired maid moved then, circling us with that fluid grace that spoke of deadly

capability. ”And now it will witness whatever you bring to its stories,” she said, her words carrying the weight of prophecy. ”The question is: will you add to its glory or its warnings?”

Zora looked at me then, and I saw in her eyes the same mix of excitement and trepidation that I felt in my own heart. ”No pressure,” she muttered, and I couldnʼt help but chuckle. ”The master awaits,” Mistress Silverthought announced, and as one, the three maids stepped aside, creating a clear path to the dais.