My Players Are So Fierce

For hundreds of years, the offerings and prayers the Brass Dwarves made to the divine spirit lay right before them, a truly spectacular treasure, enough to make a reclusive hermit bow and to cause a brave hero’s knees to buckle. No one could maintain their sanity in front of that mountain of gold and silver. Even General Bannock’s breathing grew heavier.

He stepped forward, scooped up a handful of gold coins with his gloved hand, and held them before his eyes, letting the shimmering treasures slip through his fingers, falling onto the gold mountain with a light, pleasant sound.

“Hmm, Gaia, I have invaded your treasury, plundered your wealth. I will distribute these to those of your children whom you have abandoned…

Where are you?”

The General said in his heart:

“Stop me if you can. If you but send a sigh, I will cease all the actions I have planned. Yes, if you just speak! This will still be your sacred land, and all evil and schemes will never succeed here, just speak up…”

Still, only an empty silence answered him.

It seemed that the Mother Earth’s severance of ties with the Brass Dwarves had been quite thorough. Such a silent response made General Bannock smirk coldly in his heart. He kicked the gold mountain beside him, sending gleaming gemstones flying, then turned back to shout to the dozen royal accountants who had followed him:

“Immediately distribute the king’s rewards! Let each team’s commander come to receive them, and tell them each soldier will get a piece of burning gold ore as a reward, and their leave will begin tonight!

Do not worry about the fortifications!

The Ironheart Warriors will take their posts, let the weary soldiers enjoy the moments of joy they deserve.

Gentlemen, you are tired too.

Do not forget to calculate a share of the rewards for yourselves, don’t be shy, they are the king’s blessings, what you deserve, rejoice, Dwarves.”

—————–

In order to attack the Brass Fortress, the Ratmen had dug rather extensive tunnels underground. For more than a month, most of the battles the Brass Dwarves engaged in occurred in these tunnels. Finally, today, they expelled the Ratmen from the area, but this did not mean the danger had vanished.

After all, as long as the tunnels existed, the Wolf People outside the city and their servants could still use them to attack the city. So, figuring out how to deal with these tunnels left by the Ratmen became the top priority for any competent commander regarding fortress safety.

In the past, these tunnels would have presented no problem for the dwarven Earth Priests.

Just by invoking Gaia’s power, they could fill or even transform these tunnels into part of the Brass Fortress’s defense system. But now, the Brass Dwarves were no longer favored by the earth, making it difficult to address these hidden dangers quickly.

“Do not worry, I already have a solution.”

At this moment, moving through the tunnels, General Bannock said to the few worried Royal Psychic Mages behind him:

“I have a very good plan that can solve these troubles once and for all, but I need your help. You are the psychic masters most trusted by His Majesty, also the best users of spiritual energy among the Brass Dwarves, please follow me.

I am heading to prepare a ritual capable of solving all problems, and I need your cooperation to complete it.”

The psychic masters had no doubts, for it was thanks to General Bannock’s steadfast defense and command in the past month that the fortress persevered to this point. This general was central to this defensive battle, even more than the Supreme Lord who had stayed in the throne hall.

“Could you explain your plan, General?”

A female dwarf psychic asked, to which Bannock laughed heartily and said:

“Actually, it is nothing complicated, the usual stuff, when the Mother Earth still watched over us, earth powers were our weapon. Now that the Mother Goddess has forsaken us, but it does not matter, we can still think of ways to gain power from other deities…

Hmm, but no, the power of deities is always troublesome to use.

We have to offer faith, such a relationship is too foolish, so we need to get it done in one step.”

The general turned to look at the psychics who had slowed their steps, he grinned and said:

“You know, the Wolf People instigated this Black Disaster to create their god, right? Such arrogant ambition, yet what you do not know is, they are but latecomers. All their methods draw on ancient ideas; they are neither the first nor closest to victory. Therefore, allow me to show you a grand scheme planned for hundreds of years.

Oh Divine Spirit.

Great power born of the astral realm, a marvelous being constructed from countless prayers and imaginations, first thought then power, and when something is acknowledged by many and endowed with a collective recognition beyond its entity, the foundation for the divine spirit is laid. All that’s needed next is a sacrificial offering matching its divine duties.

Gentlemen, the Brass Dwarves are no longer loved by Mother Earth, but it doesn’t matter, for soon we shall receive power from a new god… wealth encourages courage, gold breeds strength, trade brings wisdom, and indulgence brings joy.

Most importantly, the Burning Gold!

Every piece of Burning Gold circulating across the continent will become a vessel for Him to display power. I call Him the God of Commerce, God of Wealth, God of Joy.

Hmm, why do you wear such expressions?

You think I brought you here to perform the sacrificial offering for the descent of the god?”

Bannock laughed loudly seeing the psychic masters’ fearful faces and said:

“No, no, no, my foolish compatriots, the offering has already been completed!

Look at our Brass Fortress!

A stronghold that should have fallen long ago, yet sheltered and victorious through the power of money, the center of Burning Gold trade on the continent for centuries, mining companies diligently mining for wealth, shrewd, stingy, and fond of wealth, people who know well how to use money.

Yes!

The sacrificial ceremony for my god’s descent is done!

Now, just the final step remains, to bring Him, already dazzling in the astral realm, truly manifest in the material world.

Gentlemen, you shall witness the birth of a new god with your own eyes. What an honor this is!

Come, smile, then hold this ‘Plane Diamond.’