My Players Are So Fierce

The Brass Fortress at night had become a paradise of merriment, with every tavern, every casino, and every place of entertainment in the city crowded with rowdy soldiers.

They were carrying their freshly earned rewards, with reddened eyes shouting to drink the most joyous beverages and gamble extravagantly at the tables.

They did so without any psychological burden, because it was their well-deserved right.

They had shed blood and faced death for the survival of this city, so naturally they deserved to enjoy the glory and relaxation at this joyous celebration.

The precious wealth earned through risking their lives should be used properly, ensuring it does not betray the hardships and efforts invested in earning it and rewarding themselves with the achievement of honorary victory.

Money cannot buy everything, but it can eliminate most troubles, which is the true meaning of wealth.

All money in the world only has value when used, otherwise it is just a pile of worthless numbers when heaped together.

Understanding this leads to understanding the significance of making money.

This fervent atmosphere also attracted the anxious civilians, who upon learning of the collapse of the Wolf People and the preservation of the fortress, with the damn subspace siege dissipating by tomorrow morning, even the most conservative Brass Dwarves relaxed and joined the victory celebration sweeping through the fortress.

The noisy joy even overshadowed the years of clamor in the Brass Fortress, allowing the exhausted Supreme Lord Hadlan to feel the genuine relaxation and joy from his subjects even in the throne hall.

“Listen, Your Majesty, your people are shouting your name, they call you ‘The Golden King, The Generous Lord, and The Master of Wealth’.”

The guard wearing a battle helmet whispered to his majesty:

“Perhaps you should respond to this enthusiasm, leave the throne hall and return to the midst of your people, celebrate with them, you have not left here for a long time.”

“Indeed, I have not… ah, it has been too long, like something from a past life.”

Lord Hadlan nodded, as usual, he took his weapon named “Gaia’s Power,” the Sacred Hammer, and left the throne hall accompanied by his guard. However, he quickly noticed the soldiers reveling in the crowd, he said:

“Did my generals give the soldiers a day off? What about the fortress’s defense…”

“Ironheart Warriors are stationed everywhere, my majesty.”

The guard answered warmly:

“You need not worry about the fortress’s safety, the Wolf People, Gnolls, and those shameless Ratmen all fear those cold and realistic warriors, their hearts as cold as iron, their desires straightforward, because they live simply enough, allowing them to forge ahead in a world full of troubles.

Ah, what a lovely group of people they are.”

“I feel there is more to your words, but what about Banok?”

The Supreme Lord patted his accelerated heartbeat, the Golden One’s danger foresight seemed to tell him that perhaps some ominous event might occur tonight. He frowned and asked:

“Where is my General?”

“Lord Banok is personally leading patrols through the tunnels, Your Majesty, he is the most vigilant sentinel, defending our kingdom against any danger.”

The guard maintained his warm tone:

“You need not worry, just relax and enjoy the victory.”

“Hmm…”

The Supreme Lord nodded, a few seconds later, as he accepted the glass of wine handed over enthusiastically by the people before him, he suddenly asked his guard:

“I might truly be old, after all, time is unforgiving for a dwarf over a thousand years old. But have I seen you before?”

“You jest, Your Majesty, haven’t I always been guarding you?”

The guard laughed lightly and said enigmatically:

“From the moment the Brass Fortress was established, I have been your most loyal protector, have you forgotten? My name is Dutna, Dutna Burngold…”

“?”

The Supreme Lord blinked, sipping his glass of wine, said:

“I don’t recall there being ‘Burngold’ in the Brass Dwarves’ surnames, did you change your name yourself?”

“No, I was originally named this. In fact, ‘Burngold’ is my true name, while ‘Dutna’ is the name I chose for myself to better integrate into this world, I always needed a name to be addressed.”

The dwarf guard, wearing a golden battle helmet, clad in golden armor, draped in a magnificent cloak, grinned and said:

“In the moment the first burngold was discovered, I opened my eyes. And when the unique ore’s use was discovered by astute Half-body Men, I was endowed with consciousness. Over hundreds of years, the dwarves continued to excavate and use burngold, allowing me to rapidly accumulate wisdom.

Until a certain point arrived when I realized my existence.

I must thank you all.

Lord Hadlan and your people, it was you who gave meaning to my existence, and through mutual companionship, I discovered my future and truly awakened.”

Under the increasingly puzzled gaze of the Supreme Lord, the face-concealed guard poured a large glass of wine for him, pushing the aromatic liquid before the Supreme Lord amidst a joyful celebration.

With a hint of apology, he said:

“I apologize, because of me, you have lost Lady Gaia’s favor, though that was not the primary cause. I attempted reconciliation with Her, but She refused to believe I was a neutral party, perhaps because unlike Her, I am the first deity born from the subspace.