I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

Right now, Caleb feels somewhat tired and just wants to return to his post and rest well.

If there are no other matters, Caleb would never want to go to that tavern again.

Who knows what might happen halfway there?

But now, Lis invites him to have a drink.

Moreover, he hints that something might happen later.

Caleb thinks for a moment and decides to go with Lis anyway.

He realizes that after breaking through to Legend, the world feels far from as peaceful as he used to think.

His previous experiences traveling various places seem a bit superficial now.

This trip to Lonely Mountain City is indeed a great opportunity.

Having made up his mind, Caleb sets off with Lis to the Dwarf Tavern he remembered.

...

On both sides of the streets of Lonely Mountain City, flags flutter, each embroidered with the heroic legends and glorious history of the Dwarf Clan.

The flags rustle in the breeze, as if telling the past glories of the Dwarf Kingdom.

Extra tables and chairs are set at the entrances of various taverns.

Piled high with all kinds of delicacies, the aroma of roasting meat and the rich scent of ale mingle in the air, enticing passing Dwarves to stop and feast heartily.

The Dwarves toast and drink merrily, gathered around bonfires, celebrating the year's harvest and reunion with their boisterous and passionate songs.

Dwarf children weave through the crowds, waving homemade torches in their hands.

The flickering torchlight echoes the large bonfires burning in the distance at the festivals, rendering the entirety of Lonely Mountain City both warm and magnificent.

However, at the height of the celebrations, the once bright sun in the sky quietly hides behind thick clouds.

Dark clouds gather quickly, obscuring the sunlight, instantly making the previously clear sky overcast.

Yet such change fails to extinguish the fiery enthusiasm in the hearts of the Dwarves.

Within Lonely Mountain City, the countless torches lit specially for the Fiery Fire Festival shine even brighter, like scattered stars embedded in every corner of the city.

Regarding the sudden overcast skies.

The Dwarves are oblivious or simply indifferent to this abrupt change in weather.

They remain immersed in the festive joy, continuing their celebrations as the sounds of singing, laughter, and clinking glasses weave together into a joyful anthem for the Dwarves.

Yet as the Dwarves revel in the joy of the Fiery Fire Festival, a cold wind subtly stirs from an unknown source, threading its way through the lively crowd.

The wind carries a barely perceptible chills, brushing gently against the Dwarves' rugged cheeks, seemingly unable to disrupt their festivities.

Meanwhile, in the depths of Lonely Mountain City, the usually silent and soundless mine tunnels begin to exhibit unusual sights.

Deep and shadowy figures seem to come alive, slowly creeping out from the depths of the mines.

The shadows twist and coil, spreading at an unnatural speed.

Even the brightest torchlight dims as the shadows pass, leaving behind patches of even deeper darkness.

Merely gazing upon these shadows gives off an extremely dangerous, eerie feeling.

Occasionally, some Dwarves notice these swiftly spreading shadows.

But those shadows, like beasts scenting blood, suddenly lunge at the Dwarves.

The Dwarves don't have time to react as the shadows instantly morph into black sludge, enveloping them in an instant.

The black sludge swallows the Dwarves, wriggling briefly as if digesting them completely before resuming their stealthy movements.

Initially, the Dwarves didn't notice these subtle changes until the shadows gradually approached, at which point someone began sensing the unusual aura.

A sense of oppression and unease permeates the air, as exclamations and whispers of confusion start mingling with the laughter and the original warmth of the festival, casting a shadow over its atmosphere.

The shadows, like phantoms in the night, silently infiltrate every corner of Lonely Mountain City.

Meanwhile, more and more Dwarves are swallowed by these eerie shadows.

Just as three more Dwarves are engulfed by the shadow sludge, a bright golden light flashes by.

The sludge melts away instantly, like snow under the scorching sun, revealing the frightened Dwarves behind it.

It was a Dwarf Priest in heavy armor who intervened, with the golden light emanating from the hammer in his hand.

"Get out of here quickly, head to the nearest church."

The Dwarf Priest says in a low voice.

He's already noticed more shadows approaching him.

Bang!

A heavy brass sword suddenly falls from the sky, slashing down hard at the shadows rushing toward the Dwarf Priest on the ground.

The sword blade pierces into the stone bricks, cutting the shadow in two.

The shadow twists in place for a moment after being hit by the brass sword, then crumbles into ash.

A Dwarf Warrior leaps down from mid-air, landing on the ground with a crash that shatters the stone bricks.

He pulls up the heavy sword, his face somewhat grim as he looks at the shadow that crumbled into ash, dispersing it with a kick.

"What kind of thing is this?"

"Is this something those Evil God believers concocted?"

The Dwarf Warrior says, slightly puzzled.

"It should be some kind of modified demon."

The Priest thinks for a moment and says:

"The temple has no records of such shadow creatures, they must be new."

"The power of this shadow is roughly at the Silver Rank, not difficult to deal with."

As the Dwarf Warrior and Priest converse, several more Dwarves arrive beside them.

Judging by their weapons and equipment, they include professions like Mage and Shield Guard.

Clearly, this is a well-equipped supernatural team.

They show no signs of panic, having obviously prepared in advance, arriving on the scene at the first sign of trouble.

Meanwhile, many similar teams within Lonely Mountain City are fighting these suddenly appearing shadows.

"Having Silver Level strength is not bad..."

The Dwarf Shield Guard looks at the countless shadows spreading along the ground and walls, feeling a bit unnerved.

"But there are too many, aren't there?"

...

The situation encountered by this Dwarf team is happening throughout Lonely Mountain City.

At the highest point of Lonely Mountain City, where the Dwarf King Palace is situated.

Dwarf King Preston stands atop the palace tower, looking down at the city below, his expression indifferent.

But those ministers familiar with the Dwarf King know that this ruler is already furious to the extreme.

"Is this the Royal City of my Dwarf Clan?"

"So easily invaded and attacked by those Evil God believers?"

"Letting them so easily slaughter my people..."

"Is Lonely Mountain City going to be completely destroyed like those long-eared Elf Royal Court?"

Preston's tone appears devoid of emotion, but the Dwarf ministers behind him bow their heads deeply, not daring to look at the Dwarf King.

They feel a terrifying pressure from Preston, akin to the Abyss.

Richie is also among the ministers, but his expression is somewhat grim.

Simultaneously, the strong Dwarves surrounding the Dwarf King display a look of anger.

They're itching to rush down and annihilate everyone responsible for harming Lonely Mountain City.

Preston glances at the Dwarf ministers without saying much more.

These so-called smart people think their wisdom can solve everything.

Sometimes you just have to knock some sense into them, otherwise various troubles will arise.

If not for the many kingdom affairs Preston didn't want to bother with, leaving them to the ministers, he wouldn't expend much thought.

After a moment of silence, Preston withdraws the pressure.

Turning to the Dwarf elder beside him, he says solemnly:

"Thank you for your hard work, Archbishop Liandrel."

The white-bearded old Dwarf nods slightly, gently raising his right hand.

In an instant, a golden pillar of light erupts from his hand, shooting towards the dark clouds in the sky.