Warhammer Fanfic: Starting with a Core Cabin

Although Duanmu Huai was displeased, it turned out his face could indeed ward off evil—at least afterward, the group never encountered similar malevolent spirit incidents again. Even the frequent wailing of female ghosts completely vanished.

Thus, when everyone successfully traversed the Land of Silence and arrived at the foot of the Grey Mountains, all except Duanmu Huai were beaming with relief.

After all, reaching this point meant their objective was halfway accomplished.

"Alright, what's next?"

Duanmu Huai put his helmet back on and looked at the Elf Scout. Although his core cabin could now serve as a satellite map, finding a path from here still required a local native. Moreover, as a royal secret agent, he hoped the Elf Scout wouldn't disappoint him.

Noticing Duanmu Huai's unfriendly gaze, the Elf Scout reined in her smile and then looked at the map before her, pondering for a moment.

"We have two paths: either head directly south and cross the Grey Mountains, or take the Dwarf mountain tunnel. However… that vampire earl once attacked the Dwarves, and at that time, the Dwarves and the Empire jointly repelled his army."

"How are the relations between the Dwarves and the Empire?"

"Average, neither good nor bad. The Dwarves have some trade with the Empire, but they aren't particularly keen on meddling in external affairs."

"Do you think if we ask the Dwarves to borrow their path to Bretonnia, they will agree?"

"It's hard to say. I have no dealings with those shorties, and Dwarves can be quite stubborn sometimes. It's not easy to bribe them with money alone."

The two discussed for a moment and finally decided to try their luck at the Grey Stone Mountain Path first. Although crossing the mountains was not impossible, Alisa and her mother, Lady Christine, were ordinary people, and the dangers of mountain traversal were too great. Moreover, their supplies were almost exhausted, and the carriage was dilapidated and unusable. They needed to buy supplies from the Dwarves first and then purchase a new carriage before continuing their journey.

So, led by the Elf Scout, the group abandoned their broken-down carriage and began to advance towards the Grey Mountains.

However, just as the group entered the Grey Stone Mountain Path, gunshots suddenly rang out.

"Bang!!"

Duanmu Huai stopped. Before him, a stone had been shattered. He looked up to see several Dwarves with muskets peeking out from both sides of the mountain path, raising their weapons and aiming at him and the others.

"Hey, big guy, who are you? What are you doing in the Grey Mountains?!"

Soon, a Dwarf shouted, but Duanmu Huai did not answer. Instead, he gestured to the old knight, who nodded and stepped forward, shouting to the Dwarves.

"We are refugees, fleeing from war. We are not suspicious individuals; we only wish to cross the Grey Mountains and go to Bretonnia!"

Hearing the old knight, the Dwarves whispered among themselves for a moment, then the same Dwarf spoke again.

"Alright, come over, but don't make any rash moves, especially you, big guy. If you dare to move, I'll smash your head in!"

Hearing the Dwarves' reply, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and continued forward. Soon, before them, on one side of the narrow mountain path, appeared a massive, stone-carved city wall and iron gate—well, in a fantasy world, Dwarf architectural skills are always excellent, and it seemed to be the same here.

"Clang…"

Soon, the iron gate opened, and led by Duanmu Huai, the group entered. A large group of Dwarves, armed with heavy axes and muskets, quickly approached and surrounded them. The Dwarf who had spoken earlier emerged from the crowd, frowning as he scrutinized them, then asked:

"You're refugees? Has the Empire started another civil war?"

The use of "another" was quite insightful.

"Yes, brave Dwarf warrior."

The old knight nodded, then said in a low voice, "As you can see, I am a knight serving these two beautiful ladies. We have traveled thousands of miles to escape disaster and the threat of Chaos, and we hope to pass through this place…"

"Hmm… and what about this big fellow?"

Hearing the old knight's words, the Dwarf nodded, but his eyes remained cautiously fixed on Duanmu Huai as he questioned him. In response to the Dwarf's inquiry, Duanmu Huai spread his hands.

"I'm just a hired warrior, mainly responsible for protecting them along the way."

"I don't think so… Take off your helmet!"

At that moment, the Dwarf's voice suddenly rose, and simultaneously, the Dwarf soldiers behind him raised their muskets and took out their blasting charges, aiming them at Duanmu Huai. The latter sighed helplessly, then reached out and removed his helmet.

"—————!!"

Seeing Duanmu Huai's face, the Dwarves were greatly alarmed and quickly retreated. The leading Dwarf gripped his great axe tightly, cautiously staring at him.

"You fellow, you're not an Orc, are you?"

"Where do I look like an Orc to you?"

Duanmu Huai rolled his eyes helplessly.

"At least I'm human!"

"I've never seen a human as tall as you… Take off your armor!"

"Sorry, that's impossible."

Duanmu Huai's expression immediately darkened at the Dwarf's demand.

"I am a warrior, and a warrior never lays down his weapon. If you push your luck, don't blame me for being impolite!"

"What? Do you want to fight?"

The Dwarf's eyes widened, glaring angrily at Duanmu Huai, who gripped his warhammer.

"You can try."

"...…"

For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense. Alisa and Christine huddled uneasily behind the old knight, watching the fierce and imposing Dwarves around them. The Elf, however, remained wrapped in her cloak, silent and motionless, hidden in the shadows. Although Olgis showed no outward reaction, her right hand, hanging at her side, trembled slightly—a glimmer of silken light flashed from it, disappearing into the darkness.

"Wait here!"

After staring at each other for a while, the Dwarf dropped these words and turned to leave. Only then did the others breathe a sigh of relief—they had genuinely thought Duanmu Huai would fight the Dwarves.

After a while, the Dwarf returned.

"You can pass through the Grey Mountains, but there's a condition!"

As he spoke, the Dwarf pointed at Duanmu Huai.

"We have a task for you. If you do well, you can pass. If not, get lost!"

"No problem."

Duanmu Huai instantly calmed down upon hearing this.

After all, isn't this how player-driven plots usually go?

(End of Chapter)