The two had been soaring along the boundary of the mountain range, and it was likely that an underground dwarf mine, or perhaps a stronghold would not be far from the territory of the lord, making discovery imminent.

After approximately 10 minutes of flight, they had yet to locate the dwarf mine.

But in the distance, a dwarf fortress came into view on the grassland.

The size of this fortress was comparable to that of Bayu's castle, surrounded by sturdy walls, where patrolling dwarf soldiers could be seen.

Within its confines lay several buildings resembling either a military camp or a defensive stronghold.

Bayou guided her griffin closer to the dwarf fortress, eager to observe it in greater detail.

For from such a distance, little could be discerned.

Chapter 126.

The rescue of dwarven slaves as Bayou approached on his griffin.

He discerned that the dwarves exposed outside the fortress numbered merely five to 600, even if one accounted for those within the structures.

The total would scarcely exceed 2,000.

Bayou also observed what appeared to be a transparent protective barrier surrounding the fortress, preventing a direct descent like his earlier approach.

Such advanced technology.

This barrier was omnidirectional, akin to the protective shield during a lord's novice period, albeit certainly less formidable.

At that moment, the patrolling dwarves inside the fortress had already sounded the alarm, and chaos erupted.

Enemy attack.

Enemy attack.

The griffin s considerable size made it an unmistakable target in the sky.

And before Bayou could draw near, he had already been spotted.

The dwarves, equipped with telescopes, discerned two humans at top the griffin, undoubtedly identifying them as foes.

Clatter clatter.

Two iron wheels rolled across the stone bricks of the fortress wall as two dwarves maneuvered a cannon into position.

One dwarf adjusted the angle of the cannon using a lever while the other loaded a black spherical cannonball into the muzzle.

As the cannonball settled at the bottom of the barrel, another dwarf wielding a torch stood ready to ignite the fuse.

With the cannon's angle finally adjusted, the dwarf ignited the fuse.

Boom! The black spherical cannonball soared from a muzzle with a resounding blast, hurtling towards the griffin in the sky, drawn by the tremendous noise from the fortress.

Bayou observed a dark projectile racing towards him.

Kaboom! The cannonball struck the griffin, resulting in an explosion that enveloped the area in a thick cloud of black smoke.

The dwarves within the fortress erupted in cheers, believing they had vanquished their enemy.

As the smoke cleared, Bayu had already maneuvered his griffin away from the fortress.

The cannonball had failed to strike him, having been obliterated by a burst of flames, he unleashed.

"Was that a cannon?" Xiao Yianu inquired, her voice tinged with lingering shock.

Indeed, it resembles the cannons from the western middle ages.

By you replied, suddenly realizing the rationale behind the dwarf survival on this diverse continent.

The impoverished dependent on mutation, while the affluent relied on technology.

Initially, he thought firearms were absurd.

Yet, they also possessed shields and cannons, a distinctly technologically armed race.

It was no wonder that dwarven leaders of similar rank appeared so feeble.

Their strength was reliant on their equipment.

While it was likely that the human empire operated similarly, the humans had a cultivation system that undoubtedly surpassed that of the dwarves.

However, Bayou was unaware that despite the holy courts might, it no longer considered itself a human entity.

instead referring to themselves as the favorite of the divine.

The more powerful and intelligent a race became, the more prone they were to societal sisms, a phenomenon not exempt in the magical continent.

Bayou opted for a temporary retreat, planning to return with the undead army, to dismantle the fortress.

In the meantime, he sought out the dwarven mines, the true treasure he was most concerned about, for they surely held abundant resources.

Meanwhile, within the dwarven fortress, upon realizing they had failed to eliminate their adversary, the dwarves ignited a bonfire at top the massive central furnace.

Unbeknownst to them, the materials fueling the fire produced a massive plume of purple smoke that soared into the heavens, conveying messages to the surrounding dwarves.

As Bayu shielded against the cannon fire, the dwarven commander at the castle discerned the human presence upon a griffin, recognizing their strength to be at least that of a commander.

With no human tribes or settlements in the vicinity, it was evident that these two were lords of a foreign race, each possessing their own military forces who might soon dispatch their troops to attack.

As the leader of the fortress, the dwarf was compelled to prepare for any eventuality.

Soon Bayou and Xiao Lianua soaring through the skies spotted a large contingent of dwarven cavalry riding wild boars hastening towards the fortress.

The dwarves on the ground noticed Bayou in the air but chose to ignore her instinctively quickening their pace.

Bayou guided her griffin in the direction from whence the dwarven cavalry had come.

And indeed at the edge of the Bayen mountain range, she discovered a conceal mine shielded by massive boulders.

Its entrance bore no outward signs explaining why Bayou had previously overlooked it.

Dismounting her griffin, Bayou and Xiao Inshua approached the mine, which stood at approximately 1 8 m high, yet was spacious within.

This height was likely suitable for dwarves.

Fortunately, as two young women, they could enter without needing to bow their heads.

They ventured deeper into the mine which burrowed directly into the mountain with iron or located at its core necessitating the excavation of this tunnel.

Along the way they encountered several dwarven soldiers who had not managed to escape whom by you dispatched with ease.

Even after all the soldiers had fled the rhythmic sound of mining echoed from within.

Were there still others? As they journeyed to the innermost depths of the mine, they found a remarkably spacious area nearly 3 m high, where they beheld a group of shackled dwarves in tattered clothing, tirelessly laboring at the mining.

Surrounding them were several carts filled with iron ore.

Upon hearing the commotion, the dwarves turned to see the two humans trembling in fear.

These were likely the enslaved dwarven civilians of the Firebeard clan.

Xiaoin Shu whispered to Bayou.

Do not be afraid.

I am here to rescue you, Bayou declared, severing their shackles and delivering an impassion speech.

The dwarves, convinced by her words, began to trust her, following the branching paths of the mine.

By you, collected the iron ore into her ring.

The enslaved dwarves explained that the iron ore was transported to the fortress every few days by dwarven soldiers and at times was sent even further a field.

They were forbidden from leaving the mine, forced to live their lives within its confines, and lacked more detailed information.

I will lead you to a safe place.

Shortly, other dwarves will come to assist you.

We have dealt with the soldiers outside, so please rest assured.

Xiao and Shuet addressed the surrounding dwarves.

recognizing this as a splendid opportunity to gain esteem among them.

These enslaved dwarves, feeling utterly cornered, had no choice but to place their trust in Bayou and her companions, for nothing could be worse than the plight of slavery.

Subsequently, Bayou and Xiao Yianua led the dwarves away from the mine, taking them to a secluded mountaintop where they concealed themselves, awaiting the arrival of the undead.

Over 50 dwarves exchanged glances, their faces still reflecting unease and trepidation.

However, the azure sky above instilled a greater conviction in by us words.

At that moment, the guiding spirits and gargoyless finally arrived, soaring towards Bayou, who awaited them at top the mountain.

Chapter 127.

The annihilation of the dwarven fortress.

A smile graced Bayu's face as the wraith landed.

She immediately addressed it, instructing, "Send a gargoyle back to the castle with all haste.

Summon Gray to receive our dwarven kin.

" "Yes, my queen," the wraith replied, casting a glance at the nearest gargoyle.

"Why are you still here? Go.

" Before the gargoyle even touched the ground, it began its return journey, now unaccompanied by the undead knights, and the return would be considerably swifter than the outward trek.

Bayou summoned several more gargoyless under the pretense of protecting their dwarven compatriots.

She intended to lay siege to the dwarven fortress and could not afford to squander time here.

After leaving a few gargoyles behind Bayou and Xiao, Lianua amounted their griffins and departed.

In the sky, the gargoyless followed closely behind Bayou while the undead knights galloped across the vast grassland below.

Their pace on the open plains was significantly quicker than within the confines of the White Rock Mountains.

20 minutes later, Bayou's gaze fell upon the dwarven fortress once more.

At this moment, a multitude of dwarven knights, over a thousand, had gathered outside, likely due to the fortress's inability to accommodate such numbers.

The dwarven leader at top the fortress walls also spotted by Yu's returning figure.

And upon witnessing the mass of undead knights and the myriad of flying creatures above, his pupils involuntarily constricted.

The dwarven leader immediately commanded all dwarves to prepare for battle as massive cannons were wheeled out onto the fortress walls, loading ammunition and aiming at the approaching enemy.