Chapter 122 (From engineer to Conqueror)

Upon entering the dining hall, Miguel and his entourage were greeted by a surprising sight. At the center of the room stood an enormous rectangular table, its polished wooden surface reflecting the soft light of the torches on the walls. The table was an impressive example of dwarven ingenuity: Miguel noticed several servants adjusting the chairs around it, replacing them with larger seats more suitable for the beastfolk and humans. But what truly caught his attention was the table itself—it appeared to rest on a complex structure, with discreet levers on the sides that, when activated, adjusted the table’s height.

Miguel was fascinated. The dwarves had created a practical system to accommodate different races in the same environment without compromising comfort. It was a piece of simple yet functional engineering, something he had never seen elsewhere. The quick and practical adaptation showcased the dwarves’ characteristic attention to detail.

Soon, everyone took their seats around the table. Miguel observed every detail of the hall, from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to the carved stone walls depicting scenes of banquets and celebrations from times past. The hall seemed like a space designed for celebration, for uniting people, and Miguel felt at ease in its welcoming atmosphere.

After a few minutes, Governor Baudor returned. He entered the hall with his contagious energy and a broad smile, addressing the guests with the same warmth as before. “I hope you are comfortable,” he said, settling into a sturdy chair at the center of the table, directly across from Miguel and Baromir. Baudor made a point of looking at each guest, as if personally ensuring everyone was well taken care of.

Then the food began to arrive. A procession of servants entered the hall, each carrying a different dish, and the table quickly filled with colors, aromas, and flavors. The dishes were a generous sample of dwarven cuisine, blending simple traditions with a rustic and robust touch. There were succulent cuts of meat roasted with local spices that filled the air with a comforting and spicy aroma. Dark, dense bread, still warm, was placed in wooden baskets alongside trays of herb-infused butter and spreads.

There were also steaming stews in ceramic bowls, filled with coarsely chopped vegetables and tender meats that had been simmering for hours, absorbing the flavor of the seasonings. Some dishes featured tubers and roots Miguel had never seen before, but their taste was intense and earthy, mixed with a variety of mushrooms that added depth to the stew.

On the platters, there were roasted fish garnished with green leaves and surrounded by dried fruits and spices, creating a contrast of sweet and savory flavors. Small barley and grain cakes, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, were served alongside the main dishes, accompanied by pots of dark, aromatic honey.

Baudor watched Miguel and his companions’ reactions, visibly pleased with the admiration reflected on their faces. “This is just a sample of what our island offers,” the governor said, his smile never leaving his face. “Here, we love to gather around a table, and a full table is always a good table.”

Miguel smiled, feeling genuinely welcomed and impressed. The abundance and attention to detail demonstrated that the dwarves knew how to receive and honor their guests.


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After finishing the hearty meal, Miguel and his beastfolk companion, Baromir, were led to Governor Baudor’s office. The dwarf guided them through a narrow, well-lit corridor to a compact room full of character. The office was adorned with shelves filled with books and ancient scrolls, as well as metal tools and small models of machinery that appeared to be prototypes. At the center of the room, a wide, solid wooden table occupied the main space, with sturdy chairs arranged around it.

“Please, take a seat,” Baudor said, gesturing toward the chairs in front of the table. Miguel and Baromir complied, settling in as Baudor took his place in a large chair on the other side, resting his elbows on the table and interlacing his fingers with curiosity. “So, tell me, what truly brings you here?”

Miguel glanced at Baromir briefly before turning to Baudor. He decided to be direct. “We’re here because we need the dwarves’ help to complete some projects,” he said in a firm but respectful tone.

Baudor raised a fiery eyebrow, intrigued. “Projects, huh?” he murmured. “Look, I’m a naturally curious man, but I need to be honest with you. The dwarven kingdom adheres to a very strict policy of isolation. Frankly, I disagree with it. If it were up to me, we would have been helping the beastfolk long ago. This human aggression is unacceptable.”

Miguel leaned slightly forward, meeting the dwarf’s gaze. “I’m not here to drag the dwarves into war,” he said. “What I need is your people’s knowledge and skills, not soldiers or military alliances.”

The governor remained silent for a moment, analyzing Miguel’s words. Then Miguel reached into the inner pocket of his attire and pulled out a scroll, holding it carefully before handing it to Baudor.

“What is this?” Baudor asked, unrolling the scroll.

“A project I developed while we were at the port,” Miguel replied. “Something that might be useful to you.”

Baudor fully opened the scroll, his eyes widening as he took in the contents. The drawing depicted a detailed mechanical structure: a port crane equipped with a system of pulleys and gears. The crane’s base was fixed but could rotate in a wide arc, allowing loads to move in various directions. The structure included a raised platform where operators could control the levers and operate the crane efficiently.

The pulleys were arranged in sequence to multiply the applied force, enabling a single person or a small group to lift extremely heavy loads with minimal effort. There was also an attached conveyor belt designed to move loads from the crane directly into warehouses or other port areas.

Baudor ran his fingers over the drawing, clearly impressed. “This is… remarkable,” he murmured, studying the precise details of the pulleys, gears, and reinforced supports. “Something like this would save days of work at the port and reduce the need for so much labor. It’s ingenious.”

Miguel offered a slight smile. “Exactly. This is just a sample of what we can create together. My proposal is simple: in exchange for the expertise and knowledge of the dwarven people, I offer technology like this and much more—projects that will benefit both sides.”

Baudor continued to examine the scroll for a few more seconds before raising his eyes to Miguel, his interest evident. The governor knew this was more than just a simple proposal—it was an opportunity.

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Baudor examined the parchment carefully, his thick fingers sliding over Miguel's detailed drawings. After a moment of reflection, he looked up and, with a smile, began to speak: “I must admit, this design is brilliant. Many of our engineers have tried to find a solution to the issue of material unloading at the port, but none of their proposals were as practical or viable as this. A simple, efficient system that saves time and effort. Truly impressive, Miguel.”

Miguel nodded, feeling satisfied with the praise, but before he could respond, Baudor continued in a more serious tone. “But I'll be honest with you, young king. If you want an audience with the Council of 100 and our king, you'll need to present something more concrete. Sketches, no matter how ingenious, aren't enough to convince most of them. Dwarves aren't known for trusting theories. They need to see it to believe it.”

The words weighed heavily on Miguel, and for a moment, he thought the dwarf was about to reject his proposal. His mind started searching for alternatives, but before he could think of anything, Baudor broke the silence.

“On the other hand,” Baudor continued with a cunning smile, “if you're willing, we can work together to build a prototype of this crane for the port. If it works as planned, you'll have more than drawings to present to the Council and the king. And if they see its practical value, your audience might, who knows, result in a positive outcome.”

Miguel paused for a moment, absorbing the proposal. It made sense. He knew that dealing with dwarves would require more than words and promises. And Baudor was right: not all dwarves would be as receptive as him. Convincing the Council of 100 and the king would be a challenge, and a practical demonstration might be the only way forward.

He looked at Baudor, who continued to stare at him with that calculated smile, waiting for an answer. Baromir, seated nearby, watched silently, but Miguel could sense even he was curious to see what decision would be made.

After a moment of reflection, Miguel nodded firmly. “It makes sense. I agree with your proposal, Governor. Let’s work together on this prototype. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to ensure Drakmoor and the dwarven kingdom can work together.”

Baudor clapped his hands on the table enthusiastically, his deep laughter echoing through the office. “That’s the spirit, lad! Let’s get started right away. I have a group of engineers who will love working on something new. If there’s one thing dwarves enjoy, it’s solving problems with their own hands.”

Miguel couldn’t help but smile at Baudor’s enthusiasm. He knew this partnership was a crucial step, not just to win the dwarves’ support but to show that, as a king, he was willing to work side by side with other peoples to achieve his goals.