Hero of Darkness

Right in front of the High Elders, hundreds of reputed as well as influential figures, officials and the top individuals of the blacksmithing profession… Master Druvagar, one of the top 3 saint blacksmiths of the Vulcan empire declared that Throk had committed a taboo.

"For the sake of his pride and in the fit of anger… Oakenshield has committed an unspoken taboo of our craft and the dwarven race." said the second-ranked blacksmith of the empire.

Druvagar then continued as he pointed his finger towards Kahn while his stern voice resounded in the entire hall.

"He took a human as his disciple!"

His loud announcement took Kahn by surprise.

[What's the meaning of this? Was there such a rule?] asked Kahn in a befuddled tone.

[Not really. But you see… the previous rulers of the empire were humans.

They had enslaved the entire dwarven race back then and thus… the ancestral history between the two races even after the Firebornes took over and reformed this empire hasn't been on good terms.

This doesn't include any of the previous restrictions placed on the human race. The bad blood between dwarves and humans exists from more than 700 years in this empire.] replied Throk.

[Fuck! Means I'm basically inside the enemy territory.] said Kahn with an alarmed expression.

[Let me do the talking.] said Throk and spoke loudly.

"With all due respect, master Druvagar… our ancestors never made such a rule.

Besides, my disciple wasn't the one to spill any of our people's blood.

Before the incident with the imperial decree… we all know how humans have lived in our empire.

And me selecting him as my disciple is between myself and Tawerik. This has nothing to do with customs of our race or the blacksmithing craft." rebutted Throk, yet in a respectful tone.

"You really have hit the bottom now, Oakenshield. Where is your pride as a member of the dwarven race?

What's next… you'll name him as your successor too?" asked Druvagar in a mocking tone. Then he looked around the members of the council and the crowd.

"Tell me! Should our dwarven race's techniques and forging methods be taught to a human?

From what I heard, he used to be a handyman before Oakenshield made that bet with Tawerik.

Someone with no talent, skills and heritage now gets to know the secrets of our ancestors even though he can't even forge a common rank sword properly." he said and tried to rile up the crowd.

From his words, Kahn understood that Druvagar was one of those people who hated humans in the empire. The blacksmithing techniques and methods, the heritage and pride of the dwarven race were just an excuse to discredit Throk.

At this moment, Kahn wanted to rebuke but he couldn't… because strength didn't matter here; rather the skills.

And he was indeed lacking in them at the moment because his training hadn't reached a level of forging so far.

Throk had only taught him how to perfect his hammering skills to form desired shapes from metal ingots.

The actual forging procedure was much more complicated and time-consuming than just hammering a sheet of metal. Thus, he did not have any right to retort among the true experts here.

Plus if he spoke anything disrespectful, it would make things difficult for their side as offending one of the top 3 would earn him the ire of many dwarves here.

"Master Fili, what is your stand on this?" asked one of the elders to the last saint blacksmith of the trio.

"I only came here to see the verdict. I don't wish to side with either of the parties." replied Fili who had a dark red beard and braided mohawk as he took a neutral stand.

Soon, master Ivaldi also interjected and emphasized how unethical and disgraceful it was to bring down Throk when that maniac called Rogis targeted him just because he was a dwarf. He too voiced his misgivings about how the Dwarven Council intentionally ignored the situation back then.

After another hour of heated arguments and rebuttals… the whole mood of the hearing became clear to Kahn.

Half the members present were on Throk's side because they felt that Tawerik was wrong to steal the former's students when he was in a pinch.

Others just hated Throk because he was teaching a human their techniques and skills for the sake of his pride and the challenge as an excuse.

TWO HOURS LATER.

In a separate chamber of their own… The High Elders were discussing stuff between themselves after they adjourned the hearing to give their final verdict.

"The issue is truly bigger. Because both sides have half the people of the council divided. Any verdict wouldn't go unopposed." said one of the high elders with a somber expression.

"Plus there is the Church and Imperial heirs involved. Thus, we can't make any decisions that would be unfavorable to Oakenshield either. Otherwise, we will end up souring the relationship between the dwarven race and these two powers." said an elderly dwarf.

"Tawerik is also a well-connected oaf. His corporation holds a lot of sway in the blacksmithing business and does a lot of deals with the nobles of our species throughout the empire.

Although his claims are without proof… we can't just outright give a verdict beneficial to Oakenshield.

There's no way we won't get dragged into the mud if we favor either side." said the third high elder.

"Plus Master Ivaldi and Master Druvagar are very reputable figures themselves. They also have a lot of prestige within our race, the council, nobles and imperial clan.

In the end… It will be us taking the biggest hit as a result." said the fourth elder with an ashen white braid.

Just then, the main leader of the high elders, the one who sat in the middle during the hearing, spoke with a thoughtful look…

"Then we'll let them fight in a brawl and keep our hands clean." he proposed.

"What do you mean?"

Soon, he told everyone a scheme that would help them keep their integrity intact as the highest authority of the dwarven race and avoid appearing like they were favoring or abandoning either of the sides.

After an hour, the hearing resumed and everyone gathered to hear the conclusion.

"The council has made a decision." spoke the figurehead of high elders and continued in a righteous tone.

"Since the dispute started between the two parties in the name of displaying their skills and credibility as dwarven blacksmiths to uphold their reputation and honor…

The council thinks that it is just and right to let both parties decide the fate of their companies and corporations with their skills alone as it is the only thing acknowledged by the entire dwarven race and those who work in the blacksmithing craft." he declared.

"And to settle their dispute…" he said with a benign smile on his face.

"Dwarven Council itself will organize and conduct the challenge between their disciples next year in front of the whole Vulcan empire."