A Beastmen tribe with over ten thousand soldiers?

Even if they staked the entire Crimson Mage Tower, it would still be impossible to face such a powerful enemy head-on.

Laurent gave a bitter smile. “Lady Vina, of course the dwarves didn’t come seeking me for aid.

They’re offering the reward to Lord Li De,” he said, a glint of admiration in his eyes. “Even along the borders, Lord Li De’s name carries considerable weight now.

Bards are singing of his legend, merchants discuss his rise, and mages praise his unmatched talent.”

Vina’s mood instantly brightened at that. She cast a shy glance at Li De’s handsome profile, utterly satisfied.

“The dwarves asked me to request help from you. They said only the Crimson Mage Tower has the strength to save them.”

A thoughtful glint flashed through Li De’s eyes.

“What if we refuse?”

Laurent shook his head. “They didn’t say, but I imagine they’d just go looking for other factions.”

“I doubt it’s that simple.” A subtle smirk tugged at the corner of Li De’s lips. “Those dwarves may be in a desperate situation, but they’re far from fools.

Laurent, never underestimate a sentient race.

Right now, we’re the only ones in all of Green City they’re truly targeting.”

All three people in the room blinked at that, full of curiosity as they looked to him for clarification.

Li De’s expression turned serious. “I came from a small town on the frontier.”

Betty, knowing his real background, gave a subtle eye-roll, but said nothing.

“The Kachar family was destroyed by Beastmen. I was forced to flee to Green City. And although I’ve since built the Crimson Mage Tower here, my hatred for the Beastmen can never be reconciled.

If a generous reward is dangled before me, and the mission involves fighting Beastmen, the dwarves must believe I won’t hesitate to act.

But more importantly, there’s one key point here.”

“What is it?” Vina asked, playing her role perfectly by feeding the next line.

Li De smiled. “My teacher, Spark.”

“Grandmaster Spark?”

Laurent frowned in confusion. “But what does this have to do with Lord Spark? The dwarves are asking for your help, aren’t they?”

Li De shook his head. “Laurent, your commercial instincts are excellent, but you’re lacking in this area.”

Laurent lowered his head. “My apologies, Lord Li De.”

“In truth, the dwarves are aiming at the person behind me, Grandmaster Spark. He is likely their real target,” Li De said, his gaze deep and calm.

“Even if the Crimson Mage Tower sent out all its forces, we couldn’t defeat a Beastmen army ten thousand strong. The dwarves must know that.

But I can’t do it doesn’t matter, someone else can. My teacher, Spark.

This mithril vein? I suspect it’s meant as payment to him, not me.

My teacher is not only the Master of the White Tower, but also the Vice President of the Green City Mage Guild. He’s spent decades cultivating power here.

If he truly committed himself to it, forget ten thousand, he could mobilize forces to crush fifty thousand Beastmen.”

Li De sighed. Spark’s accumulation over the years was nothing short of terrifying. Without his support, the Crimson Mage Tower would never have grown so rapidly without attracting trouble.

“So… the dwarves wanted to use you to deliver this message to Grandmaster Spark?” Vina asked again, following his lead.

Li De gave her an approving glance, such an intuitive girl.

“Exactly. Because, why would a nobody dwarf be allowed to meet the Vice President of the Mage Guild and Master of the White Tower?

And even if he did, what proof could he offer to earn Spark’s trust?

Would my teacher believe some random dwarf that walked in off the street?

Would he risk waging war against a ten-thousand-strong Beastman army on a rumor of a mithril vein?

But if I deliver the message, it’s different.

After all, I am his disciple.”

Li De’s tone paused, his eyes reflective.

“And even if Spark refuses in the end, it doesn’t hurt the dwarves one bit. Because they can then use Spark’s name to approach other factions.

‘Grandmaster Spark was very interested, but in the end had to decline for political reasons.’ That alone gives their story immense credibility.

With his name behind it, who wouldn’t be tempted to listen?”

Li De shrugged, finishing the analysis.

“So that dwarf didn’t really want you to take the message to me.

He just wanted me to take the message to my teacher.

And he might not even care if Spark accepts or not, just being able to say Spark vetted the offer gives him bargaining power with others.”

After hearing Li De’s explanation, not only Laurent and Vina, but even Betty, the Northern royal-blooded Valkyrie, were left staring, their mouths slightly agape in awe.

The Northern warrior woman suddenly felt a deep yearning for home. Humans were so complicated. So full of schemes and manipulation. She missed the battlefield.

“Does that mean the dwarves lied to us? Or… they never really wanted to work with us?” Laurent asked with newfound respect in his eyes. How is this guy even human?

Li De shook his head. “No, the message is almost certainly true, and the dwarves do want to work with us.”

Betty blinked. She was completely lost now. “Then why question them?”

A sly smile tugged at Li De’s lips. “Because everything depends on our attitude.

If we agree to help, the dwarves will act immediately. But if we decline, they’ll go elsewhere.

It’s not contradictory. The fact they came to us first shows they’re serious.

And of course, I was the most logical choice, someone whose family was destroyed by Beastmen.”

With that, everyone’s thoughts finally aligned.

“Lord Li De, your wisdom could make the Goddess herself marvel,” Laurent said, utterly convinced. How can two humans be so different?

“So… are we going to help the dwarves?” Betty finally asked. As a Northern warrior, her blood raced at the idea of battle. Anything beat practicing sword swings in the tower.

Li De gave her a look, then shook his head. “No. We never help those who aren’t our allies.”

Betty’s eyes dimmed. No battle again. What a boring life.

Li De smiled, his tone playful. “However… we can fight for fairness and justice.

Those filthy, lowly Beastmen actually dared bully the weak and kind dwarves? As righteous, light-bearing mages, it is our duty to eliminate evil and protect the innocent.”

Betty perked up instantly, eyes blazing. Her hand subconsciously gripped her greatsword tighter, ready to swing it the moment he gave the order.

“Laurent, where is that dwarf? I want to speak with him.”

“He’s staying in an inn near the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild headquarters. I’ll go fetch him, ”

Li De raised a hand. “Just give me the address. Leave the rest to me.”

Then his eyes turned icy.

“And one more thing. Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone.

Issue a gag order to everyone who knows. If it’s someone from the Golden Wheat Merchant Guild, bring them to patrol duty at the Crimson Mage Tower, do not let them leave.

If it’s someone outside the guild, send men to capture and detain them immediately.”

Laurent’s heart tensed. He fully understood the gravity of the situation.

This wasn’t just a fight against Beastmen. This involved a mithril vein so valuable, two kingdoms could go to war over it.

The wealth, and the danger, it represented could crush entire factions.

If word got out, not even the Crimson Mage Tower might survive the fallout.

“Yes, Lord Li De. Only two of my most trusted aides know about this. I’ll bring them to the Crimson Mage Tower immediately.”

Li De nodded in approval. A smile briefly touched his lips as he stood and patted Laurent on the shoulder.

“You’ve done well these past few months. Keep it up. The Crimson Mage Tower never forgets those who contribute.”

Laurent felt a swell of emotion under that gaze. He nodded fiercely. “Lord Li De, I won’t let you down!”