CHAPTER 480: CHAPTER 458: EVEN THE MASTER ARTISAN MUST STAND UP TO TOAST

"Firstly, it is absolutely foolish, unspiritual, mindless, and wrong for your elders to collaborate with the Female Grand Duke."

Horn’s first words immediately caused the nearby dwarves to roll up their sleeves, but they were pushed back by Kaelgen’s gaze.

"Do you know what you’re saying? This is an insult to the dwarves." Although Kaelgen had the dwarves pushed away, the anger in his eyes could not be concealed from Horn. "I need reasons."

"First of all, the discrimination against the André Dwarves arises because the Empire issued an expulsion order, artificially defining your status.

The reason they didn’t completely annihilate you is only because they covet your skills.

Now, the André Dwarves’ monopoly over the territory in Shangruifo County is supposedly ensured by the decrees of the Female Grand Duke, just like the Empire’s law, it is artificially defined.

She can establish it this way, and can likewise find a pretext to cancel it later. When you have developed in Shangruifo County, driving you away will be effortless.

As I said before, no one is willing to stand up for justice on your behalf."

Horn spoke eloquently to Kaelgen, continuously discrediting the Female Grand Duke who was a fellow honorary ally. "Believe me, judging by the Female Grand Duke’s previous actions, she really dares to do that."

The initially noisy dwarves began to collectively fall silent amidst Horn’s calm narration.

Horn’s words were not profound, but the reasoning was quite simple, and based on the current circumstances, it was likely to happen.

"Secondly, the fact that the level of dwarven craftsmanship has been caught up by humans is currently an irresistible power, and in the face of potential losses from such force majeure, do you know what the best action is?"

"What is it?" Kaelgen immediately asked.

"Stop losses promptly and transition early." Horn spoke slowly, "Transform the skills into other industries sooner, buy land or invest, staying put will only lead to a slow death."

"Isn’t this what Harbin’s innovator group of André Dwarves are saying?" The gathered dwarves began to whisper.

Meanwhile, a few innovator dwarves who were forging slowed their movements, secretly pricked up their ears, and listened over.

"Aren’t we already cooperating with that tall woman?" The dwarves shouted.

"As I said, cooperating for monopoly doesn’t work, it will only shift from your monopoly to her own monopoly." Horn explained while not forgetting to cast negativity on the competitor Moliat.

She was a close friend of Catherine, but it was Catherine who repeatedly reminded Horn to be cautious.

"So, do we have any other methods?" A young dwarf holding a cup of cooled honey wine asked hopefully and despondently.

"What you need to obtain is not monopoly rights, that is too shortsighted. You need to obtain national identity; either establish a Dwarf Realm yourselves or join a realm that can grant you national identity."

Horn sharply directed at Kaelgen: "This realm must be able to uphold your interests, recognize your identity, and stand by your side for justice."

"And must also be able to rival the Empire in might." Raphael lightly added.

"Indeed, it must also possess military strength." Horn turned back, casting an appreciative glance at Raphael.

"There are too few André Dwarves, we cannot establish a nation independently." Kaelgen said sulkily.

"Yes, is there any place that can treat all citizens equally, respects artisans and technology, and possess the strength to rival the Empire?" Horn chuckled softly, his eyes glinting beneath lowered lids.

"Are you referring to the Salvation Army?"

"The Salvation Army? Thank you for your appreciation." Horn crossed his legs, hands resting on his knees. "The Salvation Army is still developing, many things are yet to be decided..."

"You are actually talking about the Salvation Army!" Seeing the surrounding walls and workshops, Kaelgen murmured, "Salvation Army..."

"But isn’t this also an artificial identity designation? How is it any different from Moliat?" A dwarf shouted from among them.

"Did you see the stone pillars in the square?" Horn gestured behind him, "Civilization, fraternity, freedom, equality, and labor—these are the founding principles of the Savior Pope Country.

If, I mean if, the André Dwarves become part of the Salvation Army, under the principle of equality, dwarves and humans would be equal.

We can even accept beastmen as our citizens, what’s wrong with having one more dwarf? Can you find such an Ancient Aier-style diverse universal empire elsewhere?"

"If, if the André Dwarves become part of the Salvation Army, would you force us to change our beliefs?" Kaelgen countered.

"No, even with the beastmen’s various chaotic religions, I haven’t abolished them, so why abolish yours? One of our founding principles is freedom."

"We are not beastmen." The dwarves grumbled, but more gently than before.

For some reason, they began to envision the scene of bringing their families to live on Autumn Dusk Island.

Warm weather, fertile plains and lakes, and endless wine—such a life would be far better than the bitter cold Dragon Sleep Mountain Range.

"No need to change our beliefs, you would accept us just like that?" Kaelgen tentatively asked.

"I often tell the Child Soldiers." Horn turned to smile at the Child Soldiers, "All establishment of systemic boundaries is to a certain extent based on identification with self-identity.

So instead of asking what the country has done for you, ask what you have done for the country?"

"What do you need me to do?"

Horn smiled softly: "Acknowledge and use my new metric system, then transform some of your craftsmanship into my metrics, then apply them in workshops."

"How do I know this is not a trap to steal dwarf skills?" Kaelgen asked Horn, "For instance, even if you don’t steal skills, what if your subordinates do?"

"I will issue a law to establish patent and legal master-apprentice relationships." At the most critical moment, Horn’s smile faded. "By then, if there is any more poaching or unauthorized use of patented technology, there will be penalties and imprisonment.

As long as you André Dwarves are willing to swear in the Truth Cathedral to become citizens of the Salvation Army."

All the dwarves fell silent, none spoke.

Unlike the dwarves of the Furnace Plateau, they had fantasies of a Dwarf Realm, but the André Dwarves did not have this psychological burden.

Their only fear was betrayal or traps.

Yet all the dwarves present had to admit, the cheese in this trap was too tempting.

Horn did not rush them, but continued to sit there smilingly, fingers interlocked on his knees, swaying like a schoolboy.

At least ten minutes passed until Kaelgen exhaled heavily: "When can you produce the so-called ’your metrics’?"

"No need to hurry, you have at least two months to consider." Horn’s eyes glanced again at the dwarf honey wine, "I will prepare the metrics and the ceremony for the dwarves to join the Salvation Army promptly."

"I swear by my mother’s name, hoping you are not deceiving me." Gazing deeply at Horn, Kaelgen turned to shout, "Bring a cup of dwarf honey wine."

Holding a cup of honey wine in each hand, Master Kaelgen approached Horn, handing him a new cup.

Horn was about to stand, but was pressed down by Kaelgen.

Lifting the honey wine over his head, Kaelgen slowly bowed, touching the bottom of Horn’s cup with the rim of his own.

"May you always be healthy, Your Holiness the Pope."

Kaelgen drank the entire cup of honey wine in one gulp.