26: A battle of wits, forming alliances and building a coalition (Part 1)

The panicked retreat of the Furnace Fortress army was like heavy clouds being scattered by a gale, and the suffocating atmosphere over the Blackrock Clan valley suddenly eased. On the face of every Blackrock Clan Warrior, the ecstasy of surviving a disaster, the daze of disbelief, and an indescribable awe and gratitude toward Bronzebeard Stonehammer and the others were intertwined.

Clan Chief Brook Blackrock, this weather-beaten old dwarf, now clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly with excitement. He looked at Bronzebeard, his voice carrying a hint of hoarseness and an unprecedented gravity: "Clan Chief Bronzebeard, Your Excellency Lin Zhou... you have saved the entire Blackrock Clan! This kindness shall never be forgotten by the Blackrock Clan!"

Bronzebeard Stonehammer put away his battle-axe, grinned, and patted Brook's shoulder: "Old Brook, no need for pleasantries! We are allies; helping each other is only right! Now, shall we talk about how to completely deal with those bastards from Furnace Fortress?"

Brook nodded heavily, the flames of revenge and hope burning in his eyes: "Exactly! After this battle, Furnace Fortress's strength is damaged and their morale is shaken; it is the perfect time for our counterattack! Please, Clan Chief Bronzebeard and the various envoys, follow me to the council chamber for a detailed discussion!"

The council chamber of the Blackrock Clan was less a building and more a massive, slightly renovated mine. It featured crude stone chairs, mining lamps burning with ghostly blue flames, and an air filled with the scent of rock and metal. Brook invited Bronzebeard and the two Elven Scribes, Lorthemar and Sela, to take the guest seats, while he and several Elders of the clan sat in the primary seats.

At the same time, the raid force led by Elwin had already returned safely to Outpost Base No. 1 with abundant spoils and over fifty Underground Gnome slaves. The three pieces of molten core ore were immediately sent to the most heavily guarded area for preliminary research by Lightforged Gnome Technicians. Other seized materials replenished the base's supplies, while the Underground Gnome slaves were temporarily settled under the "Order Management" of the Law Fishmen; their craftsmanship might be of great benefit to future construction.

Lin Zhou's consciousness focused primarily on the Blackrock Clan's council chamber. He knew that the true "diplomatic maneuvering" was only now entering its most critical practical phase.

"Clan Chief Brook," Bronzebeard spoke first, his tone direct, "Furnace Fortress took a big loss this time, and they certainly won't let it go. Once they recover, they will surely launch an even more frenzied retaliation. We must strike while the iron is hot! Tell me, how much strength can the Blackrock Clan muster now?"

Brook exchanged looks with several Elders and said in a heavy voice: "After the previous attrition and this recent scare, my Blackrock Clan has about one hundred and twenty combat-ready men. Among them are eighty elite warriors, thirty crossbowmen, and... only five Runic Priests remain." His tone carried a hint of bitterness; the gap in strength was an objective reality.

Lorthemar spoke at the appropriate time, his voice gentle yet carrying the logical weight of something indisputable: "Your Excellency Clan Chief, relying solely on the existing forces of our two sides to breach Furnace Fortress head-on remains fraught with difficulties; even if successful, the casualties would be unbearable. My Lord Lin Zhou has a saying: 'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting, followed by diplomacy.' To defeat a powerful enemy, one must unite all forces that can be united."

Brook frowned slightly: "Diplomacy? Besides your side, who else in this Blackrock Mountain Range dares to oppose Furnace Fortress? Those Underground Gnome rats? They are cunning and cowardly, not to be trusted!"

"It is precisely the Underground Gnomes," Sela took over the conversation, holding a tool marked with Underground Gnome symbols that the rangers had collected earlier. "Please look, Clan Chief. This item was 'accidentally' discovered on the battlefield by our army during the ambush of the Furnace Fortress supply team. Furnace Fortress likely suspects the Underground Gnomes of attacking their mine now."

Brook and the Elders were stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized! So that was why the convoy was robbed last time! It was a frame-up!

Lorthemar smiled: "This was no coincidence, but a small trick by my Lord. The Underground Gnomes and Gray Dwarves are ancestral enemies, and now that they are suspected by Furnace Fortress, their situation must be dire. If we extend an olive branch now, explain the pros and cons, and promise post-war benefits, it is not impossible to pull them into our camp. Every bit of extra strength is another chance at victory."

Brook fell into deep thought. Collaborating with Underground Gnomes was hard to accept within his traditional mindset. Those fellows were full of schemes and had no sense of honor. But... the current situation was stronger than personal feelings.

"Underground Gnomes... they are skilled in excavation, traps, and mechanics. If we can get their help, it would indeed be of great benefit for attacking a fortress as sturdy as Furnace Fortress," a relatively young Elder analyzed in a low voice. "Moreover, pulling them to our side prevents them from causing trouble behind our backs."

Bronzebeard struck while the iron was hot: "Old Brook, don't hesitate! The enemy of my enemy is my friend! Let's take down Furnace Fortress first! As for how to divide the territory later, that's a matter for the future! My God said that after the war, the resources of the Blackrock Mountain Range can be discussed properly among the three of us! Fairness is guaranteed!"

"The three of us..." Brook chewed on the words, looking at Bronzebeard and the Elven Scribes, "Is Your Excellency Lin Zhou truly willing to share the Blackrock Mountain Range with us, and even with the Underground Gnomes?"

"My Lord's Dao lies in 'Order' and 'Win-Win'," Lorthemar said solemnly. "Bullying the weak is not the way of civilization. Only by establishing an Order based on fairness and rules can things last. The Blackrock Clan are the original inhabitants here, and the Underground Gnomes have also lived here for many years. My Lord respects the rights of all parties and is willing to establish a covenant with you all to plan for the future."

These words completely moved Brook. He felt respected and saw a future vision of a larger scale that transcended tribal feuds.

"Fine!" Brook slammed his hand onto the armrest of his stone chair, making up his mind. "My Blackrock Clan agrees to join with your side and will attempt to contact the Underground Gnomes to form a joint army and crusade against Furnace Fortress!"

The core framework of the Alliance was thus established!

The subsequent detailed negotiations were more tedious, involving the command of the joint army, allocation of wartime supplies, principles for distributing spoils, and preliminary intentions for post-war spheres of influence. Bronzebeard was mainly responsible for setting the tone and general direction, while the specific clauses and details were finalized item by item by the two Elven Scribes and the Blackrock Clan Elders. They cited classics (mainly Legalist statutes and Confucian rites) with clear logic, maintaining their own interests while fully considering the Blackrock Clan's demands, ensuring the negotiations proceeded smoothly.

Finally, a draft of the Blackrock Covenant, written in both Common and Dwarven, was drawn up.

[Blackrock Covenant (Draft) Core Clauses]:

Alliance Goal: The three parties (Hundred Schools Temple, Blackrock Clan, and the Underground Gnomes to be invited) shall form a military Alliance to jointly oppose and destroy the Furnace Fortress forces.

Command Structure: A Joint Army Command shall be established, with Your Excellency Lin Zhou (or his designated representative, Elwin) serving as the Supreme Commander, and Brook Blackrock serving as the Deputy Commander, responsible for coordinating the forces of the Blackrock Clan and the Underground Gnomes (if they join). Major military actions shall be jointly decided by the Command.

Resource Integration: During wartime, the resources of the three parties (troops, supplies) shall be unified and deployed according to the Orders of the Command. The Blackrock Clan is responsible for providing guides familiar with the terrain and partial logistics.

Spoils Distribution: Distribution shall be based on military merit and the proportion of troops deployed, with priority given to military needs. The forging technical data of Furnace Fortress shall be shared.

Post-War Arrangements: After the fall of Furnace Fortress, its territory and resources shall be jointly managed by the three parties, with specific details to be negotiated after the war. The autonomy of the Blackrock Clan shall be ensured, and the Underground Gnomes shall obtain corresponding living space and trade rights.

Now that the draft covenant was complete, the next step was how to pull the Underground Gnomes into this Alliance. This required a suitable envoy and a "bait" that would tempt the Underground Gnomes.