Just as Damien and Isabelle were about to complete their first mission in the abyss together, the state of the outside world had become much worse

Especially the dwarf empire, as right now the the entrie mood of the whole race was at an all-time low.

The war room of Ironforge was carved directly into the heart of the mountain. The walls were black obsidian, veined with glowing magma that provided the only light.

At the head of the massive stone table sat King Durin.

The Dwarf King looked ten years older than he had a week ago. His beard was unbraided, and his eyes particularly sunken.

Around the table sat the rest of Damien's group: Alfred, Alaric, Lyra, and Hephaestus.

"Damn Human rats," King Durin rumbled, his voice echoing off the stone walls, ignoring the humans in front of him.

Fortunately, no one seemed to care, as his foul mood was not without reason

He waved his hand over the table. A complex array of mana crystals projected a 3D topographic map of the Continent.

A sea of red dots was moving like a bloodstain, headed straight for the mountain range.

"My scouts at the Iron Wall confirmed it an hour ago," Durin said grimly.

"Those bastards aren't hiding their banners. It's the Golden Dragon Standard."

Alaric slammed his fist onto the table, cracking the stone.

"The Dragon Empire?" Alaric growled, his eyes bloodshot.

"The Academy is gone. Zero is... gone. The Demigods are crippled. Why in the hell are they attacking us? Why now?"

"To be honest, it's not quite surprising that this attack is happening; this has to do with an event that happened 16 years ago," Alfred said quietly.

All eyes turned to the bespectacled man. Alfred adjusted his glasses, staring at the map with cold calculation.

"As all of you know, Zero is young master Damien. Do any of you know just how powerful the name Zero is?" he paused, to which no one said anything

The elders in the room, Lyra, Leona, Hephaestus and Durin all had a look of reminiscence as if remembering the past

Seeing this, Alfred continued to speak

"Sixteen years ago, the dwarf empire was much different from what it is now", Alfred explained, tracing the line of the advancing army.

"Back then, with the help of a few dwarf insiders, a false reagent, and a group of cultists, the second prince of the Dragon empire once wanted to stage a coup right here, and they almost succeeded!"

"However, that was when the young master appeared; it was the first appearance of Zero in this world"

"At only twelve years old, not only did he stop the rebellion, but he shocked the world with an attack that shattered the sky"

"Giga full counter, was it? What a truly beautiful attack"

"It's a pity I wasn't there to see it in person"

Sighing gently, the students, upon hearing this, were frozen in shock

'Amazing! Just how strong was teacher Mozart at twelve years old to liberate a whole empire!?' Muttered Alaric as his eyes widen surprised

Elena and the others were no different as all kinds of reference, determination and shock flashed through their eyes

Although they had grown up hearing the legend of Zero and how he revolutionised the world with technology and brought chaos wherever he went

Knowing he was just twelve when he started was a whole different case

And Alfred, seeing their shock, couldn't help but smile slightly as he pointed to the red dots.

"This is the 3rd Imperial Legion, led by the Second Prince. They have three goals."

"One," Alfred raised a finger. "Extermination. They know Class F survived. They know we are the seeds of Zero's resistance. They want to crush us before we can grow."

"After all, from the last few seconds of the broadcast, it was obvious that Zero was protecting you all, meaning you are guilty by association"

"Both the imperial empire andthe Dragon empire hate Zero, so you all aren't safe anywhere."

"Two," he raised a second finger.

"Technology. During the broadcast sixteen years ago, the world saw the Steam Titan. They saw the Ironclad Mechs. The Emperor covets that power. He wants to seize the Dwarven Forges to mass-produce war machines."

"It's why he wanted to take over the dwarf empire before"

"And three," Alfred finished. "Unification. With the Academy gone, the Imperial Emperor intends to conquer the entire continent under the guise of ' revenge for his son.'"

"With the Demi gods who held them back injured from the fight against the cultists, there is nothing left to hold his ambition back"

"And the second prince, knowing this, adding to his connection with the cultists, probably plans to use this as an opportunity to carry out all his plans, hiding behind the continental chaos"

Silence fell over the room. The weight of the situation was crushing. They were refugees, tired and broken, facing the might of two superpowers.

"We should run," Lyra whispered, clutching her bow. "We can go to the Elven Forest. My people can hide us in the Deep Woods. If we stay here, we'll be slaughtered."

"Although I don't doubt the dwarves' strength, with the queen and the world tree, we should be much safer"

Hearing this, King Durin stood up. He was short, but in that moment, he looked like a giant.

"Run?" Durin spat.

"You want me to abandon Ironforge? To let those void rats and human scum take my city? My forges?"

"Last time that prince brat stretched his hand, I might have been weak and incapacitated"

"But not anymore!"

He slammed his warhammer onto the floor. BOOM!

"If we run, they'll take the technology. They will use my machines to burn your forests, Elf. There is nowhere to run."

He looked at the map.

"We are the Dwarves of the Ironblood Clan. We do not run. We are the Anvil. Let them come. Let them break their hammers against our walls."

"It's time for the world to remember why I was called one of the 5 kings in my prime!"

[Author's note! Thank you to everyone who supports me here on Webnovel! The month is almost up, and I have a goal to reach

As such, I would continuously hold mass releases for all gifts given during this period till the month ends, even if it exhausts my stock

A luxury car is two extra chapters, a dragon is three extra chapters, a castle is ten extra chapters, and a character of your choice, name and description being inserted in the next arc!]

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