When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

#461 - When the master craftsman comes, everyone has to stand up and toast

“First, your elders' collaboration with the Grand Duchess is utterly foolish, devoid of spirituality, brainless, and wrong.”

Horn's opening remark immediately made the dwarves nearby roll up their sleeves, but Kelgan stopped them with a look.

“Do you know what you're saying? This is an insult to the dwarves.” Although Kelgan had stopped the dwarves, the anger in his eyes was clear to Horn. “I need a reason.”

“Firstly, the reason your Dragon Worship dwarves are discriminated against is because the Empire issued an expulsion order, artificially defining your status.

The only reason they haven't completely eliminated you is because they covet your skills.

Now, the Dragon Worship dwarves are in the territory of Upper Reaver County, and the so-called monopoly of a county is guaranteed by the Grand Duchess's laws, which are artificially defined just like the Empire's laws.

She can enact them, and she can also find an excuse to cancel them. Once you've developed well in Upper Reaver County, it would be easy for her to drive you away.

As I said before, no one is willing to stand up for you.”

Horn spoke eloquently to Kelgan, constantly discrediting the Grand Duchess, who was also an honorary ally: “Believe me, based on the Grand Duchess's past actions, she really dares to do this.”

The dwarves, who were originally noisy, gradually fell silent collectively as Horn calmly narrated.

Horn's words were not profound, but the reasoning was quite simple, and based on the current situation, it was really possible.

“Secondly, the fact that human craftsmanship has caught up with dwarven craftsmanship is an irresistible force. Faced with potential losses from an irresistible force, do you know what the best course of action is?”

“What is it?” Kelgan immediately asked.

“Cut your losses in time and transform as early as possible.” Horn said slowly, word by word, “Convert your skills into other industries sooner rather than later, buy land or invest. Staying where you are will only lead to a slow death.”

“Isn't that what the reformist Dragon Worship dwarves like Halgren say?” The surrounding dwarves began to whisper.

The several reformist dwarves who were forging slowed their movements, quietly pricking up their ears and listening.

“Aren't we already cooperating with that tall woman?” The dwarves shouted.

“I already said, cooperative monopolies won't work. It will only change from your monopoly to her own.” Horn explained, while also taking a shot at competitor Melia.

She was Catherine's close friend, but Catherine repeatedly reminded Horn to be careful.

“Then do we have any other options?” A young dwarf, holding a glass of lukewarm mead, asked hopefully and forlornly.

“What you need to acquire is not a monopoly, that's too short-sighted. You need to acquire national identity. Either you establish your own dwarven kingdom, or you join a kingdom that can give you national identity.”

Horn said pointedly to Kelgan: “This kingdom must be able to protect your interests, recognize your identity, and stand by your side to seek justice for you.”

“And it must be able to contend with the Empire militarily,” Raphael added quietly.

“Yes, it must have military strength.” Horn turned his head and looked at Raphael appreciatively.

“There are too few Dragon Worship dwarves, we cannot independently establish a country,” Kelgan said sullenly.

“Yes, where is there a country that can treat all citizens equally, respect artisans and technology, and have the military strength to contend with the Empire?” Horn asked with a smile, his eyes gleaming beneath his lowered eyelids.

“Are you talking about the Salvation Army?”

“The Salvation Army? Thank you for your appreciation.” Horn crossed his legs and hugged his knees. “The Salvation Army is still developing, and many things have not yet been determined…”

“Are you really talking about the Salvation Army!” Looking at the surrounding walls and sheds, Kelgan murmured, “The Salvation Army…”

“But isn't this still using artificially defined identities? What's the difference between this and Melia?” Someone in the dwarves shouted.

“Did you see the stone pillars in the square?” Horn pointed behind him. “Civilization, fraternity, freedom, equality, and labor are the foundations of the Salvation Theocracy.

If, and I mean if, the Dragon Worship dwarves become a member of the Salvation Army, according to the principle of equality, dwarves and humans are equal.

We can even accept beastkin as our citizens, what's the big deal with one more dwarf? Where else can you find this kind of ancient Elwynn-style diverse and universal empire?”

“If, if the Dragon Worship dwarves become part of the Salvation Army, will you force us to convert?” Kelgan retorted.

“No, I haven't even abolished the messy religions of the beastkin, why would I abolish yours? One of our founding principles is freedom.”

“We're not beastkin,” the dwarves muttered, but they were much gentler than before.

For some reason, they actually had a vision of bringing their families to live on Autumn Island.

The warm weather, the fertile plains and lakes, and the endless supply of wine, such days are much better than the bitterly cold Dragonpeak Mountains.

“You don't need us to convert, so you'll just accept us for nothing?” Kelgan asked tentatively.

“I often say to the Child Soldiers.” Horn turned to the Child Soldiers and smiled, “The establishment of all institutional boundaries is based to some extent on the identification of 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 faintly: “Acknowledge and use my new system of measurement, and then turn part of your craftsmanship into my system of measurement, and then apply it in the workshops.”

“How do I know this isn't a trap to steal dwarven skills?” Kelgan retorted to Horn, “For example, even if you don't steal the skills, what if your subordinates steal them?”

“I will enact a law to establish patents and legal apprenticeship relationships.” At the most critical moment, Horn's smile disappeared. “At that time, if there is any unauthorized use of patented technology, it will be punished and imprisoned.

As long as you Dragon Worship dwarves are willing to take an oath in the Grand Cathedral of Truth to become citizens of the Salvation Army.”

All the dwarves fell silent, not a single one spoke.

Unlike the dwarves of the Forge Highlands, they still held the illusion of a dwarven kingdom, but the Dragon Worship dwarves did not have this psychological burden.

The only thing they feared was breaking their word or a trap.

But all the dwarves present had to admit that the cheese on this trap was too sweet.

Horn did not urge them, but continued to sit there with a smile, crossing his fingers and hugging his knees, swaying his body back and forth like an elementary school student.

At least ten minutes passed, until Kelgan heavily exhaled a breath of stale air: “When can you bring out your so-called 'system of measurement'?”

“Don't worry, you have at least two months to consider.” Horn's eyes swept over the dwarven mead again. “I will prepare the system of measurement and the ceremony for the dwarves to join the Salvation Army as soon as possible.”

“I swear in the name of my mother, I hope you haven't lied to me.” Giving Horn a deep look, Kelgan turned his head and shouted, “Bring a cup of dwarven mead here.”

Holding a cup of mead in each hand, Master Kelgan walked up to Horn and handed him one of the new cups.

Horn was about to stand up, but Kelgan pressed his knees and made him sit down.

Holding the mead above his head, Kelgan slowly bent his body and tapped the bottom edge of the cup against the bottom of Horn's cup.

“I wish you continued health, Your Holiness Pope.”

Kelgan drank a full glass of mead in one gulp.