"Cartel!"

Cartel, who was forging iron in the workshop, was called out by someone outside the door.

He looked up at the person standing at the door; it was Camito, who had come yesterday.

"Old friend, you've come!"

Carter put down the hammer, casually wiped his hands on his clothes, and beckoned Camitor to come in.

"Why are you still forging iron here?"

Didn't I tell you you only had two days?

Camito's tone was reproachful. Although he had been forced to betray Cartel, he had told him the truth. Shouldn't he be packing his things and making plans to escape? Instead, he was leisurely forging iron.

After he finished speaking, he looked at the alley opposite the workshop, where half of a dwarf's face was visible.

He was startled and turned back to urge Carter on.

"Stay for lunch, we two brothers can get some rum!"

Carter ignored Camito's words and continued talking to himself.

He went straight into the inner room, and when he saw that Camito hadn't followed him, he came back and waved to him.

"Cartel!"

"Time is really running out!"

Camito followed, ready to help Carter pack his things, but was stunned by what he saw in the inner room.

Yesterday, all the ore on the ground was gone, leaving only a few scattered pieces, which were the most common copper ore.

Carter continued walking toward the kitchen, leaving Camitor standing there in a daze.

"Freshly grilled meat skewers and mashed potatoes!"

Carter brought out a large platter filled with fragrant, steaming hot food that looked incredibly delicious.

"you……"

Camillo was completely bewildered and was waiting for Cartel's explanation.

"Oh, right, and rum!"

"You take it first!"

He handed the disc to Camito and then turned and walked toward another room.

Although the ore is gone, how did Cartel manage to do it? If so much ore were to be moved, it's impossible that it wouldn't have attracted the attention of that short dwarf in the alley.

"The drinks are here! The drinks are here!"

Carter, carrying a large barrel of wine, walked excitedly toward Camito.

"What are you standing there for? Give me a hand!"

Seeing that Camito was still lost in thought, Carter couldn't help but urge him on.

"Okay!"

Camillo placed the plate he was holding on the table before taking the barrel of wine from Carter's hand.

The two men lifted the barrel together onto the table, and Carter went back into the kitchen to retrieve two large wine glasses.

"Old friend, you must finish this barrel of wine before you leave today!"

He handed him a wine glass.

Camillo shook his head, but still took the glass.

Carter filled both glasses and then touched his glass to Camito's hand.

"You old codger, you're really calm. I swear on my beard, I can't outdrink you!"

"Don't worry, don't worry, I've arranged everything. Just drink today!"

"Isn't it normal that you can't outdrink me? Back in Baikanburg, you were no match for me!"

"Haha, okay, then let's drink!"

The two bronzebeard dwarves clinked their wine glasses, grabbed skewers of meat from the plate, and began to eat heartily, completely shedding the negative mood they had felt the day before.

...

Before we knew it, the sun was setting.

Carter patted Camito, who was already slumped over the table, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"So many years have passed, and your alcohol tolerance hasn't improved at all!"

Camito didn't wake up; it seems he really did drink too much.

Carter grabbed the last skewer of meat on the plate and walked outside.

There were very few pedestrians on the street. The dim sunlight shone on the stone-paved road, giving it a pale yellow glow, much like the yellow sand outside the city.

"Hey!"

Carter raised the kebab in his hand and waved towards the alley across the street.

The dwarf in the alley was immediately startled; had he been exposed?

What exactly did Camito say to Cartel during those hours he spent in the workshop?

Today is the final deadline he gave himself; he has to take action after sunset.

"This is the last skewer of meat! If you miss it, it'll be gone!"

Carter waved his hand again after speaking, but the dwarf remained hidden in the alley and had no intention of coming out.

"What a pity! I'll eat it myself!"

Carter didn't hesitate any longer and put the meat skewer directly into his mouth.

"Mmm, this is delicious!"

"Camito is drunk and can't report to you today. If you have any questions, just ask me. After all, I've spent quite a bit of time at the city lord's mansion!"

Carter leaned against the gate, continuing to look at the alley across the street.

The dwarf was now at a loss. It seemed that Cartel was fully aware of his purpose. Camito was truly audacious, daring to tip him off in private.

I should have come out earlier; I could have caught the last skewer of meat. I haven't eaten anything all day.

He slowly walked out of the alley and headed towards Carter.

"Cartel, it's been a long time!"

"Duro, it's been a long time!"

The dwarf's original name was Duro, but no one had called him that in a long time. When Carter called him that, he felt a strange mix of emotions.

"What did that old bastard Camito tell you?"

Although he felt a strange mix of emotions, compared to the prospect of being thrown to feed the ants, he no longer felt any sympathy.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!