Upon hearing the craftsman's words, the dwarf fell into contemplation, lost in thought.

Subsequently, he recounted his tale to Bayou.

His name was Max Firebeard.

His father was a noble of the Firebeard clan while his mother hailed from humble origins.

Due to his exceptional talents, he was dispatched by the clan leader to serve as the lord of Alman city.

However, unlike other nobles, he treated both commoners and nobles alike with fairness, meeting out punishment to those nobles who engaged in wrongdoing, which naturally incited their eyeire.

Even his legitimacy was questioned due to his mother's common lineage, branding him as an unworthy hybrid.

It was not until the Firebeard clan suffered a defeat against the Stonefoot Clan that the clan leader ordered the conscription of commoners from various cities.

Max rejected the forced enlistment which led the city s nobles to imprison him under the pretense of colluding with the commoners to incite rebellion.

Soon after accompanied by noble guards took control of Aman city.

Thereafter, Zhaoan subjected Max to inhumane torment, compelling him to divulge information regarding alleged conspiracies with commoners, lacking sufficient evidence.

And given Max s noble heritage, even could not execute him directly, nor could the clan leader.

Thus, resorted to this method of coercive torture to extract a confession from Max.

After listening to Max's account, Bayou found himself at a loss for words, merely lamenting the disunityity among the dwarves, who were embroiled in internal strife within their own ranks.

Why not join us and together overthrow this decaying aristocracy? Xiaoi dwarves were in dire need of elite combatants, and Max presented himself as a promising candidate.

Whether he would agree or not could be determined later.

Regardless, Bayou would gain a powerful ally, rendering it a worthwhile endeavor.

After enduring months of torment, Max had long since lost hope in the Firebeard clan.

Given status as the clan leader's son, Max was convinced that the clan leader was complicit in these atrocities, if not outright approving of them.

The commoners in the city believed their once benevolent lord had been murdered.

"I am of noble birth.

Can you truly place your trust in me?" Much questioned.

skepticism coloring his tone.

Words alone are insufficient.

I cannot accept your testimony without a binding contract.

Upon hearing by you's words, Max fell in his silence.

Signing the contract meant that betrayal was utterly impossible for him.

Indeed, the most secure method.

Yet, he remained distrustful of Bayou.

I need to see the outside.

Bayou shattered the iron door and severed the chains that bound Max.

With great difficulty, Max rose, his steps unsteady as he moved toward the exit.

Bayou quietly observed this scene from behind.

Given Max's condition, Bayou could easily dispatch him without fear of any ulterior motives.

Outside the castle, bathed in blood, Max finally encountered the sunlight.

The blinding brightness made it hard for him to open his eyes, and it took him a moment to adjust.

His body was covered in wounds.

fresh ones barely scabbed over, while older ones had already formed scars.

His appearance was somewhat terrifying.

Soon, some towns folk peering through the windows recognized their former lord.

"Look, isn't that Lord Max?" indeed, Lord Max is alive.

How wonderful.

Courageous dwarf civilians soon ventured into the streets, bringing clothes and food.

They draped garments over Max and supported his faltering body to the city gate.

Although the dwarves were unaware of why Max insisted on heading to the city gate despite his injuries, they still assisted him in that direction.

While Bayou followed silently to prevent any misunderstandings.

Fellow kin, in the eyes of the nobility, we are no more than livestock.

They exploit and oppress us.

To them, we have never been human.

Are we to continue accepting this? Why not be a little braver? Freedom and equality must be fought for with our own hands.

Before reaching the city gate, Max heard a dwarf delivering a passionate speech surrounded by a crowd of dwarfs.

On the city wall stood a human and three undead, quietly observing the unfolding scene.

There were companions of the earlier human.

Max also spotted numerous dwarves from outside the city.

Their armor indicated a lack of discipline, clearly not regular soldiers.

Moreover, their equipment was far inferior to that of the dwarf soldiers.

Yet, they diligently maintained order at the scene, their faces adorned with smiles.

The guard within the city was subdued by them and laid down their weapons.

Hearing Gray's speech, many hearts began to waver.

Max was takenback.

Bayou had not deceived him.

Everything she said was true.

Judging by the dwarf demeanor, they did not appear to be coerced by Bayou.

Consider carefully.

Although you may not fear death, I must warn you.

Should you choose to side with the nobility, I will kill you.

A figure clad in white stepped from beside Max, turning his back to him.

The two dwarfs supporting Max, gazed at by you with fearful eyes.

I am willing to take a gamble with you.

The nobility, their decaying system, I too, cough, have long since had enough of it.

If it comes to it, death is but a triviality.

Max feared nothing.

He had long desired to overthrow the nobility.

Very well, Bayu waved at Xiao Li and Shua, who was standing at top the distant city wall, prompting her to hasten over.

She tended to his wounds and subsequently entered into a pact with him.

Although Xiao Yianua was initially bewildered, she complied, channeling her energy into a verdant magical circle.

Waves of life energy surged forth, visibly, mending the wounds on Max's body at an astonishing pace.

His complexion grew increasingly vibrant, exuding an aura of robust vitality, while the dwarves flanking him released their supportive grasp.

Soon after, Max and Xiao Leian formalized their agreement, which was not of the fatal master servant variety.

It would not bear the dire consequence of subjects perishing alongside their lord.

Now they must assist the others in swiftly quelling the turmoil within the city.

Chapter 189.

Return to the castle.

There remained numerous matters for Bayou to attend to, including the equipment and supplies within the city, as well as the dwarven fortress outside that safeguarded Aman city.

Bayou entrusted the city affairs to Xiao Yinshi and the dwarves.

Returning to the central castle, where he descended into the basement alongside the dwarven craftsmen, discovering a dimminionive teleportation array, it appeared that the dwarves technology was not as advanced as he had anticipated.

Bayou had expected at least a portal comparable in size to the one he had encountered before.

Yet, this was merely a small construct capable of accommodating only one individual at a time, likely built for emergency escapes by Zhu Man.

The destination of the portal remained a mystery to Bayou.

Is it possible to replicate this? Bayou inquired of the two dwarven craftsmen who were among the few in Xiao Leian's castle capable of forging equipment of commanding level.

If they were unable to accomplish it, he would have to abandon the idea entirely.

The two craftsmen examined the array meticulously before shaking their heads.

Master, there are traces of magic within.

We are utterly unversed in magic and cannot replicate it.

This response was within by you's expectations.

Even if replication were feasible, its limited size would render impractical.

After dismantling the teleportation array, he departed the basement.

Within the castle lay ancient toms concerning the Firebeard clan, which by you perused briefly, however, the information proved to be of little use.

Who would be concerned with the history of the Firebeard clan and the dwarven kingdom? Mess was already well acquainted with such details, and Bayou could simply inquire directly should he seek knowledge.

The castle housed a considerable number of weapons and equipment, far superior to what Bayou had observed in the dwarven fortress.