Chapter 62 - Interesting Rumors

Fulgrum came after an hour, telling Max that the High-King would see him in an hour. Max had to ask how they kept time, but Fulgrum despite his open friendliness after their delve to the ruins, categorically refused to tell him. Damned dwarves. Maverick had a few choice words to say about such secrecy, but Max managed to calm him down before Fulgrum got upset.

Even after two hours of cycling with the pills, they did not get to level 13 of their current Cultivation level. Still, it wasn’t a waste as they both knew. They were inching closer, one pill at a time. Max was pleased to notice that it was getting easier and easier for his mind to settle and do the work when he sat down. Not that his focus treasure didn’t help.

When Fulgrum came after another hour had passed, they were promptly escorted to Fulgrum who was waiting in a room furnished with more gold than Fort Knox. even the floor was plated with gold. The shininess of the room made Max feel a bit queasy. Regardless, he bowed to the High-King who reciprocated the gesture, but only as deep as fit a king, as to not tilt his shiny blue crown.

“Max,” Durum said and spread his arms. Max gave a quick glance at the amulet at his chest and then bowed again.

“My liege,” Max said. “Thank you for having me.”

“Hah, of course. You are the hero who facilitated my rise.”

“I see you have been prospering.”

“That I have,” Durum said and smiled. Then he gave Max a sly look. “Now what can I do for you?”

“I need help with all this Cultivation stuff,” Max said, dropping the pretense.

The king nodded and it was clear it was the answer he had been looking for. “I for one of course have been busy, arranging my kingdom, but I have been given the distilled insights of my team of scholars, who have been tirelessly studying the works you brought from the ruins. There have been… some insights.”

“Would it be possible for you to teach me more?” Max asked.

“Of course!” The High-King said, his smile widening. “But I should hope I can bother you with a menial task beforehand.”

Of course, Max thought. Then he quickly suppressed any further inner monologue. He wasn’t sure if Durum could read his thoughts on a whim, or if some specific spell was required.

Durum’s face didn’t betray any further insight to Max. He only smiled and said: “I am sure it will be a mutually beneficial venture.”

“What do you need?” Max asked.

“The Old Kingdom is still mostly unexplored,” Durum said and sat down on one of the golden chairs. He motioned for Max to do the same. Max complied and Durum continued. “It was fortunate that you found useful things there, but as a dwarfmind you surely understand our will to return there.”

Max swallowed. He really had not enjoyed his previous visit to the old ruins. Admittedly he was much more powerful now, and would be further so, when he’d spend the free attribute points from Cultivating.

“I do understand,” Max said, “But surely you have already sent further expeditions down there, now that we have an idea what lurks below.”

“Yes,” Durum said as he held a gilded goblet and poured wine in it. “I sent a fortified expedition down there. Hundred and twenty men. They did a fine job of cleaning up the first floor.”

“First floor?”

“The Old Kingdom has deep roots. We do not know how deep underground our ancestors dug, but I burn with passion to find out.”

“So what about the second floor?”

“I sent the hundred and twenty valiant men down there. Most of them had even gained some levels when they had cleared the first floor, not to speak of the few magical weapons we found and equipped this expedition with.”

Durum said nothing. Max thought he understood.

“None returned,” Max simply said.

“Actually, we were fortunate if that is the word for it,” Durum said. “A handful of them did. We know what was down there. I am sure you will be very interested.”

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense.”

“Sure enough, we found the same deformed ancestors as the ones you fought on the first floor. They were tougher than the ones from the first floor. Not a problem. My men were experienced at fighting the twisted beasts by now.”

“What is down there,” Max said, impatience lacing his voice. He had not forgotten the Siren. “What hell do you want me to delve this time?”

“My men say there was a group of creatures down there,” Durum said, looking pointedly at Max. Max didn’t understand what that gaze meant. Right now he was frustrated, and resented the king for speaking so cryptically. “The records say my ancestors dug deep and wide. Just like we have many entrances to our kingdom, so did they.”

Wait.. Is he saying what I think he is saying?

“They were tall creatures, like yourself,” Durum continued, eyes cast down as he swirled the wine. “Primitively equipped for the most part. Some of them fast as shadows. All of them aggressive and would shout and attack on sight, speaking in a tongue of spits and hisses. Some sort of lizards maybe. Their skin was some kind of gray and green, I was told…”

He gave another look at Max, full of meaning. Max was starting to pick up what he meant, and Durum understood. “But there were some interesting details mentioned. First of all, unlike our twisted ancestors or any of the other beasts lurking inside, they did not move with the ease of familiarity. Whether they attacked or ran from my forces, they were wary of every corner. I found that was passing strange. That was before the survivors told me…”

“Told you what?” Max whispered.

“They told me these reptilian creatures were wearing jumpsuits.”