Just like last time, Nozurri awaited their group on his tower of gold. He looked pensive, not giving away what their conference settled on. When Seonghwa lowered his hood and his family gathered behind him, he swiped his eyes over their bunch, ever invested in the glow of the celestial elves.

Morana cocked a challenging brow at him, but Nozurri didn't entertain her taunting.

"Emperor Seonghwa," he addressed them with his powerful voice echoing from the tall ceilings.

Seonghwa politely bowed his head.

"Thank you for inviting us back so promptly. We've enjoyed your hospitality greatly."

By his side, Wooyoung threw him a befuddled glance, wings stiff from sleeping on the stone bed, but Seonghwa's smile didn't waver.

"Good to hear. My people also didn't report any bad behaviour from your group. Come now. I have the answer you have awaited. We shall discuss it over dinner."

Though they just ate, Seonghwa gracefully accepted. They waited patiently as Nozurri lifted from his throne, broad-shouldered and with thick muscles wiring down his arms. He descended his many stairs, grey hair tousled with the thick pelt on his shoulders. Heavy golden necklaces and rings adorned him and, though he reached only to Seonghwa's chest, his stormy brows were a warning for no one to cross him.

He led them towards one of the closed doors lined with golden edges and pushed it open, marching into a dining hall that already smelled of grilled meats and vegetables. The dwarves serving the table were exclusively female, but they wore some heavy gems on their circlets and necklaces, so it was safe to assume they were part of Nozurri's harem.

The dwarf beckoned them to sit around his table of stone, each in a heavy, unmovable chair. The husbands needed a moment to adjust their bodies, but soon, everyone was comfortable amid the fire basins glowing blue. Seonghwa was by Nozurri's side and he thanked the dwarf pouring him a drink. They carried out their dishes now, many various ones with ingredients from all over the continent. There was something for everyone to enjoy, and Nozurri flaunted his wealth with only the best meats and the most expensive drinks.

Even Buddy got a bowl of assorted pieces for himself and merrily munched away while the others dug in. Morana ate with her hands like some barbarian, but Seonghwa left her to it. Nozurri was only more fascinated by the two kids being different like night and day.

"I called in the ministry and we discussed your proposal for an alliance against the orcs and to restore your empire," Nozurri said while he cut his meat with a heavy golden knife. The dwarves were excellent cooks, so the mystery meat made Wooyoung gasp in surprise when it melted on his tongue. As much as his kind loved their meats, they grilled them either too long or too short and just stuck with the results, rarely using anything but salt for seasoning.

"I understand it is appropriate in your lands to cast a vote?" Seonghwa replied, satisfied with his roasted vegetables.

Nozurri grunted an agreement.

"Aye. Mine counts double, but we largely agreed this time. We will support your battle against the orcs."

The smile on Seonghwa's lips was impeccable and only his husbands might have been able to notice the slightest twinkle of delight in his eyes, well hidden to everyone else.

Morana gasped around her food and Yunho also couldn't help his grin. In the back of the room, Pebble stood at a relief on the wall to study it, unbothered by the conversation.

"I'm most gratified to hear that, and thank you for your trust. May I wonder which part of our arrangement convinced your people?" Seonghwa took it with grace and Nozurri dipped his bread into the sweet cream next to him. Some dip got stuck on his beard while he chewed.

"Nothing is more important to dwarves than trade. If the orcs flatten your lands, there won't be anyone to trade with. Besides, we make a lot of money from supporting you," he explained, honest with his true intentions. Others would argue the rights of people, safety and freedom should be more important, but that was simply the way of the dwarves. So long as their support was the same, Seonghwa could disagree on the morals. No one knew the differences between cultures better than he did .

"I assume the orcs were also not as interesting to deal with as Seonghwa," Hongjoong also spoke up, smile biting with the venom of a snake. If Nozurri noticed, he didn't care. The sharp-tongued mage was no threat to anyone here.

"Certainly. We appreciate a basic degree of manner and education about the trade. Though we met some interesting orcs who spoke common languages. Roughly so, but they did."

Seonghwa was reminded of Thistle. Not born among goblins to communicate in the orkish way of grunts and hisses, but spoken to in elven by her mother in her early years. He never doubted that there was a chance to educate their kind, at least the halflings. But the orcs so easily submitted to their instincts and desires, not caring for a world of education and kindness, since it seemed irrelevant to them.

This was why they would always be at war.

"The work of my treacherous brother, yes. He whispered his knowledge about the empire into their ears and created some intelligent leaders. Not so much in changing their views, but in giving them new opportunities to rape and kill. But he is dead now," Seonghwa admitted. Talking about Yongguk was still hard for him. Seonghwa lost the rest of his family to his murderous envy for the throne and even Yongguk could not come to his senses. He was a traitor, but Seonghwa still clung to their past together, to his love he once had for his wise, elder brother.

Nozurri took a sip of his ale and caressed a hand through his beard. Vengeful siblings were common in the politics of the dwarves as well. Every ploy to gain more popularity and wealth counted, no matter by which means it was obtained. Nozurri Greyback was born into the good name of his family, but there had been others before him who ruled as cutthroats and thieves. A battle for the greatest, as with so many other races, but their purpose wasn't to spill blood but gold.

They were cruel at times, hearts cold like the stone, but Seonghwa much preferred this alliance over others.

"That's good news. Then I doubt the orcs can make us a better offer than you," Nozurri ultimately chuckled, soothing Seonghwa's concerns but also admitting he would have changed sides in a heartbeat if he could.

Seonghwa looked at his food, but his smile remained cordial.

"Remember, though, after your victory against the orcs with our aid, we will be part of your diplomatic decisions. Consult us for the appointment of other future rulers around the empire. We deserve a vote."

With the dwarves electing a new emperor or empress and supporting their favourite selections for the other sovereigns aside from the elves, they would offer a new perspective focused on economy and infrastructure. Their priorities might not be the priorities of most who were recovering from a war, but Seonghwa was curious what might come of it.

"I will. Though the only ruler we have yet to establish is the one of the demons. They will put their own candidate forth. We may only voice our thoughts on a potential alliance with them. The choice for or against an empire and whether my family will rule it anew depends on the kingdoms themselves, including you," Seonghwa explained. He wouldn't delude himself. Though he was ready to burden the consequences of his actions and rebuild whatever could be rebuilt, he might never be emperor again. His elves might not want him to, or the allies might decide to gather only under a more capable ruler. To Seonghwa, either version was fine, since he could do good from whichever position he was in. But his husbands were anxious about who might rule over them next.

Nozurri harrumphed, not too happy about the foggy future of Seonghwa's throne, but he didn't retract his decision.

"Naturally, we support you, since you are the one who pays us. What of the other rulers? Are they for or against you?"

Seonghwa peered up at his husbands. They had reported the developments of the ten years he spent encased in his diamond prison back to him. Some of them helped, heroes in their striving communities, but other places crumbled inevitably with the war raging and orcs threading everyone's doorstep.

"Two of them are sitting at your table, though San has yet to decide whether he wants to continue with his role as the Heavenly King. He is only standing in for the true heir to the throne. The golems and dryads wish for peace and will support anyone who promises to rule without war, likeliest the elves, since dryads rarely appoint themselves on such a large scale. Chieftain Hlin is also fond of us. So the votes left to cast are those of the humans and the demons. They might be a minority currently, but my people must decide first whether they wish my family to ever return to politics. If they don't, I won't attempt any further. I hurt my own folk most. I fully understand if I am regarded as too high of a risk to reinstall and other elves may be picked, or another race altogether that isn't as weak currently."

Hongjoong tapped restless fingertips on the tabletop. Wooyoung opened his mouth to protest and remind Seonghwa that anyone would want him back, but he flinched when San pinched him below the table, successfully shutting him up.

It was fine. Seonghwa didn't need to be emperor to be happy. Though his family wanted to return to how it was, no one could turn back time. This decision was grander than just them.

"Humans trade well, but we aren't fond of the demons clamouring around in their cave full of unshared treasures. Mages should never be in power either. Perhaps the seraphim make reasonable leaders," Nozurri pondered as he took in the options before him. No one would dare have a golem rule an empire and the gryphon-borns could barely govern themselves.

No, their options were limited. So they had to work with what they had and what their people desired.

San directed his fiery gaze at Nozurri, shining in a way that was unsettling to the dwarves dwelling deep in the earth.

"We rule with order, but I support my spouse. My people will stir increased conflict with neighbouring kingdoms compared to the elves," he replied, well aware the seraphim might only gain half the alliances elves had, if even.

Nozurri was wise enough in politics to understand the trouble of picking one ruler to keep watch over so many cultures. He nodded to himself, confirmed in his earlier thoughts.

"Then the elves are indeed the best pick. Potentially your family as well, since you are on a quest to free your people from the orcs. While others weep, you restore order. A good ruler is there for his people, even when he isn't on his throne."

Surprised by his understanding, Seonghwa bowed his head in gratitude at the compliment.

"You honour us, even if your ambition differs from ours."

Nozurri waved it off.

"We are greedy, but we are not dull. I will supply you with what you need to battle the orcs. After their last visit here, we gained a solid understanding of their tunnel systems and movement. The easiest way to weed out creatures lurking underground in primitive burrows is gas."

"Gas?" Jongho echoed, invested in the rare weapon choice.

"Aye," Nozurri smirked grimly. "You poison them right where they are. Those dumb orcs won't realise until it's too late. We will create a gas that is toxic only to them and not to their prisoners with the wisdom of your mage. Chop apart a few of either, see which nerves we can attack. The orcs fall over without you needing to lift a blade. Then you retrieve your elves."

A frightening idea. Sneaking death in the air. The orcs would have nothing to defend themselves with. But it needed to be like that. By raw strength, they won.

"We can provide that information. The mages have records on the anatomy of most living creatures," Yeosang piped up, and Seonghwa was glad Hongjoong didn't need to find recently deceased elves to do that.

Pleased, Nozurri leaned back in his chair.

"Perfect. Then we will create a weapon and bring it to you. Too delicate to transport yourselves. You will use it and I will hear the sweet jingle of coin."