"Master, do we really have to kowtow before this useless prince?" asked Pebble. Yes, in his mind, doing the earlier greeting was just for courtesy to his master and nothing more. It was the same for Grambie as he made a questioning look, too.
Elder Paakan couldn't cope with their ignorance. So, the next instant, his figure flickered, and he was already standing in between them. Kicking their heads he forced them to kowtow repeatedly, one at a time, they hissed, "If I say you kowtow before him, then you do it. Because I'm your damn master."
Knocking their heads repetitively on the ground, he spoke telepathically in their heads. "Hey, don't you see the dead dragon corpse inside the man? For all I can think, the giant must be the one that killed it. So, be careful and mind your attitude toward this dimwit prince. You got me?"
"Crystal," they responded telepathically. They succumbed to staying obedient as their master knocked their heads hard on the ground.
Damien could easily snoop into their secret conversation using his system. Later, informing his plan, Prince Zokaka announced, "That has already appeased me. You can stop knocking your disciples... Um, just give me your Sõmeru Ring, and I'll consider forgiving your two disciples."
Minister Paakan pulled out the purple ring from his finger. "Here. It's yours." And tossed it at Damien. The unwillingness to part with the Someru Ring was written all over his face. However, considering their situation, it was more like he was buying their lives by offering that ring.
Catching the Sõmeru ring, Prince Zokaka passed it to Damien. "Master, this is the refined Someru ring version made from that Purple Spatial Beast's Eyeball." He continued. "And I believe you must be interested in it."
Damien, who was wearing the Shinigami mask and the black cloak, observed the Someru ring and muttered, "Hmm, this ring is even more convenient to carry. It's even way more exquisite and advanced than the Spatial Ring I gained from the Tenderloin World."
After observing the minute details, marking, and the miniature set of sigils drawn over it using his X-ray vision and magnification mode, he asked in a deep mechanical tone. "Tell me, Zokaka. Does anyone in your kingdom know how to make this Someru Space Ring?" At that moment, Minister Paakan eyed him, trying to gauge his strength, but it turned out for naught.
Sensing it, Damien turned at him and snorted. "Hmph! Try doing that again and I'll keep your head as my trophy." He then activated his Devil's Ocular Eye Technique and started scanning him instead. The latter apologized briskly, addressing as 'Oh, Great Giant!'
"Master, there is only one person who can make this Someru ring, Grandmaster Grumdoc Flintstone," Zokaka answered.
"The same Grumdoc that made the 'Dragon Slaying Bullets'?" Damien enquired. And Prince Zokaka nodded his head in response. "Then all the reasons to go to your kingdom... Alright, I'm looking forward to meeting this grandmaster. Get ready. We're leaving now." Ten minutes later, riding on four horses, they began their journey toward the palace. Ten days of continuous riding on horses later, they finally arrived at the Druva City containing the palace of the Mountain Smashing Dwarf Kingdom.
As Damien and his companions descended from the hill, they arrived at the grand gate towering above them. Upon glimpsing the prince and the Seventh elder, the guards readily granted them entry into the city, humbly bowing and offering salutations in respect. As they progressed further into the city, Damien was utterly captivated by the exquisite aesthetics that surrounded him.
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No doubt! Druva City, the capital of the Mountain Smashing Dwarf Kingdom, was a marvel of dwarf engineering. Built into the side of a towering mountain range, the city was a maze of tunnels, chambers, and caverns that extended deep into the heart of the earth. It paved the streets and walkways with polished stone and lined with glowing crystal lanterns that cast a warm, amber light over everything.
The buildings of Druva City were made of sturdy stone blocks, hewn from the very mountains that surrounded the city. They were ornately decorated with intricate carvings of dwarven runes, depicting scenes from the kingdom's rich history and legends. Each building was topped with a pointed, sloping roof, covered in thick layers of moss and lichen.noVe.Lb/1n
The air in Druva City was thick with the scent of burning coal and smelting metal, as the dwarves worked tirelessly in their forges and foundries. The sound of hammering and clanging echoed through the streets, punctuated by the occasional roar of a furnace or the crackle of lightning from a magical experiment.
Despite its subterranean location, Druva City was not lacking in natural beauty. The dwarves had carved out vast underground gardens and parks, filled with glowing fungi, sparkling geodes, and colorful crystals. Waterfalls cascaded down the walls of caverns, feeding streams and rivers that flowed through the city, providing fresh water and power for the dwarven machines. Overall, Druva City was a bustling, vibrant metropolis, full of energy, creativity, and ingenuity. A true testament to the resilience and spirit of the Mountain Smashing Dwarf Kingdom.
As they marched toward the palace, because of Damien's size, it attracted every pedestrian passing through the street. Clamor and cheers welcomed the citizens as most of them were cheering for the giant instead of their worthless prince. And some praised the Seventh Prince for inviting a giant into their tutelage, as they clearly understood nobody had supported him. So, some critiqued the trash prince had finally shown his true colors this time.
"Stop!" yelled a royal guard, clad in golden armor from head to toe. "You know the drill. Not even the princes and princesses may ride a horse beyond this point. Keep your horses here."
Understanding the proper etiquette, the five riders followed, dismounting from their horses. Three noble-looking youths emerged from the king's quarter. They were none other than the third Prince, Gridlock Dunderbun, the fourth Prince, Jagatva Dunderbun, and the fifth Prince, Laksterva Dunderbun.
"Well, well, who would have thought the trash would return alive?" sneered Laksterva, the fifth Prince.
"I agree. Without his presence, we will lose all the fun," added Prince Jagatva.