We arrived at the stone gates of the fortress guarding Feo Berkana just as the sun dipped low, casting the mountain range in long, jagged shadows.

The air was thick with the acrid scent of charred flesh, and even before we reached the gates, the signs of battle were evident—burned patches of earth, shattered weapons buried in the snow, and the corpses of Quagoa littering the path like discarded refuse. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Tia wrinkled her nose and muttered dryly, "Oh, the smell of burn... Quite the welcome."

Clementine kicked aside a scorched quagga carcass, uninterested. "At least someone here’s been doing the cleanup for us."

Solution didn’t say anything, but her sharp gaze roamed the walls, taking in the defensive measures—ballista placements, enchantment stones, and the faint shimmer of a half-faded barrier still clinging to life.

The gates remained closed until we drew near, at which point several dwarven guards on the walls above took notice. Spears lowered in our direction, and a few dwarves reached for horns at their sides. That was until Gondo stepped forward.

"Hail!" he shouted in Dwarvish, his voice booming despite his small stature. "It’s me—Gondo Firebeard! I’ve brought guests from the human kingdom of Re-Estize!"

There was a moment of hesitation from the guards. Then one of them—older, with a braided beard streaked in silver—leaned over the battlement, squinting.

"Gondo? You old stone rat, is that really you?" The dwarf called back.

"In the flesh, Harn!" Gondo grinned. "Now open the gates before I freeze my beard off!"

There was laughter from atop the walls, followed by the creaking of massive gears turning. The thick stone doors slowly parted, revealing the inside of the fortress—a place that, despite its heavy defenses, felt weary and strained.

As we stepped in, I could feel the tension in the air, like a wire stretched too tight. Soldiers moved about with grim purpose. Some limped, others wore bandages stained with blood or ash. A handful nodded respectfully to Gondo, who returned their greetings with a proud smile, though I saw the worry in his eyes.

"This place saw heavy fighting recently," Evileye commented quietly, hovering beside me.

"Too recent," I agreed.

Lakyus stepped forward then, taking the lead as the representative of Re-Estize. Her cloak shifted slightly as she approached a stern-looking dwarf in dark armor, who stood waiting near a large command tent. He had a massive warhammer strapped to his back and eyes like polished obsidian—sharp and watchful.

"I am Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra, leader of the adamantite-ranked adventurer party, Blue Rose, sent on request from the royal family of Re-Estize," she said smoothly. "We come bearing goodwill—and aid against the Quagoa threat."

The commander raised a bushy brow. "Aid, you say?" He looked over our group, pausing for a beat when his eyes landed on me, then flicking toward Clementine and Solution. "Quite the mix."

Gondo stepped forward, clapping the dwarf on the shoulder. "Commander-in-chief Garmr Stoneheart, this is the team I told you about. They helped me get here safely—and they’re more than capable."

The dwarf, Garmr, gave a grunt of acknowledgment before turning his gaze toward the charred field beyond the walls. "You’ve come at an... interesting time. We repelled a major assault just two days past. They nearly breached the wall."

"Any casualties?" EvilEye asked.

"Too many," Garmr said grimly. "The Quagoa are desperate now. They’ve taken to night raids and tunnel ambushes. And worse—we’ve seen signs of coordination. Something—or someone—is directing them."

That bit caught my attention. In the canon timeline, the Quagoa weren’t exactly known for masterful tactics. The only time they had serious structure was when Ainz intervened. But he wasn’t here. So what had changed?

"Perhaps they’ve found a new leader," I murmured aloud, mostly to myself.

I think this was around the time they got a new leader.

Lakyus kept things diplomatic. "We were told Feo Raidho had fallen. It’s good to see your people are still fighting."

Garmr nodded stiffly. "Feo Raidho is gone, aye. Destroyed by the quagga and left to rot. But we’ve kept our spirits here in Berkana. The old capital still breathes, even if through battered lungs."

A group of dwarves came forward then to escort us into the fortress proper. As we walked, the walls seemed to close around us—solid stone carved directly into the mountain’s base. The lighting was dim, only illuminated by glowing crystals set in the walls. It had the feeling of a place not just built for war, but for survival.

Inside the main hall, Garmr turned to us. "You’ll be given quarters for the night. Rest, clean up, and we’ll talk to counsel tomorrow. If you’re here to help, I’ll not turn away a sword—or spell."

"Thank you for your hospitality," Lakyus said with a bow.

After settling into our quarters, I sat near the window slit carved into the stone, watching the snow fall in soft flakes. The world beyond the fortress was silent for now—but it wouldn’t be for long.

"Tomorrow’s going to be interesting," I said aloud.

Clementine flopped onto a nearby bed, arms folded behind her head. "You’re not wrong."

~~~

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