The Dwarf King looked at the three dragons, already considering them his friends.
He couldn't help it; in over eight hundred years of life, he had never tasted wine this fragrant—not even once!
(Author's Note: Legendary beings have grasped the Laws, meaning they are no longer mortal in a sense, so their lifespans are greatly extended.)
"Oh, my friend, tell me, is there something you've come to see me about? As long as it's not too excessive, I will definitely agree to it."
The Dwarf King patted his chest, and his armor, made of some unknown material, let out a clanking sound.
Jona Velli didn't beat around the bush and stated her purpose directly.
"I come from the Yesupu Continent. The reason I specifically crossed the Black Reef Sea to reach the Yiqia Continent is that I want to make a trade with you dwarves."
"A trade? What kind of trade? Ore, forged equipment? No problem at all. I've already received your sincerity, so I agree."
The Dwarf King said heroically; after all, other races usually came to them for those sorts of things.
"However, do you have any more of that delicious wine? I haven't even had my fill yet and it's already gone. I'm really craving it now, hahahahaha!"
Seeing the Dwarf King's greedy expression, Jona Velli couldn't help but chuckle.
"We have plenty of that wine in White Crystal City. But don't be in such a hurry; while what you mentioned is part of it, the main thing I want to discuss is the liquor trade."
"Selling liquor? Selling liquor? Selling liquor! To whom?! To us?!"
The Dwarf King repeated Jona Velli's words, his eyes lighting up as he shouted in excitement.
Jona Velli nodded with a smile.
"Of course, who else would I sell it to? Those stingy humans? Or the Elves who are thousands of miles away from me?
Besides, the Elves wouldn't be able to stomach something so delicious; in their eyes, such strong liquor probably tastes no different from horse urine."
The Dwarf King was so excited he wanted to pat Jona Velli on the shoulder, but clearly, his height didn't allow it, even though this cute White Dragon Girl was just a little loli.
"I damn well like you more and more! You've got vision! I have absolutely no reason to refuse the trade you've proposed!"
But just as the Dwarf King was getting carried away, a murderous gaze shot toward him.
One didn't even need to think to know that no one else but Friel would do such a thing.
The Dwarf King turned his head to look at Friel, looking quite displeased.
This person had repeatedly given him attitude; did she think he didn't care about his own face?
Just as he was about to lose his temper, Jona Velli stepped in front of him.
With a smile, she whispered softly.
"Don't mind her. You know how Red Dragons are... like that.
Let's not let this cause any unpleasantness between us, right, friend?"
Seeing Jona Velli like this, the Dwarf King slapped his forehead.
"That's true enough."
Jona Velli continued.
"To show our sincerity, I'll give you a 22% discount. From now on, you dwarves will only need to pay 78% of the original price for White Crystal City's alcohol."
Hearing there was a discount, the Dwarf King was so happy he wanted to pat Jona Velli's butt, as that was the most direct way for dwarves to express friendship.
Just as his hand was about to make contact, a spatial fluctuation occurred.
Slap!!!
"Aieee-hoo-hoo~!"
A crisp sound rang out, accompanied by Gris's signature scream.
Just now, Friel had directly used a Spatial Swap to switch the positions of Jona Velli and Gris, who had been watching the scene from the side.
The Dwarf King saw his greeting miss its mark, and his brow furrowed again.
"Hey, I say, what's the deal with you? You keep messing with me over and over again."
Friel's gaze grew even colder, but before she could speak, Jona Velli cut in.
"Forget it, forget it. Let's not talk about all that. Come, come, let's down a few jugs."
As Jona Velli spoke, her Spatial Ring flashed, and twenty barrels of wine appeared.
The Dwarf King's eyes went wide, and the little incident from before vanished from his mind completely.
"Come, good friend, let's drink our fill!"
To become true friends with dwarves, being bold and sincere wasn't enough.
You had to make them recognize your drinking capacity, your tenacity, your bravery, your fearlessness, and your unyielding spirit.
The most direct way to show this was to make them think you were badass by drinking with them or by pumping iron and forging equipment alongside them.
Once you did that, they would pretty much accept you and treat you as a true friend.
"Dwarf King, I'll start us off."
With that, Jona Velli pulled out a wooden cork, lifted a barrel with one hand, and began chugging it down.
The Dwarf King was somewhat surprised to see such a heroic display; this was exactly the quality dwarves loved most.
"Good! Good brother, come! Drink!!!"
The Dwarf King didn't hesitate either, hugging a wine barrel and starting to drink.
Seeing this, Gris immediately felt a craving and subconsciously reached out to take some.
But he was stopped by Jona Velli's white dragon tail with an 'Intercept' (a special mechanic from Naruto), leaving Gris in stinging pain.
Gris looked at Jona Velli resentfully.
What was that for? His butt cheeks were still hurting, and now the back of his hand hurt too.
Jona Velli could naturally sense Gris's gaze, but she didn't pay it any mind.
The two of them were having a blast drinking, but it was torture for the surrounding dwarves who were watching the show.
At this moment, their mouths felt dry, and they yearned for even a single drop of that nectar.
Just like that, the twenty barrels of wine were downed by the two of them in no time.
Since Jona Velli wasn't using her true form, drinking so much wine left her a bit tipsy, her cheeks flushed red.
The Dwarf King was already starting to sway; the kick from the nine barrels he'd drunk earlier was starting to surface.
"This wine... has quite a kick. *Hic*... Is there... any more?"
"I have more, of course, but the rest is for trade."
Jona Velli spoke truthfully. By now, the Dwarf King's mind was already a bit hazy, and he waved his large hand.
"Buying it... buying it all!"
"Hehehe, alright! I have one more thing."
"Agreed... agreed to everything!"
"And that is, I want to take several thousand dwarves back to White Crystal City."
Jona Velli used the opportunity to bring up her other request.
"Good! Good... wait, that's not right."
"What did you say?!"
The Dwarf King's eyes widened, and Jona Velli spoke again.
"I said, I want to take several thousand dwarves back to White Crystal City."
Hearing this, the Dwarf King looked at Jona Velli and realized she wasn't joking.
The Dwarf King spoke honestly.
"While it's true that I am the Dwarf King, I will not force my subjects to do anything they don't want to, just as you dragons dislike restraint and only love freedom."
Jona Velli smiled slightly.
"It's fine. As long as you agree, I'll handle the rest myself."
"That works."
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