Chapter 163: The Dwarves's Power
Chapter 163: The Dwarves's Power
Queen Velara's gaze swept across the room, her icy blue eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the murmurs of her council. The dwarves, though silent now, were visibly unsettled by Vincent's words. She exuded a presence of power and control, every motion deliberate and exact, but Vincent could sense the growing concern behind her calm facade.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, Velara raised her hand, and the dwarves fell quiet. Her eyes returned to Vincent, but now there was a glint of calculation, as if she were weighing possibilities and consequences in her mind.
"You speak of dark forces adapting and growing stronger," she said, her voice soft but carrying through the chamber with authority. "It is not something I take lightly. But trusting outsiders, especially humans, is not our way. For too long, we have relied on our own strength, our magic, and the unyielding mountains to shield us from the world's chaos."
She stood, her petite figure almost ethereal against the backdrop of the stone dais. "Yet, you bring forth a warning that cannot be ignored. The threat you describe... if true, could jeopardize not only my kingdom but the survival of all peoples across these lands. I need to consider this carefully."
The queen turned to the council, her next words directed at them. "Leave us. I will speak with Vincent Stryder privately before deciding."
The council members exchanged uncertain glances, but none dared to defy their queen. One by one, they filed out of the chamber, their heavy boots echoing against the stone floor as they departed. Even Dargun, the ever-watchful guard at Velara's side, gave a slight bow before leaving the room.
Once they were alone, Velara descended from the dais, her soft footsteps almost inaudible in the vastness of the chamber. She approached Vincent, her expression unreadable.
"You must understand," Velara began, her voice quieter, though no less commanding, "that offering our aid is not a decision I make lightly. The dwarves do not involve themselves in the conflicts of others. But if the threat you describe is as real as you claim, then we cannot afford to stay isolated."
Vincent met her gaze. "Your Majesty, I understand the burden of your decision. But this isn't just a human problem. If the demons succeed in combining their magic with our technology, they will gain a level of power that no single kingdom can withstand-not even yours."
Velara shrugged his words as she flickered her gaze to the weapon on his waist. "That weapon, can I borrow it for a moment?"
Vincent hesitated for a moment, his hand instinctively hovering over the Sig Sauer M17 strapped to his waist. Yet, seeing the curiosity in Queen Velara's eyes, he understood that she wasn't just asking for a simple demonstration.
He unholstered the weapon, holding it carefully by the barrel, and handed it to her grip-first. Velara's pale fingers wrapped around the pistol's handle, her movements deliberate as she studied it. She turned it over, inspecting every angle, her icy blue eyes narrowed in concentration.
"What you're holding is a Sig Sauer M17," Vincent explained. "It's a semi-automatic pistol used by our forces. Fires 9mm rounds-small but fast and lethal. It's entirely mechanical, no magic involved. Just human ingenuity."
Velara raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Instead, her eyes began to glow faintly with a radiant blue light. Vincent's pulse quickened as he watched, unsure of what was happening. The dwarven queen closed her eyes, her fingertips tracing the weapon's surface, and after a few moments, something remarkable occurred.
In a soft but clear voice, Velara began to speak, reciting intricate details about the weapon as though she were reading from a manual.
"Polymer frame... lightweight but durable," she murmured. "17-round magazine capacity. Recoil-operated, short-stroke piston system. Slide stop engages after the last round is fired, ensuring immediate feedback to the user. Fires 9x19mm parabellum rounds, approximately 1,250 feet per second muzzle velocity. The trigger mechanism is a striker-fired system, ensuring a smoother pull compared to double-action."
Vincent stared, astonished. Velara continued, her voice growing more assured as the glow in her eyes brightened.
"The rifling inside the barrel ensures the projectile spins, increasing its stability and accuracy over long distances. It's designed for modularity, allowing quick field-stripping and replacement of parts in harsh combat conditions."
"How are you knowing all that?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"It's one of our unique abilities, being a royal of the dwarven kingdom," Velara explained, her eyes still glowing softly as she turned the pistol over in her hands, her voice calm and matter-of-fact. "We possess an innate connection to the materials of this world, be they stone, metal, or any other substance. I can understand the essence of any object I touch, its purpose, its design, and how it was forged." She paused, studying the gun one last time before handing it back to Vincent. "Your technology is fascinating. Its principles are clear to me now."
Vincent took the Sig Sauer M17 from her, holstering it carefully. He was still reeling from what he had just witnessed. Velara's ability to analyze the weapon so effortlessly was remarkable- and it demonstrated the depth of her power as a dwarven queen. He realized more than ever how critical it was to have her people as allies.
But-.
"How do you know the names of the substances that you haven't encountered? Like the polymer for example?"
Velara's lips curled into a knowing smile as she met Vincent's gaze. The glow in her eyes dimmed slightly, though her demeanor remained calm and assured. "I know the essence of the material," she explained. "Names, classifications, and technical terms-they are but human constructs, labels attached to things that already exist. When I connect with an object, it tells me what it is, how it was created, and how it functions. The names may be unfamiliar, but the essence is always the same."
Vincent nodded slowly, still processing the profound nature of her abilities. "So, the materials themselves speak to you?"
"In a way," Velara said, her voice thoughtful. "It's not speech as you understand it. It's more like a resonance. I can sense the nature of every element within an object. The polymer of your weapon-it's simply a combination of elements that, to me, are as familiar as stone or iron. I know how they interact and the purpose they serve."
Vincent remained quiet for a moment, absorbing her explanation. The implications of her ability were staggering. It made sense now, the stories of dwarves crafting legendary weapons and artifacts with near-perfect precision. If Velara's royal lineage gave her such powers, it was no wonder they had remained an isolated, independent kingdom for so long. "I want to know more, especially the one that is flying."