That was insane. Beyond anything he'd expected. Only the Dwarves could create something this extreme. That kind of resistance meant almost total immunity to fire. 90% reduction. And with his Medal of Dominion adding five percent all-element resistance, his fire defense would climb to a staggering ninety-five percent. At that point, fire spells might as well be warm air. Only 5% of their damage could get through. The Dwarves hadn't been idle all these years. They'd been preparing for war. "Thank you," Aiden said, steadying his voice. "Do you have any more of these?" Thor shook his head. "Only one. But I've got a few Flamecrystals left. They're weaker but still worth carrying. Take a few." He dug through his pack again and handed over several smaller Flamecrystals, their glow faint but steady, like dying stars. Flamecrystal.Description: A rare relic forged by the Dwarves over hundreds of years, created in preparation for the day they would reclaim the Temple of Hephaestus. Effect: Grants the buff Heatshield. Heatshield: Fire resistance +30%. Duration one hour. Cannot stack or overlap with similar items. Multiple Flamecrystals can extend the buff's duration.' The Flamecrystal couldn't compete with the King Flamecrystal in sheer power, but its strength was still remarkable. Thirty percent fire resistance was no joke. It was higher than most epic-tier equipment, and it didn't even take up an equipment slot. If it were ever rated, it would be classified as Legendary. And unlike the King Flamecrystal, it could actually be produced in bulk. "Thor, thank you," Aiden said, his voice calm yet deliberate. "But a handful of these won't cut it." He met the dwarf's gaze. "How many do you have left? I'll pay whatever they're worth." Thor stroked his beard, thinking. "How many do you need?" "As many as you're willing to part with," Aiden replied without hesitation. He knew how useful these were. An item like this could save lives. Even his beasts could benefit from them. Thirty percent fire resistance wasn't something you turned down. It could come in handy sooner or later. Thor fell silent, thinking it through. "Fifty," he said at last. "That's all I can give you. Any more, and I'd be robbing my own people." "Fifty?" Aiden frowned slightly. That meant only fifty hours of protection. It wasn't bad, but still disappointing. The Dwarves had prepared for centuries, and this was all they had? They were supposed to reclaim the Temple of Hephaestus. "Is the crafting process difficult?" Aiden asked. "Or are you just low on supplies? If there's a way to help, tell me." Thor gave a dry laugh. "Making them isn't the problem. We've perfected the craft after generations. But materials? That's a different story. The forest we lived in is stripped clean. There's nothing left to mine." Aiden nodded slowly. "If it's just a lack of materials, that's manageable." He leaned forward, his voice taking on a persuasive edge. "Thor, what's your plan for your people? You can't stay nomads forever." Thor didn't answer at first. He had thought about it, of course. But they'd just escaped the forest, and only a few hundred of his people remained. The future was uncertain for them. Aiden's tone softened. "If you don't have a destination, consider Leafport. The city's being rebuilt after the destruction. They need builders. Craftsmen. Your people could thrive there. Dwarves are unmatched when it comes to forging. You'd be treated like nobility." He paused before adding, "I have a title. I can grant you land. Your people would never go hungry again. You'd have every resource you need." Thor's eyes wavered. For a brief moment, he looked tempted. But then he sighed heavily. "Your offer honors me, Nighthale. Truly. But our laws are clear. We follow the will of the old divine. Always." Aiden nodded, though a hint of disappointment crossed his face. "Understood. But before you disappear into the wilderness again, at least stay in Leafport for a while. Stock up. It's been centuries since you've seen civilization. You don't want your people living off rocks again." Thor exhaled, then gave a slow nod. "Fair enough. We'll stay for a bit. But we're not going back to the forest." Aiden's brow lifted. "You're not? I thought that was your ancestral rule." Thor shook his head. "No. The rule says to avoid other races, except the Elves. They're kind. The gnomes and humans, though? They're unpredictable. Dangerous even." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "As for where we go from here… that's still undecided." Aiden's eyes widened. "Hold on. You're telling me you stayed trapped in that forest for centuries, starving and barely surviving, and it wasn't because of some ancient rule?" Thor gave a lazy shrug. "No."