Is everything really alright if we don't lie? Stone isn't that naive! In her opinion, if Steel Hammer Papa tells the truth, then the dwarves' underground kingdom will be exposed. Well, then the dwarves will either have to move again, or they'll all be finished.
Alas, selfish humans!
Ugh! She'd cursed herself again. Stone looked conflicted. She was now certain she'd been deliberately abandoned, or rather, traded. She refused to believe it was a coincidence!
"What about the real stone? Daddy, don't you want to find her?" Stone had a vague idea, but she didn't know if Steel Hammer Daddy would support her.
"I want to, but there's nothing I can do. Maybe this is God's punishment for us." Steel Hammer Dad sighed sadly. "Oh well, at least we still have Stone. Stone, you are our daughter!"
Should she be moved? Stone was on the verge of tears: "But I can't stay in the Dwarf Kingdom forever!"
"What?! Stone, are you leaving your mother? Stone!" The fat mother's tears immediately sprayed everywhere, scaring Stone into shaking his head quickly.
"Mommy, Stone isn't leaving you. Stone is going to find the real Stone. When it finds the real Stone, Stone will come back with her to take care of you, okay?" Waaaaah, this tearful onslaught is really, really scary!
Steel Hammer Daddy suddenly stood up and looked at Stone with a serious expression: "Stone, are you really going to the human kingdom?"
Chapter 58: A Solution That Isn't a Solution
Stone nodded subconsciously. What she really wanted to say was, did she have any other choice now? Clearly, the group of wise men led by Elder Chishi had already indicated that they could no longer tolerate her. What was the point of continuing to stay like this, shamelessly clinging on?
Seeing his daughter nod, Steel Hammer Dad felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, he worried that Stone would suffer if she went to the human kingdom alone; on the other hand, he couldn't find a reason for Stone to stay in the dwarf kingdom. After thinking for a while, he reluctantly said, "Stone, you're still too young. Your parents will worry if you go to the human kingdom alone."
When Stone saw that Steel Hammer didn't immediately object, he made up his mind: "It's okay, Daddy. Stone is human too. Those humans won't hurt me."
"Sigh." Steelhammer Dad sighed heavily. "Your words make me even more worried. Humans! Stone, do you think all humans are like dwarves? They usually just use force to drive away other races, but when it comes to their own kind, sometimes their methods are truly cruel..."
How could Shi Tou not understand? In her previous life, she had spent several years navigating the social world; she wasn't so innocent as to believe that humans wouldn't harm their own kind. Let alone their own kind, even brothers, sisters, or even fathers and sons killing each other was not uncommon.
But the others, unaware of Stone's thoughts, especially the plump mother who was already in tears, cried out: "Stone, you are my daughter, and I will protect you. I will never let you go to the terrible human society!"
Stone looked at Steel Hammer Daddy. To be honest, she didn't want to go out either. It wasn't that she would stay hidden in the Dwarf Kingdom forever, but rather that it simply wasn't the right time yet. Stone knew very well that an eight-year-old child like her wouldn't be able to protect herself in a human kingdom in her current state: "Daddy, Stone wants to know, what's it like on the surface?"
Steel Hammer Daddy glanced at Stone in surprise. He clearly hadn't expected Stone to accept this cruel reality so quickly, and even more unexpectedly, Stone still had the mind to think about the problems on the ground. After thinking for a while, Steel Hammer Daddy turned to his eldest son and said, "Flame, go to Daddy's study and bring me that big iron box from the desk."
Flame agreed and went out. A little while later, Flame came back in, carrying a large iron box: "Dad, here you go."
Stone's gaze remained fixed on the large iron box. Could it be that it contained something about her past? Don't television shows and novels often feature tokens like jade pendants and purses?
This is something Stone couldn't understand. Some children are lost accidentally, and some are forced to, but she was deliberately abandoned. How could she possibly leave any evidence? Therefore, when the big iron box was opened, Stone was destined to be disappointed.
"Six hundred years ago, due to a war, the then-king of the Dwarf Kingdom fled his homeland with the few remaining members of his tribe, arriving at this place humans call the Crimson Forest." Steel Hammer Papa took a thick parchment from a large iron box, unfolding it to reveal a map covered in symbols. Pointing to one place, he said, "The Dwarf Kingdom is built three hundred dwarf-lengths underground, and above us lies the Crimson Forest!"
Blood Forest? That name doesn't sound fancy at all.
"Nobody knows exactly how big the Crimson Forest is. This map of yours is only gradually being improved over the years." Steel Hammer Dad put the map aside and took out a thick book from the big iron box: "The most terrifying thing about the Crimson Forest is not its vastness or how easy it is to get lost, but the many wild beasts that live in it. This book contains information on almost all of them."
"Steel Hammer! What do you want to do? What do you want to do with all this stuff?" The fat mother was horrified when she saw what Steel Hammer's father had taken out. She didn't even care about etiquette and yelled at Steel Hammer's father.
Steel Hammer Dad gave his wife a wry smile: "Hamei, do you really think Stone can stay?" If he wasn't forced to, he wouldn't be willing to send away Stone, who was only eight years old.
"No! Shitou is my daughter, no one can take her away!" The plump mother looked utterly devastated. In truth, she knew all too well that no matter how much she objected, it would be futile. However, as a mother, she couldn't bear to watch her husband send her daughter away, and the inner torment compelled her to do something for her daughter.
“I know, but there’s nothing I can do.” Steel Hammer Daddy said calmly, though he had already expected this outcome: “Don’t worry, I won’t really abandon the stone. I’ll take it to the surface. You can go up and check on her whenever you want.”
Hearing Steel Hammer's words, Stone was stunned. She never expected that Steel Hammer would actually come up with such a flawed solution. Right, Elder Red Stone only said that the Dwarf Kingdom didn't welcome any humans. But he didn't say that humans were also forbidden from entering the Crimson Forest!
"You're insane! You're insane!" But the fat mother wasn't reassured: "What kind of place is the Crimson Forest? His Majesty Copper Hammer chose the Crimson Forest as the last stronghold of the Dwarf Kingdom precisely because it was a forbidden land for humans! The Crimson Forest, shrouded in blood mist, rife with slaughter! Have you forgotten all that?!"
A blood mist hangs over the area, and slaughter rages on?
Stone's lips twitched involuntarily; this description...
“Of course I know, but what can we do? Rather than letting Redstone send Stone out of the Crimson Forest and leave Stone to live alone in the human kingdom, we might as well take the initiative and settle Stone in the Crimson Forest first. At least that way, we can visit Stone often.” Steel Hammer Papa said with a determined look.
What?! Does this mean she'll have to stay in that blood-red forest for the rest of her life? Stone was deeply saddened; she didn't want to be Tarzan!
Even the eldest brother, Flame, couldn't hold back any longer: "Mom and Dad, why did you send Stone away? So what if she's human? Stone hasn't done anything to hurt anyone!"
“That’s right! Stone is so well-behaved!” the twins with fire beards chimed in.
The restaurant immediately erupted in noise, with all six older brothers, except for the second brother, Huoshe, eagerly offering their opinions. Shitou listened with a frown for a while, and all they said was that she was very well-behaved and shouldn't be sent away.
Steel Hammer Daddy looked exasperated. Didn't he know Stone was very well-behaved? But no matter how well-behaved Stone was, it didn't change the fact that she was human! "Alright, that's settled! Tonight, I'll send Stone to the surface!"
Instantly, the restaurant fell silent. Just then, the second brother, Huoshe, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Actually, Mom and Dad, have you ever calculated Elder Chishi's age?"
Chapter 59: I Will Always Be Your Daughter
Suddenly, Shi Tou realized that she had underestimated her second brother: "Second brother, what are you trying to say?"
Fire Tongue looked intently at his parents and said slowly, "If I remember correctly, Elder Red Stone is already three hundred years old this year, isn't he?"
What?! Stone was shocked once again. Seriously, do dwarves live that long?
“Three hundred and twenty-seven years old,” Steelhammer Papa added with a stern face. Having been the king of the dwarf kingdom for so many years, how could he possibly be a fool? The moment Fire Tongue finished speaking, he knew what Fire Tongue was planning.
"Dad, if Elder Chishi passes away, how many people will still be willing to follow him?" Fire Tongue saw that Steel Hammer Daddy understood his thoughts but did not stop him, so he asked more directly.
Steel Hammer Daddy glanced at the ever-intelligent Flame Tongue, his eyes flickering uncertainly: "The wise men are all willing to follow Elder Red Stone, however, the three elders are all quite old. If we lose Elder Red Stone as our leader, Stone..."
Stone suddenly felt that this world was absurd. In the novels she had read and the games she had played in her previous life, all of them said that dwarves were brainless and simple-minded people. How come the world became so strange after she transmigrated?
"Alright, like I said, I'll send Stone away first. No matter what, Stone won't be appearing in front of everyone tomorrow. As for the future... sigh, for Stone's sake..." Steel Hammer Dad hardened his heart and looked at Stone: "Stone, be good. Dad, Mom, and your brothers are heartbroken to see you go. But right now, there's nothing we can do. But don't worry! You'll be back soon; you'll still be our little princess!"
Blinking his eyes, Stone seemed to be under a lot of pressure!
However, Steel Hammer Daddy clearly didn't expect Stone to say anything, and simply told Fat Mommy to prepare some clothes and food for Stone. All Stone had to do was eat his fill and get a good night's sleep...
As night fell, Stone groggily got out of bed and put on the thick clothes that Fat Mama had placed beside her bed. Fat Mama had said it was cold on the surface, so she needed to dress warmly. Of course, while Stone obediently agreed, she secretly thought to herself, "It's obviously colder underground than above ground!" But who knows? After all, Stone really had no idea what the surface of this other world was like.
Looking at the huge bag of clothes and two full sacks of food that his chubby mother had prepared for him, Stone suddenly felt a pang of unease! How was she supposed to carry all that stuff? Was she supposed to make Baozi eat it first and then poop it out when they needed it? Ugh, how disgusting.
"So many things..." Even Steel Hammer Daddy was confused, let alone Stone. Seriously, darling, are you planning to marry off your daughter?
"Stone is leaving me, and you won't even let me prepare a little more for her?!" The fat mother's face was still wet with tears, but her expression was extremely fierce.
Alright. Steel Hammer Dad silently wiped away his sweat, resignedly slung a bag of food over his shoulder, beckoned his eldest son over, and then placed the other bag of food on Flame: "Flame, come with Dad! Stone, can you carry that bag of clothes?"
"How can this be?" Before Stone could speak, the fat mother objected first: "Flame, put the things down!" As she spoke, the fat mother put the sack off Flame's back.
Flame wore a gloating expression, while Steel Hammer Dad looked at his wife with a sorrowful expression; his eyes... sigh...
If the occasion weren't so inappropriate, Shi Tou would have really wanted to burst out laughing: "Ahem, Mom, I can carry these clothes myself."
"Tell Flame to take it!" The plump mother snatched the large package from Stone's hand and shoved it directly into Flame's. Flame, who had just thought his mother was adorable, immediately looked dejected.
Flame Tongue punched its older brother hard: "Take care of Stone, you hear me?"
Flame nodded helplessly, while inwardly groaning, "Who's the boss here?"
"Stone, is there anything else you need?" Steel Hammer Dad finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that his wife had at least lightened her load a bit. Seriously, what's the point of preparing so much food? Food spoils!
After hearing what Steel Hammer Daddy said, Stone finally realized what was going on. She might never come back today, and thinking this, Stone felt a pang of sadness.
"Stone, be good. Mommy will come to see you in a few days, okay?" No one knows a daughter better than her mother. Seeing Stone's expression, the plump mother immediately knew what her little darling was thinking: "How about Mommy comes with you today?"
"Honey, don't make things worse!" Steel Hammer Dad was truly exasperated. What a joke! He left, Flame left, and if his wife followed along, wouldn't Red Stone go completely crazy when he arrived?
The chubby mother objected: "How is this causing trouble? I'm just concerned about my precious Stone!"
At this point, Shi Tou had to speak up: "Mom, I'm fine. Dad's right, we can't be without adults at home!" After thinking for a moment, Shi Tou added, "I don't have anything to bring, just a few pretty stones I've collected over the years. I'll take those with me!"
Before his mother could speak, Stone quickly ran back to his bedroom, gathered his treasured gemstones and jade with the pillowcase on his bed, and hugged them tightly to his chest. Before leaving, Stone stood at the bedroom door, taking one last, wistful look at the room he had lived in for eight years. He wondered if he would ever be able to return in his lifetime.
"Stone, do you really not need to bring anything else?" The plump mother held Stone's hand reluctantly, "Stone..."
"Alright, if there's anything else the stone needs, you can send it to her later!" Steel Hammer Dad was really at his wit's end. Good heavens, he only realized today how long-winded his wife could be!
Stone completely understood the fat mother's feelings. He recalled how, in his past life, when he was about to go to university, his mother had repeatedly reminded him of these things.
"Mom, don't worry! Daddy and Big Brother are here! Besides, Stone is all grown up now and can take care of himself." Stone whispered words of comfort, but finally steeled himself and turned to leave. Unsurprisingly, he heard a deliberately suppressed sob behind him.
Goodbye, Fat Mom! No matter if I am your daughter or not, no matter where I am in the future, Stone will always remember that I grew up on your milk.
Stone will always be your daughter...
Chapter 60: The Unlucky Abandoned Child
"Phew!" Shi Tou let out a long breath, squatted down, and wished he could just lie down on the ground.
Good heavens! What's the scariest thing in the world? It's not life and death, but—riding the Dwarf Elevator.
The dwarf brand simple elevator is really unreliable!
Stone already knew this all too well. Back when she was only three years old, Steel Hammer's dad forced her to ride the elevator down into the mine. At that time, she vowed never to ride an elevator again. But man proposes, God disposes. In the end, Stone did ride the elevator once, because she was leaving the Dwarf Kingdom.
"Stone, stop squatting there, hurry up and go!" Steel Hammer Daddy was anxious when he saw Stone squatting there motionless: "Hurry up, we need to get you settled before sunrise."
Stone took a few deep breaths; she understood this perfectly well. Elder Red Stone was no easy opponent. Although Fatty Mama was home, which could at least stall for time, if Steel Hammer Daddy couldn't get back by dawn, then Elder Red Stone…
"Then let Elder Chishi go crazy!" Stone stood up angrily. If it weren't for that old guy, would he be like a stray dog?
"Sigh, Chishi is just a little too stubborn." Steel Hammer Dad sighed and gestured for Stone to follow him: "But don't worry, Stone, Dad will definitely bring you back in a few days."
She knew these were just words of comfort, but at least Stone felt a little better. Following Steel Hammer Daddy step by step, Stone grew increasingly depressed. Perhaps because it was night, the ground was still quite cold, but she was dressed warmly enough not to be cold. What truly weighed on her was not the cold, but the pitch-black darkness of the night.
Are you kidding me? It's one thing to be dark underground, but now that we're on the surface, it's still pitch black! If it weren't for the luminous stones that Steel Hammer Daddy had prepared beforehand, they would have been unable to continue their journey by now.