While Eradin and Farah were off journeying within the Celestial Mountain Range, Duke Elenwith was busy accomplishing everything that had been discussed. First and most importantly, all the Dukes congregated every member of the four houses together. Not one person was left out. Using the exact same speech, the Dukes all revealed their plans and what needed to be done and just as before, they ordered for a blood contract or death under the excuse of treason against the noble houses and intent to incite rebellion within the families. Sadly out of roughly one thousand members of the four families combined, close to two-hundred had faith in the church that was more important to them than their own bloodlines but they wouldn't escape.

The meeting area was already sealed off and surrounded by every current member of the Eternal Abyssal Night and a magical formation was implemented to prevent escape. Not a single member of the houses that wasnt' going to pledge ended up escaping despite their attempts. After the plaza was dyed red with their blood, Duke Elenwith looked on with eyes so cold that he could appear as a tyrant. Even he didn't want to kill his own family and he would forever have to live with that guilt, but in dire times with other countries baring their fangs and having so many tasks, betrayal would end up being a risk that couldn't be taken. If the houses were to hate him or the other dukes then so be it, he'd live with the consequences of his actions until the day he died.

With all of the defectors dead, it became a very simple task to bind all of the remaining members under the blood contract rune that was already drawn onto the entire outside courtyard. The exact same conditions applied to all of the new members of Eternal Abyssal Night. The runic tattoos symbolizing their membership all appeared and everyone was allowed to return until they were needed. As they left under the watchful gaze of Duke Elenwith, he finally sighed in sadness and relief.

I will probably go down in the history of this family as its worst tyrant that went insane for power under the temptation of an evil demi-god. But that is one more thing off of the list. Now on for the most problematic task. Where in the world am I supposed to make this headquarters at?

This task was going to be quite problematic. Constructing an underground base might seem like a very simple task, however that was absolutely not the case. Far more precautionary measures needed to be taken when making something underground as there were many unknown variables. This was even taking into consideration people who knew how to use magic for construction and reinforcement of buildings. Some of the most important variables were that if it wasn't built properly the whole thing could cave in and collapse on itself. But that wasn't even the most headache inducing problem. What was the worst included earthen magical beasts or monsters that accidentally burrowed into the headquarters or if it wasn't fortified enough, then it would be subject to attack. Unlike the city air space and walls that were protected by powerful magic, underground fighting tactics weren't that common. So with the price of concealment in a place most people probably wouldn't think of they would run the risk of the entire place being attacked through unconcentional means that had never been thought of before. After all who would think to fortify something underground as it would prove annoying trying work with tons upon tons of earth.

Most of all, the greatest problem lying in the shadows that Duke Elenwith felt creeping closer and closer to himself everyday was time. It was supposed to take quite a few years to get all of these plans under way, but rising tensions with Brail was causing time to longer be on their side. They were becoming increasingly aggressive at the border and the information that could be gathered was limited as in this world there was certainly tactics but information gatherieng was extremelly difficult, each courntry hid all of their cards well, so much so to the point that spies were useless. Because of this, the plans had to be slightly rushed and all that the Duke could do was pray that minimal problems would occurr.

Duke Elenwith returned to his office while contemplating all of this. A slight frown was visible on his face but his elegance as a noble was able to quite easily hide it. He didn't know whether to feel joy at the fact things were going smoothly for now or if he should feel apprehensive, perhaps a bit of both was how he felt.

Looking at his desk. there was a pile of requested dossiers. They all were the notable figures within the city from the City Lord, to the Archbishop of Elren City. Even the powerhouses in the dark guilds were present in these files. As for why they were sitting on the desk had to do with the Dukes resolution. The game of politics was something that he thoroughly hated, scheming was not his strong suit. He'd rather just kill the person he was at odds with instead of attempting to manipulate multiple schemes that all had their elaborate functions to increase political power. In game of war, nothing was unfair. Abyssal Enterprises would not only use legal channels to obtain what they needed, anything that was illegal in the eyes of the law would be made use of as well, there would be a very thin line between good and evil if that was what it took to rise into power.

After glancing through all of the dossiers, Duke Elenwith could only sigh in trepadation at the thoughts of all the problems to come, but it was too late to back out. While deep in such negative thoughts, a solid knock was heard upon his offic door that was quite loud and jolted him from the almost trance-like state.

From beyond the door the Dukes wife, Duchess Elenwith then walked into the room. She was not pleases to see her husbands haggard look due to all the work and stress that was now upon his shoulders. She gracefully walked over to his side before speaking in her melodic voice that all women of the Elenwith House seemed to possess.

"The magic craftsmen that you sent for have now arrived and are waiting in the lounge area. Shall I call them up here or do you want to go greet them yourself?"

Duke Elenwith forced himself to escape the feelings of stress and tiredness he was feeling, he needed to appear as a proper noble befitting his title. Sitting upright in his chair and quickly wiping off his clothes, the Duke once more appeared awe inspiring in his aura and mannerisms. With a fierce glint in his eyes and a steeled heart, he was ready to negotiate without budging an inch.

"Send them up here and bring the us all some fine dwarven brandy, we need to make sure these esteemed guests feel at home. There is no need for them to drink elven wine which is no strong enough to be called alcohol in their eyes."

"As you wish" Said the Duchess, she then gracefully walked off to escort the craftsmen to the office. She too was prepared to do what was necessary to accomplish their goals, for she was the complete opposite of her ferocious and wild husband that held the title of Calamity. What she lacked in fighting strength, she made up for in being able to help her husband when it came to political matters, if she didn't, there was probably no way he would stay a noble as he would rather talk with his sword instead of deceptive words.

A few minutes later another loud knock was sent resounding through the office. Then as the Duke invited them in, the door opened and the sight of two small but stout dwarves walked in. At the very most the first dwarf might've made it a little past Duke Elenwiths waste in height, but his width easily surpassed the Duke. With hair so dark so orange it appeared fiery he had a calm air about him. On the other hand, the second was a dwarf that was slightly shorter than the first, with his width only half as long as the first. He was the opposite of the first dwarf and had a fiery temper and permanent scowl across his face. Under all of his pitch black hair he looked like a giant ball of fur with almost no visible facial features except for his piercing blue eyes and a very large hooked nose.

Duke Elenwith waved them to the seats opposite of his desk and forced out a charming smile although he wasn't in the mood to act exceedingly positive and curteous. As the Duchess brought in the dwarven brandy, he began the introductions.

"Welcome to my humble ablde sir craftsmen, I sincerely appreciate the both of you taking time out of your busy schedules to come and meet me. I am Duke Elenwith of the Elenwith noble house. Might you be so kind as to allow me to hear your names as well."

The fiery tempered dwarf simply ignored him like a spoiled brat and swiped some of the dwarven brandy, he was clearly uninterested in being here and only came because the other dwarf forced him. However the calm dwarf simply ignored his companiion and took a sip of his own drink before politely responding in his voice that sounded scratchy which seemed to be the trait of all dwarves, even the females.

"How do you do sir Elenwith. I am Fray and my grouchy companion over here is Trell. I apologize for his rudeness, maybe he'll cheer up when we get down to business."

Duke Elenwith only chuckled as he watched the two of them who had completely opposite personalities. These types of people were to his liking, they weren'y overly polite and didn't try to curry favor with him with senseless flattery. They simply wanted to talk money and that was something he could respect because he was also a person that liked to keep things blunt and to the point if he was able to.

"Well I won't keep you guys waiting, I will be very literal with the two of you. The reason that I have called for the two of you specifically is because of these."

Duke Elenwith then pulled out their dossiers and threw them at the two dwarves who each put on a serious expressions. Clearly they realized with the appearence of those files that this was not an ordinary contracting job.Quickly reading through the information about them that was amassed, Fray and Trell both had a dangerous look that was aimed right at the Duke as if telling him to tread carefully as he was in dangerous territory.

With an evil smile and an equally dangerous look, the Duke finally seemed to have set the bait. "Now do I have your attention. As you can see I didn't call you here for a conventional reason. I have a particular need for people of your...skills."

Trell simply remained silent, but he no longer had the grouchy mannerisms about himself. Instead he was staring at the Duke with a serious expression since this clearly wasn't a normal business deal. but he remained silent as Fray remained completely composed. His greatest ability was knowing how to act for the most gain and minimal losses, and he was sensing right now that he would either gain something that would change his life or he might lose his life depending on his words. But he wasn't one to back down from such a situation and responded in kind, this time without the politeness he had earlier.

"Ok, you have my attention, you obviously need us for something right? I am also guessing that if we decline there is a high chance that we will die correct? You are no innocent noble, that much is for sure, how else would you obtain the title of calamity."

The Duke narrowed his eyes and slowly responded in an ice cold tone with a hint of killing intent. "Yes I do have a need for you. I am not soemone that will only follow legal actions in the eyes of the law. I am not afraid to break rules. Now you have two choices, and I will make it very simple. You can aid me with your phenomenal crafting abilities and you other...skills.... and be paid well for it. Or you can walk out now and I will find some other "Special" people to help me."

Then as Duke Elenwith made his final statement, clear bloodlust could be felt within the atmosphere, "I shall warn you once, and only once. If you agree, there is no backing out, you are sucked in for the rest of your lives and the only way to escape will be death. After all, many changes are going to take place starting in this city, and then the country, until the whole continent is changed. If you join me then you could become richer and have more power than you ever imagined and if you don't, well you might die on your own during the changes that take place on the continent in the future. And I will have an answer today."

The two dwarves only narrowed their lives. So there was to be a gamble with their futures at stake. Clearly the Duke wasn't joking either. No doubt he could find other, but if he came to them first then obviously there was a reason that they were needed and as such they had a bargaining chip. If it was gambling and negotiations this noble wanted. Then it was what he would get.