It takes longer than expected

1255 AC (Aclian Calendar)
Seventh Month

Without delay, the Aclian Empire directed its monster horde towards the Dwarven Kingdom of Virnfaldur, taking along the conscripted remnants of the Inkalmairan and Torfan armies, who participated with surprising obedience despite their lingering aminosity, considering how devastating Undead swarms were to various kingdoms.

In fact, Elven historical records often detailed the carnage and destruction they wrought on their own City-states, and the very magic of undeath tainted the forests and weakened their magical wards. Hence why they were so fearful of them.

However, when they returned, they saw countless Dwarven refugees fleeing the carnage while Dwarven warriors valiantly held the line, walls of gleaming steel holding firm against an endless wave of Undead, gryphon riders flinging magical hammers against undead gryphon riders. Dwarven Runepriests cast magics to heal soldiers, protect against evil magics and smite down hundreds of Undead, immolating them in flames.

Bofurn watched the war unfold with grim acceptance, shaking his head to himself.

'Oh, King Thuzarm... If only you did not let your personal emotions get in the way...'

King Thuzarm and several stubborn nobles held the line with their lives, buying time for many Dwarves to evacuate the Golden Tunnels. They were later confirmed dead, joining the Undead ranks.

As the Monster Horde took up positions, their leaders met with the Dwarven leaders in the command tent.

"I am Thane Thazok, leader over what remains of the Dwarves of Virnfaldur," Said the scarred Dwarf, blind in his left eye covered by an eyepatch, clad in ornate Dwarven armour covered in dried bloodstains, "With me are as many as two hundred thousand Dwarves, though only ten thousand are actual combatants. The rest are hungry, tired refugees."

"So we see," Ferdinand nodded, "However, I'll tell you upfront: Our help won't come cheap."

Thazok grimly nodded, having expected this.

"What must we offer you in exchange?" He asked.

"Full access to your services for the next ten years, no exceptions," Iozunk said, "And due to King Thuzarm's actions with Lord Bofurn, I must demand your submission to the Empire of Aclia as well."

The last part earned more than a few shouts of protest from the Dwarves.

"We've never knelt to a foreign ruler before, much less a goblin!"

"Even if this is for our survival, this is too much!"

"You would make slaves of us!?"

"So what?" Iozunk said icily, "The ones who taught me how stubborn and unreliable Dwarves can be was none other than your King Thuzarm, and now all of you are paying the price for his actions."

At this, the Dwarves were silenced in shame.

Thane Thazok, on the other hand, simply nodded in understanding, though he did show an iota of **** in his expression.

"If we were to accept your conditions, Emperor Iozunk, do I have your guarantee that you will treat us Dwarves well?" He questioned.

The other Dwarves were shocked at his words, and the Aclian commanders themselves were surprised.

"But Thane Thazok-"

"Enough!" Thazok roared, silencing all argument, "Pride and stubbornness will get us nowhere, and we've already lost our homes! If we spurn their offer, we might as well consign our women and children to a slow, painful ****! I will not be the last king of an extinct species!"

Thazok made up his mind, and no one could convince him otherwise. And so, he fell to a knee before the Goblin Emperor.

"I, Thane Thazok of Virnfaldur, humbly submit to the Empire of Aclia."

Iozunk grabbed Thazok's arm and bade him to stand.

"And gladly, I accept it," Iozunk smiled magnanimously, "Let's hunt some Undead."

And for the first time since the loss of the Golden Tunnels, Thazok smiled.

For three weeks, the combined Aclian-Dwarven armies maintained a slow rate of expansion, relying on the doctrine of defense-in-depth to negate Undead numbers and slowly cull their ranks. Gryphon and wyvern riders dropped tons of flammable explosives on Undead elsewhere, disrupting flanking attacks and ambushes and ensuring an airtight defense against the undead horde.

As for the dead, the Dwarves reluctantly cremated the corpses, for burning the body was considered sacrilege and thus entombing them in stone was the greatest form of respect. Runepriests worked to purify and sanctify tainted weapons and armour they recovered, ensuring no one was corrupted in their presence.

Eventually, they made their way towards the gates of the Golden Tunnels, where an Undead lich awaited them.

"I will not be denied my birthright! We will not be denied our vengeance, to be forgotten and insulted by future generations for our sacrifices against the Kobold menace!" He roared, "I am Khazran, rightful King of the Golden Tunnels!"

Kelvhan rushed to fight him in battle before anyone could act, the Elf drawing his two-handed longsword gleaming with Elven magic.

Despite his lankier stature, he struck with the **** of a rolling boulder, using arcane magic with exceedingly short chants that allowed him to stay mobile. It was like watching a master dancer dazzle audiences with his performance, honed and refined over decades upon decades of constant practice and experimentation. He swung and stabbed with his blade, punched and kicked with his limbs covered in mana, and even flung daggers of pure light.

"Argh, you insect!" The lich roared, smashing empty ground where the Elf once was, "Stay still so I can kill you!"

Kelvhan's response was to slice off a Lich's arm, causing him to scream in pain as it burned to ash.

"I-Impossible!" The lich exclaimed.

With several more swings, Kelvhan lopped off the Lich's other arm and then plunged the blade straight into the lich's heart - his phylactery - and as it shattered he screamed as his very essence was unmade.

As the lich Khazarn fell, the Undead would also fall to the ground as the lich's magic sustaining them faded. The men cheered and carried Kelvhan in the air.

"Kelvhan! Kelvhan! Kelvhan!"