Holy Mountain
"Oh, really? Do you have another stratagem to help us win?" Rock asked Linus, genuinely curious to hear what he had to say.
While Linus was about to explain his plan, he received a new quest from the system. Curious to see it, he made up an excuse and left the group, saying "That's right, but we need the right tools. Hold on for a moment, I'll check if we have everything here."
[Quest: Clear Bandit's Nest]
[Banditry has been an issue travelers and merchants crossing the mountains had to deal with since time immemorial. Strategically built on a cliff, there is no other access to the bandits' nest but the fortified entrance at the foot of the mountain. Clear the bandits' nest to receive the reward.]
[Reward: (Skill) Agriculture]
[Time Limit: None]
[Accept the quest?]
[Yes] [No]
Looking at the new quest, Linus thought "I already had some suspicions about the mountain dwellers since they came to us, but for the system to point at them this time? This is very handy, especially the skill." Linus accepted the quest without a second thought, dismissing the window.
He went back to the assembly and apologized for the wait. "Sorry for the delay, we have all the tools available here. Uncles, please see all the bronze tools I prepared for this expedition." Linus walked to the table and pulled the linen sheet covering it, revealing a set of tools that radiated a soft orange glow.
"Is this a joke? Count me out. There's no need to get Igor. We're already plenty rich." One of the warriors remarked, shaking his head, yet the rest of the crew were silent.
"Don't be so quick to dismiss it. These treasures are more useful than you think." Linus addressed the complaint, and then he continued. "Uncles, this article here with massive claws is called a grappling hook. You see, it has a hole at one end, and if I put a rope through it and tied a knot in place, it becomes very secure."
Walking to a row of extra tall palisades next to the table, Linus continued his speech "Uncles, I asked my friends yesterday to put up this strong wall here so I could demonstrate the use of this tool." With the rope in hand, Linus lowered the hook and swung it back to gather momentum. After finding the right timing, he swung the hook upward, hurling it behind the wall. With a little pull, the hook gets caught in a gap between the logs, securely locking itself in place.
"Uncles, this rope can hold the weight of a person. Try pulling on it." Linus turned to Rock.
Rock took the rope and pulled it with all his strength, but it didn't give in, not even a bit.
"Is it possible to scale it?" Linus asked Rock.
"I think it is." Rock replied. He pulled himself up with the rope and used his feet to assist with the climb, and eventually he reached the top of the wall. "I'm up here. This is great, but how do I go down?"
"Well, you can grab on the rope and kick against the wall until you make it all the way down." Linus instructed.
Rock did as instructed and made it back.
"Uncles, the grappling hook can easily get caught on things like wood and even rocks. Have you ever thought of scaling the cliff where Igor's fortress sits?" Linus asked. Everybody instantly understood what could be done with the grappling hook.
Julius was first to comment, saying "If it works as planned. We can catch Igor."
"That's right, but wait, there's more." Linus took the pulleys from the table. "Scaling the cliff is a bit tricky even with the hook, and it's tiresome. So, using this system of pulleys, we can pull men and equipment up the cliff without much trouble. Saving us much time and strength." Linus claimed.
After setting up the pulley system atop the wall, he made the men pull on the ropes to give them the feel of mechanical advantage. Trying the device surprised and excited them. Just how can a single man easily pull up another person up the wall like he weighed nothing? They hadn't seen anything like it before.
"If we can get even just one person up the cliff and set up a system like this, what happens next?" Linus asked them.
"The person on top of the cliff can pull all of us up and save trouble. Nice, it's really nice son." Julius answered.
"So many applications for this thing fill my mind. I want one myself, but it must be expensive, right?" the former skeptic asked.
"Not at all, if you can get me the raw materials for the metal. Just double the amount and it will do, for now." Linus said.
Ding! [Achievement unlocked! You are hereby granted the skill
It seemed that his little demonstration earned a few more followers among the warriors, setting his follower count to 100.
"Son, prepare enough hooks and pulleys for the endeavor. We'll bring you the needed materials." Julius firmly held his shoulder.
"Yes Pops. I need you to find the ores necessary." Linus replied.
Using
"I gave Uncle Rock an enlightenment so he can identify exactly what type of rock you bring him. If there's doubt about the rocks, ask Rock." Linus joked.
"Little Liny, don't tease your uncles too much. Lunch is here!" Lina waved at the boys, ending their little assembly.
In a few days, Simon's workshop became busy again. Dust contaminated the air as craftsmen now worked tirelessly, crushing green rocks at the fearsome command of their master. Particularly busy was Raymond, the person Simon entrusted with the new furnace. Together with the workers, he fed the hungry furnace with bucket loads of charcoal and powdered ore.
With his skillful hands, Raymond crafted the sand molds for casting. Beads of sweat gathered in his forehead as he poured the molten metal in the receptacles. After a few more days, his team successfully produced and polished the first metal tools to be ever used in an expedition.
***
"Master, we spotted some suspicious people camping at the foot of our holy mountain recently." a grunt reports.
Sipping warm tea, Igor replied "Keep the gates closed. They won't be able to do anything. They'll be gone, soon enough. Right Mr. Crimson?"
"Right, Igor. That's why we chose you." The man called Crimson revealed a sinister smile. With a hood covering his head, the shadows concealed his face, leaving only his mouth visible.
"Master, among the men, there was a person named Julius. He told me he wanted to see you." the grunt said.
Igor's hand lost its grip of the cup, letting it go. As it dropped, it broke into several tens of fragments, causing a mess. "Curse you Julius! Even here he follows me. What does he want?" He scratched his chin, thinking. " I know. Palanquin! Take me to the gate. I'll curse the man to his face." Igor revealed an unsettling smile.
At the rampart Igor stood tall, looking down at the outsiders like they were mere ants. His bald top didn't fail to attract the attention of his enemies.
"Look, it's Igor!" Rock nudged Julius.
"Oh, look who we have here." Julius stood up and hurried to the front of the gate, bringing his massive club with him. He looked up at the one-eyed bandit, their eyes met. Their positions now reversed.
"What are you fools doing here, camping at the base of my holy mountain?" Igor yelled.
"Holy mountain? Are you a holy man? You deceive us too much Igor. I heard that you rob people who come here." Julius yelled back.
"Lies! Only fools like you believe them! What do you want from me?" Igor yelled.
"Igor, you shall come out of your fortress and submit yourself to my men. With the power vested to me as the chief of Solus, I charge you with the crimes of banditry and conspiracy with the pirates. I assure you of a fair trial in my town, wherein you will be heard!" Julius pointed his club at Igor.
"Hahahaha!" Igor couldn't contain his laughter. "FOOL! You can wait down there all you want, but I won't submit myself. I, Igor, the mountain chief will not yield!" He replied.
"COME IGOR! DON'T WAIT TILL I DRAG YOU OUTSIDE MYSELF!" Julius threatened.
Stones rained down from the fortress, showering Julius with debris. The man swept the projectiles going his way with his club.
"FU.CK YOU JULIUS! I DARE YOU, DO IT IF YOU COULD, FOOL!" Igor lowered his pants and pissed where he stood. The golden shower precipitated down the wall.
"What a lunatic! You'll see soon enough." Julius told himself, smirking. He turned back to his camp.
"Hahahaha! The mighty Julius cannot touch me. Let's do the happy dance. Hahahaha!" Igor rejoiced. He happily retreated in the safety of his fortress.
"Rock, take your men with you around the mountain and scale the cliff. The rest of us will stay here for the night and keep them busy." Julius ordered, looking at the guards at the ramparts.
"Affirmative boss!" Rock pounded his chest and saluted. He left with his men, carrying the articles with them.
"Igor, Igor, should I get my hands on you, I'd make an example out of you for everyone to avoid." Julius thought to himself.