VOLUME 14: CHAPTER 7

[Fifth Weapons Factory]

Although the Dragons had visited the Dwarven Kingdom, for most of the engineers in the Fifth Weapons Factory, it was business as usual.

Inside a massive building made of iron and concrete, hundreds of dwarves busily moved about, each of them assigned various tasks related to the creation of power suits.

All of the dwarves wore transparent protective masks that covered their entire faces. Their helmets, shoulder pads, and gloves were made of leather, brass, and steel.

The entire Fifth Weapons Factory was bustling with life. No matter the rank or position, the dwarves were occupied with their respective tasks.

"Move it over there!"

"It's been over an hour! Where did the apprentice run off to?"

"Darn hammer! What's this? The base frame of this one is dented! I'll kill whoever handled this thing before he can even finish gulping down his beer!"

"A little bit to the left! There! Push! Push!"

"Ah, my bottle is empty."

"Hey, greenhorn! First time handling that mechanical arm?! Grip it tighter!"

Dwarven-manned heavy machineries, conveyor belts, mechanical arms, tower cranes, loaders, cutters, armament prototypes, drillers, molding tanks, and various odd machines filled the building.

Sparks flew as spinning blades cut through metal. Loud bangs were heard as mechanical hammers folded iron and molded the frames of the machines.

The sound of metal clanking, gears spinning, and dwarves shouting and cursing mixed into a cacophony.

While the central building was busy producing the main parts of the power suits, in the eastern wing of the Fifth Weapons Factory, the testing of the newest generation power suit was currently underway.

Nofrog, the leader of the Fifth Weapons Factory, together with the other senior engineers, oversaw the test.

"Ninth trial commencing!"

"Pilot ready, in position!"

"Genesis Model, hatch open!"

A retired dwarven royal guard, who's assigned to test the Genesis Model for this trial, was about to enter the cockpit when a message reached Nofrog.

"Leader! We have guests!" said one of the apprentices.

Nofrog knitted his brows. He growled, "So what? Can't you see we're about to commence the new generation power suit's trial? Get out before I smash your face with my wrench!"

The apprentice noticed that everyone's attention had turned to him.

One of the senior engineers said, "I don't know who they are, but tell them to come back another day. Now's a crucial time."

Another senior added, "Do you know how much money was burned just for this trial? The First and Second Weapons Factory have been assigned to work on the mining equipment to gather the adamantite. But what about our Fifth Weapons Factory? At the very least, we should render the Genesis Model usable before the upcoming expedition to the Bottomless Gorge."

"About that…."

The apprentice was also aware that they were running out of time, that they needed to succeed in this trial so they could present the Genesis Model to Crown Prince Hafnir.

But what could he do?

He was a mere apprentice, and he did not have the authority to ask those visitors to leave the Fifth Weapons Factory. All he could do right now was report their arrival to the higher-ups.

"Is it them? The humans?" said the Assistant Vice Leader.

The apprentice's eyes lit up. "Yes!"

The Assistant Vice Leader fell silent for a moment. He said to the leader and the senior engineers, "We can't just turn them away. They're the delegates that came with the Great Guardian Deities when they visited the royal palace."

The humans from the Kingdom of Lukas?

After learning the identities of their visitors, Nofrog finally left his post. He strode toward the apprentice and grabbed him by the shoulders. "Is it true? Those humans are visiting us?"

The apprentice's beard swayed as he nodded several times.

The Assistant Vice Leader whispered, "Nofrog, I told you about this yesterday, remember?"

"You did?" said Nofrog quizzically.

Looking around, the Assistant Vice Leader realized that aside from him, no one else was expecting this visit.

The Assistant Vice Leader sighed. "You weren't paying attention, huh? Figures. No wonder you easily said yes and shooed me away when you were working on the cooling system yesterday."

Nofrog had always been like this.

Whenever he was working on his projects, he would do them with a single-minded focus. He would frequently get lost in his tinkering, going as far as even forgetting to eat or drink for an entire day.

Maybe because they were desperate to produce results, even the other senior engineers forgot about the fact that the humans would be visiting today.

Thankfully, the Assistant Vice Leader remembered.

"Tch! Why now?" said Nofrog. "Just right when we're about to commence with our testing, those humans arrived."

Nofrog didn't hide his displeasure.

Although the humans were accompanied by the Great Guardian Deities, it didn't mean the delegates would get preferential treatment from the dwarven engineers of the Fifth Weapons Factory.

In the end, the delegates from the Kingdom of Lukas were still mere humans who didn't even know the difference between a complex machine and a simple apparatus.

For the dwarven engineers, those humans were no different from mindless, technologically-challenged brutes.

Nofrog rubbed his brows. "What do they want?"

The apprentice said, "They said they want to look around the Fifth Weapons Factory."

Nofrog clicked his tongue again.

"Kashbeard," said Nofrog to the Assistant Vice Leader, "show them around. Don't let them touch a single thing, you hear me?"

Kashbeard groaned, "Why me? Just order one of the engineers in the central building to do it."

"Just do it," snarled Nofrog. "You're the one who remembered they're arriving today in the first place. And it's not like we can just send anyone to guide them. I can't leave my post, and those buffoons from the central building are too stupid to serve as the delegates' guides. One wrong move and we'll have Dragons breathing on our necks. You can restrict the access of the humans, but don't offend them, do you understand?"

Nofrog also added that the humans shouldn't be allowed to enter the eastern wing of the Fifth Weapons Factory, no matter what.

Kashbeard and the apprentice locked eyes with each other. The apprentice apologetically bowed to Kashbeard, realizing that he'd passed the burden to him.

With a look of resignation in his eyes, Kashbeard said, "Fine. I'll guide them. Just this once."

"Ah. Bring back some alcohol with you," said Nofrog.

The other senior engineers chimed in, "I want firebeard ale, Assistant Vice Leader!"

"Me, too! Now that I think of it, it's been three days since I've drank that thing!"

"Hahaha! Let's get wasted later, brother!"

Kashbeard blatantly ignored their requests. "I'll be back."

Nofrog nodded. He roared at his men, "Commence the ninth trial!"

The head engineer repeated, "You heard the Leader! Commence the trial!"

The pilot entered the cockpit. The mechanical stabilizers shifted into position, and the coolants were activated. The engine whizzed and started sucking energy from the mana core.

Kashbeard looked at the Genesis Model one more time before turning away. Regretfully, he headed toward the Fifth Weapons Factory's entrance.

'Damn humans. Sightseeing during such a crucial time.'

He hadn't even met them yet, but Kashbeard already had a bad impression of the humans.

If they hadn't arrived, he would still be at the eastern wing right now, facilitating the ninth trial of the Genesis Model, together with Nofrog.

After walking for several minutes, Kashbeard eventually arrived at the place where Lark's group had been waiting.

Lark's group was being outright ignored by the dwarves in the Fifth Weapons Factory. They stood there at the entrance with no one even bothering to guide them to a reception room.

Still, despite being ignored, the humans seemed to be in a good mood. Their eyes were filled with curiosity as they watched the engineers move about in the central building.

"Are you the delegates from the Kingdom of Lukas?" said Kashbeard.

Although he already knew the answer to this question, Kashbeard asked regardless.

"That's correct." Lark nodded, "I am Lark Marcus, Regent King of the Kingdom of Lukas."

Lark was the first to introduce himself. For some reason, he always emphasized that he was a mere regent, that his position was temporary. Kashmere found it odd but didn't ask about it.

Afterward, Captain Symon and Lady Alice introduced themselves. The seven heads, on the other hand, remained silent.

Kashbeard noticed that the man called Symon was the most excited in the group. Although the man was suppressing it, his excitement was apparent judging by the glimmer in his eyes. Whenever he saw mechanical arms being maneuvered by dwarves, his mouth would open wide like a kid.

The human king noticed this, too, but didn't point it out, lest it puts the Captain in an awkward position. The human king simply smiled and let the Captain's gaze wander.

Lark had already noticed long ago that Captain Symon would sometime stare at the power suits of the dwarves in the Coalition Army.

Back in the royal palace, before coming here, Captain Symon requested Lark to let him accompany them after he learned that they would be visiting the factory where the power suits were created.

It was the day when Lark confirmed that Captain Symon had passion to machinery despite being the successor of a Sword Saint.

"Hmm… I see. I kept you waiting. I am Kashbeard, Assistant Vice Leader of the Fifth Weapons Factory," said the dwarf. "The Leader is currently occupied, so I've been tasked to be your guide. You wish to tour the Fifth Weapons Factory, correct?"

"Yes."

Kashbeard stroked his beard. "Then, please put on those protective gears." He pointed at the nearby armory.

The seven heads frowned, displeased upon seeing how dirty and unkempt the protective gears were.

The first head spat, "Are you serious, dwarf? You want us to wear those?"

Kashbeard couldn't see the issue. For dwarven engineers like him, he found it natural to wear protective gears, no matter how worn and scratch-filled they were. Although they looked like that, they were still effective in preventing fatal accidents from occurring.

Well, some of the gears were smelly, but that was no longer his problem.

"It's part of the rules." Kashbeard crossed his arms. "If you can't adhere to them, I apologize, but you can't enter."

Unlike the dwarves in the Laughing Orchard, the dwarves in the Fifth Weapons Factory were cold to the delegates. They didn't care even if Lark was the monarch of a nation. In the end, he was still a mere human, and they needed to adhere to the rules of the Fifth Weapons Factory if they wished to roam around.

"Fair enough," said Lark. "Blackie, put them on."

The seven heads looked at each other. It felt insulting to let Lark wear something so shabby, but realizing they had no choice in the matter, they decided to concede.

Captain Symon, Lady Alice, and Blackie followed Lark's lead and wore the protective equipment.

"I'm glad it fits everyone," said Kashbeard. "Human king, how should I address you? Is Your Majesty fine?"

"I don't really care if you call me by name, but Your Majesty works fine, too."

"Then I'll stick to that," said Kashbeard. "Your Majesty, in the Fifth Weapons Factory, we have a set of rules for outsiders. First, everyone must wear protective gears before entering the working grounds. Second, no touching of any machines, even if it's not running, unless I've given the permission. Third, no wandering around. Stick to me, your guide, and do not delve into places without being authorized. Fourth, you are not allowed to speak to anyone about the things you've seen in the Fifth Weapons Factory. I don't know about you humans, but dwarves mostly keep their promises. So, before we start, I'd like you to promise me that you won't divulge to anyone about the things you'll see inside."

"I promise."

There was a long pause. Kashbeard didn't know whether or not the promise of a human was trustworthy, but there was no longer anything he could do about it.

"Then, let's go," said Kashbeard. "Please follow me. Although the eastern wing is off limits, I can give you a tour of the rest of the Fifth Weapons Factory."

After that, with Kashbeard at the lead, their group toured the Fifth Weapons Factory.

Lark's group naturally garnered the attention of the dwarves. After all, it was not every day the dwarves encountered humans. But unlike when they were walking the streets of Rugard, the engineers quickly lost interest in the humans after several seconds. Like madmen, the engineers worked on their tasks with a single-minded focus.

"You must have noticed it already, but the central building is dedicated to working on the basic parts of the power suit. Mostly, this is where the base frame is made. As for the more intricate parts like the mithril fibers that serves as the power suit's muscles, it's made over there." Kashbeard pointed in the direction of the western wing.

Noticing Captain Symon gazing at the old power suits, Lark asked, "Can we inspect those, Kashbeard?"

The ears of Captain Symon twitched. For several seconds, he held his breath, eagerly awaiting the answer of the dwarf.

"Hmm… Normally, it isn't allowed," said Kashbeard. "But since they're old models, I'll make an exemption. Come. I'll even let you enter inside."

The eyes of Captain Symon lit up. Like a kid who'd been gifted his dream toy, he had the urge to jump around.

They went to the place where the old models were being kept.

These models were even older than the previous generation of power suits. If classified by numbers, the Genesis Model would be the eleventh generation power suit, while those displayed here would be the fourth generation.

Unlike the newer models, these old models were far larger and bulkier. Instead of an exoskeleton, they resembled a mobile machine more. Spanning nine meters in length when standing, each of them could accommodate three people inside the cockpit.

"We call this model the Titan. A befitting name, isn't it? It's not only big, but also incredibly durable. This is the same model King Lerenon used back when he was still the crown prince, fifty years ago."

Lark said, "The power suits used by dwarves in the Coalition Army is several times smaller than this. Why did you phase out the Titan?"

Judging by size alone, although old, the Titan model was probably several times stronger than the power suits used by the dwarves of the Coalition Army.

"Well, there are several reasons," said Kashbeard. "First is the astronomical cost of creating even a single one. The three Titans displayed here haven't been scrapped yet since they've all been used by King Lerenon when he was young."

Kashbeard explained that it would take them approximately ten times the resources to create the Titan Model compared to the Genesis Model.

According to him, the engineers that created the Titan Model went overboard with fortifying its body. They ended up using vast amounts of precious mithril and tempered steel to ensure its invincibility.

In the end, the engineers succeeded, but the astronomical cost rendered them unable to mass produce the Titan Model.

"There's also the issue regarding the power source," said Kashbeard. "Even after installing three mana cores, the Titan can move for only an hour or two at most. And during battle, it can even run out of power in just half an hour. Such a flaw is fatal."

Lark nodded in understanding.

Indeed, reducing the size of the power suit – if it could even be called that – was the right move.

No matter how powerful and durable it was, the Titan would be nothing but a sitting target the moment it ran out of power.

"Y-Your Majesty," said Captain Symon to Lark, his voice almost a whisper.

"Symon?"

"Can… I enter the cockpit?"

Lark almost laughed when he heard this. This was his first time seeing this side of the Captain. It seemed that Captain Symon was really thrilled after seeing the Titan up-close.

"Kashbeard, can we enter the cockpit?" said Lark.

Kashbeard had already promised them beforehand, so he readily agreed. Although Nofrog told him not to let them touch the machines, Kashbeard decided to allow them this much.

In a way, this was a form of rebellion on the Assistant Vice Leader's part for burdening him with the task of guiding the delegates from the Kingdom of Lukas.

"This unit no longer has enough power to move, so it should be safe. I'll connect it to a temporary power source so we can open the hatch and enter the cockpit."

Captain Symon's shoulders trembled when he heard this.

Lady Alice teased, "You look really excited, Captain."

Captain Symon's face flushed. "Not… at all, Lady Alice."

Lady Alice chuckled, and Captain Symon's face turned even redder.

Kashbeard connected the Titan to a temporary power source. And after some tinkering, he opened the hatch, revealing the cockpit.

"Over here," said Kashbeard.

Lark's group climbed the metallic stairs leading to the back of the Titan. Now that they were this close, they could see numerous scratches and dents on this unit. It was apparent that this unit had been used in battle numerous times before.

"You can enter inside, Captain," said Lark.

Captain Symon nodded and gulped. With trembling fingers, he entered the cockpit. A nearly inaudible murmur escaped his lips, "This is awesome…."

Kashbeard heard it. He grinned, "I can still remember my fascination when we I first saw the Titan. I was only an apprentice back then. After seeing the Titan, I knew that I would be spending the rest of my life working as an engineer, creating better and more powerful power suits for the kingdom."

Captain Symon touched the sticks that served as the main control for the Titan's limbs.

"It won't move with a depleted mana core," said Kashbeard. "And those sticks – they're more complicated to use than you think. The Titan is a nightmare to maneuver. Another reason why we stopped producing them is due to how difficult they are to pilot. Pull the stick, press the left pedal, twist sideway the lever, then pull down – all of those actions are needed just to raise the Titan's left arm."

If all of those actions were needed to perform just one movement, it was easy to see how difficult it would be to use the Titan Model in a real battle.

Phasing them out seemed justified on the dwarven engineers' part.

After that, for hours, Lark's group toured the Fifth Weapons Factory. Although they weren't given access to the eastern wing where the testing of the Genesis Model was currently underway, under the guidance of Kashbeard, they managed to see nearly everything in the central building, the western wing, and the armament building.

Maybe because the humans were unexpectedly amicable to deal with, Kashbeard ended up being talkative.

They talked about numerous things ranging from melting iron, tempering steel, to molding them and mixing mithril. Kashbeard even patiently explained the mechanics on how the powersuits moved and how they were able to supplement their user's strength.

Today was a time well spent.

Although the time they'd spent with each other was short, Lark managed to forge a somewhat friendly relationship with Kashbeard.

The next day, Lark finally visited the smithy of Gorovir, the greatest blacksmith in the entire Dwarven Kingdom. The so-called Divine Blacksmith.

Unlike the Fifth Weapons Factory, the Gorovir excitedly ran to the door the moment Lark arrived at the entrance of the smithy.

The Divine Blacksmith couldn't wait to discuss about all of the blueprints given to him by Lark. In particular, he wished to learn more about the floating fortress and the method of turning a person's bones into adamantite.