Overwhelming Firepower

When Lucen’s group were near Ironhold, like any other people who came to Ironhold, Durik showed a shocked expression, but unlike the others, Durik was shocked not because of the high wall, but what were on top of the walls.

There were large metal objects that were obviously something similar to a balista, but completely different.

Its shape was like a larger version of the arquebuses Lucen and Bram were holding. Just knowing that he already had a few guesses about what that thing could do.

When they entered Ironhold, Durik was once again surprised. He had been to many human cities as he travelled around, but this was the first time he had seen a place like Ironhold.

He saw a giant wheel pushed by water, and using that as a source, it makes other things move as well. The roads here were also nicer than any other roads he had been on.

Then there was the forge. It was completely different from the other human forges he had seen.

Gurbundy was not only called a mining town but also a town for blacksmiths. So the first time Durik saw the place, he thought that humans truly did not know much about the craft, but when he entered Ironhold, his thoughts on the matter changed a little.

Unlike in Gurbundy, where each smith had individual places in Ironhold, the smiths are gathered in one single large forge.

In that forge, there was one surprising thing he did not expect to see. It was the molds that uniformly made their weapons.

The dwarves would never have thought of making such a thing, since they considered smithing an art, so making something over and over again without improvement was idiotic to them.

Yet Durik understood the advantages of the things Lucen created. It made sure that everything was created fast and with the least amount of effort.

Molten metal was poured. Molds were opened, identical parts were set aside, and the cycle was repeated without pause. There was no hesitation, no wasted motion.

Apprentices moved with purpose. Each apprentice’s movements were synchronized almost perfectly, like notes in a complex symphony.

One poured molten metal, another tilted the mold, a third tapped gently to release air bubbles, and yet another carried the cooled piece to the sorting table.

Even a minor slip could ruin the sequence, but none faltered. Durik’s eyes flicked from apprentice to apprentice, nodding ever so slightly when he saw a motion executed correctly.

Feeling the heat of the forge and the new things he saw today, Durik was getting a little fired up himself.

Memories long buried stirred in him, nights spent debating the angle of a blade, arguing over alloys, and the excitement of creating something.

He grinned, feeling younger than he had in years, as if the forge itself had breathed new life into him.

”Your forge here is much better than I expected. It actually got me excited. Let’s start making that train of yours.”

”That’s good to hear. Here is a detailed drawing of what I want, and there is a description as to what each piece is meant to do.” Lucen handed Durik a few scrolls. ”Oswin over here will help you with anything you need.”

Lucen gestured to the head blacksmith standing beside him. Oswin had already been informed that a dwarf would be coming to their forge, but seeing the dwarf in person was truly something else.

To craftsmen, the dwarves were the ultimate standard for their jobs. To them, dwarves weren’t just a race, but they were children of Kalderos, the God of the forge himself.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir. The men here and I will help as much as we can.”

”I was planning to wait until the other dwarves I called would come, but seeing you lot, I guess you will do for now.”

”Then we’ll make sure you don’t regret it,” Oswin said evenly.

Durik snorted. ”Hah. Confidence. Good. I’d be disappointed if the lad dragged me to a forge full of trembling apprentices. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let us work.”

The scrolls were unrolled atop a table, their edges weighed down by tools polished smooth from years of use.

Detailed lines filled the parchment, measurements precise, annotations dense. Durik leaned over them immediately, his large frame casting a shadow across the drawings as his eyes traced every curve, joint, and connection.

A rough laugh escaped Durik’s chest as he studied the drawings, the sound quickly swallowed by the roar of the forge. His shoulders shook slightly, not with age, but with barely restrained excitement.

The lines on the parchment sparked something long dormant. Steel wheels, rails, and interlocking parts that were designed to move in harmony rather than stand alone.

He had seen the base of the train before, as Lucen showed him a drawing of it, but this one was more detailed, explaining what each part was meant to do.

There was also a very detailed explanation and drawing of the steam engine. ’So this is what will make the behemoth made of steel move.’

Durik’s grin widened as his eyes moved from one diagram to the next. The steam engine drew him in completely, lines and notes weaving together into something audacious and alive. Pistons, chambers, valves. Pressure contained, redirected, and unleashed with purpose.

He felt it then, unmistakably. That old itch in his hands. That restless energy that once kept him awake through entire nights, arguing with elders who told him something couldn’t be done.

He remembered those old days, and now he himself had become old as well. Yet here in this place, he could feel something deep in his bones, in his very blood. The forge around him seemed brighter, hotter, as if responding to his mood.

Just seeing the drawing and remembering what Lucen told him about what a train was, he could already picture it.

Steel wheels biting into rails. The engine was roaring as steam surged through its core. Weight and momentum work together instead of against each other.

It was something unheard of before, and on their journey to Ironhold, Lucen had told him this was something that would help everyone reach farther places, meet new people, and visit those who live far away without worrying about it being a long journey that would take months.

Even though teleportation existed, the cost to perform it was enormous. This train, on the other hand, would cost far less to construct and maintain.

Durik could not wait to begin. ”This is an amazing thing you thought of, lad. I’ll make sure to bring this creation to life.”

”I trust you can, Durik,” Lucen responded with a smile.

”Heh, then it’s time to take that first step of forging the future.”

Durik rolled the remaining scrolls aside, clearing space on the table, and then told Oswin how they should begin.

Oswin listened closely as Durik spoke, his eyes following the dwarf’s broad gestures as he divided the work in his head.

”We’re going to start making the frame first.”

Durik’s voice carried across the forge like a bell, authoritative and certain. He got into position, and Oswin had a few apprentices bring the materials Durik needed.

Once he had everything ready, Durik began working. Sparks leapt from hammers striking metal, and the smell of molten steel mingled with the earthy scent of coal and sweat.

Durik’s eyes glittered, almost like a child seeing a new toy, yet the intensity in his gaze was tempered by decades of experience. Each hammer strike wasn’t just work; it was a dialogue between his hands and the metal.

Lucen at the side watched, he could not help but feel excited, another one of the things he wanted to see was happening before him, watching a dwarf smithing.

The apprentices watched like statues, every movement of Durik’s massive hands studied with reverent attention.

Seeing Durik had begun, and how easily he took command of the forge, Lucen couldn’t help but smile.

As he was about to leave the forge, he noticed that Robert was actually there, standing right behind Durik, watching his every move.

Durik and the others were so focused on their work that they did not notice the other party. Robert was waiting to see if Durik was going to use any rune engraving while he worked.

Lucen approached Oswin, who was commanding the other blacksmiths and apprentices. ”Oswin, you should know that Robert is here to observe.” Lucen gestured at Robert, who was standing behind Durik.

Seeing the mad alchemist silently observing Oswin sighed. ”I understand, young lord... Is it perhaps possible for you to make Robert leave the forge?”

”You already know the answer to that, don’t you?”

Hearing Lucen’s reply, Oswin once again sighed. Lucen patted the other party’s back. ”Do your best, and if he gets out of hand, I think Durik will handle it. So good luck, I’ll come back after I’m done greeting my Father.”

Without waiting for Oswin to reply, Lucen left the forge and headed to Vardon’s study.