Underground Forge Citadel
Underground Forge Citadel
Go down the metal steps.
In an instant, a wave of air exceeding 50°C rushed towards us.
A vast amount of lava flowed through the Hearthstone area, far exceeding the scale of the blacksmith district in the Great Manor; they were not even in the same league.
The lava flowing here is large enough to form a river.
There are about a hundred black iron pillars that rise from the bottom of the lava, connecting to the top of the furnace fortress and supporting this Underground Area.
Ta-da!
The incessant clanging of metal echoed in the air.
There are tens of thousands of muscular blacksmiths, all wearing only leather aprons, hammering metal on their respective drills.
The moment Han Dong stepped into this place, he was stunned by the scale of the [Underground Forge Citadel].
As far as the eye can see, there is no end to the flowing lava, and the black iron column continues to extend in the same way.
Such a magnificent project—even though Han Dong was born a cell biologist, he could imagine how much effort was put into building this Underground Forge Citadel.
This Hearthstone Fortress Just Like an important organ of the Holy City.
"This scale... it feels like the area of Hearthstone Fortress has already exceeded the school's boundaries? And, aren't many of the blacksmiths down here not Knight-Errant?"
Winnie explained:
"Yes, yes! The Vice Captain is right. The Hearth Castle doesn't belong entirely to the school; its total area occupies almost half of the [Second Floor]."
Besides being a learning area for our blacksmith apprentices, it is also an important military industrial base of the Holy City.
Blacksmiths who obtain the "Forging Qualification Certificate" will come to the Underground Forge Citadel to contribute their own strength to the Holy City's industry.
All of the Holy City's self-produced equipment comes from here.
"Is that so... Winry, is your blacksmith's shop far away?"
"It's not far; I live in the area covered by the school."
It was because of my master that I was able to get a private Blacksmith Shop.
After all, most of the people doing this job are men, and I often encounter people who harass me. Although I can punch them away with one punch, it still affects my studies.
Having your own room means you can avoid these influencing factors.
"Normal."
Winry's appearance is quite good, even above average.
Moreover, although the muscles are not aesthetically pleasing, there are still curves.
In terms of development, Wenli was in no way inferior. Han Dong could tell that Wenli had wrapped her upper body in bandages to minimize her 'features' and reduce the 'burden' on her body during the forging process.
In a place where the male-to-female ratio is 5000:1, it would be strange not to be harassed.
Han Dong covered his entire body with a "Plague Doctor Attire" to avoid unnecessary trouble.
However, as they followed Winry, they could still feel a lot of hostile stares.
It's like you, as a college student, happen to meet a girl who is studying physics or mechanical engineering.
If you specifically went to the classroom during class to have a close chat with this girl, you should be able to understand how Han Dong is feeling right now.
A group of muscular men could pounce on you at any moment, men on top of men.
Han Dong was on high alert the whole time, feeling that a major battle was about to break out.
Soon, they arrived at the blacksmith's room that belonged only to Wenli.
The building has an arc-shaped structure, covering an area of about 20 square meters... The exterior is made of metal cladding and iron nails, and a symbolic metal chimney is combined with the blacksmith's workshop.
The Door Opening by using a long, thin key to turn Hydraulic Valve.
The moment the iron gate opened, a wave of heat washed over us.
Because of the furnace inside, the temperature in Winry's blacksmith's workshop is nearly 70°C.
If it weren't for the Crow Attire insulating him from the heat, Han Dong himself would have been unable to withstand such high temperatures, and most of the plague within his body would have been deactivated.
"Winry... do you live here every day?"
"Yes, my master won't let me stay in the dormitory, and the daily forging and learning tasks are very heavy... Staying here will save time."
Such an extreme environment would be unbearable for an average student.
Moreover, this room, which is Winry's room, lacks the decorations one would expect from a young girl... instead, there are quite a few shields and weapons hanging on the walls.
The iron kang (heated brick bed) in the corner, without any Soft Pad, was Wenli's bed.
Recalling Winry's special background (when she was still an infant, her father handed her over to her current master, and she probably started working in the blacksmith's workshop when she was five years old).
Staring at Wen Li's cute and innocent smile, Han Dong was actually touched by a feeling.
"Winley."
"Vice Captain?"
"Did your master mention when he plans to send you to the Destiny Space?"
Upon hearing this, Wenli immediately seemed a little embarrassed.
"Well... actually, I was planning to talk to the Vice Captain about this. My master asked me to participate in the next one, which is in a Destiny Space."
"I wonder if the Vice Captain... is free."
"Perfect."
Wen Li initially didn't quite understand the meaning of 'just right', but after a while, she excitedly hugged Han Dong tightly.
Click...
With just that gentle hug, Han Dong felt as if his shoulder blades had dislocated.
"Sorry..."
"It's alright." Han Dong used the fungus to immediately restore the dislocated bone.
"Um... Vice Captain, who else is in our team?"
"It's not decided yet. I'll ask my old friends."
If their schedules don't match, I'll contact Captain Abel again, or maybe ask Mia to come along too.
Forming a team of four is best.
"Okay... Vice Captain, you can make the arrangements. I will do my best to help."
Wenli bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Because of her master's decision, Winry had never officially gone to the [Destiny Space]. In addition, she was timid by nature... As time went by, she even felt fear and dread about the Destiny Space, which was full of evil spirits and monsters.
Currently, the fact that Han Dong is taking her on her first 'first experience' has greatly reduced the fear lingering in Wen Li's heart.
"Right! Let's talk about the Vice Captain's equipment first!"
"No rush..."
Han Dong suddenly opened his "Lesser Demon Eye".
After thoroughly inspecting every corner of the blacksmith's room and confirming that no one was eavesdropping, he inquired about the second, and most important, matter that had come to Winry that day.
"Winry, do you still remember the Crow People?"
"Of course I remember!"
Han Dong handed Wen Li a detailed information page about the "Crow People," saying, "Could you design and create a piece of equipment that fits the Crow People based on their physical characteristics?"
External, internal, or exoskeleton devices are all acceptable.
"Crow people... I have no experience in this area, I need to observe carefully... However, if it is the Vice Captain's request, I will do my best to fulfill it."
"Hmm, try to come up with the best possible equipment for the Arakkoa... If I think it's good, I might try mass-producing it."
Just then.
A scorching heat wafted out from the crack in the door.
Someone has arrived... and they seem very angry.