The air at the lowest level of the Molten Gold Abyss was as searing as liquid fire.
Bolin Stonebeard stood bare-chested, his knotted arms covered in soot and grease. The mithril file in his hand brushed lightly along the edge of a planetary gear, making a faint scraping sound.
This was the final calibration.
The old dwarf held his breath. His rough hands were exceptionally steady as he fitted the perfectly matched gear into the Planetary Reduction Gearbox.
Click.
An almost inaudible sound came as the gears meshed.
Bolin straightened and slammed his tool onto the cast-iron workbench.
"Done!"
He turned and grinned at the figure standing in the shadows. "My boy Ola, your uncle's built the Falcon Strike aerial ballista you wanted!"
Ola stepped out of the shadows. His eyes, inherited from his mother and especially clear in the firelight, reflected the steel creation on the workbench.
It was a killing platform imbued with mechanical beauty. Its streamlined mithril base gleamed coldly, with interlocking tiers of a Compound Pulley System mounted along its side. A sturdy saddle was integrated above the ballista, while a curved magazine called the Back-Mounted hung behind it.
This was the result of Stone Oath City's tireless efforts over two days and two nights-the Falcon Strike aerial ballista.
"Want to try it?"
Bolin grabbed an oily rag and wiped his hands. Without waiting for Ola to answer, he roared at the apprentices nearby, "What are you standing around for? Mount this beauty! Let our customer hear it sing!"
Four strong dwarf apprentices lifted the heavy ballista together and locked it onto the prepared testing mount.
Bolin stepped forward himself and took hold of the Magic Valve handle on the left. "Watch closely. First, rapid-fire mode!"
As the Magic Core activated, the Planetary Reduction Gearbox began