"...These are the opportunities and challenges we currently face."
Linde's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the study.
The flickering firelight from the fireplace cast shifting shadows on the faces of Astaire, Calvin, Butler Seth, Old Della, and Alice (who had been hastily "dragged" from the workshop tower by Lind).
Everyone's expression was frozen in utter shock, as if they had just heard the most absurd myth.
Linde did not present any physical evidence (he had asked the portable mechs to remain silent for the time being), but he used the most concise and unquestionable language, combined with the prestige he had built up as a lord over a long period of time and the reality of the "miracle oasis," to describe the existence of the "Iron Sky," the glory and fall of the Zedo civilization, and the decisive significance of this giant ship for the future of Blackrock Territory.
Dead silence.
The only sound was the crackling of burning firewood.
The old dwarf Della Stone Anvil was the first to erupt.
He jumped up from his chair, his short, stocky body trembling with excitement, his mustache almost reaching the ceiling.
"Linde, kid! You...you're telling the truth?! Ancient steel behemoths?! Bigger than mountains?! They can fly?! And those...those exquisite forging techniques and rune arrays that I, an old man, wouldn't even dare to imagine?!"
He was breathing heavily, his eyes wide like copper bells, burning with the fervent passion of a craftsman facing the ultimate creation.
"Oh God! Oh God! My dwarf ancestors above! If this is a dream, please don't let me wake up!"
Alice's shock was tinged with the dizziness of a scholar and a hint of frustration at being surpassed.
The quill pen in her hand had somehow fallen onto the open Orcish blueprints. Her grey-blue eyes lost focus, and she murmured:
“Zedo…the weaver of the magic network’s will…the creator of gods…the steel sky…are these crystal cannons we’re researching really just…toys in their eyes?”
Immediately, an unprecedented thirst for knowledge erupted like a volcano.
"Linde! That ship! What is its core energy principle? What is the basic model of its spatial teleportation technology? Its defensive rune array..."
“Miss Alice,” Butler Seth interrupted her question, a rare occurrence. The usually composed old butler was pale, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his cuffs, and his voice trembled slightly.
"Young Master...this...this is truly too shocking."
If, as you say, the steel construct is so enormous and... damaged, how can we repair it? The resources of our territory probably wouldn't even be enough to make a single 'screw' of it..."
He was thinking of the pitiful iron ingots and copper ore in the territory's warehouse.
Calvin frowned, his worries deepening:
"My lord, if this matter is leaked, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Kingdoms, churches, even those hidden forces… how will they view this… forbidden power we possess? "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime!"
He seemed to already see the greedy eyes of all sides and the shadow of war.
Astaire remained silent, his shock hidden deep within his sharp, hawk-like eyes, his fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of his sword at his waist.
As a soldier, he felt more directly the military power represented by that "steel sky," a power capable of crushing everything in the mortal world.
“My lord,” he spoke in a deep, metallic voice, “what is needed to repair it? What… can we do?”
Instead of questioning the authenticity of the information, he went straight to the core tactical issue—execution.
Linde took in everyone's reactions, which was exactly what he needed.
He raised his hand to suppress the excited Della and the inquisitive Alice, his gaze sweeping over the worried Seth and Calvin, finally settling on the pragmatic Astaire.
"I know this is unbelievable, like a miracle descending to earth. But this is the future of our Blackrock Territory!"
Linde's voice was firm and resolute, carrying an unquestionable determination.
"Repairing it will not be done overnight, nor can it be accomplished by Blackrock Territory alone in the short term."
But we have a unique advantage: the stable magical energy of the Bokou Ruins! This is the fundamental energy source driving all the restoration work!
My plan is as follows:
“Alice, Master Della.”
Linde looked at the two of them, "I need you to quickly compile a detailed, priority-based list of resource requirements based on the basic material data I obtained from 'over there,' combined with the existing framework of the Bokou Ruins and the blueprints of the most urgently needed repair areas transmitted back from the Steel Sky."
From the most basic metals (iron, copper, tin) to rare magical minerals (mithril, adamantite, orogen), and then to special energy crystals, high-toughness materials, and so on.
The more specific the better! We need to know what we need and how much we need!
Then, regarding internal integration: "Calvin, the butler Seth."
Linde turned to the two core members of the domestic affairs team, saying, "All economic activities in the territory should be geared towards the resource list! Increase the mining efforts in existing mines! Send out exploration teams to find any new mineral veins on the list that may exist in the territory and surrounding mountains! The rock-armored rhinoceroses in Weeks are an excellent aid for mining and transportation!"
"Workshop expansion! Master Della, you need to design new, more efficient furnaces and forging lines to prepare for large-scale smelting in the future. The materials bestowed by the royal family should be used first for testing new alloy formulations!"
"Furthermore, the trade route with the orcish peace faction is crucial, and Nazra will assist. Some of the materials on the list can become the focus of the trade!"
"Alice, your task is the most important."
Linde looked at his genius mage.
“We will study Zedo basic runes and energy conduit techniques (I will provide the basic parts that I understand) to see if we can simplify or transform some ‘transitional techniques’ that are suitable for our current level of productivity.”
For example, more efficient furnace heating runes? More precise metal refining arrays? Even improving the blacksmith's efficiency by just 10% would be a huge leap forward!
At the same time, continue the research and development of the Magic Armor Core. This is crucial for enhancing our own military strength, protecting our territory, and deterring foreign enemies in the short term!
"Aster, the training intensity of the Royal Guard cannot be reduced! They are the cornerstone of the territory's security and the seeds that may one day ascend to the heavens!"
At the same time, in coordination with Calvin, strengthen background checks on new personnel, especially security near the ruins and workshop areas!
The existence of the Steel Sky is a top secret of Blackrock Territory! Anyone who leaks it will be punished as a traitor to the Territory! Death is the only punishment!
"As for the people..." Lind paused, "there's no need to explain the truth about 'Iron Sky' for now. Package resource gathering and workshop expansion as 'The lord has received divine revelation and will forge the ultimate holy statue/artifact to protect the territory, requiring the devout dedication of the entire territory.'"
Make good use of the miraculous aura of the 'Linde Oasis' and let faith become part of the driving force.
He knew that sometimes, a lofty and easy-to-understand "myth" could unite people's hearts more than cold scientific truths.
"I will personally take charge of the initial sorting and security reinforcement of the Bokou site."
Utilizing existing mechs and magic network energy, prioritize the restoration of basic supply transfer channels and energy connection points within the port area to prepare for future resource reception and the transmission of critical components.
Lin De's clear and logical words were like a shot in the arm, giving the shocked crowd some direction.
Although the road ahead remains uncertain and the challenges are as formidable as mountains, a clear goal and feasible steps are enough to ignite hope.
Master Della was the first to pound his chest and roar:
"The list! Leave it to the old man! Even if we have to empty Blackrock Mountain, we'll find those precious ores! Alice, let's join forces and make sure those ancient technologies are at least scratched the surface in our hands!"
Alice's eyes gleamed with a challenge as she nodded vigorously:
“Leave it to me, Lind! Zedo’s runes… I have a feeling they can completely revolutionize how we use energy!”
Calvin and Seth exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes, but also a hint of fighting spirit that had been ignited.
"I will certainly integrate all resources to serve Your Excellency's grand plan," Calvin said in a deep voice.
Butler Seth was already calculating in his mind how much mithril the stored grain and gold coins in the warehouse could be exchanged for.
Astaire placed his right hand on his chest and gave a perfect military salute:
"The Imperial Guard is ready to be deployed at any time! The secret will rot in the hearts of the loyal!"
Seeing the core team rekindled their fighting spirit, Lin De felt somewhat reassured.
He knew this was just the beginning. Convincing the entire territory, integrating resources, bridging the technological gap—every step was fraught with difficulties.
But for the sake of that steel star suspended on the endless sea, for the true future of Blackrock Territory, he had no other choice.
Let's take action!
Linde waved his hand, like a commander about to go to war, "Let the furnaces of Blackrock Territory burn for that distant steel star! What we forge will not only be weapons, but arks to the future!"
The group accepted the order and hurriedly departed with mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation.
In the study, Linde walked alone to the window and looked once again at the "oasis" outside the castle that stubbornly teemed with life in the cold winter.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the earth, seeing the magical energy flowing through the underground harbor, and then across endless space, landing on the steel behemoth silently suspended above that raging sea.
“The flame of hope has been lit,” he whispered to the void, a promise he made to the distant behemoth.
"Black Rock Territory will be the starting point for your rebirth."
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