Linde's crystalline husk, holding Weiss's hand, silently returned to the core of the Iron Sky via the warp beam.
When the cold metallic luster, the flowing blue data stream, and the deep hum replaced the twisted and grotesque abyss, Weiss was clearly taken aback.
Her black eyes, reflecting the purple starlight, curiously surveyed her surroundings, her small hands gripping Lind's fingers even tighter.
The environment here is completely different from the borderland where she was born. It is full of orderly, cold, and unnatural creation, but the dark teardrop necklace around her neck continues to radiate a warm power, soothing any possible discomfort and leaving only pure novelty.
"Father... here?"
She tilted her head up, her voice soft and sweet, with a questioning tone.
"Home."
Lin De answered succinctly.
The crystalline shell dissipated like quicksand in a flash of light, returning to its most primal form of magic and negative energy, merging into Lind's main body.
He regained his normal appearance, his deep purple eyes looking down at the small Shadow Abyss Daughter before him.
Weiss looked at the change in Lind's appearance with a hint of confusion in her eyes, but soon the familiar and reassuring (and 'delicious') aura of Lind's soul essence made her accept the change and she continued to follow him closely.
Linde did not take her directly to the command room or laboratory, but instead used an internal teleportation array to reach the observation terrace at the highest point of Blackrock Fortress.
From here, one can see the entire transformation of Blackrock Territory.
The once remote, isolated border town, barely surviving on mining and border trade, has been completely transformed, now expanding into a massive, wildly growing behemoth of steel and rock across the vast gravel wasteland.
The deafening roar is the eternal background music.
That was the sound of thousands of construction golems (controlled by dwarven engineers and human craftsmen) working tirelessly.
They transported neatly cut giant rocks, poured rapidly setting concrete mixed with alchemical potions, and built sturdy metal frameworks.
The originally chaotic wooden shacks and low stone houses were leveled in large sections and replaced by a well-planned, wide and straight network of roads that spread out like the roots of a giant tree.
Along both sides of the road are the prototypes of multi-story buildings constructed of solid rock and steel bars. Their designs are simple and practical, combining the sturdiness of dwarf architecture with the efficiency of human architecture. Many of the buildings even have interfaces reserved on their roofs for future defensive facilities or energy conduits.
Further away, several previously barren mine pits have been completely filled in or transformed.
One of the largest mine pits was expanded and reinforced to form the base of a huge sunken plaza, which will become the city's trade and gathering center in the future. At present, countless puppets and workers are busy in it.
Another smaller mine pit was transformed into an intricate sewer system and the entrance to an underground storage area.
The once heavily polluted iron smelting workshops, billowing black smoke, have long since been relocated to deeper valleys. In their place stand several intricately designed dwarf-style workshops, emitting white steam, which produce standard building components and everyday tools for the territory.
The crowds were dense.
It wasn't just the original inhabitants, but also a large number of free people, merchants, adventurers, and artisans from all over the continent, with different skin colors and wearing all sorts of clothes.
They gathered here driven by a desire for wealth, a pursuit of opportunity, or simply a desire to escape the growing tensions of war on the mainland.
At the dock (Blackrock Territory expanded its inner harbor along a branch of a river), grain ships from the heart of the Kree Empire, ore and weapon ships from the Dwarven Red Mountains, and even peculiar streamlined vessels from the southern elven forests, laden with rare timber and medicinal herbs, were busily loading and unloading cargo.
The temporary market was more than ten times larger than before, and the noise was deafening. Various languages mingled together, with the sounds of bargaining, shouts of vendors displaying goods, and the neighing of pack animals filling the air.
You can see dwarven craftsmen smoking pipes, carefully inspecting the quality of the stone; human merchants waving ledgers, loudly directing laborers to move goods; you can even see several elves with their faces covered by robes, whispering to each other in front of a stall specializing in enchanting materials; and squads of well-equipped territorial guards in uniform black uniforms with blue trim patrolling the streets, maintaining basic order. Their presence brings order to this bustling construction scene amidst the chaos.
A brand-new, massive city, built primarily of rock and steel, is rising from the wasteland at an astonishing pace.
It is rough, noisy, and full of vitality, far from being exquisite and prosperous, but it exudes a tenacious and future-oriented momentum.
Weiss leaned against the balcony railing, her small mouth slightly open, her dark eyes reflecting the huge and bustling "ant nest" below.
She had never seen so many “creatures” gathered together, nor had she ever seen so many strangely shaped “nests” (buildings).
The air was filled with a complex mix of smells: dust, sweat, food, metal, and magical materials—a stark contrast to the pure energy and emptiness of the Shadow Abyss she was familiar with.
To her, all of this was a new and strange world that was even more bizarre and noisy than the border region.
"Many people...many voices...Father, what are they doing?"
Weiss turned around, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Construction".
Linde walked up to her, his gaze calmly sweeping over his "masterpiece." "They are building a city, a neutral and free city that belongs to me and will also belong to them."
His voice was calm, yet it contained absolute control.
Abandoning secondary mineral veins and concentrating all resources on city construction was the optimal solution he made based on the current situation on the mainland.
Ore can be purchased from dwarven allies or obtained through trade, but a strong, attractive, and self-sufficient core base is irreplaceable by any resource.
This rising city will become a sponge absorbing refugees and wealth from the mainland, a showcase of its power and order, and in the future, it will become the most solid ground anchor and barrier for the steel sky.
"City of Freedom..."
Weiss repeated the word as if she understood, though she couldn't fully comprehend these complex social structures. But she could feel the vibrant energy surging across the land, a energy called "hope" and "desire."
Just then, the alloy door leading from the terrace to the interior slid open, and Astaire's composed figure appeared.
He first bowed to Linde with his hand on his chest, then his gaze fell on the unfamiliar purple-haired little girl next to Linde. A very subtle surprise flashed in his cold electronic eyes, but he immediately returned to normal.
"My lord."
Astaire's voice remained as steady as ever. "According to your plan, the foundation and main pipelines of the core inner city have been laid. The influx of refugees from Ash Canyon has exceeded expectations, and the resettlement sites are full. Shall we begin construction of Reserve Zone Three?"
"allow."
Linde nodded. “Labor is a valuable resource. We should properly resettle and strictly screen people. Those with skills should be given priority in job assignments, while those without skills should be incorporated into the construction reserve team and commanded by puppet engineers.”
"clear."
Astaire recorded the instructions, then added, "In addition, several merchant guild representatives from the arcane capital 'Middleton' have jointly requested to see you. They hope to obtain priority access to the city's 'Magic Commercial District' and... a certain degree of autonomy. They are willing to pay a huge deposit."
A cold smile curled at the corner of Linde's lips:
"Tell them that Blackrock Territory welcomes all law-abiding merchants, but the rules here are set by me. There is no autonomy, only franchise rights. If you are willing to accept, bid according to the rules; if not, you can leave."
"yes."
Astaire was not surprised by this answer.
“Also,” Lind gestured to Weiss beside him, “her name is Weiss, she’s my…child. Prepare that dimly lit guest room with a terrace on the west side of the castle for her. Notify the kitchen to prepare some easily digestible food and water. Don’t let anyone disturb her for now.”
Astaire looked at Weiss again, this time with a scrutinizing gaze and... an imperceptible seriousness.
He clearly sensed the strange and restrained energy fluctuations emanating from the girl, as well as some inexplicable connection between her and Lord Lind.
"I will obey your orders."
Without asking any further questions, Astaire bowed and accepted the order, "Miss Weiss, someone will take you to your room shortly."
Weiss glanced timidly at Aster's cold metal armor, then looked at Lind.
Linde nodded slightly:
"Just go with the people he arranges. That will be your room from now on."
"Isn't Father coming along?"
Weiss asked softly, revealing her dependence.
I'll come see you later.
Lin De said, "Let's familiarize ourselves with this place first."
Weiss nodded obediently. Although she was still a little uneasy, she tightly gripped the necklace on her chest, and the warm strength gave her courage.
Aster bowed again and left to carry out his orders.
Linde then turned his gaze once again to the bustling construction site beneath his feet.
Weiss's sudden appearance was an unexpected variable. Her value and research significance are beyond doubt, but how to place, guide, and... "educate" her requires a suitable environment and approach.
This rapidly growing city may just be the best classroom.
Let her witness firsthand the construction of civilization, the birth of order, and... the various desires and undercurrents hidden beneath the surface of prosperity.
This in itself is a profound understanding of "existence".
“Vision,” Lind said.
"Hmm? Father?"
"Starting tomorrow, you are free to move around the castle and designated areas within the city at any time. Observe more, listen more, and speak less. If you have any questions, you can ask me or ask Aster."
Linde planned to let Alice, Nazra, and others occasionally come into contact with Weiss, as the women's delicate perspective might better guide this nascent consciousness to understand the world.
Of course, all contact must be within a controlled range.
"Yes, Father!"
Weiss's eyes lit up; she was filled with anticipation for exploring this bustling new world.
On the distant horizon, the last rays of the setting sun cast a golden-red glow on the edges of this towering city of steel and rock.
The roaring and clamoring continued unabated, indicating that even the darkness could not stop its growth.
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