Belmare proceeded casually as Izuna and Gevanni were taken back. How could such a modern technology like this exist in this era? It’s a dome within a dome protected by various mechanical locks.
The dome inside has various pipes connected to the scaled rooms above that work as chimneys, and the protruding rotating wheels regulate how much smoke should be let out.
Standing on their path is a humongous metal door. A horizontal slit divides the door in half with a stone wheel at the center.
This was made possible through monopolizing the craftmanship of Dwarves by giving them their basic needs with utmost comfort and luxuries other races could not afford, such as owning their land and properties.
Places like this have a regulated and comfortable atmosphere. It never goes too cold or too hot, unlike living in the mountains where one could not be safe from wandering hostile Somas or forces of nature. It’s a haven for the Dwarves.
Belmare steered the wheel with his fingers. “Beep! Beep!” a button ejected, and Belmare pushed it.
Upon pushing, a whirring noise started. Until an indistinguishable voice talked and glitched before talking in Orslenian. “Detecting the presence of organic matter…” The button returned and revealed a hole with another smaller hole enough for large needles to insert.
The dome opened its outer shield and let out its rattling countless metal bone-like structures with pointy needles at its tip as they wiggle around like tentacles. They prevented possible escape by pointing their tips an inch away at every side of Belmare and his guests.
“Don’t worry, that’ll be over soon. Don’t freak out. Just let it do its job,” Belmare assured as one of the tentacles approached him and injected its needle and sucked his blood before inserting itself into the hole at the wheel.
Gevanni and Izuna couldn’t speak due to the terror of seeing this thing up close. They have no choice but to slowly lift their arms a bit and let the tentacles suck their blood.
“One native and two foreigners… Confirming Identity. Nobleman Belmare Fate Stockfelt, Representative of the Stockfelt Noblehouse… Questionable Hero Candidate, Theo ‘Gevanni’ Ambrosia… Possible Hero Candidate, Izuna Estella…” The Automaton continued.
After the initial verification, each of the tentacles rattled as it created a loud bang when they retreated and became the dome’s outer shield once again.
The Automaton finalized the confirmation process by letting the doors open with a thud one after the other. Until the last door retracted its blades and produced a hissing sound as it let steam.
This advanced confirmation technology survived through the efforts of the last remaining Ancient Races called Automatons. The same species that the Great Translator originated from.
“We’re about to enter the Metallurgy Section. Do you have anything to offer?” Belmare asked as he hovered his arms outwards.
Gevanni reached for the pouch at his back and opened it. “I only have these fangs.”
“That’s the fang of the Yltorzas’ Leader. If you managed to pluck one bare-handed, then your physical abilities might be a gold plate,” Belmare said as he examined.
The Yltorzas Leader’s fang is as big as 15 inches and weighing 70 kilos. It also has a rough texture near to its gums and slowly becomes smooth at its tip.
“Since it’s your first time here. I’ll do the honor of crafting something instead of my Dwarves,” Belmare proposed as he went on ahead.
“Why are you not commenting anything for a while, Izuna?” Gevanni asked out of nowhere. Perhaps, he’s concerned for Izuna. Just because she used to be an adult, being locked in a child-like form won’t scare her.
“Of course, how can the author freely dump their exposition well without me interrupting?” Izuna boldly announced.
Breaking Gevanni’s expectation, “I should’ve shut up my mouth,” he said.
The mills inside are powered by rotating wheels and fueled through thermal energy produced by Salamanders. From there, it extends further with more complex types of machinery and showcases the notable feats Belmare shared with his Dwarves and The Gear Master.
Belmare paused for a moment as soon as the Dwarves noticed his presence and stopped their work. “It’s the usual. Do you folks know which mill is available for the demonstration?” he asked in sign language.
“Down the second aisle to the right and proceed left to the incubator,” one of the Dwarves responded.
Due to the mysterious, tragic past of the Dwarves, they can only talk short words but talking in sign language proves to be more efficient.
Belmare and his guests walked past the incubator, which is used for raising domesticated Cryogons—Lesser Somas used for their cooling properties and don’t consume too many resources to survive, unlike the high maintenance Frost Wyverns.
This mill is much smaller and more straightforward compared to the ones near the entrance. These are used for crafting small accessories. Belmare pulled the lever, “this is a conveyor belt, and it transports numerous amounts of materials with ease,” He explained as he put the fangs.
“Since we have the fewest Somas living compared to other countries, we have to wait for similar orders to pile up before starting this machinery,” Belmare pointed as he walked towards the smelting furnace.
“Beneath this smelting furnace is the feeding station of Blue-ringed Fire Salamanders. The ashes they eat there help regulate the heat in this furnace... This is where most of the Soma Fragments are extracted and heated to make sure no magical residue is left,” Belmare waited for the materials to fell unto the tray and lift and conveyed to the Converter.
“Most of the Soma Fragments are too hard and brittle for meaningful use. Soma Fragments must first burn off its outer coating to produce a flexible material in which we will have the most freedom to bend it the way we wanted,” Belmare clarified.
“Pi?... Pi, pi, pi!” A bunch of Cryogons happily floated around as they produced high-pitched tones.
“Woah~! They’re so cute!” Izuna exclaimed.
Cryogons or known as Kahryopis in Orslenian, are Lesser Somas that are native avian mammals of Evanslei. These Somas have elongated ears similar to rabbits. Their cat-like faces appeal to their bright pink cheeks and dual-fanged mouth, and thick eyebrows. It also has brownish fur coverings its neck and a horn growing around it. They possess a small bluish furry body resembling a Djungarian hamster, and their stomach is covered with white fur and a tail with blue and white stripes similar to a raccoon. Lastly, they have three pairs of transparent wings detached from their bodies, which helps them float for longer hours.
“Why not try to feed them, Izuna?” Belmare asked as he hovered his hand to the bucket filled with fishes.
Without hesitation, Izuna rushed and picked the bucket and threw a fish.
The Cryogons fought over it. The unlucky ones were pushed and created a boing sound.
“Pi!...,” The lucky Cryogon munched, and its adorable eyes turned into >.< expression as it circle around Izuna. Afterward, it produces icy bubbles to cool off the heated material in the tray.
“We use Cryogons for the initial cooling process due to their perfect temperature to cool off most of the Soma Fragments,” Belmare explained as Izuna keep on feeding the Cryogons in the background.
“That sounds like only Lesser Somas can help Lesser Somas. And when you use Lesser Somas during the crafting process of advanced Somas, it won’t work,” Gevanni assumed.
“Well, spot on. I believe this is a never-ending process of Symbiosis in the ecosystem even after death,” Belmare commented as he walked towards the conveyor with four large stones surrounding it.
“Ah! Be careful not to electrocute yourselves,” Belmare warned as he stopped Gevanni with his arm.
Small waves of electricity slowly worked upwards and created a flash. It supercharged the materials on the tray until it melts due to the intense heat.
“The next process is where the molten liquids from Soma Fragments are siphoned to the pots. This is where impurities are skimmed and thoroughly mixed well,” Belmare explained.
“I know you wanted me to do this, Izuna... But I’m not really fond of feeding animals,” Gevanni commented.
“Come on! How can you say no to feeding these cute Somas?... You meanie! You brutie!” Izuna insisted.
Belmare hovered his arm, “We’re near to the last process, Gevanni. You should try at least once,” he suggested as one of the Cryogons landed on his arm.
Gevanni groaned as he hesitated to touch the fishes. “This is gross.” They were slimy and slippery, and it’s one of his dislikes. His face slowly turned beet-red as he fed the Cryogon. “I guess...I’ll do it for the sake of seeing my equipment soon.”
“Pi?...” The Cryogon let out a curious expression as it flew over Gevanni’s head and pecked him using its nose.
Gevanni picked another fish and handed it to the Cryogon. The fish couldn’t fit into the Cryogon’s mouth, and it munches messily. The fishes' tail keeps on slapping Gevanni’s face while the saliva of the Cryogon drips into his forehead.
“It seems he likes you that much. That’s quite unusual. We didn’t train them to be this social,” Belmare handed his handkerchief to Gevanni.
“Thanks…” Gevanni is still blushing with his eyes closed as he waited for Cryogon to leave his head. The Cryogon offered its final peck before Gevanni finally wiped his face clean.
“Good thing, they’re not smelly!” Izuna said.
“Yes, yes. Whatever.”
The Cryogon who pecked Gevanni blew a stream of icy bubbles and hardened the molten Soma Fragments.
The conveyor belt finally stopped. Belmare wore his apron as he tucked his sleeves, revealing his manly arms. He picked a brush and dripped it to some creamy liquid that reflects tiny fine crystals. He then coated the Hardened Soma Fragments with this liquid.
Belmare called the Dwarf passing by to come over him in sign language. The Dwarf picked the Vice lying at the tool tray beside the conveyor belt.
“This is where the fun begins!” Belmare announced as he held the hammer while the Dwarf beside him grasped the Hardened Soma Fragment in place.
Belmare’s savvy personality changed into someone with a burning passion. He looks as if he was headbanging while pounding his hammer.
As soon as Belmare’s finished, the Dwarf moved it to a barrel containing the waters collected from Mana Essenther Mountains. It sizzles until the material is completely cooled off.
The Dwarf moved the material to a scale that measures the temperature of an object.
“Take this as my token of appreciation. I call it Earrings of Misdirection,” Belmare said as he picked it up. “It improves your agility and increases your chances of feinting successfully. In terms of being an accessory used for battles, this is worthless. You need to improve it further.”
"I'll treasure this, Belmare..."
