The Runesmith

"Hold on fer a wee minute,ye want us to make how many?"

“I think a hundred should be enough at first but I can see expanding further to around a thousand.”

"A… a thoosand? While this be a well made arachnid construct, and the runic designs are exquisite, I'm not sure how we'll be able to peddle so many o' these contraptions. Will the City Lord or his daddy be footin' the bill fer the manufacturin'?"

“Lord Arthur? No, I thought that the union would help me out with that.”

“We will?Ah'm sorry, but ye'll have to give me a bit o' an explanation fer this, Master Wayland."

"Certainly, I anticipated this reaction. Allow me to clarify."

Roland found himself facing a group of dwarves, with Master Brylvia taking the lead, and three other Runesmiths standing behind her. It struck him as peculiar, considering that not too long ago, he had been in their position. The three of them were examining his work, but it was evident that they didn't fully grasp the depth of his creations, as he had incorporated his advanced tier 3 knowledge into them.

The focal point of interest lay in the spider golem, commonly referred to as an arachnid construct by the dwarven craftsmen. While there were numerous existing models, they typically adhered to a standardized design. However, the one Roland was showcasing was extensively tailored to meet his specific requirements and desires. Among the significant alterations, a notable feature was a designated slot for inserting cylinders. This space served as the receptacle for the runic batteries he intended to incorporate into the city's future development and his growing connections with the dwarves.

One of the most formidable challenges in the realm of magical machinery lay in the realm of energy supply. Various approaches had been explored to address this concern, Elokin's fluid and crystals offered a straightforward solution. In many ways, it resembled gasoline which was widely used in the modern world that Roland originated from. However, akin to the finite and costly nature of the resource in his own world, Elokin's fluid and crystals were also limited in supply and required expenses for refinement. The small mine they had discovered within the dungeon held insufficient reserves to sustain the entire city.

Magicians employed alternative methods to address this energy dilemma. A prime example was the construction of magical towers in regions abundant with mana. Wizards and mages sought to emulate nature by erecting these imposing structures in such mana-rich places. The heart of these magic towers possessed the unique ability to harness ambient mana from their surroundings, thus serving as their power source. This mechanism bore a resemblance to Roland's generators, but on a grander scale and with significantly higher associated costs. Unfortunately, the scale of these magical towers made it unfeasible to create smaller versions, restricting their applicability to only a handful of select locations.

A third viable option entailed the utilization of legendary artifacts. These fabled items were imbued with such an abundance of mana that they could serve as an enduring wellspring of power. As far as Roland knew, the capital located at the heart of the Kingdom relied on one of these legendary artifacts as its primary source of magical energy. Additionally, there existed more antiquated methods, such as invoking demonic rituals that tapped into the forces of chaos.

As Roland pondered the diverse array of magical energy sources, his relatively straightforward generators seemed like an inherently advantageous solution. Unlike the grand magical towers, they weren't confined to specific locations and came in various forms and sizes. Roland was familiar with wind energy and geothermal sources, but he knew that his world offered numerous other options. Harnessing the power of dams and water currents was just one additional choice among many.

Another potential energy source that Roland was aware of was atomic power, although he wasn't particularly well-versed in its workings and was hesitant to experiment with it. While he speculated that magic could potentially enable the splitting of atoms, introducing such a profoundly destructive force into this world was not an easy decision to make. When the theory was out there many others would try to harness this power. He could see people like Rastix experimenting with the theories and potentially causing many deaths. Thus sticking to regular runic batteries that had a similar capacity to regular mana fluid was enough.

“Let me bring your attention to the golem, As you can see it has no power source but one is not far away.”

Roland lifted a cylinder, it was approximately the size of a half-liter water bottle. The other craftsmen had already examined all the items that had come in the box, yet the runic battery seemed to leave them uncertain, with many of them unsure about its purpose and function.

"Are ye tellin' me that wee contraption's the power source?"

Brylvia raised an eyebrow as she scrutinized the runes on the cylinder. Her surprise was entirely understandable, given that it was far too weighty to serve as a conventional power source. Typically, there should have been a canister designed for pouring in mana fluid, and she might have accepted it had the cylinder been hollowed out. However, in its current state, it didn't quite add up and left her perplexed.

“Yes, that is correct.”

The demonstration was underway, his battery made its way into the designated hole. The moment it connected the while golem started brimming with magical power. There were no latches to keep the power source from falling out as it was just magnetized from all sides instead. No one would be able to get it outside without ripping out chunks of the golem along with it.

"It actually works? Whit's inside dat tube? Are ye usin' small artifacts? Or are ye mayhaps fuelin' it wi' yer own mana? No, I'm not sensin' anythin' like that... did ye charge it aforehand? This makes no sense at all..."

The Union chief was taken aback when she witnessed the activation of the spider golem. She began posing questions, as it appeared to be a contraption that shouldn't have been functional. She diligently inspected the golem with various magical devices and tools, and after a thorough examination, she eventually reached a conclusion.

"Is this some kind o' new power source, then? Did ye forge it yerself?"

"You catch on quickly,"

Roland acknowledged with a nod.

"Indeed, I call it the runic battery, and it doesn't rely on substances like mana fluid or any specialized components. Everything it needs is embedded within the runes themselves."

"Why are ye showin' me this, then?"

Brylvia comprehended the profound significance of this invention and recognized its extraordinary value. It held the potential to completely transform the realm of runic crafts.

"Because why not?”

He responded while shrugging.

“I came to terms with the fact that this wouldn't remain a secret indefinitely long ago. And, as you may recall, we are still bound by a contract."

“Aye, I see yer point…”

Roland had a clear understanding of how the world operated. He knew that even with a groundbreaking discovery, immediate implementation wasn't guaranteed. Mana fluid and mage towers would likely remain prominent energy sources for the foreseeable future. His runic batteries were merely an additional option, one that could potentially transform cities lacking mana-related regions. However, their adoption would necessitate substantial investments in infrastructure, such as wind turbines and other generators. Only after Albrook underwent a transformation into a city of runes, powered by these batteries, would the true significance of his discovery be fully recognized and embraced.

“Also, I think you won’t prattle this secret on to anyone.”

“Oh? Why is dat?”

"Just think about it, when this runic technology proves its effectiveness, who do you think they'll turn to for guidance on its implementation?"

“Ah… I see what ya mean…”

It was a mutually advantageous arrangement for Brylvia and her team of runesmiths. As this new runic technology solidified into a proven concept, hordes of individuals and organizations would flock to her workshop, seeking the proven secrets of its success. In exchange for her guidance on future projects, Brylvia anticipated receiving substantial sums, potentially amounting to thousands of gold coins. However, she understood that her ability to provide such valuable advice hinged on Roland equipping her with the necessary tools and knowledge.

“Ye cheeky bastard, what else are ye plannin?”

“Not really much, but the runic batteries are just part of the plan. I need your workshop to help me to produce parts which I will mostly complete myself.”

“So dat’s the catch?”

“I guess you can call it that.”

The two crafting masters didn't delve into the specifics, but it was a practice common among seasoned experts like them. They entrusted the bulk of runic enchanting work to their subordinate Runesmiths while reserving the more secretive and intricate runic structures for themselves. Roland's primary strategy, for the time being, involved maintaining exclusive knowledge on how to finalize the runic batteries and generators.

He planned to safeguard this information by encrypting only the crucial components without which the entire structure would be non-functional. This approach allowed him to ensure his continued involvement was essential and prevented adversaries from reverse engineering the technology without his critical input. While this probably wouldn’t last forever, it would give him enough time to make it worthwhile.

"Now, in addition to the batteries, I'd like to discuss this prototype and its potential for generating income within the dungeon. As I mentioned earlier, I require your workshop to manufacture a hundred models precisely according to the schematics I've provided..."

"A hundred o' these? I don’t think that'll be a bother, but what d'ye want 'em for, there?"

Roland began by discussing the runic batteries, recognizing their considerable intrigue. However, he emphasized that while they were a significant part of the equation, the real heart of their endeavor lay in the creation of magical automatons. To achieve their ambitious goals, they needed a substantial number of units and additional devices to maximize their efficiency.

The success of the entire plan hinged on the Union taking the lead in manufacturing the bulk of these magical machines, as Roland alone couldn't manage such a large-scale operation. Roland acknowledged that in the future, if he could establish a factory run by golems, such a task might become trivial. However, in the present circumstances, he recognized the importance of garnering all the assistance he could get.

“Now then, you’ve probably seen those orbs there. I call them runic sensors, we’ll probably need a lot more of them around for the golems.”

With the revelation of some of his secrets, the dwarven craftsmen were now fully attentive. Innovations were a rarity in this world, where most people clung to traditional practices to minimize risks. Every time something new made its way into their midst, it was met with a healthy dose of skepticism. Roland's disclosures had piqued their interest, and they were now eager to learn more.

“They don’t need to be precise orbs and your assistants should be able to create copies without our involvement…”

As time passed, Roland found himself immersed in explaining the intricacies of his work to his newfound collaborators. It was an unusual experience to engage with individuals in the same field and to be at the forefront of it. Brylvia, while continuing to question his decisions, maintained a sense of reason and respectability throughout. There were no snide remarks or manifestations of dwarven superiority; instead, it seemed that she regarded him as a peer, acknowledging him as a fellow Master Runesmith.

The extensive business meeting carried on for a good half of the day. Roland was bombarded with a multitude of questions, some to which he didn't possess a definitive answer, while others he could expound upon at length. Through this encounter, he gained valuable insight into the workings of the dwarven craftsmen and their keen appreciation for lucrative ventures. Following his detailed explanation, they wholeheartedly embraced the idea and reached a unanimous agreement to commence the mass production of the models.

“I’m glad that he would come to an agreement Master Brylvia.”

“What’s with that tone? Just call me Brylvia, we are now good friends you and me! How about we head to the tavern later while my boys go through the plans?”

“I’ll have to decline, there are some personal things that I need to tend to first…

"Is that so? Weel, I won't be keepin' ye any longer then, but next time, join us in the tavern."

“In the tavern? Right…”

It was a customary tradition among dwarves to share a hearty drink with new work partners or crafting companions. Roland, however, knew better than to partake in such events, as he understood they would only leave him with a headache and prove to be a significant waste of time. Bernir, who was accompanying him, appeared somewhat disappointed, as he always sought an excuse to join in on these drinking occasions.

“Oh, we aren’t going boss?”

“I won’t stop you if you want to go but what will your wife say?”

“You’re probably right…”

It came as a surprise, but Roland's assistant had managed to strike up new friendships with the other assistants during the presentation. The trio was taken aback by how adept he was at delivering explanations and presenting complex information in a straightforward manner. His sympathetic demeanor and approachable nature had evidently endeared him to the group. Perhaps if they all continued to work together, then Bernir could find some acceptance in the dwarven circles. Even though he was trying to hide it, he was very much more a dwarf than a human.

“I’ll be waiting for word from your forge then, send the initial products as fast as you can so we can get started.”

"Don’t ye worry yerself, I'll put a bit o' fire under their backsides. I'll show these daft fools what real work's all aboot!"

The new Master Runesmith appeared highly motivated, and it seemed her workforce would have to endure her newfound enthusiasm. Producing components for a hundred golemic creations was undoubtedly a challenging undertaking. While Roland would have been interested in observing how the new Union Chief managed such a large-scale operation, he had other pressing matters to attend to, including his fiancee, Elodia.

Something like a wedding was on the horizon but he wasn’t sure when the right time to schedule it was. Now that he started working on a new project it would require him to focus for at least a few weeks or even months when working the kinks out. The golems were not the only products being made as the dungeon would be getting some enhancements as well.

“Good to know, I’ll be waiting for the shipment then.”

Their visit came to a close, and the newly crafted magical lanterns began to illuminate the streets. Bernir and Roland parted ways when strolling through the well-lit streets, with many soldiers offering salutes in Roland's direction as he passed by. Initially, he had concerns about being recognized as a Knight Commander, but now it didn't feel as bothersome. There were definite advantages to having a higher profile, with respect and reverence being among them.

Deep within, Roland couldn't shake the fear that his newfound fame might one day bring him trouble. The thought of having his loved ones kidnapped and held for ransom was one of his greatest fears. As he neared the large, well-lit building, he continued to grapple with this ongoing dilemma. The orphanage that now stood before him was a place that harbored numerous orphans on the cusp of reaching the age of ten. In time, they would likely venture out into the world, each seeking to make their own mark.

With his decision to unite himself with the woman who led the orphanage, Roland also felt a newfound responsibility for their well-being. The thought of having such a large group located so far from his own home troubled him. The lands he had purchased were his own, and they provided ample space to accommodate them all. Despite the potential for chaos, he believed it would ease his nerves if they relocated closer to the vicinity of his home.

“Oh hey, look at who it is, the handsome groom himself!”

As he contemplated the idea, Roland heard a girl's voice calling out to him. He instantly recognized it as Lobelia's, and alongside her, two other young girls were chuckling and smiling. Instead of replying, he simply nodded and made his way towards the entrance. While the notion of relocating the orphanage was taking shape, he knew he still needed to persuade his fiancee to fully embrace the idea. Abandoning one's home, steeped in memories, wouldn't be an easy decision. However, if he could win over the children, he hoped that Elodia might quickly follow suit.