22 The Birth Of The Ironcloud Base (2/2)

”What do I gain?”, Drodosis asked. He was kind and loyal to his family, but it didn't mean that he was a charity.

”Simple. Ask whatever you want. The stakes are huge.”

”I need authorization to create an underground base below the Water Fortress and have free reign over it.”

”Deal.”

”When do I have to begin my operations?”

”Considering the stalemate at Dawins', you have at least six months of rest. I will send a number of knights in your direction, some of them are hidden powerhouses I've hidden for quite a while, in case the Water Troop one day rebelled.”

”Aren't you afraid my Ironcloud Knight Order will become too strong? I'm sure I made my share of enemies the other day”, Drodosis said while laughing.

”Oh, you sure did”, his grandfather followed, ”But you are too alike me. You are scheming, greedy and rude. You are the one I raised, and I know you all too well. You can't deny that. You wouldn't do anything that would hurt the family.”

”…”, Drodosis stayed silent, as if one of his secrets had been revealed aloud.

”Do whatever in the underworld. I will have Elder Silver send you a few rewards tomorrow, with an additional bonus on what we previously agreed on.”

Next, Drodosis disappeared in the underworld, with his golem continuously drilling. He needed a break from this political whirlpool.

'I just know how to fight, for G.o.d's sake.'

For the next two months, the Ironcloud Knight Order engaged in monumental work. A huge underworld base was being constructed. The golems were drilling days and nights. Knights, physically stronger than any other human in the Water Fortress, were wielding hammers, carrying huge ingots and bars of different magical alloys.

Everyone worked in synchronisation, and although they sometimes lacked understandings of the task they were completing, they followed the tasks Drodosis personally appointed to them. This way, Drodosis optimized the work frame to each individual, managing the site with robotic precision. Every single subordinate was 'used' to its fullest potential. This is what allowed the Ironcloud Base to be finished in just 2 months, instead of several dozen years of confusing and chaotic construction.

In two months, the huge tunnels and 16.8 square miles' surface in the underground base were covered in three layers of different magical alloys, namely Ironcloud metal, Umbra Metal and Earthcloud gem, as well as one layer of Elder Magnolia refined wood, he took from the Elven Grace Settlement.

”I declare the Ironcloud Base successfully created!”

Elder Magnolia wood had the strange effect of increasing one's sight over long period of time. This meant that as long as his soldiers trained within the Ironcloud Base, their sight would improve! Combined with the Unique Elven training methods which could increase accuracy, perception and dexterity, this was a perfect way to improve his soldiers' archery levels!

The Ironcloud Base was composed of five areas.

First things first, there was the Northern Wing, a place where everyone had an individual room with privacy, personal furniture and even a cosy bed! This was a luxury they never expected to earn after joining the Thornfield family. While they had access to a lot of luxury stuff back in the Water Fortress, it wasn't big enough to house 1000 men and women in such comfortable environments! Hence, they hadn't slept in an individual room for years!

Environment was the key to further strengthen the bonds between him and his subordinates. The Ironcloud Base was comfortable that it would create a sense of belonging in everyone's heart, including Drodosis and the newcomers. The Ironcloud Knight Order had risen in numbers as well. There were now 156 men and women!

Secondly, there was the Eastern Wing: known as the training area. Targets to shoot down, weight lifting, pullups, sparring, manuals…Any kind of training deemed as beneficial in Drodosis' eyes were put in the Eastern Wing. This was a paradise for anyone who strived for strength. Every single knight trained at least 4 hours a day in the Eastern Wing, some trained all day long!

Thirdly, there was the Central Area. This was where knights reunited to discuss politics and plans, and it was also the place where Drodosis talked to his subordinates about the future. He would give them a morning speech on a daily basis to motivate them. The Central Area also possessed a restauration room, where magical beast meat would be served on a daily basis.

Next, there was a forbidden area for knights, exclusive to acolytes: the Western Wing. It was the 'laboratories', a place where acolytes could conduct experiments as they wished. Moreover, it was sealed and completely sound proof, so you could do anything in these labs, from bomb crafting to golem manufacturing.

Drodosis also moved his golem manufacturing items, bought some and improved everything in order to create a Golem Manufacturing Facility. With the microscopes, robotic limbs and a constant supply of golem cores, he had managed to create over 30 more mud golems, and while he couldn't use them all at the same time, it was always good to have some in reserve. His success rate improved from 26% to 30% as well, a huge increment!

Last but not least, the Southern Wing was a place of wonder. No one knew what was hiding behind the 4-meters-thick doors made of Ironcloud Alloy of the highest purity. It was actually Drodosis' personal area, a place where no one had the right to enter, not even an elder from the Council.

It would require over 2000 points of damage to pierce through this door, so unless it was an adept powerhouse who would throw a barrage of spells for a dozen minutes, no one could enter forcefully.

The Southern Wing was housing three rooms:

First, a study room, where he stored blueprints, parchments and breathing techniques he had been ama.s.sing and improving based on his biochip's data base and personal attainments.

Second, a personal training room, where he used extreme sparring method to sharpen his physique and spirit.

Lastly, a meditation room. He had previously built an acidic pool below the Grace Elven Settlement. Using it as a model, he used several dozens of chemical reactions to create a gigantic whirlpool of Water Elemental Particles, revolving both in air and in the huge corrosive pool of potent acid. In the middle of the room, there was a small rock.

Twice a day, Drodosis would go on the small rock and go through meditation cycles.

The Ironcloud Base, although inferior to the Water Fortress in term of materials, was far superior in its foundations and blueprints, which had been created by the combination of the robotic accuracy of the biochip, and the originality of Drodosis, who was inspired by hundreds of architectural blueprints he had studied!

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