345 Surveillance Mission (1/2)
The materials were transported from Eternal Kingdom.
Some of the materials were from the excavation of ores by Eternal Kingdom's gamers, which consisted partly of Adamantine rocks. The remaining portions were forging ores from Winterfell's material reward for defeating Samael.
The Dwarves, Hill and The King, were in charge of teaching steam technology and the forging of weapons.
Steam engineering wasn't developed in Victoria City yet, but Hill was kept busy, especially during the initial development stage.
The Blacksmith Shop was in 100% production, and the sounds of hammering filled the entire shop. As for the forging of weapons, Mana was required in both the Underworld and the Surface World.
Though Hill was a Steam Engineer, he was also skilled at forging. During these extraordinary circumstances, as well as for the overtime pay, Hill was working diligently.
Hill was in charge of forging equipment, while The King was in charge of forging in addition to equipment improvement, which was his main forte.
The model for equipment improvement was the same as Eternal Kingdom, though The King's temper wasn't as hot as Simba's. Occasionally, the gamers could hear The King say, ”Apologies, your weapon improvement has failed. It has disintegrated.”
”Ah—!”
Though The King was much gentler than Simba, he was never shy in telling the gamers about the weapon improvement failures. He was ordered to do so by Lilo.
Lilo stood in the castle as she watched The King throw some broken equipment into the furnace. The equipment would be smelted before being forged into standard equipment.
Big Boss sprawled on the window sill and asked curiously, ”Miss Lilo, why do you allow good weapons to be destroyed before creating new ones? Should we not use this time to create weapons and improve them so that the citizens can help Miss Lilo conquer the Heavenly Kingdom?”
”This is Sherlock's request. He said that the citizens prefer such incidents.” Lilo put down the curtains and walked into the room as she asked, ”How many of the citizens are fully armed?”
”According to my statistics, 926 citizens have at least one piece of equipment. There are 320 citizens that have two pieces of equipment, while less than 100 citizens have a full set of equipment. The numbers aren't fixed, as they will explore the Spiders' Lair and meet their doom. Each time they die, they will have equipment damage.”
Second Boss adjusted his spectacles while his furry and fat paws flipped through a thick book that contained all of the data regarding Victoria City.
”Hmm, it's very good.”
”Miss Lilo, I don't understand. We've had casualties of more than 10,000 over the past few days, and each citizen died at least twice per day to a maximum of more than ten times per day. Your burden is overwhelming. We should control them and reduce unnecessary casualties! You have to take care of your health!” Second Boss said with concern, clearly worried about her health.
”This burden is negligible. They haven't been dying for naught, as they are honing their combat skills. As my loyal undying warriors, this is the fastest training method.”
Lilo waved her hand at the three Hamsters to dismiss them. Only once the three Hamsters left did Lilo show her exhaustion.
It was all worthwhile for the conquest of the Heavenly Kingdom!
…
While Victoria City was developing at a rapid pace, the gamers of Eternal Kingdom received a new Plot Mission.
[Mission Title: Surveillance of the Ogre Stronghold
Mission Description: The remnants of the Ogre troops left by Andrew are being reorganized, and they have become strong enough to threaten our survival. We are forming an alliance with Baron Nicholas to defeat the powerful Ogre tribes! The citizens of Eternal Kingdom will never be slaves!
Mission Objective: Follow Nicholas' subordinates and perform surveillance of the Ogre Stronghold. We have to gather intelligence. The Non-Existing Intelligence Organization isn't able to provide any assistance.
Mission Reward: 300 Eternal Kingdom Reputation Points, 500 bronze coins, and other possible equipment.]
Though the Reputation Points and coins weren't attractive to the First and Second Beta Gamers, the Third Beta Gamers were in need of the rewards and the possible equipment.
According to the wisdom of the First and Second Beta Gamers, this kind of infiltration mission, one involving fighting with NPCs, had a high chance of yielding equipment after killing them if the gamers survived.
This wasn't a Strange Encounter Mission, so the mission could be accepted at the Winterfell Dungeon Lord Main Hall.
The major Guilds weren't going to let this chance slip by. The past had shown that Battle Campaign Scenarios yielded handsome loot, and the gamers with excellent contributions would have high prestige. For example, in the previous encounter with Samael, the First Beta Gamers from the Pioneer Alliance attacked Samael and gained both attention and Reputation Points.