Garius smirked. "Rasdingen may drink like a fool, but he's loyal to the end."
He turned back to Javier. "Still… despite Rasdingen's rejection, Kimar's side hasn't stopped. I want your full assessment. How far along are they?"
Javier rubbed his chin, brows furrowed.
"Apologies, Esteemed Father. But as you already know, even if they've gathered skilled blacksmiths and mages, the gap isn't something they can close easily."
He tapped the side of the table with his finger, listing off calmly,
"To replicate a single component, say, a mana rifle, you need specialized mechanisms. Cylinders for pressure control. Springs for firing and recoil. Proper insulation for the barrel. Sealing rings to contain mana leaks. Cooling systems. All of that housed in a precisely machined frame."
He looked at Garius.
