Chapter 4(a): The Thinker Of Kallidorra Forgehold (Part 1)
GRRRRNNNNN... KLANG!
The monster elevator screeched to a halt at the first checkpoint. There were two stops on this descent, one here, where Kael, Nibsken, and Durmuk would work, and the second far below, reserved for the Penta Flame mentioned earlier.
But why was Kael's workplace separate from the others?
Why was it built apart higher, quieter, more isolated than the bustling forges below?
Then Kael, Durmuk, and Nibsken stepped off from the right side of the platform.
There was nothing on the left, just a solid wall of hard black rock.
After taking a few steps forward, they arrived at a tunnel-like structure with a glass sliding door at its entrance.
One side of the tunnel, which had once been a dull, black cave wall, was now reinforced and rebuilt with smooth white concrete. The floor beneath their feet was polished white porcelain, giving the space a refined, modern feel.
The opposite side of the tunnel, overlooking the vast underground level, was made entirely of reinforced glass. It could slide open to reveal a crystal-floored balcony, which also served as a landing platform for flying creatures.
At the edge of the balcony, several black quartz staircases led down to the lower underground levels. This also serves as the connectors for the supporters delivering the completed equipment for inspection, and where newly finished blueprints were picked up and taken to the forgers below.
Above the glass sliding door, the sign reads KFLaboratorium. The building isn't particularly tall or massive, but it stretches long like a tunnel occupying nearly the entire first underground level. It was clearly designed to accommodate races like elves, dwarves, a few normal-sized elementals, and even female orcs and ogres.
Kael slid the door open. The air inside was slightly cooler than the outside, hinting at the controlled environment beyond.
Everyone inside wears the same distinctive white coat, with their name on the right side and a purple "Researcher" badge on the left, tailored to fit all races. Most of them wear glasses, reflecting the scholarly nature of the place. This facility primarily serves as an invention, testing, and inspection hub, focusing on completed equipment, ores, and raw material.
Countless white worktables and benches fill the middle of the lab, arranged between the solid white concrete wall and a glass wall that can be opened to a balcony overlooking the underground Forgehold. Each table is cluttered with raw materials—crystals, metals, ores—ready for inspection. Workers in this section often sit in silence, carefully examining each piece, questioning its quality and purpose.
this was the last type worker type the sixth, the Researchers, also known as the Brain of the Forgehold.
Embedded along the white concrete wall are several personal rooms, spaced evenly along the length of the stretched-out lab. Each room bears a nameplate—the name of its owner. These are the private workspaces of blueprint designers, where newly forged equipment is tested and examined.
Inside, a single question lingers in their minds each day as they review their designs:
"Will this equipment be able to withstand a strong Might influence, both from its wielder and from the enemy?"
That same question arises again and again, a quiet burden shared by all who craft the tools of war.
The trio then entered the sliding glass door
Immediately, all eyes turned toward them, Durmuk, Nibsken, and Kael were now the center of attention among the gathered races.
As soon as the researchers saw Durmuk, everyone smiled and gave respectful salutes before quickly returning to their work.
"Hi boss!"
"Boss, this one's almost done!"
"It's taking some time, but we'll finish it soon, boss!"
Durmuk responded with a warm nod and a smile. He knew they were all giving their best, fully dedicated to their work.
The trio continue walking in this tunnel-like department. It's long, almost covering half of the first underground level but still the height of this compartment still remains the same.
Kael, Nibsken and Durmuk walk until they find Kael's Own room that has his name on it Kael the human Inventor and has number 1 on its name. It's a title for the most blue print accepted by all the workers and Durmuk himself. Kael opened the door, and he and Nibsken stepped inside.
"I'll wait here, ma boy," Durmuk said from outside, his arms crossed patiently.
"Grab yer white coat we'll head to ma room and pick up all the blueprints."
"Yes, Boss!" Kael replied, nodding as he quickly followed the instruction.
Then Kael and Nibsken entered his room, but a short creature was already inside, muttering loudly to himself as he examined something with great interest.
It was Brasskert, the short gnome with a long white beard, deeply absorbed in inspecting Kael's latest experiment laid out on his personal worktable. He was Kael's assistant, the one who worked alongside him, shared ideas, reminded him of important details, and documented every observation. More than that, he was Kael's number one fan when it came to his inventions.
Despite being older than Kael and from a different race, he placed unwavering trust in him. He didn't see Kael as just a human, he saw him as the greatest inventor this realm had ever known.
Brasskert, wearing his oversized spectacles and a slightly wrinkled white coat, was hunched over Kael's latest invention. "This is amazin'! That human's a cog-twistin' genius!" he muttered to himself, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Completely absorbed in examining the strange new metal Kael had created, Brasskert didn't even notice Kael standing right behind him.
"What's with that gnome?" Kael asked casually.
"WAAHH!!" Brasskert yelped, startled by Kael's sudden voice. In his panic, he dropped a few scattered tools onto the floor.
"Hahaha—it's just me, gnome," Kael chuckled.
"Kerk! What'sa fanni human!" Brasskert grumbled, his thick old gnome accent clinging to every word as he puffed out his beard and picked up the fallen tools.
Kael and Nibsken then turned to look at Kael's personal worktable.
They each took their white coats, which were hanging neatly on the back of Kael's chair.
"Let's go, Brasskert!" Kael called out.
"Heh, gears and glory, I was born ready!" Brasskert replied with a spark in his eye and a spring in his step.
Durmuk waited patiently outside Kael's personal room.
Soon, Kael, Brasskert, and Nibsken stepped out—finally ready.
"Let's go," Durmuk said with a nod.
The four of them began walking together, heading toward Durmuk's room located at the far edge of the department.
As they walked, Nibsken noticed something gleaming in Brasskert's hand.
"What's that shiny thing, gnome?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Ah, this?" Brasskert held it up proudly. "This here's called an alloy."
"Allow?" Nibsken blinked, not catching the word clearly.
"It's an alloy, dumb goblin!" Kael cut in, snatching it from Brasskert's hand with a grin. "I made it by mixing two different elements to form a stronger one!" His eyes lit up with excitement.
Durmuk, walking just ahead, overheard them and smiled to himself.
It truly was a remarkable invention—one that could mark a turning point in the quality of equipment across the realm.
And with Kael around, nothing could surprise him anymore.
They continue to walk for a few minutes until.....
End of Chapter 4 part 1
This chapter is too long guys so I need to split it for better reading experience
But part 2 already uploaded!