Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1033: 67: Vortex (Nine)_2

Chapter 1033: Chapter 67: Vortex (Nine)_2

The Forge Masters of Steel Fortress have countless reasons to underestimate and belittle her, even beauty—a generally perceived advantage—could place her at a disadvantage during negotiations.

Sometimes, posing as the weaker party is an excellent strategy, but not in the current situation. Being seen through by the Forge Masters of Steel Fortress would only work against her in exerting pressure later on, slowing down the negotiation process, and what Winters needed most was time.

Therefore, every action Anna took today was well-considered: her makeup, her attire, her tone of speech, her manner of entry, and the “particularly fierce Dusack guards.”

She intentionally crafted an image that was unapproachable and undirectable, exerting subtle pressure on the older and more powerful Forge Masters.

It may sound like side-door trickery, but people always start by judging strangers from their appearance.

Anna had prepared another weapon, a more sophisticated one—mystery.

After taking note of the faces of several anxious workshop owners, Anna nodded slightly as a form of courtesy and then walked out of the living room without looking sideways, escorted by two guards, without giving the Forge Masters another look or uttering another word.

The workshop owners looked at each other in confusion as they watched the Baroness leave until the door to the inner chamber closed slowly, realizing there were still many questions left unanswered.

Father Kaman was almost immediately surrounded by the workshop owners:

“The lowest bidder wins? What does that mean?”

“What does ‘an undisclosed form’ mean?”

“How should we quote? Do we write a list in the same format?”

“Gentlemen, everything you need to know has already been written in the scroll,” Father Kaman sent them off politely but firmly: “Please return, gentlemen.”

And so, Fuller, along with the other workshop owners, was escorted out of the brick building exclusively booked by Baron Granashi.

As he stepped out the door, Fuller heard Father Kaman say one last sentence: “The Baron has asked me to convey to you, ‘This is the best choice among the bad ones.'”

Before parting at the lakeside inn, Ironhand Gaisberg wanted to say a few words of encouragement, but ended up repeating clichés like “Keep calm,” “As long as we don’t give in, a minor baron can’t do anything to us,” “Don’t give outsiders an opportunity.”

Seeing the lukewarm reaction from everyone, Ironhand did not waste any more words and hurriedly got into the carriage and left.

For some reason, the phrase relayed by Father Kaman was deeply etched in Fuller’s mind and echoed repeatedly on the way home.

…

The first time Anna confronted the Forge Masters face to face and successfully made a strong impression on them, Winters, along with Berlion and Xial, were making their way through the streets and alleys in the Old Town of Steel Fortress.

The so-called streets of the Old Town were actually narrow spaces between two rows of houses. They were so narrow that only two horses or three people could walk side by side. Moreover, they were unplanned, like the natural veins on a leaf.

The Old City area of Steel Fortress was no different from the once Guidao City, with signs of wild growth everywhere.

Workshops of all sizes were crammed along the banks of the Rose River, utilizing the power of the river water to drive bellows and hammers. The poor working in the workshops built shanties nearby, which initially formed the slums around the workshops.

As the wealth of Steel Fortress continued to accumulate, the slums spread and grew. Crude wooden houses gradually replaced the shacks, boldly encroaching on the streets while reaching for space in the sky, continuously adding height, ultimately shaping the Old City area of Steel Fortress into its current form.

Longwind was too conspicuous, so Winters rode out on a dappled grey old horse. Berlion and Xial also chose inconspicuous mounts.

Berlion led the way, with Xial following behind, the three riding on roads paved with slag, occasionally ducking to avoid icicles hanging under the eaves.

Winters pulled his felt hat down to cover the bruise from last night—Father Kaman wasn’t completely lying when he said Winters suddenly suffered a headache.

The day was still cold, with almost no pedestrians on the road.

Behind the windows on both sides of the streets, curious eyes occasionally scrutinized the three riders.

A thin mongrel dog guarded the entrance to the alley, barking madly at Winters. As Winters approached, the dog disappeared in a flash under the wooden wall.

After passing through the suffocating shanty area and reaching near the riverbank, the streets became more spacious. Since the workshops were located on the riverbank, even the narrowest part of the riverside road could accommodate two cargo carriages side by side.

Workshop mule workers gathered on the riverbank road, warming themselves around the faint fire.

Furrowed brows, sunken eyes, high cheekbones—they would look up at the sound of horse hooves with hope, only to become woodenly downcast again upon seeing the firelight after realizing Winters did not intend to hire anyone—almost all acted the same.

Xial caught up with Winters and asked softly, unable to bear the sight: “Why are they waiting outside in such cold weather? No one will come to hire them, right?”

“Hope,” said Winters with a complex look in his eyes: “Because of hope.”

Confused, Xial muttered: “Hope, those workshop owners clinging to their prices without yielding, it’s also because of hope, right?”

Winters didn’t reply.

The three continued riding, quickly arriving at a workshop.

After Berlion confirmed it, he reported back to Winters: “Your Excellency, this is the ‘Neuveil Workshop’ that Mr. Carlo Aide mentioned.”

“Let’s go,” Winters pulled out his staff, dismounted: “Let’s take a look.”

Just like the weather, the Neuveil Workshop was just as desolate. There was no one in the courtyard, and there was no response to the knocking.