### Chapter 24: Central Workshop
With a curious heart about this new world, I followed the Duke and Pasifal onto the War Chariot, arriving at the Central Workshop.
We swiftly got off.
“Miss Silvya, welcome to the Central Workshop. Here, you can find the finest steel swords and the sturdiest armor in the world! All knights of rank Captain of Knights and above in The Holy Church use armor and weapons provided by the Central Workshop.”
In my imagination, I pictured the Central Workshop as a medium-sized blacksmith shop—not too big, not too small—filled with all sorts of metallurgical gear. I imagined a band of burly, shirtless uncles… perhaps even a couple of dwarves, sweaty as they stood by the forge, fanning the flames and hammering metal with glorious “clang!” sounds.
But the moment I stood before it, gazing up at those towering forges casting giant shadows over my petite frame, I was jolted back to reality—yes, this was indeed a different world.
They hadn’t even discovered gunpowder yet, but their metallurgy was already at this level. I didn’t understand much of this stuff, but it was clear that mass production on such a scale was absolutely a piece of cake.
“What do you think, Pepé? Our workshop is impressive, right?”
Seeing me daydreaming, Pasifal instantly flashed a smug smile, exuding that annoying vibe kids have when they show off their toys, which made me chuckle internally.
How does someone his age manage to act so childish? It’s impressive, in a way.
And who does he think he is, saying “our” workshop…
“Nonsense! Pasifal, how many times do I have to tell you to be mindful of your words! The Central Workshop is the result of a century of toil from countless people invested by the Valen Empire, with generations pouring their hard work into it…”
“Big Brother literally snatched the ownership of the workshop! How is that not ‘our’ workshop?!”
“Pasifal, consider this your last warning.”
“Alright, Grandpa, I get it! You’re just afraid they might have some thoughts over there—”
“Shut up!”
Not paying much attention to their bickering, I was instead captivated by the large buildings around me emitting thick smoke, unsure if they were workshops or furnaces, and silently marveled at the magnificence of humanity.
And here stood the owner of this grand workshop—none other than the Valen Empire’s Emperor’s younger brother, arguably the most powerful merchant in the world, currently scolding his own son in front of me.
Clutching a half-eaten Captain Gray in my hand, I followed the Duke deeper into the workshop. The snow underfoot had mostly melted away, and the alternating warm and cold air incessantly kissed my cheeks, with a faint whiff of molten metal wafting up to my nose.
Tiny bits of ash occasionally landed on my skirt, leaving light marks whenever I brushed them away.
“Ahchoo—”
After a small sneeze, I rubbed my nose, suddenly regretting my decision.
This place was hot, dusty, and the air was horrible—why did I come over here to mess around when I could’ve taken a nap in the castle?
Carlos had gone to the parish today and didn’t come along with us. Thinking of this made me a bit furious; that j*rk surely knew the Central Workshop was like this, yet he didn’t bother to warn me. He must have sneaked off intentionally!
How infuriating! I need a plan to deliver a good beating to him in the following days.
To lift my sudden bad mood, I focused on the bustling Workshop Hunters. Most were decked out in leather armor, oversized cloaks, and at most donned protective metal on their shoulders, knees, and chests. Strangely enough, I hadn’t seen a single person in light armor or chainmail.
I gently bit my finger, puzzled by the situation. It couldn’t be that the Central Workshop was stingy enough not to provide decent armor for its hunters; that made no sense. But then why was no one wearing it?
If a brawl broke out, how could these hunters possibly compete against the knights heavily armed to the teeth?
…What am I even pondering? Good kids ask questions!
“Why aren’t they wearing armor?”
“Are you talking about the Shanter Army? They use trick weapons, you see. Trick weapons require high mobility, and wearing heavy armor contradicts that. Putting that stuff on would drastically reduce their weapon’s effectiveness. In battle, it’s all about being ready to strike hard in one swift move. That’s how I’ve always trained them.”
“And what if the enemy wears armor? Doesn’t that matter?”
Upon hearing this, Duke Skarlij burst into laughter.
“Ha ha ha! Miss Silvya, do you know why trick weapons are the true core technology of the Central Workshop?”
I shook my head.
“Because the base material used to forge them isn’t iron or steel, but a special kind of crystal. This crystal has excellent malleability, hardness, and toughness far surpassing steel, and made into blades, it can easily penetrate armor! In simpler terms, the heavier the enemy’s armor, the easier it is for our users to win—got it? The real brilliance of the Central Workshop isn’t just producing powerful weapons, but in the technology to refine crystals, which can only be done here. Trick weapons will never be sold publicly!”
While the Duke spoke, craftsmen passing by would bow respectfully upon seeing him, and from their eyes, I could see genuine admiration. Clearly, Duke Skarlij held a high status in their hearts, nothing like your average ruler.
“Over here is metallurgy, the core area of the Central Workshop. The silver armor that Carlos often wears comes from here, but none of that is suitable for you. On the west side of the workshop, there are plenty of girls’ clothing options, the latest fashion, all top quality. Miss Silvya, want to check it out?”
The Duke spoke to me in a tone that sounded like he was trying to coax a child, and I shot him a blank stare while stifling a smile on the inside.
Hmph, does he think I would be swayed by such superficial things?
But then again, the Central Workshop even has girls’ clothing—it seems like they can manufacture just about anything here. I initially thought it was just a place for forging metal… but those clothes really are beautiful?
Hmm… even though I’m not that thrilled about it, since the Duke personally invited me, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to take a look—just to give him face.
Just as I was about to speak, a gentle breeze swept through, carrying with it the hovering ash particles from the air, blowing right at me.
I was startled and immediately closed my eyes and mouth. Once the gust passed, I hurriedly wiped my face with my sleeve and fluffed my hair, only to suddenly remember I was still holding the half-eaten Captain Gray.
Glancing down, I saw it covered in a layer of fine ash.
“……”
My mood plummeted. I frowned deeply, pinching the doughnut in my hand, debating whether to pinch off the ashy part and act like nothing happened while finishing it, but my inner dignity wouldn’t allow that. Just as I was caught in this dilemma—
“Ah, the doughnut got dusty. Such a shame, throw it away.” Pasifal snatched Captain Gray from my hand and, to my shock, casually tossed it onto the ground.
