The heat inside the workshop was absolutely suffocating. The new smelting rig, with the amber "Sun" crystal pulsing with a golden radiance at its core, was pushing its absolute limits. A focused beam of pure thermal energy erupted from the nozzle, causing the surrounding air to warp in heavy heat distortion.
While I recalculated blueprints and verified proportions, the workshop door was practically a revolving door. Noah and his men continuously hauled heavy canvas bags out of the newly discovered cavern.
The door creaked once more, and Noah stepped into the stifling room. With a heavy thud, he dropped two tightly packed bags near the threshold, shimmering shards of lazurite spilling from their openings.
"Hey, Iron," Noah muttered, wiping his slick forehead with the back of his hand. "The guys dug up another batch of azure ore. Where do you want it?"
"Yeah, just leave it over there... in the corner," I replied, gesturing with a nod toward a mountain of identical, unopened bags.
Deep night had fully shrouded the camp by the time the smelting apparatus emitted a long, fading hum. The "Sun" crystal inside slowly went dark, transitioning into cooling mode. I tiredly rubbed my eyes, which were burning from the constant strain. The completed components of the future structure lay in neat rows around the workbench. All calculations lined up perfectly. The energy grid was formed.
I glanced out the window. Pitch darkness ruled the camp.
Time to build the tow—
Before the thought could finish, a neon-blue warning interface abruptly unfurled before my eyes.
[TACTICAL CONDITIONS ANALYSIS]
Illumination: Critically low (0.5%).
Assembly Risk: High. Misaligning the power nodes in the dark could trigger an Ocean core detonation.
Recommendation: Postpone final assembly until sunrise.
"Fine," I murmured quietly. "Dawn it is, then."
I locked up the workshop and headed toward the center of the camp, where the faint scent of roasted meat and the low hum of voices drifted through the air. A massive bonfire crackled merrily in the central square, chasing away Dornheim’s night chill and sending plumes of golden sparks into the dark sky. Marek was quietly conversing with Albert, Clara tossed dry branches into the fire while chatting with Darwin, and the workers laughed softly among themselves, enjoying their hard-earned rest.
I sat in my wheelchair slightly away from the flames, enthusiastically tearing into a portion of juicy, perfectly spit-roasted meat. Noah sat on a nearby log, swishing a cup of water. Shaving off another piece of meat with his hunting knife, he muttered grimly:
"When is this tower finally going to be ready?"
Before I could even answer, Elyria shot out from behind Marek’s shoulder like a bullet.
"Yeah! Exactly! When?! It's getting seriously annoying flying around every single night protecting the camp from monsters! As if I don't have other important, great deeds to attend to!"
"For once, I have to agree with her," Noah interjected.
Clara and Marek smiled quietly at the sudden wave of indignation. Setting my empty plate on my lap, I swept my gaze over them.
"Just hold on a little longer," I said evenly. "We start assembly tomorrow at dawn. All alloys are ready, the framework is cast, and the power nodes are calculated. Soon everything will change, and you won't have to pull all-nighters guarding the perimeter from those things."
Elyria huffed triumphantly and gracefully landed on Clara’s shoulder.
After a while, the bonfire began to die down. The conversations faded. The hot-headed fae had long since cooled off. Drifting on an invisible current of air right in front of my face, she scrutinized me idly until her gaze happened to catch the collar of my worn jacket.
Elyria lunged forward suddenly, nearly touching my chin, and pointed a tiny finger at my neck in surprise:
"Iron, what's that talisman you always wear? For as long as I've known you, you never take it off. It looks so old... and nothing like your engineering gadgets. I want one too! Make me one like it, please!"
My fingers instinctively drifted to my neck, feeling the time- and sweat-tarnished amulet beneath the fabric.
"I can't make you one of these, Elyria," I murmured quietly, gently squeezing the metal in my palm. "It's not just a decoration or a device. It's a gift. An old comrade gave it to me a very long time ago. To be honest, I don't even know if he's still alive right now. So..."
"Fine, I get it," Elyria huffed. "I don't need a talisman anyway, but you promised to build me a fountain! And the Garden of Eternal Roses!"
I don't recall ever promising you that... but whatever, the ironic thought flashed through my mind.
"I haven't forgotten," I said aloud. "Once we finish the Tower and the primary fortifications, we'll get to work on the fountain and your garden."
"You're always like this!" she snapped defensively, buzzing off into the shadows.
I remained in my chair, staring silently into the dancing, dying embers of the bonfire. A quiet monologue echoed deep within me: "...Just like you asked, I didn't become a soulless golem."
A light chatter picked up around the dying fire again. Marek was the first to break the lull, rising heavily to his feet and stretching with a loud pop:
"Alright. The night isn't infinite. Tomorrow is a monumental day, we need to gather our strength. Everyone, get some sleep."
"Look who's giving orders, the refugee," Clara smirked.
"Hey! Come on..." Marek muttered flatly.
"Just kidding, just kidding," Clara laughed, slapping his back in a friendly gesture. "You're right, we need to rest up."
Within a minute, people began pushing themselves up from their seats, quietly wishing each other good night as they dispersed to their homes.
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