Chapter 370: A New Movement in the Territory

Was there an even greater secret hidden within the Rebellion Fortress?

No one could say for sure. Not even Kamail, who had worked inside the Rebellion Fortress back in the day and had been sealed away for a thousand years alongside the Rebellion Bastion in the Shadow Realm, knew the full scope of the massive plan or the sprawling structure.

Back then, the Rebellion Fortress had an extremely strict access control and security system. Each area was managed by its own leader, all overseen by a Fortress Council with the highest authority. Although these departments worked on different parts of the Rebellion Plan, they were largely isolated from one another. Without explicit permission from the Council and undergoing a series of complex inspections and “purification” procedures, personnel were forbidden from moving between areas. According to Kamail’s memories, obtaining such permission was nearly impossible—only under the most extraordinary circumstances could it be granted. Ninety percent of the fortress’s inhabitants had never set foot outside their assigned zones.

Such rigorous internal control could only mean one thing to Gawain: to prevent contamination by divine power.

Now, a millennium later, Kamail speculated that aside from the divine samples left in the Rebellion Bastion and its related facilities, the entire fortress had likely been completely cleared out. Nothing related to the gods should remain. Yet, some less critical research data and “safe samples” were probably still sealed away in certain areas. Gawain was curious—if he sent people to explore deeper, what might they uncover in this vast ancient complex?

Byron nodded, ready to continue the exploration mission. But Solderin suddenly interrupted, “Wait—can the task of exploring the Rebellion Fortress be handed over to me and the Steel Rangers?”

Gawain looked at Solderin, who explained, “The Combat Legion is growing larger, and with the recent expansion and training plans, Knight Byron, as one of the commanders, isn’t really suited to personally lead these exploration missions anymore. It’d be better to assign them to the newly formed Steel Rangers—small squads operating in unknown environments fit their role perfectly. Plus, I can use this to train my new recruits.”

“Hm… that makes sense,” Gawain considered briefly before agreeing. “Alright, the mission’s yours. Byron, hand over the previous exploration progress and detailed reports. Solderin, prepare thoroughly before you depart. This mission isn’t urgent—you can leave within a week. The southern and eastern parts of the fortress are heavily abandoned and complicated. Don’t act rashly.”

Solderin nodded solemnly. Though an experienced and powerful high-level ranger, even he wouldn’t take an ancient ruin with a thousand years of history lightly.

…

After the meeting at the lord’s manor, Solderin didn’t return to the military quarters. Instead, he headed east to the Mechanical Workshop.

The workshop had undergone several expansions and renovations. It was no longer just a factory but a large-scale facility integrating research, testing, and manufacturing. Inside were two large laboratories and several specialized workshops. The blueprints Gawain had drawn up—based on knowledge deduction and multiple simulations in the Sleeper Network’s “virtual testing grounds”—were gradually transformed into real industrial products here, then distributed throughout the territory.

Solderin went straight to the “Artisans’ Hall,” the heart of the workshop. This circular hall stood where the original wooden shed had been when the workshop was first built, but now it was vastly different. The spacious hall was neatly arranged with various machining stations and research desks. The most striking feature was a circular raised platform about ten meters in diameter at the center. It had a small depression in the middle but no other equipment. Scattered across the platform were various metal ingots, and sunlight streamed down from a skylight above, illuminating the empty center.

Solderin didn’t see Nicholas Egg on the “Machinist’s Platform.” Instead, he spotted many busy “mechanical scholars” nearby—the local term for the magic technicians specializing in machinery. Curious, he approached a burly, bearded scholar in white overalls. “Is Mr. Egg around?”

The scholar blinked, then realized, “Mr. Egg… oh, you mean the director? He just stepped out.”

Solderin frowned. “Where did he go?”

“To Gear Square,” the scholar replied, naming a place typical of the industrial district. “If you go now, he should still be there.”

Solderin was surprised. Nicholas Egg rarely left the workshop except to deal with metal, so what was he doing in a crowded square? Still, he thanked the scholar and left.

Gear Square wasn’t far. It sat opposite the Mechanical Workshop and the Steel Foundry, separated from several factory buildings by a special hedge wall designed to absorb and block noise. Beyond the square lay the main residential areas for factory workers and their families. Every day, workers crossed the square and hedge to get to their jobs. The square was also a popular spot for residents to relax.

The hedge wall was planted and cultivated by Pittman and his apprentices under Gawain’s orders.

As Solderin arrived at Gear Square, he immediately sensed some event was underway.

A large open area beside the square was crowded with people. Cheers and shouts erupted intermittently, as if a competition was taking place. Solderin easily slipped through the crowd and saw a heated scene: two teams running across a rectangular field, each wearing cloth bands of different colors on their heads. They were kicking around a ball made of animal leather, trying to get it into two rough wooden goalposts at the field’s edges.

The scene was chaotic. The teams had little order or coordination, and the referee standing at the side seemed unsure of the rules, often shouting along with the crowd. Yet everyone was having a blast. The spectators were equally excited, cheering nonstop—not just for goals but for funny faces or spectacular falls.

Even after living among humans for seven centuries, Solderin rarely saw such scenes, especially among commoners. Usually, they might gather or cheer for some reason, but they wouldn’t throw themselves into such a vigorous sport. The reason was simple: starving commoners and outcasts couldn’t afford to waste precious energy on games.

Moreover, it was still early spring, chilly and demanding of stamina.

Solderin stared, somewhat stunned, as memories surfaced: this… was called football, right? An invention of an old friend not long ago, which had quickly gained popularity in the territory.

Honestly, Solderin preferred the board games the old friend had created, but he could feel a strange allure in this seemingly rough and wild sport. Probably the dwarves in the western continent, full of energy, would love it.

Just then, a flash of bright metal caught his eye, breaking his thoughts. Looking up, he finally spotted his real target—Nicholas Egg, floating amid the crowd. The huge metallic sphere gleamed in the sunlight, and his comical grin was visible from afar.

After some time, the citizens of Cecil’s territory seemed to have fully accepted this eccentric “Master Artisan.” In fact, they had even gotten used to Kamail, who came with sparks and lightning. The only one still a bit out of place was the sea witch lady, who rarely ventured out.

Solderin hurried through the crowd and called out loudly beside Nicholas Egg (the cheers were deafening), “Mr. Egg! Mr. Egg!”

After several calls, the metallic sphere seemed to awaken, wobbling slightly before turning toward him. A buzzing voice came from inside: “Whoa… that was intense…”

“Intense? What do you mean?” Solderin shouted. “By the way, can we find a quieter place? I need to talk to you.”

“Okay, okay, let’s get out of here…” Egg buzzed, but his floating was unsteady. “Can you… hold me? I’m a bit weak…”

Solderin looked at Egg’s smooth, round metal body, utterly baffled. “Hold you… where exactly?”

Egg didn’t press the issue. When Solderin awkwardly placed a hand on him, Egg drifted unsteadily alongside the ranger as they left the crowd.

Once outside, Egg’s condition improved slightly, then he sighed again, “Whoa… so intense…”

Solderin glanced at him. “So what exactly was so intense?”

“Twenty-two people all trying to kick one ball—sometimes even the referee joins in. It’s brutal…” Egg’s voice trembled with lingering fear. “Football is way more savage than I thought.”

Even with seven centuries of experience and broad perspective, Solderin took a moment to grasp Egg’s meaning. His expression twisted into something strange. “You… you’re basically saying it’s like watching a street brawl?”

“Worse! At least in street fights, it’s not twenty people each taking a swing…”

Solderin’s eye twitched. “I get it now… So why did you come all this way to watch football? Looking for a thrill?”

“No way!” Egg’s tone was almost frantic. “I heard this ball game was popular here and thought it was made for me. I was about to sign up—luckily I didn’t! They don’t need more players, but almost every team is short on balls…”

Solderin’s eye twitched even more. He sized up Egg and thought there was no need to worry—given his size and real weight, it would probably take a giant from ancient legends just to kick him around the field.

But considering the shock Egg had just experienced, Solderin kept his thoughts to himself and quickly changed the subject. “Actually, I came to ask you for a favor.”

“Ah… a favor?” Egg perked up. “What is it?”

“You probably already know that I’m putting together the ‘Iron Rangers,’” Solderin began, his expression turning serious. “The lord has also given me a task: to design or improve new types of magic-powered weapons based on the Rangers’ combat experience. I came to you because I have a few ‘orders’ I want your help designing.”

“Oh? You can design magic weapons too?” Nicholas perked up immediately at the mention of his specialty, as if his earlier trauma had suddenly healed. “Do you have concept sketches or a list of requirements yet?”

Solderin smiled faintly. “I can’t provide concept sketches, but I do have some target goals.”

(End of chapter)