NOVEL NEXT Chapter 646: Zwerger Workshop
Even though this was what we were hoping for, I'm surprised we actually managed to find him.
I was honestly prepared to find out the guy was no longer here or something, maybe even learning that he had gone home since this was not his shift.
Yumiko smirked at him, "That's a long story. Could we discuss this in your workshop?"
The Zwerger looked at her for a moment before shrugging and beckoning to her, "Follow me then…"
The other Zwergers seem to realise that this guy was already chosen to be our smith and started to leave, all of them surprisingly ok with this.
Not that I would want them to start complaining to us or something.
Yumiko took a moment to close the request on the message board before we started to follow the aging Zwerger. Despite his short stature, he managed to keep pace ahead of us with his stride.
I leaned over to the girls to whisper, "They have their own workshops?"
Ries whispered back, "Zwergers really like to make stuff so most places like these offer spaces for Zwergers to do their own crafting. They just need to purchase their own materials of course. The idea is that this would encourage Zwergers to innovate and make even better weapons which would benefit the entire society as a whole."
"But don't they leave this station to return home after a while? Wouldn't the workshop be empty then?"
"Oh they aren't private workshops but communal ones. They would have to put in a request with the station to be assigned one to them which they will have to return at the end of their shift at the station before they return home."
Huh… That's interesting…
We were brought through a series of corridors and we passed by what looked like their canteen and also an infirmary before we reached another section of the station where the sounds of machinery drowned out any other sound in the vicinity.
Stepping through a reinforced door, we stepped into what I could only describe as a giant forge.
It was a giant hall with various different workstations positioned facing towards a giant metallic vase shaped machine that seemed to be acting as a furnace judging by the fire that was burning in the centre.
Several Zwergers were surrounding it and they were using some kind of tool that was connected to the vase in question which I assumed was meant to make use of the heat as the tool spewed out sparks and heat on the things they were working on.
Most of the workstations were occupied by a Zwerger who was also crafting something as they hammered away at their table though I also saw some who were sewing or even drawing on holographic screens that the workstations projected.
If it weren't for those screens that were floating around the Zwergers, I would have thought I stepped into some kind of medieval fantasy workshop or something.
The Zwerger leading us went towards a staircase at the side and ascended to the second floor that had a walkway overlooking the main floor.
I then realised that there were private rooms up here and it seems like there were privacy screens on the doors and windows too. The ones that were occupied had darkened themselves to prevent people from peeking in while the ones that were empty were clear and could be seen through.
He led us to one of the rooms at the very end of the walkway and a screen beside the door showed the words "Reserved by Senior Smith Franz" displayed on it.
I'm guessing that's the Zwerger's name?
There was a beeping sound coming from the door which then prompted it to slide open automatically and allowed us to step inside.
The room was quite cozy and it had its own workstation complete with the same tool that I saw the Zwergers around the forge using.
I'm going to make a guess that these private workspaces are only available to be reserved by a select few Zwergers who occupy a higher position than the other Zwergers on this station.
That made me wonder what the hierarchy looks like in Zwerger society? Are these factories part of the government or are they private enterprises themselves?
Eh… I guess it doesn't matter to me anyway.
The lights came on which was only effective in dimly illuminating the room before the window and the door darkened to hide the interior from being seen from the outside.
He took a seat at the workstation which he pushed a button to cause the seat to elevate itself until he was about our chest height.
He nodded at Yumiko, "Alright then, talk."
"Do you want the long version or the short version?" The former Pirate Lord asked.
"Short version. Since I assume you want me to make you a replacement. Unless the long version will help me make your sword better."
"My former crew betrayed me and they destroyed my swords in an explosion."
He raised an eyebrow, "An explosion? Just how big of an explosion did they use? And how did you even survive what the swords I made couldn't?"
"It was a localised one and I was not holding on to them when it happened."
The Zwerger let out a huff and I realised that neither he nor Yumiko seemed interested in any introductions.
While he had obviously taken note of us, he wasn't asking about us either and seemed unbothered that we were even here.
"Hmm… In that case… I suppose if I were to make you a replacement, I would need to make it even better… How were the ones I made, by the way?"
Yumiko's face brightened up, "They were perfect! I have absolutely no complaints about them!"
"Even though they were broken in the explosion?"
"That was more of a fault of my former crew and not an indication of the sword's inferiority."
"Hmm… I see… Just to check, are the swords the only thing you want me to make?"
Yumiko was about to answer him when Ries quickly appeared beside her, "Can you make other weapons too?!"
The Zwerger turned to raise an eyebrow at her, "Aye, of course I can make other weapons too. Are you also looking to get weapons made?"
"What's the biggest machinegun you can make?! I want that!!"
The Zwerger actually grinned at her, "Heh… I heard you commenting on the designs of the other Zwergers as well. So you're also a smith, I take it? Why not just make one yourself?"
Ries scratched her cheek, "Ah… I'm not good at building something completely from scratch… I usually need to start with a base and I'll modify and add parts to them…"
He nodded, "I understand. Well in that case I have to ask if that weapon is meant for you or for someone else?"
She pointed at herself, "It's for me!"
He looked at her up and down before nodding, "This wouldn't even be a challenge at all. Yes, yes. This would be an interesting project indeed. Are there any more requests?"
I was going to point out that he seems suspiciously enthusiastic to take on these requests of ours before we even started discussing payment… Until I realised that this was probably akin to people asking me to cook something for them and I'm just happy to experiment with the ingredients to make new dishes.
I guess this guy really likes to make weapons and we're basically giving him ideas on what to make as well.
Right then, Renata stepped forward, "Are you able to make Power Armour as well? We don't need a specialised one, just a normal one will do."
Ah… She's aiming to eat the Power Armour this guy makes to see if she can transform herself into it I guess.
He turned to my eldritch maid and cocked an eyebrow, "A Power Armour eh? Hmm… I should be able to make something for you, if you don't mind me taking a while. Actually… You might as well help us with something while you're at it. In fact, if you want your sword to be made, you will need to help us out anyway."
I raised an eyebrow at him, "What help do you guys need?"
He tapped on his personal terminal to project a map in the air in front of him which showed the map of the surrounding star systems.
"There's a mining station a few jumps away that is responsible for supplying us with Ketrite crystals. But for some reason, they have suddenly cut off contact with us and no shipments have come in. Because of that, no one can use our supply of this station's Ketrite crystals for our own projects, which is one of the components I need to make that sword of hers. If you can go and figure out what's wrong and get the supply flowing again, it would not only help me but also the station as well."
Hmm… Since you already put it that way, it doesn't look like we have a choice right?
Give us the details then~