Ch.8585. Cold War and Neutrality

The blacksmith’s neutrality was broken more easily than expected.

Yotron’s forge was reborn as a subsidiary by forming a partnership with Requetio’s essence company.

The role of the European branch was just a bonus.

It was the moment when neutrality maintained for hundreds of years shattered completely.

That was the power that came with the name of a legendary essence.

“I was getting tired of these materials anyway.”

Yotron signed the contract with a hearty laugh.

Of course, the reason the representative signed wasn’t simply because he was tempted by the essence’s existence.

The biggest reason was…

“Finally, I can process Entity byproducts to my heart’s content!”

Everything was exactly as Amon had expected.

If Amon’s memory was correct, there had been no technological singularity in the blacksmith’s domain for nearly 50 years.

While other technologies were rapidly developing under the name of Mystic Power.

This was because forges, Entities, and Mystic Power holders didn’t mix well.

The purpose of a forge is to create items.

In contrast, Divine Power is an innate personal property that cannot be stored somewhere like electricity or magic power.

Therefore, forges cannot create items containing Divine Power.

At best, Entity byproducts could achieve similar effects, but…

“Entity byproducts are too extreme to work with.”

Yotron grumbled.

As he said, Entity byproducts were all or nothing for blacksmiths.

They were either cost-effective new materials or impossibly difficult to process.

Since Entity byproducts were “concepts” themselves that ignored scientific laws, processing them required concepts themselves.

In other words, only Divine Power holders related to the concept or other Entities could process Entity materials.

And if you didn’t have those?

No matter what you tried, processing would be impossible.

The problem was that Divine Power holders would never come to a forge, and Entities were monopolized by corporations.

Therefore, the Entities that blacksmiths could process were extremely limited or just byproducts sold by companies.

But that was now a thing of the past.

“I’ve wanted to try this since the old days, if only essence could be supplied steadily!”

Essence, like Entities, is a power that deals with concepts.

Yotron knew this and had considered acquiring essence before.

But how could that be easy?

The supply was unstable, and the cost wasn’t economically viable.

Moreover, no matter how experienced a master craftsman Yotron might be, he couldn’t guarantee success every time. The probability of failure was very high for an untrodden path.

Naturally, costs would increase exponentially with each failure.

For this reason, though he had considered it, he couldn’t put it into practice.

But Amon’s proposal solved all these problems.

“Let me ask again, you’ll continue to supply the essence I want on a regular basis, right?”

Amon nodded.

“You can disassemble and reassemble equipment as much as you want.”

He could process Entities with essence, or dissect items with essence applied.

Yotron was free to do whatever he wanted.

“At the very least, your management independence within Europe will be thoroughly guaranteed.”

With management independence also guaranteed, there was no reason to refuse.

The conditions were so good that even Yotron himself could hardly believe his ears.

“And there will be no disadvantages if I repair items from other companies?”

“Of course not. As long as you don’t actively support them, it’s fine.”

“That’s only natural.”

And so Yotron was reborn as a subsidiary of Requetio.

“Well. I signed it myself, but I still wonder if this is a scam.”

Even after completing all procedures, Yotron clicked his tongue in disbelief.

A subsidiary that doesn’t follow the parent company’s orders?

In a world where relationships between companies were no different from feudalism, this was an arrangement one couldn’t even dream of.

He signed because the conditions were too good for a blacksmith to pass up, but he still seemed uncertain.

“This way, your company doesn’t gain anything, does it?”

“Why wouldn’t we? We’ll continuously receive equipment made in your forge for free.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure if this makes economic sense.”

“At least for us, it does.”

The most important thing for Requetio’s essence business was high-quality equipment.

The dungeon structure required bosses to absorb high-quality equipment to convert it into legendary essence.

The standard for conversion to legendary essence was the market value of the equipment itself, not how much it cost to acquire.

In that sense, Yotron’s workshop was the perfect business partner.

They would create essence with the equipment received from him, sell some to the market, and provide some back to Yotron’s workshop.

Money would be generated in the process, making it not just profitable but practically a money duplication cheat.

“Is this really right…”

Not knowing this fact, Yotron couldn’t comprehend it.

Amon reassured the doubtful Yotron.

“You’ll understand later, so don’t worry about it for now.”

As their relationship continued, he would naturally learn the secret of the dungeon.

Until then, he just needed to innocently provide equipment.

Sensing something in Amon’s words, Yotron continued to be suspicious.

“Can I trust this?”

“Since words alone won’t convince you, please accept this first.”

But when Amon presented a golden essence as an advance payment, Yotron’s doubts melted away like snow.

“Huff, haaa. Huff, haaa.”

Yotron repeatedly reached small climaxes as he inhaled the colorless, odorless golden essence.

Watching Yotron’s behavior, Amon inwardly smiled bitterly.

‘Well, it is a scam of sorts.’

There was nothing wrong with the terms. There were just some secrets about the purpose of this contract.

He hadn’t yet told Yotron the purpose of this contract. In fact, this contract was not only for business expansion but also to keep other companies in check.

Now, without knowing it, Yotron had become an outpost to check pharmaceutical companies.

However, to call it a scam would be wrong since Yotron suffered no harm.

He didn’t need to swear allegiance to Kathy. He didn’t need to gather troops or provide financial support. He didn’t need to sabotage pharmaceutical companies or manipulate European public opinion.

Yotron just needed to remain in the neutral zone as he had been doing.

Just like he had for hundreds of years, he only needed to hammer away in his workshop, happily playing with Entity hides along with the new technology of essence.

He didn’t need to take sides with any company and could remain a forge that didn’t discriminate between factions.

He just needed to maintain neutrality. That was the role Amon wanted from Yotron.

‘Just remain a craftsman as you are now.’

Sometimes neutrality becomes the strongest shield.

Moreover, thorough neutrality meant not having to worry about being bought by other companies, making it perfect.

He just needed to serve as a solid shield with that neutrality while Amon and Sonia secretly carried out their operations in Europe.

‘Don’t think too badly of me, Yotron.’

The absolute law of cyberpunk:

There’s no kindness without a price. Therefore, when weighing a deal, it must always be balanced.

Amon repeatedly apologized to Yotron in his heart as he shook his hand.

*

After the deal was concluded, Amon and Sonia toured the forge.

They could have returned to their lodgings immediately, but they had nothing to do there, and it seemed a waste to leave after coming all this way.

The two followed Yotron’s guidance as they visited various workshops.

“This workshop is for automobiles. 800 years ago, we mainly made magic stone-steam cars, but since my predecessor’s time, we’ve made fewer. In the old days, they were used as luxury items, but nowadays, we don’t even get orders for luxury purposes.”

“Do you still know how to make them?”

“I have the basic knowledge. I’ve made them before. But orders come in only about once every ten years, so it’s not really necessary knowledge.”

“Then what do you mainly make these days?”

“Cars that combine diesel, magic stones, and electricity. Most are special vehicles.”

Yotron was clearly a craftsman and mentor before being a representative.

He understood all the processes in every workshop, and each workshop’s owner was his disciple.

Yotron understood and pointed out all processes just by eyeballing them, and whenever he did, the workshop owners would bow and make corrections.

It was like a professor touring the labs of assistant professors.

His stern posture, walking with hands behind his back, reinforced this impression.

The forge tour continued. While moving from the automobile workshop to the gun workshop, Amon asked something he was curious about.

“What does your workshop mainly make, sir?”

“I’m in charge of research and development.”

His workshop was a place to create experimental works using methods not yet established in this world.

Hearing the explanation, Amon understood.

He lets his disciples gain experience with known processes, while he pioneers the future.

And when it’s time for him to retire, he’ll pass this on to another disciple.

‘It’s just a regular lab.’

The structure wasn’t much different from a graduate school.

Blacksmith graduate school. Thinking of it that way, a smile escaped his lips.

Eventually, the three arrived at the gun workshop.

The person in charge was the direct disciple who had guided Amon and Sonia in Yotron’s workshop that morning.

“We met this morning, right?”

The direct disciple smiled warmly.

He assisted in Yotron’s workshop in the morning and made guns in this workshop in the afternoon.

While also teaching apprentice blacksmiths, he seemed like a teaching assistant.

“I need to get back to work now.”

The direct disciple returned to his station.

Yotron continued to guide them through the gun workshop as he had been doing.

“This is one of our company’s breadwinners.”

The guns they made were for special individuals.

Like the Vatican’s top holy knights, government black agents, company security chiefs, and so on.

“All the notable people in Europe get their weapons from our forge. How about it? Would you like one made for you too?”

Amon politely declined. Guns weren’t his main weapon.

Instead, Amon looked toward Sonia.

Sonia nodded.

“Then could I have one custom-made?”

She already had her own weapon, but there was no reason to refuse when someone offered to make one.

Besides, she needed a weapon from Europe since they would be active there for a while.

Yotron immediately began working on a gun specifically for Sonia.

He measured Sonia’s dimensions and shaped the form according to her requirements.

As he was doing this, the direct disciple in charge of the workshop passed behind Yotron and said:

“Oh. Master rarely does this even for tens of thousands of euros. What’s the occasion?”

“Mind your own business and get lost.”

Yotron raised his index finger. The direct disciple returned to his workbench, snickering.

Yotron’s method was quite old-fashioned.

Instead of using apps or holograms, he drew each design on parchment with a pen.

“Just so you know, I can use modern technology too. I just prefer the old way because it’s best.”

The reason was that only paper and pen could fully capture his imagination.

The added benefit was that it was much safer from a hacking and security perspective.

“I’ll add a few functions to the gun. Use it as a joker card when needed.”

His pen scratched across the parchment.

Finally, habitually signing at the edge, Yotron rolled up the parchment.

He tied the rolled parchment with a string and sealed it once more with a magic seal.

“It will take about a month to make. I have other work in progress.”

“I’m grateful that you’re making it at all.”

“Ah, would it be alright if I add some experimental functions? There are features I’ve wanted to implement with the essence and Entity byproducts you gave me.”

“As long as safety is ensured, it’s fine.”

“Don’t worry about that. Safety testing is the most basic requirement.”

Yotron already seemed excited about the new technology, blowing air through his nose.

Finding his reaction amusing, Amon silently held out another golden essence to Yotron.

“…What’s this?”

“A personal token of gratitude. Also a sign of respect for a master craftsman.”

Yotron snatched the essence. There was no refusal or hesitation.

Upon checking the contents of the essence, his eyes rolled back as if inspiration had struck. The hairy dwarf’s mild ahegao show began.

Sonia distanced herself from Yotron as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have. In contrast, Amon raised the corners of his mouth, amused by the spectacle.

He suddenly wondered what reaction Yotron would show if given two more essences.

At that moment, the direct disciple who had been teaching apprentices at another workbench approached Amon from behind and whispered:

“That’s enough.”

“Pardon?”

“If he gets any more inspired, he might run naked through the streets.”

“Ah.”

He didn’t want to suffer eye terrorism after coming all this way.

Amon returned the essence he was about to take out deep into his bag.

A few minutes later, Yotron returned to reality from his ecstatic state.

“Do you have any more essence?”

“No, I don’t.”

Not wanting to see a dwarf running around shouting “Eureka,” Amon told a white lie.

Yotron wasn’t particularly disappointed.

“Today is truly a good day. I need to get back to my workshop quickly.”

Yotron wanted to finish his work quickly and get his hands on the new material.

Although his image had deteriorated quite a bit from the first impression, ironically, he inspired confidence as a craftsman.

Then, remembering that he was in the middle of guiding them through the forge, Yotron resumed the tour.

“Let me continue the tour.”

“Thank you.”

Next was the sword workshop.

Yotron was already building up excitement, calling it the symbol of the forge.

Amon, filled with anticipation, headed there.

Suddenly, Yotron stopped.

Amon, who was following behind, asked him:

“What’s wrong?”

“No, something just occurred to me.”

“Did you get inspired?”

“Not exactly…”

Yotron turned around to look at Sonia.

Tilting his head, he asked her:

“Are you a nun?”

“I’m currently attending a theological school.”

“No, that’s not what I… hmm… or maybe not…”

“…”

Yotron seemed to be trying to recall something, then exclaimed:

“Ah!”

“What is it?”

“The Vatican! Those folks used to make guns like this. It’s been over 20 years since they last placed an order, so I forgot. I made these when I was a direct disciple. This brings back memories.”

“…”

“Are you affiliated with the Vatican?”

“No.”

“Do you have a mentor then?”

“…N-no.”

Sonia’s expression darkened slightly. Amon didn’t miss this subtle change.

He silently took her hand. Sonia flinched, then gripped his hand tightly.

Yotron, sensing that something was wrong, stopped there.

“Ahem. I apologize. Being cooped up in the workshop has made me insensitive.”

“It’s fine.”

“I apologize again.”

“Really, it’s fine.”

Yotron turned his head with stiff movements.

As if to give Amon and Sonia time alone, he quickly headed to the sword workshop, leaving the two behind.

When they were somewhat distant from him, Amon asked worriedly:

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, really.”

“Tell me anytime if it’s difficult.”

“Amon.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“I’m sorry.”

“We promised not to say that, remember?”

“Right. We did…”

“What did I tell you to say instead?”

“Thank you.”

“That’s better. Let’s go.”

Amon held her hand and headed to the sword workshop.

With a firm grip that conveyed his determination never to let go, no matter what happened.