98 The First Factory of Ugernum

Putting the somewhat boring second day of inspections behind me, I make sure I'm first into the carriage as we prepare to start the final day of inspections.

"She's kind of acting like an excited child," Aurelia says.

"On strict literal terms, she is actually a child, but you already knew that, didn't you?"

"Indeed, now let's not keep the girl waiting."

"I can hear you! Just hurry up, what if someone moves the blueprints out!" I shout.

After what felt like waiting for an hour (two minutes) we finally ride towards one of the three large factories that I saw when we first arrived in Ugernum. Seeing the factory up close, it's surrounded on all sides by high walls, although not as high as the city walls. Looking up there are several different patrol units along the walls and guarding the gateway is six more guards.

"After you two raided the factory near Lofinium, word spread relatively quickly and the level of security increased as a result. Good thing I caught you two before doing anything. Otherwise, you probably would have needed some extreme measures to obtain what you want," Aurelia says in a hushed voice.

I brush off the subject with some dry and stifled laughs as she continues, "you two just need to follow me around and not make a scene. Once we are in the Overseer's Office then I should be able to get you the blueprints you want, although it will be difficult to do under the eyes of the Overseer. Using a 'show of goodwill to our overseas ally' as an excuse, I should be able to get a couple of the guns that are manufactured here for you, but the new prototype will be harder to get."

Nearing the guards at the gateway, Aurelia stop talking about our little agreement and has the visibly nervous guards open the gate for us. Considering that the chances of people who are connected to the Archidux being here are high, it's not unexpected to see some people who are worried over what happened yesterday.

It doesn't take more than a minute after we pass through the gate that we park the carriage and disembark. A couple of the guards escort us towards the Overseer's Office, along the way we can see various parts of the guns being assembled and soon we arrive as the guards start knocking on a metal door.

"Enter," a rough female voice calls out.

Sending us in, the guards give a light bow and leave. Looking for the source of the rough voice from earlier is easy as there is but a single person other than us in the room. A middle-aged woman, with an eyepatch covering her left eye. She stands as tall as me and her build is much more muscular. Her dull greying red hair showing her age contrasts greatly compared to the aura of strength she gives off.

With a rare look of surprise, Aurelia says, "I heard you had been dismissed, but I didn't expect to you to end up here."

"The Archidux dismissed most of the people who wouldn't swear loyalty to him, but given my position, it wasn't easy for him to remove me entirely," the woman says.

"Figures," Aurelia says as she turns towards me and Lia, "anyway, it would seem our objective just got a lot easier. This is Legatus Bearnas Sloanei, one of the Empire's most commemorated military officers. She is also on my side."

"Former Legatus, I was unfortunately dismissed from service before your coronation, your Majesty. In regards to that, although late, congratulations on your enthronement. But from the looks of it, you aren't here only for your inspection." Bearnas says.

"Indeed, I shall introduce you, the tall pretty one is Cordelia, a full-fledged Dragon, the other one is Lia, they are here from the Central Alliance of Talonia and we're currently working together."

"I feel like you slighted the Dragonoid lass, but the isn't too important. I heard about what happened yesterday, and although most people glossed over your declaration regarding our guest from Talonia, I found it quite interesting as Talonia is a continent very far from here after all. So what is your objective?"

Having resigned herself to always being on the short end of the stick in Aurelia's mind, Lia speaks up, "As per the agreement we made with her Majesty, we are seeking for as many different types of guns, include the prototype that is being developed here and any blueprints we can obtain. We would then have the Dwarves back home conduct their research and improve on the weapons, this information will also be shared with the Empire. Additionally we will be assisting her Majesty with the problems concerning her position and conflict regarding her Uncle, the Archidux. There was also a personal agreement between Cory, and her Majesty that is unrelated to current affairs."

"Interesting, that personal agreement aside, I've heard great things in regards to the Dwarven craftsmanship and insight towards weapon development. And as it stands, there isn't much martial prowess supporting her Majesty, even if she herself is strong, having strong support is still a necessity."

"You know my strength?" Aurelia asks.

"Not in detail, just the general feeling I get from you. Something that comes with experience from being on the battlefield for so long, eventually you can feel out who is and isn't strong. At least for me, I still can't see your status, but I am aware that despite the general perception you are not much weaker than the Empire's Legendary Masters."

"Speaking of, what are the stances of the Legendary Masters in regards to the conflict between her Majesty and Aurelia?" Lia asks.

"Unconcerned." Aurelia simply states.

"While what her Majesty says is correct, that was a little too simple of an explanation. The Legendary Masters are mostly concerned with the territory they govern as they serve as the Prorex and Proregina of the various oversea territories of the Empire. As for those who aren't serving their term as a Prorex or Proregina, they don't seem too interested other than a couple the lean towards either side. I haven't had a chance to see them in a long time but even though a few might have some inclinations towards her Majesty or the Archidux, they don't seem to be getting involved, based on their actions so far," Bearnas says.

"Prorex and Proregina... so I assume that is a position similar to that of a viceroy. You can understand both languages, how accurate is this, Cory?"

"Yeah, it's pretty close."

As the two of us are discussing this, Bearnas walks over to a cabinate, taking out a large rolled piece of paper and a large rifle that appears to be an attempt at imitating a sniper.

Handing them over to Lia, Bearnas says "here, the prototype long-range gun and it's blueprints. I hope the Dwarves can perfect it."

Lia hands over the blueprints to me but is very reluctant to let go of the sniper. It takes a minute but once she snaps out of her daze and realises she can't walk out with it since it can't be concealed as easily as her revolver, she hand it over to me. With both the gun and its blueprints in hand, I open up and swallow both of them whole, shocking both Aurelia and Bearnas.

"As long as it can be avoided, please don't ever do something so disgusting in front of me again," Aurelia says.

"I've lived a long life and I've seen many things, but this... this is a first. But more importantly are those things going to be alright, wait, is she going to be alright?" Bearnas asks.

"Don't worry about, she uses a Spacial ability that turns her stomach into a storage. Moreover, she's eaten larger things before when in her humanoid form... much larger."

"How the..." Aurelia says, trailing off.

With a rather blank face, Lia simply says, "You get used to it."

"Alright, now that that's been taken care of, we should start the actual inspections. What are you all waiting for, lets go. It'd be suspicious if we stayed in here for too long after all," I say.

Considering that we've already been in the Overseer's office for a while now, we finally begin the proper inspection of the factory.