However, the key to having the Cyclops mine ore now was to prepare suitable tools for these giants.
Although these beings, who possessed the bloodline of Ancient Giants, had astonishing strength, they couldn't possibly dig with their bare hands.
And human shovels and stone hammers were like chopsticks in the hands of a Cyclops—completely impractical.
Thus, it was necessary to custom-make a set of fitting tools for these behemoths.
"Harrison, take Kosso to the blacksmith shop."
"Are you planning to make mining tools for these Cyclops?"
His expression turned somewhat odd.
"Clan Leader, although Cyclops are rather clumsy, they are incredibly powerful creatures. Using them to mine..."
Though he didn't finish his sentence, the implication was clear.
Though Harrison disliked war, he had taken a liking to these simple-minded beings.
If these giants could be outfitted with heavy armor and weapons, they would become a formidable fighting force.
For the Vampire race, which lacked ground troops, this would be a significant boost.
Li De shook his head. "No, Dawn City doesn't need to wage war right now. We'll use these big fellows to produce.
Take them to the blacksmith shop and forge a batch of appropriately sized shovels and hammers so they can mine. I think there's nothing more urgent than this."
Harrison shrugged, casting a slightly regretful glance at the Cyclops playing outside the window.
The image of Cyclops charging through enemy armies clad in heavy armor wouldn't be seen anytime soon.
The blacksmith shop was located in the northern part of the Central District, not far from the city walls. For a long time to come, iron goods would remain controlled resources in Dawn City.
During World War II on Earth, steel production was an important indicator of a nation's strength. Although Glory was a world of magic, the role of steel here was no less significant than on Earth.
By the time Li De arrived at the blacksmith shop, Harrison had already brought Kosso and another Cyclops.
The two massive figures, like small mountains, completely blocked the entrance to the blacksmith shop.
"Master~"
"Master~"
Upon seeing Li De, the two Cyclops immediately greeted him respectfully.
Their voices rumbled like muffled thunder, deep and hearty.
They deeply respected this master who could keep them fed.
Kosso Thunder was relatively intelligent, almost on par with humans, though he was still quite naive due to his limited exposure to human society.
But other Cyclops were different—they only had the intelligence of twelve or thirteen-year-old humans. Though not stupid, their thinking was still immature, easily swayed by flattery.
Merely being able to eat their fill in Dawn City made them incredibly happy.
"Kosso, Dawn City will no longer provide free food for you all."
What?
Kosso panicked upon hearing this. They had been living well-fed in Dawn City these past few days. If there was no food now, would they have to return to those days of hunger?
Who wanted to starve when they could eat their fill? Kosso, already corrupted by the sugar-coated bullets of capitalism, could no longer return to that simple era where just filling one's stomach was satisfying.
"Master, Kosso is willing to fight for you! As long as you continue to provide food, even death won't scare us Cyclops!"
Kosso pounded his chest fiercely, making an impassioned promise.
Li De looked at this guy who groveled for a bite of food, feeling both amused and exasperated. Knowing this, why bother fighting?
"Kosso, in the future, you'll earn your food. I have a job perfectly suited for you—mining.
The blacksmith shop will craft tools suited for you. The iron mine in Giant Valley will be entrusted to you for extraction.
I will hire you with food and Gold Pucks. The more ore you mine, the more food and Gold Pucks you will receive. You and the other Cyclops won't go hungry."
Kosso's eyes instantly lit up upon hearing this.
He knew about mining; the Thunder Tribe in the Underground World operated a mine. They mined ores and traded them with Halflings for food and weapons.
This work was simple and fit them well.
"Master, I'm willing."
Kosso's tone was filled with joy. Not going hungry was the greatest happiness for the Cyclops.
These powerful beings, accustomed to hunger, had no idea how low their demands were.
Li De nodded satisfactorily. Though these big guys weren't too bright, they were obedient and uncomplicated. Once fed, they were as docile as puppies.
"Very good.
Harrison, fetch the person in charge of the blacksmith shop."
Not long after, Harrison led over an elderly man with grizzled hair, a thick gray beard, short but extremely sturdy build to Li De.
"Good day, esteemed Lord Kachar. I am the head of the blacksmith shop, Golddig. It is an honor to follow your orders."
Li De looked curiously at Golddig, whose height only reached his chest, yet whose muscles bulged visibly under his clothes.
"Sir Golddig, are you human?"
Golddig laughed heartily.
"Lord Kachar, I am a half-breed of human and dwarf. Half of my bloodline flows with dwarven heritage."
Li De suddenly understood. Dwarves had quite a reputation in the Glory world.
Though short in stature, their bodies were incredibly strong. Moreover, dwarves loved forging weapons, and weapons forged by them were considered top-notch—a universally acknowledged fact in the world of glory.
"Mr. Golddig, can you forge mining tools suited for the Cyclops?
As you've probably heard, we discovered a rich iron mine in Giant Valley outside Dawn City. We need workers to mine the ore, and the Cyclops are undoubtedly the best choice. However, the lack of proper tools has troubled me."
Li De's words filled Golddig with admiration. "Lord Kachar, your far-sighted vision deserves praise from the God of Forging.
If it were those shortsighted and despicable human nobles, the first thing they'd think of would be using the Cyclops to pull their carriages."
Li De was momentarily stunned by this remark.
Cyclops pulling carriages?
It seemed...quite impressive?
Imagine Kosso, with his grayish, wrinkled skin immune to Tier 3 spells, standing 7 Blades tall, Level 15, with explosive muscles and terrifying intimidation power, pulling his carriage.
It sounded pretty cool.
The idea stirred something within him.
But after some thought, Li De suppressed this tempting notion.
Once Dawn City prospers, forget Cyclops —I'll enslave two dragons to pull my carriage. No, nine.
Li De gritted his teeth, determined.
Nine-dragon carriage—it's simply badass.
"That's for the future. Can you forge such large tools?"
Forging ordinary tools versus crafting large ones was not the same level of difficulty—the larger the tool, the harder it was to create, especially in a world without modern machinery.
Golddig's soot-blackened face showed signs of difficulty. Even with the forging talent inherited from his dwarven bloodline, he found the task daunting.
"Lord Kachar, with the current manufacturing capabilities of the blacksmith shop, it's very difficult."
After speaking, he glanced at the empty blacksmith shop. Even the most skilled blacksmith couldn't craft a masterpiece without tools or materials.
"Any difficulties?" Li De cut straight to the point.
"If you can have 100 Saintlight Vampires assist me... no, perhaps 50 would suffice. I'll give it a try.
But the steel required for forging..."
"I'll send 100 vampires to help you. I can't find more steel right now.
But the blacksmith shop should still have hundreds of farming tools left undistributed. Melt those down and recast them."
Hearing this decisive command, Golddig nodded without further hesitation.
"As you command, Lord Kachar. I will forge mining tools that satisfy you."
"Good. If there are any difficulties, let me know. Kosso, stay here and cooperate with Golddig on testing."
After giving instructions, Li De turned and left.
Even after leaving, he kept reflecting on what Golddig, who had half-dwarf blood, had said.
Cyclops pulling carriages...
Why did it feel so vivid?
Why did it make his heart race?
As the Lord of Dawn, the Progenitor of Vampires, and the Master of the Crimson Mage Tower, wasn't it reasonable to have a Cyclops pull his carriage?
At least, it should be dragons pulling his carriage to match his status.