What's wrong with building a steel torrent in a dungeon?

"However... although we yearn for peace and want to improve people's livelihood! But obviously Fran doesn't think so. She thinks we are here to threaten her! That's why she has stationed a million troops on the front line, ready to take action." Alfonso knocked on the table, his voice deafening: "For Fran's naked provocation, we must also take action! We can't let her destroy this hard-earned peace."

An elf is an elf after all, and the polite words she said are so beautiful.

The messengers below exclaimed with sincere admiration.

"So...what kind of action should we take?" Odysseus was dissatisfied with Alfonso's limelight, and at the same time, he was impatient to talk nonsense with Alfonso, so he had to interrupt him and continue to speak politely.

"Although we can't send troops, it doesn't mean we can't send people." Alfonso said: "Since Fran can build a defense line with large-scale construction, we can also build defenses, or even build more than her."

"Another infrastructure competition?" Odyssey said disdainfully, "Have you in the Northern Alliance forgotten the loss you suffered in the Feruman Empire?"

"What...what loss!" Alfonso was stunned, but then he said stubbornly: "It was the Orila City that admitted defeat to us that time."

"Okay, let's just assume they've given up." Ode said: "How are you going to compete with them in infrastructure this time? Let me make it clear first, according to the previous regulations, we, the Huameng, will not provide manpower, but only material support. If you need any materials, just let me know, and we will do our best to help you.

Yours.

This……

Alfonso was speechless for a moment. He did not expect the dwarf to refuse so straightforwardly.

But if the Northern Alliance takes on this project, this decision will most likely not be approved by the nobles of the Elf Empire.

The Elf Queen and the nobles had obviously suffered psychological trauma from the previous infrastructure competition.

The Twelve Kings City in the Feruman District is still in a paralyzed state, becoming a rotten sore in the Elven Empire. Now a new construction site is being built in the Holy Roel Empire. Alfonso knows that the nobles will never agree to it.

"Of course! Our Majesty also understands the difficulties faced by our Northern Alliance brothers." But at this moment, Odyssey changed the subject and said, "Although according to the regulations, we only provide supplies, there is still room for maneuver beyond the regulations."

"What's the detour?"

"You can hire our dwarf construction team." Odysseus said, and slowly took out a list and handed it to Alfonso. It seemed that the dwarves had already known the elves' tricks and made preparations in advance.

Seeing Odyssey handing over the list, Alfonso's face turned pale, and the envoys of the Huameng almost couldn't hold back their laughter. Fortunately, they were all diplomats, and they had received professional training, so they would not laugh no matter how funny it was.

"Ten thousand magic crystal coins for an outpost, and two hundred thousand magic crystal coins for a military camp? You! You are simply taking advantage of the fire! Are you dwarves made of gold?" Alfonso only took a glance and immediately looked at Odyssey angrily.

"Mr. Alfonso! How can this be considered robbery? Look, it's spring now and everyone is busy with spring ploughing. Where can there be any extra labor? You think it's expensive, and I think it's expensive too." Ode Track: "Of course, if we just hire mechanical equipment, it can be cheaper. But the key is, you elves can't drive, let alone have the design and engineering capabilities?"

After hearing this, Alfonso's face was distorted with anger. As an elf, he couldn't find any elegant words to refute for a moment.

But it must be admitted that the dwarves' infrastructure and engineering capabilities are far superior to the elves. Without the help of the dwarves, the infrastructure competition with Fran would most likely become the second East Bank of the Soul-Guiding River.

"Okay!" Alfonso gritted his teeth and said, "I will report your proposal to the Queen, but for the sake of our alliance, please don't go too far! Fran is our current opponent."

"Of course... everything is negotiable." Ode Track: "If Mr. Alfonso thinks our price is too high, he can naturally exchange it for something else. For example, the power distribution of the new army..."

After hearing this, Alfonso finally understood the dwarf's purpose.

Prior to this, the Northern Alliance and the Chinese Alliance had privately agreed that the Northern Alliance would provide officers and various construction manpower, and the Chinese Alliance would provide supplies, and they would raise ten legions in New Vienna, totaling 50,000 people. At that time, the Northern Alliance would control six legions, the Chinese Alliance would control three legions, and the remaining legion would belong to the Duke of Normandy.

Within five years after the construction is completed, the weapons and ammunition of these ten legions must and can only be purchased from the dwarves.

Now the dwarves obviously feel that the three legions they control are too few, so they ask for an exorbitant price.

It seems that the two sides will have to fight over the issue of control over the military.

However, the Duke of Normandy, who was supposed to be the real boss, could only watch the two sides fighting openly and secretly without saying a word.

It's like a few outsiders are fighting and watching the fun in your own home, and the host can only smile and persuade them to reconcile.

Several diplomats of the Holy Roll Empire secretly clenched their fists. Only the Duke of Normandy, who had made a fortune, seemed to be acting as if nothing had happened.

Chapter 296 Really Handsome

While the elves and dwarves were still arguing over their respective interests, Fran's infrastructure had already been rolled out in all directions.

According to the plan, Fran will build three small fortresses along the border of the Principality of Tualatin, and then rely on these three small fortresses to build outposts and training camps along the way, and finally connect these locations together to form a simple line of defense.

This amount of work can be considered an appetizer for the current city of Orila. In addition, there have been no large-scale projects recently, so the European Railway Bureau has invested all its production capacity here. Soon, a bustling scene appeared on the border of the Principality of Tualatin.

The Principality of Tualatin had not been so lively for more than ten years. Such a grand battle almost frightened the old duke to kick his legs and go straight to see his ancestors. After finally calming down, the old duke ignored his aging body, simply abandoned his fiefdom, and fled to New Vienna with his confidants and more than 20 wives who were almost adults.

When Fran extended the railway to these three small fortresses, the elves and dwarves finally ended their bickering.

The dwarf hoped that the elf would give him a legion, and the elf said that he had no problem giving up a legion, but the legion could not be controlled by the dwarf, but instead both parties had to control it together.

The two sides went back and forth, and due to the inconvenience of communication, the project was eventually delayed for two months.

When they looked up, they were surprised to find that Fran's defense line had taken shape and the new railway had extended to the three fortresses.

Not only that, the military camps near the fortress were filled with soldiers. Every day, a large number of soldiers lined up for training, and the sounds of various firearms could be heard constantly.

This...this speed at which Fran recruits soldiers is too fast!

How did they get so many soldiers? What kind of clever kidnapping method did they use to capture so many able-bodied men... The Duke of Normandy really wants to send someone to learn their advanced experience.

At this point, the elves and dwarves no longer cared to continue arguing! If they could not unite against foreign enemies, I am afraid that Fran's railway would be extended to the Principality of Tualatin.

More importantly, because of the large-scale construction in Fran, a large number of laborers were needed. In addition, the treatment offered at their construction site was very good, which immediately attracted laborers from the Principality of Tualatin and surrounding villages and towns. A large number of people flocked here, either to recruit workers or to set up stalls and open shops.

If this continues, even conscripting able-bodied men won’t be enough to fill the ten legions that the elves and dwarves expect.

Under this powerful threat, the elves and dwarves quickly reached a deal, the content of which is unknown. But in the end, the dwarves agreed to provide equipment and manpower to build a defense line opposite the city of Orila.

Not long after, dwarf construction teams appeared in the territory of the Principality of Tualatin, along with various mechanical equipment they carried with them.

The dwarves obviously understand construction much better than the elves.

If you want to be efficient, the roads must be well built.

With the work of various machines, a road from the port of New Vienna to the front line is taking shape.

In order to demonstrate their national strength, the Dwarf Empires deliberately chose a fortress very close to the city of Orila. The front line was even only a few kilometers away from Fran's fortress, which could be said to be almost adjacent to each other.

The engineers of Orila City looked from the fortress on this side and saw all kinds of giant golems rising from the ground and standing silently above the dwarf camp. Against the backdrop of them, everything seemed particularly small, and the huge construction equipment seemed like their toys.

As soon as the dwarf golem appeared, it immediately aroused Fran's interest. She immediately put down everything on hand, including the night practice with her sister, and came to the front line excitedly.

"The dwarves are really generous! They transported so many golems here." Fran took a telescope and scanned the steel monsters in the distance.

The golems moved very slowly, but because of their enormous strength, they were able to carry all kinds of heavy materials, saving a lot of cost for construction, which made Fran drool.

"These are not golems used for war." Gorronil explained to Fran.

As a gray dwarf, she naturally had a deep understanding of golems. After all, their ancestors were driven out because of their research on golems and mechanical cores.

"Can golems be classified according to their uses?" Fran asked curiously.

"Of course. There are golems used for mining, golems used for smelting, and of course the majority are used for warfare." Gorronil said, "But although there are many types, they are still essentially mechanical cores, just with a layer of steel covering them."

"That's pretty impressive," Fran said. "Even without the mechanical core, this kind of movable mechanical structure is not something that other races can design. It seems that I underestimated the technological strength of the Dwarf Empire."

"Well... Actually you didn't underestimate me. The shell of the golem was not designed by the dwarves." Gorronil said.

"It wasn't designed by the dwarves? Could it be given by the dwarf god?" Fran was surprised. The dwarf god was so thoughtful.

"Yes." Gorronil said, "Whether it is the forging process or the mechanical design, they are all given by the Dwarf God. However, unlike the mechanical core, the mechanical structure and forging formula are not prohibited for others to study like the mechanical core. The dwarves have made a lot of improvements based on the gifts of the gods. Although they are only minor improvements."

"Doesn't that mean... we can also learn these mechanical structures?" Fran looked greedily at the golems in the distance, as if they were not stupid, big, black and rough lumps of iron, but graceful and lovely cave bodies like Christina.

"I advise the city lord to save some money." Kreltz pushed his glasses and said, "Although these mechanical structures are exquisite, it's a pity that we can't use them."

"why?"

"Because they are all designed around the mechanical core." Krelz pointed to the arm of a golem and said, "This arm contains at least four mechanical cores, and the mechanical structures inside are all used to assist the mechanical core."

"One arm actually has four mechanical cores." This surprised Fran.

"An entire golem has at least dozens of mechanical cores. It's simply a steel monster made of mechanical cores." Kreltz shook his head and said, "In my opinion, this is simply a waste of resources. With such a good thing as a mechanical core, why make weapons and tools in human shape? It would be much better to design them as cranes and gears. If we can produce mechanical cores... I believe I can build a bridge to the moon in my lifetime."

"You're right." Fran nodded.

The humanoid structure is indeed not suitable for production, but...

Fran stared at the golem infatuatedly and said slowly: "But...it's really handsome."

Looking at the battle golem holding a greatsword in its left hand and a shield in its right hand in the sunset, the scholars and engineers around nodded silently and murmured.

"Indeed...very handsome."

Chapter 297: Wall of Sighs Project

While being surprised by the appearance of the golem, Fran also had a question.

Why did the Dwarf God make the production model into human shape?

The dwarves don't understand, so does the dwarf god also not understand?

However, after the introduction of Krelz and Gorronil, Fran finally understood the reason.

In fact, the Dwarf God never considered using it for production. It is just a steel killer on the battlefield.

The subsequent wars also proved that this weapon was indeed powerful. Even a powerful beast king in the Holy Land could only avoid the charge of the golem. The elves' ancient war trees were defeated in the struggle with the golems, and there were even records of ancient trees being uprooted by golems.

However, as the strength of the Dwarf Empire grew, the entire main plane became a battle between two powers, and the surrounding countries could no longer pose a threat to it. As for suppressing the rebellion in the colonies, there was no need for golems. The powerful golems seemed to have no place to use, and were only used as a national treasure during military parades.

It just so happened that the dwarves, as the new overlords, needed to build a variety of wonders to demonstrate their powerful strength, but the skill points of their machines had previously been focused on war, so they thought of transforming the golems used in war into golems used in production.

This is the origin of various derivative golems, which are essentially modified versions of dwarves.

However, this kind of magical change also reveals a huge flaw of the dwarves.

Although they are good at building and using a variety of machines, they have no understanding of the underlying design principles.

I can only use it, but I don’t understand it.

Under the influence of such abnormal skill points, the production golem was born. It is extremely inefficient, but it can be used.

This suddenly reminded Fran to raise her gun.

In order to quickly increase the range and lethality of the musket, the researchers' first reaction was naturally to increase the amount of gunpowder.

But with the increased amount of gunpowder, the barrel would definitely not be able to withstand the pressure and explode. In desperation, they could only increase the thickness of the barrel, or even add iron hoops around it.

As time went by, the musket became heavier and larger, and it took two people to lift it before it could be used.

This is the typical idea of ​​adding more water to noodles and more noodles to water.

Without considering the underlying principles and logic, we can only use the things on the upper layer to piece them together, which eventually leads to an ugly finished product.

Of course, this cannot be blamed on the designers of the gun.

Without a scientific system or a technological research and development system, they can only use the existing technology at hand, try randomly, and piece it together to meet the needs given by above.

The Dwarf Empire, that is.

Could it be that the dwarves really couldn't think of using cranes, gantries and other mechanical equipment? It's because their technical accumulation and basic science are not enough for them to think of it!!

It’s just because the dwarves’ technological strength is unparalleled in the main plane, even if the ugly product is pieced together, it is enough to defeat other races.

Such a tall production golem, tell me, who else can compare with it except the ancient trees of the elves.

The core of the dwarven heavy industry is the golem, so the design of their houses and bridges will intentionally or unintentionally adapt to it, making it play a better role and giving birth to the unique aesthetic art of the dwarves.

Not long after the golem arrived, houses with very dwarven characteristics sprang up, echoing the city of Orila in the distance.

This confrontation once again attracted the attention of the whole world.

A new infrastructure competition is about to emerge. Everyone is watching curiously to see whether Fran's steam engine is more powerful or the dwarf's golem is more powerful.

However, these spectators were destined to be disappointed. Fran had no intention of competing with the dwarves in infrastructure construction.

Because there really is no competition.

The construction team's task is just to build a few military camps. As for the so-called defense line, it is simply imagined by the other side. Why should I build a defense line? Behind me is the Leopold City Defense Line. Why don't I strengthen it and build a defense line not far in front of it?

Since there is no plan to build a new line of defense on flat ground, the amount of construction is simply a world of difference compared to that of the West District of Freuman.

I have already built it, how can I compete with you?

But the dwarves didn't think so. They believed that Fran was going to build a defense line on the ground. So they ambitiously designed a super fortress that was all-round, without blind spots, and could deal with all kinds of attacks. The height and thickness of the wall alone far exceeded Fran's side.

However, the territory of the Duke of Tualatin is flat and easy to attack but difficult to defend. It is not a strategic throat and basically has no strategic significance. This super fortress is difficult to attack, but I can just take a detour. It's not that I have to go through your place.

The reason why the Dukedom of Tualatin is valued now is purely because it happens to be sandwiched between the two sides and has become a place for both sides to demonstrate their strength. If a war really breaks out, the best strategy for both sides is to retreat to the rear which is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Dwarves are not fools.

They did this with only one purpose, which was to drag Fran into the infrastructure competition and make it spend more resources in the competition.

However, Fran has never been a person who takes the lead.

She knew very well that infrastructure must have meaning and purpose! Otherwise, it would be no different from building a spectacle. Not only would it not promote development, but it would also cost a lot of money to maintain. With this time and energy, it would be better to lay more rails.