Smoke, ashes, and blood was scattered around the underground dome which was used by the troglodytes as their main encampment. Of course, it was no longer in the hands of the troglodytes, but under the control of Custodian.

By the time Exarchi’s vanguard had finally reached the center of the camp, most of the monsters had either been killed or had fled with the High Priest. As tempting it may be to chase after the fleeing organics, the drones halted their advance at the entrances leading straight to troglodyte territories.

‘All drones, secure the parameters. This will be the new forward outpost,’ Exarchi ordered.

As usual, almost as soon as the last of the troglodytes was killed and the tunnels leading out of the underground dome were secured, the drones started sorting out the aftermath. Corpses were piled, destroyed drones were lined, and non-essential workers were moved back up to the inner dungeon complex.

However, there was a great host of warrior drones gathering at the center of the camp. Instead of helping with the clean-up, they were forming up once more.

‘The Thane drones achieved their required tasks, and are overall satisfactory,’ Exarchi reported to Custodian.

‘So they’re only capable of small-scale leadership?’ Custodian asked as it went over the recorded data from the battle.

‘Affirmative, but they are effective in personal combat as well, so they could be used as specialized killers,’ Exarchi replied.

‘Even then, we still lost quite a number of huskarls. One or two Thane drones were also destroyed during the battle,’ Custodian noted.

‘There were some strangely powerful organics fighting, perhaps a more upgraded version of the troglodytes, which dealt heavy losses among our forces. However, they retreated as soon as the frontline was overrun by our drones.’

‘Despite our losses, we still gained good profit,’ Custodian said.

The battle was massive with both sides suffering hundreds of casualties, mostly cannon fodders - the lesser troglodytes on the organics’ side and spider drones on Custodian’s side - which numbered up to two thousand combined. With such a huge amount of dead organics to process (and drones to reprocess), Custodian certainly got a massive boost in terms of resources.

Not only did Custodian gain much needed matter, its drones also received a lot of experience in warfare. Even now, Exarchi’s combat data was being analyzed and recorded for data-sharing.

This battle against the troglodytes wasn’t the first, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last, so it was crucial for the Varangians to develop their combat skills if they were to expand and secure their holdings.

“Despite our success, it was still a close one,” Apoth remarked.

“Yup. You’re right,” Exarchi replied as he looked at the remaining reserves.

Near the end of the battle against the troglodytes, Custodian’s forces had nearly ran out of reserves to throw at the troglodytes.

Standing in formation with the rest of the warrior drones were some leftover huskarls and a squad of mage drones. Had the battle not ended, these last few remaining drones would had been thrown into the fray in a last ditch attempt to sweep the troglodytes off Custodian’s territory.

“If the organics stood their ground, we would have been forced to call off our attack,” Exarchi sighed in relief.

“I do not understand why a good number of troglodytes left the battle midway,” Apoth pondered. “Did it have something to do with the emotion known as ‘fear’?”

“Perhaps. Red did mention something about organics having that thinking subroutine. Speaking of Red, as ordered by Master Custodian, I’m going to take these drones straight to Rhankia,” Exarchi said.

“Affirmative. Have ‘fun’ with, what Niner would call, ‘our stuck-up brother’.”

“Of course.” Exarchi nodded.

At Exarchi’s command, hundreds of warrior drones, huskarls, and thanes began marching back up to the surface.

Back at the surface, close to the entrance of Mount Varangia, two particular Daedeli were busy tinkering with a prototype flying scout drone. They attached boxes, components, and removed parts as they modified the scout drone according to a blueprint they had made.

“I bet this will work, Smith,” one of the Daedelus drones muttered.

“Negative. This will not work, Prospector Niner,” Smith argued.

“Then let’s test it. Scout drone, fly!” Niner raised his fist towards the air as he commanded the flying scout drone.

The scout drone attempted to fly, but it couldn’t lift itself off the ground.

“Forget flying, it couldn’t even hover!” Niner exclaimed.

“It was already noted that it had trouble carrying rocks, so attaching a crossbow to it would only strain the drone,” Smith explained. He crouched down and began unattaching the crossbow under the scout drone’s belly.

“But why would that cause problem anyway? I’m sure the crossbow isn’t that heavy,” Niner said.

“It’s not only the crossbow. The components needed to properly aim the crossbow, the bolts to carry it, the reloading mechanisms, and other required components would add to the weight. The added complexity isn’t helping. Simpler is better, like a sword,” Smith explained.

“Simpler is better, huh? Oh, I get it!” Niner exclaimed. “Why don’t the drones just drop bolts from the sky? It doesn’t need a crossbow, and it only needs to have a compartment to carry the bolts!”

“That is better, yes,” Smith agreed as he continued stripping the scout drone. “Much more feasible as well.”

As the two drones talked about ideas on how to create a good aerial combat drone, they saw smoke coming out from a distance.

“Do we have mage drones on the surface experimenting with anti-mana spells again?” Smith asked.

“No, that must be Erudite experimenting with dead human corpses. Let’s pay him a visit,” Niner suggested as he started running down the mountain.

Erudite was inside a forest opening, surrounded by human corpses and warrior drones. In the middle of the opening was a dead body being burnt on a stack of firewood, and the drones accompanying Erudite seemed as if they were looking for something.

“Erudite! How’s the experiment?” Niner called out as he approached Erudite.

Instead of answering, Erudite looked at Niner, then turned back to the burning body.

“Not much of a conversationalist, are you?” Niner grumbled. “If I had to pick between talking to Slayer or Erudite, I’d rather shut down.”

“Was it not your idea to come here in the first place?” Smith asked.

“I’m most interested in the experiment than the drone doing the experimenting,” Niner replied.

When the corpse was finally cremated, the warrior drones quickly assembled a new stack of firewood and placed a fresh new corpse on top of it. Along with the dead body, they also placed small human figurines made out of wood around the body.

“This is a waste of matter,” Smith noted.

“Master Custodian said this would be last batch of human corpses to be cremated. So far, there was no indication of a creature known as a soul coming out of any of the bodies, so the experiment would have to conclude inconclusively,” Niner said.

“Then why do humans cremate or bury their dead?” Smith asked.

“Smithy, my brother. I believe we should leave that question to the likes of Weaver and Red instead. Boring drones like us have other tasks to do, like studying metal materials.”

“Then let us go back to work instead of wasting time,” Smith said.

The two drones left the forest clearing, leaving the silent Erudite to cremate the human bodies.

“We have some fruits! Cheap fruits!”

The shouts from the traders and peasants was drowned out by the hustle and bustle of the marketplace of a small town at the Vyssian region of Sea’ax. Small children ran around the streets, playing soldiers with sticks, while the older men and women tended to their work.

Along with the various Vyssian peasants, craftsmen, and merchants, two hooded figures explored the busy marketplace.

As suggested by Red, she and Weaver would explore the human towns in order to learn more from them. Moreover, they needed to acquire something from the humans other than knowledge.

According to Red, the humans were somewhat more willing to interact with the drones if they wore a human-like face mask, so Custodian went along with Red’s designs. They ditched their heavy layers of armor in favor of plain-looking silk robes and hood to cover their masked faces.

“You there! The stranger and the beautiful lady!” a man called out to the two drones which prompted them to investigate. The man manned a small stall which had a selection of both wooden and cloth accessories ranging from necklaces to bracelets.

“Did you call us?” Weaver asked.

“Aye! You’re a northman, ain’t ya?” the man asked back.

Weaver took some time to process what the man said before he answered, “Northman? Yes, I am from Varangia up north. Who are you?”

“I’m just a simple merchant. I understand that you northmen are warriors, but you can’t leave your women lookin’ like plain baskets, aye? Why not buy the nice lady a necklace or two?” The man held up his accessories towards Red, hoping that she would be interested in buying them.

‘What are these things supposed to be? Very inefficient ropes?’ Weaver asked Red over the hivespeak as he examined the amulets and bracelets.

‘I believe these are supposed to make humans more attractive, allowing them to find or woo a partner,’ Red responded.

‘I do not see how weird ropes would assist in drone production,’ Weaver remarked.

‘W-Well, humans are… peculiar,’ Red coughed up a doubtful response.

“Sorry, we’re not interested,” Weaver answered while waving his hand. “We are, however, interested in knowing the location of the local blacksmith.”

“Wuh?” the man asked.

“Is there a blacksmith nearby?” Red clarified.

The man gave them the direction to a small hut next to a forgery. The smith, a big burly man, was arranging some iron ingots and his tools as he prepared to smith some new tools.

“Greetings. A man told us that you’re a smith,” Weaver called out.

“Mmm. I am,” the smith answered as he looked up to find a pair of masked strangers.“You’re a northman?”

“Yes, I am from Varangia. How can you tell?” Weaver was getting curious about how the Vyssians knew the drones were from up north. Did the humans have some kind of defensive mechanism which allowed them to detect foreigners at first glance?

“I don’t know about the others, but I know almost everyone in town. Besides, you northmen dress very differently from us,” the smith answered.

“How so?”

“For one, us folks don’t wear armor and thick fur all day. And if not armor, we certainly don’t walk around wearing in… strange and expensive clothing.”

Weaver shook his head, then explained, “It can’t be helped. It’s a dangerous world out here so we have to wear armor.”

“I heard Varangia is filled with beasts and feral animals. I suppose that’s a good reason to be covered in armor all day. Then again, I don’t know what’s in Varangia,” the smith said. “Well, that’s enough chit-chatter. What d’ya need from me?”

“Excuse me?”

“What do you need from me?” the smith clarified.

“Ah, I would require a sword. Its length would not matter, as long as it is a sword that is usable,” Weaver requested.

“Sword? Simple enough. How will you pay me? Linen patches? Ale? I’m afraid I don’t accept ale,” the smith asked.

“We have silver. Is that fine?” Red asked.

“Of course. Silver is always welcome.”

Red took out a pouch from her waist, then handed the smith ten small silver coins. The man was impressed by the amount they carried, then quickly checked the weight of the coins. Instead of bringing silver from Varangia, Red requested a small amount of silver as part of the mercenary contract payment with the Vyssians. As instructed by Custodian, she had been trying to learn more about the value of money, and how she could use that to Custodian’s advantage.

“I’ll take eight and a half pieces,” the smith said as he broke a coin in half, then handed the change back to Red. “Any more and I’m afraid I might feel pressured. I certainly would not want to displease potential future customers.”

“You believe that we would come back later to purchase another sword from you?” Weaver asked.

“Maybe. But I’m counting on you to tell your friends about me. After all, are northmen not warriors? Warriors could always use a good sword,” the smith replied.

Unfortunately for him, Weaver only purchased a sword to estimate the production capabilities of the humans since the drones already had more advanced manufacturing machines to produce high quality goods.

This smith would only be one of many smiths which Weaver would commission to create various types of metal tools, and most of those tools won’t be used by the drones.

“I’ll pick up the sword tomorrow then,” Weaver said.

“What? Tomorrow? That’s a strange joke. It’ll take me a few weeks to finish a sword that’s worth a few silver pieces,” the smith remarked.

“That long? Fine, I’ll come back in a few weeks, then,” Weaver said then left the smithery with Red.

“Sir Weaver? Is that you?” As the two drones began making their way to the next town, a familiar voice called out for them.

“Gerard? Why are you here?” Weaver asked as the young, tall red-headed man approached them.

“Eoforwic was looking for you. He wants to let you know that the Vyssians are about to begin their march towards the Rhankish castles,” Gerard explained.

“You could simply tell Slayer that. He’s in Castle Norwind, is he not?” Weaver said.

“We did, but it didn’t look like he sent someone to tell you, so Old Man Wick sent me to tell you,” Gerard answered.

“Whatever Slayer knows, I would know. Is that all you’ve come to tell me?”

“Old Man Wick also wants to know why the Varangians stopped moving out of Castle Norwind. In the past few days, they’ve only been stationed around that place,” Gerard said.

Ever since Custodian’s drones got ‘kidnapped’ by the Rhanks, Custodian had been wary about the movement of its own drones. Most of the scouting duties were left to the flying scout drones, and Slayer was forbidden from sending out any more skirmishers along the frontline. To the Vyssians, it looked like the drones didn’t plan on moving out any time soon.

“We’re waiting for reinforcements from Mount Varangia. You can’t expect us to send only a hundred warriors to take Castle Marcoir, right?” Weaver explained.

“Ah, yes, yes. You’re right. I’ll tell Old Man Wick that, but you’re going to move soon, right?” Gerard asked.

Weaver pulled out a piece of papyrus sheet, then said, “I received a letter from my leader that a great army is coming.”

Of course, he was lying. Drones didn’t need to send letters out to each other, but if it would help convince the humans, Weaver was willing to play along like a human.

“That’s great! I’ll head back to Castle Norwind right now,” Gerard said his farewells, then ran back to his horse.

“Should we also head back to Castle Norwind?” Red asked.

“No, in terms of warfare, we won’t be much help,” Weaver replied. “Besides, there’s someone coming to replace us - one who is more enthusiastic about crushing organics.”