The aftermath of the Fortress Ironhold assault was a flurry of activity—not of battle, but of production. The Core's focus was entirely on its new Minister of Industry, Gimlak, the Dwarf Artisan King. The time for subtle diplomacy and assimilation was over; the time for absolute industrialization had begun.
"Gimlak, the Empire is reeling. We have a three-week window before reinforcements arrive from the capital," the Core projected, its voice resonating in the deepstone halls where the Aether Furnace now connected directly to the Dwarf forges. "Every moment is dedicated to the forge. You will melt down all the captured Human iron and reforge it into Aether-Steel. Every Legionary must carry an Aether Rifle and wear reinforced Aether-Steel armor."
The Industrial Blitz
Gimlak did not need encouragement. The Dwarves, fueled by the limitless, clean energy from the Aether Furnace, were working in a frenzied ecstasy. For a race obsessed with perfection, the ability to imprint flawless runic circuits onto metal using the Core's [Techno-Mage Crafting] blueprint was the ultimate reward.
I channeled a massive burst of stored AP, not into a single monster, but into the entire forge structure, permanently amplifying the Dwarves' production speed.
— AETHER CORE POWER DRAIN: 1,000 AP —
TARGET: Deepstone Forge Structure
INITIATING: INDUSTRIAL AMPLIFICATION (Permanent)
SUCCESS! Forge efficiency increased by 500\%. All crafting time is quartered.
AETHER CORE STATUS UPDATE:
AETHER POWER: 1,100 / 10,000 (Critical AP drain for permanent upgrade.)
With the massive investment, the forge became a powerhouse. The rhythmic clang of hammers was replaced by the clean whir and fizz of Aether channeling. The Dwarves turned the scrap from Ironhold into high-grade materials at an impossible rate.
Equipping the Commanders
While the Goblin Legionaries received their standard issue Aether-Steel armor and Aether Rifles, the commanders received specialized, personalized gear based on the [Tier 3 Aura Power Armor Design] assimilated from Major Valerius.
Ranga, the Sentinel: His existing obsidian hide was encased in the newly created Obsidian Sentinel Plate, a suit of armor so dense it was virtually immune to kinetic damage. It came with built-in [Aether Stabilization Units] to ensure the Core was perfectly protected during combat.
Grave, the Warlord: Received the Crimson Warplate, a heavy, segmented suit that leveraged his [Battle Commander's Roar] skill, using focused runic channels to magnify his war-cry into a potent area-of-effect stun.
Naiad, the Admiral: Received the Tidal Flow Carapace, armor designed not for defense, but for mobility. The plates had integrated [Water Propulsion] vents, allowing him to accelerate across land and water at incredible speeds, essentially turning him into a hydro-jet.
Shade, the Sentry: Did not receive armor, as it would interfere with his stealth. Instead, Gimlak created a specialized Aether-Tracking Collar that maximized the range and clarity of his [Remote Scrying Link].
The First Aether Army
Three weeks later, the transformation was complete. The Goblin Legionaries marched out of the tunnels, no longer the pathetic runts of the beginning, but a clean, disciplined force clad in matching, dark Aether-Steel armor, their violet Aether Rifles held professionally. They were a unified, terrifying sight.
The Core observed the entire force through its [Strategic Command Matrix]. The data flowed in real time: troop morale, equipment status, and tactical deployment coordinates. The complex system automatically calculated the optimal route to the Central Manufacturing Base and the precise time needed to tunnel beneath its foundations, leveraging Gimlak's inherent knowledge.
— STRATEGIC CALCULATION: OPERATION IRONCLAST —
TARGET: Ironwall Empire Central Manufacturing Base
RECOMMENDED FORCE: Full Contingent (Grave, Naiad, Ranga, Shade, 53 Legionaries, 300 Tidal Corps)
ATTACK STRATEGY: Tunneling Infiltration (Dwarven Skill) followed by [Hydrolic Overload] on Reactor Core.
CHANCE OF SUCCESS: 98\% (Given superior armament and surprise element.)
"Grave, your assault plans are set," the Core projected. "Naiad, your subterranean route is confirmed. Gimlak, your work here is done. You will remain to defend the Forge and prepare for the next stage of production."
The Orc Warlord knelt, his Crimson Warplate catching the blue glow of the Furnace. "My Lord, we are ready to strike the heart of the surface world. When do we march?"
"We do not march," the Core declared. "We dig. Naiad will lead the Tidal Corps into the earth, using the advanced Dwarven tunneling techniques we assimilated. We will enter the Central Manufacturing Base from below, directly into their reactor core. The final battle for the Veil begins at dawn."