Catherine's faction is thrilled with the premium equipnt Henwell has provided. Although the quantity is limited, the quality is exactly what they need right now. The standard military gear is mainly for equipping the princess's secret private army, which is substantial in number and matches the regular army in strength.
However, in the event of a failed bid for the throne, these forces serve as a foundational reserve. During the actual power struggle, it's the elite knight group that Catherine truly relies on.
Henwell's ability to deliver fifty sets of equipnt monthly ans that within a year, Catherine could establish her own small knight order, she has a basis for both advancing and retreating.
As Henwell predicted, his team of smiths has achieved a success rate with the alloy far exceeding Catherine's expectations. Each batch of special materials can produce hundreds of pieces of premium equipnt.
Henwell has instructed them not to hoard the two types of alloy but to boldly experint and research. They shouldn't fear wastage; instead, the master smiths should test various substitute materials. Henwell has invested millions of gold coins not to be produce so alloies limited by raw materials. His goal is to develop his own alloy formula; the two existing ones are rely references and starting points.
Regardless of Catherine's success, once the battle for the throne concludes, she'll likely sever most business ties with Henwell. Especially with such strictly controlled alloys, she won't readily supply the special materials again. Despite the craftsn's hesitation, Henwell's directive is clear: they must focus on research and experintation to develop a proprietary alloy for Peace Haven.
The nurous trials are essentially money-burning exercises. Although they haven't yet created a high-quality alloy, the quality of their steel has already improved significantly. For Henwell, this is already a return on investnt. Even if another year passes without a breakthrough alloy, further enhancing steel quality is imnsely valuable to him.
With Peace Haven now possessing coal and iron mines, though newly operational and with modest output, it's sufficient for their own experints. To Henwell, technological accumulation is paramount. If he can produce high-quality steel, even without extraordinary properties, a production of tens of thousands of tons annually could overwhelm any adversary.
As the spring plowing begins, Jar Chick brings Henwell so good news. They have finally traced the tracks of that mysterious organization. Previously, Henwell relocates Spider Abe to a noble's castle. This castle is provided by Catherine, and the lord is currently away in the capital, working for her.
Just as Henwell predicts, Abe remains tight-lipped, only divulging secrets about the kingdom's nobility. He doesn't utter a single word about the mysterious organization. Despite various thods employed, they only extract a tiny bit of information, not enough for Chick to pursue and pin down the organization.
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Over three months pass, and Abe is tortured to the brink of death, yet he stubbornly holds on.
Today, Abe feels nervous, or perhaps excited. A month ago, he notices the dungeon guards have significantly weakened. The elite warriors who once guarded him are gradually reassigned. From overhearing their conversations, he learns they are returning to the capital to handle other matters for important figures.
Abe is both shocked and fearful of his captors. They are all young but exceptionally skilled, clearly trained systematically—talent that only a powerful force can cultivate. From their interrogation efforts, it's clear they are targeting the mysterious organization.
But Abe dares not reveal anything; doing so would an certain death, with no one able to protect him. Not only would he perish, but his heirs and family would also be wiped out.
Abe has been in despair, convinced that this dark dungeon marks the end of his life. However, with the changes over the past month, he surprisingly discovers that he might still have a chance. About half a month ago, the original interrogators leave, replaced by a less professional group of guards.
Although these guards continue to torture and interrogate him every three days, their thods and the pain they inflict are far inferior to those of the previous group.
Abe easily provokes these guards with words, and when they lash out in anger, he snatches small items from them. These guards are far too unskilled, unlike the previous ones who consistently suppress his Fighting Spirit with potions.
Even though the current guards administer weakening potions regularly, they are too lazy to wait for the potions to take effect.
Eventually, they don't even bother checking if he has consud all the potion. Given the filthy and foul-slling condition of his cell and his own unclean state, the guards clearly avoid getting close to him and enduring the stench.
Abe often vomits most of the potion after they leave, using techniques like gagging or striking his abdon. Half a month ago, he regains a bit of his Fighting Spirit but refrains from taking imdiate action, instead using it to heal his body. Fighting Spirit, after all, is a form of life energy, and with the right techniques, it can aid in healing.
Within a few days, his body experiences significant recovery. Even shackled, he can still kill any guard who cos too close.
Despite his progress, Abe remains cautious, wary that this might be a trap set by his enemies. During subsequent potion administrations, he employs tricks and sleight of hand to dispose of the potion without actually consuming it.
Over the course of several days, Abe confirms that the guards haven't noticed his actions. Feeling more at ease, he moves on to the next step of his plan. He channels his Fighting Spirit to mold a few copper coins, taken from the guards, into a small tool. This makeshift knife can't cut through his chains, but it's sharp enough to slit a guard's throat.
As he proceeds cautiously, he overhears the guards talking about how they will soon be relieved from duty in the dungeon. Abe is startled—those skilled interrogators are returning! Once they're back, they'll quickly realize sothing is amiss, and his chance to escape will vanish. No, he must escape now! He decides today is the day to act.
Just as Abe anticipates, he easily dispatches a few guards. He gathers so food and water, cleans himself to rid the stench, and changes into a guard's uniform. Under the cover of night, he sneaks out of the dungeon. Fortunately, the security isn't too tight, and he manages to leave the castle without major issues. Along the way, he kills two more people in the castle, changes into a new outfit, and grabs more food and water from the kitchen.
In the moonlight, Abe glances back at the castle, then tightens his clothing against the cold wind and heads toward the nearby town.
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