Make Azeroth breathtaking

Edfitz is not a political fool.

The mine tunnels and subways are significant projects for humans, dwarfs, and gnomes alike, but their significance varies greatly among the three groups.

For Stormwind, the successful construction of the Minecastle Underground means they can procure various dwarven raw materials and weapons from Ironforge faster and cheaper. For Ironforge, the Minecastle Underground also helps them sell their goods to Stormwind and then buy dwarven necessities such as food, cloth, salt, and spirits from Stormwind. For the gnomes of Gnomeregan, the Minecastle Underground helps promote their technological achievements, laying the foundation for humans, the big spender, to place more engineering and weapons orders with the gnomes in the future.

However, things completely went awry when the Hot Sands Consortium, which is behind Ratchet, intervened!

For Stormwind Kingdom, as long as the quality is up to standard, it makes no difference whether the mine tunnels and subways are built by gnomes or goblins. For Ironforge, gnomes might "protest" a little because they are traditional allies of dwarves, but it would only be to the extent of saying a few nice words. However, for Gnomeregan, if the mine tunnel and subway project is won by goblins, it is entirely foreseeable that some of the future engineering orders will also be won by goblins!

Initially, Edfitz tried to discourage Tannis by presenting technical challenges—it was well known that goblins were slightly less skilled than gnomes at manufacturing precision machinery, and that something as delicate as mine tunnels and subways could easily lead to a series of unpredictable consequences if they were even slightly off.

However, after Tannis produced the mechanical assistant, Edfizz found himself on the edge of a cliff. The mechanical construct floating beside Tannis was clearly not a creation of the gnome engineering system. Furthermore, apart from gnomes, the only people in Azeroth who practiced engineering were goblins—meaning that using the excuse that goblin technology was substandard to kick this little girl out was no longer an option.

'Countess Prestor, a powerful noblewoman from Stormwind, sent someone to negotiate, indicating that Stormwind was completely unconcerned—no, they even welcomed Ratchet's involvement in the mining tunnel construction. Ironforge hasn't sent anyone yet, meaning Ironforge has tacitly accepted the situation...'

After much deliberation, Edfitz sadly realized that, apart from Gnomeregan, neither side had any reason to obstruct Ratchet's investment in the Mineway Metro. The only problem was that Gnomeregan didn't dare to act tough and simply walk away in protest—Ratchet was backed by the Gadgetzan Consortium, which had the manpower and resources to take over the entire Mineway Metro project!

Finally, Edfitz made a difficult decision...

"I'm sorry, although I am the chief engineer of the mine tunnels and subways in Stormwind, I am not the person in charge. Therefore, my word is not enough to decide this matter. If you want to cooperate with us, please discuss it with our master craftsman."

"Of course I will discuss the details of the cooperation with Mr. Mekkatorque. I firmly believe that with our cooperation, the Mineway Metro will be one of the best and most convincing engineering projects in Azeroth!"

After saying this, Tennys waved and left Edfitz's laboratory with a flourish.

"???"

Before Edfitz could even react to why Tennys seemed certain that the master craftsman Mekkatorque would negotiate with her, the unremarkable man who had come in to deliver Countess Presto's message resigned, making him realize that he had unintentionally made a terrible mistake!

"...Oh no...I'm really going to have to work with goblins...."

—————————————Normoregian——————————————————

"That's how it is, Master Craftsman."

After realizing that Ratchet's involvement in the construction of the Mineway Metro was unstoppable, Edfitz immediately contacted Gnomeregan.

“I understand. I will contact the Storm Kingdom and ask them to arrange for Miss Tannis and me to meet as soon as possible to discuss cooperation matters.”

Although High Tinker Mekkatorque also disliked anything related to goblin engineering, as the leader of his tribe, he knew what was important and what was not.

“I’m so sorry, Master Craftsman, I failed to stop all of this.”

"This isn't your fault. From the moment Countess Presto approached you, we really didn't have a choice. Now, you just keep working hard, and leave the rest to me."

After saying this, High Craftsman Mekkatorque hung up the communication, his expression becoming extremely serious.

"Consultant McNeil, what are your thoughts on that peculiar mechanical construct beside Tennys?"

"Judging from the photos, there is not a trace of goblin engineering on that thing. As we all know, goblin engineering has always been a symbol of ruggedness, but I don't see a trace of ruggedness on that thing."

McNeil, the master craftsman's most trusted advisor, quickly answered the master craftsman.

"How likely do you think it is that goblin engineering has made a breakthrough?"

“Zero! You and I both know that the goblins’ path is not towards precision equipment. They may develop stronger bombs and more crude weapons, but their path is simply not capable of developing something like the one that Tannis had, which could even precisely transmit a piece of paper. I think the goblins may have found something—something that has not even been recorded in legends.”

After saying that, McNeil's expression turned serious.

"You mean, those things the dwarves always talk about?"

"Rather than the goblins actually developing sophisticated instruments that surpass our dwarf technology, I'm more inclined to believe they've found ancient ruins—but don't worry, Great Craftsman, my research has made a breakthrough."

"You mean?"

A hint of delight flashed across Mekkatorque's face when he learned what McNeil was researching.

"Yes, as long as we completely control that power, and control the entire Dun Morogh..."

"McNeil, we are friends with the dwarves, and we would never harm our friends."

Knowing what McNeil was about to say, Mekkatorque raised his hand to stop him from continuing.

"Yes... Master Craftsman, I apologize for my words."

McNeil lowered his head, and from an angle unseen by the Great Craftsman, a strange light flickered deep within his pupils.

—The light called ambition.

10. Gnomeregan

"Hoo, ha!"

Tanis stepped out of the portal, which was enveloped in an aura of arcane energy, and took a deep breath of the cold air of Dun Morogh. Although she had lived in Azeroth for ten years, this was Tanis's first time traveling through a legitimate portal.

On either side of the portal, two heavily dressed dwarves approached Tennys, their eyes hidden behind red engineering glasses, making it impossible for Tennys to discern their true expressions.

"Welcome to Gnomeregan, Miss Tannis from Ratchet."

A dwarf deliberately emphasized the words "Ratchet City".

"It is an honor to be invited to visit this miraculous city."

Sylvie smiled and shook hands with the two dwarfs—thanks to her age of 10, her height was not much different from theirs.

"Really! You also think Gnomeregan is a great city?"

One of the dwarfs immediately became excited.

"That's for sure. Putting aside the conflict between goblin and gnome engineering, and looking at it purely from the perspective of a mechanic, Gnomeregan is the greatest engineering marvel on the land of Azeroth right now! A mechanical city forged from steam, electricity, wiring, gears, linkages, and switches!"

"Of course, Gnomeregan is the greatest!"

Tannis's praise nearly made another gnome burst out laughing. Although the gnomes of Gnomeregan deeply believed that their city was a unique engineering marvel, what could be better than hearing the gnome engineering rivals—the heirs of goblin engineering—acknowledge this?

"This is your pass to Gnomeregan. Please keep it safe."

After receiving Tannis's praise of Gnomeregan, the slight hostility the two gnomes had towards her disappeared. One of the gnomes smiled and took out a hard card, handing it to Tannis.

"This is?"

"We achieved semi-automation across the entire city of Gnomeregan six months ago, freeing up many jobs. This card allows you to travel in most parts of Gnomeregan, but of course, you need to apply for permission to use confidential areas."

Thank you.

"No need to thank me, this is a necessary procedure for distinguished guests. Now, please let me, Senior Engineer Groll, guide you on your journey to Gnomeregan."

With that, Grol turned and walked to the giant metal gate, swiped his card, and with a rumbling sound, the gate slowly rose, revealing the mechanical city behind it, which was flashing with countless lights.

"Please come in."

——————————————Inside Gnomeregan——————————————————

To be honest, the moment Tannis entered Gnomeregan, she really thought she had entered another world.

On the road paved entirely with metal and rails, electrically powered vehicles speed by. Various pipes coil on the walls on both sides of the road. Robots walk on the sidewalks, shouldering the duties of security guards. Aircraft fly overhead from time to time, carrying either cargo or a hurried dwarf. The piercing sound of horns and the constant clicking of gears can be heard.

The entire Gnomeregan is itself a colossal, incomprehensible machine, and everything within it—including the dwarves—is merely a tiny, insignificant part of it.

"So, what are your thoughts after entering Gnomeregan?"

Groll drove a car, watching Tennys' expression with great interest. He was pleased to see shock on Tennys' face.

"It's more magnificent and amazing than I imagined."

"Goblin engineering couldn't create such a miracle, could it?"

"If goblins wanted to, goblin engineering could create miracles that gnome engineering couldn't—it's just that goblins don't have that need."

“No, no, no, Miss Tanis, I have heard about your argument with Edfitz. In fact, we gnomes have long been involved in the field of goblin engineering, and soon, the title of the most destructive bomb will no longer belong to goblin engineering.”

"...You mean that 'big bad guy' bomb that was just developed and blew up that unfortunate goblin and his factory, leaving only a huge puddle big enough to drown a hundred kodos?"

Tannis looked at Grol with suspicion. She had calculated the bomb's yield and concluded that its destructive power was already equivalent to more than a third of a fully charged quantum bomb. Assuming that a bomb was more powerful than the Big Bad Bomb, she couldn't imagine what kind of terrible consequences it would cause to explode.

"certainly!"

"Um...aren't you afraid of blowing yourselves up?"

Looking at her enclosed surroundings, Tanis suddenly had the urge to escape—while gnome engineering was known for its precision, goblin engineering far surpassed it when it came to handling explosives. If that thing, even more destructive than the Big Bad Bomb, exploded…

"No, no, no! According to Advisor McNeil, those bombs don't kill by explosion, but by...radiation! Yes! Something called radiation, which can be defended against with targeted methods, but can cause fatal damage to undefended individuals!"

"Wait...you mean radiation?"

Tanis wondered if she had misheard.

"Yes, radiation! Advisor McNeil told us that as long as we control the power of radiation and turn it into bombs, the destructive power of such bombs will be far greater than that of the Big Bad Guys! What's even better is that even when bombs that use radiation as weapons explode, our people can still move and fight freely within that area, provided they are properly protected. This is something that bombs made by your goblin engineering can never do!"

"...Aren't you afraid of problems arising during the research process? Like leaks or something?"

Tennys's voice trembled slightly.

"Didn't I just say that with proper defenses, we could dance right inside the blast radius? While I don't know the details, Advisor McNeil has at least ten research institutes in Gnomeregan studying that—and so far, they're all safe! Clearly, they will be safe in the future!"

Groll became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, completely unaware that Tennys's face was growing increasingly dark. By the time Groll finished his boasting, Tennys's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

'I swear! After discussing the cooperation on the Mineway Metro, unless Gnomeregan collapses, I will never set foot in this city teeming with lunatics again! I swear!'

XI. Transactions

The next day, Tennys, sporting dark circles under her eyes, ate listlessly in the restaurant of the Gnomeregan embassy.

Despite having estimated the light and noise pollution in Gnomeregan with the worst possible malice, she found herself wrong, terribly wrong.

Because the entire city is made of metal, she could easily hear the buzzing of distant machinery while lying in bed, and the intense flashes never stopped. In addition, she learned that there were people in Gnomeregan researching this damned thing called 'radiation' in almost unisolated conditions, so it was a miracle that she could fall asleep.

"Oh, you're awake? How was your rest, Miss Tanis?"

Groll's loud voice reached Tennys's ears.

"fine...."

Tanis looked up, staring blankly at Grol, with crumbs still stuck to the corner of her mouth.

"The master craftsman is going to see you after breakfast. I'll drive you there later."

Groll, ignoring Tannis's half-dead appearance, plopped down opposite her and stared blankly at her face. Tannis, under his gaze, lost her appetite, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and got off the chair.