In the destitute werewolf clans, certain phenomena occur naturally. Resources are withheld from the elderly and instead allocated to prime warriors capable in battle, and toward children and youths yet developing—sustaining their existence and proliferation.
Yet, so unique a demographics could, with an adequate supply of food and proper basic training, offer warriors at a pace swifter than other standard realms.
At last crossing a vast expanse of shantytown, Qian Ye approached the grand castle gates. The magnificence of Emerald Lake City grew apparent up close—the great towering gate, reaching almost fifty meters upward, cast overwhelming shadows over land and sky. With triple stories bristling of loopholes for crossbow shots along the towers on the flank—six towers in total flanking either sides—with platforms upon them ready for more archers.
Built by giant slabs, many of which each were of several tons weight. That was not rarity here; indeed such heavy stone blocks dominated the wall’s texture. Only the werewolf labor force could shift and place such weights by brute power alone.
Moisture bred broad patches of creepers on the wall and moss upon base stones, grasses growing through its joins, even small hardy trees clinging tenaciously amidst all.
These specks of lush green lent a sense of long bygone eras upon Emerald Lake City—more like a crafted ancient wonder rather than functional fortress at a glance. But such green also pointed unmistakable flaws in upkeep. These creeping vines or even small trees sprouting on a city’s wall were major security threats, suggesting clear abandonment to repair and renovation for years.
The city indeed appeared undisturbed by war for quite some decades—such massive construction now seemed redundant; its scale and grandeur resembled mere vanity—an architectural legacy intended from inception by Whitebone Duke for historical memory only. He alone, undisputed Lord of emerald Sea for over three centuries, could summon massive workforce and resources—decades if needed were consumed to establish the city itself.
Just before entry beneath the gate wall, Qianye’s gaze swept suddenly onto the towers astride it. His attention lingered a moment upon two of the arrow nests but he resumed strolling inside as though nothing of significance ever occurred.
The brief motion, however, drew instant unease from a few werewolf nobles nearby. Witnessing all unnoticed, the Grand Shaman trailing behind him sent sharp gazes across and summoned a youthful muscular warrior. After whispering orders he signaled his subordinate onward in motion, swiftly climbing through inner passageways unseen until out of view atop the city battlements’ summit unnoticed.
Unmoved, Qianye resumed his path into city proper unfazed.
The city’s internal arteries sprawled broadly—vastly surpassing typical human standards—on whose flanks stood rows of stone-built structures three-to-four stories in height, constructed according to werewolf needs; each four werewolf floors matched human six approximately in vertical extension.
Stores and vendors lined both sides. Yet the ambiance was muted compared to human cities, sparse with pedestrians, selling goods similarly basic—nothing complex requiring intricate craftsmanship—mainly salted ham, furs and pelts, weapons, armor; industrial production—especially advanced mechanical or chemical goods—remained wholly unseen here.
Not missing these sights, the elder clergy led and pointed eastward toward a grand crossing street, saying eagerly: ‘that’s the central business hub of this quarter—a complete collection of goods and luxuries one may crave within Jade Sea. Should this illustrious guest find interest, a stop over there would prove worthy’.
Qianye only nodded.
Spanning scores of arm lengths this lateral thoroughfare was only marginally lesser in width compared to the principal. Its flanks displayed denser arrays of shops, confirming its higher commercial traffic rate. Qianye meandered idly towards a random wine-house nearby. A steward met him, employees following suite surrounding in polite formation. After kowtow the steward promptly produced forth their house-special reserve wine, a delicacy originally kept only for nobles and thus declared so with visible pride in their offerings.
Yet as Qianye received the oversized pottery bowl with the drink he took just a little sip, detecting the sharp spice yet slight sweetness, but overall merely passable tasting quality. If this very bottle counted as the most elite in this frontier’s offerings; the lesser stock must be pitiful indeed!
Indeed from the outside the venue exuded some dignity with its three floors’ elevation. But entry revealed it as crude construction—large common tables littered on the ground level, and directly behind the serving bar—rows upon rows of crude wine casks filling most storage area; dinnerware also coarse ceramic, even tableware no refinement was to be had, only coarse ceramic pottery.
Qianying strolled to second and third floors, only to found entire levels turned solely into cellar storage brimming barrels with thick odors of aged alcohols wafting. Under imperial circumstances such real estate wouldn’t likely be squandered thusly; rather, the top floors usually hosted art collections alongside displays dedicated to treasured aged wines. But considering the werewolves here—perhaps their preference simply remained that if one had decent alcohol, why bother over decoration?
Such thoughts might strike sensitive nerves, indeed true connoisseurship or tastes often emerged only from idle time after wealth arrived—a luxury unknown to such frontier dwellers.
Stepping outside again they found next a seller of smoked/dried meats—their store overflowed with hanging cuts aged under smoke, and their entire place smelled oddly rancid and acrid—originated from no apparent direction in the least. Yet werewolves seem unbothered regardless.
Meaty aroma followed him along most storefronts; several more flesh vendors lined in sequence; apparently carnavorous habits did dominate their culture. Besides butchers, arms & mail stores were similarly abundant. Yet after quick observation Qianye concluded nothing particularly eye-catching could be located in them, despite all the variety.
Past halfway crossing, Qianye’s eye suddenly caught a storefront boldly exhibiting various energy guns, a rare sight drawing his sudden attention towards the sign named “Wrath of Zeus”, and entering it he laid eyes immediately upon a full wall’s arrangement of energy-firing sidearms.
The guns bore distinctive werewolf styling—grips larger even than human norms; certain muzzle apertures expanded to near proportions of grown fists with reinforced thick barrels projecting heavy-duty power. Many rifles wrapped coils or sharp metallic barbs along barrel length, others mounted jagged bladed hooks or serrated bayonets—almost transforming each energy-firing rod into a melee battle instrument, resembling pole weapons more than shooting arms meant strictly for ranged combat.
Qian Ye raised one of them for thorough exam. Disappointment surfaced almost at once.
Heavy craftsmanship marked its manufacture, sturdy even if clumsy construction. But examination revealed the embedded rune-arrays etched onto gun’s frame to conduct and direct the energy, were simplistic crude affairs, crafted in obsolete techniques replaced a century ago under imperial regulation in both accuracy and efficiency alike.
Here these systems performed minimal duties, gathering the unstable raw energy and expelling crude bullets of force, but without features even basic like recoil regulation, bullet acceleration, trajectory adjustment, and other common functionalities expected of modern energy weaponry.
Comparing it analogously with firearms, it was akin simply cramming powder and a bullet in a steel barrel—nothing more.
The excessive weight and thickness could likely be blamed on poor materials; had such a weapon been too fragile then risks of bursting barrel existed. The additional thickness also catered to wolfmen preferring to dual-wield their firearms as close combat melee instruments. It may not handle particularly elegantly at shooting—but in raw durability or strength for hand-weapon employment—it sufficed.
Lowering and questioning disapprovingly: Was this really your finest?
Hastily the priest interjected, assuring: Most certainly not! Such offerings are only destined for standard rank warriors. True elites relied fully on Duke’s personal equipment supplies directly provided and crafted only inside his domain.
So saying an accompanying chieftain eagerly stepped forward, respectfully presented his personal weapon. This example demonstrated far superior construction, its body bore inlays of gold and precious gemstones in patterns, possessing more precise and elaborate arrays; basic but fully functioning within acceptable margin as an energy gun. It appeared the Duke’s artisans possessed no superior knowledge; at best a common standard expected from Imperial or Night Lords’ craftsmen—nothing of novelty.
No great surprises existed from these observations: Life of primitive tribal structure dominated the Emerald Lake werefolk. Mastery of complex advanced weaponry would border on unreasonable fantasy, even with access to tech blueprints; technical skills were simply undeveloped. Meanwhile, werewolf clans from Upper Nightland as well still tended heavily toward pure melee engagement rather than energy-gun dependency.
Even exceptions like Williams—despite his genius level in energy weaponry skills, only fought through one duel via firefights under Qianye while under cover during curtain conflicts but was otherwise primarily reliant on natural abilities in his monstrous wolf form most battles. Amongst the four great Dark Factions, Werewolf communities remained the least enthusiastic in adoption and reliance on firearms.
Though seemingly a result of racial psychology—such aversion might not originate purely instinctively so—as in other dark kin races: Spider-Demons with far greater bodily strength than werewolves displayed no aversion in firearm use—in fact many of them, due to high physical resilience and dense bulk mass—actually specialized in heavy caliber side arms, turning their close quarters fighting strength into enhanced firepower.
After giving the sidearm back to its bearer Qian Ye indicated no more sights warranted examination. At once the elder guided him on the way to the Duke Mansion.
The Duke’s Manor situated on Lakefront quarter reached a hundred meters in central spire, permitting views to encompassing panoramic scenery from lofty heights surrounding vicinity; the entire territory extended wide enough spanning a quarter within municipal boundary itself, surrounded additionally in its own moat and drawbridges—an insulated bastion separated from the general city layout.
At main entrance gateway Qianye was informed with due reverence:
Since reception of advance warning about honored guest’s approaching presence, we herewith placed all internal warehouses and blacksmith areas into full sealed custody. The private inner quarters previously reserved for Duke’s residency have likewise entered locked storage and remain unaccessed and as left by last departure.
Nodding to this detail Qianye considered it admirable of their foresight.
Maintained far better than external city walls—free from ivy creeping—these private gates were covered in polished bronze plating; massive heavy but ornate. Clearly their opening was kept constant as their position stood wide open for his arrival.
Passing the main gates two elevated platforms flanking the inner walls caught his observant eyes, hosting enormous ancient geared winches, surrounded respectively by twenty healthy and muscular werewolves standing ready in wait—a crude method indeed to rely upon to shift such gigantic gates with.
Another realization struck: why this setting felt incomplete earlier? No power-tower constructions appeared anywhere in this metropolis. Typically serving as critical hubs for energy-distribution for all mechanical operations and city infrastructure—including even gun emplacement controls—power towers of various models were near indispensable elements of urban planning for almost every civilization or settlement Qianye ever traversed through. Even the ancient cities within upper layers of Nightlands contained their own aged models from centuries past. And yet within a city so expansive as Emerald Lake capable alone holding tens of thousands beyond their wall alone—no such infrastructure could be confirmed in presence.
No power-tower meant gates required manual operation alone—and without auxiliary power no automatic weaponry installations could ever function upon towers. Thus every outpost Qianye had observed merely harbored werewolf archers. Now Qianye found fresh understanding regarding their primitivism and self-contained nature on frontier.
Within the manor walls it formed another miniaturized self-contained world: a smaller inner city including dedicated sections designated as warehouses and craft shops, and dormitory districts for servants as well. The Main Spire, or rather central tower housed private chambers—the ground floor’s great halls banquet halls spacious for nobles with grand ceremony.
The second floor included the assembly halls, libraries, war room, plus weapon storerooms; while higher levels above third tier belonged strictly to exclusive personal domain of the long passed Duke himself.
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