Wayne understood Barons' point, but the construction plan for the net cafe could not and would not change. On the contrary, the faster it was completed, the more security could be guaranteed.
Whether in Stormwind or Goldshire, the kingdom could not afford another Stonemasons' Guild riot. If something went wrong this time—considering it was Wayne who posted the recruitment notices and hired the workers—the responsibility would fall squarely on his shoulders.
He wasn't sure if the people raiding the Deadmines were SI:7 agents or if they were part of Mathias's plan. But since it had happened, he had to push forward even faster. The immediate problem was the defense of the site.
None of the veteran craftsmen—neither those who stayed in Stormwind nor those who returned from Westfall—should be forced to pick up weapons again.
However, Barons informed him that not only had most of Duhan's men been deployed, but the troops from Westbrook Garrison and Northshire were also busy patrolling the eastern and western borders of Elwynn Forest. The region was simply too vast; the dense woods and winding rivers provided natural cover, making it impossible for a few hundred soldiers to cover every inch.
This was likely why Rainier and the "Group of Four" hadn't appeared recently. They simply didn't have the manpower to spare for a construction site that, in the eyes of Stormwind's high command, was completely insignificant.
Shadowbreak found this surprising. When he left Stormwind that morning, he hadn't heard a word about a military operation. Furthermore, the Archbishop hadn't summoned him back to discuss such a major development.
Under the current recruitment system, the standing armies in the various territories outside Stormwind weren't large. While the forces directly under Stormwind's command were substantial, they were spread thin across multiple fronts to guard against the Scourge, demons, and the Horde.
In such situations, professional guilds became vital paramilitary forces. They would issue bounties to adventurers to handle tasks the regular army was too busy or unsuited for—such as target elimination, VIP escort, item recovery, or destroying outposts.
As a leader of a professional guild, Shadowbreak was usually a decision-maker for these tasks. Yet, he hadn't received any notification about an event this large. It made him wonder if something was wrong at the Cathedral of Light, as a man of Barons' character wouldn't spread idle rumors about military movements.
He stepped out of the net cafe and signaled to one of his subordinates. "Brother Wilhelm."
Wilhelm approached immediately. "My Lord Duke."
"Return to Stormwind at once," Shadowbreak ordered. "Discreetly find out if any news regarding military operations was released today. Remember, keep it subtle. Do not ask openly to avoid fueling rumors or creating panic. Contact me as soon as you have the details, regardless of what you find."
"Understood!" Wilhelm replied.
He was about to cast his Hearthstone when Shadowbreak interrupted. "Regardless of whether a mission was assigned to us, if you have any men to spare, bring your squad here tomorrow morning. I have a task for them."
"By your command!"
With a flash of green light from the Hearthstone, Wilhelm vanished.
Shadowbreak returned to the net cafe just in time to hear Barons decline Wayne's offer to stay at the inn. The architect insisted on staying in the temporary sheds at the site with his old brothers.
Wayne thought for a moment and asked, "According to the schedule, you should dig the cellar first and then lay the foundation, right?"
Barons nodded. "Correct."
"How long will it take to finish the cellar?"
Barons seemed to guess Wayne's intent. "You're not thinking of moving the net cafe into the unfinished structure as soon as the outline is done, just so your high-level customers can act as guards, are you?"
Wayne thought to himself: You're half right. As long as the cellar is ready and I can move the vending machines inside, I won't have to worry no matter how many Defias show up.
However, Barons rejected the idea before Wayne could even voice his defense. "Even if the cellar is dug, it'll just be a rough shell. There are still four floors to build above it, not to mention wiring, plumbing, and interior finishing. Your plan is impossible."
Seeing them go back and forth, Shadowbreak couldn't help but speak up. "A mere group of Defias—if they even show up—are nothing but a band of brigands to me. I've sent word back. If all goes well, a squad of paladins will arrive tomorrow."
Wayne and Tess's eyes lit up. Seeing this man—who had been so overbearing during the day but had later waited in line so dejectedly—speaking with such heroic grandeur, they felt a touch of genuine admiration.
Unexpectedly, the "tough" Shadowbreak immediately softened his tone in the next breath. "About that... can we open a bit earlier tomorrow? I want to start my 'research and study' as soon as possible..."
Wayne gave Tess a look, and she immediately pouted. "No!"
Shadowbreak swallowed hard, suppressing his annoyance. He chanted internally: It's all for the Ashbringer... just bear it... all for the Ashbringer...
The night passed without incident. By nearly 11:00 AM the next day, Goldshire—which would usually be bustling with crowds and traffic—was significantly quieter. Many people complained about being stuck at the borders of Elwynn Forest due to strict inspections.
Wayne took a carriage to the construction site. Not only were the workers toiling under the hot sun, but the reinforcements Shadowbreak promised had also arrived. Five fully armed paladins were on the scene, temporarily placed under Barons' command.
Additionally, two Dwarven riflemen had appeared, which Wayne found particularly novel. Barons told him they were sent by the Gnomish tinkers of Ironforge to escort the generator. They would stay until the installation and testing were complete in two days.
Good grief. Looking at the scene, Wayne felt like he was watching a large-scale "Expansion Base" setup from Warcraft III. One hundred workers swung their tools with all their might, while five paladins and two riflemen handled security. If any Defias stragglers dared to come here, they would basically be looking for trouble.
Barons told Wayne that more people were escaping from the ports along the Nazferiti River, willing to lay down their arms and return to Stormwind. He felt that if they had more men and the generator arrived, they could work in two shifts day and night, saving one or two days of construction time.
Wayne's answer was straightforward: "If you feel it's necessary and can speed up completion, I'll take them all at the same unit price."
But he kept the second half of his thought to himself: In any case, once this is over, I'm going to have a long talk with Mathias about getting this reimbursed...