Sam didn't put too much attention into this hidden seashore. If he really wants to know what is happening there, he has to go there himself. The trio can make some chaos with their hoverboards but they wouldn't be able to get past them and stay safe much less coming back safely.
The only way they can infiltrate this area is with the use of shadow mice or his own shadow mode.
Any direct way would be too hard.
For now, he has to focus on reducing the tax target and improve his business.
And soon there is a chance. Because as soon as the builders took over the cement factory, they indeed messed with the engines to check the structure and operating mechanisms and Sam is very quirky about protecting the mechanisms.
And for the steam engines, he made very different arrangements.
First thing is that an array of inscriptions on the surface of the engine head and the bolts that are holding it up.
The elves are not going to understand this simple bolt and nut mechanism and the best way to take it apart without really damaging it is slowly heating it up and melting the bolts away.
But that is not at all easy. The array will absorb all the heat and divert it to the sensitive parts in the engine which will get distorted easily because of this excess heat and damage the mechanism completely.
This will not only let the bolts go away, it will also ruin the mechanism which will completely make the engine unusable.
If they start the engine once again, the parts that are clearly distorted will break and fail to make the engine unusable.
There are many more traps like this including the classic trap he has been using since the start. The destruction trap will activate as soon as they use force to pry it open.
With all these traps in place, there is no way they could just open it up. Not everyone has the observation ability to check it.
And the builder that disappeared to Planet 1 after the deal was completed was back once again at Sam's camp.
"Mr. Braman. I was surprised you were back so soon. I thought you will not start the production until your renovations are complete. Why are you here? Do you want to join me for a meal? I was in the mood for some cooking."
"Mr. Sam. I am here to talk business. Not for a meal."
"I am not planning any ventures soon. My friends just came after their journey. We are planning on having a relaxed holiday for the time being."
"It is not a new business. I am here to talk about some old business. You know the machines you have sold us, will I be able to buy a new set?"
"Why? I think with the current size of the pasture and the current growth of the fields, the current factory is already too big and the machines are also enough for the current production capacity.
In fact, since you are the only producer, for now, it is already enough for you to have enough profit. You would be able to make the money easily. The profit would cover your investment easily."
"Well, there is an accident in the factory that damaged the machines. We cannot operate them anymore."
"Really, an accident? Are you sure it is just an accident? What kind of accident managed to destroy a machine that could even withstand a Peak stage Pre-transcendent attack? Don't tell me, that your workers are fighting in presence of the machines.
It is not far from here, so I am sure that I didn't hear any of such noises."
"No, it is a bit complicated."
"Indeed the machine is a bit too complicated for you guys to open, so you destroyed the machine in the process. Am I right?"
Braman just bowed his head in shame.
Particularly when he was reminded of the fact that Sam already mentioned not to try anything funny with the machines and he did it anyway.
"I can understand why it happened. No one wants someone else to hold the knowledge of something that could change the face of many industries. Particularly, someone as ambitious as you, who wants to prevail in your industry.
You must have seen many more uses that are beyond the concrete mixer. It is indeed tempting."
Braman is in a difficult position. So Sam continued.
"I am also put in a difficult spot by you. That is the last piece I made and that too in secret. I couldn't possibly get a license for forging because of that. I would be having trouble if I did another in secret. After all, a forging license is hard to obtain due to the regulation on the weapon-making."
"If you can make one in secrete, then it wouldn't be too hard to make another one. I can easily obtain any metals and materials you want."
"It is not about the materials. I am actually trying my best to stay in legal ways. My friend Raunak is currently on a special test for his next promotion. So I have to make sure that everything is clean and perfect. I don't have the liberty to go astray at this point."
"Is there no other way out of this?"
"Of course there is a way out."
"You can get me a forging license."
"Forging license is not something that can be easily obtained. It is an extremely stringent process that would make it hard for any possible string-pulling."
"Then you have to find your own method. I am pretty sure the machines are fully destroyed. They were made that way after all."
"How about the designs? I am sure you can sell those."
"I am sure too. But there is one problem. The designs are not just enough to make the machine. I am sure after the machines are destroyed you saw many complicated parts inside, they are not possible to make with the normal process.
Different tools are needed and to make those tools some more tools are needed.
It is hard to give every design and teach you. I highly doubt you could afford my teachings that easily. It is not something that could be bought with just money."
"Are you not undermining the forging methods of the elves so much?"
"I am not exactly undermining the methods. I am undermining the competence of the people who use it."
"What do you mean? Do you think that the elves are that incompetent compared to you?"
Sam looked at Braman and said.
"I thought you were different from the rest of the elves, and it seems like this unwarranted superiority is just a common genetic quality of the elven race.
And since you are like this, I will be straightforward.
I am not selling any machinery or equipment to you guys until I get the forging license. I want a weapon license.
Do you want money in exchange? Sure. I will pay. If you want exclusivity to the products, I am open to discussion. I can even give you a condition and even a contract that I will only sell weapons to a specific military unit if you want to. I will not sell a single weapon to any other military unit, the city guard, or even a single individual.
The military unit can manage all the sales.
Now go back and tell the people that need to be told and finish this task then we can talk real business."
"I don't think that it is an economical method for us. I am sure there are many other easier ways to take that from you."
"And? What else do you think? If you can really think more than that, why don't you think if faction 1 and faction 2 didn't have the same thoughts as you? And after thinking that, why don't you think they didn't manage to take anything from me if they did get that thought?"
Sam stood up from his chair and continued.
"You are a merchant and a builder. They are your primary identities and I am also both of them, but they are terinary identities, not even secondary much less primary. If you want to be someone you are not, particularly when you are facing someone who knows what they are and who is many things that you don't know, you are bound to fail.
I hope you make the decision after consulting the true decision-maker."
With that, Sam stood up and walked to Raunak's office.
Raunak is going through some administrative tasks. One of them is registering Sam's business. It is called the Dusk organization. A trading company. That is the most versatile company that can be registered under their name and all of Sam's deals in the past few days are under this organization.
He will be paying the taxes through this company too.
When he saw Sam, he stopped his work and asked.
"Why are you here? Is there anything you want?"
"You really want to keep your relation with your lover pure and unaffected by the factions and politics?"
"Why are you asking this?"
"I thought maybe I didn't need to, but the circumstances are a bit different. If you have an answer to this question, then tell me later in person. You might want to change some things regarding your connections and relations."
