Chapter 44: Forging The Future

    SCREEEEEEEE!

    The sharp screech of Kaela''s chair scraping against the polished marble floor echoed through the Grand Dining Hall as she suddenly rose from her seat. Her sharp blue eyes avoided direct contact with anyone as she gave a deep bow toward Arkanos.

    "Thank you for the meal, my emperor," she said respectfully. Without waiting for acknowledgment, she turned and hurried toward the massive double doors of the dining hall.

    As the grand doors closed behind her with a low thud, Sephira frowned, narrowing her emerald eyes. She mumbled under her breath, just loud enough to be heard by Illena.

    "How could she leave before our emperor? Does she have no manners?"

    Sephira opened her mouth to say more but stopped abruptly when she noticed Arkanos watching the doors Kaela had just exited through.

    His gaze lingered for a moment before he exhaled heavily, his emerald eyes briefly reflecting his exhaustion.

    Rising from his seat, Arkanos adjusted his cloak and addressed Illena. "I must go. Arvel and the others should already be gathered in the strategy room, awaiting my arrival."

    Illena tilted her head, her silver-green hair falling over her shoulder. A teasing smile appeared on her lips as she folded her hands below her bust. "I understand, my emperor. Do as you must. Just don''t forget..."

    She winked at him. "You promised to spend time with me later."

    Arkanos nodded briefly, the corner of his mouth twitching in a faint, unreadable expression.

    After smiling at her for a moment, he turned and strode out of the dining hall, his heavy boots echoing against the marble as he disappeared through the same massive doors Kaela had used moments earlier.

    Illena leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her golden eyes as she watched him leave.

    ...

    The grand doors of the strategy room creaked open, and Arkanos stepped inside, his black and gold-lined cloak sweeping dramatically across the polished marble floor.

    His emerald eyes scanned the room with intensity.

    The room''s occupants turned at his entrance, all moving as they straightened their postures and bowed deeply.

    Closest to the table stood Arvel, the royal advisor. He clasped his hands respectfully in front of him as he bowed.

    Beside him was Grundar Ironmaul, a dwarven blacksmith and the owner of the largest weapons and equipment shop in the capital. He bowed stiffly, one hand resting on the haft of the hammer strapped to his back.

    Why was it necessary for Arkanos to gather all these officials for the creation of steam engines and the invention of railway transportation instead of just using his system to build it out of nowhere?

    Unlike upgrading a structure, constructing a brand new one would only be possible if there was space to build it.

    For this project, he would need to demolish homes and clear space for the train tracks, that wasn''t exactly one of the functions of the system.

    Besides that, a train wasn''t exactly something he could buy at the shop yet, because he had not met the necessary level requirement to unlock the section of the shop where he could purchase one.

    To unlock that section, he needed to direct the creation of one from scratch first and achieve the accomplishment that would unlock that part of the shop. After that, he could buy all the steam engines he wanted.

    So for now he needed to take the direct approach.

    ...

    The room fell silent as his words settled. Grundar Ironmaul was the first to break the silence, his bushy auburn eyebrows furrowing deeply.

    "Steam-powered transportation, ye say?" Grundar''s gruff voice rumbled. "What in the forge''s name is that?"

    Arkanos straightened. He lifted his right hand as his thoughts raced.

    ''System, I need the blueprint for a steam engine. Search the shop and tell me the cost.''

    For a moment, silence stretched in his mind before the system responded.

    ?Searching the shop... Steam Engine Blueprint located. Cost: 50 Upgrade Points. Would you like to purchase this item??

    ''Proceed with the purchase,'' Arkanos replied.

    The system''s response came swiftly, the text appearing in a glowing green window.

    ?Purchase successful. Steam Engine Blueprint added to Inventory.?

    Suddenly, a faint green glow radiated from his fingertips. A second later, several large scrolls of parchment materialized in his grasp, the designs of the steam engine detailed with stunningly.

    He placed the blueprints on the table, the glow fading as he addressed the room.

    "Steam engines are mechanisms that convert heat into mechanical energy. By using boiling water to create steam, we can drive machines capable of powering many things, but primarily transportation... train systems, specifically. These trains will run along metal tracks, transporting goods and people across the city more efficiently than ever before."