Free Web NovelAfter the new weapon meeting concluded, Lord Louis did not immediately leave the workshop district.
Guided by Mac, he quietly bypassed the crowd outside, passed through a rust-stained corridor, and entered a secret workshop hidden behind the Red Tide Forge.
In the center of the workshop was a uniquely shaped device.
A cylindrical iron tank, approximately two meters tall, occupied the core space of the room.
Its outer casing was cast from cold iron and alchemical copper alloy, entirely coated with black heat-resistant paint. It didn't look refined; in fact, the seams were thickly smeared with alchemical sealant to prevent leaks. It was crude but exuded a raw industrial power.
“This is the ‘steam-powered mechanism’ you mentioned before,” Mac said with a hint of pride, patting the iron tank. “We call it ‘Iron Tank One’.”
Lord Louis looked at it, a flash of realization in his eyes.
It was from a casual conversation several months ago.
He had offhandedly spoken about the steam engine from his Earth memories, but he didn't know the specific structure of a steam engine. He had just mentioned it in passing at the time.
He never expected Mac to actually turn it from a concept into reality.
Even if the thing in front of him was just a strange tank, it already symbolized a completely different development path for this world.
Lord Louis smiled and nodded:
“Let’s give it a try.”
Mac immediately called over several craftsmen.
Two of them first opened the bottom furnace door and used an iron shovel to clear out the residual ash.
Then, they carefully placed fuel bricks refined from vein-illuminating stones into the bottom of the furnace, laid dry firewood and air-circulation grass stems, and finally sprinkled a pinch of red phosphorus powder.
“Whoosh!” Flames with blue edges instantly shot up, and the furnace temperature rapidly climbed.
Another craftsman brought a bucket of clear water and poured it into the water storage tank on the side of the iron tank.
At the same time, a young apprentice pedaled the bellows, and high-temperature air was pumped into the furnace. With a “boom,” the flames surged like a dragon.
Mac, while checking the equipment status against a handwritten list, shouted commands: “Main valve locked, lubricant normal, flywheel buckle no problem, piston guide rail no cracks!”
He even personally walked around “Iron Tank One” to ensure there ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) were no abnormal vibrations.
At his command, a high-pressure white steam hissed out.
The craftsmen worked together to turn the flywheel, and the piston began to slowly reciprocate, causing the flywheel to spin faster and faster with a rhythmic “thump-thump-thump,” like a steel heart awakening. The main control valve was slowly opened to the second mark, and with a muffled “bang!”
The piston suddenly pushed forward, and steam rushed in, causing the entire machine to begin regular operation.
“Click, clack, hiss—” Amidst the sound of metal engaging, the belt drove the connecting heavy hammer arm to slowly rise and fall, and the air was filled with the smell of coal tar and metallic steam.
As sunlight filtered through the gaps in the workshop, the white steam seemed to drape the entire room in a light veil.
People looked at the roaring machine, their faces showing expressions of surprise and curiosity.
It didn't shimmer with magical light, nor did it have runic arrays or echoing incantations; there was only the clang of metal and the roar of steam. But it was this steady, pure power that filled them with an unfamiliar and wondrous shock. freeweɓnovel.cøm
However, this “magic” stopped there.
In this world full of magic and frequent miracles, a machine driven solely by thermal power was not enough to cause incredible astonishment.
After all, compared to flying magical beasts and floating spell towers, this thing was at most just a “movable iron barrel.”
For a moment, the craftsmen looked at each other, unsure how to comment.
Finally, an elder blacksmith mustered the courage to ask, “Lord, what exactly is this thing for?”
Lord Louis surveyed his surroundings, then lightly tapped the thick metal casing of the iron tank, his voice deep and resonant, as if setting the tone for the declaration to come.
“What you see is not just this machine,” he said calmly. “Today, it only turns a flywheel.
But tomorrow, it can drive iron hammers, push axles, and pull entire freight trains. And it will not tire, fear wind or snow, need no feeding,
nor rely on magic.”
As he spoke, he raised a hand and pointed to the pile of old wooden cartwheels in the corner of the workshop:
“One day, you will see not horse-drawn carriages running on the roads, but ‘iron beasts’ rolling with its power. Future armored vehicles and transport convoys will all be driven by built-in steam engines.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Bradley's eyes sparkled as he continued, “If it can be mass-produced... even if only used in the workshop, production capacity could multiply several times!”
A blacksmith hesitated for a moment, then quietly asked, “Can it be connected to a forging hammer? Will we no longer have to hammer piece by piece with our arms?”
Lord Louis smiled slightly and nodded: “That is precisely the first step I intend to try: making the steam engine the power core of the workshop.”
As soon as these words left his mouth, the craftsmen instantly erupted in excitement.
“If it can drive a loom, the weavers won't have to pedal all day!”
“Forging will no longer be strenuous in the future!”
“If it can be installed on wooden carts, won't we be able to make war chariots that can run on their own?”
The crowd gathered around the iron tank, excitedly watching the flywheel turn, as if observing an artifact from another era.
Even though this was a world with magic, they were still deeply drawn to this “magic-less” power.
Even Silco, who was usually aloof, showed a rare look of surprise, muttering, “Strange—this is entirely heat-driven,
without any magical flow. This mechanical method—it's truly rare.”
He bent down and carefully observed the details of the iron tank's flywheel rotation, as if looking at an unanalyzable artifact from another world.
In this extraordinary world, various magic-guided machines indeed existed.
They were driven by magical energy cores, combined with alchemy and runic arrays, making them powerful and versatile. However, their fatal flaws were being expensive, scarce, and difficult to maintain.
These magic-guided devices often relied on high-level mages for their creation, their core materials were extremely rare, and their maintenance required professional mages. Each one was a “custom-made product,” difficult to mass-produce.
Even a simple magical energy machine could stop functioning due to insufficient magical power supply.
But the steam engine was different.
It didn't require magic; it only needed ordinary fuels like charcoal and coal to burn, releasing immense thermal energy to drive the machine.
Its structure was composed of iron, copper, and wood, so any blacksmith's workshop could build it according to plans and mass-produce it.
As long as water and fuel were sufficient, it could operate day and night, unfazed by winter, tireless.
More crucially, it belonged to mortals. Any literate and blueprint-reading craftsman, with simple training, could operate and repair it, without relying on mages or being suppressed by nobles.
Furthermore, one steam engine could replace dozens of laborers. It could pull forging hammers, drive wheels, power water pumps, and operate looms.
In the future, it could even build an entire industrial city that could operate without magic.
Lord Louis looked at the increasingly enthusiastic gazes in the workshop, already having his answer: The steam engine was no more “magical” than magic, but it was more replicable and better suited for the Red Tide Territory.
This would be the true starting point for the Red Tide Territory's technological independence, even if it wasn't yet mature.
He retracted his gaze, faced Mac, and showed a satisfied smile: “You have done very well. Continue to refine it completely.”
“Yes!” Mac immediately agreed, then chuckled, “This isn't my credit.”
He pulled a boy of about ten years old forward from behind him.
“It’s him—Hamilton. This child’s mind is sharper than all of ours. Many of the precise structures were first sketched by him.”
Lord Louis looked down and saw it was indeed the genius mentioned by the intelligence system.
Hamilton's face flushed red, and he quietly said, “I just made a small contribution.”
Lord Louis smiled and nodded: “No, to have such talent at such a young age is already extraordinary.”
As he spoke, he turned to Silco and said, “I think this child has considerable talent. If you don't mind, would you consider taking him as a half-apprentice?”
Silco blinked, a little slow to react.
“Me? Alchemy? Oh—of course. But whether he can grasp it depends on whether his mind is sharp enough.”
Lord Louis turned to Hamilton, leaned down, and asked, “Do you want to learn?”
Hamilton glanced at Mac.
Mac slapped him on the back of the head: “What are you still standing there for? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Hurry and thank Lord Louis and Lord Silco!”
“Thank, thank you, Lord Louis! Thank you, Lord Silco!” Hamilton bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly.
After leaving the artisan district, Lord Louis immediately headed to the Red Tide Territory's administrative building. He had more important matters to attend to.
According to the agreed time, he entered the War Affairs Hall. The Red Tide Knight Order's emblem and a battle merits board hung on the walls. The atmosphere in the hall was solemn, and Lambert had been waiting for a long time with the commanders of the various sub-orders.
Seeing Lord Louis arrive with Bradley, everyone immediately stood up and saluted, their eyes filled with respect and tension.
“Three months have passed. I want to hear about your new achievements,” Lord Louis said calmly, standing still.
Lambert stepped forward, his posture straight, his voice steady: “Reporting, Lord Louis, the three branch orders of the Red Tide Knight Order have completed their reorganization. Each currently maintains a strength of four hundred to four hundred and fifty men.
The Red Tide main battle order has a stable strength of over five hundred. A coordinated combat mechanism has been established, and all Knights undergo daily tactical drills and rotational assessments, significantly improving their combat synergy and adaptability.”
He paused, then continued: “Furthermore, the battle merits system has been implemented across the entire order. Every mission and every victory is recorded and evaluated, with clear rewards and punishments. Morale within the camp is unprecedentedly high, and the number of volunteers for combat has noticeably increased.”
As his voice faded, Lord Louis nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Lambert continued to report at a steady pace: “According to your strategic deployment, the Red Tide Knight Order has begun establishing multiple special combat units, tasked with reconnaissance, surprise attacks, and firepower suppression, among other critical missions.”
He first unrolled the first scroll blueprint: “The Frost Howl Unit, composed of Cold Fang Wolf Riders. Their mounts are the giant snow wolves bred in the territory, faster than warhorses, capable of traversing forests, snow, and mountain paths.
Equipped with light lances and foldable wooden-iron chevaux de frise, they possess high-mobility blockade and anti-charge capabilities. Their primary missions are swift raids on enemy camps and decapitation strikes against commanders.”
Those giant snow wolves were the cubs Lord Louis had personally captured.
Now they had grown into formidable battle beasts with sharp fangs, and through breeding and domestication, new wolf packs had even emerged.
However, Lord Louis had not tamed the largest and fiercest wolf, Cold Fang, as his personal mount.
It wasn't because he couldn't control it, but because... it was simply too uncomfortable.
A wolf's back lacked the closeness and stability of a horse's back; running on it was so bumpy it nearly made one's backside sore.
He simply let Cold Fang serve as the wolf leader for the entire wolf cavalry battle group, leading its offspring to charge and kill enemies, which proved even more effective.
After all, sufficient speed, strong killing intent, and obedience were what was truly needed on the battlefield.
Lambert unrolled the second blueprint: “The Fire Breath Unit. Flamethrower Knights, using improved backpack-mounted alchemical flamethrowers, fueled by flint marrow oil and Fire Scale paste, capable of forming continuous firewalls at short range.
Originally a weapon for combating the Mother Nest, it has now been adapted for anti-personnel tactics, specifically for breaking enemy shield formations, clearing obstacles, and incinerating barbarian siege engines.
And the Red Frost Unit. Magic Bomb Knights, equipped with shoulder-mounted short-range launchers, firing Magic Bombs, which have both penetrating and explosive effects.
They are specifically designed to counter large enemy formations and monster swarms.
Initial deployment has been completed, and mass production is on track, addressing the Red Tide Army's biggest weakness in firepower support.”
He looked up at Lord Louis: “These three units are the special combat formations that have currently taken shape. Two other units are still undergoing training.”
Lord Louis nodded repeatedly, his eyes clearly showing great satisfaction.
These special forces were the core of the tactical reforms he had personally conceived and promoted, and they were now beginning to show results. Lambert then reported the key achievements of this reform: “The special forces and main battle groups have completed multiple rounds of practical combat drills.
In simulated barbarian charge formations, the average time to complete the rout mission was only half of the original, significantly improving coordinated combat efficiency. The battle merits board and reward system have stimulated a strong sense of internal competition. Currently, thirteen Knights have achieved the qualification to establish and defend their own fiefs, willing to remain self-sufficient at border fortresses.
Regarding new equipment, cold iron weapons are sufficient, flamethrowers have been adapted for use by Knight units, and Magic Bomb production is stable at thirty per week, entering the practical stage.”
After listening, Lord Louis said with conviction: “Excellent. The Red Tide Knight Order is becoming the sharpest blade in the North.”
Upon hearing these words, the Knights felt a surge in their hearts, their expressions filled with excitement and pride.
Some unconsciously straightened their backs, others clenched their fists, their combat boots lightly tapping the ground.
This was not just a simple compliment, but a recognition, an affirmation from their great Lord himself. Their efforts, training,
scars, and sweat had not been in vain.
A young Knight murmured softly, “The sharpest blade in the North—” ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Some had burning gazes, as if they could already foresee the day they would charge through enemy lines on the battlefield, achieving glorious military feats.
Lord Louis leaned slightly forward, his gaze sharply sweeping across the hall: “Next step—” His voice was deep and steady, yet full of power: “Collaborate with the Artisan Department to advance the practical deployment of the Iron Beast combat vehicles, as well as the plan for bow and crossbow Magic Bomb Knights.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lambert and several officers: “Furthermore, select a Knight squad to go to Wheat Wave Territory to capture Steel Mad Bulls. They are the ideal power core for our ‘Iron Beasts’.”
There was a slight stir in the hall; everyone present had heard of that fierce beast's name, but no one flinched.
“Finally, prepare a practical border-clearing exercise. Next quarter, I want to see your new tactics, special formations, and armed innovations all implemented on a real battlefield. Can you do it?!”
All the Knight commanders roared in unison through the hall: “Yes!!!”
