Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 45 The Mechanic

On the south bank, on a hill where one can clearly see what is happening ahead.

Wrapped in a thick coat, Vilan sat leisurely in a chair. Despite the biting cold, as a lord, he maintained his elegance.

Behind him, Igris was giving a report in a notebook.

"As you instructed, the women's team has already set up makeshift stoves on the south bank, and soon those refugees will be able to have warm food."

"Well done, isn't this excellent? I knew I hadn't misjudged you; you are an excellent maid."

"I've never heard of maids being responsible for these kinds of tasks..."

Iglesias muttered something, but it was just a habitual display of arrogance; in reality, she quite liked the job.

Being able to help those poor people made her, who was already kind-hearted, feel very satisfied.

Vilan didn't expose him, and continued, "Let's call Al over. I was too busy yesterday and didn't have a chance to get to know him yet."

"Okay, just a moment."

Iglesias went downstairs, while Vilan remembered the report McGinn had given him the previous night.

This is Vilan's requirement for everyone: all work must be documented, with detailed records kept and reports prepared at any time.

According to McGinn, the kid named Al, although Miles's brother, had a completely different personality.

He seemed to have ADHD, always excited and curious, yet able to switch to a focused state at any time. Moreover, although he was skilled in blacksmithing, he looked down on blacksmiths and instead called himself a mechanic.

Mechanics in this era did not study machines, but rather created mechanical devices, such as clocks, door locks, pulleys, and even craftsmen who repaired carriage wheels were all part of the mechanics.

They are not recognized; it is merely a self-designation used by a segment of the group.

However, Vilan was particularly interested in such people. Technological progress in any era would be inseparable from the skillful hands who researched and created intricate objects, so he was very interested in this Al.

Of course, Al was able to come to Anvil Territory with Miles partly because Master Longin agreed, and partly because Al was interested in magic powder.

Once his interest fades, he probably won't be able to stay any longer.

However, this is impossible with Vilan; he has countless ideas that can impress such a person.

Soon, Al, dressed strangely, timidly walked up.

"Mr. Vilan, you wanted to see me?"

Vilan turned his head and said with a smile, "Welcome to Anvil Territory, Mr. Mechanic."

Alden blushed immediately. "I really am a mechanic!"

"It's obvious I approve, isn't it? You visited my workshop yesterday, right? What were your thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Al shook his head almost without hesitation. "Although those magic powders are magical, the craftsmen rely entirely on them to move around. In essence, they are no different from any other craftsmen, lacking any creativity. That thing called cement, on the other hand, is quite good."

Vilan glanced at him in surprise.

This kid is really honest. Aren't you afraid I'll hang you up if I get angry?

He coughed lightly and said, "You're right, but there's one thing you've forgotten. They are all qualified craftsmen, capable of independently creating useful products, while you haven't made anything. I think you're not qualified to judge those dedicated craftsmen."

Vilan raised his voice slightly, and sure enough, the boy's pride immediately flared up. Al argued, "I'll invent the best mechanical creations of my time! A hundred times better than the iron they forge!"

"Then prove it to me."

Viran stared into Al's eyes, the lord's authority momentarily stunning the young man.

But then he shook his head and said, "Don't try to fool me. I'm not your subject, and I have no obligation to prove it to you."

Vilan chuckled softly. "Is that so? Then it seems you're not interested in carriages that can run without horses."

"What?" Al's eyes lit up immediately. "You're lying to me, aren't you? How can a carriage move by itself without animal power?"

"Why not? If I had a steam engine, I could convert steam into kinetic energy, and that powerful kinetic energy could drive the wheels forward."

Vilan spoke seemingly casually, but to Al, it was utterly astonishing.

A steam engine? What's that?

What is kinetic energy?

How could steam possibly power a horse-drawn carriage?

Seeing Al's bewildered expression, Vilan found it amusing.

Cars are definitely not something we should be considering at this stage, but making grand promises isn't illegal, is it?

"This is just a small idea of ​​mine. I have many similar ideas, and as long as they can be realized, the inventor's name will be engraved on the first line of the inventors' monument. Of course, as everyone knows, I don't care about such a small reputation."

Vilan smiled, his keen eyes having already noticed Al's unusual behavior; he seemed to still be pondering the feasibility of converting steam into kinetic energy.

Seeing this, Vilan knew he had come to the right person. Anyone else would not have thought about these words but would have scoffed and thought the lord had probably gone mad.

At that moment, Carreras walked over.

"Lord Vilan, Mr. Hans has sent the first batch of refugees, who will soon be landing on the south bank."

"So fast? Call the workshop manager, let's go take a look."

Vilan ignored Al and, escorted by Carreras, reached the shore.

At this time, more than two hundred people had gathered on the north bank; they were all refugees who had followed Xiong Yan's family.

The group that Hans had selected consisted of only about twenty people, who were crouching nervously on the raft under the escort of guards.

"What did Hans do?"

"He did nothing but tell those people that those who went to the South Bank would get jobs and shelter, as well as bread and broth."

"And then they all came?"

"Not all of them. Obviously, that man called Bear Eyes doesn't trust us. He's still observing. These refugees who came here are just scouting ahead."

Carreras answered Vilan's question and called the recruits and guards who remained on the south bank to receive the refugees.

Vilan didn't care. After all, they were refugees, and it was normal for them to be afraid. In the future, they would all be valuable citizens of the Anvil Territory, so he couldn't frighten them.

Of course, appropriate deterrence is also necessary.

Soon, everyone on the raft came ashore. Suddenly, the new recruits of the 3rd squad of the guard brandished their spears and assumed a ready-to-fight stance. The sound of their synchronized waving immediately made the refugees tremble, and many of them knelt down on the grass.

This scene made the bear on the north bank widen its eyes, and it almost couldn't help but curse.

But the next second, a clean and lively voice rang out.

"Everyone line up! We'll be giving you food shortly!"