Chapter 476: Steam Engine Started

Moonlight Castle.

Loren had never imagined that this luxurious castle, built by Hersus with immense manpower and resources, would end up in his possession.

Fortunately, the battle of Moonlight Valley was primarily concentrated at the city gates, leaving the castle relatively unscathed.

Even though the knights later caused some damage during their looting, it was minor and could be repaired by craftsmen with a bit of time and effort.

After Loren led Wilson and others into Moonlight Valley, and once Ridar and Sophia's knight regiments secured the towns, the post-war region began to settle into a period of recovery and rest.

The substantial population loss caused by Mephisto could not be replenished quickly, and some lands inevitably fell into neglect, awaiting gradual revival as the population grew.

During this time, Loren inspected Moonlight Valley's three mines: two iron mines and one copper mine.

Bruno was right—the iron mine at Red Maple City was massive, at least ten times larger than the one at Crimson Hill Town!

Moonlight Valley not only had this large iron mine but also a medium-sized iron mine and a medium-sized copper mine in Mountain Spring City!

It now seemed that Hersus, though a count with a modest territory, possessed a land rich in both grain and minerals, abundantly fertile.

Instead of wisely managing such a fine territory, Hersus constantly coveted Riverside City, which lacked special resources, obsessively expanding his territory merely for size—a shortsighted approach that wasted the land's potential.

Now that Loren had acquired these mines, they fully satisfied his territory's needs for steel resources.

After Loren took over Moonlight Castle, nobles from surrounding territories visited, mostly to maintain their previous iron ore trades with Hersus.

To swiftly resume mining operations and pursue higher yields, Loren proposed a cooperative arrangement: exchanging iron ore for labor from these nobles.

For the nobles, labor was not particularly valuable; even in territories with sparse populations, they could squeeze out some workers.

Moreover, these laborers would only work in Loren's territory, and the money and resources they earned were permitted to be spent in their own lands—a no-loss venture.

After several days of deliberation, the nobles wrote to Loren, agreeing to this cooperation.

Thus, over the next two months, Red Maple City and Mountain Spring City in Moonlight Valley welcomed a flood of laborers.

Although these people earned money from Loren, they also spent on food, lodging, and daily necessities in Moonlight Valley. Some might even find life here appealing and consider immigrating.

Additionally, the king's promised population of ten thousand had begun sailing in stages.

Forty percent migrated through Dennis Port to Moonlight City, while the remaining sixty percent traveled north through the Screaming Sea to arrive at Northport, becoming the primary force for building North City.

Moonlight City was Loren's second major city, and North Territory, as the strategic rear, was the foundation of development, also requiring a landmark city.

Winter arrived swiftly.

In a large courtyard near Northport, a massive iron contraption was mounted about a meter or two above the ground.

Ordinary people standing before such a cold, steel creation, even knowing it was inert, felt an awe-inspiring reverence.

Simon slapped his hand against the steel, his face brimming with unrestrained excitement.

"After decades of craftsmanship, I never imagined I'd one day build something so vast and precise!"

Although he only contributed to part of its structure, it was still a feat worth boasting about.

"The steam engine, right? Loren, I can't wait to see the outcome!"

"I'm equally eager!"

Since Sophia joined North Territory, Loren often brought her to craft the core components of the steam engine.

Over the past eight months, relying on their exceptional mental focus and control over fire, they collaborated to produce the cylinder, flywheel, piston, and other parts.

These components were not only highly precise but also remarkably strong, perfectly suited for the steam engine's use.

"Carlos, please ignite the fire," Loren said, pointing to the boiler.

The dragon blinked its enormous eyes. It had also contributed significantly to this iron mass and was keen to witness the steam engine's operation.

Whoosh!

Blazing flames erupted from its gaping mouth, controlled by Carlos to concentrate entirely beneath the boiler.

"Uh, control the temperature; don't melt the furnace," Loren cautioned.

Carlos promptly lowered the flame's intensity.

Soon, the water in the boiler began to boil.

High-temperature steam seeped from the sealed boiler, flowing through pipes into the cylinder, gradually accumulating, expanding, and pushing the piston.

"It's moving!"

Sophia sensed the piston's motion within the cylinder.

Hum!

Quickly, accompanied by a low, resonant roar, the steam engine slowly awakened, beginning to showcase the boundless power stored within.

A powerful surge of steam burst through the pressure constraints, erupting into plumes of white mist that dispersed into the air.

As the steam released, the engine's axle started turning.

Though initially slow and heavy, like an elder struggling to take a step, gradually, the flywheel spun faster and stronger, the axle's clanking grew louder, resonating like war drums!

Simon was astounded by the spectacle.

"I envisioned this scene, but reality is even more breathtaking!"

Sophia added, "This isn't magical power; it's the force of nature!"

Both were knowledgeable, understanding the principles of Dawnbreaker's magical propulsion.

Seeing the flywheel spin, they realized that applying this motion to a great ship would eliminate concerns over insufficient magic crystal energy.

After all, boiling water—though Carlos was currently breathing fire—could also be achieved with wood or what Loren called coal, only requiring a slightly longer start-up time.

"Loren, I feel that with this on a ship, the sails could be removed," Sophia shared her thought.

Even Dawnbreaker had three large sails, a precaution for energy shortages.

But with steam power, sails could indeed be discarded.

"Absolutely!"

Loren agreed, "Sailboats will soon become obsolete. Besides ships, I also plan to apply the steam engine to land transport."

The steam engine had vast applications: transportation, textiles, forging, compression pumps, even electricity generation—any field requiring substantial power could utilize it.

For Loren, transportation was the priority.

Whether in Moonlight Valley or Crimson Hill Town, transporting mined iron ore relied on human and animal power, which was inefficient.

With steam trains and constructed railway tracks, large-scale transport would be possible.

"Sophia, Simon, I want to optimize the steam engine next and apply it to land transport."

As Loren signaled Carlos to cease the flames, he pulled Sophia and Simon to discuss the next steps.

"I plan to pilot in North Territory, building a railway line to transport coal resources from Marsh Town to Northport using the steam engine."

"Railway?"

Though Simon's tone was puzzled, his face was thrilled; he was fascinated by crafting novel things.

"That's a new term, and just hearing it sparks my intense interest! Loren, tell me, what do you need me to do?"

Luo Ning used his spiritual power to control the sand on the ground, lifting it into the air. Within a few breaths, it formed the shape of railways and steam trains.

"I plan to appoint you as my chief mechanical engineer, to design railway lines that cover the Northern Wu Territory, the Mountain Wu Territory, and Moonlight Valley."

He began to explain the basic principles of railways, as well as the immense benefits they would bring once completed.

The more Sophia and Simon listened, the more astonished they became.

Even in Dawn City, transportation still relied on animal power, with magical energy not widely adopted.

But it was clear that if Luo Ning's railways were built, they would become a tool capable of widespread application.

Not only nobles but ordinary people would be able to use them.

Sophia exclaimed, "Luo Ning, I am certain that your invention will change this world!"

This time Luo Ning did not modestly deflect; instead, he smiled and issued an invitation: "Then let us work together to unleash the power of steam to liberate this world's productivity, my chief designer and chief engineer."

Sophia and Simon exchanged glances, then nodded solemnly. (End of Chapter)