"Careful now! Don't get too close—watch out for the heat!" Cody stood on the ridge of the field, shouting at the top of his lungs.
Today marked a new application of the steam engine: a prototype designed for plowing. He had applied to bring the Research Department out to the fields specifically to gather accurate field data. Consequently, the area was ringed with soldiers; no one except authorized personnel was allowed anywhere near the machine.
Lucas had provided a wealth of blueprints and even hobby models purchased from Earth for the department to study. These mechanical marvels could be completed in a relatively short time through labor and craftsmanship, unlike electronic components which would require years of foundational research.
"Huh? Another caravan heading for the city?" Cody glanced toward the main road. He watched the group for two seconds before losing interest, turning back to the plowing machine. He noted that the two wheels could be widened slightly—it wasn't stable enough yet.
*
Nancy stared curiously toward the fields, whispering to Ayesha, "Can we go take a look?"
"Better not. They're testing over there, we shouldn't disturb them," Ayesha shook her head. With soldiers guarding it, it was definitely classified. Without a proper identification token, she wouldn't even be able to get close.
"Fair enough," Nancy said, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.
Obi's eyes narrowed slightly. This city was far from simple; it felt shrouded in mystery. Having followed Lady Bella for so long, he had some worldliness, and what he saw here defied his experience.
"Let's go. I'll take you to see the Master first." Ayesha spurred her horse, picking up the pace.
Clatter, clatter, clatter...
"Heavens, they've planted a massive stretch of fine rice. This is incredible."
"Wait, are all those flowers? Do the nobles here use them for floral baths?"
"Look at that lake! Are the people on those boats catching fish?"
The exclamations from Nancy, Obi, and their followers were constant. Their eyes couldn't take it all in; there were simply too many varieties of life and industry here.
"Obi, the pontoon bridge is just ahead. Have the men cross in five separate groups," Ayesha instructed.
"Cross a bridge?" Obi blinked. What bridge?
Ayesha didn't explain. She kept riding and soon reached the pontoon bridge, glancing back at the slack-jawed expressions of her companions.
"There it is. That's the bridge," Ayesha said, raising an eyebrow.
"How... How did they do this? A bridge across the Whispering River?" Nancy gasped. Her voice was growing hoarse from the sheer number of shocks she'd received today.
"I... I see now," Obi stammered. He hadn't even considered the possibility of a bridge because the very idea of bridging the Whispering River had seemed impossible.
"Once we're across, we're in the city properly." Ayesha led the way.
"My God, is that a ship? It's humongous!" Nancy stared at the massive vessels anchored at the Navy Base.
"One of those could carry hundreds of people," Obi muttered. He was becoming numb to the surprises.
"Two hundred is no problem," Ayesha added softly.
The road from the pontoon bridge was now partitioned from the main port; the Navy Base sat in between as a buffer. Lucas had ordered a specific road built to connect the bridge directly to the city's main artery to prevent the farmers from the new lands from mingling and causing chaos at the busy commercial docks.
"The knights stay here. The goods stay here as well—officials will come to inspect and weigh them."
Ayesha turned to Obi and Nancy with a serious expression. "Sedona City prohibits armed knights from entering the city. Unless they surrender their weapons, they must camp here in this open field."
The cow-girl knew the Master trusted her to handle the arrangements, but she wouldn't dare break the rules. To do so would be a sign of disrespect toward him.
"Alright," Nancy hesitated but nodded to Obi.
"Understood," Obi replied. He actually felt it was a reasonable request; it would be weirder if they were allowed to march an armed force into a city center.
Soon, the beastkin knights were settled in the open space near the Navy Base. Obi and Nancy felt a bit uneasy about their goods staying behind, but for Ayesha's sake, they didn't protest.
"Come on." Ayesha led Nancy and Obi on a brisk gallop up the main road.
The two were struck by the smoothness of the road. Compared to the muddy, rutted paths in Bella's territory, this was like heaven and earth. There was simply no comparison.
"See that sign? Don't charge past it. That's a cleaning carriage clearing the horse manure," Ayesha pointed to a wooden barrier on the road. "Whatever you do, don't crash into it."
A wooden plaque hung from the barrier with an arrow pointing to the side; behind it, a carriage was parked while workers cleaned.
"Understood," Obi and the others shifted their path.
"This road is so level," Nancy marveled, glancing at the pedestrians walking on the side paths.
Soon, they arrived at the Old District. They left their horses at a stable and began to walk the streets.
"Huh? What are they doing over there? Why did they dig such a massive, deep hole?" Obi stopped at the edge of the street, looking at a construction site where many workers—mostly beastkin—were busy.
"Oh, that? They're digging the foundation for a new building," Ayesha said, her tail swishing with excitement. "The Master plans to build the tallest building in the world right there."
"Tallest in the world?" Obi was stunned. He stepped closer to look into the pit and his eyes nearly bulged out. "So much iron?!"
"There's so much! What are they doing? Why is it all being braced down there?" Nancy asked, unable to comprehend the sight.
"That iron is for the structure. It's so the building won't collapse," Ayesha laughed.
"Just to build a house? They used that much iron?" Obi wondered if his ears were failing him.
Using that much iron just for a building instead of forging armor and weapons... It was madness. He refused to admit it was pure, unadulterated envy.
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