Chapter 198 — The Industrial Age Begins
S.C. 1512 — Mid-Morning
Hidden Island — Industrial Sector
The rhythmic clinking of metal echoed through the clearing as Ren walked toward the newly completed factory complex.
Thick pillars of white steam puffed from the vents.
A low hum vibrated beneath the ground.
Workers in uniform moved with purpose, carrying coal, checking gauges, tightening bolts.
The Industrial Age of Hidden Island had begun.
Zemo padded alongside Ren, his sharp ears twitching toward every sound.
Mira, Leo, Bram, and Kiro were already waiting by the entrance to the main workshop.
Bram waved excitedly.
"Boss! The steam engines are warmed up!"
Leo added, "And the assembly tools are aligned. Everything's ready."
Kiro folded his arms, calm and focused.
"We can begin the first official production run."
Ren nodded.
"Then let's go inside."
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1. Inside the Heart of the Factory
The interior looked nothing like anything the East Blue had ever seen.
Rows of workbenches.
Precision tools Ren had designed.
Steam pipes feeding multiple stations.
Pulley-assisted cranes on rails overhead.
Large metal gears turning slowly in rhythm.
The air was warm—filled with the metallic scent of oil and coal.
Silver Moon workers stood in formation, eager yet nervous.
Ren stepped forward.
"Today is our first full-scale production cycle. You've trained for weeks. Now you'll see what your hands can create."
He pointed toward the three marked sections.
"Section 1 — Metal Processing
Section 2 — Machine Assembly
Section 3 — Ship Components & Tools"
Each section leader stepped forward at Ren's signal.
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2. Section 1 — Metal Processing Begins
Ren approached the massive furnace first.
Bright orange embers burned intensely as workers shoveled coal inside.
A large crucible glowed faintly with molten alloy.
Leo stood nearby, protective goggles on.
"Boss, Alloy-13 batch is ready for cooling."
Ren inspected the molten metal, watching its color shift.
Strong. Dense. Perfect for ship support beams and weapon joints.
"Release the mold," Ren ordered.
Leo pulled the lever.
Molten metal streamed into channels—filling long rectangular molds with a heavy hiss.
Steam burst upward as the molds cooled rapidly.
Workers stepped back in awe.
"That's… incredible."
"We've never seen anything like this!"
Ren nodded.
"With this alloy, our ships will stand against storms and cannon fire."
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3. Section 2 — Machine Assembly
Next, Ren walked to the assembly line.
Bram and ten Silver Moon workers were installing gear components.
Wheels, crankshafts, pressure valves, iron plates—all lined in perfect order.
Bram lifted a half-assembled engine part.
"This one's heavy. Good weight for stability."
Ren touched the metal, felt its temperature, its internal balance.
"Fit the reinforced shaft next," Ren instructed.
Bram slotted it in.
It fit perfectly.
CLICK.
The entire row of workers exhaled in admiration.
Ren continued:
"Steam Engine Type-B will power mills, cranes, water pumps, and small ships. Finish assembly and test pressure at twenty minutes."
"Yes, Chief!"
Tools clanked. Workers moved. The assembly line came alive.
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4. Section 3 — Ship Components
Mira was already handling this section.
Stacks of titan wood beams, metal ribs, and rope coils lay organized.
She pointed at the workers.
"Lift those beams. Align them. No gaps. No cracks. Check for moisture."
The workers moved quickly.
Mira had become a natural leader.
Ren approached.
"How are they doing?"
"Better. Much better. With titan wood in supply, we can build stronger ship frames."
Ren inspected a massive keel beam.
Dense. Straight. Tough.
Perfect.
"Prepare ten units," Ren said. "We'll begin hull construction next week."
Mira nodded.
"Already on it."
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5. Activation of the Mill System
Ren walked toward the far end of the factory.
A large wheel-shaped device stood there—connected to gears, belts, and grinding plates.
"Stand back."
He pulled the activation lever.
CHSHHHHHHHH—WHRRRRRRRRR—
The entire mill system roared to life.
Gears spun.
Metal plates rotated.
Grinding mechanisms shook the ground.
Workers backed up, amazed.
Leo shouted over the noise:
"This can grind grain for the entire island!"
Bram added:
"And crush ore faster than ten men!"
Ren nodded.
"This factory isn't about weapons or ships alone.
It's about survival.
Food.
Energy.
Progress."
The workers looked at the machines with new understanding.
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6. The First Production Output
By midday:
12 titan wood beams
4 tons of refined Alloy-13
1 fully-assembled Type-B steam engine
600 processed grain units
40 toolkits (hammers, saws, drill heads)
18 metal plates for ship hulls
Ren sat with his notebook.
"These numbers are good," he muttered. "Very good."
Kiro crossed his arms.
"Enough for a full shipyard cycle."
Mira smirked. "Silver Moon will have busy weeks ahead."
Bram cracked his neck.
"Good. I need more work. My new muscles need something to smash."
Leo laughed.
"Try not to break the engines, Bram."
Ren closed the notebook.
"This factory is now the backbone of Meridian Group. Keep it running. Keep it safe."
Zemo barked proudly, tail high.
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7. Evening — A Turning Point
As the sun began to set, the factory's lights glowed faintly from steam-powered lamps.
Workers drifted back to the dorms.
The hum of machines continued—soft, steady, reassuring.
Ren stood outside the factory entrance, watching the smokestacks rise against the darkening sky.
Mira approached quietly.
"You look proud."
Ren shook his head slightly.
"I'm relieved… not proud. This factory changes everything. Our island… our people… our future."
Kiro joined them.
"We're no longer surviving."
"We're building," Mira added.
Ren breathed deeply.
The Industrial Age had begun in a corner of the East Blue where no one was looking.
Hidden. Silent. Growing.
And soon…
Unstoppable.
Zemo leaned against Ren's leg, sensing his determination.
Ren placed a hand on Zemo's head.
"Tomorrow… we start mass production."
The wind carried the scent of smoke, metal, and promise.
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End of Chapter 198