In the city formerly known as Black Iron City, now renamed to Black Iron City, many people were waiting for the arrival of the legendary Iron Beast—the Magic Powered Train.
The mayor, Jim Evans, was personally waiting at the so-called “station.”
There were actually very few people in Graywhite Territory who had witnessed the trial operation of the Magic Powered Train, so many citizens of Black Iron City gathered early on the platform, waiting with curiosity and a hint of anxiety for the legendary “Iron Beast.”
Especially the merchants in Black Iron City, who began to fight for prime positions on the platform, with vendors even appearing to help people claim spots.
Suddenly, a long whistle sounded from afar, and the previously noisy crowd fell silent, all eyes turning to the end of the track.
This was the first time the people of Black Iron City heard the rumbling sound produced by the wheels of the train making contact with the rails; the sound was deep and powerful, as if even the earth was slightly trembling.
“It’s coming, it’s coming!”
A child on the shoulder of a wealthy merchant shouted excitedly, pointing in the direction of the sound. As the sound grew closer, the outline of the Magic Powered Train gradually became clearer.
A massive Iron Beast, exuding a faint glow from the runic arrays in operation, was dragging one carriage after another along the tracks toward the station.
Both the head of the Iron Beast and the carriages were covered with a thick layer of armor, and paired with the deep black color, it seemed as if even the air surrounding this Iron Beast carried a weighty aura, resembling a moving fortress.
People held their breath as they watched this Iron Beast slowly approach the platform. The sharp metallic sound of the wheels grinding against the rails intensified, and as the glow from the front faded, the Iron Beast finally came to a stop.
Jim had already established a safe distance, but upon truly seeing the Iron Beast, many people still took a small step back in fear.
In the face of such a thing, even fully armed knights would probably be crushed under the wheels, wouldn’t they?
However, as Lind held Lena’s hand and descended from the now-stopped train, he continually waved to the surrounding crowd.
That fear quickly turned into the loudest cheers, after all, this was the power developed by the governor’s wife, under the governor’s control.
Newsboys shouted along the streets, selling the latest newspapers introducing the Magic Powered Train.
Merchants rushed to inform each other, many eyed the Iron Beast with eager anticipation, discussing the fact that this Iron Beast was not just for the common people; the steel plate armor serving as defense could be removed in exchange for greater cargo capacity.
How much profit could be made from a single trip, the merchants could hardly imagine.
Countless magical recording spells documented this moment, and even professionals specializing in capturing magical imagery arrived to provide photos for the newspapers.
This train, researched and developed under Lena’s guidance, originally was intended to be named after her by Lind, but Lena blushed and expressed strong resistance, so the train was ultimately named the North Wind.
For the first stop of the Magic Powered Train, Lind did not choose the cities in the old western part of the Northern Border, but instead opted for Black Iron City, not only because it was currently an important military transportation hub but also a former commercial city, bustling with merchants and swift information exchange.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lind and Lena were surrounded by guards and left. In the horse-drawn carriage heading to the city hall, Lind asked Jim, who was sitting across from him, “Have there been any unusual movements from the nobles in the city?”
“No, these nobles have been quite honest recently, but they have been inquiring frequently if they can contribute some funding for the railway.”
Jim, being the top of the top among the schemers, still felt a bit nervous in front of Lind.
Moreover, Jim couldn’t clarify whether these nobles wanted to invest or buy indulgences.
“The next railway construction could allow them to donate, but we need to investigate the backgrounds of those donating nobles. They must have no cases against them within five generations.”
This meant that even donation matters required political scrutiny, although the standards weren’t too strict.
With the progression of war and Lind’s enhanced control, development was no longer as constrained as before, and Lind no longer needed to worry that those merchant nobles would pull some tricks during the donation, allowing him to extend more goodwill towards these individuals.
The so-called goodwill merely required complete integration into the system Lind built to gain cooperation qualifications.
Jim nodded and pulled out a document, saying, “This is your upcoming schedule.”
Jim handed over the neatly organized form; such clear and concise documentation was a necessary quality for a competent official.
Lind glanced at it and felt overwhelmed; although unnecessary social engagements had been significantly reduced, there were still many people in Black Iron City he needed to meet.
The matter of the Magic Powered Train would occupy Lind for quite some time.
At the city government center, Lind saw Sean, who had been waiting eagerly.
“Sister, Brother-in-law!”
Sean came forward enthusiastically to greet them. Once resembling a young noble, Sean now appeared a bit haggard.
Due to work reasons, Sean had long been away from Graythorn Territory, and upon hearing rumors about Lena, he was quite angry and worried, hastily returning to Black Iron City. Seeing that the couple was still as before, Sean finally relaxed.
However, not long after catching up, Lind asked, “How is the planning for the railway connecting to the front lines coming along?”
“I’ve conducted an on-site inspection, and everything has been planned out. Brother-in-law, as long as the materials are ready, we can start construction.”
After leaving Black Iron City, Sean had been assigned by Lind to coordinate the future railway planning of the Northern Border, especially the military railway extending to the front lines.
Now many places in the Northern Border had been devastated, making planning easier, and it was possible to construct while using; the sections already laid could immediately begin transporting building materials, personnel, and magic stones needed for constructing stations and supply depots.
In some areas, it wasn’t strictly necessary to lay out universal obelisks; simplified ones dedicated to charging the Magic Powered Train could be used, and there were special compartments on the train to carry raw sand containers.
Along the journey, there would also be plenty of labor released due to the end of the war, which could all be utilized. Once these workers completed the railway, they could become a reliable source of soldiers to be sent to the front lines.
Under normal circumstances, these workers wouldn’t typically be needed, but once the railway was completed, they would indeed make good candidates for soldiers.
After that, Lind had a family dinner with Sean while looking over reports.
Though the two men discussed business during the meal, Lena joined the conversation after a long absence from seeing her brother, together calculating budget expenditures from the reports.
“Can we detour to Oak Town and use local oak for the sleepers?”
“That’s a reasonable suggestion, Sister. Oak Town has been overexploited and impoverished; we can take this opportunity to help it regain prosperity with this railway.”
Pointing at the map, Sean remarked, “Actually, I’ve considered this idea too, but given that this railway is still military, efficiency must come first, so I was indecisive.”
After all, military considerations prioritize efficiency.
Lind examined the map and encouraged him, “The materials transported from the Royal Capital are too slow. If the sleeper materials can be provided by Oak Town, we can prioritize transporting other materials from the Royal Capital. In this way, adding this short segment is still cost-effective and accelerates the overall transportation speed of other materials.”
Sean didn’t show any emotion towards the sudden change in plans from his boss, but nodded, saying, “I understand, Brother-in-law. If similar situations arise in the subsequent sections, I will continue to organize and report.”
It must be said that Sean’s coordination abilities were indeed remarkable; laying a railway over such a long distance would make it understandable that small Britain would nearly lose Northern Ireland without much involvement in the UK. After the war was over, the railway might just be leaving Black Iron City, but the budget had already multiplied several times.
Sean even considered the possibility of developing towns along the railway route as well.
