The next morning, I awoke to the familiar scent of breakfast wafting through the air. As my eyes fluttered open, I saw my maid standing beside my bed, a tray in hand. She placed it down gently before offering a respectful bow.
"Good morning, Your Highness. I brought your breakfast."
I sat up, stretching slightly before pulling the tray closer. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread, eggs, and fruit filled my nose, and I wasted no time digging in. I ate every last bite, feeling my energy slowly return as I finished the meal.
Once I was done, my maid stepped forward and began assisting me with my attire. As she adjusted the fabric and ensured everything was in place, I spoke.
"How many did we kill yesterday?" My voice was steady, lacking any hesitation. "And how many were captured?"
She paused briefly before answering, her tone calm and professional. "We eliminated forty-five out of the fifty. The remaining five were captured alive as per your orders."
As I stepped out of my room, I turned to my maid. "Find Migul and tell him to meet me in my office."
She gave a small bow before hurrying off, and I made my way toward my office. By the time I reached my desk and settled into my chair, barely five minutes had passed before the door flew open.
Migul stormed in, panting heavily, his face flushed with urgency. He tried to speak but couldn't get a word out between gasps for breath.
I smirked slightly, folding my hands on the desk. "I can guess what you want to say," I said smoothly. "You don't have enough iron for mass production, do you?"
Migul's eyes widened in shock. "How did you—"
I chuckled. "I expected this problem. But don't worry—I have a plan."
I leaned forward and tapped my fingers on the desk. "Tell me, Migul, do you know the mines to the north?"
Migul scratched his beard, nodding slowly. "Aye, I know them. But they're a day's ride away by horse. If we wanted to mine there, we'd need to set up housing, supply lines, and proper infrastructure first. That alone would take months, if not years. I'd say it's impossible."
I smirked. "Almost impossible."
With that, I placed a detailed plan on the desk in front of him. Migul leaned over and examined it, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Two iron rods leading from the workshop to the mines? And passing by the fields and the food storage? What's this supposed to be?"
"They're called rails," I explained. "And they're for a steam train."
Migul's head snapped up, his curiosity piqued. I pulled out another plan, laying it on top of the first one. This one depicted a simple steam locomotive with three different types of train cars—one designed for transporting people, another for hauling ore, and a third for carrying food and other essential cargo.
He stared at the design, his fingers tracing the lines and annotations carefully. Minutes passed in silence as he studied the details. After nearly ten minutes, his expression suddenly shifted—his lips curled into a smug grin.
"I get it," he murmured, then straightened up. "A moving forge on wheels, running on heat and pressure. If we harness steam properly, we can make it move forward with controlled power. This—this could work!"
He pointed at the design, nodding with increasing enthusiasm. "The boiler creates steam, the pressure builds up, and that pressure moves the pistons, which then turn the wheels!" He looked up at me, his eyes gleaming. "You're a damn genius!"
I leaned back slightly, letting him process the full scope of the project before speaking again. "With the materials we currently have, this should be entirely possible. The first train will only have six carts dedicated to ore transportation and will run exclusively between the mine and the workshop. Once it's operational and mining begins, we'll have an even greater supply of iron and coal for future projects."
Migul stroked his beard, nodding slowly. "Alright... but how fast would this thing be? Would it be able to make multiple trips in a single day?"
I smiled. "It should reach speeds of over 100 km/h. Carrying heavy loads will slow it down, but even then, it should make the trip in thirty minutes to an hour at most. The heaviest load will be from the mine to the workshop, but that route is mostly downhill, even if only slightly. That should help reduce strain on the engine and allow for more efficient trips."
Migul's eyes lit up with excitement. "That fast?! Damn! That would cut travel time down to nothing! We could move supplies and people like never before!" He practically vibrated with enthusiasm. "We need to start right away!"
I held up a hand, stopping him before he rushed out the door. "Before you do, how long do you think it will take to complete?"
Migul took a moment to think, stroking his beard. "Building the rails will take around a month, and the train itself will need another month after that."
I shook my head. "That's too long. Get your men started on laying the tracks immediately. I'll personally assist with the train's construction starting tomorrow. We need it done in two weeks at most."
Migul's eyes widened. "Two weeks? That's nearly impossible…" He hesitated for a moment before letting out a chuckle. "But I suppose if the queen herself is present and actively working alongside us, it'll light a fire under the men. Alright, we'll push as hard as we can."
With that, he turned and left in a hurry, already calling out orders as he rushed down the hall.
I took a deep breath and then called for my maid.
As she entered, I handed her a sealed letter. "Take this to the alchemist under contract with the royal family. Make sure he receives it personally."
She bowed slightly and took the letter. Before she could leave, I handed her another note. "And with this, I need you to find people who fit these qualities."
She studied the note briefly, then nodded. "Understood, Your Highness. I will return once the tasks are complete."
A few hours later, a knock at the door made me look up from my paperwork. "Enter," I called.
The maid stepped in, her expression composed. "Your Highness, I have found a few individuals who match your request."
I set my quill down and folded my hands on the desk. "Good. Send them in—one at a time."
As I interviewed each candidate, I carefully assessed their knowledge, problem-solving skills, and ability to understand technical concepts. I also tested their resistance to heat, ensuring that they could handle the extreme temperatures that came with working near steam engines. One by one, I narrowed the group down to nine individuals—the exact number I had hoped for.
Satisfied, I called them all back into the room and gestured for them to take their seats. Once they were settled, I spoke. "From now on, you will be training to drive a steam train. We have two weeks. Every evening, we will meet here, and I will teach you everything you need to know. Once the train is built far enough, we will move on to practical lessons. During the day, you will discuss the material among yourselves. Any questions you cannot figure out on your own, remember them and bring them to me in the evening."
I placed a stack of carefully drawn schematics and notes on the table in front of them. "Read through these thoroughly. Study every detail. If you have questions, ask them—but only if none of the other eight can answer. You are a team now, and I expect you to learn from each other as much as from me."
As the evening went on, I observed their progress with growing satisfaction. There were many questions, and I had to explain several concepts multiple times, but it was not hopeless. They were learning, and that was all that mattered.
Long after the sun had set, I finally stopped them for the night. "That's enough for today. Rest well and be ready for tomorrow." With that, I dismissed them and made my way to my quarters, exhaustion creeping in after the long day.
Upon entering my room, I undressed, letting the cool night air brush against my fur. My maid remained outside, giving me privacy as I stepped in front of my mirror. The room was completely dark, with no light source to assist me, yet I could see my reflection perfectly.
Curious, I focused on my vision, trying to push my senses further. To my astonishment, every individual hair on my fur-covered arm became crystal clear. My eyes widened as I looked closer—I could even make out the faint pulsing of blood flowing through my veins.
I was completely bamboozled.
Stepping away from the mirror, I turned toward the window, my curiosity growing. Gazing into the distance, I concentrated, testing how far my sight could reach. My eyes adjusted effortlessly, sharpening every detail. Then, nearly two kilometers away, hidden within a bush, I spotted movement.
A rabbit.
Even in the darkness, I could see it clearly—every twitch of its ears, every shift in its stance. I exhaled slowly, processing what I had just discovered.
My eyesight wasn't just enhanced. It was beyond anything I had ever imagined.
My eyesight wasn't just enhanced. It was beyond anything I had ever imagined.
Next, I decided to test my hearing. Closing my eyes, I focused on my surroundings, letting the world fade away as I concentrated solely on sound. Instinctively, I felt my wolf-like ears shift, angling themselves toward different noises. The sensation was strange, almost unnatural, but fascinating.
I turned my ears toward the open window, directing them outward. Almost immediately, I heard it—the same bunny from before. Every leaf it stepped on, every brush of its fur against a low-hanging branch, even the subtle shifting of its muscles beneath its skin. It was as if I could feel its movements through sound alone.
Intrigued, I opened my eyes, only to realize I was already looking straight at it. Without thinking, my body had aligned my vision with the precise location of the noise. The combination of my heightened sight and acute hearing allowed me to predict its next movement before it even made it.
A small smirk tugged at my lips. This was more than just improved senses—this was a true advantage.
Next, I decided to test my hearing. Closing my eyes, I focused on my surroundings, letting the world fade away as I concentrated solely on sound. Instinctively, I felt my wolf-like ears shift, angling themselves toward different noises. The sensation was strange, almost unnatural, but fascinating.
I turned my ears toward the open window, directing them outward. Almost immediately, I heard it—the same bunny from before. Every leaf it stepped on, every brush of its fur against a low-hanging branch, even the subtle shifting of its muscles beneath its skin. It was as if I could feel its movements through sound alone.
Intrigued, I opened my eyes, only to realize I was already looking straight at it. Without thinking, my body had aligned my vision with the precise location of the noise. The combination of my heightened sight and acute hearing allowed me to predict its next movement before it even made it.
A small smirk tugged at my lips. This was more than just improved senses—this was a true advantage.
The thought of testing my abilities further sent a thrill through me. I truly wanted to go outside and try hunting now, to stalk prey under the cover of darkness, to experience the rush of the chase. My instincts were urging me forward, tempting me to give in.
But it was late. And I had far too much to do tomorrow.
With a sigh, I forced myself to step away from the window, shaking off the urge. There would be time for that later. For now, I needed rest.