Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points!-Chapter 79: Gears And Progress

Abaddon soared effortlessly through the air, his dark wings slicing through the winds like blades.

A mild smile remained on his lips, his earlier "entertainment" still fresh in his mind.

The twisted joy of watching humans succumb to their basest instincts had left him in high spirits.

But suddenly, he halted mid-flight, hovering in the vast expanse of the sky.

His sharp, white abs black eyes widened slightly as he spoke to himself.

"Oh my, it appears I’ve forgotten something very important…" His tone was almost playful, like a child realizing they’d misplaced a trinket.

His smile faded as it dawned on him.

"I left no one alive to send back a message to that noble…"

He glanced over his shoulder, as if considering the battlefield far behind him. For a fleeting moment, his brows furrowed, his face adopting a thoughtful expression.

Then, his lips curved upward again into a devious grin, his sharp teeth glinting in the light.

"Well... I believe that isn’t necessary to worry after all."

He chuckled softly, his laughter carrying an edge of cruelty.

"That coward of a noble must have witnessed all of it from a safe distance... Perhaps trough a magic artifact... Yes, yes, human nobles have always tended to do that. No doubt trembling behind his walls after he witnessed my power. So..."

"I need not concern myself."

Abaddon’s tongue flicked across his lips, his grin growing more sinister.

"Such repulsive sin."

"Fear, betrayal, desperation… What a delightful cocktail of human depravity. I would like to savor it again soon."

"I’m sure Arkanos will not disappoint me."

He closed his eyes briefly, as if relishing the memory of the despair that had occourd. A low, satisfied chuckle escaped his throat as his wings flapped again as he continued towards the capital.

...

The fiery heart of the Dwarven Forge was practically pulsing with energy as molten metal hissed and sparks rained down like tiny, fleeting stars.

Arkanos stood in the center of the workshop, thus time in a more simpler attire, his sharp emerald gaze scanning the dwarfs working around him.

The repeated hammering of dwarves at their anvils, the roar of the bellows feeding the massive central furnace, and the occasional bark of orders created a gave it this... industrious vibe that filled the cavernous space.

Grundar Ironmaul, the head of the forge, approached with a grim expression. His braided beard was streaked with soot, and his leather apron has fresh scorch marks.

In one hand, he held a thick ledger, its pages smudged with notes and calculations.

"Your Majesty," Grundar called out with his gruf voice. "The progress on the engine’s parts is steady, but we’ve hit a snag—materials."

Arkanos arched an eyebrow and turned to face the dwarf fully. "What kind of snag, Grundar? Speak plainly."

Grundar laid the ledger on a nearby stone table cluttered with blueprints and tools. He flipped it open to a marked page, revealing a detailed inventory list.

"We’re runnin’ low on key resources, particularly mithril and refined steel. And don’t get me started on the firecrystal powder—we’re nearly out of it entirely."

Arkanos frowned, his hands clasped behind his back as he leaned over the ledger.

The empire’s reliance on mithril for its lightweight strength and heat resistance was critical, especially for the steam engine project.

Without it, the engine’s pressure system and key components would be at risk of failure.

"Firecrystal powder," Arkanos repeated thoughtfully. "That’s essential for the furnace’s temperature regulation, isn’t it?"

Grundar nodded, his expression grim. "Aye. Without it, our furnaces won’t burn hot enough to properly forge the alloy ye’re askin’ for. And as for the mithril, our stores are nearly empty. We’ll need to source more from the mines, but the nearest reliable deposits are deep in the Ironspine Mountains."

Arkanos straightened, his mind racing through solutions. "And the steel?"

"We’ve got enough for now," Grundar replied, "but if we’re to make this engine to the specifications ye demand, we’ll need to refine more. That’ll require coal—lots of it—and a steady supply of iron ore."

The emperor nodded, his expression calm. He wasn’t one to let obstacles derail his plans.

"Then we’ll address these shortages immediately. Tell me, Grundar, what’s the fastest way to acquire the mithril and firecrystal powder?"

Grundar stroked his beard thoughtfully. "For coal, Blackstone Veins. The mithril’s trickier. The Ironspine mines are dangerous, teemin’ with creatures and unstable shafts. We’ll need skilled miners and guards to protect ’em. As for firecrystal powder, we could try tradin’ with the merchants from the southern regions—they’ve got access to it, but it won’t come cheap."

" The cost is not an issue." Arkanos said.

Arkanos glanced around the forge, his sharp eyes assessing the dwarves at work.

"We can’t afford delays. Grundar, organize a mining expedition to the Ironspine Mountains immediately. Equip them with the best tools and weapons we have available."

Grundar’s brow furrowed. "It’ll take time to gather the miners and secure their protection."

"My berserk Knights can handle protection."

"So start now," Arkanos said firmly. "Send word to the imperial treasury—funds will be provided for the necessary supplies and wages."

Grundar nodded, though his eyes still held a flicker of concern. "And what about the firecrystal powder? If we’re waitin’ on merchants, we might lose valuable time."

Arkanos’s lips curled into a faint smile. "I’ll handle the merchants personally. They’ll know the value of dealing with the empire."

Grundar smirked, the faintest glimmer of confidence returning to his expression. "Aye, Your Majesty, I reckon they will. I’ll see to the mining expedition meself. We’ll have the mithril ready for ye before ye know it."

"Good," Arkanos said, his tone resolute. "And inform the forge workers to prioritize what they can with the materials we have on hand. Every second counts."

Grundar gave a sharp nod, barking orders to his assistants as he turned to leave.

Arkanos remained by the stone table, his gaze fixed on the blueprints before him.

Moments later, a young dwarf approached hesitantly, his hands clutching a rolled-up parchment.

"Your Majesty, a message from the southern merchants."

Arkanos took the parchment and unfurled it, looking trough the contents quickly. A faint smile spreading on his lips as he read the terms.

"It seems they’re willing to negotiate."

He handed the parchment to a nearby aide. "Prepare an envoy to the south immediately. Ensure they understand the importance of this transaction—and that failure is not an option."

As the dwarf scurried off, Arkanos’s gaze returned to the forge’s bustling activity. The heat, the noise, the labor—it all made him excited, and proud.

...

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the western parts of the capital where the new railway tracks were to be laid.

The air was filled with activity as laborers bustled about, lifting heavy planks, hammering spikes, and aligning steel rails.

In a the organized chaos stood Lady Sephira and Advisor Arvel, overseeing the grand project that would soon revolutionize transportation in the empire.

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Lady Sephira, clad in white and green dress, as elegant as ever, moved among the workers.

Her voice echoed over the noise with a commanding tone.

"That rail is not aligned properly! Shift it three inches to the left! And make sure the sleepers are evenly spaced—precision is key!"

Advisor Arvel stood slightly behind her, a rolled-up blueprint in one hand, his polished monocle pressed to his right eye with the other.

His brows furrowed as he studied the schematic.

"Lady Sephira, if I may suggest—this incline here," he said, pointing to a section on the blueprint.

"will need additional support. A retaining wall, perhaps. Otherwise, we risk the tracks sinking over time."

Sephira turned her sharp gaze toward the area he indicated and nodded.

"You’re right, Arvel. Foreman!" she called out, gesturing to a burly man overseeing a group of workers.

"Yes, m’lady?" The foreman wiped sweat from his brow and jogged over.

"Double the supports on that incline. Build a retaining wall to ensure the foundation remains stable."

The foreman nodded. "Aye, m’lady. I’ll get a crew on it right away."

Nearby, two workers were struggling to carry a heavy rail into place. One of them, a wiry young man, groaned under the weight.

"By the gods, do they make these things heavier just to spite us?"

His companion, an older man with a thick beard, chuckled.

"Quit whining, lad. You’ll grow muscle yet. Besides, think of the stories you’ll tell your grandkids—’I built the empire’s first railway!’"

The younger man snorted. "Assuming my back doesn’t break before then."

Sephira walked past them, her keen ears catching their exchange.

"Less talking, more lifting!" she said with a death glare, though there was a faint smile on her lips causing the men to visibly shiver.

"Yes m’lady!"

"And lift with your legs, not your back, if you value walking upright."

Arvel adjusted his monocle and stepped closer to Sephira. "I must say, Lady Sephira, your ability to motivate these workers is... impressive. Perhaps a touch intimidating."

Sephira smirked. "Intimidation gets results, Arvel. But so does clarity. These men need direction, and I won’t have them guessing."

Arvel glanced back at the blueprint. "Speaking of direction, we’ll need to curve the tracks slightly as we approach the western wall. The terrain there is a tad bit uneven."

Sephira nodded and called out again. "Foreman! Recalculate the track alignment near the river. I want a smooth curve, no sharp turns."

The foreman cupped his hands around his mouth. "You heard the lady! Shift that pile of rails to the east! And someone fetch the surveyor—we’ll need new measurements!"

As the workers adjusted their tasks, a group of women carrying buckets of water moved through the site, offering refreshment to the laborers. One of them stopped by Sephira and Arvel, holding out a ladle. "Would you like some, m’lady? Sir?"

Sephira shook her head. "I’m fine. Make sure the workers stay hydrated, I can’t have them dissapoint his majesty."

Arvel accepted the offer, taking a sip before nodding his thanks. "Much appreciated."