The chanical Book, ever since it was presented to the King by the Wood Stone Clan, had set the entire Dwarf Kingdom of Kaelonde abuzz, with new types of machinery springing up like mushrooms after rain, as if each day brought forth fresh creations from the soil of the kingdom.
Among these, the Steam Engine deserved special ntion.
The content on steam engines occupied a significant place in the chanical Book. Thanks to the ticulous illustrations provided, even if the Dwarf Craftsn couldn’t read the text, they were able to replicate its structure repeatedly and even use it as a prototype to develop even more practical steam machinery.
Kafu the Sixth sat enthroned, watching three or four craftsn tinker with the latest machinery before him.
"This armor... it’s unexpectedly massive."
Kafu the Sixth surveyed the sample before him and couldn’t help but exclaim.
Before this wise King lay a nearly three-ter-high giant armor, its huge steam engine almost exposed at the back, nearly two ters in height, and the armor’s arms connected by copper steam pipes, with massive legs capable of almost half-ter leaps under the steam’s power.
Such large armor was naturally not for Dwarfs, but for their brethren, the giants.
God created both the Dwarfs and the giants so that the expert forging Dwarfs and the imnsely strong giants could rely on each other. In the early days of both races, the giants, like oxen, plowed the plains and like chisels, carved out mines in the mountains, providing the foundation for the Dwarfs’ settlents.
The existence of the giants also expanded the Dwarfs’ imagination as they first ca into contact with steam engine technology.
After the craftsn had finished tinkering, they called for a long-waiting giant to don the massive iron contraption.
And after so cumberso movents, the giant actually managed to wear the several-ton armor, albeit panting and moving awkwardly, but still managing to support his body.
At the command of the craftsn, the steam engine began to operate, the rotating wheels driving the massive armor, which emitted a hissing similar to the venting of a steam engine.
However, the operation didn’t last long before the steam engine stopped, and the giant too could no longer keep up, removing the armor himself.
Facing this failed demonstration, the craftsn awkwardly lowered their heads.
"How long will you need to perfect it, one year? Ten years? Or a hundred years?"
Kafu the Sixth did not bla them,
"Regardless, your ideas are praiseworthy. Soone, bring the silver coins I prepared as a reward for them."
Kafu the Sixth’s decision made the craftsn ecstatic. They collectively praised the King’s generosity, and one of them, particularly moved, even bowed down to kiss the floor of the Palace.
As rumors whispered outside, Kafu the Sixth was indeed a wise monarch. He greatly encouraged and supported the wild creativity of craftsn. As a result, the treasury, accumulated over generations by the Royal Family, gradually started depleting.
Concerning this, the upper-level clans of the Royal City and ministers often murmured their criticisms, and they similarly harbored reservations about the steam engine technology.
Kafu the Sixth waved his hand, and soon after, a servant ca up carrying a tray of silver coins. As he approached the group of craftsn, he said:
"Kneel and receive the grace of His Majesty."
Kafu the Sixth frowned.
The voice of the servant sounded too commanding.
After a mont of reflection, the King understood the reason—these craftsn did not co from noble origins, and most of those his servants dealt with year-round were various nobles and ministers steeped in human culture.
Several craftsn timidly received a plateful of silver coins from the servant’s hands, an action that caused Kafu the Sixth’s heart to fill with discontent.
It was only proper for those craftsn to hold him in great awe, but how could such an insignificant servant act so arrogantly?
Kafu the Sixth responded bluntly,
"You, kneel on your knees and present it properly!"
The King’s sudden outburst of anger made the servant tremble, his face turning pale. After hesitating for a mont, he imdiately knelt down, raising the plate of silver coins high, while the craftsn stared blankly, eventually taking the silver with trembling hands.
"Go now, and when you have new progress, co to the palace to see ."
With a grand wave of his hand from Kafu the Sixth, the servant and several craftsn instantly froze like cicadas in winter, not daring to linger, quickly retreating from the palace.
The Dwarf King settled back onto the throne, irritably fiddling with his tangled beard.
He seed deep in thought, the palace falling silent around him, the servants present not daring to approach, fearful of disturbing the King’s train of thought.
After an unasurable amount of ti, footsteps echoed from outside the palace.
At that mont, Kafu the Sixth looked up, seeing who was approaching, he imdiately broke into a smile,
"I know who it is just by the sound, look, isn’t that my son?"
Mura approached the throne with large strides, opening his arms for a hug with his father.
"Hey, lad, what are you up to, don’t tell , your tutor needs more funds."
Such affection between the king and his son might surprise humans or the Three-eyed Ape People if they saw it, as normally, mbers of human and Three-eyed Ape People royal families adhere strictly to formal protocol, especially the humans of the Danschel Empire whose courtly rituals are so intricate that they could fill three or four thick volus.
However, among Dwarves, those elaborate rituals are often seen as superfluous, even hypocritical.
Regardless of lineage or wealth, the best relationship between father and son is like that of brothers – such is the traditional belief among Dwarves.
Kafu the Sixth patted the prince on the shoulder,
"You saw those craftsn, I just rewarded them a sum of silver, and there are more craftsn awaiting my generosity, but there’s no more silver for your tutor."
Mura shook his head,
"No, Father King, I was here to tell you, my tutor is ready to present his findings."
Kafu the Sixth’s eyes lit up; he didn’t understand Ancient Language Studies, but influenced by his son, he knew that Belvan’s research had significant implications for the palace (at least that was what Mura claid).
"Well then, when the ti cos, I will present him before those from the Gold Silver Clan, they are the ones most interested in human trinkets."
Kafu the Sixth said cheerfully.
But the next second, Mura’s words abruptly ended the King’s smile.
"Father King, my tutor, he plans to make all his findings public, not just to the nobles, but also the common folk, and not limited to our Kingdom or the Dwarf race, but to all races, to make them aware of the Path of God’s creation."
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