Last night's torrential rain had left a great deal of water at the bottom of the pit. Under the searing heat, it slowly boiled, and the rising mist made the entire Central Furnace hazy and indistinct, like some bizarre cult ritual, shimmering with mother-of-pearl illusions in the blaze's reflection.
"Pressure normal. Steam transmission has begun. Furnace temperature normal. The protective inscriptions are operating. Ignition successful!"
"Ignition successful!"
People began to cheer, tossing hats, handkerchiefs, or whatever they happened to be holding into the air. They embraced one another in celebration, jumping and laughing loudly enough to drown out the Central Furnace's roar.
To prevent Cognitive Interference, Theus had publicly revealed the Central Furnace's purpose. Castel's islanders knew it was the energy core supporting the protective inscriptions, and its successful operation meant that Castel finally had a fighting chance in this war against the deep-sea monsters.
Even Theus wore a relieved smile. One crisis after another had arisen lately, and the situation had deteriorated beyond even his worst expectations. The Central Furnace's successful operation at least gave him the confidence to carry this war through.
Theus turned to look at Chloe, who happened to be looking back at him. He waved to her and pointed at the furnace.
Chloe naturally understood what he meant—there was no need to flee. With this miraculous creation of steel, they could hold this place.
She instinctively wiped at the corner of her eye. She was no longer human and had no such weak thing as tears. The responsibility she bore did not permit her to show even the slightest weakness.
Yet at this moment, she seemed to have forgotten all that. She was simply happy, like an ordinary little girl.
Only later would she remember that she was no longer human, that flesh was merely