The launch ceremony for the new ship drew quite a crowd.
Theus had assumed not many people would come to watch, but he found that nearly every island resident who could make it had come.
The entire dock was packed solid with people. The temporarily deployed Faithguard Army and Banshees maintained order to prevent a stampede.
A single ship floated forlornly at the dock. The other vessels had yet to finish their refits; only this one had been rushed to completion.
Paddle steamers were not exactly novel. The islanders of Castel had seen similar designs before, except those ships had not been powered by steam engines. The temporary refit was also rather crude. Theus's requirement for the designers had simply been that it could sail steadily between Castel and the mainland.
This ship was merely a temporary measure. The shipyard in the southern harbor was the real priority.
Even so, the islanders of Castel had come to see it off with great enthusiasm.
After all, Castel had been cut off from the outside world for so long. This was the first time it had sent a ship outward.
Theus was somewhat surprised by the islanders' enthusiasm. Suddenly struck by an idea, he weighed it briefly before stepping forward.
He walked straight to the bow and waved to the people around him. The crowd erupted in cheers at first, then gradually quieted down.
"What do you all think of this ship?"
The crowd fell silent for a moment. Then hesitant voices rose up. "It's a fine ship." "Yes, quite good!"
"It's pretty big."
"Not as good as the Black Pearl!" a child shouted, only to receive a hard smack on the backside from his mother.
Theus grinned. "He's right. This ship was an ordinary sailing vessel to begin with, and after