The morning mist over Red Tide had yet to clear, and the early spring sunlight cast a pale glow over the distant mountains.
The prototype testing grounds outside the city lay hidden in a valley. The smell of steam mingled with coal smoke on the wind, carrying a hint of tar.
This was one of Red Tide's most secret locations.
High walls surrounded it, sentries stood watch, and rifle-bearing knights lined both sides.
At the approach of the lord's private carriage, they straightened and saluted, their expressions solemn.
The carriage stopped before the testing grounds' gates.
Bradley stepped out first and adjusted his coat collar. "Please be careful, my lord. This is still in the testing phase, after all."
Louis merely smiled, lifted the carriage curtain, and stepped down.
At the center of the testing grounds stood an enormous iron vehicle.
Smoke still curled faintly from its firebox. Last night's snowmelt clung to its iron wheels, and sunlight struck its metal surface, giving it a dark red sheen.
It possessed a cold, austere beauty, like some strange beast of steel. Red Tide's emblem was engraved on its side.
Its body was cast from cold iron and refined copper. The round boiler compartment at the front stood taller than two men, with copper pipes winding like blood vessels.
Heavy rivets secured the body tightly. Two pairs of iron wheels at the front rested on a hastily laid rack railway, while the cargo and operating compartments at the rear looked bulky and crude.
Hamilton stood beside it in work clothes, his face covered in coal dust and his eyes full of anxiety. He clutched a roll of crumpled blueprints soaked with sweat.
"Lord Louis!" Upon seeing Louis, he hurried forward to bow, his voice trembling slightly. "Everything is ready."
Seeing their lord