With a master welder like Jaina, who came with her own welding torch, Rowan and the blacksmiths finished assembling the experimental steam engine in half a day.
Wrench crouched beside the steam engine, gripping a connecting rod with both hands as he tried to get it moving.
Wrench strained with all his might, his dark face flushing red, and barely managed to make the two connecting rods turn the wheel once.
"Young Master, getting this thing moving takes far too much effort. I suggest finding a few burly soldiers to do the job. This is definitely heavy labor." Wrench rubbed his nose and gave a few awkward chuckles as he offered Young Master Rowan his advice.
Ever since the steam engine had been assembled, Jaina had stood quietly to one side, waiting for Rowan to put on his show.
Making this black hunk of iron for Rowan had consumed half of Jaina's mana. If he really hadn't come up with anything new, she was ready to throw him into the sea.
Wrench, you painfully honest boy, your stupidity is going to make me cry. If the machine I built really needed human muscle to push two connecting rods and turn a wheel, I might as well have just made a wheel and had Byron spin it for fun.
In short, the atmosphere throughout the smithy was awkward. Everyone looked at the hunk of iron Young Master Rowan had made with mixed feelings.
"Father, I've spotted another problem. Doesn't that cylinder look like a stove to you?"
"What the hell do you know? There must be some principle behind the Young Master's machine. Although... although it does look like a stove for boiling water, that isn't the point." Kobi and his son discussed it in low voices nearby, sharing their thoughts and observations.
Couldn't you keep your voices down? Rowan pretended not to hear them and instructed Wrench, "Wrench, go fetch a bucket of clean water."
At the mention of clean water, Wrench's eyes immediately lit up. It really was a stove.
"I told you it was a stove. Hehe." Wrench winked at his father and grinned.
Rowan pressed a hand to his forehead and waited quietly for Wrench to bring in the water.
"Pour the water in," Rowan instructed.
Following Rowan's directions, Wrench poured the clean water into the steam tank and finished the preparations for lighting the fire.
"Jaina, help me light it one more time." This time, Rowan dropped his cheeky grin and spoke with complete seriousness.
Jaina glared fiercely at Rowan as she looked at the steam engine, which resembled a stove no matter how she looked at it. She cast a Fireball and ignited the coal.
The coal fire heated things a little too slowly, so Jaina cast Cinderfire, bringing the clean water in the Steam Chamber straight to a boil.
Once the water boiled, a bubbling, gurgling sound rose from within.
A great rush of steam surged into the cylinder, and soon Rowan witnessed an exhilarating sight.
The Kingdom of Kul Tiras had entered the Steam Age!
Steam filled the cylinder, effortlessly pushing the piston to the top. Then the steam engine began to run.
The two connecting rods alternated, driving the wheel into a rapid spin.
Kobi, his son, and the blacksmiths exchanged bewildered looks. They stared at the machine before them with wide eyes.
Heavens, what kind of power was this?
Once the steam engine started running, it let out a piercing roar. The rhythmic clanging of steel, coupled with the hissing of steam rushing from the exhaust, sounded like a grand, stirring symphony welcoming the arrival of a new age.
What did the steam engine represent? Power, and the dawn of the industrial age. With steam engines, Rowan could free up labor to the greatest extent possible, allowing the farmers of Morris Town, Hatherford, and even the entire Norwington Estate estate to leave farming behind and throw themselves into Norwington's industrial development.
Of course, that plan was still a long way off. For now, Rowan needed to scale up the experimental steam engine and install it on a sailing ship.
"This... the steam from a single bucket of boiling water can push such a heavy wheel? I thought the power of magic was already beyond ordinary people's understanding, but the power this steam engine has shown leaves me even more puzzled." Jaina's cheeks were flushed, and she looked at Rowan tenderly, her heart brimming with excitement.
Rowan hadn't deceived her. Once Jaina saw the steam engine truly running, she knew this unassuming machine could indeed be installed aboard the sailing ships moored in the harbor, just as Rowan had planned.
Then, as long as a heat source kept supplying the steam engine with heat, this marvelous machine could propel a sailing ship freely across the sea.
Even without any wind at sea, without Wind Runes or the blessings of the Tidesages, Rowan's fleet would still be able to voyage across the vast ocean.
"Is the steam engine the only thing you're impressed by?" Rowan smacked his lips and cleared his throat, indicating that Jaina had missed the point.
Jaina pursed her lips and moved closer to Rowan. After thinking for a moment, she decided she still couldn't be too nice to him, lest he get carried away. But she also felt she couldn't keep putting him down, since that would dampen his enthusiasm.
"It's nothing special. You haven't actually made the sailing ships in the harbor move yet. At most, you've built a little gadget that runs on its own. Don't get too proud of yourself. You're still a long way from building a naval fleet." Jaina feigned composure as she looked at Rowan and spoke casually.
Ding! Surprise points from Jaina +1314.
I just love how you act like you don't care when you're absolutely delighted inside.
Rowan happily pocketed that huge haul of emotion points, then went looking for trouble. "When did I ever say I was going to build a naval fleet?"
"Rowan! You... what do you mean by that?" Jaina pinched Rowan hard, embarrassed and angry.
The pinch sent pain shooting through Rowan's arm, and he hurriedly begged for mercy. "Of course I'm building a fleet! If I don't, how am I any different from a layabout?"
"Hmph. I don't care whether you're interested in building a naval fleet. I'm going home now." With her hands behind her back, Jaina hurried out of the smithy in quick little steps.
Rowan immediately chased after her, only to find a shimmering purple glow lingering in the courtyard.
That little minx Jaina sure runs fast.
As night fell, Jaina walked along the streets of Alliance Square, her cheeks rosy as she sang to herself.
"Listen, listen, to the sound of the sea. Each call..."
"The tides rise and fall, in Boralus, here we make our vows..."
After dark, Lady Catherine stood at the entrance to the fortress, watching Jaina sing with a cheerful expression.
As she trotted along, Jaina occasionally jumped and spun in the air, making the hem of her lovely dress flutter and dance.
"Did you go see that silly boy again?" Lady Catherine stroked Jaina's forehead and asked affectionately.
"Mother, he isn't some silly boy. Rowan is wonderful. He's already found a way to make warships move without Wind Runes or the blessings of the Tidesages." Jaina puffed out her chest and spoke with a hint of pride.
Catherine sighed softly and shook her head. "Silly girl. I'm afraid you've already given him your heart."
"Mother, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Nonsense? Then that settles it. I'd better have your father, Daelin, speak with Terenas about a marriage alliance between our two kingdoms." Catherine deliberately put on a stern face and spoke seriously.
Jaina jolted. She lifted her face and declared firmly, "No! I'm never marrying away from home. I... I... Rowan will definitely be better than some prince."
Catherine looked at Jaina helplessly. "Silly girl, how could I bear to marry you off to Lordaeron? But let me make this clear first: unless Rowan becomes Commander of the First Fleet, your marriage is not up for discussion."
"You're the best, Mother. Rowan will definitely work hard." Beaming with joy, Jaina happily hugged Lady Catherine's arm, her eyes full of hope.
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