The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

"Sign this, and by week's end, we sail with the Emperor's blessing and support of imperial knights."

The fire popped in the hearth. Somewhere in the estate, a clock chimed the hour. Edward stared at the parchment, its wax seal bearing the imperial Sun.

Edward's fingers trembled as they hovered above the document. The candlelight flickered across the parchment, making the imperial seal seem to writhe like a living thing. His stomach churned with the sour taste of fear—not just of Ravenna's legendary wrath, but of the precarious position these nobles were pushing him into.

Blacksmith Workshop, Kim City, Kim Island

The workshop hummed with activity, the rhythmic clanging of hammers against steel mingling with the hiss of steam-powered machinery. Chief Blacksmith Nille sat before the newly assembled device, his calloused hands resting on his knees as he watched his team make the final adjustments. The air was thick with the scent of hot metal and oil, the ever-present heat of the forge making beads of sweat trickle down his brow.

Across from him, the intricate brass and steel mechanism of the Siemens water meter gleamed under the flickering gas lamps. It was a marvel of engineering—one that had taken weeks of tireless work to bring to life.

"The design is nothing short of genius," Junior remarked, wiping his grease-streaked hands on his apron. His face was flushed with both exhaustion and pride as he gestured toward the finished product. "But I won't lie—it near melted my brain trying to make sense of Her Highness's schematics at first."

An assistant carefully placed the meter onto the testing table, its polished surface catching the light. Nille leaned forward, his sharp eyes scrutinizing every joint and seam.

"Well then," the chief blacksmith said, rubbing his chin. "The moment of truth." He waved a hand, signaling the workers to connect the meter to the water pipes. The team moved with practiced efficiency, their movements precise as they secured the fittings.

Junior adjusted his spectacles and began explaining the mechanism, his voice tinged with excitement. "It's a velocity-based turbine meter, you see. The water flows through this small turbine here—" He pointed as the pipes were opened, and water began rushing through the device. "—and the rotation drives these gears connected to the dial. The faster the flow, the higher the measurement."

Nille watched, transfixed, as the dial's needle began to move, calculating the water volume with remarkable precision. His weathered face broke into a rare smile. "By the goddess's lust... it actually works."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

But his practical mind quickly turned to potential issues. "We can't leave it exposed like this," he muttered, frowning. "Dust, moisture—even the air itself could throw off the measurements over time."

Junior nodded eagerly. "We've already considered that. The next step is sealing it behind thick glass—both to protect the mechanism and prevent tampering. Her Highness insisted on that detail herself."

Nille grunted in approval, already envisioning the modifications. Around them, the other blacksmiths murmured in awe, their faces alight with the thrill of innovation.

"Good work," Nille said at last, clapping a hand on Junior's shoulder. "Now, let's get that casing done. I want a working prototype ready for Her Highness by week's end."

"Well... what about your project, Chief?" Junior asked, wiping his soot-streaked forehead with the back of his hand.

Nille's weathered face split into a proud grin. "I'm quite pleased with how it's coming along. Here—let me show you."

Nille's workshop buzzed with the excited murmurs of blacksmiths and engineers gathered in the backyard, where a miniature railway track had been constructed. The air smelled of hot coal and freshly oiled metal, mingling with the crisp afternoon breeze coming in from the harbor.

He led the group to a small, enclosed cart resting on the tracks—a scaled-down prototype of what would one day become Kim Island's first locomotive. Unlike the bulky steam carts used in the limestone mines, this machine was sleek, its brass fittings polished to a shine, its iron body reinforced with steel supports.

"After studying Her Highness's designs and observing the minecarts in action," Nille explained, running a hand along the locomotive's flank, "I realized the true brilliance of her multi-stage steam expansion concept."

He signaled to an apprentice, who hurried forward with a shovel of glowing coals, feeding them into the furnace. The boiler hissed to life, steam building within its reinforced chamber.

"Watch closely," Nille said, his voice barely containing his excitement.

With a sharp whistle of released pressure, the train lurched forward—far faster than any of the minecarts they had built before. The wheels spun smoothly along the tracks, the rhythmic chugging of the engine filling the air.

Junior's eyes widened observing the speed of it. "By the goddess's—it's moving like a racehorse!"

Nille chuckled. "That's the power of three-stage turbine efficiency." He pointed to the intricate machinery inside the open side panel. "The primary turbine here converts superheated steam into direct rotational force for the drive wheels."

As the train picked up speed, he continued, "The second turbine captures the exhaust steam from the first, recycling its energy to boost efficiency. That's why it moves so much faster than our previous models."

The locomotive roared down the track, its speed astonishing for something of its size. The gathered craftsmen murmured in awe, some even stepping back as it thundered past.

Then, with a sharp hiss, the brakes engaged—a new mechanism of Nille's own design. The train slowed smoothly before coming to a perfect stop at the end of the line.

Junior let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "And the third turbine?" he asked, still staring at the marvel before them.

Nille scratched his beard, looking suddenly sheepish. "Well... Her Highness mentioned something about pumps for water and... 'electricity.'" He pronounced the unfamiliar word carefully. "Said we'd figure it out once we got this part working."

The engineers exchanged glances, equal parts baffled and intrigued. Whatever this "electricity" was, it was clear their work had only just begun.