Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points! - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Forging The Future
SCREEEEEEEE!

The sharp screech of Kaela’s chair scraping against the polished marble floor echoed through the Grand Dining Hall as she suddenly rose from her seat. Her sharp blue eyes avoided direct contact with anyone as she gave a deep bow toward Arkanos.

“Thank you for the meal, my emperor,” she said respectfully. Without waiting for acknowledgment, she turned and hurried toward the massive double doors of the dining hall.

As the grand doors closed behind her with a low thud, Sephira frowned, narrowing her emerald eyes. She mumbled under her breath, just loud enough to be heard by Illena.

“How could she leave before our emperor? Does she have no manners?”

Sephira opened her mouth to say more but stopped abruptly when she noticed Arkanos watching the doors Kaela had just exited through.

His gaze lingered for a moment before he exhaled heavily, his emerald eyes briefly reflecting his exhaustion.

Rising from his seat, Arkanos adjusted his cloak and addressed Illena. “I must go. Arvel and the others should already be gathered in the strategy room, awaiting my arrival.”

Illena tilted her head, her silver-green hair falling over her shoulder. A teasing smile appeared on her lips as she folded her hands below her bust. “I understand, my emperor. Do as you must. Just don’t forget…”

She winked at him. “You promised to spend time with me later.”

Arkanos nodded briefly, the corner of his mouth twitching in a faint, unreadable expression.

After smiling at her for a moment, he turned and strode out of the dining hall, his heavy boots echoing against the marble as he disappeared through the same massive doors Kaela had used moments earlier.

Illena leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her golden eyes as she watched him leave.

…

The grand doors of the strategy room creaked open, and Arkanos stepped inside, his black and gold-lined cloak sweeping dramatically across the polished marble floor.

His emerald eyes scanned the room with intensity.

The room’s occupants turned at his entrance, all moving as they straightened their postures and bowed deeply.

Closest to the table stood Arvel, the royal advisor. He clasped his hands respectfully in front of him as he bowed.

Beside him was Grundar Ironmaul, a dwarven blacksmith and the owner of the largest weapons and equipment shop in the capital. He bowed stiffly, one hand resting on the haft of the hammer strapped to his back.

The movement caused his auburn beard to sway slightly, its thick braids brushing against the metallic bands of his forge-worn armor.

To Grundar’s right stood Thalion Dawnstrider, the Guildmaster of the Adventurers Guild. He wore a tailored silver tunic with subtle blue embroidery along the cuffs and collar, reflecting his guild’s colors.

Over it, he donned a sleek, dark blue cloak clasped with a silver brooch shaped like a sword.

His polished leather boots and matching his belt were simple yet dignified.

Thalion performed an elegant bow, his long silver hair falling gracefully over one shoulder as he brought a hand to his chest in a show of respect.

Seraphine, the knight captain, snapped to attention with a salute. The motion caused her polished white and gold armor to clink softly, and her blond hair swayed with the sudden movement.

On her left, Isolde Marrowind, the Head Priestess, performed a graceful bow, the gold embroidery on her ceremonial robes shimmering softly.

Flanking her was Lady Calista Emberveil, the Minister of Trade. She offered a slight bow, one hand placed elegantly on her hip while the other adjusted the gold clasp of her crimson cloak. Her fiery red braid shimmered as she moved, and her dark purple eyes gleamed with a sharp, calculating gaze.

All present spoke together, “Greetings, your majesty.”

Arkanos raised one gloved hand, palm out, as he addressed them. “You may rise,” he commanded.

The officials straightened in unison as Arkanos strode forward, his boots echoing against the polished marble floor.

The hem of his cloak swept behind him as he reached the massive circular table dominating the room’s center. His hands came down firmly on its edge, fingers spreading across the surface as his gaze fell on the detailed map laid before him.

He leaned slightly forward as he addressed them. “I have called you all here for a matter of great importance. The future of our empire depends on the decisions we make today.”

His gaze swept across the room, lingering momentarily on each individual as though gauging their resolve. With a small nod, he straightened and gestured to the chairs surrounding the table.

“Please, take your seats. We have much to discuss.”

The officials moved calmly, chairs scraping against the floor as they settled into their places. The soft rustle of fabric and clinking of armor were the only sounds in the tense, expectant silence.

All eyes remained fixed on Arkanos, awaiting his next words.

Arkanos looked around the room, his emerald gaze sharp and commanding. He rested his hands firmly on the table, leaning forward slightly as he addressed the gathered officials.

“I aim to rebuild our capital… to make it a beacon of progress, efficiency, and prosperity. To achieve this, we must undertake a series of ambitious projects, the most significant of which will be the creation of a steam-powered transportation system.”

….

Why was it necessary for Arkanos to gather all these officials for the creation of steam engines and the invention of railway transportation instead of just using his system to build it out of nowhere?

Unlike upgrading a structure, constructing a brand new one would only be possible if there was space to build it.

For this project, he would need to demolish homes and clear space for the train tracks, that wasn’t exactly one of the functions of the system.

Besides that, a train wasn’t exactly something he could buy at the shop yet, because he had not met the necessary level requirement to unlock the section of the shop where he could purchase one.

To unlock that section, he needed to direct the creation of one from scratch first and achieve the accomplishment that would unlock that part of the shop. After that, he could buy all the steam engines he wanted.

So for now he needed to take the direct approach.

…

The room fell silent as his words settled. Grundar Ironmaul was the first to break the silence, his bushy auburn eyebrows furrowing deeply.

“Steam-powered transportation, ye say?” Grundar’s gruff voice rumbled. “What in the forge’s name is that?”

Arkanos straightened. He lifted his right hand as his thoughts raced.

‘System, I need the blueprint for a steam engine. Search the shop and tell me the cost.’

For a moment, silence stretched in his mind before the system responded.

〘Searching the shop… Steam Engine Blueprint located. Cost: 50 Upgrade Points. Would you like to purchase this item?〙

‘Proceed with the purchase,’ Arkanos replied.

The system’s response came swiftly, the text appearing in a glowing green window.

〘Purchase successful. Steam Engine Blueprint added to Inventory.〙

Suddenly, a faint green glow radiated from his fingertips. A second later, several large scrolls of parchment materialized in his grasp, the designs of the steam engine detailed with stunningly.

He placed the blueprints on the table, the glow fading as he addressed the room.

“Steam engines are mechanisms that convert heat into mechanical energy. By using boiling water to create steam, we can drive machines capable of powering many things, but primarily transportation… train systems, specifically. These trains will run along metal tracks, transporting goods and people across the city more efficiently than ever before.”