The Mechanical Era

The room was in a state of total silence. Kant was found sitting on his swivel chair, holding a small sharp knife in his right hand, while looking at the palm of his left hand with his vantablack eyes. On the table were an hourglass, a book, a pencil, and a small glass veil filled to the brim with a health potion, while the other was a half-empty health potion glass.

Kant took the knife and sliced the palm of his hand open yet again. There was a burning sensation as he had cut his hand with the life. He places the weapon down before applying some health potion to the self-inflicted wound. Once the potion was on top of the wound, he flipped the hourglass and stared at the wound.

He continued to stare at it till the hourglass runs out. Once it does, he shifts his attention to the hourglass, turning it around, and observing it. Once the timer on the hourglass runs out, he turns to look at the palm of his hand, where he will find the wound to have vanished.

Once he was done, he wrote down the results of the experiment in his book. He then cleaned off the bits of blood sticking onto its polished blade, applying some sanitizer on it to kill any bacteria, before moving on to try it again.

It had been 5 days since he had started doing this small experiment on himself. His curiosity about what was happening with his body had peaked, and now, he was willing to do anything to find out what was happening. He had done hundreds of tests so far, maintaining the same test conditions, to account for any errors.

As he was continuing on with his experiment, there was a knock on the door. Kant cleaned his knife and hid the hourglass, knife, veils of healing potions, and the book under his desk, before walking over to unlock the door.

"Good morning, your majesty, I hope you are feeling well?"

"Good morning to you as well Minister Alan. Yes, I am feeling fine today," Kant replied. Alan walks right up to the chair and takes a seat. He presents Kant with the information held within the files that he had brought into the room, the ones that Kant had ordered.

"As a result of the success of the Bessemer process and the sheer efficiency which it had presented, we have sent a government agent to discuss increasing the scale of production.

From what I hear from the agent, the TIC has agreed to start shipping on the 28th of next week, sending in 10 tons of iron per day for the next week, while sending in 15 tons per day the week after.

The TIC also promises to commit more manpower to increase the production of iron and to serve our city before any outsiders. They are projecting to send in 250 tons of steel in a day by the end of the year." Alan then presents Kant with the files.

"We might have to consider some expansions," Alana remarked. Kant started to read the files, to digest the additional details of the matter.

"Hmm... very good. What about our current supply of steel? Where did that go off to?"

"As you requested sir, I made sure to keep 15 tons of steel. They will be used to reequip DEF agents with new weapons and armor that might have sustained damage over a long period of time.

Regarding the rest of the steel, I have sold them off to other economic agents, inside and outside the kingdom of Hoverdam.

From what I know, the steel went into the hands of firms who desired to experiment with the material with their steam engines or any machinery powered by a steam engine.

The steel that went outside of the kingdom went into making weapons and armor for their knights to fight demons." Alan hands him another file. Kant reads it and puts it to the side.

"What about the... firearms factory? Did that undergo expansion?"

"Yes sir. It did. We made sure to fit more space to allow more production. We are now able to produce PCR-18s on a more mass scale.

Though, from the plans that you sir have presented me, there is this little space that would not be enough to add an additional production line of FLM-18s or PCR-18s. I assume you have plans for that spot, sir?"

"Yes. I do. Is that all?"

"And... that is about it, sir. Is there anything else you want to know?" Alan asked the king.

"Mmm... no. That is about it. However, there is something else," Kant replied.

"What is it, sir?" Alan asks.

"I want you to bring Silvester Silverstone here. There is something I need to talk to him about." Kant replied.

"Right away sir." Alan gets up from his chair and leaves the room. Kant quickly walks up to the cabinet, takes out a file, and comes to sit back down in his chair. He then waits for Silverstone to arrive.

Another knock can be heard on the door. Kant allows the man to come inside, who proceeds to open it. Silverstone was wearing a slim-fitting forest green suit with brass buttons on it. He wore a matching color of pants, black leather shoes, and a golden yellow tie to match the brass buttons.

"Is there something you wanted to speak with me about, your majesty?"

"Yes. Sit down." Kant instructed. Silverstone walked up to the chair and took a seat. He sat straight and kept eye contact with the king.

"Now, if I remember correctly, you asked me about the specific details of the uniform and equipment your soldiers would carry, correct?" Kant asked.

"Yes sir, I did," Silverstone answered. Kant handed him a simple red file for him to read. Silverstone took a look at it, before looking back at Kant.

"That is the file containing the detail of the soldier's uniform. It should have everything that you need inside it," Kant claimed.

"I see. May I open it now?"

"Be my guest."

Silverstone opened it and was greeted by a detailed drawing of a uniform on the front page. It comprised a long-sleeved shirt with a neck collar and sleeves, pants, a leather belt, a pair of boots and gloves, and a helmet with a metal visor. On top of the shirt, covering the chest, was steel plating that protects the upper torso and upper arms.

On the other pages of the file, were the smaller details written in different sections, describing the materials used and the reasoning for them. The uniform is made of thick, high-quality wool, with reinforced stitching around the chest and back, featuring a 12mm steel plating with a slightly curved shape, painted black.

The uniform itself was mainly forest green in color, with black accents on the collar, cuffs, pockets, gloves, boots, buttons, plates, and helmet. It also featured multiple pockets and compartments, including a dedicated space for gunpowder and ammunition, positioned around the waist and chest. There were also adjustable straps and fittings around the waist and shoulders.

Wool was used for a few reasons. Firstly, wool is a natural insulator and can help to regulate body temperature and keep soldiers warm in cold and damp conditions. Secondly, it was a durable material resistant to wear and tear, perfect for military situations. Finally, it is a natural fire retardant, which means that it is less likely to catch fire or melt in the event of an explosion or fire.

As for the color scheme, forest green dye was chosen for the uniform to allow the soldiers to camouflage better with their environment. This could give the Kingdom of Hoverdam a slight advantage when facing enemy troops.

The plating and helmet were painted in a few coatings of black paint, to prevent rust. As steel is a metal, it is susceptible to rust, making it weaker. Therefore, it was only logical to paint it in multiple coatings. The curves of the plating were to conform to the body's contours.

The visor of the helmet protects a soldier's eyes, nose, and mouth from flying debris and musket balls in combat situations. It also shields the face from rain, sunburn, windburn, and other weather-related injuries.

"What do you think about it, Secrecerty Silverstone? I designed it myself," Kant asked. Silverstone read through the file, before closing it and turning his attention to Kant.

"This... yes sir. That is right sir. However, what about the other file? The one about their equipment?" he asks. Kant presents him with the second file. The second file details the equipment a soldier was to carry.

They were to be given their musket, with an attachable bayonet and bayonet scabbard, a revolver as a secondary weapon, a dagger, and a powdered flask. The specific musket given to the soldiers, for now, would be an FLM-18R, to allow them to practice their aim.

"I want you to work with minister Alan, and fit our troops with the uniforms and equipment I have written down there. Once it is done, you can start to train them using those FLM-18s," Kant suggests.

"Alright, sir. I understand."

"Good. Do you have any questions?"

"No, sir. I do not."

"Alright then, you may leave." Silverstone got up from his room and left. After he made sure nobody was there, he went to lock the door and continue experimenting.