The Mechanical Era

The calendar that hung on the white wall of the office read '2nd of Possum, 5018'. The last month of spring. In just one more month, his parents will come back home, along with his siblings. But over that 2-month period, so many things have happened.

Sitting on his swivel chair inside his office, he leans back on his chair and thinks about everything he has done. Kant had discovered Cora's secret and accepted her deal. He introduced new legislation such as 'Private Corporation Act of 5018' along with the 'Patent Registration Act of 5018'.

He had established a new police force which is currently still undergoing training, and he had brought in a plethora of inventions such as cement, the printing press, the steam engine, the power loom, and the spinning mule.

Despite his success, Kant wondered whether the road he was on was worth it. He had forgotten what his original motives were by this point, with his new one being about the kingdom's benefit and his own survival. Yet, he felt a weird feeling... a sensation of uncertainty.

When he arrived in this new world, he thought he had a second chance. A chance to make things right and live to be a better man. Yet once again, it felt that the world slapped him in the face, as his inability in magic caused everyone to turn their backs on him.

Although he had made some connections in this world, they all seem to be falling apart. His childhood friend died of disease, Cora turned out to be a spy for a terrorist organization, his siblings are distancing themselves from him, and his parents don't have a single ounce of hope in him.

It all felt too familiar. It felt like he was back on the road once again, the one Howard was. Although it led him to a life of riches and success, it left a trail of destruction behind. It was when Kant wondered, whether all of it was worth it.

His inner monologue was disturbed by the sounds of someone on the other side of the door knocking. Kant straightened up and maintained a good posture before he let anyone enter the room. When the door opened, it revealed Arjun, wearing a black cloak and some glasses on his face with a bunch of papers in his hands.

"Good morning sire." Arjun greeted.

"Good Morning Arjun. Sit down." Kant replied. Arjun walked across the tiled floor to the left wooden chair.

"What were you thinking about sire?" he asked. Kant was caught off-guard by his question.

"What?"

"You were thinking of something. What were you thinking about?" he asked again.

"Why do you ask?" Kant questioned his motive. The man just made an innocent smile.

"Just curious." he lied. Although Kant was tempted to fill him in, he decided against it.

"It's nothing..." he replied.

"Alright then," Arjun replied, moving on.

"Now, about that report sire wanted earlier... I have it right here with me."

"That is good. Would you mind reading me through the entire thing? Kant asks.

"Of course sire," Arjun replied. He looked down at the papers he was carrying for an answer. After scanning it, he turned to look back at Kant to give him an answer.

"The first point I would like to bring us is about the police recruits. I have been informed that the tailors have already weaved the uniforms they need, along with the smiths who have prepared all the equipment we ordered. The recruits themselves will be ready to be deployed next week. Should we proceed with it?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I will inform Knight Kristina about it," Arjun said as he turned a page.

"The next one is about the state of the school. As you know, the building was finished just a few days ago. As per your orders, we have sent out a survey team to the city whether they would be interested.

We have several requests from people to ask to teach them how to read and write. Although there are others who are resistant, telling us that they have other work to do at home, they did tell the survey team that they are willing to participate."

"No one objected?"

"No sire. No one."

"And about the teachers?" Kant questioned.

"I have found several in the last month. Though they are a bit expensive, they do have experience in teaching other royalty to read and write. We just need a date to open it." he said.

"How about the 7th?" Kant asked.

"That can be arranged sire. Yes." Arjun replied.

"And finally, as sire requested, there have been reported to have been 230 reports of people checking up on the patents for the steam engine alongside the spinning mule and power loom," he said.

"That many?"

"Yes sire. What do you want this information for?" Arjun asked.

"I would like to send subsidies to help them build large factories where workers can effectively produce a large quantity of textiles," Kant replied. Arjun sat straighter in his chair and adjusted his posture.

"Oh? Why is that sire?" Arjun asked, genuinely a little curious.

"Because textiles and clothing in general, are a great way of getting rich quickly. It is a commodity that is essential for human life, while also being easily destroyed and torn, making demand high all year around.

With the help of the steam engine, power loom, and spinning mule, I hope to increase textile production this month and export it to other cities. However..."

"What is it sire?"

"For me to achieve that, I am going to have to do multiple things. First, I need to set up factories with the help of weavers and merchants. Next, I need to import lots of cotton, wool, and other materials to make the textiles, along with large quantities of coal." he said.

"Do you understand Arjun?" Kant asked.

"Yes sire, I do. I assume you want me to set up a bureau to send out subsidies along with letters to discuss trade agreements with other kingdoms for coal and cotton?" he asked.

"Yes, I do," Kant replied.

"Consider it done sire. Is there anything else?"

"Yes. There is another industry I would like to focus on, but it is much more long-term than textiles."

"Well sire, what is it?"

"I will keep it simple. I will need more steel to use in construction and engineering. Steel can be used to make buildings stronger, and make more powerful steam engines. The city however is not producing enough steel, and the price of it is too expensive." Kant filled in Arjun.

"That is the nature of steel making yes. I am assuming sire had already researched the topic?" he asked.

"Yes, I have indeed. While I was researching the topic, I managed to come up with a new process to produce steel." Kant replied.