Chapter 173 Technology Proof Ship
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Port Keldan — a few weeks earlier…
”By order of Your Excellency, this newly built ship shall be named the Steamship Keat!!”
With a sharp, almost musical crack, Ninim—her uniform crisp despite the sea breeze—swung the full glass bottle against the ship’s hull. It shattered into a burst of amber droplets just as the bell tolled out over the dock, and the cheer of the gathered crowd rolled across the water like a wave.
The Steamship Keat, a once-ordinary sailship reborn as a paddlewheel-driven proof-of-technology vessel, was scheduled to begin trial runs within weeks before moving on to full training exercises. That was the plan. And after passing several early tests, the Keat had finally departed Port Keldan just hours ago…
Some days later — Yugan Coastal Waters
”Captain, sir. Ten o’clock off the port side,” the lookout said, voice taut as a pulled rope. “Spotted by the sailor on watch earlier… What are your orders?”
The Keat’s captain narrowed his eyes as he raised the spyglass passed to him by his first officer. Through the wavering haze of heat and sea spray, a silhouette wavered on the vast open water—clearly not of Elandric make, nor Lusrith’s design. Its shape was strange, almost wrong.
”Not Nelrearia either…” he muttered, lowering the glass slowly.
”Indeed,” the first officer said, a quick nod, just enough to show he agreed. The captain stayed quiet for a long moment, the low thrum of the engines almost like a heartbeat beneath his boots, before finally drawing in a breath.
”In any case… we must confirm the ship’s nationality and intent. We’ll consult Honorary Count Sanai for orders. Prepare for capture, Executive Officer.”
”Aye, Sir… Starting engine!!” the XO barked, voice snapping like a whip. “Engines to full! Ahead, full speed!!”
”Aye, aye, Sir!!” the crew roared back, the deck shaking with their sudden movement.
”Starting engine!!” echoed down the length of the ship. The paddlewheels churned to life with a deep, rolling clatter as smoke curled from the stack and the Keat surged forward, carving through the waves toward the unknown.
The captain gave one last glance through the spyglass, then snapped it shut with a quiet click. He let the wind tug at the edge of his coat for a breath longer, his face unreadable as the sea stretched out endless and silver under the sun. Then, without raising his voice, he spoke—calm, final, the kind of tone that left no space for doubt.
”Proceed. Full approach.”
”Aye, Sir. Proceeding full approach!” the first officer echoed, crisp and sharp, his words carrying down the deck like the crack of a whip.
The order rippled through the crew in an instant. Boots pounded across the planks, ropes whipped loose from their hooks with soft thuds, and the hum of the engine deepened as the stokers below heaved coal into the hungry furnace. Somewhere near the paddlewheels, a valve hissed open with a sharp burst of steam.
The hull gave a low groan as the current caught her, then the entire ship lurched forward with a sudden, eager push. The paddlewheels churned the sea into froth, slapping out a steady, thumping rhythm that matched the racing pulse thrumming in everyone’s chests. The black smoke curling from the funnel tore apart in the wind, and the Steamship Keat began to cut its way across the water like a drawn blade, each vibration through the deck carrying the captain’s decision straight into motion.
No one spoke now. They didn’t need to. The ship was already answering for them.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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