I left the office chamber of the Regalia castle Kaylen walking behind me.
As I made my way through a corridor of the palace, I encountered Gilbert the captain of the royal guard dressed in a noble uniform of dark blue and brown.
He greeted me respectfully:
Good day Your Majesty. And to you, Sir Kaylen. You seem to have a destination in mind may I inquire where you are headed?" he asked.
I replied simply:
"Kaylen and I are planning to inspect the progress of the projects that will benefit the kingdom's future."
With a smile, Gilbert inclined his head slightly.
"Very well. Allow me to accompany you and prepare a carriage for your departure."
A few minutes later we were on our way, traversing the cobblestone streets of Amiria.
The carriage was large and spacious, escorted by twelve armed guards accompanying us for the inspection.
Opposite me sat Gilbert and Kaylen. As we traveled along the bumpy path, Gilbert broke the silence curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, if I may ask a question… What exactly is the purpose of this thing you call a train?"
A smile appeared on my face.
"The kingdom of Ednia is an island divided into six provinces. Traveling from one province to another currently takes a considerable amount of time, even with our best roads. In my world there exists a device called a train capable of transporting up to 1,300 people at a speed of 505 kilometers per hour, using tracks known as railways."
Gilbert seemed fascinated, but it was Kaylen who elaborated further.
"To power such a machine in our world, we need a powerful energy source, so we'll use energy stones.
These stones have the capacity to store the magic needed to power a reactor engine, which will be placed at the heart of the locomotive. This will ensure its operation."
Gilbert listened attentively, his eyes filled with wonder as he grasped the magnitude of the project.
"With such an invention," he replied, "instead of a four-hour journey, travel between the provinces could be reduced to a single hour."
I nodded at his reflection, pleased that he understood the strategic importance of the project.
Gilbert then placed a hand on his chin, pensive.
"Nonetheless, Lady Sienna is truly brilliant. Her knowledge is astounding."
I nodded in agreement, smiling inwardly. A thought crossed my mind: Sienna could easily be compared to Tesla or Einstein in my world. Undoubtedly, her genius would become a cornerstone for bolstering the future of Ednia.
As I pondered, I added playfully:
"And I'm sure, Kaylen, you're eager for us to meet Sienna."
At these words, Kaylen abruptly turned his gaze away, snorting in annoyance as if to hide a hint of embarrassment. I knew his behavior well. Even though he tried to deny it, he genuinely appreciated Sienna, but he wasn't the kind of man to openly express his feelings.
I made no comment, simply smiling slightly as the carriage continued its journey.
After several minutes, we finally arrived at the construction site.
A vast expanse of land stretched before us, marked by ongoing work. Workers labored tirelessly to level the ground lay the first stones, and begin installing the tracks.
The activity was intense, and the sound of tools echoed through the air.
I stepped out of the carriage, followed by Kaylen and Gilbert.
The site manager, a sturdy man with graying hair, approached us.
He bowed respectfully before greeting us.
"Your Majesty, Lords Kaylen and Gilbert. We've manage to already most complete the foundations of the first tracks with the helf of Lady Sienna .
The future rails are under construction in this section, and we've started digging tunnels to pass through the mountains in the north."
I observed the site attentively. The workers seemed motivated and well-organized, which was promising.
"Excellent work," I said with a smile. "Keep up this momentum. This project is vital for the kingdom's future. It will ease transportation for the people of Ednia. If you need additional resources let me know immediately the crown will provide everything you require."
The site manager nodded, pride gleaming in his eyes.
"Of course, Your Majesty. We'll give everything we have to ensure this project succeed."
I turned to Kaylen, who was examining the tracks being laid.
"What do you think, Kaylen?"
He nodded.
"The materials used are solid, but we'll need to ensure the rails are regularly maintained. A failure on the tracks could lead to disasters."
"You're right," I replied. "We'll also need to train competent maintenance teams once the project is complete."
Gilbert, who had been silently listening, interjected.
"With this new innovation, the train will change the way the people of the kingdom travel. It's not just a tool for transportation but a symbol of progress for Ednia."
I nodded, sharing his enthusiasm.
"Yes, and this is only the first step of a grand plan. Once the provinces are connected, we can extend these railways to facilitate the transportation of goods and merchandise.
Imagine what this could mean for commerce and the benefits Ednia could reap."
The construction site was a reflection of a kingdom, in transformation ready to embrace a future where innovation and tradition coexisted.
As we completed the inspection I felt a deep sense of pride.
This train was not just a mere project it embodied hope progress, and the promise of a better future for Ednia and its people.
And in this vision i knew we were on the right path.