The following morning, the settlement awoke to a symphony of industry. Steam hissed from the sawmill, hammers rang out from construction sites, and workers bustled along the cobblestone roads, hauling materials and fulfilling their Sovereign's vision. From the balcony of the Versailles-Style Manor, Aedric Leiyen von Vandemir surveyed his growing dominion with pride.
But he knew progress was fragile. An empire built without proper defenses was doomed to fall, and this world—though seemingly calm—was unlikely to remain peaceful forever.
"This island will be more than a settlement," Aedric murmured to himself, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon. "It will be a fortress, a hub of power, and the beating heart of a naval and aerial armada."
As if responding to his thoughts, the Dominion System chimed, offering new options and challenges.
Dominion System Update:
[Your Dominion has reached the Small Town milestone. New features unlocked!]
Rewards:
Summoning Authority: Additional manpower recruitment unlocked.
Military Blueprints Unlocked:
Barracks (Gothic Style)
Steam-Magic Artillery Foundry
Naval Shipyard
Aerial Dockyard
Vehicle Prototypes Unlocked:
Steam-Magic Infantry Vehicles
Steam-Magic Naval Destroyers
Steam-Magic Cargo and Combat Airships
Aedric's smirk deepened. These were the tools he needed to transform his vision into reality. With a wave of his hand, he summoned Sebastian to his side.
"Sebastian, today we begin fortifying Vandemir. Prepare the workers for military projects. We'll start with defenses and begin creating the foundations of an army."
Sebastian bowed. "Of course, my lord. Shall I allocate additional resources to support these projects?"
"Yes. And send for Erwin—I'll need him to oversee construction of the barracks and foundry. We'll need weapons and soldiers, sooner rather than later."
Aedric opened the Construction Menu and began outlining his plans.
Defensive Structures Available:
Barracks (Gothic Style) – 2,000 Wood, 1,500 Stone, 500 Steel
Trains and houses infantry units. Upgradable for advanced troops.
Artillery Foundry – 2,500 Wood, 2,000 Steel
Produces steam-magic artillery, including cannons and mortars.
Walls and Watchtowers (Germania Style) – 200 Wood, 100 Stone per segment.
Defensive walls reinforced with steel and magical runes. Watchtowers equipped with steam-powered spotlights and artillery.
Naval Shipyard – 3,000 Wood, 2,500 Steel, 500 Glass
Constructs steam-magic ships, including destroyers, transports, and frigates.
Aerial Dockyard – 3,500 Wood, 3,000 Steel, 1,000 Glass
Constructs steam-magic airships.
"We'll begin with the Barracks and Artillery Foundry," Aedric decided. "Place the barracks near the fortress and the foundry on the southern edge of the industrial zone."
The workers set to work immediately, hauling materials to the designated sites. The Gothic Barracks was a sight to behold even as it took shape: towering stone walls adorned with iron spires, stained-glass windows depicting legendary battles, and a training yard large enough to accommodate hundreds of soldiers.
Construction Started: Barracks (Gothic Style)
Remaining Resources: Wood: 6,000 | Stone: 5,000 | Steel: 2,500
Meanwhile, the Artillery Foundry was designed with functionality in mind. A rectangular building with reinforced steel walls and multiple chimneys, it was equipped with assembly lines powered by both steam engines and arcane generators. This hybrid technology allowed the foundry to produce cannons, mortars, and steam-magic ammunition with unparalleled efficiency.
Construction Started: Artillery Foundry
Remaining Resources: Wood: 3,500 | Steel: 500
Aedric turned his attention to the Walls and Watchtowers. Using the Dominion System, he mapped out a perimeter around the settlement, focusing on the most vulnerable areas. Watchtowers were placed at strategic points, each equipped with steam-powered searchlights and mounting platforms for future artillery.
Construction Started: Defensive Walls and Watchtowers
Remaining Resources: Wood: 1,500 | Stone: 3,000
With construction underway, Aedric accessed the Summoning Authority menu to recruit additional manpower. The system allowed him to summon workers, soldiers, and specialists using gold and resources.
Summoning Menu:
Basic Workers – 1 Gold per person
Skilled laborers for general tasks.
Infantry Recruits – 5 Gold per person
Basic soldiers trained in melee and firearms.
Engineers – 10 Gold per person
Specialists for constructing and maintaining advanced machinery.
Officers – 50 Gold per person
Elite leaders for managing troops and commanding ships.
"Recruit 100 workers, 50 infantry, and 20 engineers," Aedric commanded.
The system shimmered, and moments later, groups of people materialized in the plaza. The workers quickly dispersed to join construction teams, while the infantry and engineers formed ranks, awaiting orders.
New Population:
Total Workers: 200
Infantry: 60
Engineers: 20
With manpower replenished, Aedric shifted his focus to the coastline. The southern edge of the island featured a natural harbor, protected by rocky outcroppings that would shield ships from storms. It was the perfect location for a Naval Shipyard.
"Sebastian," Aedric said, "send a team to clear the harbor and begin construction of the shipyard. This island must have a navy to protect its waters."
"As you wish, my lord."
The Naval Shipyard was an ambitious project. The design featured massive dry docks lined with steel scaffolding, warehouses for storing supplies, and piers extending into the water. Once completed, it would be capable of producing a variety of steam-magic ships, from cargo vessels to heavily armed destroyers.
Construction Started: Naval Shipyard
Remaining Resources: Wood: 0 | Steel: 0 | Glass: 1,500
Aedric smiled grimly. "We'll need to replenish resources. Begin gathering more wood and mining for steel. Assign engineers to the generator and foundry to ensure efficiency."
By evening, the Artillery Foundry was operational, and Aedric wasted no time commissioning the first prototypes of steam-magic vehicles and ships.
Steam-Magic Infantry Vehicle (Mark I):
A heavily armored, steam-powered vehicle armed with dual cannons and enchanted plating for enhanced durability.
Cost: 500 Steel, 200 Wood, 100 Glass
Steam-Magic Destroyer (Mark I):
A fast naval vessel armed with long-range steam-cannons and reinforced with magical shielding.
Cost: 1,000 Steel, 500 Wood, 300 Glass
Steam-Magic Combat Airship (Mark I):
A sleek dirigible powered by arcane engines, armed with bomb bays and steam-powered turrets.
Cost: 1,500 Steel, 1,000 Glass
"We'll start with one of each," Aedric ordered. "I want to test their capabilities before committing to mass production."
The workers and engineers marveled at the complexity of the designs as they assembled the first prototypes. Aedric used Arcane Construction to speed up the process, weaving magic into the machinery to ensure precision.
As night fell, the first Steam-Magic Infantry Vehicle rolled out of the foundry, its engine roaring with a mix of steam and arcane energy. The destroyer's frame was taking shape in the shipyard, while the combat airship hovered above the aerial dockyard, its magical engines emitting a soft hum.
Aedric stood in the plaza, surrounded by the glowing streetlights of his cobblestone roads. Sebastian approached, his expression calm yet proud.
"My lord, the first stages of your vision are complete. Vandemir is fortified and armed. Your dominion will be unassailable."
Aedric's gaze turned to the horizon, where the dark waters of the ocean met the starlit sky. "This is only the beginning, Sebastian. Vandemir will rise as the greatest power this world has ever seen—on land, sea, and sky."
And with that, the engines of Vandemir roared into life.