A shipyard by the West Coast was surrounded by a crowd.
The reason why it was described as "one" was because there was more than one shipyard on the West Coast. Including the official shipyards of the Royal Court, there were already as many as eight.
It had been almost a year since the Black Dragon Emperor issued the bounty. Ever since the high bounty was announced, countless shipbuilders flocked from all over the world to seek refuge under the Black Wing Royal Court. The government also gave sufficient support to the shipbuilding industry. As long as one was a qualified shipbuilder, regardless of whether they chose to do their own research or work with other masters, their applications for funds and manpower would be quickly approved.
But at the same time, all participating personnel would be recorded. Every month, officials would go to each shipyard to check on their progress. Taking the money without doing anything would not work. The Empire's inspection of the progress of each shipyard was equally strict. There had already been two factory managers who had been hanged from the high tower at the port.
Today was the day that the shipyard's new ship was launched. People crowded around the shipyard curiously. This shipyard had never announced its research projects and progress to the public, but every month, it quietly passed the official inspection.
What was even stranger was the scale of this shipyard. It had been constantly expanding in the past year, from the original small wooden workshop to a heavily guarded factory area. Its scale had even surpassed the shipyards built by the government. It was obvious that it had received great support from the Empire.
And according to the latest news, this shipyard was building an epoch-making ship. It did not need the support of magic. Its appearance was no different from the large sailing ships sailing on the sea, but it was actually made of steel.
Everyone knew that steel was no different from stone on water. If it was thrown into the water without the support of magic, there would be no trace of it other than the sound of a splash.
The crowd of onlookers was roughly divided into two groups. One group was the tourists who had just arrived at the West Coast. They were curious about the news, or were in disbelief. Among them, there was no lack of merchants and sailors from the South and West.
The other group was the local residents. They were not interested in the new ship, but they had heard that the ruler of the Empire might come personally. They wanted to see the traces of the Black Dragon Emperor.
Kroendo belonged to the former.
When the officials of the West Coast posted the news and the new recruitment order on the bulletin board, he said that he had to come here to take a look no matter what. Pino, who lived with him, had no choice but to ask for leave from the owner of the shop to accompany him. They had just arrived in the North and were unfamiliar with the place. Pino was really worried about letting the old man go to a place where people gathered. Once there was a stampede, the threat to the old man would be fatal.
"You underestimate me, child."
The old man waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to follow him. "When I was young, I had the title of 'Warrior'. I've been through a lot. Although I'm old now, my body isn't necessarily worse than yours."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Pino said disapprovingly, "Anyway, I've already applied for leave. It doesn't matter what you say. I'm the only one who applied for leave after just five days of work.
I just don't understand. If you say you want to see the Evil Dragon Emperor, I can understand. Why do you insist on seeing that thing in the water?
Isn't it just a ship? "
"But you said it's made of steel."
Kendo shook his head. "These days, steel can float on water without the support of magic?"
Blame me for being talkative, Pino thought to himself. When he was chatting with the old man, he mentioned the notice on the bulletin board on the West Coast. "Maybe that's just an exaggeration from the Empire. You know that the rulers like to do that. It's probably a wooden ship wrapped in a layer of iron?
"There's nothing new about that."
Kendo's beard trembled. "But think about what the reward from the Northern Court was last year. If it was something so simple, this shipyard definitely wouldn't have the support of the government. And I heard that the shipbuilder inside is a master from Nice."
Pino was surprised. "You seem to be very interested in this."
"I used to be a captain, child."
The old man exhaled a breath of white air. "Back then, I was a young man who longed for the sea. I carried large amounts of goods between Constellation Island and Swamp Bay, tangling with pirates and fighting monsters. Thirty years ago, I came to the Fjords in the North and even sailed to Vilost on the other side of the West Sea. Later … because of some things, I ended up in this state."
"You've never told me this." Pino's eyes widened.
"You've never asked either." The old man smiled and shrugged.
"You're a captain. Then do you have a hidden fortune, or a treasure map of some pirate king?"
"Don't joke around."
Kendo shrugged. "I know a little about Vilost, but the Airadia aren't interested in the other side of the sea. Even if I know, it's useless."
"Alright."
Pino turned his gaze to the shipyard. "So what you're really curious about is the Empire's research and the new ship that's about to be released."
"No captain wouldn't be curious, because no captain doesn't love a good ship."
Kendo stroked his beard. "It's not that I haven't heard of ships made of steel, but without the support of magic, do you know what that means?
If the rumors are true, it means that in a year or two, the Northland Fleet will be able to cover the entire western coast and go anywhere they want. "
Pino glanced at the old man. "At your age, you're not planning to go back to your old profession, are you?"
The old man chuckled. "I can't always eat your bread for free."
Pino opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but the old man's eyes suddenly lit up. He pointed to the sky. "It's here."
Pino looked up at the sky. A black dot was rapidly growing in size, and a strong wind suddenly blew. He hurriedly supported the old man to prevent him from falling, but he found that Kendo's body was much sturdier than he had imagined. In fact, he was even more stable than he was.
There was a panic in the crowd because the huge dragon had already landed on the platform outside the shipyard. Its two front claws were on the edge of the platform, and its head was peeking out to look around.
"The Dragon King."
The old man tugged at the corner of his shirt, indicating for him to lower his head to show respect. He muttered softly, "It's much bigger than the rumors say. It's said that it can rival the gods. I think it might be true."
Emperor Black Dragon did not speak. He squatted on the platform, and the person in charge of the shipyard immediately came out to greet him. Standing in front of him, he was as small as an ant.
"Corvette, it's him."
The old man spoke again, his gaze fixed on the white-haired shipwright at the front of the line. "The master of the inner sea city, Corvette Naess. This guy actually came to the Northland."
"No, how did you see it clearly?"
Pino stood on his tiptoes to look around, but he was also puzzled.
With his eyesight, he could not see the faces of the people there, let alone identify who was who.
Krendo did not speak. He stared at the shipyard closely. Under Emperor Black Dragon's signal, a cadence of slogans rang out. Countless workers walked out of the shipyard. They opened the side of the factory facing the West Sea, and a corner of a hundred-meter-long steel ship could be vaguely seen.
Under the watchful eyes of the people, the side of the ship was pulled by Emperor Black Dragon. It slid down the slope into the sea and slowly sank into the surging sea.
Pino's heart was in his mouth. He almost thought that this thing would fall directly into the bottom of the sea. He did not expect that when the rest of the ship sank into the water, it actually floated on the surface of the sea, stirring up huge waves on its side.
"Oh my god, is it really completely made of steel?
It actually floated. "
Pino was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "But steel is heavy. Even if it doesn't sink, without the help of a Magician, how can it sail on the sea with just the sails?
That speed is simply unimaginable. "
"No, you have to remember that it was made by Master Corvette. These shipwrights have to consider everything before they build it. If the ship has any fatal flaws, they will not act rashly," Krendo said.
When Pino turned to look at the old man, he saw that his eyes were shining with excitement. "What's the name of this ship?
I have to find a way to become its captain. "