Central Mountain City, Scout Division training ground.
"If this is the case now, I could become the most powerful warrior in our Kingdom in the future", I commented thoughtfully.
"I think so too", Upqua replied, sharing my opinion.
"I hope I don't disappoint him", Goca said with a faint smile.
After bidding farewell to Goca, whom I would request more fights from, we returned to Upqua's old office. Along the way, every step reminded me of the previous fight, not because of the good times, but because of the discomfort I felt in various parts of my body, especially my abdomen.
"When did you acquire those fighting skills?", Upqua inquired as I entered his old office.
"Ouch... The Shadows supported me in my training", I replied as I massaged some sore areas.
"The Shadows? Hadn't they sent each other on different missions?", Upqua asked with a puzzled expression.
"Some do, but there's always a group in the city. Even here in the Scout Division, there are members of the Shadows", I mentioned nonchalantly.
"Here? ... I hadn't noticed", he said, surprised.
"If you had noticed, they wouldn't be called Shadows", I replied ironically.
The Shadows are a subdivision of the Scouts. While they used to be part of the same group, they are now a separate group that utilizes some resources from the main division. This unit oversees gathering intelligence both inside and outside the territory.
Some members are distributed throughout various areas of the kingdom; one of them was even the former Chieftain of Mountain Pass City, who is now the governor of the Northern Region.
Other members are scattered across different regiments within the kingdom, in temples, in some trading companies I founded, and even in schools and the Simte Academy.
Originally, this division was established to prevent problems during the kingdom's early expansions, avoiding the use of spies from other nearby towns, although this was evidently not a tactic used today. So, I decided to form a group focused on gathering information and discreetly monitoring various areas of the kingdom.
"By the way, you know that if Mom sees you like this, she might get scared, right?", Upqua commented, flashing a mocking smile.
"That's true... I should leave immediately and then stop by the lab, so she doesn't see me... Don't tell her anything", I replied with an alarmed tone as I quickly dressed and left the office.
An hour later, in the eastern part of the city.
In the most remote area of this region stood an imposing building, protected by stone and wood walls. Access to it was even more restricted than that of the Scout Division Training Camp, and the exit of people was also strictly controlled. These limitations were established long ago to safeguard all the innovations and new technologies generated within the building.
The Kingdom Laboratory, formerly known as the Innovation and Research Office, had become the research center of the Kingdom's Ministry of Innovation, the only one existing in the entire nation.
Faoa, a team of researchers, and I were constantly working to create new technologies in different fields. Initially, our work was limited to minor projects, but as we progressed in developing new tools or improving existing ones, we were able to diversify our research into new areas.
Among the most notable developments were:
Metallurgy.
We began the first few years building primitive furnaces for the manufacture of bronze tools, in addition to creating auxiliary elements such as bellows, hardened stone anvils, hammers, tongs, and crucibles. Simultaneously, we began to focus on tool forging, differentiating between those used for civilian purposes and those for military use.
After discovering iron ore in some deposits, we refined the furnaces to reach higher temperatures, allowing us to produce lower-grade iron and steel. At the same time, the use of iron tools was promoted to improve tasks such as farming, logging, and mining.
Finally, a few months ago, we managed to recreate a basic version of both the reverberatory furnace and the blast furnace. With this, we were able to increase iron production on a large scale. However, all these advances had to be implemented gradually, as the rest of the kingdom had to adapt at the same time, and despite these achievements, we were unable to equip a full army.
Transportation.
During the early years, simple wooden wheels began to be used for transporting light materials, as well as improvements in boat construction to facilitate river routes. With the increase in bronze production, both the bronze wheels and pulleys on larger-capacity boats were optimized. At the same time, various llamas and alpacas were introduced as pack animals.
With the intensive use of iron ore, new carts were designed with bronze parts and iron bearings to reduce the burden on draft animals. In addition, boat components were updated, and new coastal transport vessels were improved. At the same time, the space for domesticating pack animals was expanded.
Weapons and armor.
Initially, combat tools were optimized by using bronze instead of stone, along with armor composed of leather, cotton, and bronze, although in smaller quantities. As production increased, more weapons and armor were manufactured.
With the introduction of iron, army armor and weapons were gradually improved. Initially, iron was used in the most crucial parts, while the rest of the armor continued to be made of bronze and leather. Later, as production grew, the use of iron in armor also increased.
Eventually, complete iron armor was established for military use, and hybrid armor, mostly made of bronze, for civilian use. Bronze weapons remained the main armament, but iron weapon depots were also established for future campaigns.
At the same time, the first prototypes of bronze cannons were created for research. These were later improved to a mixed iron and bronze frame, eventually resulting in iron cannons that were very strong but crudely designed. However, the limitation from the beginning was the production of gunpowder.
Ship making and Navigation.
At first, rudimentary sails were installed to establish boats with mixed propulsion, sail, and oar. Later, the construction of boats with greater transport capacity was optimized using bronze tools, also implementing mass production to streamline the construction process.
With the incorporation of iron tools and elements such as saws, axes, nails, and drills, construction conditions were improved, paving the way for the construction of boats with greater capacity for transport on rivers and along the kingdom's coasts.
Finally, with the improved production capacity of iron, planks, and fabrics, and the creation of large-capacity shipyards, the first ships capable of sailing on the high seas were created. However, the scope of voyages was reduced as a precaution.
At the same time, rudimentary navigational tools such as the compass, the compass for measuring plans, and the astrolabe were also created. Furthermore, astronomical knowledge was included in the navigational training of the exploring groups.
Construction and Primary Industrialization.
In the early years, with the introduction of bronze tools, existing construction tools were improved, and the first water wheels were also installed for research purposes.
Then, with the incorporation of the first iron tools and elements, constructions were improved, and the first iron and other constructions were tested. At the same time, water wheels were widely installed in the central areas of the kingdom for industrial and civil use.
Finally, with the help of precision iron tools, the first wooden mechanical looms were created. At the same time, construction techniques were improved, with widespread use of pulleys and levers, as well as the incorporation of mortar for large-scale construction.
Others.
With the incorporation of bronze, civil tools such as knives, needles, shovels, among other items, were improved. Other items were also created, such as scissors, wheelbarrows, utensils, containers, pots, pans, identification plates, hammers, nails, and saws. At the same time, plows were created in agriculture from various metals.
Paper was another important element, as initially papers were produced that were not very durable and were dark in color. Later, with the introduction of bronze and iron, papermaking underwent a drastic change, producing paper for different purposes depending on the type of manufacturing used. This resulted in paper for books, kitchen paper, and hygiene products, as well as paper cloths, which were complemented by cotton cloths.
----
As I approached the large gates of the compound, I noticed the guards on them and in the watchtowers. Many people didn't know what was done inside this laboratory, but they did know that most of the things that improved their lives today came from this place.
"Welcome, Son of Heaven", the guards said in unison, opening the gates.
"Thank you... Good work", I said in a mechanical tone.
Upon entering, I noticed the difference between the buildings inside the laboratory and those outside. Inside, everything was made of basic cement; the buildings were two or more stories high, and some even had underground structures.
The paths were made of stone and cement, depending on the area. There were drains, wells, public and private restrooms, as well as some recreational or discussion facilities. On the walls were paintings, posters, and announcements.
People walked back and forth, busy carrying papers and supplies, while others simply stood and rested in some of the grassy areas.
The scene seemed like a day in the future, which made me very nostalgic.
"I can't go back to where I belonged, but I can adapt my surroundings", I reflected as I wiped a tear from my eye.
.
----
.
[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta tells us about the technological evolution.
I tried to make it as believable as possible, but according to my research, some technologies would take a long time, such as shipbuilding or ovens.
Unnecessary fact of the day: the distance between Cartagena (Colombia) and the Old Continent (Spain) is around 3,800 nautical miles.
Although our protagonist will likely only travel 2,800 nautical miles. Where will he travel to?
Read my other novel called The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
You can find it on my profile.]