Chapter 87: Jonathan, the Expert Machinist

September 19th, 883. 

Jonathan stood at the lathe, a long metal cylinder clamped firmly in place. A group of new workers crowded around him, eager to learn the trade. The factory hummed with the steady thrum of machinery, powered by a large belt-driven motor that pulsed with each rotation.

"Now, the first step in creating the bore of the barrel is to mount it in the lathe and turn it down to the correct diameter," Jonathan explained, his voice rising above the din of the factory. "You have to take your time with this step, making sure that you remove just enough material without going too far and ruining the barrel."

The workers nodded, their eyes fixed on the lathe as Jonathan deftly moved the cutting tool across the surface of the metal. He paused every so often to check the dimensions, adjusting the lathe as needed to ensure a perfect fit.