章 5: Completing the Robot
Morning arrived with Edwin waking early, moving through his routine of exercises in his room. A familiar knock echoed through the door. "**Good morning, Young Master!**" a maid's voice called.
"Yes?" Edwin replied, pausing his push-ups to listen.
"**The breakfast is ready, Young Master!**"
"Okay, I'll be right down," Edwin replied, wiping sweat from his brow.
After a quick wash, Edwin joined his family in the dining hall. As usual, his father, Baron Caine, and his wife, Baroness Eleanor, sat at the head of the table, with his older brother Cedric across from him and his second brother Lucas to his left. Edwin glanced around at his family—a group of strangers he struggled to connect with—unable to ignore the three younger children—two girls and a boy—sitting quietly. The atmosphere was tense, the only sounds the clinking of cutlery and the distant murmur of conversation. The meal passed without incident; Edwin ate mechanically, his thoughts elsewhere. When he finished, he rose and left, not bothering to wait for his family to finish.
Edwin made his way directly to the finances office to collect more gold. On the way, he passed the familiar training grounds of the barony's knights. Today, he paused longer, watching the **Bronze Knights**—about a hundred in total—drill under the watchful eye of their commander, his uncle Gerald Umbracrest. Nearby, he spotted a large field where **Calvary units** were training. These weren't just regular horses; they were **Iron Rank** beasts—powerful, armored war horses used by the knights of Umbracrest. Edwin marveled at their size and strength for a few minutes before moving on.
Upon reaching the steward's office, Edwin knocked on the door and entered. "**Good morning, Young Master**," the steward greeted, looking up from his ledger with a puzzled expression. "**I didn't expect to see you again today.**"
"Well, I need more gold coins," Edwin replied, his tone businesslike.
The steward frowned. "**200 gold coins should have been enough for you,**" he said, hesitating.
"What?" Edwin asked, a touch of annoyance in his voice.
"**Nothing, Young Master. I'll get your gold ready right away.**"
The steward quickly handed over the small sack of coins, and Edwin pocketed them before calling out to a random servant. "**Find Servant Thomas for me,**" he instructed.
A few minutes later, Thomas arrived, a hint of anxiety on his face. "**Good morning, Young Master Edwin,**" he greeted with a nervous bow.
"**Good morning, Thomas. Here, take these 100 gold coins and buy me some materials. Make sure to get what I need more iron ore, copper, and other materials enough gold for the initial setup.**" Edwin handed over the coins with precise instructions.
"Yes, Young Master," Thomas replied, bowing again before taking the coins and hurrying away.
Edwin turned back and walked to his workshop, deep in thought.
When Edwin arrived at his workshop, he began setting up immediately. The small, two-story building had been converted into a makeshift lab—tables, tools, and various materials scattered across the floor. He turned on his portable light, flooding the workspace with a steady glow. With a quick command, Edwin brought the AI online, its steady voice filling the room. "**Ready to begin, master**," the AI's voice said, its tone calm and professional.
His goal was simple—complete the robot today with the assistance of the Iron Sovereign Protocol AI. He didn't have time to waste. Once inside, Edwin quickly set up his tools and materials, then began the assembly process. "**With your help, AI, I should be able to finish it today.**" Edwin said aloud as he began working on the robot's frame. The mechanical AI responded in a steady, calm voice, "**Understood, Master. I will guide you through each step.**"
For hours, Edwin worked without pause, his hands moving deftly across the pieces of metal and wires, fitting them together as he referenced his sketches and the AI's suggestions. As he pieced the robot together, he'd periodically ask for guidance—adjustments to the joints, recalibration of the energy cells, and integration of the mechanical components with the AI's core. Each time, the AI responded, giving Edwin precise instructions, its voice calm and reassuring.
"**AI, check the alignment of the joints. Are they within specifications?**" Edwin asked after an hour of focused work.
"**Joints are aligned within tolerance levels. Adjustments to be made to the stabilizers for smoother movement.**" The AI's voice echoed through Edwin's workshop.
As the sun began to set, Edwin glanced out the window. The sky was tinged with the first hints of dusk. "**We're running out of time, AI. Can we finish it today?**" Edwin asked, his tone urgent.
"**If we accelerate the process, yes. But you will need to make the final adjustments manually.**"
"**Understood. Let's push it.**" Edwin's hands moved faster, muscles aching from hours of work, but his mind was too focused to notice.
When the knock came, Edwin barely heard it at first. "**Who is it?**" he called, not looking up from his work.
"**It's me, Young Master Thomas. I brought your lunch.**"
Edwin wiped his hands on a rag,and went downstairs to collect his food. Turning to open the door. Thomas stood outside, holding a tray with a simple meal—bread, cheese, and roasted meat. "**Good timing, Thomas.
"**Bring it Edwin's voice was firm, not bothering to look up to his face. Thomas hesitated for a moment but did as he was told, giving the tray of food to Edwin and quickly leaving the workshop.
Edwin ate his lunch quickly, taking a few minutes to stretch his muscles before getting back to work. The sun had moved high in the sky by the time he resumed, and he felt the strain in his shoulders and back as he worked. Hours passed in this rhythm—building, adjusting, commanding the AI to make changes—until it was dark. Edwin stepped back from his work, taking a deep breath as he surveyed the finished robot.
Another Knocking again?" Edwin said, more to himself than to anyone else.
"**Who is it?**" he asked.
"**It's Thomas, Young Master.**"
"Oh," Edwin replied.
"**You bought everything I asked for? Edwin asked, setting the tray down on a nearby table and wiping his hands.
"Yes, Young Master Edwin," Thomas replied, his voice low. Edwin could tell he was trying to suppress his curiosity.
"**Good. Drop it downstairs and leave.**" Edwin's tone was firm, not bothering to look up from his work.
Servants like Thomas weren't allowed upstairs, infact he won't allow anyone to get pass downstairs except for himself as only the upstairs was a real workshop; downstairs was empty and he kept his secrets closely guarded—especially his work on the robots. The only person who knew about his projects was the AI hidden within the mechanical framework, a powerful tool that Edwin relied on heavily for his work.
Thomas hesitated for a moment, but with a final, nervous glance around the room downstairs finding it empty, he turned and left without another word.
Edwin resumed his lunch, eating quickly as he resumed his assembly. The room was silent for a while, only the sound of metal clanging against metal and Edwin's occasional mutterings as he adjusted a circuit or checked a connection.
As the last rays of daylight disappeared, Edwin stepped back, hands on his knees, breathing heavily. "**There. It's done, AI. What do you think?**" he asked, exhaustion lining his voice.
"**The robot is complete, Edwin. All systems are functional. Power levels are stable. It's ready for deployment.**"
Edwin nodded, a small smile crossing his face. "**Good. We'll continue testing tomorrow.**"
As he turned away, the workshop was plunged into darkness, the last remnants of daylight gone. "**I'll finish setting it up tomorrow.**" Edwin murmured, rubbing his eyes. "**Time to head back to the castle.**"
He quickly packed away his tools and the AI device, knowing he'd have a long day ahead. Edwin made his way back to the castle, the moon casting pale light on the path as he walked. Tomorrow would be another long day.
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