Capítulo 4: The Forge of Innovation
A young man with blonde hair, gray eyes, and a slightly pale, above-average face paced back and forth in his room, deeply engrossed in a book until he was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"**Young Master Edwin?**"
"Yes?" Edwin replied, setting the book aside.
"**Servant Thomas, the one you sent on an errand, is back. He says your attention is needed.**"
"Oh, I see. I'll be right there," Edwin answered, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead.
It had been several hours since Edwin had sent Thomas to gather the materials he needed. He hoped they hadn't returned with junk. Edwin made his way outside, passing through the entrance of the castle.
Outside, two **Iron Knight** guards stood sentinel at the castle gate, flanking two young men in servant attire—Thomas and another helper. The cart between them was laden with supplies: iron ore and copper, just as Edwin had requested.
The gates groaned open, and Edwin stepped through, his head held high despite his still frail appearance. "**Greetings, Third Young Master**," the guards called in unison. "**Greetings, Young Master Edwin!**" Thomas and the other servant echoed, their bows nearly touching the ground.
"Follow me," Edwin ordered curtly, beginning the walk back to the castle. The servants pushed the cart behind him.
Edwin led the way to a secluded corner of Umbracrest Castle, to a dilapidated two-story building that had once been the servants' quarters but was now abandoned. Edwin had chosen this remote location as his personal workshop, hidden away from prying eyes.
In front of the building, he paused, inspecting the space with a critical eye. "I'll need to ask for more money tomorrow and get this place repaired," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
He turned back to see the servants unloading the cart. Pointing toward the building, he ordered, "Get this place cleaned up quickly."
"Yes, Young Master!" the servant replied, his eagerness clear as he quickly rounded up a group to begin the task. Edwin watched them, his gaze absent as he pulled out his book again, reading intently. The minutes ticked by slowly, and Edwin only glanced up when the cleaning was complete.
After an hour, the building was ready for use. Edwin examined the space—tables, workbenches, and basic tools were in place. The iron ore and copper were stacked neatly in the corner. He turned to Thomas, his eyes sharp. "Show me what you bought," Edwin commanded.
Thomas quickly lifted the cover on a large crate. Inside were the materials Edwin had requested—iron ore and copper, fresh and untouched. Edwin checked them over carefully, making sure there were no impurities, then asked about the purchase process. Satisfied with the explanation, he praised Thomas and the other servant with a few silver coins, rewarding them for their hard work and efficiency.
"Go and clean up the rest of the castle now," Edwin instructed, dismissing the servants with a wave of his hand. The young men exchanged glances but hurried away, their faces bright with the knowledge that they had earned nearly a month's salary in a single afternoon.
Edwin waited until they were out of sight before turning his attention back to the cart. Alone now, he stepped into the building, scanning the area one more time. The place was still spartan—walls in need of paint, windows broken—but it was enough for his needs.
He brought out a sketchpad and the mechanical AI from his inheritance. The Iron Sovereign Protocol wasn't just a tool—it was a guide, a powerful assistant to his burgeoning innovations. Edwin flipped through his designs, adjusting parameters and adding notes. His hand moved swiftly, the pen scratching across the paper as his mind raced through ideas.
By the time night fell, Edwin had constructed the frame for his first small robot, a crude replica of the drawing he had sketched hours earlier. He stood back, surveying his work in the dimming light, and nodded in satisfaction. "This will be enough to start," he murmured to himself.
He glanced out the broken window, watching the sky darken over the Umbracrest castle. "I will continue tomorrow," Edwin decided, shutting the book and leaving the workshop behind. As he walked back to the main castle, the faint smell of metal dust lingering on his clothes, he felt a sense of purpose he had never known before.
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