The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

When the machine tool started, a deep rumble filled the workshop. The operator pressed the start button, and the machine tool vibrated briefly before settling down.

The magical mechanism began to operate, causing the transmission belt to rotate rapidly, emitting a slight hum. The cutting tool slowly advanced, contacting the metal workpiece and producing a screeching sound of friction and flying metal shavings. Coolant was sprayed onto the workpiece, emitting puffs of white smoke and a distinctive metallic smell.

The entire process was filled with mechanical power and precise coordination, which gave Linde an immense sense of satisfaction.

The lathe uses the latest primary color sand magic container, which is more durable than the previous direct supply of magic stones.

The initial plan was to connect directly to the obelisk via a transmission medium, but since the obelisk was not yet fully connected, a large number of sub-arrays needed to be planned.

Lisha's original design was even more extravagant than the obelisks that have now been built in the territory.

The original plan was to use wireless power supply, which would allow for remote power supply by connecting the obelisks through a specific mathematical array within their power supply range.

However, the current Olympiad magic array algorithm is completely outdated, and the material requirements are also very high, which would cause a large amount of magic to dissipate. Linde could only adopt a more conservative solution. However, Linde believes that in the future, the power supply method envisioned by Lisha may not be impossible to realize.

With the lathe, weapons and equipment in the territory could finally begin to be mass-produced, instead of relying on the old rune craftsmen to grind sparks day and night.

With the addition of the original sand magic container, single-soldier combat can achieve maximum endurance, and the enchantments on the armor can also be updated.

Linde has even begun to consider the feasibility of powered armor.

Unfortunately, even the internal combustion engine that converts magic into mechanical energy is only just beginning to be developed in the territory.

Because he wasn't an engineering major, Linde could only describe in detail the classic engine model and general design concept from his previous life, and then hand it over to Lena and the craftsmen for research.

Although the final design of the transmission device was somewhat of a hybrid and had a low conversion rate, to put it nicely, it had a lot of room for improvement; to put it bluntly, it was just pure brute force.

But at least it's usable now. No matter how much power was wasted, the magic engine for gray-collar workers can be considered to be in production. This lathe is driven by the latest engine.

As autumn draws to a close, the North, as always, begins to be the first to welcome the arrival of winter.

Normally, the North would begin to rest immediately after the autumn harvest, because the winters in the North are long and harsh. Even the North people, known for their warlike and bravery, would choose to lie down and pray that the food they had stored up would help them survive the harsh winter.

The pressure on nobles is much less. In fact, winter is the best time for them to socialize. With the help of magic and professionals, the cold is nothing to worry about. There are even many magic scrolls on the market that are specifically designed to help nobles get through the winter.

The warming tricks on these scrolls were quickly disassembled, analyzed, and turned into an advanced mathematical array by the gray-collar workers.

People who have just arrived in the gray-collar area are surprised to find that there is actually a lot of work to be done, or rather, a lot of work to be done, even in winter.

The benevolent governor not only provided hot meals and custom-made winter clothes, but also a special winter allowance. Families with a little savings would choose to stick the locally produced thermal rolls on their bodies, while those who had just arrived at the gray-white collar and had no savings could use the allowance to buy some charcoal for warmth.

The governor had just released the winter production plan, and various factories began to spring up, with large amounts of basic equipment piling up on the territory like snowflakes falling from the sky.

Even though Darcy was wearing heavy winter clothes, he didn't forget to wear his sniper medal, which was personally awarded by the lord. The bronze medal was even more dazzling under the winter sun, but the two soldiers accompanying Darcy would occasionally look at the medal on Darcy's chest with envy.

It wasn't because of the special allowance brought by the medal. These two soldiers were previously knights' attendants of the Lars family, or rather, apprentice knights. Although their living conditions weren't particularly good, they weren't so eager for that little allowance, especially after they officially enlisted.

But for the soldiers of Lars, honor is the most important thing. The military training of the Lars army is that they would rather die on the battlefield than leave their backs to the enemy, especially those who might have become the followers of the Lars knights.

Darcy's medals represented not only honor, but more importantly, the governor's approval. For these followers, these medals were practically a passport to becoming knights.

Even though the knight class no longer has any privileges and is now just an honorary title, this title is like a hot dancer in a winter tavern to the people of Lars—it has a fatal attraction.

However, the two soldiers were impressed by Darcy, especially after seeing him hunt two rabbits with his new hunting rifle.

Rabbits are active year-round, so it's not surprising that they come out in winter. The challenge is how to hit a white rabbit when all the bushes and trees are shrouded in darkness.

Darcy skillfully prepared the rabbit, stuck it in the ground, and started roasting it. The other two soldiers also skillfully took out various seasonings, preparing for a hearty meal. The little girl next to the three soldiers watched in astonishment.

This was the seventh person Darcy's squad had found since leaving the western North. The soldiers' winter training missions had not stopped, but some soldiers, including Darcy, received special orders from Lind.

That is to start arresting people, no, persuading people to come to the gray-collar old profession, only the targets have changed from the wild village in the mountains to the civilians in Doug Lars' territory.

Doug Lars's governance can be described as a complete mess, because in order to gather an army and reward the troops, Doug, whose territory was already in a mess, chose to borrow money from the demons and seek their help.

Now, in order to repay the exorbitant interest rates he took out, Doug Lars can only continue to exploit the new territory he has just acquired. His methods are so ruthless that even Colin would have to admit that he was too lenient in the past.

As a result, the number of rebels in the North is increasing with each battle, and the more the rebellion is suppressed, the more chaotic things become. The three Doug brothers have yet to fully restore production on their territory.

Seeing the girl next to him drooling, Darcy didn't hesitate to tear off half of a rabbit and hand it to her.

"Can I eat it?"

The girl took the half of the rabbit that was stuck in the tree branch.

"Of course, this is for you to eat. Otherwise, it would just be a treat for us brothers."

After Darcy finished speaking, the other two soldiers burst into laughter. One of them took out his seasoning and sprinkled it evenly on the rabbit for the girl.

"This is delicious. I heard that the Governor and his wife like to eat this when they eat duck."

The soldier sprinkled the water while explaining the process.

When the girl saw the soldier approaching, she shivered as if in response. Another soldier saw this and, thinking the girl was cold, immediately took off his coat and put it on her, while also throwing a few more branches into the fire.

"Weren't you guys looking down on people like you were looking down on them before? What, you start acting like this now that the other person is a girl?"

Darcy teased him with a mischievous grin.

"Fuck you."

A soldier gave Darcy a feigned kick and said, "Were you listening to the lesson? Secretary Isa said that we are all subjects of the Goddess and the Governor, serving the Governor. There is no distinction between high and low."

The three soldiers were playfully bickering. Escorting people back was one of their few moments of leisure. If the girl hadn't seen these three men wearing enchanted armor and carrying guns, and who had wiped out a squad of Doug Lars's soldiers, she might have really thought they were kind-hearted neighbor brothers who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

But after seeing it, the girl felt that the scene before her was even more surreal. Soldiers who treated enemies like demons were actually as kind as a spring breeze to a civilian.

"I... I know where my mom and dad are. Can you go and save them?"

The girl seemed to have used up all the courage she had in her life to say those words.

Darcy and the other two soldiers exchanged a glance and said happily, "Of course."