Industrial Cthulhu, starting from the island lord

Chapter 297 Newspapers, Steel Ships and Homes
The launching ceremony of the new ship attracted a lot of people.

Zeus originally thought that not many people would come to watch, but he found that almost all the residents on the island who could come had come.

The entire dock was packed with people, and the temporary skirmishers and banshees were dispatched to maintain order and prevent trampling.

There was a lonely boat floating on the dock. The rest of the boats had not yet been renovated, but this one was completed in a hurry.

This type of foreign ship was not new. The islanders of Castell had seen similar structures before, but they were not powered by steam engines, and the temporary modifications were very crude. Hughes's requirement for the designer was that it could sail stably between Castell and the mainland.

This ship is just a temporary transition, the shipyard in the southern port is the highlight.

Even so, the islanders of Castel still came to see them off enthusiastically.

After all, Castel has been cut off from the outside world for so long, and this is the first time that a ship has been sent out.

Xius was also a little surprised by the enthusiasm of the islanders. He suddenly felt something in his heart, weighed it, and walked out.

He walked directly to the bow of the ship and waved to the people around him. The crowd cheered at first, and then gradually quieted down.

"Everyone, what do you think of this ship?"

The crowd was silent for a moment, and then a voice hesitantly said, "It's a very good boat." "Yes, it's quite good!"

“It’s still pretty big.”

"Not as good as the Black Pearl!" a child shouted, and then his mother hit him hard on the butt.

Hughes grinned. "He's right. This ship was originally just an ordinary sailboat. After the renovation, it even lost its sails. It's unremarkable. To be honest, I think it's not as good as the Black Pearl."

“But it’s steam-powered.”

The crowd suddenly became quiet.

The islanders of Castell had long witnessed the power of steam engines. These noisy steel behemoths could unleash unimaginable power as soon as they swallowed the black fuel.

With these big guys, the products in the factory can be piled up like flowing water.

"Of course, this form is only a very crude and inefficient application now, but our shipyard in the south is already under construction. I believe you all know what will happen next: the new steamship will be iterated and produced at an extremely fast speed!"

The crowd cheered again, this time with much greater enthusiasm. What Hughes was talking about was not an unattainable pie in the sky, but an industrial miracle that they had witnessed countless times with their own eyes.

"The new ship will be made of steel. It will be huge, much bigger than any ship you have ever seen. It will be like an island floating on the sea, powered by steam, fueled by pollution, and built of steel!"

People's breathing gradually became heavier, and the island seemed to have appeared in front of them.

Suddenly, the Sky Curtain Behemoth sounded its whistle in the distance.

People subconsciously looked up and found that it was moving slowly, and its huge body blocked the sun.

Steel ships float on the sea and huge airships sail in the sky.

The islanders swallowed their saliva, and an inexplicable enthusiasm gradually surged in their hearts.

Before anyone knew it, this remote island of Castel had become so powerful.

"Everyone, we are living well now. We won the war, and we don't have to worry about food and clothing. Everyone has a job and can go to school."

"But I just received news that the Territory of Tis, now the Principality of Tis, which is across the sea from us, has fallen into chaos and war!"

There was a commotion in the crowd. Most of the people in Castel were immigrants from Tis. Although it was a generation ago, the word "Tis" still had different meanings to people.

"Castel has been closed for too long, and everyone may not know what is happening outside." Xius looked around and raised his voice.

"The Queen was assassinated, and the Church seized the opportunity to usurp the empire. Tis and several northern territories declared independence. The sea dried up, cultists ran rampant, and the entire continent was in chaos!"

People were shocked by this series of news and stood there in disbelief. Some were arguing in low voices, some were cursing loudly, and some were crying quietly.

Xius didn't say anything, waiting quietly for people to digest the news.

After a long moment, he spoke again: "Everyone, although Castel is doing well now, there are still so many people suffering. I am heartbroken."

"And we have a team that went to explore and hasn't returned yet."

"Connor, Anderson, Frank, Duke."

"They took an airship to Blood Harbor, which is now the Principality of Tis, but there has been no news since then."

"The team we organized today is to go and find them."

"They stood up for Castel in his most critical moment. How could we betray them?"

There was a commotion among the crowd. These Crusaders who followed the airship out to explore all had families, and many of them were even present at the scene.

They were already moved when they heard the names of their loved ones, and now when they heard Hughes' words, many of them couldn't help but shed tears.

There are always sacrifices in war. They were originally mourning their loved ones silently, but now they suddenly realize that there may still be hope.

They were not forgotten, the lord still remembered them, Castel still remembered them.

Those who have lost something know how to cherish it the most.

Hearing the crying sounds coming from the crowd, Xiusi's face gradually became serious.

"Everyone, this operation will be accompanied by banshees. They will regularly relay information to me, and I will also announce the progress of the investigation and search daily."

"Newspapers will be published on the island soon, and the progress of this investigation will be on the front page every day."

"Besides this, I promise you all here that Castel will open several external shipping routes as soon as possible, including those heading west to Tis and north to the four northern territories."

"Any islander living here, or anyone who has worked for Castel and plans to settle here, can bring their relatives to the island, and I will cover the travel expenses!"

Kyle, standing on the boat, was stunned for a moment, and looked at his lord in disbelief. Coincidentally, Zeus tilted his head and winked at him.

He had no reaction when he heard about the islanders living there, after all, he was a Rhinelander.

But when Xuus talked about working and settling here, Kyle suddenly understood.

Looking at Zeus's smiling face, Kyle stood there in a daze.

This big man came to Rhineland with his parents when he was five years old and stayed there for more than ten years.

From the slums to the downtown area, he worked hard but could not find a foothold. Finally, he had to join the factory. Although the workers here could hardly live past 30, they at least gave him food to eat.

And Castel, this remote island, had already opened its doors to him half a year after he came here.

This feels more like home than the Rhine.

(End of this chapter)