Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

The meeting ended, and Castel, that gigantic steel ark, slowly adjusted its course, heading toward a new journey. Along with it, countless fates would be altered, and even the situation of the continent itself had shifted slightly.

But at this moment, people did not know any of that. To them, it was nothing more than an ordinary afternoon.

Zoe walked out of the room with a somewhat heavy heart, her mind still recalling the last topic that had been discussed.

In the end, Lord Hughes had solemnly asked Nora, who had remained silent the entire meeting:

“Does the Resistance Army still exist? Do we need to send people to rescue them first?”

Nora’s face was still stiff, but her eyes dimmed a little: “The last ones I fought against were the regular troops of the Northlands. I do not know whose forces they belonged to, but their combat effectiveness was far beyond the guards responsible for public security.”

“They were all cavalry, clad in standardized armor. Their fighting skills and will to fight were commendable. I had only ever encountered such opponents on a battlefield.”

She lifted her gaze and stared directly at Hughes: “It is unlikely the Resistance Army survived under their hands. Without me, they could not have held on.”

The conference room fell silent.

“I recall the Resistance Army was hiding in the woodlands?”

“It is useless. That was a regular army. The Resistance Army was nothing but a group of refugees. Even if those cavalry dismounted and fought on foot, they could still win with ease. As for fleeing—they are cavalry.”

There was a hint of bitterness in Nora’s tone. Perhaps the Resistance Army had some fighting spirit, perhaps a few might survive, but in a frontal confrontation, victory was impossible.

The enemy was fully armored, while on their side there were barely any proper weapons. What could they fight with?

Armor was not as effective in the face of muskets, but the Resistance Army had no muskets either.

“Do you have any other extraordinary individuals?”

Nora had wanted to shake her head, yet found she could not. She sighed: “Let alone extraordinary individuals, we no longer have any support. The Church and the nobles of the Northlands reached an agreement, abandoning the refugees to preserve themselves.”

Hughes remained silent for a moment, then looked into her eyes: “I will avenge you. Castel will provide shelter for the refugees of the Northlands. That was our agreement.”

Nora lowered her gaze in gratitude: “Keeping one’s word is a noble virtue. The people of Saint White Raven will not forget it.”

After speaking, she hesitated a moment before adding softly:

“Perhaps some refugees might still be gathered. Maybe some managed to survive hidden within the forests.”

Hughes nodded, writing a line in the notebook he held—

【No hope of rescuing the Resistance Army. The Expeditionary Army will advance steadily as the priority.】

With the policy set, Castel gradually began its work.

Ship after ship of steel rails was sent to Blood Harbor. The railway was being officially laid down. At present, the steel rails and all construction were handled entirely by Castel. In the future, after the first phase—once the first batch of personnel finished training and the first factories were completed—Blood Harbor would gradually take over on its own.

Hughes established a three-stage plan. The first stage was the completion of that initial project, which would give Blood Harbor the basic ability to assemble and lay railway tracks.

The second stage would train a group of advanced-class students, capable of sustaining more factories and transferring over certain outdated industries that consumed vast amounts of manpower.

In the third stage, Blood Harbor would be able to independently smelt steel. By then, Castel’s military factories could complement the production lines here, and Blood Harbor would thus possess an initial industrial foundation, able to extend its influence across the entire continent.

With the railway being laid, wave after wave of Expeditionary Army troops also arrived at Blood Harbor. In the early stage, their main responsibility was construction. Only after the railway extended into the Northlands would there be combat.

Once a wasteland of ruins, Blood Harbor had suddenly become busy, thriving more vibrantly than before.

Northlands, Resistance Army camp.

“So… what happened afterwards?”

Gwen asked softly.

“I do not know the details. I only heard that the cavalry of the Winter Wolves were routed in defeat. I thought Nora had won.”

The young girl took a deep breath, her eyes shining as she stared at Nora sitting by the campfire: “Someone saw her beheaded. At that time, we thought it was all over. But then no pursuers came… could it be…”

Isaac’s eyes also sparkled: “Even after being beheaded, Nora kept fighting, and ultimately routed the entire Winter Wolves. They were forced to retreat and recuperate, while Nora returned alone.”

Hiss!

The two exchanged glances, both equally incredulous.

“Uh… I do not know much about the extraordinary. Are extraordinary individuals all that strong?”

“How could that be possible? If extraordinary individuals could defeat armies head-on, then it would be you sitting in the city right now, and the Winter Wolves would be the Resistance Army.” Isaac rubbed his temple. “I have seen the Burier before. Nora should not have reached that level yet.”

Gwen’s expression grew complicated: “So… there is someone else helping us?”

“Not necessarily. Perhaps Nora had some strange encounter. An unwavering will within the Sea of Unawareness can carry one further. Perhaps her will shifted the world itself—it is not impossible.”

“These things I do not understand. It is better to discuss the next battle plan.”

Gwen’s voice was noticeably more tense.

“From what you said before, the Winter Wolves are very strong, while we…”

She turned to glance at Nora.

“Lady Nora, in your current state, you might not be able to fight. Do you have any good plan?”

Gwen’s concern was not unfounded.

Nora might be strong, but that was when she fought alone on the battlefield. For the Resistance Army to battle the Winter Wolves, there must be strategy and command.

And Nora’s current condition did not seem suited for giving orders.

Isaac chuckled deeply: “Do not worry. I have sent men to the nearby towns to observe the movements of the Winter Wolves. This is what we are best at. Once they move, word will reach here immediately.”

The Winter Wolves were cavalry swift as the wind. How could information travel faster than cavalry? Gwen did not understand.

But she assumed it must be some extraordinary method.

“My subordinates have experienced many battles. Having them take part in your training will greatly improve the Resistance Army’s strength.”

Gwen was still uneasy: “What exactly will we rely on to win? Forgive my bluntness, but if the enemy is truly as you describe, the Resistance Army will not be able to withstand them at all.”

“That is simple. With unwavering will, the determination to fight to the end, steadfast faith, and—my few crates of muskets.”

“Eh… eh?” Gwen, listening, suddenly sensed something off. Her words began to stutter:

“Mus… muskets!? Y-you are joking with me, right?”

Isaac laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Miss Gwen, what do you think I came to the Northlands for? Meeting you was merely an accident. Even without Miss Nora, I would have developed my own power here. We did not come empty-handed.”