REBORN IN THE FANTASY WORLD WITH AN AI X-Chapter 12 -

As a month passed, the roads of the Gold Territory witnessed something never seen before. Enormous mechanical beasts roared through the streets—massive trucks, strange machines with metallic arms, and towering cranes, all moving with purpose. The common folk watched with a mixture of awe and fear. Some had heard whispers of Lord Lor's new creations, but seeing them in motion was an entirely different experience.

At the heart of the bustling marketplace, where merchants haggled over goods and blacksmiths showcased their latest wares, the arrival of these towering metal contraptions sent a wave of murmurs through the crowd.

"By the gods, look at those things! What magic runs them?" an old merchant muttered, gripping his wooden stall as a truck loaded with massive steel beams rumbled past. The very ground beneath him trembled with its weight.

"It's not magic, old man," a younger blacksmith interjected, eyes wide with curiosity as he wiped soot from his forehead. "It's that boy, Harry. He's building something new—something without mana!"

"Nonsense," scoffed a robed mage standing nearby. "Nothing moves without mana. This must be some advanced form of enchantment. I refuse to believe otherwise."

The blacksmith shook his head. "You don't get it. The machines don't need spells. I heard from one of the Goldenova workers that these things run on fuel—something called petrol."

"Petrol?" the mage frowned, rubbing his chin. "You mean that black oil used in lamps? How can that move something of this size?"

Before anyone could answer, another massive truck roared down the road, this time carrying a strange machine with a long, claw-like arm. The sight of it sent a shiver through the gathered crowd.

A group of children, fascinated by the spectacle, ran after the trucks, laughing and pointing at the strange moving beasts.

"Mama, look! They're like metal golems!" one boy shouted, tugging at his mother's dress.

"Stay away from those things!" the woman scolded, pulling him back. "They look dangerous."

Nearby, an elderly farmer who had lived his whole life tending to the land watched with cautious eyes. "I don't like this," he muttered to a fellow farmer. "Machines doing the work of men? What happens when they take our jobs?"

"You worry too much," his friend replied. "Lord Lor and Harry wouldn't do something to harm us. Maybe these things will make life easier."

"But at what cost?"

—

Meanwhile, inside Lord Lor's castle, a meeting was taking place. A gathering of nobles had arrived, their expressions ranging from concern to curiosity. They had seen these monstrous machines invading their lands and demanded answers.

"This... Goldenova Company," an older noble with graying hair began, tapping his fingers on the table. "They have built an empire within our borders. The streets are filled with these metal beasts, and our people whisper about things they cannot comprehend. Tell me, Lord Lor, what exactly is your son planning?"

Lor leaned back in his chair, unfazed by their concerns. "Change," he said simply. "A future where our people no longer depend on magic alone."

A younger noble scoffed. "And what of the mage guilds? The artisans who have forged our weapons and tools for centuries? Are they to be cast aside?"

Harry, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Not cast aside. Given a new path." His voice was calm, but firm. "These machines won't replace people. They will enhance their abilities. The work of a hundred men can be done in half the time. The power we create will not only light homes but fuel growth across the entire territory."

Another noble, a stout man with a thick beard, stroked his chin. "And yet, the people fear what they do not understand. You must address this before unrest begins."

Lor nodded. "We will ensure the people benefit first. Jobs will be created. The laborers will be paid well. Once they see the results, the fear will turn into acceptance."

The nobles exchanged glances, clearly not all convinced, but none openly opposed. The promise of economic growth was hard to argue against.

—

While the noble meeting was taking place, another crucial step in the project was underway. Goldenova had begun recruiting laborers for the dam construction. Flyers were posted across the city, calling for strong men willing to work for fair wages and food.

At the Goldenova recruitment center, a line stretched down the street. The promise of steady pay had drawn in farmers, blacksmiths, former soldiers, and even street dwellers eager for an opportunity.

"I never thought I'd see the day where I could work without needing to wield a pickaxe," one man murmured to another. "They say these machines do the heavy lifting."

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"I don't trust 'em," his friend replied. "But work is work."

As the laborers signed their contracts, they were given simple instructions: report to the city gates at dawn. There, the newly built trucks would take them to the construction site.

—

The next morning, the workers gathered as instructed. The sun had barely risen, yet excitement buzzed in the air. Then, the ground shook as the first of the massive open-backed trucks rolled to a stop before them.

One man, an ex-miner, stared in disbelief. "You expect us to climb into that thing?"

"Unless you'd rather walk the ten miles to the site," the driver chuckled. "Come on, lads, she won't bite."

Hesitant at first, the men clambered into the truck's open back. The benches rattled beneath them as the vehicle roared to life.

As they rolled down the road, conversation filled the air.

"This is faster than any carriage I've ever been in," one man marveled.

"I still don't trust these things," another muttered. "No horses, no magic. Just loud roarin' and shaking."

"Shut up and enjoy the ride," a third laughed. "At least we don't have to walk."

The journey ended at the base of a great valley, where the foundation for the dam was being laid. Towering cranes, mechanical drills, and other heavy machines had already begun reshaping the land.

Harry stood atop a platform, overseeing the workers' arrival. As they climbed down from the trucks, he called out, "Welcome to the future, gentlemen!"

The workers exchanged glances before a burly man in the front asked, "What exactly are we buildin'?"

"A dam," Harry answered, unrolling a massive blueprint. "A wall strong enough to hold back the river, and in doing so, generate power—more power than anything this territory has ever seen."

Skepticism still lingered in their eyes, but Harry knew that once they started working—once they saw the machines at work and the plans unfold—they would believe.

And when that day came, the world of the Gold Territory would never be the same again.