Chapter 114: Gojira
Later, Karl arrived at the foundry, the air thick with the smell of hot metal and the rhythmic clang of hammers. The blacksmiths, covered in soot and sweat, continued their work with focused intensity. At the center of the foundry, a marvel of engineering hung from a chain: a 7.3L V8 elemental engine. Unlike a conventional engine, this one was sleek and compact, its block glowing faintly with a diffused, internal light, powered by elemental stones and a glowing arcstone network. The very air around it felt charged with latent energy, humming with a low-frequency resonance that vibrated through the floor.
Dolrik met Karl and Leo, his face beaming with pride. "My lord, you have arrived. We have completed it, and we are excited for your assessment."
Karl, observing the engine’s compact design, ran a skeletal finger along its cool, smooth casing. "This looks quite small for a V8. I expected something much larger."
"This usage of elemental stones, makes everything smaller and efficient, my lord," Dolrik said, swelling with pride. "These are elemental-powered V8 7.3L engines. The engine block is a hybrid of fire, earth, and wind steel. Not only is this anti-corrosive and high-heat resistant, but it’s also incredibly light, a quarter of the weight of a traditional iron block."
"So, tell me, how does this work exactly?" Karl asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. "I know how a standard conventional engine works, but this elemental engine is a true marvel."
Dolrik’s smile widened. "We drew inspiration from the Ford V8 7.3L engine model, just as you ordered. we replaced the spark plugs and gasoline fuel and instead, we have utilized firestones and windstones." He pointed at the top of the engine block, where the stones were embedded. "These stones are connected to the arcstone network at the top." He pointed to the shimmering circuit board in the middle, between the cylinder heads. "This is the arcstone circuit board that the elemental artisans have made according to the cycle you provided. The fire and wind stones execute a series of charged combustions inside the cylinder. With the existence of oxygen, the fire combustion becomes much stronger, which, as you may already know, pushes the piston. The heat and gas generated are then redirected to the exhaust outlet. The engine uses a three-stroke cycle: compress, power, and exhaust."
"So air intake and the use of an air filter aren’t needed?" Karl asked.
"Yes, my lord, which makes the engine more compact but effective," Dolrik replied. "The engine cooling system applies the same principle as a conventional one, but with the use of water and a windstone. With the help of these elemental stones, we can make the vehicle’s internal components more compact and self-sufficient. There is no need for radiators or complex tubing."
Karl’s expression turned more serious. "But the big question is the raw mana stone consumption. With so many stones present, it must consume a lot. The cost of fuel could be astronomical."
Dolrik acknowledged this. "Yes, my lord, it does. It’s a significant drawback. But I have a concept for an ambient mana collector—a kind of machine that collects mana in the air, converting the natural flow of energy into a usable resource."
Karl was visibly surprised. His eye sockets narrowed in focus. "Wait, really? You mean... a device that can draw power from the very air itself? That’s a game-changer."
Dolrik’s grin returned. "Yes, my lord. This concept component will help collect mana. It’s quite similar to Dullahan’s three-step dark mana training, using the concept of the first step, gathering mana. The idea is to create a perpetual power source. I have sent this concept to the researchers and the elemental artisans. They might be able to come up with something, but I believe the arcstone is a crucial material for this. It seems to have a natural affinity for transferring energy."
"But how did you make the other parts of this engine?" Karl asked, looking at the intricate components. "I believe that machining is crucial. You can’t just cast them and hope for the best."
Dolrik’s grin widened as he gestured for Karl to follow him. "You are correct, my lord. We have made three machines over the past seven days, inspired by the new machine models, you have installed on the new factory. While they aren’t exactly complex and finished, they get the work done. Come this way." He led Karl to a series of rudimentary but functional machines, each one humming with a faint, magical energy.
Karl’s eye sockets widened as he saw a drill-like machine, its copper coils glowing faintly. "Oooohhh... that’s amazing, but what is that?"
Dolrik chuckled. "This is a grinding and honing machine. The grinding section uses a rotating abrasive stone to remove large amounts of material, shaping rough castings into flat surfaces or preparing cylindrical parts. The honing machine, which follows, is used for precise finishing, correcting shape and surface finish after initial machining to a microscopic level. It ensures every component fits perfectly."
"This is exactly useful," Karl said, "for creating standardized parts. It makes mass production possible."
"It is indeed, my lord. It makes the cast engine parts precise." Dolrik then gestured to the machine next to it, which had a piece of metal spinning on its axis. "This, my lord, I’m sure you are familiar with."
"A lathe machine," Karl said, smiling. "A true classic."
Dolrik nodded. "This machine performs various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, threading, and turning, with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object with symmetry about that axis."
Karl pointed to the last machine. "What about this one? This looks exactly like the first one."
"This one, my lord, is a milling machine. Instead of a Computer Numerical Control, we used the arcstone circuit board to automate the process," Dolrik said.
"So you used the shock stone as a DC motor?" Karl asked.
"Yes, my lord. The shock stone produces an electromagnetic field which spins the machine components and with the usage of copper coils. It’s a fundamental principle of modern mechanics, adapted for our magical world."
"Well, prioritize making the vehicle components," Karl said. "We have the engine; now we need the steering system, braking system, drivetrain, dashboard and controls, transmission, chassis, frames, and panels. There’s still so much to be done."
Karl’s gaze was fixed on the engine, his excitement palpable. "Alright," he announced, his voice echoing in the vast space. "Now for the real test. Let’s hear it sing."
Dolrik, a smile of pure pride on his face, nodded to a burly worker standing by a column near the engine.
The worker’s skeletal hands trembling with anticipation, took a deep breath and pressed the button.
For a brief moment, nothing happened. A tense, silent breath was held by everyone in the foundry. Then, with a low, building hum, the arcstone control on the column flared to life. The elemental engine itself began to thrum, its internal glow intensifying until the lines of the arcstone network shone like fine, golden threads against the metallic block.
A sound unlike any other filled the foundry. It wasn’t a roar of flame or a grinding of gears, but a deep, throaty growl that seemed to come from the very earth itself. It was the sound of raw, contained power, a sound that promised speed and might.
Karl’s grin stretched wide. He took a step closer, his eye sockets narrowed in pure delight. "Like a fucking Godzilla," he muttered, his voice a low growl of its own. "Damn, I can’t wait for this one to be finished."
He turned to the silent, awe-struck crowd of blacksmiths and apprentices. Their skulls, caked with soot, were now split with relieved and proud grins. "This is phenomenal work," Karl said, his voice loud and clear. "Every single one of you. The craftsmanship and ingenuity are beyond what I could have imagined. You’ve brought my vision to life."
The workers, emboldened by his praise, let out a collective cheer, their exhaustion forgotten in the face of his approval.
"Now," Karl said, turning back to Dolrik, his voice filled with a final, satisfied tone. "My assesment of this engine, is absolutely phenomenal. Great job. Dolrik and the blacksmith cheered. Karl waited for them to die down and said, "I want you to prioritize the vehicle components. If the chassis is modeled after a Ford truck, I’ll be happy."
"Yes, my lord. It shall be done," Dolrik said, his voice filled with a renewed sense of purpose.
Dolrik nodded. "Yes, my lord."
"What date are we expecting all the parts to be finished?" Karl asked.
Dolrik paused, thinking for a moment. "If you will be making a dedicated engineering manufacturing workshop, my lord, it will take a month. With the panels and frames for the vehicle, it will take two months to make a fully functioning vehicle."
Karl’s smile widened with excitement. "Alright! I guess I’ll do just that. What’s two more months? With this engine and these machines, the world will change forever."