Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 674 - 387: Steam Tank

A disturbing coal stench permeated the morning air in the No. 3 sealed testing ground.

Towering walls of gray limestone surrounded this location, boasting secrecy levels considered the top in Red Tide City.

Right now, the field's heart was set up like a deadly snare, featuring muddy trenches half a man's depth, razor-sharp crossed chevaux-de-frise, and hefty stone barriers imitating city defenses.

Louis fixed his eyes on the massive canvas-draped item at the field's core.

Standing half a pace back, Knight Commander Lambert resembled a motionless statue.

This Extraordinary Knight eyed the huge object too, his gaze free of skepticism, filled solely with a soldier's sharp inspection.

He understood Louis avoided pointless moves; if the lord called this the 'New Era,' something game-changing lurked beneath that canvas.

Yet the junior knights Gray and Sacco on the opposite side appeared somewhat restless.

Gray yanked at his collar while staring at the sloppy terrain, 'How much longer do we have to wait?'

'Stay patient, you chatter too much.' Weir shot back.

Formerly the awkward young knight trailing Louis, he had reached seventeen now.

Years as Louis's protector had erased his boyish innocence, transforming his once-scrawny shoulders into a sturdy, upright frame.

He ignored Gray's fidgeting completely, keeping his palm on the sword grip, purposefully copying the lord Louis he admired above all.

In the meantime, at the field's center, Hamilton anxiously cleared mist from his goggles.

He and the dozen machine-building group members trailing him appeared completely ragged, their faces streaked with oil, heavy bags under their eyes, work garb dusted in coal and riddled with patches.

Still, these blueprint-obsessed artisans now had gazes sparkling with a mix of thrill and nervousness.

'Ready?' Louis inquired.

Hamilton drew in a deep breath, signaling his apprentices with a nod.

'Unveil!'

The rough cord got yanked, sending the massive waterproof canvas slipping away.

Gray's words caught in his mouth—not from awe, but sheer ugliness.

No sleek graceful plating, no enigmatic shine from alchemical inscriptions.

A stubby, awkward wedge of steel loomed before them.

Dense rivets studded its exterior, black plates scarred by hammer blows and slick with grease.

Up front, the giant V-plow for clearing barriers evoked a boar sporting a steel snout.

'This thing...' Gray scowled, 'Forgive my bluntness, my lord. It seems barely able to pivot. In combat, I'd circle it thrice on horseback.'

Lambert shot a sidelong glance, delivering a steady stare at Gray.

Without a single word, those battle-forged eyes quelled the novice knight instantly.

Hamilton caught Gray's jeer but held his tongue, merely stroking the chill rivets quietly, like calming a dormant monster.

'Hold off on judging.' Louis stated evenly, 'Hamilton, commence the initial test.'

Hamilton signaled with a wave, prompting an official-rank test knight to hoist a steel lance and thrust savagely at the war chariot's front.

'Thud—'

The lance shattered, hurling the knight backward from the rebound shock.

'Isn't that excessive?' Kosa, sidelined and eager, could no longer restrain himself.

The youth strode forward boldly, saluting Louis: 'My lord, that force wouldn't even nick me. If Mr. Hamilton aims to prove its toughness, no need for theatrics. Allow me a shot.'

Louis gave a nod: 'Give it a go.'

Kosa's eyes flared with savage eagerness; as a top elite knight now, crushing this metal blob posed no issue.

He snatched a hefty solid-steel javelin off the rack, inhaled sharply, his arm sinews bulging like boulders.

'Ha!'

A booming shout propelled the javelin as a dark blur, screeching through the sky at the war chariot.

That blow could shred a triple-layered iron tower shield.

'Boom!'

Not the sharp rip of splitting metal, rather a heavy thump akin to a sledge crashing decayed timber.

Kosa jolted hard, skidding back two paces.

Yet the lance on that hideous plate had warped badly. The plating showed just a thumb-sized depression, edges whitened.

'Impossible...' Kosa disregarded the stabbing ache in his palm, darting forward to feel the indentation, disbelief flooding his stare, 'The sensation's off, like striking some... bouncy rock.'

'This is composite armor.' Hamilton positioned himself by the war chariot, rising to full height from his former stoop, technician's pride ringing in his tone, 'Outer layer's chilled forged steel, inner ones riveted plates.

But the secret lies between—we packed three inches of springy teak, steeped in tung oil. Your power's immense, yet the timber soaked it up.'

The machine-building group's crew puffed out their torsos as well; their crowning achievement from endless trials.

'My Lord.' The quiet Lambert advanced abruptly.

'The armor truly excels.' A trace of esteem laced Lambert's words, 'Might I push its boundaries?'

Hamilton's expression shifted, glancing anxiously toward Louis.

Composite armor handled an Elite Knight fine, but a Transcendent Knight... pure unknown.

Louis nodded, curiosity gleaming in his gaze, 'Proceed. Give it your all.'