Chapter Thirty-One

The rhythmic clanging of metal on metal filled the air, blending with the low hum of engines and machinery. The landscape between New Qarth and Eden was barren and rocky, an unforgiving stretch of land that had long resisted the touch of civilization. But now, that was changing. The railway line, commissioned by the Commercial Bureaucracy of Eden nearly a year ago, was almost complete. For miles, steel tracks stretched across the land like veins, connecting the thriving city of Eden with its crucial trading outpost. Soon, travel between the two would take only a fraction of the time, and trade would flow more easily than ever before.

Arlan stood at the edge of the construction site, overseeing the work. His sharp eyes scanned the horizon, watching as the metallic men—untiring, unyielding machines—laid down the final segments of the railway. These mechanical workers, creations of Eden's Science Department, moved with precise, mechanical grace. Their gleaming silver bodies caught the sunlight, reflecting it like beacons of progress. Each of them moved with a singular purpose, following the instructions of supervisors like Arlan without question or error.

Arlan's chest swelled with pride as he looked out at the nearly completed line. He had overseen the construction from the very beginning, watching as the machines tore through the landscape, clearing obstacles, laying tracks, and building bridges. This railway was more than just a means of transportation; it was a testament to Eden's brilliance, a symbol of the Supreme Leader's vision for a connected, prosperous future.

"Another day, another step toward perfection," Arlan murmured to himself, his hand resting on the lapel of his uniform. The insignia of Eden, a stylized sunburst, gleamed proudly against the dark fabric. To him, Eden was everything—a beacon of hope, the pinnacle of human achievement, and a sanctuary from the chaos and filth of the outside world. It was his home, his salvation, and his reason for being.

His thoughts drifted for a moment to Braavos, the city of his birth. The memories were faint now, like echoes of a life long past. He had been a young man, full of hope and dreams, when he had set out on a journey to Lys, only to be captured by slavers. It was Eden that had saved him. The Supreme Leader's forces had liberated him from his chains, and in doing so, had given him a new life. Braavos meant nothing to him now. Eden was his true home, and he would serve it until his last breath.

The Children of Eden had taught him that everything outside Eden's borders was corrupt, diseased, and unworthy of salvation. The world beyond was a place of chaos and ignorance, filled with people too blind to see the truth. Only those who had been touched by the light of Lantrun, the Supreme Leader, were worthy of inheriting the future. It was a truth Arlan had come to accept completely.

As he watched the metallic men work, his mind wandered to the rumors circulating in the digital underworld of Eden. There had been whispers—just whispers, really—that another railway line might be constructed soon. This one, they said, would connect Eden directly to Braavos. The very idea filled Arlan with a mix of emotions. On one hand, the thought of Eden expanding its reach, even to Braavos, thrilled him. But on the other hand, it felt strange. Why would Eden want to be so closely tied to a city of such filth and depravity?

He had seen it for himself: the city-state of Braavos, for all its wealth and power, was a place of darkness, full of corruption and decay. Slavery might have been outlawed there, but the people were still slaves in their own way—slaves to their desires, to their greed, to their ignorance. Braavos was nothing compared to Eden.

Arlan's communicator buzzed at his hip, pulling him from his thoughts. He reached for it, his hand steady as he clicked the device open. The digital screen blinked to life, showing a message in Eden's formal, concise script.

Progress report: 98% completion. Full system test scheduled for 2300 hours.

Arlan smiled faintly. Soon, the railway would be fully operational. Soon, New Qarth and Eden would be connected in a way that would transform trade, travel, and communication. This was just the beginning of the Supreme Leader's vision. He could feel it in his bones.

He turned his attention back to the workers, his eyes sweeping across the metallic men and the human supervisors stationed at intervals along the line. The machines worked tirelessly, moving with precision and grace as they welded and bolted the final sections of track in place. The humans, though fewer in number, were there to guide and monitor the process, ensuring that everything proceeded according to plan.

Arlan approached one of the human supervisors, a young woman with sharp, analytical eyes. She glanced up at him as he neared.

"How are we looking?" Arlan asked, his voice calm and authoritative.

"On schedule," she replied crisply. "The last stretch should be done within the hour. After that, we'll run the system test, but everything's functioning perfectly so far."

"Good," Arlan said with a nod. "Make sure the metallics are calibrated for maximum efficiency. I don't want any delays."

"Understood," she replied, turning back to her work.

Arlan continued his rounds, stopping occasionally to inspect the tracks or exchange words with the other supervisors. Despite his calm exterior, his mind buzzed with anticipation. This project, this railway, was more than just a commercial venture. It was a symbol of Eden's supremacy, of its ability to shape the world around it according to its will.

And it was a reminder of the Supreme Leader's power.

Arlan had always been in awe of the Supreme Leader, but it was only after he had joined the Children of Eden that he had truly understood the depth of that power. The Children believed that the Supreme Leader and the Saint were not merely human beings—they were something more. Divine, in a way that transcended mortal understanding. The Supreme Leader's role in the creation of the metallic men was proof enough of that. It was said that he had personally overseen the research and development of the machines, guiding the scientists with his unparalleled intellect and vision. The untiring men of steel were a gift from the Supreme Leader to Eden, a tool that would help them build a future free from the limitations of human frailty.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden light over the landscape, Arlan's communicator buzzed again. He glanced down at the message.

All systems ready. System test in 30 minutes.

He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him. This was it. The culmination of a year's work. Soon, the railway would be complete, and the future of Eden would be even brighter.

He turned his gaze toward the distant horizon, where the spires of Eden's towers would be visible in the morning light. His beloved city, his shining beacon of hope, would grow even stronger with this new connection. And as a loyal member of the Children of Eden, he would do everything in his power to see that the Supreme Leader's vision was fulfilled.

One day, Arlan thought, the entire world would be connected to Eden. One day, the light of Lantrun would shine on every corner of the earth, and the darkness that still clung to places like Braavos and Westeros would be washed away.

One day, the Supreme Leader's dream would be a reality. And Arlan would be there to see it.