Chapter 17 — The Sky Burns with Steam
Thunder rolled over Dover as the Iron Vanguard Fleet prepared for launch. The air was thick with the hiss of steam valves, the clang of armor plating, and the prayers of engineers who now wore priestly robes.
From the docks of Portsmouth to the frozen harbors of Arkhangelsk, flags bearing the Gear-and-Flame Cross fluttered proudly.
The world had changed — and now it would burn.
⚙ The Birth of the Coalition
The Church of Mana had declared its final anathema: "The false prophet Edward, the Prince of Steam, shall be cast down, and his machine-gods broken."
In response, Edward summoned his allies.
In London's Cathedral War Hall, a great round table of brass and iron displayed a glowing map of Europe. Representatives filled the room — Duchess Ekaterina Volkovna of Russia, Éléonore of the Seine Kingdoms, General Alphonse Dubois of France, Lady Charlotte Pembroke, and Annabelle Hayes with her team of engineers.
Edward stood at the head of the table, clad in a dark-blue military coat trimmed with silver gears.
"The Holy League moves on all fronts," Edward began, his voice echoing through the chamber. "The Alps burn, the Danube flows red, and the Mediterranean is their next step. But this time, the old world meets the new. We will not fight with faith alone."
Ekaterina smiled faintly. "We'll fight with progress."
[System Alert]
Coalition Formed: The Allied Powers of Innovation.
Members: Britain, Russia, France, the Nordic Protectorates, Iberian Protectorates, and the New World Colonies.
Bonus: Army Coordination +40%, Technological Synergy +25%.
🔩 The Sky Fleet Ascends
At Portsmouth, the Royal Airworks unveiled its masterpiece — the Aether-Class Dreadnoughts.
Colossal airships of reinforced steel and brass, powered by twin mana-reactor engines and armed with long-range cannons. Each bore a name from scripture reimagined through industry — Genesis, Prometheus, Innovation, Archangel.
Annabelle stood beside Edward on the command deck of Prometheus.
"Engines at 110% efficiency," she reported, eyes gleaming. "We've fused mana condensers with coal turbines. This thing could cross the Channel in under an hour."
Edward gripped the rail, the wind whipping his coat. "Then let it be seen across Europe — the sky belongs to innovation."
[System Notification]
Project: Sky Dominion — Completed.
New Unit: Aether-Class Air Fleet Operational (x12).
World Impact: Global Awe +60%, Holy League Panic +45%.
⚔ The Holy War Ignites
The Holy League struck first. Tens of thousands of soldiers marched under the banners of sanctified suns and broken gears, chanting the downfall of machines.
At the Rhine Front, cathedrals were turned into fortresses. The old kingdoms of Central Europe fell into chaos, torn between faith and fire.
But Edward's armies were ready.
From France marched steam-powered landships, their treads crushing enemy cavalry.
From Russia came armored winter divisions in mechanized sleds.
From Britain, the Iron Navy cut supply lines along the North Sea.
And above them all, the Air Fleet descended like a storm of angels.
Explosions split the night sky over Cologne. Airships rained fire; railguns roared; and the faithful of the Church of Innovation sang hymns of progress as they charged through smoke and blood.
[System Log]
Battle of the Rhine — Victory (Decisive).
Holy League Forces Routed.
Enemy Casualties: 63,000 | Coalition: 18,000.
Morale: Rising.
🔥 The Fall of the Holy Bastion
The war raged for months, spanning seas and skies. The final stronghold of the Church of Mana — the Holy Citadel of Vienna — stood defiant, glowing with divine wards.
Edward himself led the assault, commanding the flagship Archangel from above the storm.
Charlotte's voice crackled over the telegraph: "The citadel's mana barrier is fluctuating — now's the time!"
"Bring the Thunder Lance online," Edward ordered. "Target coordinates locked."
Annabelle flipped the final lever. The ship's core roared, light flooding through its conduits. A beam of compressed energy lanced through the clouds — cutting through the Citadel's barrier, vaporizing its central spire.
When the smoke cleared, the Holy League's banner burned away, replaced by the emblem of a flaming gear.
[System Achievement]
Mission Complete: End of the Holy War.
Status: Holy League Defeated. Europe Unified under the Coalition of Innovation.
🌍 The Age of Air and Steam
Peace did not return quietly. It came roaring in with engines, diplomacy, and endless construction.
Edward stood atop the newly rebuilt Vienna Cathedral of Innovation, watching as the first airships of the International Sky Fleet rose in salute — flags of dozens of nations fluttering beneath their hulls.
Charlotte approached him. "So it's over?"
Edward smiled faintly. "No… it's just begun. We've conquered faith and war. Now, we must conquer ignorance."
Ekaterina chuckled softly. "And perhaps the stars."
Annabelle grinned. "Then I'll start drafting the schematics."
[System Global Update]
Holy League Dissolved.
Coalition of Innovation Established — World Superpower Formed.
New Global Era Detected: The Age of Air and Steam.
The bells of Vienna rang once more — not in worship, but in wonder.
And as steam and sunlight filled the sky, Edward's empire stretched from the Atlantic to Siberia, from Africa to the New World — united under one creed:
"Innovation is Divinity."
End of Chapter 17.