Reincarnated as a Duke’s Son: Engineering a New World

The morning sun bathed my room in golden light as I sat by the windowsill, staring at the dragon egg in my hands. A faint holographic timer hovered above it, counting down the final seconds to its hatching.

"5…4…3…2…1," I muttered under my breath.

The egg began to glow, its surface cracking with faint lines of light. With a soft snap, the shell broke apart, revealing a tiny black dragon. Its scales shimmered like polished onyx, and its large, curious eyes glowed with a faint golden hue. Its wings, though small, had a mesmerizing iridescence, like the night sky glittering with stars.

"Welcome to the world, little one," I whispered, gently stroking its head.

The baby dragon let out a soft, high-pitched growl, which sounded more adorable than threatening. As I admired its beauty, Terra, my loyal soil-eating pup, waddled into the room. The moment Terra saw the dragon, it froze, its ears twitching. Then, with a dramatic huff, it turned away, clearly jealous.

"Come on, Terra," I said, laughing. "Don't be like that."

Terra made a show of ignoring the dragon, but the baby dragon, intrigued, flapped its tiny wings and stumbled toward Terra. The pup yelped, startled, and tried to hide behind me, only to trip over its own feet. I couldn't hold back my laughter at the hilarious display, and even Terra eventually warmed up to the dragon after a few cautious sniffs.

The Princess Names the Dragon

After settling the two companions, I headed to my office. Evelyn was already there, diligently reviewing documents. Her focus was admirable, but when she saw the dragon perched on my shoulder, her eyes widened in astonishment.

"Leoric, is that…a dragon?" she asked, approaching with a mix of awe and excitement.

"Yes," I replied, holding the dragon out to her. "It just hatched this morning."

Evelyn's expression softened as she gently stroked the dragon's head. "It's beautiful. Have you named it yet?"

"Not yet. Any ideas?"

She thought for a moment before smiling. "How about 'Nyx'? It means 'night,' and its scales remind me of a starry sky."

"Nyx it is," I said, and the dragon let out a happy chirp, as if approving its new name.

A Vision for Trade and Development

Evelyn and I discussed the next steps for the dukedom's development. The primary focus was a trade route connecting the dukedom's main road to the kingdom's central market.

"This road could revolutionize trade," I explained. "We'll include sidewalks for pedestrians and even overbridges at key points to prevent congestion."

Evelyn nodded. "It's a brilliant idea. Let's present it to your father."

I took the proposal and headed to Duke Roderic's study. After reviewing the blueprints and financial projections, he convened a meeting with his ministers. The plan was met with unanimous approval, and construction preparations began immediately.

The Immigration Boom

The rapid development of the dukedom began attracting people from neighboring villages, counties, and even other dukedoms. Thousands arrived, seeking better opportunities.

The influx of immigrants presented a new challenge: housing. To accommodate the growing population, I designed blueprints for multiple-floor apartment buildings. These structures would maximize space while providing affordable housing for families.

I proposed a bold idea to my father: developing a new area that could serve as a financial hub for the future. The plan included:

A central city hall for administration.Planned roads and transportation routes.Separate zones for commercial, residential, and industrial purposes.

"We'll also implement a registration system," I explained. "Every citizen will have an ID card, and only licensed merchants can conduct business in the new city."

After another meeting with the ministers, the duke approved the plan.

A Visit to the Kingdom

Despite the approval, funding remained a significant obstacle. Evelyn and I traveled to the kingdom to seek assistance from the king.

The royal palace was as grand as ever, and the king was delighted to see his daughter. Over dinner, I presented my proposal for the new city, emphasizing its potential benefits for the kingdom's economy.

The king listened intently, but not everyone in the court was supportive. Some nobles argued that the project was too ambitious, while others questioned its feasibility.

However, the king saw the long-term vision and gave his approval. "This project will strengthen both the dukedom and the kingdom. You have my full support, Leoric."

He allocated a significant budget for the project and wished me success.

A New Blueprint

That evening, as I rested in the guest room, the system screen appeared before me.

Congratulations! Major Development Achieved. Reward Unlocked: Blueprint for Steam-Powered Engine.

The blueprint was revolutionary, detailing the construction of a machine powered by steam that could drive industry and transportation to new heights.

The Announcement

The next morning, I returned to Wynthall with Evelyn and announced the development of the new city.

"We are building not just a city but a future," I declared. "A place where opportunity thrives and every citizen can prosper."

The excitement among the people was palpable. Construction would begin in the next chapter, and with Nyx by my side and the steam engine blueprint in hand, I knew we were on the brink of something extraordinary.