Chapter 182 — The Dry Dock Gates
S.C. 1512 — Early Morning
Hidden Island — Shipyard Zone
The sun hadn't yet cleared the horizon when Ren stepped into the shipyard.
The dry dock walls stood tall on either side, casting long shadows across the sand. Workers were already stretching or gathering tools. Everyone knew today was important.
Today, they would build the gates—the structure that would seal the dry dock from the sea, hold back tons of water, and allow ship construction inside a controlled, dry environment.
Zemo trotted beside Ren, yawning loudly.
Ren surveyed the workers with calm eyes.
"Let's begin."
1. The Blueprint — Gates of Strength
Ren unfurled a large parchment sheet on a wooden table.
Leo, Bram, Kiro, and nearly two dozen refugees gathered around.
The blueprint displayed:
Twin sliding gates
Built from Aegis Timber and Reinforced Steel Alloy
Supported by underwater track rails
Sealed by rubberized pitch layers
Leo whistled softly.
"This… looks like something from a major kingdom port."
Bram crossed his arms.
"Except no kingdom would make gates this heavy."
Kiro nodded.
"They need to withstand storms, waves, and… worst case, enemy ships crashing into them."
Ren lifted a finger.
"And they must open and close with minimal manpower."
He pointed to the pulley system drawn above.
A combination of:
manual winch
counterweight chute
crank gears
All working together.
Bram grinned. "Let's build it, then."
2. Preparing the Gate Tracks
Before constructing the gates, they had to install the underwater rail system.
The workers stared at the shoreline uneasily.
"Boss… the water's too deep to place the rails by hand."
Ren stepped forward.
"I'm lowering the water level first."
They blinked.
"…what?"
Ren crouched beside the trench entrance, where workers had left a large steel pipe waiting.
This was Ren's idea:
A temporary water diversion tube, directing incoming waves around the construction site.
Leo and Bram positioned three smaller flood gates.
Kiro hammered support spikes into the rocky floor.
Ren gave a nod.
"Open the diversion."
The workers pulled the rope.
With a loud WHOOOOSH, rushing seawater surged into the diversion pipe, bypassing the main trench entrance.
Within minutes—
The water level in front of the dry dock dropped just enough to expose the shallow base.
Refugees gasped.
"That's… that's genius."
Bram laughed. "That's Ren."
Ren didn't comment.
"Lay the rails."
Stone slabs first.
Then alloy tracks.
Then rubber shock-absorbers.
Ren inspected every centimeter with telekinesis, making sure the track alignment was flawless.
Kiro gave a thumbs up.
"The foundation's perfect."
3. Constructing the Gate Frame
Next came the enormous gate frames.
Aegis Timber pillars were dragged to the crane.
Leo wiped sweat from his forehead.
"These beams weigh more than a full-grown sea cow."
Bram smirked.
"Good thing we have a steam-powered crane."
The crane hummed to life.
With careful guiding hands—and Ren's subtle telekinetic adjustments—the first gate frame rose slowly from the ground, suspended like a giant wooden wall.
Workers stared with wide eyes.
"It's huge…"
"It's like a fortress door…"
Ren pointed.
"Move it to position."
The crane swung the frame carefully toward the dry dock entrance.
Kiro and Bram held the guiding ropes tight.
The beam lowered into place—
THUD.
Ren tested the alignment.
Perfect.
The second frame followed soon after.
Together, they formed the basic skeleton of the twin sliding doors.
4. Reinforcing the Gates
Ren distributed steel plates shaped specifically to fit the gate's surface.
"Attach these evenly. They must distribute wave pressure across the entire structure."
The workers nailed them carefully.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Zemo lay nearby, tail thumping each time someone dropped a nail.
Meanwhile, Ren mixed a batch of thick, black liquid in a heated pot:
Rubberized pitch sealant.
Kiro wrinkled his nose.
"It smells… awful."
Ren stirred calmly.
"It's waterproof. Fire resistant. And flexible… it will seal the gates properly."
He applied the sealant along the frame joints, ensuring every crack and edge was covered. The material hardened quickly under the sun.
5. Installing the Counterweight System
The gate needed to open smoothly.
Using a pulley system alone would require too much manpower.
Bram lifted a massive block of stone—reinforced with alloy inside.
"This will be our counterweight."
Ren nodded.
"Lift it."
The crane carried the counterweight to the top of the wall, where Leo and Kiro secured it with heavy ropes and chain.
Attached to a crank gear, the counterweight would:
make the gates feel lighter
reduce manpower needed
allow rapid open/close during emergencies
Ren double-checked every bolt, every rope tension.
"Good. Now… test the slide."
6. The First Gate Test
Workers gathered in a semicircle around the gate.
Leon gripped the winch.
Bram cracked his neck.
Kiro held the guide rope.
Ren stood by silently.
"Start."
Leo turned the crank.
The counterweight rose slightly.
The gate groaned.
Wood joints tightened.
And then—
The gate slid. Smoothly.
A huge wooden and steel structure, heavier than a small house…
Moved with the effort of just two men.
Refugees cheered.
"It works!"
"This is unbelievable!"
"We can close the whole dock!"
Makino, who had just arrived with lunch baskets, stood frozen.
"Ren… this… this is amazing."
Ren did not smile broadly, but a subtle warmth touched his expression.
"Again," he ordered.
They slid the gates twice more—
First in.
Then out.
Smooth.
Perfect.
7. Evening — Securing the Dock
As the sun set, the workers secured the gates with temporary locks until they finished the final sealing layer tomorrow.
Ren stood at the edge of the water, Zemo sitting beside him.
The gates loomed tall, their wood and alloy glowing orange in the dusk.
This wasn't just construction.
It was protection.
Security.
Progress.
A fortress for the ships of the future.
Makino approached quietly.
"You're doing something incredible," she said softly.
Ren didn't answer immediately.
He stared at the rising tide washing against the new rails.
"…This island will become a home for many," he finally said.
Makino smiled.
"It already is."
Ren exhaled.
Tomorrow, the real shipyard work would begin.
End of Chapter 182