Two days later, a brand-new Iron Bull was born. Based on Limeng's original design, the Fontaine-style assistance vehicle's chassis frame was retained and reinforced, complete with a comfortable seat. Xilonen's forged white-iron flywheel and crankshaft system replaced the complicated gearbox, connected via that tough rubber-wire composite drive belt to a modified "motor" with reduced power but increased torque. Two wide tracks replaced the wheels, making it far better suited for complex terrain.
Navia walked over carrying a bucket of newly mixed paint, the bucket filled with a refreshing, soothing spring-seed green. "Let's paint it this color," she said with a smile, "it looks cool, and it puts people in a good mood while they work." Several refugee children playing near the workshop were drawn to the bright color and strange machine. Seizing a moment when the adults weren't looking, they stealthily reached out with tiny hands and pressed a few small handprints into the freshly painted, still-wet surface. By the time Limeng discovered them, the paint was already semi-dry, and those childish handprints remained permanently on the Iron Bull like natural decorations.
At the edge of Reclamation Area No. 6, the freshly turned black soil exuded a moist fragrance. The word had gotten out, and a crowd had already gathered. Edman the elderly Mondstadt farmer, Natlan's Mavuika and Vanessa, scholars from Fontaine, Millelith soldiers, and Jingyi who had hurried over clutching a pile of …
Chapter 63