After a long period of preheating, the modified 89-horsepower steam engine on the locomotive finally began to emit wisps of white smoke.
The gathered onlookers were not unfamiliar with this—after all, who in Nancy hadn't seen a steam engine before?
However, when that steel behemoth trembled for the first time, shaking loose the insects clinging to the weeds alongside the tracks, the crowd immediately broke into startled cries and instinctively stepped back.
The locomotive bearing Sopwith "Future" engraved on it shuddered again and let out an ear-piercing screech, then began dragging eight cars behind it, moving forward at a slow crawl.
That enormous iron body radiated a terrifying force that seemed to pierce the soul of everyone watching.
"Almighty Jesus!" Father Weiina stared at the sparks flying from the smokestack of the train, clutching the silver cross at his chest with both hands, muttering, "Is this... the fire-breathing Red Horse from the Book of Revelation..."
