Chapter 96 - 95: The Life of a Factory Boy – Part I
Fantasy world
Kaelmart Soap factory
"Ah... I never thought soap could smell this nice," murmured a boy, no more than seventeen or eighteen, his sleeves rolled up to the elbows, hands slick with the remnants of cooled soap mix. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth—not one of amusement, but of quiet wonder. "Even the air feels good."
His name was Boris—a simple, sturdy name, common among the folk of Ginip. He had never known comfort or luxury—only empty stomachs, patched clothing, and the unspoken duty of providing for those weaker than himself.
He was part of Group 3—the Pour and Mold team. There were fifteen members in total, all working side by side in the tall, warm hall of the factory. Their job was simple in words, but not in practice.
Large copper vats stood along the wall, still warm from the boil. The thick mixture inside—a blend of oils, lye, herbs, and water—had cooled to just the right point. Now it was ready to be poured.
Each worker had their own molds: wooden trays shaped into neat rectangles. The molds were lined up on long tables, and now, one by one, the workers carefully filled them.
Boris held a ladle in his right hand, moving with steady focus. He dipped it into the vat and slowly poured the golden soap mixture into an open mold. The trick was not to spill, not to pour too fast, and not to leave any bubbles. Each bar had to be perfect. That was the rule.
Next to him, another boy smoothed the tops of the bars with a flat wooden scraper, pressing gently to make the surface even. Others carried finished trays to the drying racks at the back of the hall. The curing shelves were stacked high—rows and rows of soap waiting to harden over the coming days.
Boris poured his final mold and wiped his hands on a rag.
Then—clang! clang! clang!