Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Industrial Revolution (8)
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I've overhauled the steel industry, and trucks will soon make their debut in the world.
But there's still a lot left to do.
Mass production—the flower of the industrial revolution—hasn't even been touched yet.
Of course, I could do it right now if I wanted.
"They'd never run a factory properly, no matter what."
Mass production requires a solid foundation.
That's why I've been working so hard.
Still, once the mana network is installed, the groundwork for mass production will be complete.
From machine tools to textile manufacturing.
Machines can now replace what was done by hand or simple tools all this time.
"Of course, I'll be busy developing more machines again."
Sometimes I wonder why things turned out this way.
It probably started after I came back from the dungeon.
No, more precisely, after I got the grimoire.
Raising my hand summons the grimoire as if it had never vanished.
It's a function I discovered while poring over it diligently.
In simple terms, it's like a pocket dimension?
Or maybe a rift in the dimensional gap?
Either way, I can hide it away and carry it without inconvenience.
But that's not the important part right now.
"No matter how I look at it, this thing's to blame."
It must have messed with my mind without me realizing.
Quietly fanning the winds of change in my heart.
I'm not entirely sure.
For all I know, ideas I'd already been mulling over just exploded with the kingdom's opening.
"If even this is the grimoire's doing..."
Sigh, the more I think about it, the more hopeless it gets.
I try to distance myself from the grimoire, but I can't hate it when I remember the enlightenment it granted me.
For now, I tucked the grimoire away and turned my gaze elsewhere.
I'm currently inside a carriage, heading straight for House Apontuna.
We'll arrive in a few hours, and right now, we're passing through some city's streets.
"This place is well-maintained."
"Yes. It's definitely one of the more prosperous territories."
Biena, sitting across from me, nods in agreement.
As she says, the road the carriage is speeding along is impeccably managed.
It's paved with neatly trimmed stones, without a single pothole or break anywhere.
Lifting my eyes, I see buildings and people passing by at a steady, moderate pace.
This isn't a place where only nobles live, yet everyone is dressed quite decently.
Of course, class differences are still evident.
Nobles are bundled in layered finery adorned with flashy ornaments.
Commoners, on the other hand, wear simple, single-colored clothes that are light and practical.
They're not expensive, but they look high-quality all the same.
Those outfits are exactly what you'd picture in a medieval fantasy setting.
Children run and play, adults head to work or watch with smiles.
It's so peaceful, but the people and buildings give off no modern vibe at all.
The architecture itself differs from contemporary styles in form and feel.
"It's really something."
Different from Earth, yet somehow similar to Earth.
Is everywhere people live just alike?
After passing through the city for a few hours, crossing mountains and valleys, we finally arrived in the ducal territory.
The carriage smoothly made its way to the duke's residence.
Nothing noteworthy happened along the way.
If anything, I was a bit surprised to sense traces of mages nearby.
I never imagined gaining enlightenment would reveal things I'd been oblivious to until now.
"We've arrived."
"Thanks, Biena."
"Not at all."
I entered House Apontuna with Biena, who had accompanied me after a long time.
The mansion was still as grand and opulent as ever.
Not quite on the level of the imperial palace, though.
Instead of being shown to a drawing room, I was escorted directly to the duke's study.
In other words, Biena couldn't come in from here on.
"It seems the duke has something to discuss with you personally."
"...Understood. I'll wait."
Biena retreated with a wistful expression, though she yielded readily enough.
Of course, it wouldn't have mattered if she'd insisted.
What on earth could he want to talk about that requires this?
With questions and anticipation in tow, I stepped into the study.
The duke had clearly been waiting a while; he was reading a book.
Well, setting it down, actually. A quick glance revealed it was one I'd written.
Hm, why's that there?
A new question arose, but I pushed it down and greeted him courteously.
Then I sat across from him.
"You must be tired from the long journey."
"Haha, no, not at all. We sent the letter first, after all."
"True enough. Can't just leave a guest sitting there. Have some tea."
The duke himself pouring tea?
Guess I'm not leaving easy today.
I couldn't ignore his hospitality, so I accepted the cup.
I took a sip, but honestly, I was too tense to taste it.
I set it down after about half.
That's when the duke cut to the chase.
"I got your letter. No beating around the bush: are you insane?"
"...I have no idea what part of the letter gave you that impression, but I'm perfectly fine."
"You look it. But the plans you outlined with it don't seem sane at all."
I'd put a lot of effort into writing those plans.
To sum them up simply: with the mana network in place, there's no need to send mana crystals to power plants anymore.
Chargers can be installed in homes, labs, and so on.
Is that really an insane plan?
I was puzzled, but his next words cleared it up.
"The plan itself is excellent. But the other nobles will oppose it. You say you'll rely on my help for that part. You think it's feasible?"
Ah, so that's it.
As I knew, some nobles despise me.
That's why I went to the council, and why the empire kicked up a fuss afterward.
Because of them, I couldn't even install the mana network.
I managed power plants, but commoners couldn't benefit.
Considering that, the duke's words made sense.
The moment you push the mana network again, they'll say you're handing nobles' privileges to the commoners.
It might be an overinterpretation, but noble society is filthy like that.
Even during the black mage hunt, the duke and emperor conspired together.
That's why you need power—
"Ahem."
Ahem, my thoughts nearly derailed.
Looking ahead, I saw the duke's face waiting for my answer.
"Ahem. My answer is, of course, yes, it's possible."
"What's your reasoning? You don't look like you're just saying it."
Of course it's not empty words.
I straightened confidently and met the duke's eyes.
"There are three reasons. First, you're keeping a close eye on me."
The duke's expression didn't change.
Did I misjudge? But I pressed on.
"When I came in, you were reading my book. You even mentioned Pretina taking an interest in me."
"True. But that's not enough on its own."
He nodded slightly, and I recalled the incident at the steel mill a few months back.
At the time, I'd commissioned a merchant guild to transport the firebricks.
They claimed they'd been attacked by bandits.
If so, they should've arrived late or with casualties at minimum.
Yet they arrived intact.
When I asked what happened, they said a passing mercenary band helped.
The guildmaster didn't seem suspicious, but...
"I knew right away. That you were watching over me closely. There's no way you'd mistake House Apontuna's swordsmanship, right? If the guildmaster mentioned Apontuna techniques, they were really from House Apontuna."
As I'd said before, I'd only heard about Apontuna swordsmanship by ear.
But everyone agreed on one thing.
It's unique.
Unforgettable.
Definitely Apontuna.
The duke listened calmly and nodded.
"Good. What's next?"
"It follows from the first reason. You're sponsoring me, right? Directly at my factories, even."
This I learned from a letter that arrived at the factory before I left.
The factory owners said Duke Apontuna was sponsoring them.
Anonymously, sure, but the amount and items screamed Apontuna.
I was quite shocked when I first got that letter.
I knew he was watching, but sponsoring? No idea.
"Your first sponsorship was surely because of my book? You invited me to dinner under that pretext. So I figured you wouldn't be stingy about it."
"Indeed. Now the last one. What is it?"
The last one isn't entirely certain, to be honest.
But it's one reason I decided to send the letter.
Separate from trusting the duke—his situation works in my favor.
"You're His Majesty's close aide. And the enemy of the nobles. Because you're pro-emperor."
I don't know if he's truly pro-emperor.
He might look it on the surface, but who knows inside.
Still, his actions so far confirm it.
That will greatly help with installing the mana network.
I watched him tensely.
He fell silent after hearing all three reasons.
The silence wasn't long, yet it felt eternal.
Just as sweat beaded on my palms, he chuckled.
"Very well. I'll support you. No—I'll speak up for it directly in the council."
"...Really?"
"Yes. House Apontuna doesn't go back on its word."
Whoa, I didn't expect it to actually work.
I rejoiced inwardly while keeping a calm facade.
"Thank you."
"No need. Anyway, we should wrap this up. We'll discuss the details later. For now, meet my daughter."
Pardon? What do you mean?
A bit intimidated and confused, he issued the order to leave.
It was sudden, but I'd gotten what I wanted, so I bowed and exited.
Well, anyway—next phase unlocked!
I smiled faintly and headed joyfully to the drawing room with Biena.