Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Heini Bailey and the Knitting Machine
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"H-H-Hello!"
Under the guidance of the Magic Tower Master, the wizard we met was a petite woman with strikingly long, snow-white hair that gave off strong vibes of an arctic rabbit.
Though her legs were short.
"I am Heini Bailey, disciple of the high-level wizard James William Lee, and a mid-level wizard practicing the secret arts of the Bailey family!"
The moment she saw Mother, she started trembling violently, as if she'd been thrown into a frozen river in the dead of winter, and rattled off her introduction. It only reinforced the rabbit impression.
This is exactly what a rabbit would look like in front of a lion.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Heini Bailey. You're the third daughter of Baron Daker, right?"
"Yes! Thank you for remembering!"
Heini grabbed both of Mother's hands, which were extended for a handshake, and bowed her head frantically in deference.
Her trembling intensified, of course.
I was starting to worry she'd break a bone shaking like that.
"M-May I ask if I have permission to inquire as to the reason why the esteemed Countess has graced our humble research lab with her presence?"
"Don't beat around the bush. Speak comfortably."
"Why have you come?"
"Perfect."
Mother curved the corners of her mouth into a gentle smile, subtly releasing her handshake with Heini while giving me a meaningful glance.
I stepped forward immediately and explained to Heini on Mother's behalf why we'd come to the Magic Tower.
"We're interested in the knitting machine made here at the Magic Tower."
"Ah! Then you've come to the right place. It's embarrassing for me to say it myself, but I'm one of the authorities in magitech engineering!"
"Oh... I see."
It was a bit refreshing to hear a scholar boldly call herself an authority, so I nodded with a somewhat awkward expression.
"Please explain the machine."
"Of course! The knitting machine was developed by my master's master to save people suffering from knitting, specifically to make stockings..."
"Ahem..."
I hadn't expected her to dive straight into the development history when I just asked for an explanation.
I've been noticing it since earlier, but this wizard has serious motormouth vibes.
If I left her alone, she'd ramble on for hours about things I have zero interest in.
I quickly raised my hand and waved it vigorously to cut her off.
"However, due to the previous emperor's shortsightedness, my master's master was neglected and..."
"Miss Heini! The history is fine—please give a brief explanation of the most recent model."
"Eek..."
Heini's face fell dramatically, her lips pouting as her shoulders slumped dejectedly.
She continued her explanation in a completely deflated voice, as if all interest had evaporated.
"The latest knitting machine is the fourth improved version, developed four years ago. It can handle even finer threads and knit more densely over larger areas."
"How fine exactly?"
"Using the thinnest needle, it can handle 20-count fine yarn—wool, cotton, even silk."
"Silk too? Any issues with needle durability or damaging the thread?"
"Needles are easy to replace, and with proper maintenance, they last over ten thousand hours. No thread damage if you match the needle size right."
"Oh..."
Just hearing the specs made it sound like an incredible machine.
Of course, I'd need to see it in action and inspect it closely.
"Can we see the machine?"
"I'm showing it to you already."
"Pardon?"
"See that big table-like thing over there? That's the knitting machine."
It was a table-shaped contraption about two meters long and one meter high.
But hundreds of needles and rods lined up in rows made it look impressively intimidating.
"It's quite large..."
"This is already much smaller. In my master's master's time, it was twice that size, but I halved it while improving durability!"
Miniaturization and enhanced durability at the same time.
I'm no expert in engineering, but I knew that wasn't easy.
No wonder she confidently called herself an authority...
"Oh... that's impressive."
"Ehehe~ Thank you."
I let out a genuine exclamation of admiration, looking at her with eyes full of respect, and Heini twirled her hair shyly with a bashful smile.
"Can we see it in operation?"
"Of course! But it needs some prep time—is that okay?"
"How long?"
"About five minutes."
"Show us."
"Yes!"
Heini cheerfully approached the machine, pulled a few needles, fiddled with various parts, loaded a ball of red yarn, and threaded it between the needles.
Then she spun around to face us, beaming brightly.
"Time's short, so I'll make something towel-sized."
"Pardon? What does that..."
Before I could process her saying she'd make something towel-sized because time was short, Heini grabbed the upward-protruding handle in front of the needles and slowly pushed it left and right.
"Hngh!"
As the handle moved, the needles extended and retracted with a sharp clatter, intertwining the yarn stitch by stitch, producing fabric from the machine like paper from a printer.
"Kuh... eek..."
One full sweep of the handle produced one row, engraved with patterns, and the fabric unspooled at a speed worlds apart from hand-knitting.
"Hngh... Ta-da! What do you think?"
Heini, grunting as she worked the handle furiously, flashed a bright smile. From start to finish, it took exactly ten minutes.
A towel-sized piece of fabric dangled perfectly from her hands, just as promised.
And it knitted flawlessly without tangles or breaks.
"Wow..."
I couldn't help but gasp in awe and clap lightly a couple of times.
For a moment, I felt like I understood the plight of the Luddite workers.
Even as a hobbyist, I hit walls; if it were my livelihood, it'd feel soul-crushing.
As I stared blankly at the fabric, Mother tapped my shoulder with a puzzled look and whispered in my ear.
"Is it that impressive?"
"It would take me three or four hours to make that much."
"Hoo..."
Mother's eyes sparkled, a faint smile gracing her face.
"Is it hard to operate?"
"Anyone who's knitted before can make fabric like this in a day or two. But it can't do the pretty patterns you get by hand."
"How many people to run it?"
"One is enough, but two is more efficient."
"What about production and maintenance costs?"
"Production is two gold. Maintenance is ten copper per needle."
"I see."
And just like that, Mother bombarded her with questions, showing keen interest in the machine.
"Not bad at all."
"Yes! Demand is slowly growing in the empire, especially from knight orders and the northern frontiers!"
"Knight orders..."
Mother crossed her arms, lightly cupping her chin, lost in thought as she eyed the machine.
Her eyes narrowed, fingers tapping her cheek rhythmically. Then her eyebrows lifted, and she smiled in satisfaction.
"We'll take one right now. Contract on the spot."
"Reeeally?!"
"Wow."
Cool as ice, on-site purchase.
Heini, clearly not expecting such a decisive buy, jumped like a rabbit, her eyes and mouth wide in shock.
"Thank you, Madam! You're the first noble to buy directly!"
"My, that's delightful."
"I'll personally deliver it to your estate with top service! Thank you so much!"
"Hehe~ I look forward to it."
Heini bowed so deeply it looked like her waist might snap in half, pouring out gratitude to Mother.
Mother watched her with evident amusement, her face blooming into a full smile.
"Young wizards these days are so passionate and polite. The Magic Tower has a bright future—it's a joy to see."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "It's all thanks to His Majesty the Emperor and the count family!"
"Miss Heini's field is magitech engineering, right?"
"Y-Yes! It's the study of combining magic and mechanics to create practical machines!"
"I see~"
Mother nodded, drawing out the end of her words, locked eyes with Heini, and whispered softly with a meaningful smile.
"I'll remember that."
"Hieeek! Hweeeek!"
The moment Mother finished speaking, Heini clapped both hands over her mouth and let out an incomprehensible shriek of joy, panicking like she'd won the lottery.
"Let's go."
"Uh... Is it okay to just leave her like that?"
"It's routine. Don't worry."
"Uh..."
What the heck is going on?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Inside the carriage on the way back to the estate.
"By the way, why does the Magic Tower treat Mother so reverently?"
"What?"
I couldn't hold back my lingering curiosity and asked Mother.
Her eyes widened round at my question, blinking as if I'd said something absurd, then she tilted her head quizzically.
"You really don't know?"
"No."
"Sigh... You don't even know what your father does?"
"Isn't he a court wizard?"
"Tsk..."
Mother looked at me pityingly and clicked her tongue.
"He's a court wizard and the First Undersecretary of the Magic Bureau. He can approve patents for Magic Tower tech and oversee their budget. No matter how disinterested you are in the world, at least take an interest in your father's work."
"Ah... Sorry."