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Chapter 225 — Part 1

In the northwestern area of Bern village, sturdy facilities and warehouses for magic and technical research had been erected. Lynette had been ordered to take on a portion of Dran’s duties while he was away from the village, and that included accompanying Gundeus and Kyrlinne in their work at the research building.

Each building has been reinforced with thick iron and concrete walls, partly because of the storage of magical materials, nitrites, and gunpowder for artillery. A single moment of carelessness with such items could cause dangerous accidents, thus necessitating the current infrastructure. It went without saying that the walls were also filled with magic engravings, which strengthened, soundproofed, and deodorized the place.

However, the establishment of such facilities for research and the resumption of the Northern Development Plan raised the question of Bern village’s ability to make effective use of such facilities.

Famous scholars and intellectuals, as well as any distinguished disciples of these folks, were already pledged to those in power. If they were not, they were probably busy establishing their own private institutions to make a name for themselves.

Christina and Dran were well aware of such a reality. Rather, most of the people that had been recruited to Bern village were heretics who had either published ideas and theories too advanced for the present, or those who had been driven out of their respective fields due to personality flaws. These people were no doubt peculiar or problematic individuals that had no attachment to Bern village or loyalty to Christina, and the two were also clear about this fact.

Nevertheless, there was a need for Bern village to secure something unique for themselves and acquire strength and superiority over others. Hence, these facilities offered a generous budget and unrestrained environment for research to attract these strange yet gifted geniuses.

Lynette was in a thegn’s uniform, while Gundeus and Kyrlinne were in maid uniforms as they gathered in one of the research facility’s workshops. There, they were receiving the report on the research findings of the workshop’s researcher.

In the reasonably spacious workshop, items of various shapes were placed neatly on several shelves. These items differed not just in shape and size, but also in their materials. They ranged from metal to wood, soil, rock, and fabric.

A metal box the shape of a horse carriage was resting on the stand in the center of the workshop. Several long and narrow chimneys protruded from the side of the box, and a number of cylinders extended from the top of the box.

The owner of the workshop, a scrawny man with long gray hair and a white beard, was standing before the box. His assistant was his granddaughter, a girl who looked the same age as Lynette.

Even after Lynette’s arrival, the man and his granddaughter remained focused on the box before them. Such behavior was common for researchers, and Lynette did not take it to heart. After all, even her creator, Ishel, shared this trait.

Despite this being so, the man and his granddaughter did not forget that this teenage girl, who was also a living golem, was the acting aide. She held the key to their future research funds. They put a close to their work after a short while and turned their attention to Lynette and her two companions.

「How do you do, Dr. Mazda? I’m here with Lynette on behalf of Master Dran today to check on the research results.」

The man named Dr. Mazda offered a wide smile to Lynette. His lips were hidden behind his beard as he spoke to this girl who was two heads shorter than himself.

「I’m glad you made it here. Is the aide out? It’s nothing short of impressive that he is soliciting even more researchers, managing the housing and work for migrants, and negotiating with others outside the village. We’re at least thrice or quadruple his age, but all we’re capable of are research and inventions.」

Mazda winked playfully at Lynette, causing her to loosen her pursed lips a little. She did not find this childish old man before her detestful, though she knew that it was important to separate her personal feelings from work. The barony of Bern was a place where the private and work often intertwined. This time, Lynette was determined to draw a clear line.

「Let’s save the humility for another time. Dr. Mazda, you were invited here as Her Ladyship the baroness and Master Dran thought you worthy. Thus, sorry for the intrusion, but could you inform me of the results of your research?」

As Lynette made her request, Kyrlinne and Gundeus pulled out paper for making records and started up the assessment equipment respectively. It was clear that they were ready to make detailed records, sparing not a single omission of information.

A large sum of money had been invested in the research of Mazda and the other researchers. Hence, Lynette was determined to make sure appropriate returns were delivered.

「Well, I’m deeply grateful to them for reaching out when we were struggling with our research funds. Moreover, the facility prepared has been wonderful. My granddaughter, Charlot, has been an excellent assistant, and I’m more than keen to be revealing the results of my research here. Come on, Charlot. Are we ready?」

「Yes, Dr. Mazda. Miss Lynette, Miss Gundeus, Miss Kyrlinne, please behold.」

Mazda and Charlot turned to face the metal box again. Charlot picked up a watering can by her feet and removed the lid of the box. Then, she inserted the spout of the watering can and started pouring the fluid in.

「This is prototype No. 12 of the magic steam engine I’ve invented. When magic crystals are liquified to form a special fuel, the burning of this fuel forms an ether mist that powers the piston! Wood or coal can be burned to generate heat, but Fire Spirit Stones can be used as well. In any case, this fuel can withstand intense heat without any issues. By the way, we are currently using Fire Spirit Stones infused with the power to generate heat as our heat source.」

Lynette detected a fluctuation in magic within the magic steam engine as she stared at it with her tranquil eyes. At first, the cylinders on the top of the engine slowly moved. As time passed, they gradually bobbed up and down with increasing speed.

Excess ether mist was dispelled from the long, narrow pipes at the side of the engine to restore the magic in the atmosphere. Unlike steam engines that used coal, it was not necessary to consider environmental pollution from smoke. This aspect was a remarkable feature of Mazda’s magic steam engine.

「I see. The combustion efficiency has increased by 12 percent compared to the previous assessment. The fuel efficiency remains the same, and the horsepower is at 18. Hm, if the roads are better developed, we’ll be able to use this as a main engine type for our transport.」

「Wahahaha, exactly! That’s absolutely right! Mr. Lilich’s magical electric vehicle and Ms. Plana’s mana passive engine are rather common, but this magic steam engine will forge the future! Though, your observation skills are as sharp as ever. Like the aide, you not only have a keen magic vision, but you’re exceedingly knowledgeable about objects.」

「That’s because Lynette shares some knowledge from the Devas. Dr. Mazda, your achievements will no doubt motivate Professor Lilich and Ms. Plana.」

「Hm, I can already imagine both of them staying up all night to work on their research. I’m excited to reveal this work to the aide when he returns. When he does, I wonder if he’ll be a married man. This may trigger a series of many marriages once others waiting to be married hear about it.」

「Dr. Mazda, you’re failing to show any respect to the baroness and the aide! My sincere apologies, Miss Lynette. The professor is too careless with his words.」

「Don’t worry. There isn’t anyone else listening in. Moreover, Master Dran’s marriage is a significant matter in the barony of Bern. It’s natural that many are curious about this.」

Without a doubt, Lynette was one of these curious individuals. After all, she might have to treat these fiancées as her master’s wives in the future. She, too, was bracing herself to ask about the truth shamelessly despite being a mere servant. Even though Lynette’s expression remained unchanged, she was jittery with excitement.

Even though Master Dran has already greeted Selina’s parents, that didn’t guarantee that marriage would occur right away. However, it’s only a matter of time before they’re married. It wouldn’t hurt to practice in my head first. 

Lynette let out a snort, drawing the confused gazes of Kyrlinne and Gundeus. This change was minor, but the minds of these two were certainly growing to make facial expressions possible.