Chapter 147 Ch. 147: Making Money [5]
"I hate him."
"Huh?"
Adrian was taken aback.
How could Nathaniel hate a newborn baby they had just laid eyes on for the first time?
As Nathaniel was in a bad mood and realizing that the current setting was not appropriate for such a conversation, Adrian suggested.
"Let's get out of here first."
They handed the gifts to the maids and bid Charlotte a goodbye before making their way back to the waiting carriage.
As they settled into the plush seats of the carriage, the rhythmic sound of hooves hitting the ground filled the air.
—Clip —Clop —Clip —Clop
Adrian glanced out of the window, watching the scenery pass by, while Nathaniel sat across from him, lost in his own thoughts.
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Adrian turned his attention to Nathaniel and gently asked.
"Mind telling me why you feel this way, Nate? I want to understand."
Nathaniel let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the comfortable seat.
His eyes reflected a mixture of frustration and confusion.
"I wish I knew, Ian. It's as if something inside me just snapped the moment I saw him. I can't explain it, and it frustrates me even more."
Adrian remained silent for a moment, processing Nathaniel's words.
Honestly speaking, Nathaniel's reaction seemed irrational, but Adrian knew better than to dismiss his brother's feelings.
Could it be related to the previous timeline?
But something didn't add up because Frey, the baby, literally hadn't been born in the previous timeline.
So why did Nathaniel feel this way?
Pushing aside his own confusion, Adrian finally responded, choosing his words carefully.
"Sometimes, our emotions can be complex and difficult to decipher. Perhaps it's just a temporary phase, and with time, you'll develop a bond with him."
Nathaniel looked at Adrian, his eyes searching for reassurance.
After a brief silence, he mustered a small smile and replied.
"...yeah, maybe you're right. Thanks."
Adrian returned the smile, relieved to see some of the tension dissipating.
"You're welcome, Nate. Just give it time, and I'm sure things will work out."
With that, the atmosphere inside the carriage lightened, and the steady clip-clop of hooves provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
.
.
.
"Your Highness, are you ready?"
Adrian turned towards the voice and saw Antonio standing next to him with an assuring smile.
They were standing in front of a grand mahogany door that led to Arthur's office, located behind the throne room.
Three months had passed since they began working on the project, and now they were ready to present their invention, the Steam Train, to the Emperor.
"I am."
Adrian replied confidently.
Antonio nodded in approval and signaled the guard to announce their arrival.
"His Highness the Second Prince and Baron Antonio, the 3rd head of the Tower Engineering Division are entering!"
The door swung open, revealing a spacious and cozy room.
Inside, Arthur, the Emperor of the Aeon Empire, sat behind a study desk covered in stacks of papers.
He had white hair and magenta eyes, and he was deeply engrossed in writing something on a piece of paper.
Erudian, Arthur's aide, a young man with dark blue hair and eyes, stood beside him.
Adrian and Antonio approached the Emperor and bowed respectfully.
"We greet His Majesty the Emperor of the Aeon Empire."
Arthur acknowledged their presence without looking up from his work.
"You may rise."
After a moment of silence, Arthur put down his quill and placed the paper at the top of the stack.
He then shifted his gaze towards Antonio and eventually locked eyes with his son.
Soon, Arthur opened up the discussion.
"I heard that you made something that could revolutionize transportation in our world."
"That is right, Your Majesty."
Erudian placed the blueprint on the table, and Arthur started examining it.
"Steam Train, huh? Tell me more about it."
Antonio stepped forward and began explaining.
"Your Majesty, the steam train is a remarkable creation that harnesses the power of steam to propel a vehicle forward. The steam train's power is derived from steam engines, which can be fueled by coal or other combustible materials."
Arthur nodded, showing his interest.
"I see. But how does it differ from our current modes of transportation?"
Arthur asked as he flipped through the blueprint, and Antonio answered.
"Your Majesty, the steam train offers several advantages over traditional means of travel. Firstly, it is significantly faster, allowing people and goods to be transported over long distances in a fraction of the time. This will greatly enhance communication, trade, and the overall mobility of our empire."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Secondly, it is not reliant on animal power, reducing the strain on our horses and providing a more sustainable alternative. This not only reduces our dependence on animals but also offers a more efficient and reliable mode of transportation."
Antonio took a breath and resumed.
"Lastly, the steam train has the potential to carry a substantial amount of cargo, facilitating trade and economic growth. With its large storage capacity, it can transport goods in bulk, allowing for increased efficiency and profitability in our empire's commerce."
Arthur arched his eyebrows in genuine interest, intrigued by the potential of this invention.
"Ho. This invention seems to offer great potential. So, who's idea is this?"
"It's all His Highness Prince Adrian, Your Majesty."
Antonio replied, and Arthur's magenta eyes shifted towards the young man with white hair standing behind Antonio.
"Is that so?"
Arthur's skepticism grew, finding it hard to believe that his 12-year-old son could come up with such a groundbreaking invention.
However, before he could voice his doubts, Adrian interrupted, sensing his father's disbelief.
"Your Majesty, you can ask me anything about the Steam Train."
Adrian said confidently, challenging his father to test his knowledge.
Arthur couldn't help but smirk at his son's audacity.
'This little brat, he indirectly challenged me to prove whether Antonio's word is true or not.'
He leaned back in his plush seat, eyeing his son with a mix of amusement and curiosity, and decided to put Adrian's knowledge to the test.
"Can you explain about its components and how they work in greater detail?"
Arthur asked, his tone challenging.
Without hesitation, Adrian moved forward and began his detailed explanation.
"At the heart of the steam train lies a boiler, a vessel where water is heated to produce steam. This steam is then channeled into a chamber known as the steam engine. The steam engine consists of a series of cylinders, each housing a piston. These pistons move back and forth, driven by the force of the steam."
Arthur listened intently, impressed by his son's grasp of the technical details.
However, he wanted to push Adrian further, to truly test his understanding.
"But how does this motion translate into the train's movement?"
"The pistons are connected to a series of gears and rods, which ultimately transfer the motion to the wheels of the train."
Adrian continued confidently.
"This mechanism converts the linear motion of the pistons into rotational motion, propelling the train forward. The wheels are specially designed to provide traction and stability, allowing the train to move smoothly along the tracks."
Arthur nodded his head in satisfaction, acknowledging his son's knowledge.
But he wasn't quite convinced yet and decided to delve deeper.
"The track seems to be an integral part of this invention. But, why is this track system necessary? Can't the steam train operate without it?"
Arthur questioned, his curiosity piqued.
Adrian shook his head, understanding the importance of addressing his father's concerns.
"The track system is an essential component of the steam train's operation, serving multiple purposes."
Adrian explained.
"Firstly, it provides a stable and controlled pathway for the steam train to travel upon. The parallel rails ensure that the train remains on a designated path, preventing accidents and ensuring safe transportation."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Secondly, the track system allows for efficient and smooth movement of the train. The wheels of the train are designed to fit precisely on the rails, reducing friction and enabling the train to move with minimal resistance. This design also helps distribute the weight of the train evenly, ensuring stability and preventing derailments."
Arthur was left utterly speechless, his doubts shattered by his son's detailed and knowledgeable explanation.
Unbeknownst to him, his tongue rolled by itself, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"Are you really the one who invented this?"
His voice filled with a mix of astonishment and pride.
Adrian shook his head humbly.
"It's true that I had the initial idea, but I couldn't have brought it to fruition without Antonio's help. After all, how can a 12-year-old like me invent something as significant as this alone?"
Arthur nodded, his skepticism replaced by admiration.
He realized that his son's brilliance was not to be underestimated.
"I see."
Returning his gaze to the blueprint in his hands, Arthur couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
The potential of this invention to revolutionize transportation and bring prosperity to the Empire was undeniable.
It could also attract tourists from far and wide, boosting the economy and replenishing the treasury, which had suffered a significant blow after the recent cult attack on the capital city.
With these thoughts in mind, Arthur turned his attention back to his son and the blueprint.
"These benefits are indeed enticing."
The Emperor mused.
"But can this blueprint be transformed into a functioning steam train? What resources do you require to turn this blueprint into a reality? How long do you estimate it will take to complete?"
Adrian couldn't help but inwardly sweat at the barrage of questions.
It was a lot to answer, but he knew that Antonio, the mastermind behind the technical aspects, would be better equipped to provide the details.
"As for it, I'll let Baron Antonio answer the question."
Antonio stepped forward, his confidence evident as he addressed the Emperor's inquiries.
As the discussion continued, time slipped away, and they realized that they had covered a lot of ground.
Arthur requested another appointment to delve deeper into the details and progress of the steam train project.
Adrian couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
Everything went perfectly according to plan.
His father was convinced of the steam train's potential, and it seemed likely that the project would move forward swiftly.
The thought of becoming a dirt-rich Prince, surpassing Nathaniel, filled him with eager anticipation.
'Nate, behold! This was the power of transmigration from the modern world!'
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