Chapter 213: The Money Plan Part – Six
"So, what’s the first step, Master?"
Lucy clenched both fists in front of her chest.
The excitement she had been holding back since seeing the design finally burst out.
She already looked ready to start working immediately.
Ezra remained seated in his chair.
"We need to buy a Noble Steam Carriage first."
He said flatly.
"Huh?"
Lucy’s energetic expression froze.
The room suddenly became quiet.
The excitement that had filled her face moments ago disappeared so quickly that it almost looked painful.
She blinked several times, then looked at Ezra.
Then at the design.
Then back at Ezra again.
"Do we have the money for that?"
Her voice sounded noticeably weaker.
"No."
Ezra answered without hesitation, his facial expression staying blank, which made her energy to die more quickly.
Lucy’s shoulders immediately dropped.
"So..."
She rubbed her forehead.
"How exactly are we supposed to buy something like that?"
The image of herself driving the beautiful Royce-style carriage began slowly crumbling inside her mind.
Ezra folded his arms.
"I’ll borrow the money from..."
He paused.
A slight frown appeared on his plain face.
Borrowing money was clearly not something he liked.
Several seconds passed before he finally exhaled.
"I’ll borrow it from Vera."
"Lady Vera?"
Lucy looked surprised.
"I thought she said she didn’t owe you any more favors."
"Don’t worry about that."
Ezra casually waved his hand.
"I’ll pay her back."
He paused.
"And I’ll owe her a favor in return."
For some reason, that second sentence sounded much heavier than the first.
Ezra took out his Starlix Z11.
The screen lit up.
He clicked on the Linsta app with several notifications immediately appearing.
All of them were from Vera.
She even sent messages.
Ezra opened the chat.
The first thing he saw was a picture.
Several girls stood together beside Vera.
Even Ezra, who rarely paid attention to appearances, immediately noticed one thing.
Every single person in that picture was exceptionally beautiful.
Different hair colors.
Different styles.
Different personalities.
Yet all of them possessed the type of appearance that would attract attention no matter where they went.
Most likely daughters from other Duke Families.
Of course, Ezra didn’t care about the picture itself.
It was the message underneath it that made him stare for several seconds.
’Who is the fairest of them all?’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra’s expression immediately became blank.
The kind of blank expression someone made when they knew a trap had been placed directly in front of them.
A very obvious trap.
One specifically designed by Vera.
His eyes moved downward.
More messages waited below.
’How’s your invention going?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’It must be difficult trying to find an invention that fits your low-key but groundbreaking theme.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Good luck, Ezra.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra leaned slightly back in his chair.
The soft light from the Starlix illuminated his face while Lucy continued watching him from the side.
She already figured out what I was trying to do, huh.
The realization wasn’t surprising.
Vera was frighteningly good at understanding how people thought, even when that person happened to be Ezra.
Without wasting any more time, he began typing.
As for the first question...
He pretended it didn’t exist.
’I’ve already finished the design.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’What’s left now are the materials needed to begin production.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’I already have most of the secondary materials prepared.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’However, I’m missing all of the primary materials required for the invention.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
His fingers paused above the screen.
The next part irritated him.
Borrowing money.
Maybe it was another reflex emotional feeling from his past-self, but even for a person of class tier citizenship in Britannia, Ezra also felt annoyed by the action.
Unfortunately, reality didn’t particularly care about his preferences.
Compared to borrowing money from a financial corporation or dealing with interest rates and unnecessary contracts, borrowing from Vera was significantly safer.
At least she was already his business partner.
Eventually, he finished typing.
’I need your help securing funds for the primary materials.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’And I also need Uncle Roger’s contact.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’I’ll require his assistance as well.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The message was sent.
"There."
Ezra locked the screen and slipped the Starlix back into his cardigan pocket.
"Now we wait."
Lucy nodded.
Although she looked far more invested in the outcome than Ezra did.
"We should start arranging the materials we already have for the proj..."
Ping.
Ping.
Ping.
Several notifications arrived in rapid succession.
Lucy immediately pointed at his pocket.
"She replied."
"I noticed."
Ezra sighed.
The speed alone was suspicious.
Almost as though Vera had been waiting with the chat window open.
He removed the Starlix and unlocked it again.
The moment he entered the chat, his eyes narrowed slightly.
’Answer my first question.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’I am absolutely certain you really, really, really need my help right now.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’And I happen to be the type of person who always helps others because I am incredibly kind.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’So, answer the question, Ezra.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra typed immediately.
’Not replying.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The response arrived almost instantly.
’You’re being stubborn for some reason.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Don’t tell me you fell for one of those bitches?’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra blinked once, then typed.
’Bitches?’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Yes.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’A bitch is a bitch.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’A group of them is called bitches.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Do you have a problem with that?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’No.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Still not answering.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Several seconds passed, then another notification appeared.
’I guess you won’t be needing my help after all.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra stared at the message, then calmly typed his reply.
’You already know my answer.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’You just want me to type it out., and I’m not giving you that satisfaction, Vera.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Three dots appeared, then disappeared.
Then it appeared again.
Then several messages arrived in a flourish.
’I wish I could stab you to death.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Then stab myself immediately afterward so I could chase your spirit into the Scholar Realm.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Or perhaps I could kidnap you and lock you inside a room nobody would ever find.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’But unfortunately, I’m not that type of person.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Lucy stared at Ezra quietly awaiting next word. The more she looked, she noticed how plain Ezra’s expression was getting, it was clear that he and Vera were in their normal heated moving conversation.
Ezra typed.
’Scary.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The reply arrived immediately.
’Not giving me... the satisfaction?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’What a wicked and evil boy you are.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Playing with my fragile maiden heart.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra’s face remained completely expressionless.
’Funny.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Several seconds later another message arrived.
’Enough of that.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’I’m busy right now.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Send me a complete list of everything you need and I’ll handle it.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Directly transferring a large amount of money would attract annoying attention.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Especially because Elder Gram currently oversees the Finance Corps.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’And because I happen to be one of its most diligent employees.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’I’ve been working there since before the Trial of Steel. Just letting you know.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra immediately replied.
’That sounds exhausting.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’It is.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’The Elder seems to have a personal issue with you.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’And now with me.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Because he appears convinced, we’re alike.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
A reply arrived almost instantly.
’But we are alike.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra looked at the message, then chose not to argue.
There was no point.
Vera would somehow turn the discussion into a three-hour debate and still claim victory at the end.
Instead, he typed what he actually needed.
’I need a high-tier Noble Steam Carriage.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Preferably one built for speed.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’And a large-scale baking furnace.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Understood.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Here’s Uncle Roger’s contact.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Rogers_Blacksmith’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Thanks.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Anything else?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’No.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The conversation finally ended.
"Done."
Ezra slipped the Starlix back into his pocket.
Lucy looked disappointed.
"That’s it?"
"What were you expecting?"
"A confession."
Ezra slowly turned toward her, narrowing his eyes on her.
Lucy immediately looked away.
"...Nothing."
Ignoring her, Ezra stood up and gestured toward the workshop.
"Let’s start preparing."
The moment they arrived at the workshop, Ezra immediately took out his Starlix Z11 again.
The workshop was already much livelier than before.
Stacks of metal ingots rested against one side of the wall, while several crates filled with ores occupied another corner. The newly installed Steam Furnace stood quietly in place, its metal body reflecting the light from the overhead lamps.
Lucy moved toward the crates and began sorting through some of the ores they would need later.
Meanwhile, Ezra tapped Roger’s contact and initiated a video call.
The Starlix resting on the worktable projected a holographic phone symbol above itself.
The translucent icon slowly rotated while rings of light spread outward like ripples across water.
The call was connecting.
Lucy glanced over while carrying several pieces of ore.
A few seconds later, the holographic symbol suddenly changed.
The floating phone icon unfolded into a square screen.
The call had been accepted.
"IS THAT YOU, EZRA?!"
Roger’s voice exploded from the projection.
The sheer volume startled Lucy slightly, while Ezra looked at the screen with his usual plain expression.
The screen showed Roger standing inside his own workshop.
Steam hissed from the steam-furnace behind him.
Not also far behind Roger, a young man was carefully tempering a glowing piece of metal.
The disciple immediately lifted his head.
"What?!"
His eyes widened.
"Ezra and Miss Lucy are calling?"
He stretched his neck so far forward that Ezra briefly wondered if it was physically healthy.
The disciple tried to squeeze himself into the camera view.
"Face your work!"
Roger pushed his head away with one hand.
"Argh!"
The disciple stumbled backward.
His face immediately puffed up with dissatisfaction.
"Hi, Uncle Roger."
Ezra gave a polite bow.
Lucy also bowed beside him.
The moment Roger saw them properly, his face brightened.
"I watched the Unveiling Party."
His grin widened.
"I honestly didn’t know you were that skilled boy!"
"Yeah!"
The disciple instantly appeared again.
Like some kind of persistent ghost.
"You completely humiliated your twin brother!"
His eyes practically sparkled.
"It was amazing!"
He enthusiastically mimicked several movements.
"The way you moved and he kept falling over was so cool! How did you even pull something like that off?"
BANG!
Roger’s fist landed directly on the disciple’s head.
"Ouch!"
The disciple immediately grabbed his skull.
His face twisted in pain.
"Get back to work, fool."
Roger barked.
"But..."
The disciple pointed toward the screen.
"I want to talk to Miss Lucy and Ezra too."
Roger’s eyes twitched.
"If you don’t return to work right now..."
Slowly, Roger raised his fist again.
The disciple stared at it.
His expression instantly changed.
The transformation was so fast that Lucy almost laughed.
The disciple immediately turned around and resumed working with incredible dedication.
His hammer moved so quickly that sparks flew everywhere.
Lucy and Ezra silently watched.
Then both narrowed their eyes.
For some reason, the entire scene reminded them of a mother dog scolding an overly energetic puppy.
The puppy barked.
The mother barked louder.
The puppy immediately remembered its place.
Roger turned back toward the screen.
His bright smile returned as though nothing had happened.
"Sorry about that."
He scratched his beard.
Then his eyes wandered around Ezra’s surroundings.
"Is this your house?"
Roger leaned closer to the screen.
The camera view shook slightly.
His gaze landed on the workshop.
Several seconds passed.
Then...
"WAIT."
He leaned even closer.
"You built a workshop?!"
Roger’s laughter immediately erupted.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
The sound echoed throughout both workshops.
Even the roar of the Steam Engines operating behind him struggled to compete.
"Yes."
Ezra nodded.
"It is."
Roger continued laughing before eventually calming down.
"Still plain as always."
He shook his head.
A faint smile remained on his face.
There was obvious approval hidden behind the teasing.
"So."
Roger folded his arms.
"What does this old man need to help you with?"
Ezra got straight to the point.
"I wanted to ask if you know any Craft-Type Steel Alchemists who could assist me."
Roger listened attentively.
"I need help creating baking components for my invention."
He paused briefly.
"I would have asked you directly, but the scale of the project is too large."
Roger nodded immediately.
"That’s fair."
He folded his arms.
"I don’t have the machinery necessary for large-scale production."
His gaze drifted upward.
Clearly thinking.
"But..."
A moment later, he snapped his fingers.
"I do know someone."
Roger’s expression became slightly complicated.
The smile on his face weakened.
"Although, I haven’t spoken to her in a very long time."
A sigh escaped him.
Lucy noticed the change immediately.
Ezra did too, but he looked very much unbothered.
Interesting.
Whoever this person was, they clearly carried a history Mr. Roger isn’t particularly eager to revisit.
Lucy thought to herself while she continued carrying the ores they needed for the invention.
"Thank you, Uncle Roger."
Ezra gave another polite nod.
Roger waved his hand dismissively.
"No need..."
"You mean Auntie?"
The disciple suddenly popped back into frame.
Roger froze.
The workshop became strangely quiet.
Even the disciple seemed to realize he might have made a mistake.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Roger turned his head.
"What..."
His voice sounded dangerous.
"...are you doing here, again?"
Before the disciple could escape, Roger grabbed him by the head with one hand and lifted him into the air.
"AHHH!"
The disciple’s legs immediately started kicking.
"Let me go! I’m already done working, you crazy old man!"
The workshop suddenly became silent again with dangerous air flowing around.
Roger’s eyes twitched.
"Crazy old man?"
His grip tightened.
"Me?"
The disciple’s face turned pale.
"AHHH! My head! It’s cracking! Help! Someone help!"
He screamed, but it was only him and Rogers who lived in that area.
Eventually Roger released him.
The disciple immediately collapsed onto the floor while clutching his head.
Roger calmly turned back toward the holographic screen.
Only to discover...
The call had already ended.
"..."
Roger stared, then sighed.
"Ahhh..."
He rubbed his forehead.
Now he remembered the bigger problem.
The person he needed to contact.
"I can’t believe I have to call her after all these years."
His expression became troubled.
For several moments he simply stood there thinking.
Then he stroked his beard.
"She won’t kill me, right?"
Unfortunately, judging by his expression, he didn’t sound very confident.
After another sigh, Roger turned toward the workshop exit.
"Clean up, Lenny."
He casually tossed the order over his shoulder before leaving.
Several seconds passed.
Lenny slowly stood up.
Then perfectly imitated Roger’s voice.
"Clean up, Lenny."
His mocking tone echoed throughout the workshop.
Lenny folded his arms proudly.
Then an iron rod flew across the workshop and smacked him in the back of the head.
BANG!
"OW!"
Lenny collapsed onto the floor.
Meanwhile, Roger continued walking away as though nothing had happened.
