Chapter 645: Future
"If Theresa needs it, of course you can," Astrid replied.
The only thing to consider is whether the heat-conducting material used for the cooking surface could still guarantee even heating at the bottom when scaled up proportionally. After all, dragons had far larger appetites than ordinary humans.
At least, that was the impression Theresa had given Astrid. Over the past few days, the pocket money Astrid had allocated to her noble guest had basically been spent entirely on food, and this was even with the palace providing three free meals a day. It was all spent on Theresa going out for extra treats.
Hearing Astrid’s words, Theresa nodded and spoke softly.
"Then I must thank you in advance, Astrid..."
"...This is truly a great invention."
Aside from this magic-energy stove, there were many other commendable aspects to the other magic-energy devices. Theresa had only caught a rough glimpse just now and had a general idea, but the specific operational principles would require her to take a closer, slower look.
Astrid nodded slightly upon hearing this, her pink lips parting slightly.
"To hear such words from a magic master like Theresa, both I and the inventors are deeply honorable."
"It is still early. Theresa, why don’t you look around some more? Whether it is the exhibition hall of the Elizabeth Academy of Magic or the Valeria Royal Treasury, you can enter freely with your ticket stub."
"The exhibition starts at eight in the morning and lasts until five-thirty in the afternoon, with a break from twelve to one. It will run for a total of three days starting from today."
After giving Theresa her instructions and sharing some of the inspiration and ideas behind the development of the magic-energy devices, Astrid took a sip of red wine and turned her eyes to Lyra.
"Lyra, I am going to talk with Duke Thomas about laying down the transmission lines. As for Theresa, I will trouble you to show her around."
Looking into those cool, beautiful red eyes, Lyra gave a soft hum and accepted the task.
"Is Theresa more interested in magic-energy devices for daily life?"
"Yes, they all seem like very novel inventions. I have never seen them in my race’s territory."
"Then shall we go take a look at the Elizabeth Academy of Magic’s exhibition hall?"
"That works."
As one of the few people who knew Theresa’s true identity, Lyra was very suitable to act as her guide.
Before leaving, Theresa made sure to bid farewell to Astrid, and then left the Valeria Royal Treasury.
Once the grand exhibition of magic-energy devices was over, they could have a proper discussion about future commercial cooperation.
In the dragon territory, many of Theresa’s friends and relatives often complained. The fire element particles, which had extremely low innate affinity toward them and were restless by nature, were simply too difficult to control. With the slightest lapse of attention, a decent meal would be reduced to ashes in the raging flames.
Now, a much more convenient and faster way of cooking is right in front of them.
Following Lyra’s lead, they walked out of the imperial palace and headed toward the main gate of the Elizabeth Academy of Magic. Feeling the sunlight fall on her shoulders, Theresa looked back at the magnificent imperial palace, her expression thoughtful.
Perhaps this transaction would not be limited to just her and Astrid as two independent individuals, but could be elevated to the level of the two great races: humans and dragons.
***
To celebrate the successful conclusion of the opening ceremony of the magic-energy device exhibition, on the first day of the exhibition, Amalia hosted a dinner in the palace for many nobles to discuss the future of the empire over the dining table.
The scale of this meal even surpasses the birthday banquets of emperors of past generations. Even Theresa, whose appetite far exceeded that of mortals, ate until she was seventy to eighty percent full in the side hall. It could easily be called the most luxurious banquet since Amalia took the throne.
The underground pipes of the capital city were considered public facilities, built with funds from the royal family that controlled the imperial capital. However, the metal lines connecting the noble mansions for communication require the corresponding nobles to pay for them themselves.
But then again, those who could meet the ruler and dine at the same table were all grand nobles of the empire. This small amount of money was nothing to them.
Moreover, setting up the transmission lines and purchasing the information transmitters not only gave the nobles "face," but the practical value was also not low at all.
For instance, for the Velmont family, which focused mainly on commerce, a single text message about supply and demand changes sent ten days in advance could allow them to make arrangements in less than half an hour. No one could fathom how much profit that could generate.
The dinner passed in a relatively harmonious discussion. The vast majority of the nobles maintain a positive or wait-and-see attitude toward this batch of emerging magic-energy devices. Even Amalia herself could not help but sigh at how smoothly their actions had gone today.
As the night grew deeper, the nobles left the palace and drove back to their mansions. Amalia found Astrid to discuss the day’s events.
"Everything went exactly as Sister and Marquis Charlotte expected. After demonstrating the information transmitter, the nobles requested to have metal pipes installed in their respective territories to obtain a more convenient channel of communication."
"If we still use the original materials, we must quickly negotiate a business deal with the Velmont family."
There were not many relevant resources in the national treasury. It was barely enough to cover the capital city, but now they had to deal with the orders pouring in from the empire’s grand nobles. These already precious magic materials immediately seemed stretched thin.
Astrid nodded upon hearing this and spoke softly.
"I have a foundation for cooperation with the Velmont family, so I will go negotiate in person. As for other materials, Amalia, you might have to find a way yourself."
Some materials used in the Information Transmitter were mainly produced in Duke Thomas’s territory. A portion of it was donated to the royal family every year, and any extra had to be purchased from the market.
Amalia hummed softly in response, understanding that her sister couldn’t help her with everything. Some things indeed required her, the Empress, to handle personally.
"But fortunately, the overall plan is going smoothly. The craftsmen who helped rebuild the streets of the imperial capital will have their hands full again in the coming months."
"First, they need to undergo specialized training to cooperate with the architects in building the underground sanitation channels, and then they will be assigned to various noble territories to help them lay the communication lines."
It was also thanks to their series of early arrangements, including the academic reform of the Elizabeth Academy of Magic mentioned by Astrid, the preferential policies for magic-energy devices promulgated by Amalia, and the conscription bill born out of the war, that the group of magic-energy craftsmen had begun to take shape.
"It is a good thing for these people to be busy now. It proves that the empire has the soil for them to survive. In the future, when magic-energy devices flourish, the first group of people to eat the crab will inevitably benefit immensely."
Astrid crossed her legs, supporting Amalia plump thighs clad in white silk stockings, and spoke softly.
"However, one thing must be noted. The core technology of the magic-energy devices, including the information transmitter, must be firmly kept in our hands."
Whether as a bargaining chip or for other purposes, Astrid hoped that the royal family would temporarily monopolize the core technology to avoid any complications.
"That is natural. The craftsmen are currently doing basic work, such as forging metal pipes or engraving simple magic patterns. Knowledge involving element crystal stones is the key among keys, and is handled by core members."
For instance, for high-precision information receiving and sending terminals like the information transmitter, the only ones in the entire empire who could make them were Astrid and Charlotte. Even Amalia, like the Empress, only knew a general outline.
"Further down the road, I will choose the loyal and the excellent."
The white-silk lolita sitting on her sister’s lap spoke in a soft voice, her green eyes falling on the shadow of the silver hair.
"Loyalty is always the primary factor."
This truth was proven again after the little episode in the treasury today.
Hearing Amalia bring this up, Astrid narrowed her eyes and actively mentioned their fishing operation.
"Did you catch that fish?"
"Yes, I caught it."
A cold light flashed in Amalia’s eyes as her fair fingers gently hooked the shoulder strap of Astrid’s silk dress.
"It is even bigger than I expected."
"They even have the ability to mobilize the outer guards. To possess this kind of power, it is not just the grand nobles who are involved."
"Within the royal family, there are also members who did not wish to see the grand exhibition of magic-energy devices successfully."
"..."
After a moment of silence, Astrid asked softly.
"Who does Amalia guess it is?"
"Who else could it be? Of course, those few old fogies."
Toward these old geezers who possessed the Valeria bloodline, belonged to the same generation as Hibbort, and were eyeing her position greedily, Amalia had no respect to speak of. Even for her biological father, putting aside her relationship with Astrid, Amalia held the same disdain.
"Judging from the interrogation results, there is a high probability that it is Prince Clark."
He was the competitor of the previous emperor, Hibbort Valeria. However, he fell just one step short in the end, missing out on the throne and becoming a cheap prince.
Astrid blinked her eyelashes a few times upon hearing this and asked softly.
"Is that person’s mouth so loose?"
"It is not because of a confession, but the most likely conclusion reached by combining various factors."
Amalia furrowed her brows, her tone was cold.
"The order to mobilize the guards was given by Prince Clark. This point alone is enough to sentence him to death."
"As for the shift gap that was deliberately left behind, I have also controlled the information distribution channels. The number of people who could obtain that shift table and, most importantly, the placement of various magic-energy weapons, as well as the backend personnel responsible for opening the barrier, are all clearly visible."
"Following the clues, we will soon find the mastermind behind the scenes."
To prevent the information chain from being cut off by silencing, Amalia had deliberately chosen the time when many nobles were visiting the exhibition to strike. The goal was to beat the grass to scare the snake and deter those petty scoundrels.
Astrid listened, her thoughts were equally deep. The resistance to promoting magic-energy devices was much harder than they had imagined. Aside from having to reconcile the relationship between the royal family, the largest noble in the empire, and the other nobles, the royal family itself was not a monolithic block.
She estimated that if she and Amalia had not been so close, someone would have already submitted a divisive memorial in private, accusing the Regent of defying the Empress with treacherous intent and advising Amalia to reclaim her power early.
"What do you plan to do, Amalia?" Astrid asked.
In her view, now was not the time to fall out with these previous-generation royals. Especially since Amalia had just taken the throne and her foundation was unstable, hastily executing members of the same clan could easily cause political turmoil.
The bad influence of being an illegitimate daughter in the past, even if Amalia was later legitimized, still requires time and political achievements to wash away to avoid being used as a pretext. Moreover, Prince Clark had done this cleanly. Even if anyone with eyes could see who did it, without evidence, they could not easily convict him.
"We will warn him first. At a time like this, Prince Clark should be more anxious than us," Amalia said in a low voice.
"Although we cannot produce exact evidence, it is a solid fact that he fell into the trap. Prince Clark does not know exactly how much we control."
They will hold him in terms of momentum first, and wait for the enemy to mess up their own steps. It would be easier to settle scores later.
"But it won’t do to not pursue it at all," Astrid spoke softly.
"The Empress’ majesty cannot be violated. While we won’t move against Prince Clark for now, his faction members can be properly trimmed."
"Just follow today’s line and deal with the nobles directly responsible for the operation."
If one sacrificed pawns to save the castle too often, the number of loyal people would only dwindle.
Amalia pursed her lips and smiled upon hearing this, her tightly furrowed brows smoothing out at this moment.
"Sister thinks exactly the same as I do."
Since you dare to stick your neck out, let’s see what the end is for you risking your life for your master.
***
At night, after discussing official business with Amalia, Astrid returned to her room to share some intimacy with Lyra.
Calculating carefully, it had been almost a week since Lyra returned to the imperial capital. In a few days, the agreement between the two imperial powerhouses to divide the Regent will take effect again, returning to the companionship order of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, versus Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Before that, they could be as intimate as they wanted.
Throughout the day, although Astrid and Lyra were almost inseparable, both their words and physical actions were much less than usual.
However, Lyra was unable to understand. In public, since their relationship was not open, it was not suitable for them to be as close as they were in private. Additionally, Astrid was indeed very busy and had barely rested throughout the entire process, so there really wasn’t much time to interact with her.
After enjoying a leg massage from her little maid, Astrid, who had been walking in high heels all day, felt slightly relaxed. She actively cupped the fair, pretty face in front of her and kissed Lyra.
Feeling the warmth on her lips, the already shy pink-haired girl’s cheeks instantly flushed a bit redder. Along with an unspeakable silkiness, the black silk fabric deformed slightly under her fingertips.
"I didn’t accompany you much today, darling."
As the kiss ended, Astrid did not let go of her hands. She just continued to stroke Lyra’s head, messing up her originally neat pink hair.
"...Are you a bit unhappy?"
Looking at the beauty close at hand and smelling the enticing fragrance emanating from her hair, Lyra shook her head, her smooth facial skin rubbing gently against Astrid’s palm.
"Astrid is not only Astrid, but also the Regent of the empire."
"So, I won’t be unhappy."
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