Chapter 825

Chapter 825: Shadow of the Empire

Time flew swiftly. After the banquet had eased, it gradually approached its end.

During this time, Earl Howard left his seat to rest behind the scenes. Then, other nobles also approached the beautiful young lady to introduce themselves.

After Jihassen took his stance, the victorious Fimbul was brought up again.

“I apologize, the lovely Miss Lacy, for startling you,” said Fimbul, removing his duel armor and putting on a white shirt and waistcoat. He bowed gracefully before her, then slowly stood up.

Loran Hill responded that there was no need to worry and then asked, “Is this the recently popular firearm?”

Her eyes flickered with curiosity as she looked for the hidden gun on Fimbul’s body.

Seeing the smiling beauty, Fimbul blushed slightly, feeling embarrassed. His brother beside him helped to break the awkwardness.

“Yes, Miss Lacy, this is an advanced version called a crystal gun. It was first invented by mages, but now it’s quite popular among the nobility. My family has many high-level alchemists who make these things.”

“I heard that during the recent war, Clancia used quite a few firearms,” the white-dressed girl said curiously, tilting her head slightly.

“Yes, the countries to the west used them more because they have fewer archers due to their smaller populations.”

“However, Miss Lacy, don’t take the firearm too seriously. While convenient, its power is limited unless it’s a specially made crystal gun that can pose a threat to extraordinary beings.”

Seeing the girl’s interest, several young noblemen began enthusiastically explaining. From their descriptions, it was clear that the upper echelons of the empire had researched firearms and crystal guns, knowing quite a bit about them.

“So later, the emperor pardoned those exiled mages, allowing them to manufacture these alchemical creations for the empire.”

“The little gadgets made by those mages are indeed interesting,” some of the noble youths commented.

In the midst of all this, Loran Hill nodded slightly, gradually understanding the empire’s upper echelon’s view on these alchemical creations. They were interested and curious but did not give them the corresponding importance.

Indeed, the empire was imitating firearms and building its own alchemy workshops, but the effort and quantity were not up to the girl’s expectations. This meant that the so-called ‘importance’ the empire placed on them still underestimated the significant changes brought by technology.

Natural science and social science actually influence each other. With new breakthroughs in natural science, it would inevitably drive changes in social systems and structures. Drawing from Earth’s history, it was like the industrial revolution overturning feudal society.

Unfortunately, the people of the current empire did not know what they would face in the future. They still believed this was just a low point in the empire’s thousand-year history that could be endured and predicted. In decades or centuries, once firearms and crystal guns were widely adopted within the empire, things would revert to the same level as before.

But in the records left by Loran Hill for Clancia, firearms were only a small part, a tiny prototype in industrialization. Behind it were steel smelting, metalworking, mechanical manufacturing, and explosives chemistry. Once these truly formed a complete industrial chain, they would drag society into a new era like a roaring train.

With fertilizers and improved breeding, many lands no longer needed repeated crop rotations, directly doubling food production. After the maturity of steel and mechanical processes, railways and trains would connect all cities and regions, rapidly facilitating resource trade. Thus, countless people would be freed from inefficient agricultural work to engage in more efficient industrial production.

Following this thread forward, products from industrialized production would earn huge wealth from other backward parts of the world, which in turn would accelerate the accumulation of industrial nations, continuously advancing scientific and industrial advantages.

By then, the empire, relying mainly on farming, would be abandoned by the era, just like historical feudal dynasties.

Even without foreign invasion, the envious and admiring people within would overthrow it, because everyone saw better ways and wanted better lives. This simple yet genuine desire was something no ruler could suppress. The final difference would merely be a dignified or undignified abdication.

As thoughts swirled in his mind, seeing the girl listen so attentively, he felt a surge of excitement and joy at being recognized and valued, and they spoke even more.

Finally, Loran Hill could even deduce from the information disclosed the approximate annual production of firearms in the empire and the current stage of craftsmanship.

Only when the banquet was completely over did everyone reluctantly disperse.

Shortly afterward, Loran Hill bid farewell to the butler beside her and wished Earl Howard good health.

Ten minutes later.

Watching the carriage carrying Miss Lacy leave the courtyard, Howard slowly put down his cup at the window.

“Have you found out anything about Miss Lacy’s background?” he asked the person behind him.

“I report to you, Master. Currently, we only have superficial information. More detailed and accurate data might take some time,” the person replied.

“Mm, I won’t demand too much from you, but at least tell me the final results by next Saturday.”

“I’ll give you some advice. Miss Lacy’s origins are definitely not from an ordinary merchant house. Find out which merchant house is backing them. Go south and observe; she seems more familiar with the southern regions of the empire than the north.”

“Subtly inquire about her servants. They naturally know any unusual aspects about this young lady.”

“Yes, I’ve taken note.” Afterward, the shadow disappeared into the study.

Although there were many decadent and degenerate individuals among the empire’s nobility, the elite at the top of the pyramid were still rare. Though they might not show off their talents openly, they held key resources within the country, exerting far-reaching influence.

“How intriguing. I never expected to see such a unique girl appear in these turbulent times,” Howard mused, savoring his wine, his gaze distant towards the sunset.

“Which family is presenting this exquisite vase, Lansworth? The forest elves? Or descendants of the former emperor?”

“What is the purpose? To stir up conflicts, making the old and new factions compete, or to muddy the waters and cover up something else?”

Thus, Howard stood by the window in the hall, pondering carefully, occasionally wearing a playful smile. Until the sun fully set, the earl standing in the darkness remained motionless, like a bat watching over the night.

(End of Chapter)