Chapter 68
Melissa sat slumped in a chair in the corner of the room, her lips sticking out in a sulky pout.
“…It looks like Stage One failed.”
The plan this time had been “Let’s make Madam look absolutely stunning and shake His Grace’s heart!”
But the Duke hadn’t budged an inch from the library.
Even after all the effort that went into that night’s slip dress—nothing had happened.
When Gerald heard her say that, he quietly furrowed his brow.
His expression wasn’t just serious—it was solemn.
Could it be… that the reason His Grace has stayed away from women all this time is because… he’s actually incapable?
He stared off into space with pity in his eyes for a moment, then shook his head firmly.
It was only Stage One. They could increase the intensity gradually.
Melissa seemed to think the same thing. She suddenly sprang up, hands on her hips, and declared,
“Still! We have Stage Two!”
“…Right.”
Gerald shrugged.
“Plans like this are meant to be long-term anyway.”
“This time, we’re going to nail the atmosphere.”
Melissa clenched her teeth and raised her fist with determination.
Gerald chuckled and lightly bumped her fist with his own.
“Alright. Then it’s time for Stage Two. The operation name is…”
“Jealousy.”
“…You’re suddenly terrifying.”
Gerald muttered as he caught the fiery glint in Melissa’s eyes.
But she didn’t seem to hear him at all—her gaze was already blazing with conviction.
“How dare he not harbor any impure thoughts toward Madam…!”
A few days later, the perfect candidate for their plan appeared.
At the mansion’s front gate stood a man hugging a large bundle.
His golden hair was so tangled a magpie could’ve nested in it, and his face was flushed bright red with excitement.
“I came to show you the results of my research!”
It was none other than Arbel.
When they heard Arbel had arrived, Edith and Denok gathered in the drawing room.
It had been a while since they’d last seen him, and he looked a complete mess.
Had he even slept?
Dark shadows bruised the skin beneath his eyes, and his lips were cracked and dry.
“Arbel, are you alright?”
“Yes? Haha, of course I am!”
Edith asked with concern, but his face was brighter than ever.
Ignoring their worried looks, he smiled cheerfully and launched into an excited explanation.
“As expected of someone who inherited the blood of Duke Eclipse… truly a revolutionary approach! Regulating reactions externally, who would’ve thought—”
Edith didn’t understand half of what he was saying, but he looked happy, and that was good enough for her.
When Arbel finally placed the bundle he’d been holding so carefully onto the table, Edith’s eyes naturally drifted toward it.
“What’s that?”
As if he had been waiting for the question, Arbel’s eyes lit up.
“I’ll show you the results of my research!”
With a flourish, he pulled away the cloth covering it.
Inside lay an intricate device of silver metal and mana stones, entwined in a complex structure.
Edith blinked. The shape was unfamiliar yet oddly reminiscent of something.
Pipes and valves crisscrossed its surface—it looked almost like a steam engine from her past life.
At the center gleamed a clear cerulean mana stone, encircled by spiral circuits emitting a faint, soft light.
“What is this…?”
Denok stepped closer to inspect the device.
“It doesn’t have a name yet! I brought it as soon as I finished building it—I just couldn’t wait to show you!”
Arbel continued, his voice brimming with excitement.
“The older models had a high risk of explosion when internal pressure built up, right? This one stabilizes itself by dispersing internal heat and pressure through an external circulation core. So, basically…”
Before he could even finish, he started operating the device.
The mana stone responded immediately, pulsing with a blue glow.
The light rippled outward like gentle waves spreading across a calm surface.
The waves of mana fluctuated—but there was no sign of overload.
A faint vibration followed as the device’s valves turned and a metallic hand like a clock’s needle began to tick and rotate.
Motion powered purely by mana—not by any mechanical fuel.
Edith let out a quiet gasp of admiration.
A mana-powered engine.
It looked just like a steam engine from the modern world—but this was the first machine of its kind in this world.
She felt her palms growing damp with sweat.
In the original story, Arbel would go on to create countless inventions based on this device—
From self-moving carriages, to ships faster than ever before, and even siege weapons that would reshape warfare.
He wasn’t called the Father of Magitech for nothing.
And this was where it all began.
Denok seemed to recognize the device’s worth instantly, letting out a low groan of awe.
After examining it for a moment, he looked up at Arbel.
“This is… nothing short of extraordinary.”
Arbel scratched the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.
“Haha, it’s all thanks to Your Grace’s help.”
“No,” Denok shook his head.
“With your determination, you would have achieved this even without me.”
At those resolute words, Arbel’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“The only question left is… the reward.”
Denok fell silent, lost in thought.
When he founded the guild, he’d promised all members fair compensation for their results.
But now, he faced a dilemma.
How much is appropriate for something like this…?
A simple grant or subsidy wouldn’t suffice.
This wasn’t just a benefit to the Marcarna district—it could change the entire Luciano territory.
Edith glanced sideways at Denok, while Arbel nervously intertwined his fingers and spoke softly.
“…Your Grace.”
There was a hint of hesitation in his voice.
“To be honest, rather than any material reward… I’d like it if Your Grace continued to help with my research—just like you have until now.”
Denok’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Just like now?”
“Yes. When I was curious, you thought it through with me; when I went astray, you guided me back… that meant more to me than anything else.”
Arbel averted his eyes, embarrassed.
“To be honest, I wouldn’t have been able to create a stable circuit this quickly if I were working alone.”
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
Then Denok let out a quiet sigh.
“In that case, I’ll prepare a laboratory for you.”
“…What?”
Arbel’s eyes widened.
“A… a laboratory?”
Denok nodded firmly.
“Your technology holds immense potential. Naturally, it must be secured properly. There’s no safer place than the ducal estate itself.”
He paused, recalling the unused section of the mansion grounds.
“We’ll call it… the Department of Magitech Research.”
“Magitech…”
Arbel repeated the phrase softly, picturing himself surrounded by glowing blue mana stones.
He suddenly stood and bowed deeply.
“Thank you! Truly, thank you, Your Grace!”
Then, as the adrenaline left his body, he swayed on his feet.
Edith rushed to him in alarm, and Denok, standing closest, caught him by the arm.
“Ah, s-sorry. My legs just gave out for a moment…”
Edith looked him over with worry.
“You should rest a bit before you go. It looks like you haven’t even eaten.”
“Ah, well…”
Caught red-handed, Arbel could only laugh sheepishly.
“You’re eating before you leave—no excuses!”
A precious talent for the future, starving himself like this—
Edith felt a surge of protectiveness, like a teacher fussing over a beloved student.
She clasped his hand firmly, and Denok’s gaze lingered briefly where their hands met.
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