Chapter 35

On the final day, Ophelia held one last meeting with Charlo. They renegotiated the pricing for Ironwood timber sold to the Landon family and signed a comprehensive reciprocal trade agreement covering other commodities.

The next morning, the fourth day of her visit, Ophelia departed.

Clyris stood on a distant rooftop, watching the convoy until it completely disappeared from Ironwood territory. Only then did she let out a long, heavy sigh.

"She's finally gone. Thank you for your help," Charlo said, standing beside her, exhaling just as deeply.

"It was nothing. Helping you is helping myself. We are tied to the same rope now," she replied, feeling a quiet satisfaction at seeing him finally relax, though her face remained calm.

"If you hadn't told me that the elemental vision range for Seventh and Eighth-Rank entities is five and ten kilometers respectively, I wouldn't have known to shut down the city's Mana Engines. We would have been exposed the moment she arrived!" Charlo said with palpable relief.

"Since she's gone, we should get back to work. A three-day shutdown must have piled up quite a backlog of official business, no?" Clyris vaulted onto her horse, inwardly smirking as she reminded him of his workload.

"Ah... dammit! I almost forgot!" Charlo froze, then yelped and scrambled onto his horse, cracking the whip. "I'm going ahead!"

Clyris watched his retreating back as he galloped away in a panic. She let out a small, genuine laugh. The scene was so relaxed, so lighthearted—like banter between close friends.

"Really... he doesn't act like a noble at all..."

With the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, she spurred her horse forward.

______________________

Late Night. The Office.

"Phew... finally finished..."

Charlo dropped the last processed document onto the stack and slumped into his chair, exhausted.

After a moment of recovery, he pushed the paperwork aside. He picked up a fresh sheet of paper, a pencil, and a ruler, and began to draw.

Time ticked by. Slowly, a "bird" began to take shape on the paper.

It had straight, symmetrical wings, a large rounded nose, a slender fuselage, and a horizontal stabilizer at the tail. Beneath it were no claws, but three struts ending in wheels.

It was the crystallization of human ingenuity—The Airplane.

When the Wright Flyer wobbled into the sky in 1903, powered by an engine heavier than air, it permanently changed human society.

From that moment on, the sky was no longer the exclusive domain of birds and gods. Wings of steel surpassed the birds and shot down the gods.

Humanity began to break free from the shackles of gravity, marching toward the infinite stars.

And now, Charlo intended to reproduce it in this world!

After sketching the general layout, Charlo began drawing detailed diagrams of each component based on the blueprints in his System.

Fueled by excitement, he lost track of time. Sheet after sheet of detailed schematics appeared under his hand.

It wasn't until the sun rose and the Head Maid, Melt, entered with breakfast that Charlo realized it was morning.

"My Lord, it is time for breakfast. You have a meeting with Minister Speer later today. I suggest you eat and then sleep for a while," the meticulous middle-aged woman said softly, her uniform crisp and perfect.

"Melt... yawn..." Charlo looked up, rubbing his eyes. "Just put it down. I'm almost done with this diagram. I'll eat and go to the meeting after I finish."

"My Lord, you have worked hard enough. Please rest!" Melt looked at him with heartache. "Even a Fifth-Rank body cannot withstand this abuse forever. If something happens to you, how will I explain it to Lady Rosalind?"

"Uh... Melt, I know my limits..." Charlo looked away guiltily, unable to meet the Head Maid's gaze.

But she continued to stare at him with an expression of utter heartbreak.

"Ah... fine, fine! I'll go sleep for a bit first."

In the end, Charlo surrendered. Whenever he pushed himself too hard, Melt would bring up his mother, Lady Rosalind de Lord, and give him that look. He couldn't withstand it.

When he was originally enfeoffed, his father gave him three knight squads, a thousand gold coins, and the butler Lawrence. His mother, however, gave him a squad of maids, a squad of menservants, and appointed her own personal maid, Melt, as Head Maid to ensure he was taken care of.

As for Davis, he was Charlo’s childhood friend whom he had dragged along for the ride.

_________________

The Guest House.

Morning sunlight streamed through the window.

Clyris woke from her deep meditation.

"Phew..." She exhaled a long breath. The pile of mana stones beside her had vanished, completely absorbed.

"The injuries have healed a little more!"

She stood up and stretched her limbs. The golden sunlight bathed her skin, which was as white as snow, giving her a pearlescent glow.

As she stretched, her tall, voluptuous curves were displayed in full glory. Her black hair cascaded down her back, the tips shimmering with faint light. She looked like a goddess descended to earth.

Unfortunately, this was no benevolent goddess, but the Wickedest Demon Lord.

"Time to go to work..."

Clyris cast a Cleaning Spell on herself, then donned her heavy mage robes and veil. After ensuring she was properly concealed, she stepped out the door.

"First, let's check on Alice's progress!"

______________________________

The Central Magic Academy.

The Hero, Hayato, woke up amidst a tangle of soft flesh and sweet fragrances.

"Ah..."

He extracted his arm from under a snowy white body and yawned.

Lifting the blanket, he revealed a chaotic scene of limbs and tangled sheets.

"Oh, it's Lily..."

"Good morning, Lord Hero!" The girl, who had been nibbling on something, looked up and smiled.

"You little glutton, sneaking food this early?" Hayato patted her head with a grin.

"Hmph... well, Sister Maria and the others aren't awake yet. Besides, last night, Lord Hero only satisfied the older sisters and didn't give any to Lily!" the girl pouted coquettishly.

"Haha... sorry, sorry! Then I'll give the first one of the day to Lily!"

Hayato laughed, his hand pressing down on the girl's head...

_______________________________

The Girls' Dormitory.

Elsewhere in the Academy, Evelyn rose early. After washing and dressing meticulously, she activated a magical projection.

"Good morning, Evelyn!"

Abner's figure appeared in mid-air, greeting her with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Brother," Evelyn responded calmly.

"Did you have fun yesterday?" Abner asked, his smile unchanged.

"Brother, I am not playing. And I am not interested in such things," Evelyn looked at him indifferently.

"..." Abner looked at her deeply. Finally, his smile vanished, replaced by a cold, clinical expression. "Then... what is the progress?"

"The seed has been successfully planted. The erosion rate has reached one percent," Evelyn reported.

"...Good!" Abner was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "You... didn't let him do anything excessive, did you?"

"No! Only kissing. The ritual requires the erosion progress to reach one hundred percent before I proceed. Rest assured!" Evelyn shook her head. "Until then, I will not allow him to do anything more!"

"Good! Very good..." Abner's voice dropped significantly. After a heavy silence, he spoke slowly. "Monitor the erosion rate constantly. But be careful; do not expose yourself! Your safety is the priority. Contact me if you need anything! Evelyn..."

"Understood. I will monitor it. Everything for Morris!" Evelyn nodded solemnly, then closed the projection.

______________________

The Imperial Palace.

Abner slumped into his chair. He covered his face with his hands, hiding his expression from the empty room.

"Everything... for... Morris..."