Chapter 49: The Elves’ Reform, Narujia’s Courage, The Ambition of the Alese Kingdom (part 2)

The scene was like a shy, bashful little girl wanting to point out some oversights to her mentor, but due to her introverted and shy nature, she could only remain silent and withdrawn, unable to muster the courage to interject.

Given Narujia’s unique status here, being of monster race from a tribe, illiterate, and never having encountered such a situation in her tribe. For a girl like her to voice her thoughts in such a place might only invite ridicule.

Teresa felt a pang of sourness for Naruja, but then she thought, was Yang Hao the type to scoff at others during work?

Trusting her man, after much thought, she quietly shifted her stool and whispered to Narujia, “Naruja, do you have something to say?”

Narujia was startled, then quickly leaned in, seemingly intending to share her thoughts with Teresa, for Teresa to relay to the others.

But the little nun was someone who disliked trouble. So, what she did was cast a divine spell on Narujia.

Since the Light left her with its last power, Teresa had gained the right to use two more divine spells.

One was the Absorption Spell specifically used for reclaiming the divine power of the Church of Light, and the other was the Courage Spell used to boost morale.

Teresa casted the Courage Spell.

After all, these were Narujia’s own thoughts. She needed to muster the courage to express her views. This was not only for her benefit but also because the Lien people indeed should actively strive for their rightful place.

But then again, it had been so many days, and her man hadn’t touched her once.

Perhaps, she should cast this on him tonight?

The little nun fell into thought.

And Narujia, suddenly infused with a surge of courage in her heart couldn’t contain her impulse and stood up, stuttering excitedly, “I, our Golems can help too.”

Now, the conference room, which was already quiet, became even quieter.

Everyone except the nun was looking at her, making the girl with tea-colored hair so nervous that her heart reached her throat, also making her realize, if not now, then when?

She took a deep breath. Even if the nun secretly lifted the Courage Spell, the Ling chieftain gained her own courage the moment she stood up, “Golems… our Ling people, when in Kagard, tried to let them move autonomously through the residual magic. If, um, if… if what you say about those guns being simple to operate is true, we could try making them bigger, even so big that elves couldn’t use them, but Golems still could. As long as they are simple to operate, as long as… they don’t need to be precise… um. I think it should be… possible for them to operate autonomously through magic and then attack enemies… that is, this might require the help of elven magicians for research… that is… Um… is what I said… a bit ridiculous?”

After expressing her thoughts, her courage dissipated entirely.

Narujia timidly looked at everyone, and her voice involuntarily became softer and softer. She felt that everyone might consider the idea of a monster race individual, who couldn’t even read or was taught how to use utensils, to be a joke.

But even so, she still believed her idea was full of feasibility.

After all, in Kagard, she and her people had already succeeded in making Golems move autonomously within the city of Kagard, far from their direct control. Although it was just simple movement and swinging, if the guns Yang Hao mentioned could also be easily operated, then autonomous operation by Golems was actually feasible.

It was just that those guns might need to be made specially made bigger and stronger for the Golems, that is if Naruja’s idea wass accepted by everyone.

The chieftain of the Ling tribe waited anxiously for everyone’s response. Her antlers flickered with uneasy yellow light, while Yang Hao’s thoughts diverged because of her words.

Were guns easy to operate? 

If it was just about rough aiming and firing, then it was certainly very simple. Even a two-year-old child could aim at a target and fire under an adult’s guidance. But loading was another good question. Loading a muzzle-loading gun was extremely cumbersome, certainly not something Golems could handle.

The bolt-action loading of the new style rifle also didn’t seem like something Golems could manage, so thinking it over, Narujia’s idea indeed still needed improvement.

Yes, improvement rather than abandonment.

Narujia’s idea opened a door for Yang Hao. As long as the loading issue could be resolved, then with the deployment of special giant firearms, in a situation where the Lien people and elven mages could research automated operations.

Stone-made Golems would be the most terrifying long-range firepower point. A creature that was not affected by morale, did not fear siege weapons or magical spells other than attack methods, and could also charge forward to engage in melee combat with the enemy’s vanguard with an unparalleled large and hard body after depleting ammunition, effective both at range and in close combat.

Its raw materials could even be the stones and mud found everywhere on land.

However, thinking about it, since the Lien people could use stones and mud to create Golems, did it also mean they could use steel and magical minerals to create new types of Golems?

Moreover, if the autonomous operation of the Golems could perform precise actions after being improved by elven magicians, they could even be miniaturized to become farmers, craftsmen, construction workers, or even covered with skin to become pleasure dolls on Earth.

If it weren’t for Narujia’s reminder, Yang Hao might have forgotten the myriad possibilities that Golems had.

This was a cornerstone that was bound to bring further innovation in the future. Not just in the distant future, but in the near future, aside from industrial reform.

He pondered, suddenly feeling that the Ling tribe chieftain must have been possessed by some time traveler, otherwise, how could Narujia come up with such an idea?

But the unfamiliar timidity of this girl, perhaps… was it just because he had never noticed her in this light before?

With the help of the tranquility spell, Yang Hao was able to interact normally with people other than the nun. After arriving at the Elven Kingdom, this symptom improved, but indeed, he admited that he still hadn’t truly understood the situation of the Ling people due to his own internal issues.

He just brought them here, allowing their injured to receive treatment from the elves, contemplating their future work and retreats, but he truly never understood the Ling tribe, nor did he understand Narujia.

Narujia trusted him, which was why she presented her revolutionary ideas. She was timid but still mustered the courage, so what about him?

Ever since he was betrayed, he never had the courage to trust anyone new, except for Thereia. Never. Even now, it was only about being able to normally interact, far from talking about trust.

Thinking about it carefully, he might have been too foolish during that time. Not only did he cause a lot of trouble for Teresa, but he also caused a lot of trouble for those who believed in him.

It was time to give up actions like a child seeking attention. Not just for himself, but to be able to walk towards the future he hopes for with Teresa, proudly and confidently.

He closed his eyes. After a moment, he stood up, bowed slightly to the timid Naruja, and expressed his gratitude with a smile from the heart:

“Great idea. It still needs some improvement, but Narujia… thank you.”

This was the first time Yang Hao, without being calmed by Teresa’s tranquility spell, reached out to hold Narujia’s hand and gently motioned for her to sit down and continue sharing her thoughts.

This not only greatly encouraged Narujia, but also allowed her to gain the trust of Yang Hao for the first time. But it also left Teresa deeply satisfied.

The family’s little puppy finally, finally showed signs of emerging from its shell.

This way, one could rest assured to let him boldly show his skills.

‘Just hoping that his newfound confidence doesn’t lead to attracting female elves outside… Ah, how can a little nun deal with a bunch of pathological female elves who dare to kill just for one man, leaving only themselves? Maybe I should find a good reason for him to always wear a hood when going out?’

The little nun was murmuring something contentedly in her heart, having forgotten what good deed she planned to do tonight.

***

Outside the window, the moon was bright, and the stars were sparse.

Under the moonlight, in the southern archipelago kingdom of Alese, King Miu Ye of Alese was inspecting the bustling and brightly lit shipyard at night, guided by his confidant.

Steam factories, after purchasing most of the important parts from the Roman Empire, immediately became the industrial foundation of the island nation of Alese.

Even Alese merchants, who knew nothing about steam technology, realized the impact these metal monsters, filled with steam in their cylinders and providing continuous power, would bring to the nation after understanding the operating principles of the steam factories.

With the merchants’ urgent faith and explanations, the Alese King overextended the nation’s power, spending countless amounts of money and precious local products, just to welcome two steam factories into the kingdom.

And it proved to be the right decision.

After the steam factories were reassembled, and the literate nobles’ sons became the first batch of workers in the factory according to the manual.

Aless had successfully built its first ironclad with a wooden hull five months ago since its founding, thereby becoming the most powerful naval force among the southern archipelago nations.

“It’s just unfortunate that our ironclad was sunk by Isugard. Their ironclads are more advanced than ours, as are their cannons. More importantly, they have the technology to breed griffins on ships, and even a whole set of orthodox tactics for destroying wooden ships with griffins.”

Miu Ye lamented something, looking at the heavy iron blocks being hammered by the giant forge in the brightly lit steam factory, which would later be installed on the ironclads.

He deeply realized that if a nation wanted to be strong, industry was an indispensable force. It was even more important than agriculture. After all, agriculture just ensured that the people of Alese wouldn’t starve to death, but industry could enable Alese to plunder other countries, filling its own stomach with the flesh and blood of others.

“We must increase investment in industry,” the Alese King murmured that without increasing industrial output, Alese would struggle to develop further.

Without development, it was destined to be completely devoured by Isugard. And to avoid being devoured, the best plan was to swallow the Roman Empire before they did.

As an archipelago kingdom, Alese was destined to have limited land and resources.

They had iron mines to produce warships because the main island of Alese was relatively rich in iron ore.

Once the mineral resources of the main island were exhausted and further production of metal warships became impossible, the Alese navy was destined to be no match for the Isugardians, who regarded them as arch-enemies.

To avoid this worst-case scenario, they were destined to extend their reach to the Roman Empire on the continent of Elusia.

There, the resources were abundant, with the Roman Empire itself having a large amount of iron ore, prosperous pastures, gold and silver mines to enrich the treasury, as well as land near forests and coastal ports.

More importantly, it was unknown who the fool really governing the Roman Empire from behind the scenes was, but it was teetering on the brink of collapse, ready to fall at a single push. If not now, then when?

However, like their land resources, the population of the Kingdom of Alese was also scarce. After all, it was a maritime nation, and one could not expect it to have a large population. In this situation, the Alese King still hoped to avoid direct confrontation with the Roman Empire as much as possible.

Thinking about it, to avoid direct confrontation and achieve annexation, the best method would be through marriage.

And it would be best for someone from their side to marry into the other’s family. This way, the son who married into the other side could gradually seize political power in the Roman Empire with his support, eventually completing a peaceful evolution. 

Coincidentally, the Roman Empire seemed to have a puppet empress out in the open.

If it was a suitable match, why not proceed with a direct marriage alliance?

Miu recalling his thoughts at that time, eventually sighed inwardly, ‘No, although the Roman Empire is still in a period of drought crisis, it still holds itself in high regard.’

His previous request had been rejected, and if he were to issue it again in the short term, it would likely be ignored.

They would not agree to his current marriage proposal. The earliest he could propose would be in October of the year 1405 by the world calendar.

This meant he needd to prepare some contingency plans.

“Secretary-General, I remember that the diocese to the north of the Roman Empire seems to be making quite a few moves?” 

He turned to look at the Secretary-General following him.

“Do you think it’s feasible for us to contact the diocese and let them force the Roman Empire into further chaos or even direct division?”

The Secretary-General pushed up his glasses, “It’s feasible. Archishop Peter is a greedy and selfish man, it’s not wrong to say that the entire Roman Empire is full of greedy and selfish villains, except for their former Emperor and the Regent, but both have left the Empire, losing two mediators, the Roman Empire’s division is just a matter of time.”

“We can prepare for my son to marry into the Roman royal family next year while taking the opportunity to have the diocese divide the Roman Empire. This will not only make it easier for us to enter the Roman Empire later on, but more importantly, dividing the enemy will be more conducive to our future strategy of divide and conquer. Alright, let’s go with this plan.”

Miu left the steam factory.

With his head held high and chest puffed out, he led Alese to look towards the distant peaks from atop a hill.