Chapter 926 (1/2)

Chapter 926: Quitting Math for Dummies

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

The anti-aircraft machine guns were just the first step to enhancing Neverwinter’s air defense capabilities. The most effective way to protect the city’s airspace was still building a functional air force.

Back in the days when the Union had ruled the human world, witches had guarded the skies.

A small number of witches endowed with a flying ability, as well as a few Extraordinaries wearing Stones of Flight, had performed this air defense task. They had been recognized as the strongest warriors of the Union, and thus their status had been higher than that of the other combat witches in the Blessed Army. According to Pasha, throughout the history of the Union, all the Three Chiefs had always been former members of this air defense troop.

As for the common people who did not have the talent to use magic power or the Magic Stones, the only solution was to create a kind of machine which could serve as their wings. When that happened, they would be able to get rid of the constraints of gravity and fly up into the sky.

In order to dominate the battle in the air, Neverwinter had to build up its own air forces.

To achieve that goal, Roland needed to create airplanes.

This was no easy job, as it involved tackling many technical problems at the same time. He was not familiar with aircraft design, and even the structure of a biplane from World War I was complicated enough to give him a headache. He was able to get away with the simplified power transmission systems and braking systems of the train for the initial prototype. However, the flight control surfaces of a plane could not be half-assed and had a much lower tolerance for error. More importantly, he had never flown a plane and thus had no idea whether the mechanical devices he created would work or not.

Fortunately, he could choose another kind of aircraft—the glider.

Wendy, who was able to sense wind direction and wind power accurately, could work as his test pilot. With the help of Lightning and Maggie, who could ensure Wendy’s safety, he believed he would be able to write a flight manual for the operation of the gliders without risking anyone’s life.

“Your Majesty.” Astrologer of Dispersion Star spoke, interrupting Roland’s thoughts. “I understand what you mean. The Arithmetic Academy will make this aiming tool for you as soon as possible.”

“Good.” Roland nodded in satisfaction. He was happy to be able to talk to this astrologer, who could immediately understand his intentions. He felt that it had really been a wise decision to bring the whole Astrology Association to the Western Region.

As a school of sages, the Astrology Association also required hands-on practical ability just as the alchemists did. The astrologers were not only excellent at mathematics but also good with their hands. Since no blacksmith knew how to make a telescope, they usually designed and assembled the telescope parts by themselves.

Just as Roland was about to leave, he noticed that Astrologer of Dispersion Star still seemed to have something to say.

“Is there anything else?” Roland asked.

“Here’s a thing I can’t figure out, Your Majesty.” The scholar cleared this throat by coughing several times. “I don’t understand why there’s the word ‘Intermediate’ on the cover of the book, ‘Analytic Geometry’, and on every cover of the mathematics books you gave me.”

Roland chuckled. “That’s the thing you want to ask?”

“Please forgive me for being so bold, if it’s a thing can’t be disclosed.” Different from Kyle Sichi, Dispersion Star had stayed in the old King’s City since his birth. He had served several kings and was always on his best behavior. However, Roland could tell from his eyes that he was just as curious as the Chief Alchemist.

Roland could not help but smile while recalling that he had used “Intermediate Chemistry” to lure Kyle into working for Neverwinter. In order to get his hands on the book, Kyle had recruited students, given lectures, and even taken up the post of Minister of Chemical Industry. Nevertheless, Roland felt that he would not need to repeat this carrot-and-stick trick on Dispersion Star.

He explained plainly, “It’s because there’s a book called Advanced Mathematics. It’s not just about geometry or arithmetics. It’s advanced mathematical theory. You can imagine the primary and intermediate books as the trunk of a tree and advanced mathematics as the top of the tree. But this book is much harder to understand, so it has another name.”

“What might that be?”