Chapter 63 - Abnormal Change (1/2)
Chapter 63: Abnormal Change
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The construction of Magic Web 1 was very successful, and Rebecca indeed had a great talent for this aspect. However, because the ‘Magic Web’ needed an arrangement consisting of only the most fundamental runes, the rogue mage had used calculation and innovation to simplify this unbelievable magic circle to the extreme. In fact, the materials required for the magic circle had been downgraded to an inconceivable degree. The quartz gravel that even commoners could buy was actually used as the main material. As for the crucial points, they merely required a little bit of mithril and obsidian as conducting materials. The budget was entirely within Cecil Clan’s capability.
After all, that rogue mage was extremely unconventional, and if the Magic Web couldn’t be simplified to this stage, he wouldn’t have been able to do any of this.
The currently smooth undertaking meant that the relevant pressure would soon follow suit…
In Gawain’s vision, the territory would first need to maintain a sufficient stock of steel. With enough steel, there would be weapons, equipment, tools for labor, and basic facilities to produce a higher grade of products. Construction of the smithing facility was only the first step. It was more important to complete the eastern mining area to ensure a constant supply of ores.
The construction of the mining area would need even more materials. With the lack of heavy machinery, they could only rely on manpower to mine for ores; thus, they needed more manpower.
At the same time, the construction of the camp on this side also had to be hastened. The switching of tents to wooden houses was just a makeshift plan. A firm and proper camp should not be constructed with wooden blocks. But in this era, this was the fastest construction technique and material?
After all the problems were placed in front of his eyes, Gawain felt that building up from nothing was a very difficult task. Even with the support of magic and the ability to neglect the problem of funds temporarily, it still wasn’t easy to construct a new home in a piece of empty land.
At this moment, Gawain couldn’t help but look forward to the aid that Francis II had promised. Food and clothing were a factor, but most importantly, it was the 100 artisans and apprentices. A hundred individuals. Even if they were unlucky individuals who had been ostracized and forced to go south for the land claim, it was still 100 skilled talents!
To the Cecil Clan who only had a total of over eight hundred individuals, what was the concept of having 100 skilled people?
It was enough to make Gawain smile in his sleep, frightening the nearby soldiers that were on night watch.
It was a pity that at least two weeks were needed before they would arrive.
When mentioning talents, Gawain recalled that Amber had already departed for two days… Why wasn’t there any news? That disgraceful being that lacked moral principle wouldn’t possibly abscond after taking a few gold bars, right?
In the large tent at the center of camp, Gawain’s mind was filled with complicated thoughts. He was trying his best to concentrate on the blueprint in front of him while Betty was seated in a nearby cushion and dozing off little by little.
The blueprint in front of Gawain was the new type of furnace that he was designing. It had a similar shape and structure to the blast furnace on Earth, but the mechanism within was entirely different. There was a need to reserve space for the magic circle; there was also the need for the magic-conducting structure of the furnace to be as close to the buried ‘Magic Web 1’ as possible. At the same time, the smelted molten iron should not damage the magic patterns of the furnace…
This was an entirely different thing as compared to the magic web and waterwheel. Gawain had to combine the knowledge of both worlds in order to complete this furnace design. If the ‘Magic Web’ was the Cecil Clan’s foundation, then designing this peculiar ‘hybrid furnace’ would be Gawain’s ‘foundation’.
Gawain knew clearly that only by completing the new furnace would it then be possible to realize all the bold and imaginative ideas in his mind. This was something that no one could help him with.
He had already completed the combustion chamber and molten-iron drainage. According to Gawain Cecil’s knowledge, a space for the magic circle had been properly reserved. Gawain rubbed his temple and reached out to the side. “Betty, bring me that sheepskin bag to store the blueprint… The one with the red string.”
There was no response from the side apart from light snoring. Gawain turned around and saw a fatigued little maid who had curled up into a bundle on the cushion and was sleeping soundly.
It seemed like it was truly a boring matter to accompany him in this.
Gawain shook his head and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Just as he was preparing to stand up to take the sheepskin bag, he saw Betty suddenly opening her eyes and standing up. She then walked towards the corner of the tent dizzily and opened the chest to retrieve the sheepskin bag before she wobbled towards him…
She had executed the entire process with nearly closed eyes…
Gawain laughed as he received the sheepskin bag. As he was storing the blueprint, he looked at Betty who was trying to keep her eyes open. “If you’re tired, you can sleep first. I don’t know how much longer I’ll have to work.”
Betty suddenly sobered up and forcefully opened her eyes while shaking her head. “I am not sleeping. If my lord doesn’t sleep, I won’t sleep!”
She then lowered her head and looked at the sketches on Gawain’s table with a serious expression. Gawain felt a little curious. “Are you able to read these?”
“I can’t read…” Betty shook her head. “I’m illiterate…”
“Oh, then it must be very boring for you to read these,” Gawain said laughingly. “No wonder you fell asleep earlier.”
“I didn’t sleep!” Betty quickly shook her head before she looked at the manuscript that was filled with words and asked, “My lord, you know many words, uh…”