Chapter 246: Lolinna - II
“Revenge against the malicious woman who imprisoned you, controlled you, and almost destroyed you.”
She stood with her hands behind her back, uttering such rebellious and suicidal words.
Ravenna and Suellen looked at each other for two seconds, then Ravenna said expressionlessly, “I’m not interested.”
It was not out of fear or rationality, but simply a lack of interest.
Such a choice did not even need to rely on rationality to make. Ravenna did not like Evora, and to some extent, she did indeed harbor some hatred for her, but… revenge?
Such a waste of time and meaningless thing, better sweep it into the trash heap. Her time now was incredibly precious.
Suellen watched Ravenna for a while, then suddenly laughed, “I thought you probably wouldn’t be interested, so… how about a different deal?”
She took a step forward and said in a faint and illusory voice:
“Eileen Ziegler.”
The cold and solid puppet visibly trembled.
“The extraordinary genius who rose to fame fifty years ago, the alchemical master recognized by Flamelle forty years ago, the madman who everyone spat on thirty years ago, and now… a nobody.”
The ambitious princess, who had somehow gotten close to the trembling Ravenna, whispered in her ear:
“Do you want to know why he died?”
*
“This Tower of Babel…”
Seraphina, standing beside Ansel, murmured, “It feels so different from the Etheric Academy, it doesn’t seem that impressive.”
As a creature of pure sensation, the grand spectacle of Yuktreshil had left a profound impression on her. In contrast, the utilitarian buildings of the Tower of Babel seemed to her like, well… a slightly more advanced village.
During her last visit to the Tower of Babel with Ansel, she hadn’t had a proper tour. This time, under the personal guidance of Hendrik, she found it rather lackluster, somewhat uninspiring.
Now, they were in the alchemical workshop area of the Tower of Babel, observing their unique alchemical apparatus production line. Since she couldn’t understand the purpose of these clanging machines, or what they were doing, Miss Seraphina found it somewhat dull.
“This is the workshop where we produce telecrystals ,” Hendrik, who had been enthusiastic since receiving Ansel, said, contrasting with the disinterested Seraphina.
“We are constantly trying to improve the telecrystals in various ways, including reducing costs, increasing production, and enabling the crystals to support better communication spells and energy replenishment… The progress has been good, and we should have a breakthrough within five years.”
“Do you plan to extend its use to the civilian level?” Ansel asked with a smile.
“Exactly!” Hendrik responded excitedly, “Due to the raw materials and etheric engraving, as well as the charging issues… the use of telecrystals is still limited to wealthy nobles… If we can solve these problems, even commoners could use telecrystals.”
“Although,” the man added with a somewhat helpless bitter smile, “Lord Ansel, you might think this is somewhat ostentatious, but you know the situation in the empire… Many practical alchemical tools are hard to promote effectively.”
“Change always comes with destruction and sacrifice,” Ansel said, looking at the busy puppets and sorcerers in the workshop, his tone distant.
“Those who benefit from the status quo won’t allow you to build sacrifices on their interests. Of course, if you can offer corresponding benefits, they might relent. But… these greedy ones, accustomed to extortion, have appetites that are a bit too large, don’t they?”
He patted Hendrik on the shoulder, “You guys have it tough.”
“Lord Ansel…”
The respect in Hendrik’s eyes for Ansel, which was already profound, deepened even further.
“… Yes,” he took a deep breath, clenched his fist slightly, and said in a deep voice, “If their demands weren’t so excessive, we should have promoted many practical alchemical tools throughout the empire in the past three years… even if the Elder Princess was willing…”
He shook his head, not saying anything more.
Evora had no interest in these so-called “practical alchemical tools”. As for the benefits these transformative items could bring her? What a joke. By the time they developed these things and distributed them nationwide, it would be several years later. The entire empire was hers, what did she care about benefits?
In the eyes of the ambitious Elder Princess, she was already being quite merciful by not tying up these guys from the Tower of Babel and forcing them to manufacture weapons day and night in the alchemical workshop, instead giving them the freedom to develop, learn, and discuss. How could Hendrik dare to ask for her help under these circumstances?
It could be said that the Tower of Babel had indeed struggled in the past three years, but now…
“The production of telecrystals can be promoted. I will ask Mr. Parla to bring some people from the Alchemy Association. As for the materials, I will have someone contact the large adventurer guilds in the West. They have wide connections and have hoarded a lot of good stuff.”
“As for how to do it and how long it will take, I won’t interfere,” Ansel said to the increasingly excited Hendrik, “Take your time, Hendrik. There’s plenty of time.”
“Thank you… thank you for your kindness, your help, Lord Ansel!”
Hendrik bowed deeply to Ansel, the dignity of a fifth-stag extraordinary being seeming insignificant at this moment. But Hendrik didn’t feel the slightest bit unnatural about this “submission”. Was it a loss of dignity? He felt he had received the greatest respect!
Hendrik vowed in his heart that he would not allow any voices opposing Ansel within the Tower of Babel, although he also felt that such voices were unlikely to arise.
“There are a few more important alchemical workshops to visit next. Lord… I’m sorry! I didn’t realize it’s been so long. Please rest for a while, Lord Ansel.”
Hendrik, who had been full of enthusiasm and wanted to continue showing Ansel more important alchemical workshops in the Tower of Babel, suddenly realized that he had been walking non-stop with Ansel in the Tower of Babel for three hours. Although Ansel certainly wouldn’t be tired, Hendrik didn’t want to appear too eager in front of him and leave a bad impression.
Ansel didn’t refuse. He followed Hendrik to the rest room, and casually asked, “What about Ravenna? Is she busy?”
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