Chapter 469: A Gift For Simon

"Your Highness, this is the gift we specially prepared for you."

The lead craftsman stepped forward and presented a wooden box to Prince Simon.

Simon glanced at the box, his expression turning to one of pleasant surprise. The craftsmen of Brambleford had repeatedly exceeded his expectations, and it seemed they had done so again.

"What have you made this time?" he asked with a smile.

The craftsman carefully opened the box.

Inside lay a slender, cylindrical object, approximately 1.2 meters long and 4.5 centimetres in diameter. Its exterior was simple, but the craftsmanship was remarkably neat. The craftsman lifted it out and presented it to Simon with both hands.

An astronomical telescope!

After the recent confrontation with the religious scholars, the glass workshop had developed an astronomical telescope. Now, the craftsmen had finally delivered a working product.

Considering Brambleford’s current technological capabilities, Simon had chosen a design that offered greater magnification than the simpler telescopes of the past.

The Galilean telescope used a convex objective lens and a concave eyepiece. Although its design was relatively simple, its field of view was limited, making it less suitable for detailed astronomical observations.

The Keplerian telescope, on the other hand, used two convex lenses: one as the objective and the other as the eyepiece. This arrangement allowed for greater magnification and a wider field of view, making it particularly useful for studying celestial objects.

Fortunately, producing convex lenses was well within the glass workshop’s capabilities. The craftsmen had already gained considerable experience manufacturing glass products, and the curved lenses required for the telescope were not fundamentally different from those used in magnifying glasses.

With Simon’s guidance, they had managed to turn his instructions into reality.

The Eldorian Empire’s first astronomical telescope had finally arrived.

Simon took the instrument and immediately pointed it toward the sky.

It was already evening, and a crescent moon hung above Brambleford City. The fading sunlight illuminated the rooftops, while the first stars began appearing in the darkening sky.

Simon adjusted the telescope and brought the moon into view.

The result was astonishing.

The lunar surface appeared much closer than it had ever seemed to the naked eye. The boundary between light and darkness was sharply defined, and the uneven terrain along the illuminated edge became visible.

Simon carefully adjusted the instrument, studying the moon’s surface.

Although the telescope’s magnification and optical quality were still limited by the workshop’s capabilities, the improvement over unaided vision was unmistakable.

For a moment, Simon was completely absorbed in the sight.

Then his thoughts gradually returned to the political situation in Brambleford.

The recent conflict with the religious scholars had ended in a decisive victory for him. By carefully directing public opinion and allowing the interests of merchants, craftsmen, and ordinary citizens to converge, he had weakened an established group that had once seemed difficult to challenge.

More importantly, the victory had strengthened his confidence in the new social forces emerging within his domain.

However, Simon understood that the struggle in Brambleford was only one part of a much larger game.

The old power structures beyond his borders remained largely untouched.

The aristocrats, religious authorities, and entrenched interests of the Eldorian Empire had not yet made their move. For now, they were watching from the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to undermine his growing influence.

Among them was a particularly formidable force.

Simon knew that once this giant turned its attention toward Brambleford, the consequences could be devastating.

He needed a weapon powerful enough to challenge it.

And that weapon was astronomy.

Looking through the telescope again, Simon’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

To an ordinary person, the instrument was merely a device for observing the heavens.

To him, it represented something much greater.

Astronomy could eventually lead to advances in navigation, geography, timekeeping, and mathematics. More importantly, a deeper understanding of the heavens could challenge the religious doctrines that the old establishment used to justify its authority.

Knowledge of the stars was not merely an academic pursuit. In the right hands, it could become a powerful political instrument.

But who should he entrust with this responsibility?

Simon had wanted to establish an astronomy academy for nearly two years. Yet every time he considered the matter, he postponed the plan.

The problem was not a lack of interest or resources.

It was politics.

In the Eldorian Empire, astronomy and astrology had long been closely associated with imperial authority. The court treated celestial observations as matters of great political and religious significance, while the general public had historically faced restrictions on studying such subjects.

The underlying reason was simple.

The doctrine of divine kingship held that the emperor’s authority was sanctioned by heaven. Unusual celestial events could therefore be interpreted as signs concerning the legitimacy of a ruler.

If a vassal prince began openly establishing institutions dedicated to studying the heavens, the imperial court might interpret it as a challenge to its authority.

Why would a prince subordinate to the emperor suddenly take such an interest in the stars?

Was he attempting to challenge the doctrine of divine kingship?

Was he searching for evidence to justify his independence?

Or was he preparing to establish a rival authority of his own?

Even if Simon had no intention of making such a declaration, his actions could easily be interpreted in that way.

And he could not afford to give his political enemies an excuse to attack him.

For now, astronomy would have to remain a carefully guarded secret.

Simon lowered the telescope and turned toward the craftsmen.

"You have all done well. This instrument exceeds my expectations."

The lead craftsman’s face brightened.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. We still have much to improve, but we will continue refining the design."

Simon nodded approvingly.

"Good. Continue improving the lenses and the instrument’s overall quality. There is still considerable room for progress."

He paused before adding in a deeper voice, "However, I want you to keep the purpose of this instrument confidential. Do not discuss its design or intended use with outsiders without my permission. Understood?"

The craftsmen exchanged glances before bowing.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Simon looked toward the evening sky once more.

The imperial court was still backing him, and he had no desire to provoke it unnecessarily. Until Brambleford possessed sufficient strength to withstand the consequences, he would have to keep certain ambitions hidden.

For now, the telescope would remain in his hands.

But the day would come when the secrets of the heavens could no longer be monopolised by the imperial court.

And when that day arrived, Simon intended to be ready.