Book 12: Chapter 30


    So in other words, you have prepared everything, Big Sis?


    Yes


    Lorana ced two leaves in her mouth and closed the iron box. The leaves were simr to mints and chewing gum in the world I came from, and they were also addictive, a trait which was shared with tobo. However, I didnt like the taste so much. It wasnt very chewy.


    With a smile, Lorana exined, All of the machines are ready. Ive tested many machines for the sake of experimentation by using all sorts of different mana powers from outside. Also, I have a basic idea. I have a detailed n for an entire factory, including firearms, firewood, machinery, metal and so forth. I can create them as long as Im given a workce.


    Its going to be rough on you, Big Sis.


    Not at all, its my hobby.


    Loranaughed as she picked up a Brilliant Moon Stone on the table. The transparent crystal stone glimmered with a faint blue light. It resembled twinkling stars. Lorana solemnly said, Look at this stone, Your Majesty. Look at it. Dont you think it resembles gods creation more so than we do? It can umte and replenish mana with the moonlight. Isnt that the most primitive version of us? Were now the lowly magical creatures whenpared to it.


    But we extracted it, so were much nobler than the damn stone is.


    Thats true. With that said, if thats the direction youre taking it, then you would be rtively nobler, Your Majesty. After all, you were the one who extracted it. Ive lived in the elven and humannds for so many years, yet I never saw this stone before. Not only have I had the privilege of seeing the stones, but Im able to create so many things. This has to be the best catch Ive had in my life. You know, Your Majesty, for someone like me who invents machines, creating what others produce doesnt give me a sense of achievement, same with producing things that others can also produce. The things that Im now manufacturing are things that only I can manufacture.


    Lorana was right. I wasnt talking about just the sense of achievement she gained from the mana-powered machine, but also the fact that she was the only individual who could create the mana-powered machines. Ling Yue was in charge of mining the Brilliant Moon Stones. Ling Yues familys Brilliant Moon Stones were only provided to the royal familys buyers. Consequently, nobody else had the right to touch the Brilliant Moon Stones. Even if they manage to acquire some from elsewhere, they didnt have the ability to create the machine.


    In truth, people already had the idea long ago. They just couldnt obtain Brilliant Moon Stones. Brilliant Moon Stones only existed in records. There were people who wanted to create the machines powered by mana. Said people were humans, themselves, and elves who interacted with humans. ording to what Lorana said, some elves are highly curious about the outside world, and these curiosities were most easily seen in their interest for things humanity invented that could rece magic. Aforementioned things were machines.


    Lorana was the best example of an elf intrigued with humanitys inventions. She was a sword instructor. Her skills with a sword were without equal among the imperial guards, and she was the most trusted elf. After seeing humanitys society, however, she no longer wanted to return to the elvennds. Instead, she resided in the industrial area, which also acted as the slums, to research machines for almost a decade.


    But were still missing something, and thats pure mana. Of course, the best mana would be the mana in the elven spring water, but we have Vyvyan; therefore, we dont need something so far away. Have your Mommy Vyvyane over, and transfer mana into all the mana-powered machines. Then well be able to begin production. By the way, Your Majesty, I have new ideas for the new cannons. You cane and take a look.


    Mana-powered machines didnt actually have any noticeable difference. They were actually the same as steam-powered machines except that they ran on mana. Mana-powered machines were the dream of scientists in the world I came from, since mana was a pure energy source, in the sense that it didnt create pollution. The bonus was it could be replenished at night.


    What Lorana needs to do was make something that could measure mana. Elves had utilised mana for thousands of years, yet they havent ever researched their own mana. They only ssified mana by volume, not to mention that was merely their way of categorising individuals, not something to measure the volume of mana with. I wasnt using mana as an energy source to burn, so I needed to have a way of measuring the volume of mana we had. That way, I could judge how much mana was required for different machines in different ces as opposed to wasting mana or running on shortages. All of it was in Loranas hands. I I couldnt use mana. As a matter of fact, I didnt even know what criteria to grade mana with.


    I think you will still be needed for measuring mana, Your Majesty?


    What?


    Whats needed? asked Lorana. She opened a box and threw another two leaves into her mouth. She then smiled and continued, Mana grading, of course. Your tribe is most knowledgeable on that topic. The Gdriel tribe is the tribe that ces the most emphasis on bloodlines and purity. As such, your tribe definitely has the best criteria for grading mana. I think we will need your Mommy Vyvyan for it.


    Putting it another way, my North is still going to end up being established with Vyvyans help?


    Loranaughed: If you want these mana-powered machines, then yes, absolutely. Its nothing to be ashamed about, though. You dont need to worry about anything, either. Unlike humanity, the elves dont care what Vyvyan does for you, her reasons foring here, what she did here and what the elves can gain from this war. The elves dont care about what she does. All they care about is her. By that, I mean her mana. Thats all they care about.


    So?


    Humanity is different, Your Majesty. After victory was obtained in the war, humanity desperately wanted to gain some benefits from the expedition in the North.. From their standpoint, it would be best if they could rule the entire north, so you cant ept the help of any human. Otherwise, perhaps even your Elizabeth wont be able to stop the greed of humanity.


    I can ept Vyvyans help, but not Elizabeths?


    Lorana solemnly exined, Thats right. Vyvyan doesnt represent all elves. Elizabeth, on the other hand, represents all of humanity. Your Majesty, that is humanitys governing system. Elizabeth is the reason for the existence of the entire empire of humanity as well as their coal, forck of better word. Using machines as an analogy, Elizabeth is the Brilliant Moon Stone. Do you think the machine, otherwise known as humanitys empire, can operate without the Brilliant Moon Stone?


    I felt as though Lorana had something she wanted to say. She looked at me and then smiled. She spat out the leaf in her mouth: What I mean is, dont rely on Elizabeth, Your Majesty. Elizabeth isnt just your mother alone. When dealing with her, you must prioritise her identity as the Empress of humanity first and foremost.