Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 326:

TL: Etude

This morning, Lord Paul Grayman of Alda summoned alchemists, including Wells, to his castle. It was Wells’ first time meeting the highest ruler of the land he lived on.

The alchemists were surprised to find that the lord appeared to be just of age, around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Having lived in Lakeheart Town for so long, they had certainly heard of Count Paul Grayman’s various impressive achievements.

Militarily, he had trained his army to eradicate pirates that had plagued the Northwest Bay for years immediately after assuming his lordship last year. He then led his forces to quell a rebellion by Baylding’s vassals and recently partnered with other lords to overthrow Count Marltz Kent, who had coveted the position of Duke of the Northwest.

In agriculture, he had audited farmlands, consolidated arable land, improved irrigation, and introduced crop rotation. In commerce, he encouraged the development of maritime trade and sent expeditions to Horn Bay.

He was also an inventor, owning a dazzling array of inventions like canned food, porcelain, new types of paper, a method for drying salt, and a remarkable reaping machine. These inventions led to the birth of numerous emerging industries in Alda and Baylding. Oh, and the legendary fire crossbow and thunder hammer were also his creations.

These legendary deeds bestowed many honors on the Count, making him a prophet-like figure to his people. It was a pity he was born in the Northwest Bay; had he been a lord further south, with just a little money, bards would have already extolled him as a young talent on par with geniuses like Catherine Rodney or Antonio Griffin.

The youthful appearance of the lord was somewhat incongruent with the tales they had heard, no wonder the alchemists were astonished.

“Gentlemen, please take a seat!” the Count gestured to them with a welcoming hand, more like hosting an academic salon than a lord summoning his subordinates.

He first praised the alchemists’ work and expressed satisfaction with their achievements.

The group quickly showed modesty, vowing to continue their hard work to meet the Count’s high expectations.

Then Count Grayman made an exciting announcement that made their hearts race. “I intend to build a laboratory in Lakeheart Town to fully support your alchemical experiments.”

The alchemists were ecstatic. Working in a well-equipped laboratory with ample materials to freely explore the mysteries of alchemy was every alchemist’s dream. However, this was challenging to achieve. Due to financial constraints, most alchemists could only work according to existing formulas and processes, as they were currently doing in the saltpeter fields. Even those supported by wealthy patrons operated under similar constraints.

Coming from an alchemical family, Wells once had a small laboratory in Crystal Shine, but that was in the past, and it was nothing compared to a laboratory supported by a lord.

Therefore, Wells was as thrilled as the others. Suppressing his excitement, he cautiously asked, “May I know the extent of your support for our experiments?”

After some thought, Paul replied, “Submit an application before conducting any experiments, detailing the purpose and significance, the conditions required, and an initial budget. If I find it reasonable, I will approve it – a process known as ‘project initiation’. Then, you’ll receive funds to purchase materials and equipment. However, every expense must be recorded in detail; I’ll have someone audit the accounts.”

It seemed they wouldn’t be given carte blanche to spend money, but the alchemists didn’t harbor any extravagant ideas either.

“Lord Grayman is wise!” someone couldn’t wait to flatter.

“Lord Grayman, you will surely reap rich rewards! Alchemy is the most magical domain in the world!” another painted a rosy picture for the lord.

“Gentlemen!” Count Grayman waved his hands, seemingly unaffected by the lavish praise.

“I hope to establish this laboratory under the name of Weiss Academy. You will be working for the academy and fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.”

The Department of Education? The group was taken aback. Seemed like the head was a woman. Were these men going to be governed by a woman?

Well, that’s acceptable, as long as the funding comes swiftly. Besides, the person in charge seems to be a female scholar, who would presumably understand the great significance of researching alchemy.

Count Grayman continued, “This is also for your convenience. You can select talented students from the academy as assistants or apprentices, of course, after they complete their basic studies.”

The group nodded in agreement, appreciating the lord’s thoughtfulness.

“Lord Grayman, regarding the results of the experiments…” someone began tentatively, looking somewhat uneasy.

This brought to everyone’s attention a crucial issue: in life, it’s all about fame and profit.

Count Grayman’s expression turned serious. “Since you are conducting experiments with the academy’s financial support, the patents for any new inventions naturally belong to the academy. However, if the invention is useful, the academy will certainly award you a generous bonus.”

Okay, everyone was mature enough to know that nothing comes for free, and at least there would be a bonus, but…

“The inventor or discoverer of new technology or theories announced to the public must be the actual person! Fraudulent claims of credit are strictly prohibited, and I will enact laws to enforce this!”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; their main concern was that the Count might take credit for their work.

“Lastly, I suggest we name the laboratory ‘Chemistry Laboratory’, inspired by the idea of ‘Creating Everything.’”

“What a great name!” Wells was the first to agree. “Alchemy originally aimed to transmute other substances into gold, and though gold was never produced, it led to the creation of various other things, exactly ‘Creating Everything’!”

“Hmm… that makes sense.”

“The name is very fitting.”

“Chemistry… the study of creating everything…”

Everyone agreed with the name proposed by the Count.

“Good!” Count Grayman decided firmly, looking pleased. “Since everyone agrees, let’s settle on that.”

The discussion about constructing the laboratory continued cheerfully, with a lively atmosphere in the hall. The Count also inquired in detail about all aspects of alchemy, tactfully changing the subject when it delved into proprietary secrets, endearing himself further to the group.

The enthusiastic exchange lasted until noon, by which time everyone’s stomachs were growling. Count Grayman invited everyone to stay for lunch.

As the servants laid out the food, the conversation continued.

“Gentlemen!” the Count, fiddling with a strange pair of eating utensils made of two thin sticks, said, “I hope that once the laboratory is built, it can first help me solve a difficult problem.”

An older alchemist stood up and replied, “My lord, you have provided us with such a convenient environment, it’s only right for us to solve problems for you. May I ask what this difficult problem is?”

Paul Grayman casually responded, “Research how to massively collect saltpeter using feces, urine, and decaying animal and plant remains!”

A chill seemed to pass over the dining table…