Ethan thought that the steam technology of the Western Continent was a good direction.
The Artisan Association’s research had come to a halt, and he gradually realized that aiming to skip directly from the steam age into the electricity age was somewhat too ambitious. The craftsmen could only manage hand-cranked generators, and the electricity produced was extremely unstable, a difference attributable to the inherent disparities between electrical elements.
He shared the blueprints for the electromagnetic crossbow with the association, yet the craftsmen’s replicated product was unsatisfactory.
To ensure the arrows didn’t shatter during flight, the craftsmen used conductive metal for the arrow shafts, which directly caused the price of arrows to increase by several times. The Elemental Shapers they hired could only simulate the magical propulsion of electricity, which fell far short of genuine force and penetration, let alone matching the original electromagnetic cannon.
When Ave, demonstrating the power of the electromagnetic crossbow prototype to the craftsmen, launched an electromagnetic cannon shot skyward, the master craftsman fell to the ground in shock.
To put it politely, it looked at least 80 to 90 percent similar to the real thing externally.
However, some straightforward observers pointed out that it felt inferior to a musket.
Muskets are easy to carry, with cheap bullets that can be mass-produced, and the current technology is quite mature.
Ethan decided to give the Artisan Association a break, as he needed to prepare for his journey to the Western Continent. The diplomatic documents were ready, and Ave would venture there as the cabinet’s first diplomat. Through her and the Crown Princes’ joint efforts, institutions like the Church transformed.
The Seven-member Council was dissolved.
The Church was renamed the Life Society, losing its independent political rights. Instead, it joined the Transcendent institutions, including the Academy, Astrology Guild, and Enlightenment Society, to form the Extraordinary Council to collectively handle all imperial affairs relating to mysticism and the Transcendents.
The Life Society was open to all imperial citizens who wished to become priests. They could gain knowledge about this path in the cathedrals of major cities across the Empire.
Ave’s mission was arduous and significant.
Besides the diplomatic tasks, as a descendant of the Margaret Clan and a cabinet member, she needed to gain insights into the steam science and political systems of the Western Continent.
At dawn, before the steam-powered ship named "Emperor’s Sword" set sail, Rowena tearfully bid farewell to Ethan and the others at the port.
"I want to go to the Western Continent for fun too!"
She gazed enviously at the imposing steamship docked at the port, having heard numerous rumors about the "Emperor’s Sword" recently. It was supposedly the Empire’s only steam-powered ship, bought at a high price from the Western Continent years ago, more symbolic than practical, and had since remained docked, never having completed an ocean voyage.
"Rowena, you’re a cornerstone of the team. With you and Sister Bi’an staying in the capital, it gives us a great sense of security,"
Ave also adopted Ethan’s "smooth things over" theory, "If things go smoothly, once the magical teleportation nodes between the two places are established, you can visit the Western Continent whenever you want."
However, Miss Keroy, due to her mythological appearance, could only stay in the capital.
Yet, Miss Keroy was always cheerful, especially after arriving in the capital. She followed Sister Bi’an, enjoying good food and drink daily, seeming to have grown slightly larger in size.
"Alright, you must persuade them to establish the magical teleportation nodes. I’ve never been to the Western Continent before!"
Rowena waved to the three of them.
This was also Ethan’s first ocean voyage in his life, and his knowledge of sailing was from watching "Pirate King" in the past. The Empire’s maritime industry was still in the age of sails. As he boarded the deck, gazing at the endless sea horizon, he felt as if he had entered the Age of Exploration.
The spread of steam power made the Deep Sea Council the maritime sovereign of this era. The speed of the "Emperor’s Sword" reduced a continental voyage to 8 to 9 days, no longer relying on ocean currents and sea winds. Without steam power, old-fashioned sailing ships would prolong the journey to a month and a half, by which time their good friend Yue might have turned into an octopus face.
Yue’s condition seemed grim.
In their last conversation, he mentioned experiencing hallucinations.
The seawater from his nightmares manifested in reality, and he saw people around him turn into octopus-faced creatures.
The council’s diagnostician considered it a severe case of delusion, but unfortunately, before meeting Yue, Ethan found it difficult to make an accurate judgment.
Lindong, mimicking Ethan’s posture, leaned against the railing, her long hair fluttered by the sea breeze. She wore a royal-style dress, and nominally, she was the chief guard of diplomat Ave.
Feeling Ethan’s gaze, she leaned closer, tiptoeing to whisper in his ear, "I also brought a maid outfit, it’s in my suitcase."
Just as Queen Margaret said, it was a leap from zero to one. She even lifted her skirt slightly in front of Ethan, showing the white stockings under the dress.
The Queen found this ensemble quite puzzling—the dress’s skirt was long enough to cover the legs entirely. She couldn’t understand why Lindong insisted on wearing them under such a lengthy skirt.
In response, Lindong merely smiled back.
It seemed even Queen Margaret’s understanding was not so extensive.
Ethan gave her a thumbs up. His recent research on witches had seen significant progress, and after dark, they could very naturally advance further with their studies.