Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 667 - 61: Chosen Workhorses

Ethan stayed across from the mansion, observing the two ancient people for an entire day. During this time, Palandin went to the southern part of the city and brought back a basket of hard bread and beef soup.

Until nightfall, the two ancient people remained unmoving, focused on drawing. Ethan discerned some understanding; it seemed to be a vision based on Western Continent's steam technology, with them trying to incorporate some "ancient people's" thinking while keeping it comprehensible for the Artisan Association's masters.

After all, for people of this era, discussing with them about things like electric energy and the internet wasn't very realistic.

Ethan has never been a technical talent, and without Deepseek here, he found it difficult to explain electric energy to the artisans. Fortunately, his brother in elemental studies supported him, allowing him to start utilizing electric energy through magical means. However, for the empire's subsequent development, Ethan was clueless and could only hope the empire's masters would enjoy their own epiphany.

The days of him returning to modern society, lounging at home under the air conditioner and playing on the computer are still quite far off.

In his memory of history, this road lasted over three centuries, nearing the time of the Henry Clan's rule, but now the arrival of these two ancient people seemed to offer a turning point.

The only thing perplexing Ethan was that their way of doing things was somewhat discordant with their identity.

If they were "players", they should be roaming around the Imperial Capital, breaking into homes looking for treasures in residential boxes, continuously creating chances to encounter "important NPCs" like Ave, Princess Sophia, or Queen Margaret, hoping to receive hidden quests from them.

After observing for a day, Ethan dismissed the "player" hypothesis.

Judging by their cautious behavior, their predicament seemed similar to his two years ago; like singing songs and eating hotpot, they suddenly transmigrated into this perilous world, explaining their attitude well. Outside the empire, many kingdoms remain under feudal rule, and there's always a risk of saying the wrong thing and ending up on the Pope's fire stake.

Not long ago, the Pope's country had unilaterally severed ties with the empire's Life Divine Teachings believers, defining those who turned to the medical field as heretics.

Regarding this, the spokesperson of the empire's ministry of health responded: A bunch of fools.

Ave mentioned the two came from the border following the refugee army. If they accidentally landed within the Pope's sphere of influence, they might be seen as heretical due to their "ancient people's" knowledge, bound up on the fire stake by enraged clergy. The Pope's country resists all science, even when blended with magic elements. They believe the Goddess of Life is the answer to all things, while science is the Evil God's trick.

The allure of science will stir people's inner desires, corrupting their thoughts.

When they accidentally overheard Captain Hagrid mentioning his brotherly bond with Old Sen and the current new cabinet prime minister Ave, they disclosed their mastery of ancient technology. Hagrid sent the news back to the empire via eagle mail that very day.

The drawing work continued for another day, but outside the window, the sky had completely darkened. Finally completing the last stroke, the middle-aged man stood relieved, not bothering to rest or eat dinner, hastily headed to the Artisan Association before the artisans retired.

This deeply shook Ethan.

Working continuously for over ten hours without rest, what a beastly spirit.

He would certainly not be happy about working in such high-intensity conditions for days.

Luckily, no one would force him to do so now. Beside him was a reliable rest-reminding assistant—he wouldn't have the chance to work overtime, since every night Lindong would come to seize him.

Any unscrupulous boss attempting to make Ethan overtime would face the wrath of the strongest Elemental Shaper in the empire's history.

"You go and have Rowena vet them, and maybe recommend them to the Artisan Association."

Ethan sensed a hint of chill in the air when he discovered a familiar figure below the mansion.

He didn't know how Lindong found him here, but evidently she seemed dissatisfied with him nibbling hard bread and beef soup with Palandin. Out of concern for Mr. Palandin's safety, Ethan energetically waved at Lindong through the window, indicating he was coming down.

"The academy's letters have been handled."

Upon meeting, Lindong spoke, "I declined Professor Wabul's invitation for you to be a guest professor. I recommended Rowena."

Rowena, being a master of information and companion on this canopy trip, was fitting both emotionally and rationally for the professor role. More crucially, in principle, guest professors had to stay in the academy usually until semester's end before returning to the Imperial Capital, allowing them a period of quietness.

As for Other Shore, her subordinates criticized her, necessitating her to stay in the Imperial Capital briefly.

"Miss Keroy and I prepared your favorite beef sandwich and cheese pot at home."

After discussing business, Lindong squinted her eyes and affectionately wrapped a hand around Ethan's arm, snuggling close.

She still carried the fresh scent of snow cherries; the two walked along the street amid numerous blessing looks from the Imperial Capital people, but experienced Ethan sensed an uneasy atmosphere in the air.

When they arrived home, a familiar face appeared in the living room.

Ave was sitting on the sofa, stroking the fur on the back of Miss Keroy's neck, with the golden hair atop busy pointing.

"Ave has something to discuss with you."

Lindong spoke with a hint of subtlety.

Upon hearing, Ave turned her head, showing a face of apology, "After much consideration, I decided to come hear your opinion on something."

She brought a letter.

A red hawk, the most common communication means used by the Truth Society. After graduating, most of them seldom meet again but are kept in touch in a remarkable way.

"You remember Teacher Valerie, don't you?"

"Of course."

Ethan nodded, of course he remembered that name.

Ave's teacher at the Truth Society, one of the few elders who genuinely cared for Ave during Pope Julius's reign. She kept in contact with Teacher Valerie during her two years in Ximu Town, and the latter would mention things about the Imperial Capital and Queen Margaret in her letters.

However, since Ethan arrived in the Imperial Capital, he never got the chance to meet the good teacher Ave always talked about.

"You mentioned last time that she is investigating a case and has left the Imperial Capital."

Besides some Truth Society students from noble families joining the Judicial Court after graduation, becoming a detective has always been the main career choice for believers of the God of Truth. Their work scope is broad, filled with unsolved mysteries in this magical world, and detectives need a wide vision and scholarly qualities.

Upon learning that Valerie was away investigating a case, Ethan felt it must be a major case, one so significant that it required a teacher from the Imperial Capital's Truth Society to personally go.

"Actually, last night, I received a letter from Teacher Valerie, sent from Dark Furnace City."

Ethan was not unfamiliar with this; the last time he heard news from Dark Furnace City, the chief priest of the Life Church had teamed up with the city lord to launch a 'tax amnesty,' a daring attempt that unsurprisingly sparked local unrest. During the suppression of the riot, the chief priest was assassinated by the legendary assassin, Black Wolf.

It was Old Sen's Magitech Depot that provided weapons for Black Wolf.

Since then, Dark Furnace City had returned to tranquility, and with Julius's death, it never stirred up any waves again.

Ethan quickly scanned over the letter's content and immediately understood the reason for Ave's concern.

In the letter, Teacher Valerie highly praised Ave's resolve not to bow to Julius and sincerely congratulated her on making like-minded friends in Ximu Town. She had heard about the current chaos in the Imperial Capital and was handling a case on hand, finally having made some progress. She couldn't abandon it midway and would return to the Imperial Capital to visit once she completed the investigation.

The letter brimmed with a teacher's care for her student, but the biggest issue lay in the date of the letter.

From Valerie's tone, it wasn't hard to infer that the letter was written during the fall of Julius's power, but it was over a year later that the letter finally reached Ave.

"The letter was sent by Teacher Valerie's red falcon, and I fear she encountered danger in Dark Furnace City."

Ave spent a whole night yet couldn't comprehend why a letter from a year ago would suddenly reach her at this point in time.

"This morning, I inquired about Teacher Valerie through the communication shell to Dark Furnace City, and they said she left Dark Furnace City several months ago."

After a brief pause, Ave said, "I plan to make a trip to Dark Furnace City."

This will inevitably impact the new cabinet's work, and she could only try to ensure the cabinet functions smoothly while she's away.

"Valerie is a fourth-level Transcendent and one of the most senior members of the Truth Society."

Lindong said calmly, "If she encountered danger in Dark Furnace City, you might find yourself in the same situation."

"I know."

Ave nodded, "But I must uncover the truth."

"Take him with you then."

Lindong patted Ethan's shoulder, "After all, that's what you're here for, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Ave shifted her gaze somewhat unnaturally. She indeed had that thought, but considering Ethan and his group had just returned to the Imperial Capital not long ago, she ultimately didn't voice it out.

She didn't expect Lindong to immediately see through her little thought.

"Don't forget, we're a team."

Ethan said, "Splitting up during a dangerous moment is a team's greatest taboo."

He felt Ave had changed a lot compared to when they first met. Back then, she could unfazedly suggest he try on the werewolf collar to test the waters, but now, even making a request seemed to make her hesitate.

"Old Sen, Sister Lindong..."

"It's settled then,"

Lindong said, "Decide on the departure time and let us know… After dinner, go back early and prepare."

With that, she smiled at Ethan, "Ethan will also need to prepare."

"Prepare? What do I need to prepare for?"

Ethan asked, puzzled.

"There's a lot to prepare for." Lindong smiled brightly, "He's sure to be busy tonight."