Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam
Chapter 81 - 80: Old Sen Technology Welcomes You

Chapter 81: Chapter 80: Old Sen Technology Welcomes You

Ethan couldn’t help but marvel that Ave was indeed the daughter of a politician. To dispel her thoughts, he began analyzing for the other party, "Currently, we are seriously lacking in both military force and equipment. Most of the residents in Ximu Town have never encountered muskets, plus Baron Gledin is an enlightened person; it’s not yet at the point of having to start a rebellion."

He had never thought of becoming a rebel leader.

Before his crossing, he was nothing more than a conventional jobber with politics far from him. He neither had the ability to command troops nor the ambition for it.

Being able to stir people’s emotions with a few words so they willingly follow him to fight shoulder to shoulder requires an extraordinary level of personal charisma.

However, in the research of magic-driven technology, they have a unique advantage.

The Lindong Witch, a Saint who strikes fear into countless hearts, is peerless in her talent for elemental shaping magic and also has extremely in-depth studies in alchemy; Miss Keroy, just starting her career as an Alchemist, has already, under guidance, concocted a magic potion of 99.8% purity; even the Knight Commander of the Empire believes she will become the Empire’s foremost Alchemist in the future; and he, Old Sen, humbly speaking, thinks his talent in making magic scrolls isn’t too bad.

As for Ave...

Money is also a superpower.

Her financial resources are indeed abundant, also able to smooth over various relationships, providing cover for their research when necessary.

This was Ethan’s ideal team.

"Researching magic-driven technology? That sounds kind of interesting."

After a brief consideration, Lindong said, "Once I’ve finished my current matters, I can come to help you."

Ethan knew "current matters" referred to that long kill list, and said, "It’s said that there’s no time like the present, especially in technological research, for if you’re late by a step, the gap will only widen between you and others."

"I have matters I must complete."

This time, Lindong was determined in her stance.

"Will that alone satisfy you?"

Lindong’s reaction was expected by Ethan. Her grievances with the Empire weren’t things a few light words of advice could set down, and he never intended to persuade her with a stand of "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind," saying it without understanding the pain.

In his view, the purpose of joining a team is to better achieve one’s goals. If the premise of joining is giving up oneself, then why bother joining at all.

"For the past two years, I’ve persisted in reading the ’Horned Owl Beast Daily,’ which mentioned many of your deeds. Do you know what happened to those who were victimized later?"

Though crime scenes were always very bizarre, he guessed they were means to vent anger. Seeing Lindong silent, Ethan continued, "Many among them were posthumously honored as heroes of the Empire, and there would be articles on the newspaper commemorating them. Meanwhile, you were regarded as zealot followers of the Evil God."

"It’s their usual tactic."

Lindong’s tone was calm, not surprised. The ’Horned Owl Beast Daily’ is controlled by the Empire itself; people can only see the news the Empire wants them to see. The Violet Commune once submitted a series of reform proposals to the King, considering the newspaper a mirror reflecting all over the Empire, capable of telling them what’s happening in each city at the moment, waking them up.

Unsurprisingly, the reform proposals were not accepted.

The ’Horned Owl Beast Daily’ remained unchanged, and she had long abandoned her original path.

"How about dragging them into the streets?"

Ethan’s proposal gave Lindong a jolt, making her stare at Ethan, waiting for more.

He went on, "Dragged into the streets as criminals, tied up for public humiliation, reviled, judged, then hanged on the gallows, nailed on the pillar of shame in history... I just think letting them die as ’heroes’ is letting them off too easily."

Ave found Ethan’s words increasingly problematic.

Isn’t this trying to instigate a rebellion!

And even wanting to pin it on her!

"How do you plan to do it?"

"Just as I said earlier, the current Empire is on the verge of collapse. Once the Knight Commander is dead, the Empire will inevitably erupt in civil war within two years, but this civil strife will end in failure, and the Empire will mobilize High-tier Transcendents and the Golden Fleet; they will sweep away all those who attempt to resist."

The Lofic Consortium will definitely instigate the outbreak of war from behind the scenes. Whether the nobles, the church, or the consortium end up winning, the commoners will always be the real losers.

Even the Evil God, who endowed them with power, merely intends to use their souls as fuel.

It’s truly a dark era.

If Ethan were an ordinary person living in this time, he’d probably fall into deep despair too.

Even if Lindong can slay all the Transcendents standing in her way, she will ultimately be stretched too thin; the Empire’s territory is simply too vast.

"So, they surely will need weapons."

Ethan said, "What if we deliver weapons to them and let them help you send those people to the gallows?"

"Wait a minute, this is not..."

Ave suddenly realized something, her expression slightly changed; what Ethan was implying was too familiar.

Ethan’s response confirmed her suspicion, "Being regarded as an Evil God’s follower for so many years, is it not a waste if you don’t commit some deeds of the Evil God?"

After some investigation, Ethan discovered the Evil God’s weapons had too significant side effects; they had to endure soul-twisting pains, abandon all they were familiar with, gradually becoming numb puppets.

It was incredible such weapons made by black-hearted merchants could circulate in the market.

"Let’s join forces and kick the Evil God out of the trade market!"

Ethan’s words were strong and compelling.

Ave’s heart pounded fiercely—seizing followers from the Evil God?

Had anyone else said it, she would regard them as mad, yet at this moment, she felt blood boiling, overshadowing the confusion after realizing the truth, as if she saw a door opening for her.

The first to switch sides was the tuft of golden hair above her head, seemingly eager to accomplish something significant with Ethan.

As for her...

She also had to admit she was moved.

But Ave was temporarily puzzled, as this seemed to be an unforgivable act of rebellion, yet simultaneously, it felt like it was eradicating a deeply-rooted malady in the Empire.

But one thing was certain: as long as Ethan can realize his research, the feats magic-driven technology can accomplish won’t just end there. It will be another unexplored journey, a path untraveled by anyone before.

"With your joining, we will surely achieve our goals; no one in this world knows elemental magic better than you, teacher!"

This address of "teacher" made Lindong dazed for quite a while.

Her vision blurred.

Many memories flooded in; it took her a long time to suppress the emotions stirred within, and she softly asked, "What plans do you have?"

"I opened a shop at Fireplace Bay."

Prior widespread solving of magic scrolls had already earned Heisenberg considerable fame, and he felt their goods shouldn’t be limited to magic scrolls.

Magic scrolls, magic potions, and even weapons fused with magic and gunpowder.

They could easily purchase most materials required for their research at Fireplace Bay.

"Let’s start there."