The New King and the Spark of Technology
Warren's resounding declaration elicited an even more thunderous cheer from the assembled rebel soldiers.
Their general will become their king!
This is undoubtedly the best outcome!
Jiang Bai nodded in satisfaction, finally managing to guide his self in this world onto the right path.
Then, he turned his gaze to Prince Edolas, who was silently watching everything with a complicated expression.
And what about you?
Jiang Bai asked, "Mystogan, are you planning to come back to Earth-land with us, or stay here?"
This question plunged Mystogan into a long silence.
To be honest, he really liked Fairy Tail.
His years in Earth-land were the happiest and freest time of his life.
But...
He glanced at the ravaged capital, then at the man beside him who had just made up his mind to shoulder the future of the entire nation.
"... I choose to stay."
He made a difficult decision.
Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow. "Why? You're not going to be king anymore, so what are you doing here? Being a regent?"
I love this country.
Mystogan's eyes were utterly sincere.
"It's in dire need of rebuilding now, and someone needs to make amends for the mistakes my father made. So, I'm staying to help Warren rebuild this country."
"If that's the case, why don't you just become king yourself?" Jiang Bai asked a more direct question.
"It's perfectly legitimate, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this question, Mystogan glanced at Jiang Bai subconsciously, his thoughts surging like a tide.
Because of you, Jiang Bai.
I have never seen anyone like you, who possesses absolute strength to stand at the pinnacle of the world, yet still holds the most basic kindness and care for the weak.
Your heart seems never to be confused or wavering; you always know what you should and shouldn't do.
(Jiang Bai: Brother, you don't understand. It's all thanks to nine years of compulsory education.)
Indeed, the biggest reason why Mystogan would give up the throne without hesitation and choose to support Warren was because Warren was Jiang Bai's counterpart.
He believed that Warren, who was an equivalent of Jiang Bai, would also be able to lead the country to a brighter future.
But he didn't say these words aloud.
Mystogan simply shook his head, offering a reason no one could refute. "Because General Warren's contributions to this country far exceed those of me, a prince in exile. He is more suited for this position than I am."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Bai shrugged noncommittally.
He turned to look at Warren and suddenly revealed a malicious smile.
"Hey, new king, do you need my help?"
Jiang Bai suggested, "For example, I'll play the world-ending villain, and you defeat me in front of the entire nation. How about that? Isn't that a classic scenario? I guarantee you'll win everyone's hearts in an instant."
This suggestion surprised Warren for a moment.
He then shook his head with a wry smile.
"No."
He readily declined Jiang Bai's "kind offer."
"Over the years, I have gained some prestige in the military and among the people, and the public listens to what I say."
Warren's gaze became deep and far-reaching.
"I do not want to begin my reign with lies and distortions of the truth."
"I will record everything that happened in this incident in detail and archive it as top secret. I will release it to the public at the appropriate time to warn future generations and remind them never to forget the mistakes we made."
His gaze swept over the void passage that had been erased by "Zi," seemingly leading straight to the end of the world, and then he changed the subject.
"Moreover, compared to these, we now have a more important and pressing matter to address."
"That is, to find a completely new energy source that can replace magic."
Warren's words about finding alternative energy sources plunged the capital's soldiers and civilians, whose hopes had just been rekindled, into confusion once again.
Magic is the foundation upon which this world operates.
Now that the foundation is gone, where can we find something to replace it?
Just when everyone was at a loss, Jiang Bai's lazy voice rang out again.
"Well, I can help you with that."
Upon hearing this, everyone, including Warren and Mystogan, turned their questioning gazes toward him.
Besides magic, what other usable energy sources are there in this world?
"Idiot!" Jiang Bai scanned the crowd with a look that suggested he was looking at an idiot.
"The trains in our world, don't they burn the same kind of coal?"
"I know that."
Before anyone could react, Mystogan spoke first, a glint in his eyes.
"When I was in Earth-land, I had already systematically learned the relevant techniques and knowledge. Originally, I intended to teach these things to the people of Edolas step by step."
"However, that's not what I wanted to say."
Jiang Bai waved his hand, uttering a startling statement.
"What I'm talking about is electricity."
"Electricity?"
Natsu and the others expressed their confusion.
In their understanding, this word is only associated with thunder on rainy days, and only certain lightning-type mages can use it.
That thing is so violent and unstable, how could it possibly be used as an energy source?
Jiang Bai was too lazy to explain to them.
He closed his eyes, and his powerful Mental Detection instantly enveloped the entire capital.
A few seconds later, he located what he needed.
Space Magic activated!
With a slight spatial fluctuation, a small pile of metal pieces and a bucket of clear liquid appeared out of thin air in the open space in front of everyone.
Those were zinc and copper sheets transferred from an abandoned alchemy workshop, along with brine that was casually taken from the kitchen.
Under the curious gaze of the crowd, Jiang Bai slowly walked forward.
He stacked zinc and copper sheets alternately, separating each pair of metal sheets with a cloth soaked in salt water.
A device that seems ridiculously rudimentary to later generations was quickly assembled.
The world's first true chemical battery was born.
It is no longer a fleeting static electricity generated by friction, but an energy source that can provide stable and continuous direct current.
Jiang Bai led out two metal wires from both ends of the device, and then gently touched the ends of the metal wires together.
"Sizzle--"
A small cluster of bright and steady electric sparks burst forth at the tip of the metal wire, flashing continuously.
"Did you see that?"
Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow at the stunned crowd.
"Wouldn't that generate electricity?"
"Furthermore, there is an inseparable relationship between electricity and magnetism."
At this point, Jiang Bai glanced at Mystogan was trembling with excitement.
He knew that only this studious prince would understand what he was about to say.
"As long as a closed coil is made to move in a magnetic field, cutting magnetic field lines, an electric current can be continuously generated."
As for the others, like Natsu, they already had an expression that said, "I don't understand, but it sounds amazing," with stars in their eyes.
"I understand... I understand!"
Mystogan's breathing became rapid. He looked at the tiny spark of electricity and seemed to see the bright future of the entire Kingdom of Edolas!
I see!
Once they master this technology, they can use water power, wind power, or even human and animal power to rotate the coil, thereby obtaining an inexhaustible source of energy!
There is truly hope for our nation!