Remembering Herself as the Years Passed

The Old Emperor fell into a coma again, Ymir stayed in the palace, intending to accompany her brother through the last moments of his life.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the royal gossip, Rein didn't linger and left the palace.

Metternich is Emperor Oma's illegitimate son. If this news were to get out, it would likely immediately ignite an uproar among the entire Omar leadership.

From the very beginning, Metternich's purpose in joining the Queen's camp seemed clear: to seek revenge.

Clearly, the Old Emperor knew that Metternich had cheated on him.

No wonder he's so patient; he's his own son.

However, Rein always felt that Metternich had deliberately let the Emperor know, wanting to torture him both physically and mentally.

What should be done if the Empress has an affair with her illegitimate child?

No matter who is killed, it will only torment the Old Emperor himself.

Moreover, it seems the Empress is currently unaware of the situation, and there's probably more to come.

However, Rein just listened to it as gossip and it didn't affect him much.

After all, the empress's private life was none of his business; and who became the emperor of the Oma Empire had little impact on their Black Dragon City.

In this situation, it seems that internal strife is already inevitable, no matter who becomes emperor.

That guy Metternich seems to be planning to turn the Oma Empire upside down.

Compared to gossip, Rein is now more concerned about the threat to City of Radiance.

After leaving the palace, Rein, accompanied by his guards, found Tuster and his grandson.

This trip to the Oma Imperial Capital is to seek justice for the old man; it's a serious matter.

The old man has become quite withdrawn, Rein was worried that he would suffer if he went to confront him. As the city lord, he naturally had to accompany him on the trip himself.

The Oma Royal Academy of Sciences has an independent Mechanical City in the capital, which is about the same size as the university in Rein's previous life.

It covers a large area, with teaching areas, dormitory areas, gardens, and an open-air playground. There is even an artificial lake called "Listen to Rain Lake".

There is a dormitory area for faculty and staff by the lake.

The information I heard is that the girl the old man can't let go of, "Elma Garcia," is now living here.

Of course, this is also the lake where she drowned herself.

The old man planned to go there first to fulfill his wish.

Before long, Rein, along with his guards and Tuster and his grandson, a group of eight, strolled through the campus of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

Along the tree-lined avenues of the academy, young mechanic apprentices could be seen everywhere. They were all dressed in fine clothes, their faces radiating youthful energy. These young men and women all wore an air of pride that set them apart from ordinary people. This was because those who could study at the academy came from families with at least one member who was a formal nobleman of baronial rank or higher.

The weather isn't very good today; it's been drizzling the whole time.

The breeze carrying a hint of coolness seeps into your clothes, making your back feel slightly chilly.

The arrival of Rein and his group went unnoticed by anyone.

Little Karl seemed quite excited, his mischievous eyes taking in everything around the campus with great interest. As he walked, he exclaimed, "Wow! This is the legendary birthplace of Steam Machinery! How magnificent!"

From childhood to adulthood, Karl studied under Master Tuster and never attended a college.

Now that he has arrived at what is known as the holy land of mechanics, everything feels new and exciting to him.

Architecture, sculptures, atmosphere. And those beautiful 12 or 13-year-old female mechanics.

There's probably some inexplicable attraction between mechanics.

Little Karl couldn't help but glance at the young women with Mechanical Arm a few more times.

The young women in the capital were noticeably more uninhibited and dressed more provocatively than those in other places, especially the noblewomen. When they saw Karl looking them over, they didn't look away; instead, they covered their mouths and giggled, whispering something in each other's ears.

Karl, the young boy, blushed shyly under their gazes and dared not look them in the eye.

Rein had a keen sense of perception and clearly heard what the girls were whispering about. He joked, "Karl, they're saying you're very handsome."

Upon hearing this, Karl's eyes clearly lit up with joy, but he said hesitantly, "No, not at all."

The rosy complexion betrayed his inner excitement; the stirrings of a young man's heart were vividly displayed on his face.

Rein smiled.

Karl felt even more embarrassed.

So I simply stopped looking at the girl.

There are many sculptures and display cases along the roads in the college, all related to Steam Machinery.

Even a layman like Rein found it quite eye-opening.

Little Karl acted more like a commentator, exclaiming in surprise as he went along.

"Wow, that sculpture is actually the 'First Generation Steam Engine' from a thousand years ago!"

"That's a statue of Emperor Spurglin?! I've seen his portrait in the 'Steam Machinery Chronicle'."

"And that, the first 'Dual Boiler Steam Equipment'."

"."

It must be admitted that, in terms of hardware alone, the "Oma Royal Academy of Sciences" is indeed far superior to their newly established "Black Dragon Academy".

Rein thought that he would go back and create some of that "campus culture" for their Black Dragon Academy as well.

To get to "Listen to Rain Lake", you need to pass through the experimental area.

In this area, you can see groups of mechanical apprentices.

In the School of Mechanical Engineering, monocles, power-assisted robotic Mechanical Arm, and Mechanical Skeleton are almost standard equipment.

Several pieces of mechanical equipment could be seen on all the trainees.

Just then, a group of students happened to pass by not far from Rein and his group.

Karl glanced at the leader and muttered to himself, "Grandpa, look, that guy's Mechanical Arm looks like an improved version of the 'Astar VI Power Arm.' It's a pity that's outdated technology; its mobility is obviously lacking. Oh, I think its original 'single-loop' design should have been replaced with a 'dual-circuit' design."

The students happened to hear it, probably because the voice was a bit loud.

They turned their heads and saw Rein and his group. When they saw that it was Karl who was speaking, they immediately showed a sneer of dissatisfaction.

The more complex the machine, the more extensive the knowledge required to support it. The Mechanical Arm that the students were able to make to this extent is already a very good "graduation project".

If a qualified mechanic of intermediate or higher level had said those words, the apprentices might have been more willing to learn from them.

How could someone who looks to be the same age as them dare to utter such "outrageous" words?

The student with the Mechanical Arm stopped and asked Karl rudely, "Hey, hey, hey, I'm Mark from the advanced class. Kid, which class are you in?"

The "advanced class" students are already advanced mechanical apprentices. They can usually take the "junior mechanic" exam after graduation.

Mark, being one of the top students in the advanced class, naturally had the confidence to look down on the other students.

Upon hearing this, his seven or eight companions also looked at Karl with disdain and whispered among themselves.

"They look unfamiliar; they don't seem to be from our college."

"Hmph, what a boastful tone. The 'Astar VI' is a classic Mechanical Arm model that even the professors rave about; even among our advanced class, only a handful can build it. And that guy dares to spout nonsense, saying it has technical defects."

"Tch, he's probably just some country bumpkin who's never seen the world."

"."

Hearing the whispers and pointing fingers from others, Karl felt somewhat at a loss.

He felt that he hadn't said anything wrong, so why were those people so hostile towards him?

He glanced at Rein beside him, like a child who had made a mistake, and muttered weakly, "Brother Rein."

Rein responded with a confident smile and said calmly, "We in Black Dragon City fear no one."

Although Karl was very intelligent, he didn't interact much with people, especially his peers.

To put it simply, they have a high IQ but low EQ and lack basic social skills.

This is also a common problem among many highly skilled mechanics.

Moreover, Karl never had a proper school education; he learned from Tuster.

He was unaware that his skills were already considered "monstrous" among his peers. While what he just said might be true to people like Rein, it sounded arrogant to those who didn't know him.

Rein's smile gave Karl confidence. He looked at the group and formally introduced himself, "I am Karl Furnster. From Black Dragon City. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Upon hearing this, Rein raised an eyebrow, a wry smile playing on his lips, thinking to himself: Karl, the other party doesn't really want to ask your name.

Sure enough, before he could finish speaking, the group burst into laughter.

"Black Dragon City? I heard it's that new city built in the wilderness."

"Haha, what a country bumpkin. I heard the people in that city still live like barbarians, using stone tools. And this guy dares to spout nonsense in the great field of mechanics?"

"Let's go, Mark, don't bother with this kind of person."

"."

Upon hearing Karl's words, the boys had no interest in "getting to know" him, made a few sarcastic remarks, and left together.

People in the capital city are naturally more arrogant than those from other places. In their eyes, anyone who is not born and raised in the capital city can be called a country bumpkin.

Moreover, the "Oma Royal Academy of Sciences" is the holy land of Steam Machinery, representing the most advanced and complete Mechanical City heritage.

The students in these academies naturally have the right to look down on mechanics from other places.

Therefore, when Karl introduced himself, he was naturally ridiculed as a country bumpkin.

The man left without giving him any chance to explain.

Karl was mocked again, and his previous enthusiasm immediately vanished.

Rein smiled and comforted him, saying, "Karl, don't take it too seriously."

As he spoke, he looked at the academy before him and said meaningfully, "It won't be long before they realize the true strength of Black Dragon City."

Even disregarding goblin technology, Black Dragon City's current technological level is more than one level higher than that of Omar.

Both the Omar and Sid empires have now sealed off information about Black Dragon City. Aside from the higher-ups, very few at the lower levels truly understand the situation Black Dragon City. These people are still living in a false sense of prosperity, believing that their "Oma Royal Academy of Sciences" represents the pinnacle of mechanics.

He understood the logic, but when ridiculed, Karl's face still showed his displeasure.

He gestured with his lips and muttered, "Oh."

Passing through the experimental teaching area, you'll find the faculty and staff residential area, which is covered in lush vegetation.

After walking through a corridor filled with pink thorns, a beautiful artificial lake comes into view.

It covered an area of several hundred square meters. Although it was not large, it was the first time that even Rein had seen such a luxurious thing as a "lake" in the Mechanical City.

It's like a vibrant green gem, inlaid in this steel city, adding a touch of lively life to the cold, mechanical metropolis.

The lake shore is surrounded by various carefully cultivated flowers and plants, and gardeners are meticulously watering, fertilizing, and pruning the branches.

Perhaps because of the rain, beautiful little fish could be seen swimming leisurely on the clear lake surface, their mouths opening and closing.

Looking at the beautiful garden before him, Karl's earlier gloom vanished. He leaned on the railing, watching the small fish on the lake, and exclaimed repeatedly, "Wow, Grandpa, look! There are so many little fish in the water!"

Rein turned his head and saw a pair of turbid eyes filled with melancholy.

The Tuster shimmered, and the light and shadow of raindrops splashing on its surface were reflected in his eyes.

The old man remained silent throughout the journey.

Now that they were at the lake, he pointed in a direction and said, "That's where I used to live."

His words seemed to take his thoughts back thirty years, to a place where he had kept memories of the first half of his life.

His laboratory used to be located in a corner by the lake.

Now, thirty years later, the building has been renovated quite a bit, and the old man feels it is somewhat unfamiliar.

But the little house remained exactly the same as before.

The tin roof painted brown, the mottled blue peeling, and even the weather doll hanging at the door are all exactly the same.

And on the wall by the lake, there are violets hanging from iron pipes.

The girl in my memory planted it herself.

He remembered her saying that the steel-filled laboratory lacked vitality and would be better with some flowers.

The flowers are in full bloom, just like they were thirty years ago, unchanged.

Actually, when I heard the news that Alma Garcia was still living at the academy, Rein a little surprised.

He thought it was the "scheming woman's" doing, that she had learned through some special channels that Tuster was coming and wanted to play some tricks.

But upon inquiring, it was discovered that Madam Garcia had been living here for many years.

This left Rein somewhat puzzled.

This woman certainly played a dishonorable role when Tuster's patent was stolen. She's also likely implicated in his poisoning later on.

Because of Tuster's disgrace, the woman's family also became wealthy and powerful, and now they have joined the upper echelons of Omar's society.

But what's the point of letting her live in this dilapidated house for so many years?

Rein didn't think about it in detail; it was Mr. Tuster's private matter.

The guards remained by the lake, while Rein and Karl accompanied Tuster along the covered bridge to the cottage.

The old man stopped at the doorway.

He faced the iron gate, his raised hand not striking it, but lowering it again.

Rein and Karl remained silent, standing quietly behind him. Although they couldn't see Tuster's expression, his trembling hands revealed that he was far from calm.

I don't know how long I stood there, but then the rain stopped.

The fragrance of violets wafted into my nostrils; the delicate floral scent was very refreshing.

In the puddle in front of the house, several pink water lilies were in full bloom. Raindrops fell on the lotus leaves and merged into crystal clear water droplets.

Perhaps because they were standing at the doorway, blocking the light from the lake-view glass, the people inside noticed that someone had come to visit.

Before the old man could knock on the door, footsteps could be heard coming from inside, getting closer and closer.

With a "click," the door opened from the inside.

What came into view was a middle-aged woman wearing a purple dress.

Her hair was perfectly styled, and her makeup was just right. Her features were striking, and her demeanor was elegant and dignified. One could only imagine that she must have been quite beautiful in her youth.

"You are"

The middle-aged woman glanced at the three men, including Rein.

For a moment, it was as if time itself had frozen.

Both of them sized each other up.

The moment Rein saw her, he guessed who she was.

After all, this lady and Fia, the vice president of the "Sunflower Merchant Guild," look about 70% alike.

Madam Garcia was a bit younger Tuster, and judging by her age, she should be in her early fifties. Nobles are generally good at maintaining their appearance, and you could still see glimpses of her younger self in her current state.

But Tuster had changed a lot. The poison and the ravages of time had left too many marks on his face, as if he had been reborn. You could no longer see any trace of the brilliant and talented mechanic he once was.

It's unclear how the lady in purple recognized them, but when she looked at the three people at the door, her gaze immediately fell on Tuster.

At first glance, her eyes flickered with doubt.

But in an instant, his expression froze.

In the blink of an eye, a relieved smile reappeared on her face.

But as she laughed, tears streamed down her face.

As time passed, she remembered the old friends in front of her, and it was as if she saw herself from those years.

All the groundwork laid in the earlier scenes is resolved in this part of the story. I'm writing it a bit slowly; if I don't write this part well, I'll be a disaster.