"You're a scientist?"
Hearing Kentucky's brief introduction, Garen was immediately intrigued.
The man before him had dull eyes, heavy dark circles, and messy hair. He looked exactly like a frail middle-aged internet worker ground down by the 996 work schedule, yet Garen suddenly saw a certain unpolished brilliance and great wisdom hidden beneath that clumsy exterior.
Garen asked with great interest:
"Were the steam engine and the Breech-loading Rifled Cannon on that ironclad ship both invented by you?"
Seeing the eager look in Garen's eyes, Kentucky silently shrank back and answered rather awkwardly:
"No."
"Those things were all patented inventions of the Ironclad Pirates' captain."
"Uh..."
The image of that three-meter-tall brute wielding a massive axe immediately flashed through Garen's mind.
You really can't judge a book by its cover...
Garen covered his face helplessly.
Back then, he had seen the enemy captain looking like nothing more than a brainless thug and had taken his head without a second word.
His wonderful plan to vigorously develop technology and march boldly into an industrial society had died before it even began.
"Wait."
Garen looked curiously at the extremely cautious Kentucky and asked:
"If the technological products on that ship weren't invented by you, then what kind of scientist are you supposed to be?!"
In order to ensure his own safety before the leader of this unknown armed group, Kentucky hurriedly tried to prove his worth:
"Of course I'm a scientist!"
When it came to his profession, the listless Kentucky finally showed some of the brilliance of a technological elite. His low, weak voice grew louder:
"Those things on that ship were so backward. How could they even count as high technology?"
"Compared to my research, that kind of thing belongs in the scrap heap of history."
His forceful display made Garen