On the day of the birthday banquet.
Old Madam Ingrid had sponsored Russell with one hundred Gold Coins for improving Reading Glasses, so Russell intended to complete the work as soon as possible.
After inspecting Windmill Mill, the jeweler from the lamp shop whom he had sent a Knight Retainer to fetch was brought over at just the right time.
"Mundis greets you, Lord Russell." The jeweler's legs trembled slightly. He had been brought here on horseback, and it was his first time enduring the jolting ride.
"Hello, Mundis." Russell spoke gently. "Do you know why I summoned you?"
"Please give your orders, Lord Russell."
"It concerns the two pieces of White Crystal I had you polish before. After they were made into single-lens Reading Glasses, my grandmother liked them very much."
"Ah, Old Madam Ingrid liked them? Th-then that is truly my honor!" Mundis was deeply excited.
"However, those two single lenses were ultimately somewhat inaccurate, so I now need to make glasses better suited for presbyopia." Russell said, "I am very satisfied with your craftsmanship, so I intend to entrust the polishing of the lenses to you."
In truth, Russell would have preferred to recruit Mundis and have him work exclusively for him.
He had ambitious plans to research glassmaking and create more varied, abundant, and exquisite glass products.
Unfortunately, reality did not permit it.
It was neither a matter of funds nor technology, but energy.
As everyone knew, metals and gemstones came from dragons and Wyverns. In fact, energy also came from Wyverns. Coal and petroleum were mineral resources bred by Wyverns and had to be transported from elsewhere to ensure Guangguang River Valley's supply.
Every year, Baron Roman cleared the trade routes across the snowfields so merchant caravans could transport large quantities of coal from other