An Invitation from an Old Acquaintance

The hot springs shrouded the town of Carlsbad in a hazy white mist during winter. When the first snowflake drifted through the steam and landed on a passerby's face, a burst of exclamations rose from the street.

This year, the snow had come a little earlier than in years past.

At the inn where Count Marcin was staying, thick curtains shut out the cold wind, while a lively fire crackled in the hearth.

He sat before the fireplace, curiously studying a row of round holes above it.

Behind the holes ran a row of copper pipes, each about as thick as a finger and bent into a "_" shape. The pipes passed along the inside of the fireplace, then continued through the wall and out at a lower point. The fire heated the air inside them, and as the hot air rose, it drew in fresh air from outside, warming it before it entered the room.

Ever since the negotiations had been suspended, Marcin had spent his time exploring the town, discovering all sorts of fascinating new things.

As he considered making similar renovations to his own castle when he returned home, the owner of a gift shop arrived.

Traditional nobles sat at home and waited for merchants to bring their wares to them. Only Frederick liked going shopping, and Marcin naturally followed tradition.

He planned to buy some gifts to take home. His butler had already told the shopkeeper what he wanted, and the man had made preparations.

There were exquisite music boxes that played different tunes using paper strips, and you could even punch holes in the strips yourself to compose your own melodies.

There were also 6 mm caliber magic Air Guns, with exaggerated designs. Some had muzzles shaped like dragons with their jaws wide open, making