The Mechanical Church Comes Knocking

Facing Count Hall's suddenly sharpened gaze, Edwin did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"Count, words are always pale.

Some things can only be understood after experiencing them firsthand."

Seeing Edwin's composed demeanor, Count Hall could find no trace of guilt or deceit.

Moreover, the other man was right. Only by experiencing it himself could he draw a conclusion—

At that thought, the tension in Count Hall's jaw eased slightly. He straightened his loungewear and finally nodded.

"Fine, Edwin. Then let me try this automobile of yours!"

With that, he stepped forward and, under Edwin's guidance, took the passenger seat.

The leather seat was soft and resilient, but his mind was nowhere near its comfort at the moment.

Edwin shut the door, then walked around to the other side and took the driver's seat.

He did not start the machine immediately. Instead, he gave Count Hall a brief introduction. "This machine is far simpler to operate than you imagine. There are no complicated boiler pressure valves, nor is there any need to constantly monitor the coal burning."

As soon as he finished speaking, Edwin gripped a crank on the outside of the vehicle and turned it forcefully.

"Bzzzt—clack clack clack—

—"

After a brief, piercing screech of metal grinding, an entirely different roar suddenly erupted.

"Vrooom—rumble rumble rumble—

—"

It was not the gentle, continuous hiss of a steam engine, but a deep and powerful rumble, as though countless tiny explosions had been compressed together.

The entire steel body began to vibrate in a rhythmic pulse. A vigorous vitality surged up from beneath the seat, clearly transmitting itself into Count Hall's body.

He instinctively gripped the handrail at his side, and for the first time, shock appeared in his azure eyes.

He had seen those failed steam carriage prototypes.