"Stormveil's commuting and logistics are still far too inefficient. I want the Academy to provide a new means of travel or a vehicle. It must be fast, convenient, and able to carry a reasonable amount of cargo."
Sellen's slender brows knitted slightly, a researcher's displeasure surfacing in her eyes. "Do you take the Academy for a wishing machine? We devote ourselves to the pursuit of truth..."
"Two hundred sets of teaching equipment."
The haze of displeasure instantly gave way to a practical gleam. "Leave it to us!"
"The year is nearly over, and winters in the Lands Between have always been cold. I want the Academy to design a reliable heating system. Not little luxuries like fireplaces reserved for nobles, but heating pipes that can reach every household. Thermal conductivity and heat retention must come first. Next, the pipe material must be affordable and good quality. Excessive costs are out of the question."
Sellen bit her lower lip, her voice tinged with irritation. "Tarnished, don't push your luck!"
"One hundred sets of crystal laboratory glassware."
All her dissatisfaction vanished amid the glittering refractions of those crystal vessels. "Deal!"
"Soil fertility."
"High-quality seeds."
"Pest and disease control."
"Disease prevention and enlargement of livestock."
"Stronger, more attractive new houses."
"More sensible, efficient town planning."
Tarnished had said they would "finish talking soon," yet he kept tossing out research assignments, one after another. His delivery remained steady, with no sign of stopping.
Morgott was utterly bewildered. He had assumed Tarnished and Sellen were discussing grand plans to strengthen the army and the nation, only to find that everything concerned the trifles of food, clothing, housing, and transport. When Tarnished even mentioned improving sugar production, his lips tightened almost imperceptibly. What use was research that merely satisfied the appetite? Could it repair the Elden