Ryan soon said his goodbyes. He apologized on behalf of the two previous commissioners, and Elliot proved quite magnanimous. Ryan promised to deliver the custom-made Difference Engine within three days.
Elliot was rather surprised. "Three days? Can a Difference Engine be finished that quickly?"
Ryan explained with a smile, "You already have a Difference Engine in your residence. Once the new machine arrives, they can temporarily share a core. All its functions will be available, though the old core's computing power will fall somewhat short of the new one's. As for the new core being built exclusively for you-the machining and calibration of the precision components alone will take at least a month."
Elliot nodded indifferently.
He had little expectation for this new Difference Engine. Ryan had already stated plainly that the Difference Engines of this world were merely exquisite toys.
Whatever the case, it could never possess the extraordinary powers of the Difference Engine that controlled Vanessa.
His meeting with Ryan had not taken very long. By the time he saw the knight off, it was just past noon. Miss Elegy would not arrive until evening, so Elliot sat back down at the Difference Engine, bored out of his mind.
He had thought today would be busy, but it had turned out to be another boring day.
His gaze fell on the tabletop, and he spoke in surprise. "Why have two events appeared at once?"
In the cemetery outside the city.
After the morning's Sacrifice, Vanessa had led several others out of the city.
They had also brought the Flatbed Cart, with several empty sacks on it. Naturally, they were going hunting for stray dogs.
Thinking about it, this counted as one of their Society's benefits. Those on other Paths had to sacrifice their own bodies to reach the