After leaving the Imperial Capital, Elliot parted ways with Michel and Sidney and returned alone to his own retinue.
He had not brought many combat personnel this time. After all, his main force had long since followed the Old Duke to the battlefield, so he had brought only a token contingent.
But there were plenty of servants, along with many carriages and even a few automobiles powered by steam engines.
Elliot circled them a few times in curiosity. Automobiles had long since been invented in this era, but because they still used steam engines, they were excessively large and could only travel on paved roads. In terms of usefulness alone, they could not even compare to horse-drawn carriages.
These vehicles were also there for the family to keep up appearances. Once the crowds seeing the party off dispersed, they would make a wide loop outside the city, then quietly return.
-Automobiles were nice, but they were not as useful as carriages. Their range of applications was too narrow.
This was also the Empire's attitude toward industrial machinery of all kinds.
Elliot dismounted, and servants promptly laid out a footstool and carpet on the ground.
He waved for them to put the carpet away, however, and stepped onto the bluestone road.
They had only just left the Imperial Capital, and the road could be considered first-rate in both quality and maintenance.
Yet beneath Elliot's feet was still a rather uneven bluestone surface, neither raised nor flanked by drainage ditches.
Michel had specifically chosen a sunny day for their departure. Had it rained, a few carriages would inevitably have become stuck in the mud.
On roads like these, horse-drawn carriages were naturally much better.
Although they had already entered the industrial age, people's thinking had yet to change. They were still trying