Ding-dong!
Klein rode the bicycle that Leppard had just finished on a few laps around the lawn behind his house.
"Not bad, just as I expected. However, there's no need for a separate bell. In case of an emergency, it's difficult for the rider to free their hand. It would be much more convenient, simpler, and in line with the natural development of things if the bell were integrated with the handlebars." Klein squeezed the brake with his right hand, causing the bicycle to slow down quickly and come to a stop.
At the same time, he put the bell he was holding in his left hand back in its original position.
Leppard pondered for a few seconds and said:
"Yes, that's exactly how it should be. I was just imitating the carriage bells and forgot that this is a completely new mode of transportation."
At this point, he looked at Klein with a slight hint of doubt as he skillfully got out of the car and set up the support frame:
"You give me the impression that you've ridden similar vehicles before, and you rode them very well... I'm sure other bicycles on the market have significant flaws, and are clearly different from mine."
How about some shared bikes...? As a " Clown," I should actually be riding a unicycle... Klein silently muttered a couple of things, then smiled slightly:
"This has nothing to do with experience; excellent balance and athletic ability are the key."
He quickly changed the subject. "But from your introduction, the cost is quite high, which contradicts the positioning of our product. You must come up with a solution as soon as possible to reduce costs. You need to understand that nobles, the wealthy, and other high-society people with status certainly won't choose to ride bicycles themselves; it's undignified. The same goes for middle-class people earning more than £3 a year."
"Our target group is clerks, postmen, the so-called working class, those earning between £7 and £3 a year."
"This is just a 'prototype,' well, that's a term invented by Emperor Roselle. It's normal for it to be expensive. If the subsequent factory production goes smoothly, I think it shouldn't be a problem to reduce the cost to below 6 pounds. If we can find a cheaper material to replace natural rubber, that would be even better, as that's the most expensive part," Leppard replied thoughtfully.
Unfortunately, oil hasn't been discovered in this world yet... and we don't even know if it exists... Could refined coal tar play a role in this regard? I have absolutely no idea; I'm neither an academic nor Reader... Klein thought for a moment and said:
"If we can keep the cost below 4 pounds, we'll be rich. As for cheaper materials to replace natural rubber, you can look through Roselle's manuscripts; perhaps he has some ideas recorded there."
Leppard gave a soft "hmm," then suddenly spoke:
"Speaking of which, I just remembered there's a Emperor Roselle commemorative exhibition next week at the Kingdom Museum! It's hosted by the Church of Steam and Machinery, and they say it will feature Emperor Roselle's original invention manuscripts and various relics."
The original manuscript and various relics? Klein was intrigued and immediately pressed for details:
"What exactly is the time? I'm very interested."
"From next Tuesday to next Friday, from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. each day, although Emperor Roselle was once an enemy of the kingdom, the allure of his legendary life will not be diminished in the slightest."
"I'll make time to see the exhibition." Klein pulled out his bulging wallet and took out two pound notes and two pound notes. "This is the second installment. Use it to research how to reduce costs and make the best possible application at the patent office. If you don't have Lawyer you know, I can introduce you to one. The last two pounds will be given to you next week to find new investors and complete the factory production of the product. Of course, I will also help you contact interested people."
He never considered monopolizing the profits from bicycles. Firstly, he lacked the funds for large-scale production. Secondly, he felt he didn't have enough connections in the factory, promotion, and sales sectors. Forcing himself to do it or hiring others would be time-consuming, laborious, and not guaranteed to succeed, and might even result in losses. Therefore, he thought it better to bring in new investors with similar resources and channels, letting professionals handle professional matters.
Furthermore, and more importantly, this gives him the opportunity to cash out a portion of his shares in advance, accumulating cash to build up the resources needed for his future promotion to " Faceless," so he won't be caught without the money to buy them.
Moreover, I never intended to become a bicycle tycoon. My identity is sensitive, and before becoming the " Faceless," I need to stay away from things that might become the focus of society... I will be Acting the role of a " Magician," not a "businessman" or a "factory owner"... Klein sighed to himself.
"I know several Lawyer," Leppard muttered, accepting the second round of investment. "Why not apply for a bank loan? Once we get the patent, I'm sure a bank will lend us money, like Bank of Backlund or Bavant Bank."
"We're bringing in more than just investment; we're also bringing in channels, connections, and capabilities, understand?" Klein explained with a smile, then put on his hat and said, "Once the patent is approved, send me a letter. You know my address."
In the Sonia Sea, there is an island with a dormant volcano standing tall.
Ships with masts erected and sails hoisted one after another docked, crowding the not-so-small pier.
The pirates' songs, roars, laughter, curses, and cheers filled the air, turning the place into a sea of revelry.
Alger Wilson, the " The Hanged Man," stepped off the Blue Avenger and climbed onto a nearby cliff, quietly gazing at everything around him.
"Apart from the four kings and the seven generals, the other pirates only received news of this grand event a week ago, and most of them couldn't make it in time. This is also to guard against a surprise attack by the navies of various countries and the powerful figures of the major churches." Alger watched the pirates carry out barrels of ale, his attention not fully focused.
He knew that the Kingdom of Loen already possessed revolutionary ironclad warships, but he wasn't worried about encountering them here, because only four months had passed. The invincible fleet that was being touted as such still needed more ironclad warships, different types of ships to coordinate with each other, and officers, Sailor, and gunners to be trained. It would take more than a year to form a true fighting force.
Just as Alger's thoughts were scattered, the pirates on the ships and docks suddenly cried out in alarm. Some rushed into the depths of the island, while others hurriedly steered their ships away from the dock, as if fleeing from Devil and plague.
In just a few minutes, the previously bustling and noisy scene was reduced to chaos and silence.
Alger turned to look out to sea and saw a ship painted entirely black, with a huge white flag bearing a skull fluttering from its mast.
The skull was pitch black, with eerie blue flames burning in its eye sockets.
" The Black Death..." Alger murmured.
He understood why those pirates had avoided him before.
Wherever " Vice Admiral Ailment " Tracy goes, someone always falls ill for no apparent reason!
The Black Death slowly approached the shore, and a figure wearing a white linen shirt and a dark red coat appeared at the bow.
This is a very beautiful lady, and also a very spirited one.
Her jet-black, bouncy curls were piled high and wrapped with a white headscarf. She wore well-fitting beige trousers, which accentuated her slender and graceful figure.
What's most striking about this woman, however, are her long, straight eyebrows and sharp, bright Blue Eyes.
As she glanced around, her eyes would occasionally lose focus, appearing hazy and alluring.
A bard who frequented the pirates had somehow arrived at the edge of the cliff and said in a groaning tone:
She will always be a young girl.
"She really brought me illness. Oh, I'm sick. All I can think about is her."
Some of the pirates who had left regrouped, gazing adoringly at the " Disease Maiden " Tracy.
Alger suppressed his disdain, glanced at the pirates, and sneered inwardly:
"What a bunch of hopeless and spineless fools. They knew to hide just now, but now they've been seduced by beauty."
"While the 'disease' girls are indeed beautiful, they're not quite to the extent they're displaying... hmm... extraordinary abilities in the area of allure?"
As his thoughts raced, " Vice Admiral Ailment " Tracy left the " Black Death " and headed towards the dark palace deep within the island.
Then, a huge sailing ship appeared on the sea, its flag a star-shaped eye surrounded by ten stars, an eye without eyelashes.
"' Admiral of Stars ' Cattleya..." Alger nodded slightly, speaking silently to himself.
Because the " Black Death " and other ships were already docked at the pier, the huge sailing ship did not approach the shore, but instead went around to a sheltered cliff to anchor.
Immediately afterwards, the gloomy sky suddenly brightened, and tiny, dazzling starlight fell, condensing in mid-air to form a long, transparent bridge, leading from the giant sailboat to the deep palace.
A woman stepped onto the long bridge and strolled along it, seemingly suspended in mid-air.
She wore a black, classic robe adorned with numerous symbols and magical markings, the most striking of which was a mysterious eye—an eye without eyelashes.
The woman also had an astrolabe and a short scepter hanging from her waist, like a powerful Wizard active in the Quaternary period in folklore.
Alger looked up for a while, then suddenly frowned slightly, muttering to himself in confusion:
"That planetarium... it feels so familiar..."
"It's like... it's like... that strange glass bottle I got before, the one whose purpose I don't know, the strange glass bottle that broke after Mr. ' The Fool ' dragged me into the party..."
In the northern suburbs of Queens Borough, Audrey, accompanied by her maids and accompanied by her golden retriever Susie, entered her own manor.
"Miss, the goods from Enmat Port are just ahead," the butler in charge of the estate said respectfully.
"Okay." Audrey nodded slightly, then jokingly said to the golden retriever beside her, " Susie, this is your gift."
As they were talking, they turned the corner and saw the so-called gift.
It was a giant lizard whose skin changed color with the light, measuring three meters long, and even when it was lying down, its height was level with Audrey's knees.
Those were two enormous creatures, enormous enough to scare a child to tears!
"Woof?" Susie barked in confusion and surprise, turning her head to look at her owner. She found that her owner had the exact same expression as her, clearly not expecting the gift to be so extravagant.