"Jadi, apa langkah pertama, Tuan?"
Lucy mengatupkan kedua tinjuan di depan dada.
Excited yang ia simpan sejak melihat desain akhirnya meledak keluar.
Ia sudah tampak siap untuk mulai bekerja sesaat saja.
Ezra tetap dudak di kursinya.
"Kita perlu beli Kereta Uap Bangsawan dulu."
Katanya dengan datar.
"Hah?"
Ekspresi energik Lucy membekukan.
Ruangan tiba-tiba sunyi.
Excited yang mengisi wajahnya sejenak langsung menghilang begitu saja, hampir terlihat menyakitkan.
Ia menatap beberapa kali, lalu melihat ke Ezra.
Lalu ke desain.
Lalu kembali ke Ezra sekali lagi.
"Apakah kita punya uang untuk itu?"
Suaranya terdengar jelas lemah.
"Tidak."
Ezra menjawab tanpa ragu, ekspresi wajahnya tetap netral, yang membuat energi Lucy menghilang lebih cepat lagi.
Bahu Lucy segera turun.
"Jadi..."
Ia menggosok keningnya.
"Bagaimana sebenarnya kita harus membeli sesuatu sepert itu?"
Bayangan dirinya yang mengemudi kereta gagap kecantikan seperti Royce perlahan melayang di dalam pikirannya.
Ezra melipat lengan.
"Aku akan meminjam uang dari..."
Dia berhenti sejenak.
Sebuah ekspresi sedikit muncul di wajahnya yang polos.
Meminjam uang jelas bukan hal yang disukainya.
Beberapa detik berlalu sebelum akhirnya ia mengeluarkan napas.
"Aku akan meminjam dari Vera."
"Lady Vera?"
Lucy tampak terkejut.
"Aku pikir ia berkata tidak punya lagi kebaikan yang harus aku kembalikan."
"Jangan khawatirkan itu."
Ezra dengan santai melambangkan tangan.
"Aku akan mengembalikannya."
Dia berhenti sejenak.
"Dan aku juga akan berhutang satu kebaikan."
Dari suara kedua kalimat itu terdengar jauh lebih berat daripada pertama.
Ezra mengeluarkan Starlix Z11-nya.
Layarnya langsung menyala.
Ia menekan aplikasi Linsta dengan beberapa notifikasi langsung muncul.
Semua dari Vera.
Ia bahkan mengirim pesan.
Ezra membuka obrolan.
Hal pertama yang ia lihat adalah sebuah gambar.
Beberapa gadis berdiri bersama di samping Vera.
Meskipun Ezra yang jarang memperhatikan penampilan, ia langsung memperhatikan satu hal.
Setiap orang di gambar itu benar-benar cantik.
Warna rambut berbeda.
Gaya berbeda.
Kepribadian berbeda.
Namun semua mengagungkan tipe penampilan yang akan mendapatkan perhatian di mana pun ia pergi.
Paling tidak putri dari keluarga Duke lain.
Tentu saja, Ezra tidak peduli dengan gambar itu.
Pesan di bawahnya yang membuatnya menatap selama beberapa detik.
'Who is the fairest of them all?'
Jewel_of_Ash
Ekspresi Ezra langsung menjadi polos.
Jenis ekspresi polos seseorang yang tahu jebakan telah ditempatkan tepat di depannya.
Sebuah jebakan yang sangat jelas.
Yang dirancang khusus oleh Vera.
Matanya beralih ke bawah.
Pesan-pesan lain menunggu di bawah.
'How's your invention going?'
Jewel_of_Ash
'It must be difficult trying to find an invention that fits your low-key but groundbreaking theme.'
Jewel_of_Ash
'Good luck, Ezra.'
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra sedikit memiringkan diri di kursinya.
Cahaya lembut dari Starlix menerangi wajahnya sementara Lucy terus mengamatinya dari samping.
Sudah paham apa yang kulakukan, ya.
Realisasinya tidak mengejutkan.
Vera menakutkan baiknya dalam memahami cara berpikir orang, bahkan ketika orang itu adalah Ezra.
Tanpa bertele-tele, ia mulai mengetik.
Untuk pertanyaan pertama...
Ia pura-pura mengabaikannya.
'I already finished the design.'
Ezra_Ashenlocke
'What's left now are the materials needed to begin production.'
Ezra_Ashenlocke
'I already have most of the secondary materials prepared.'
Ezra_Ashenlocke
'H owever, I'm missing all of the primary materials required for the invention.'
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Jari-jarinya terhenti di atas layar.
Bagian berikutnya mengganggangya.
Meminjam uang.
Mungkin adalah perasaan emosional refleks dari diri masa lalunya, tapi bahkan bagi seseorang dengan kewarganegaraan tier kelas, Ezra juga merasa terganggu dengan tindakan itu.
Sayangnya, realitas tidak peduli dengan preferensinya.
Dibandingkan meminjam dari korporasi keuangan atau berurusan dengan bunga dan kontrak yang tidak perlu, meminjam dari Vera jauh lebih aman.
Setidaknya ia sudah menjadi mitra bisnisnya.
Akhirnya, ia menyelesaikan pengetikannya.
'I need your help securing funds for the primary materials.'
Ezra_Ashenlocke
'And I also need Uncle Roger's contact.'
Ezra_Ashenlocke
'I'll require his assistance as well.'
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Pesan itu terkirim.
"Selesai."
Ezra menguncikan Starlix dan memasukkannya kembali ke saku kemejanya.
Lucy tampak kecewa.
"Itu saja?"
"Apa yang kamu harapkan?"
"Pengakuan cinta."
Ezra perlahan berbalik ke arahnya, mengedipkan mata ke arahnya.
Lucy segera menoleh.
"...Tidak ada."
Mengabaikannya, Ezra berdiri dan berjabat ke arah bengkel.
"Mari mulai persiapan."
Saat tiba di bengkel, Ezra segera mengeluarkan Starlix Z11-nya lagi.
Bengkel terasa jauh lebih ramai dari sebelumnya.
Tumpukan baja logam berbaris menyatu sisi dinding, sementara beberapa peti berisi bijih logam mendudari sudut lain. Kompor uap baru yang terpasang berdiri tenang di tempatnya, badan metaliknya memantulkan cahaya dari lampu di atas kepala.
Lucy bergerak ke arah peti dan mulai mengurutkan beberapa bijih yang mereka butuhkan nanti.
Di sementara, Ezra menekan kontak Roger dan memulai panggilan video.
Starlix yang berada di atas meja kerja memproyeksikan simbol telepon holografis ke atasnya.
Ikon transparan perlahan berputar sementara cincin cahaya menyebar seperti ripple di air.
Panggilan sedang menghubungkan.
Lucy menatap sambil mengagangi beberapa potongan bijih.
Beberapa detik kemudian, simbol holografis tiba-tiba berubah.
Ikon telepon menggelembung menjadi layar persegi.
Panggilan diterima.
"ADAKAH ITU KAMU, EZRA?!"
Suara Roger meledak dari proyeksi.
Kerasnya volumenya sedikit menakutkan Lucy, sementara Ezra melihat layar dengan ekspresi polos yang sama.
Layar menampilkan Roger yang berdiri di dalam bengkelnya sendiri.
Uap mengalir dari kompor uap di baliknya.
Tidak jauh di belakang Roger, seorang pemuda sedang memanaskan sepotong logam yang bersinar.
Siswa langsung mengangkat kepalanya.
"Apa?!"
Mata giginya membesar.
"Ezra dan Miss Lucy sedang menelepon?"
Ia menekukunya ke depan sejauhnya sehingga Ezra sejenak bertanya-tanya apakah hal itu sehat secara fisik.
Siswa mencoba menyelipkan dirinya ke dalam tampilan kamera.
"Fokus pada pekerjaanmu!"
Roger mendorongnya dengan satu tangan.
"Aduh!"
Siswa terjatuh mundur.
Wajahnya segera memekat dengan tidak puas.
"Hai, Kakek Roger."
Ezra memberikan salam sopan.
Lucy juga memberikan salam di sampingnya.
Saat Roger melihat mereka dengan jelas, wajahnya memancar.
"Aku menyaksikan Pesta Pengumuman."
Senumnya membesar.
"Aku tulus tidak tahu kamu begitu terampil, anak!"
"Ya!"
Siswa langsung kembali lagi.
Seperti semacam hantu yang tak pernah pergi.
"Kamu benar-benar menghina saudara kembarmu!"
Matanya hampir berkilau.
"Itu luar biasa!"
Senangnya ia menirukan beberapa gerakan.
"Cara kamu bergerak dan dia terus jatuh itu keren sekali! Bagaimana kamu bisa melakukan itu?"
KARET!
Tangan Roger mendarat tepat di kepala siswanya.
"Aduh!"
Siswa langsung memegang kepalanya.
Wajahnya berubah warna pucat.
"Biarkan saya bicara dengan Miss Lucy dan Ezra juga."
Mata Roger berganti.
"Jika kamu tidak kembali bekerja sekarang..."
Lambat, Roger mengangkat tangannya lagi.
Siswa menatapnya.
Ekspresinya langsung berubah.
Transformasinya begitu cepat sehingga Lucy hampir tertawa.
Siswa segera berbalik dan mulai bekerja dengan tekun yang luar biasa.
Palu ia bergerak begitu cepat sehingga b sparks terbang ke mana-mana.
Lucy dan Ezra diam-diam menonton.
Kemudian keduanya mengedipkan mata.
Dari suatu alasan, seluruh adegan mengingatkan mereka pada seekor anjing yang memaksa seekor anaknya yang berenergi berlebihan.
Anjing menggonggong.
Ibunya menggonggong lebih keras.
Anjing pun segera teringat posisinya.
Roger berbalik ke layar.
Senyum ceria kembali seolah-olah tidak ada yang terjadi.
"Maafkan itu."
Ia mengusap jenggotnya.
Lalu matanya berrambah melihat sekitarnya.
"Ini rumahmu?"
Roger condong ke layar.
Tampilan kamera sedikit bergetar.
Matanya tertuju pada bengkel.
Beberapa detik berlalu.
Lalu...
"TUNGGU."
Ia semakin condong.
"Kamu membangun bengkel?!"
Tertawa Roger langsung meledak.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
Suara itu menggema di kedua bengkel.
Bahkan roaring dari mesin uap yang beroperasi di baliknya kebetulan tidak bisa bersaing.
"Ya."
Ezra mengangguk.
"Itu."
Roger masih tertawa sebelum akhirnya mereda.
"Masih polos seperti biasa."
Kepala ia digoyangkan.
Sebuah senyum tipis tetap di wajahnya.
Ada persetujuan yang jelas tersembunyi di balik candaannya.
"Jadi."
Roger melipat lengan.
"Apa yang perlu kamu hubungi, Tuan?"
Ezra langsung ke inti.
"Aku ingin bertanya apakah kamu tahu ada Calfer Lohong Logam yang bisa membantu kami."
Roger mendengarkan dengan serius.
"Aku butuh bantuan membuat komponen pembakaran untuk penemuanku."
Dia memberhentikan sejenak.
"Aku sebenarnya bisa meminta bantuanmu secara langsung, tapi skala proyeknya terlalu besar."
Roger langsung mengangguk.
"Itu wajar."
Ia melipat lengan.
"Aku tidak punya mesin yang cocok untuk produksi skala besar."
Matanya mengarah ke atas.
Jelas berpikir.
"Tapi..."
Sesaat kemudian, ia mengangguk.
"Aku tahu seseorang."
Ekspresi Roger menjadi sedikit rumit.
Senyum di wajahnya melemah.
"Meskipun, aku belum berbicara dengan dia dalam waktu yang lama."
Satu penghela napas melewati.
Lucy langsung memperhatikan perubahan.
Ezra juga melihatnya, tapi kelihatan tidak terganggu.
Menarik.
Siapa pun orang ini, jelas membawa sejarah yang tidak membuat Kakek Roger ingin kembali.
Lucy berpikir sambil melanjutkan pengagangannya bijih yang mereka butuhkan untuk penemuannya.
"Terima kasih, Kakek Roger."
Ezra memberikan salam sopan lagi.
Roger melambangkan tangan dengan tidak serius.
"Tidak perlu..."
"Kamu maksud Kanjung?
Siswa tiba-tiba kembali ke layar.
Roger tersisa.
Bengkel tiba-tiba menjadi sunyi.
Siswa sepertinya menyadari kesalahannya.
Lambat.
Sangat lambat.
Roger berbalik.
"Apa..."
Suaranya terdengar berbahaya.
"...yang sedang kamu lakukan, lagi?"
Sebelum siswa bisa melarikan diri, Roger meraihnya dengan satu tangan dan mengangkatnya ke udara.
"AAAAAAH!"
Kaki siswa segera bergerak-gerak.
"Biarkan aku pergi! Aku
"So, what’s the first step, Master?"
Lucy clenched both fists in front of her chest.
The excitement she had been holding back since seeing the design finally burst out.
She already looked ready to start working immediately.
Ezra remained seated in his chair.
"We need to buy a Noble Steam Carriage first."
He said flatly.
"Huh?"
Lucy’s energetic expression froze.
The room suddenly became quiet.
The excitement that had filled her face moments ago disappeared so quickly that it almost looked painful.
She blinked several times, then looked at Ezra.
Then at the design.
Then back at Ezra again.
"Do we have the money for that?"
Her voice sounded noticeably weaker.
"No."
Ezra answered without hesitation, his facial expression staying blank, which made her energy to die more quickly.
Lucy’s shoulders immediately dropped.
"So..."
She rubbed her forehead.
"How exactly are we supposed to buy something like that?"
The image of herself driving the beautiful Royce-style carriage began slowly crumbling inside her mind.
Ezra folded his arms.
"I’ll borrow the money from..."
He paused.
A slight frown appeared on his plain face.
Borrowing money was clearly not something he liked.
Several seconds passed before he finally exhaled.
"I’ll borrow it from Vera."
"Lady Vera?"
Lucy looked surprised.
"I thought she said she didn’t owe you any more favors."
"Don’t worry about that."
Ezra casually waved his hand.
"I’ll pay her back."
He paused.
"And I’ll owe her a favor in return."
For some reason, that second sentence sounded much heavier than the first.
Ezra took out his Starlix Z11.
The screen lit up.
He clicked on the Linsta app with several notifications immediately appearing.
All of them were from Vera.
She even sent messages.
Ezra opened the chat.
The first thing he saw was a picture.
Several girls stood together beside Vera.
Even Ezra, who rarely paid attention to appearances, immediately noticed one thing.
Every single person in that picture was exceptionally beautiful.
Different hair colors.
Different styles.
Different personalities.
Yet all of them possessed the type of appearance that would attract attention no matter where they went.
Most likely daughters from other Duke Families.
Of course, Ezra didn’t care about the picture itself.
It was the message underneath it that made him stare for several seconds.
’Who is the fairest of them all?’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra’s expression immediately became blank.
The kind of blank expression someone made when they knew a trap had been placed directly in front of them.
A very obvious trap.
One specifically designed by Vera.
His eyes moved downward.
More messages waited below.
’How’s your invention going?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’It must be difficult trying to find an invention that fits your low-key but groundbreaking theme.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Good luck, Ezra.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra leaned slightly back in his chair.
The soft light from the Starlix illuminated his face while Lucy continued watching him from the side.
She already figured out what I was trying to do, huh.
The realization wasn’t surprising.
Vera was frighteningly good at understanding how people thought, even when that person happened to be Ezra.
Without wasting any more time, he began typing.
As for the first question...
He pretended it didn’t exist.
’I’ve already finished the design.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’What’s left now are the materials needed to begin production.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’I already have most of the secondary materials prepared.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’However, I’m missing all of the primary materials required for the invention.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
His fingers paused above the screen.
The next part irritated him.
Borrowing money.
Maybe it was another reflex emotional feeling from his past-self, but even for a person of class tier citizenship in Britannia, Ezra also felt annoyed by the action.
Unfortunately, reality didn’t particularly care about his preferences.
Compared to borrowing money from a financial corporation or dealing with interest rates and unnecessary contracts, borrowing from Vera was significantly safer.
At least she was already his business partner.
Eventually, he finished typing.
’I need your help securing funds for the primary materials.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’And I also need Uncle Roger’s contact.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’I’ll require his assistance as well.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The message was sent.
"There."
Ezra locked the screen and slipped the Starlix back into his cardigan pocket.
"Now we wait."
Lucy nodded.
Although she looked far more invested in the outcome than Ezra did.
"We should start arranging the materials we already have for the proj..."
Ping.
Ping.
Ping.
Several notifications arrived in rapid succession.
Lucy immediately pointed at his pocket.
"She replied."
"I noticed."
Ezra sighed.
The speed alone was suspicious.
Almost as though Vera had been waiting with the chat window open.
He removed the Starlix and unlocked it again.
The moment he entered the chat, his eyes narrowed slightly.
’Answer my first question.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’I am absolutely certain you really, really, really need my help right now.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’And I happen to be the type of person who always helps others because I am incredibly kind.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’So, answer the question, Ezra.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra typed immediately.
’Not replying.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The response arrived almost instantly.
’You’re being stubborn for some reason.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Don’t tell me you fell for one of those bitches?’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra blinked once, then typed.
’Bitches?’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Yes.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’A bitch is a bitch.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’A group of them is called bitches.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Do you have a problem with that?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’No.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Still not answering.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Several seconds passed, then another notification appeared.
’I guess you won’t be needing my help after all.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra stared at the message, then calmly typed his reply.
’You already know my answer.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’You just want me to type it out., and I’m not giving you that satisfaction, Vera.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Three dots appeared, then disappeared.
Then it appeared again.
Then several messages arrived in a flourish.
’I wish I could stab you to death.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Then stab myself immediately afterward so I could chase your spirit into the Scholar Realm.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Or perhaps I could kidnap you and lock you inside a room nobody would ever find.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’But unfortunately, I’m not that type of person.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Lucy stared at Ezra quietly awaiting next word. The more she looked, she noticed how plain Ezra’s expression was getting, it was clear that he and Vera were in their normal heated moving conversation.
Ezra typed.
’Scary.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The reply arrived immediately.
’Not giving me... the satisfaction?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’What a wicked and evil boy you are.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Playing with my fragile maiden heart.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra’s face remained completely expressionless.
’Funny.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Several seconds later another message arrived.
’Enough of that.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’I’m busy right now.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Send me a complete list of everything you need and I’ll handle it.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Directly transferring a large amount of money would attract annoying attention.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Especially because Elder Gram currently oversees the Finance Corps.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’And because I happen to be one of its most diligent employees.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’I’ve been working there since before the Trial of Steel. Just letting you know.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra immediately replied.
’That sounds exhausting.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’It is.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’The Elder seems to have a personal issue with you.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’And now with me.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Because he appears convinced, we’re alike.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
A reply arrived almost instantly.
’But we are alike.’
Jewel_of_Ash
Ezra looked at the message, then chose not to argue.
There was no point.
Vera would somehow turn the discussion into a three-hour debate and still claim victory at the end.
Instead, he typed what he actually needed.
’I need a high-tier Noble Steam Carriage.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Preferably one built for speed.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’And a large-scale baking furnace.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Understood.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Here’s Uncle Roger’s contact.’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Rogers_Blacksmith’
Jewel_of_Ash
’Thanks.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Anything else?’
Jewel_of_Ash
’No.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The conversation finally ended.
"Done."
Ezra slipped the Starlix back into his pocket.
Lucy looked disappointed.
"That’s it?"
"What were you expecting?"
"A confession."
Ezra slowly turned toward her, narrowing his eyes on her.
Lucy immediately looked away.
"...Nothing."
Ignoring her, Ezra stood up and gestured toward the workshop.
"Let’s start preparing."
The moment they arrived at the workshop, Ezra immediately took out his Starlix Z11 again.
The workshop was already much livelier than before.
Stacks of metal ingots rested against one side of the wall, while several crates filled with ores occupied another corner. The newly installed Steam Furnace stood quietly in place, its metal body reflecting the light from the overhead lamps.
Lucy moved toward the crates and began sorting through some of the ores they would need later.
Meanwhile, Ezra tapped Roger’s contact and initiated a video call.
The Starlix resting on the worktable projected a holographic phone symbol above itself.
The translucent icon slowly rotated while rings of light spread outward like ripples across water.
The call was connecting.
Lucy glanced over while carrying several pieces of ore.
A few seconds later, the holographic symbol suddenly changed.
The floating phone icon unfolded into a square screen.
The call had been accepted.
"IS THAT YOU, EZRA?!"
Roger’s voice exploded from the projection.
The sheer volume startled Lucy slightly, while Ezra looked at the screen with his usual plain expression.
The screen showed Roger standing inside his own workshop.
Steam hissed from the steam-furnace behind him.
Not also far behind Roger, a young man was carefully tempering a glowing piece of metal.
The disciple immediately lifted his head.
"What?!"
His eyes widened.
"Ezra and Miss Lucy are calling?"
He stretched his neck so far forward that Ezra briefly wondered if it was physically healthy.
The disciple tried to squeeze himself into the camera view.
"Face your work!"
Roger pushed his head away with one hand.
"Argh!"
The disciple stumbled backward.
His face immediately puffed up with dissatisfaction.
"Hi, Uncle Roger."
Ezra gave a polite bow.
Lucy also bowed beside him.
The moment Roger saw them properly, his face brightened.
"I watched the Unveiling Party."
His grin widened.
"I honestly didn’t know you were that skilled boy!"
"Yeah!"
The disciple instantly appeared again.
Like some kind of persistent ghost.
"You completely humiliated your twin brother!"
His eyes practically sparkled.
"It was amazing!"
He enthusiastically mimicked several movements.
"The way you moved and he kept falling over was so cool! How did you even pull something like that off?"
BANG!
Roger’s fist landed directly on the disciple’s head.
"Ouch!"
The disciple immediately grabbed his skull.
His face twisted in pain.
"Get back to work, fool."
Roger barked.
"But..."
The disciple pointed toward the screen.
"I want to talk to Miss Lucy and Ezra too."
Roger’s eyes twitched.
"If you don’t return to work right now..."
Slowly, Roger raised his fist again.
The disciple stared at it.
His expression instantly changed.
The transformation was so fast that Lucy almost laughed.
The disciple immediately turned around and resumed working with incredible dedication.
His hammer moved so quickly that sparks flew everywhere.
Lucy and Ezra silently watched.
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