Princess's Struggle for Survival

Chapter 628: Breakthrough

A spoon lifted the creamy mushroom soup, faintly scented with milk, and gently delivered it between soft, moist pink lips. A small mouth closed around it, chewing delicately, followed by a subtle glide along the smooth, slender neck as the entire swallowing motion concluded seamlessly.

Sitting at the dining table, Astrid savored her lunch bite by bite. Her waist-length silvery-white hair cascaded over her shoulders, partially veiling the elegant black dress beneath.

The slender heel of her high heels rested against the porcelain-white floor tiles. The sleek, black-stockinged leg propped atop her knee resembles the other leg of a compass, tracing a gracefully arched semicircle before the gleaming, night-sky-colored toe. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

It had been less than ten days until the official opening of the magical device Exhibition. With assistance from students skilled in earth-elemental magic from the Elizabeth Academy of Magic, urban construction in the East District was already mostly completed.

These academy volunteers not only earned credits equivalent to an elective course, but also received a certain amount of academic subsidy and a royal reward from Her Majesty, the Empress Herself: priority eligibility for selection into the core research programs of magical devices.

Of course, whether or not they ultimately chose to accept depended entirely on each graduate’s personal future plans and aspirations.

Noble heirs with considerable family wealth could naturally pursue various fields, using their family resources to force open pathways, or simply coast through life, treating their time at Elizabeth Academy of Magic as mere prestige-building.

Meanwhile, those supported by minor merchants or hailing from underprivileged backgrounds could seize the opportunity offered by the imperial court, enjoying free advanced magical device courses and securing stable artisan jobs with favorable conditions.

The only condition was signing a long-term contract with the royal family, which funded the education, and barring unforeseen circumstances, they couldn’t withdraw midway.

Thus, not only were Amalia’s requirements for magical device reform fulfilled, generating vast employment and sowing seeds for future transformation, but the pace of urban redevelopment in Imperial city also dramatically accelerated.

With earth magic at their disposal, there was no need to transport cement or rely on heavy machinery. As long as the designers provided modified blueprints, the students proficient in earth-element magic could replicate them easily. After a final inspection and touch-up by the chief engineer, the work was completed. Their speed even surpasses the construction crews of Astrid’s past life.

Magical device streetlamps stand tall along city roads, each housing light-elemental crystals of various sizes sealed within transparent glass. Controlled collectively via intricate underground magical device pipelines and activation arrays, every lamp’s illumination and extinction was precisely scheduled.

All control circuits ultimately converged into one location, Her Majesty the Empress’s private residence, the resplendent Royal Palace.

As the supreme being wielding unparalleled authority over the empire, Amalia needed only to stand in the sunroom of her private chambers to survey the entirety of Imperial city.

Activation arrays control the lighting and heating of both East and West Districts flanking her sides; merely a flick of her wrist could switch half the city’s lights on or off. Should her glossy, rigid-soled leather shoe tap slightly, the brightness would shift in accordance with the pressure of her pale, silk-stockinged foot, ensuring readiness for any emergency.

Even Amalia, who wasn’t particularly obsessed with imperial power, felt a sweet, intoxicating allure in the moment she toggled the city lights. This invention, so perfectly satisfying a ruler’s desire for control and demonstration of privilege, is irresistible to any sovereign.

The instant light and darkness changed, watching the streetlamps extinguish one by one, every plant, every brick, every tile surrendering to the silent, endless night, it felt as if the entire imperial capital rested within her grasp.

This was the pleasure bestowed by power and status.

And it was only her elder sister’s grand vision that briefly restored rationality to this petite, silk-stockinged girl, helping her understand why she held power, and what she truly needed, only thus was she able to barely resist the corrupting influence of authority.

After finishing lunch with her younger sister, Astrid listened as the head maid reported recent developments, including the construction of the magical device exhibition stands and related promotional efforts.

A few nobles had already arrived in Imperial city. The guesthouses prepared in advance by Amalia were now in use. Based on current projections, the number of screenings would likely match or even exceed that of the Magic Exchange Tournament from a few years ago.

"Miss... some individuals from the Pan-Human Alliance have also arrived in Imperial city..."

"Do they wish to attend the magical device Exhibition as well?"

"It appears so. They were previously in Modem City, in the southeastern part of the Empire. Upon hearing of the grand spectacle in the capital, they joined merchant caravans and traveled here."

Elise, dressed in a black-and-white maid uniform, retrieved a list and handed it gently to Astrid.

"Since they’re merely individual tourists, this doesn’t rise to diplomatic channels. They’ve instead asked certain nobles in the capital to relay their desire to attend to you, Miss."

Accepting the parchment, Astrid carefully reviewed its contents.

"A descendant with merfolk blood... a half-aquatic elf capable of illusion magic..."

Elise clearly explains the races, political backgrounds, and relevant histories of the visitors. Astrid merely needed to skim through.

"Are their backgrounds clean?"

"In response, Miss, they generally have years of established trade with inland regions. Some have even chosen to settle along the southeastern coast of the Empire."

Clearly unsafe individuals would have already been filtered out by Elise and never reached Astrid’s desk.

Hearing the head maid’s words, Astrid pondered silently. Her left hand lightly twisted a strand of her flowing silver hair as she raised her gaze to reply.

"They’re all hybrids or humanoid intelligent species. Their participation shouldn’t disrupt public order."

"Let them see. Turning away honorable guests is not the way of the Valeria Imperial Family."

Magical device studies were profound and complex. Without years of research experience and a solid foundation in magical theory, even Arcanist-level mages would struggle to grasp the core concepts. Moreover, most of what they exhibited were mere prototypes encased in magic-insulated glass, never disassembled or explained in detail.

"Understood, Miss."

"Then for today’s midday rest, shall we go to Her Majesty Amalia, or to Professor Charlotte to work on magical devices?"

Presented with two options by the head maid, Astrid recalled last night’s "battle" with Amalia atop the imperial bed; several precious black and white silk garments from the imperial treasury had disappeared once again. After brief contemplation, she replied softly.

"The magical device Exhibition is approaching. Lady Charlotte wants to finish the initial draft of the communication device before the launch. She must be extremely busy..."

"I’ll go help her. That should speed things up."

In recent days, vast quantities of magical materials have been delivered to the workshop. Except for meals and nighttime rest, Charlotte rarely leaves the laboratory.

Upon learning Astrid’s plan, the raven-haired maid nodded, slightly lifting her skirt hem.

"I’ll make the arrangements right away, Miss."

...

Thirty minutes later, in the laboratory.

Two pairs of high heels of distinctly different styles sat beside the bed. Leaning against the bedpost was a night-sky-colored pair, metallic, side-cutout design, embellished with tiny diamonds. A delicate chain fastened around the ankle, clearly meant to highlight the wearer’s noble elegance.

The other pair was notably more refined, soft silver adding a touch of gentleness, yet its slender heel tempered that softness with a hint of cool, dignified grace. Unmistakably Charlotte’s style.

The two pairs leaned against each other, much like the scene unfolding on the soft bed, though the arrangement here was perhaps even less orderly.

Astrid lightly rested her legs against her aunt’s, and once again harnessed Charlotte’s mental energy to release an ancient spell.

The scent of their bodies mingled, filling the modest space with a subtle, lingering fragrance.

In their mentally linked state, neither Astrid nor Charlotte needed words. With but a flicker of thought, they could vaguely sense what the other was communicating.

"Lady Charlotte, you’ve finally settled on a composite material of leadwood and moonlight iron?"

"Mm. While maintaining high conductivity, they’re the least likely to cause magical dispersion. They’re ideal as carriers for information transmission."

"The method itself isn’t complicated. The tricky part is the mixing, requires precise temperature, and the wood shavings must be added at the exact moment the moonlight iron..."

Focusing her mind, Astrid listened as her aunt explained the detailed operational principles. Her fingers gently twisted strands of Charlotte’s silky hair. With no blanket, only a light coverlet, her black-stockinged legs performed the same gentle motion beneath.

When it came to magical devices, Charlotte was remarkably talkative, explaining everything from procedural techniques to stabilizing arcane particles and magical fluctuations, to data analysis and comparisons. She spoke nearly nonstop for an hour.

Thankfully, all of this occurred on a mental level, otherwise, Charlotte would’ve needed to drink water long ago.

"In other words, all future research will be based on this magical material?" Astrid asked.

"More or less. There are better materials, like Silverflame Holy Iron, but given its rarity and high cost, using it for long-distance transmission might only provide enough to lay a line from the Imperial capital’s imperial palace to a suburban villa, even if we gathered every ounce in the Empire."

This was far from their intended goal.

"However... it could work for the magical device Exhibition..." Charlotte said.

The exhibition aims to show everyone the bright future of magical devices. Display samples meant for outsiders naturally needed to be as flawless as possible.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid’s consciousness carried a faint smile.

"It seems our pragmatic Lady Charlotte has also learned the art of promotion and presentation."

Charlotte let out a soft hum in response, not denying Astrid’s remark.

"Inability now doesn’t mean inability forever. Perhaps one day, Silverflame Holy Iron production will achieve a breakthrough.

"Just like, decades ago, who could’ve imagined convenient bathing devices, no need for servants to heat water, just flip a switch and clean hot water flows out?"

The logic was sound. Astrid’s soul transmitted understanding, followed by the main reason for her visit.

"Since the transmission tubes are nearly ready, we should move on to output and receiving devices." ƒreewebɳovel.com

The same problem remained, both input and output relying on humans constantly holding the transmission tube wasn’t convenient. Admittedly, for critical battlefields, laying a communication line and assigning soldiers to receive around signals the clock wasn’t an unaffordable cost. But Astrid’s ambitions extended far beyond that.

"I’ve been reading some books in the Royal Library these past few days, and found some theoretical support. With Lady Charlotte’s mental energy, we might achieve temporary storage of arcane particles."

Like a phonograph, preserve the signal within the magical device for retrieval at any time.

The specific principles were somewhat complex. Astrid first gave Charlotte a simplified explanation to establish a shared foundation, then, through their mental resonance, began attempting to inscribe the storage array.

Undoubtedly, having this bed significantly boosted their research efficiency. Maintaining focus, their mental connection remains stable due to the strong physical bond, with minimal fluctuations.

Feeling Astrid guiding her mental energy, like a quill dipped in ink writing gracefully through the air, Charlotte pressed her legs together, her breathing growing exceptionally soft and shallow.

The magical principles behind the storage array weren’t particularly difficult. The real challenge lies in its vast, hollow, structureless magical properties. This characteristic makes it nearly impossible to sustain the array without continuous mental input, rendering it almost impossible to engrave onto external objects as a standalone, long-term-use array.

Astrid’s proposed solution: construct multiple compound storage arrays, nested within each other to form interlocking, mutually supportive mortise-and-tenon structures.

This approach increased magical consumption and complicated the entire array, reducing the amount of signal it could store, several intertwined lines leaving only a tiny channel in the center for arcane particles. The resulting receiver resembled an outdated mobile phone, capable of storing just five hundred messages. Once full, whether declarations of love or urgent battlefield reports, all would be rejected by the composite array.

Charlotte stilled her mind, perceiving Astrid’s thought process through every movement as she constructed the arcane channels.

Each fixed support point, each precisely interlocked fit, mingled with the sweet scent of roses and the refreshing coolness of mountain spring water, accompanied by the faint soulful sensations of being manipulated, everything feels calm and relaxed.

Astrid could feel her. She could feel Astrid.

Perhaps this soul resonance was meant to remain silent throughout. But then, in the next moment, the previously steady soul connection rippled faintly, like a pebble dropped onto a calm sea, sending out widening circles.

Charlotte sensed something strange, Astrid’s soul seemed to be undergoing some changes. It felt as though undercurrents were gathering beneath the surface.

Gradually forming a vortex, as if attempting to swallow her soul.

This was... the sign of mental energy reaching its threshold...

Could it be...