Firearms in a Fantasy World 2

Chapter 214: Scrap Iron

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"Smack!"

A firm pat on his back startled Guy Burns, causing his gloomy expression to vanish instantly.

Paul had noticed Guy looking dejected and decided to cheer him up a bit since he still needed him for many upcoming tasks.

"Hey! What's with that expression? You look like you stepped in dog poop," Paul remarked.

Guy blushed. "Uh... I'm just frustrated with myself for not seeing things as far ahead as you do."

"Hmph, you can't fool me! You're blaming me for not letting you work on the steam engine, aren't you?" Paul teased.

Guy flustered, waving his hands. "No, no! Your lordship, how could I ever blame you?"

Paul rubbed his chin, feigning a contemplative look.

"Alright, Burns, you can use some of the resources and manpower from the factory to research steam utilization."

"Yes, my lord, I will... Wait, did I hear you correctly?" Guy was visibly surprised. Was the Earl changing his mind?

"You heard me right. But my condition is that it shouldn't interfere with the factory's regular tasks. I hired you to work, not to indulge your personal interests."

Guy immediately stood at attention and saluted Paul with a military salute he had learned.

"Lord Grayman, please rest assured, I will not affect other research and production tasks."

Paul adopted a serious expression. "I hope so. I'll be keeping an eye on you and regularly checking the expenses across all projects in the factory."

Despite Paul's warning, Guy's gloomy expression never returned. He walked with a lighter step and even started humming a tune.

Although Paul didn't currently need a steam engine, preliminary research and technological accumulation were necessary. When the time came, if his plans succeeded, the era of steam would inevitably arrive.

Of course, he wouldn't invest too much resources or attention into this.

Additionally, he harbored another idea—without his interference, allowing the natives of this world to independently break through certain fields.

The development of society ultimately couldn't rely on the foresight of just one or two people.

But this process would certainly be long and tortuous.

Watching Guy Burns's cheerful demeanor, Paul couldn't help but smirk.

"Heh heh, Burns, on Earth, it took eighty-four years from the invention of the steam engine to its practical use, not counting the time spent on invention. I wonder how capable you are. I bet just dealing with a cylinder would give you a hard time."

Paul made up his mind: he wouldn't intervene in the development of the steam engine until he genuinely needed it.

The group chatted and laughed all the way, returning to the town center by boat.

Over the next few days, the ironworks continued constructing new blast furnaces, while Paul patiently awaited the swords and daggers crafted for him by the blacksmith Herman.

However, Paul received news that made him want to spit blood. Herman personally came to the Lord's manor, wearing a disgruntled expression, to report: the iron smelted in the blast furnace before was completely unusable.