Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 212: Tristian Realisation

While Charlotte was thinking about Astrid’s childhood she heard a movement and saw Astrid lift her head. Her crimson eyes, just waking up, were slightly misty.

"Has Lady Charlotte returned?"

"Yes, I just finished class."

Charlotte helped Astrid brush away a few strands of silver hair that had fallen in front of her chest and straightened the collar of her dress, her expression gentle.

"I’ve already looked at the drafts. Well done, Little Astr."

"But why didn’t you wait for me to return before experimenting? My mental energy is much greater than yours."

Astrid shook her head and whispered.

"I’m used to experimenting while designing, to ensure I can correct mistakes in time."

After speaking, Astrid handed Charlotte the crystal she had used for the experiment. The latter reached out to take it, sending her mental energy to investigate.

Inside the crystal was inscribed a compression magic array. As long as pressure was continuously applied, the mental energy could be emitted.

However, this water attribute crystal no longer had any water elements left; no matter how much pressure was applied, nothing would come out.

"Lady Charlotte, can this concept be realized?" Astrid pointed at the parchment in the other’s hand and asked softly.

Charlotte nodded and replied, "Most of the magical devices used by the nobility employ compression magic arrays. I’ve already overcome most of the related magic array difficulties."

Compared to the joystick control, a function on the back of the parchment was even more challenging.

"I’m not talking about that. I mean the concept of freely increasing or decreasing the number of magic patterns the joystick end can touch at once," Astrid added.

The fixed joystick device couldn’t be easily resized, so the number of wind attribute crystals it could touch each time would need to be controlled by other variables, which usually involved other magic.

Hearing this, Charlotte fell silent for a moment, then replied softly.

"It should be possible..."

"I will set up activation magic arrays based on the magic patterns connected to the crystals.

By pressing a button, the dormant magic array at the end of the joystick will be awakened. In the dormant state, even if the joystick touches the magic patterns, it won’t deliver magic power. Only after pressing the button to activate it will the joystick possess magic power, allowing it to connect with the magic patterns on the outer circle and transmit this magic power along the patterns to each specific crystal."

Previous magical devices generally didn’t require such complex structures. Even Charlotte had only decided to try it after seeing Astrid’s drafts.

After listening to Charlotte’s explanation, Astrid roughly understood her meaning. The joystick was indeed the key to opening the door of the magic patterns, but the keyhole wasn’t initially empty. Pressing the piston button next to it would create the space needed for the key to turn the lock.

"By the way, Lady Charlotte, in addition to this helm that even ordinary people can operate, we’d better design another mental energy platform that allows mages to take over control."

"Firstly, it adds an extra layer of insurance, preventing the helmsman from being unable to control the airship due to some unforeseen circumstances causing the helm to fail. Secondly, our magical airship will make its debut in front of many nobles. Some of them may not be Peak Magnus or Master Knight, but they still possess some mental energy."

The two operation methods were to reassure the nobles, telling them that not just anyone could control this behemoth, and that they would still have absolute priority and control on the airship.

In the early stages of design, the focus was on attracting investment and gaining support.

Hearing this, Charlotte exhaled softly, her voice low and gentle.

"Alright, leave these to me."

Going all out with the act, letting the nobles enjoy the convenience brought by magical devices while temporarily ignoring other issues was also Charlotte’s plan.

"Little Astr, have lunch and get a good sleep. Although your mental energy hasn’t been completely depleted, using so much at once still won’t feel good," Charlotte said.

Seeing Astrid work so hard for her, she, as her aunt, felt quite uneasy, always thinking of ways to compensate her.

"Understood."

Feeling the woman’s fingers touch her skin, Astrid caught Charlotte’s hand, her expression gentle.

"Teaching is also hard work. Lady Charlotte, you should go and have your meal too."

All she could do was provide some novel ideas based on her previous life’s knowledge. As for the specific development of the helm and the engraving of the magic patterns, she probably couldn’t be of much help.

The next operational focus would be on the newspaper. She needed to create a buzz in advance for this legendary magical devices, building up the hype.

Everyone would know that such a behemoth was being built, and they would eventually witness it carving through the sky, opening a new Chapter for magical devices.

---------

When Tristian Velmont stepped into the Capital again, it was already deep winter.

The last time he was in the imperial capital, the final deal he discussed was the perfume trade with the Third Princess, Astrid.

Coincidentally, his return this time was also related to her; he had been sent by his father to personally conduct a business prospect investigation on magical devices in the imperial capital.

Walking on the wide stone-paved streets, Tristian caught a faint whiff of perfume in the air.

Since Astrid’s newspaper became increasingly popular, the soft promotions for perfume originally published in it had also been continuously effective.

The two perfumes previously sold had now become sought-after items among the upper class, with countless nobles taking pride in using perfumes produced by the Velmont family.

Who would have thought that an undisciplined, pleasure-seeking imperial princess could undergo such a significant change in just half a year.

"Sir, here’s the monthly issue you requested."

"Thank you."

Taking the parchment handed to him by the servant, Tristian boarded the carriage, drew the curtains, and flipped open the cover.

After more than half a year of development, the Empire Monthly was now distributed nationwide. Although the price of the newspaper had risen steadily with the increase in content, buyers were still flocking to it.

From Tristian’s relatively professional business perspective, the Monthly’s success was no accident. It was a classic case of finding the right market and excelling at marketing.

In terms of content, the Monthly focused on luxury goods and high-end fashion, topics only nobles would care about. Coupled with its hefty price, it rarely made its way into the hands of commoners.

The high-end image created through marketing also made nobles who were initially uninterested choose to purchase the Monthly to prove their noble status.

In summary, commoners wouldn’t spend a lot of money on such useless paper, while nobles didn’t mind spending the equivalent of a cup of tea or a few pastries to enjoy it.

Reading the contents of the parchment word by word, Tristian frowned slightly, recalling the stacks of Empire Monthly issues he had left in the family territory, arranged in chronological order.

"Shocking news: A new magical workshop has been successfully built under Countess Charlotte’s miraculous elemental magic, with a large number of craftsmen pouring in."

"Professor Roman of the Elizabeth Academy of Magic stated that the magical devices they are currently building is a groundbreaking, epoch-making feat beyond everyone’s imagination."

"Before next spring, magical devices are expected to undergo earth-shaking changes. What exactly lies hidden behind the heavy curtains on the outskirts of the Capital? We shall wait and see."

Each article’s title progressed step by step, almost all building momentum for Charlotte.

Even those who didn’t pay much attention probably had a general impression from the long-term newspaper promotions, knowing that something major was about to happen near the imperial capital.

"On the weekend after next, the day before the New Year, Countess Charlotte will hold a ceremony for the newly born magical devices outside her private estate."

Noticing this headline, Tristian’s eyes widened slightly, and his fingers unconsciously rested on the seat beside him.

As the future head of the Velmont family, Tristian naturally had access to a wealth of information.

He had already learned through relevant channels what Astrid and Charlotte were building.

It was a massive airship powered by elemental crystals, said to be capable of conquering the skies.

The weekend after next... That soon?

Although he had obtained relevant information, all Tristian could hear and see were others’ descriptions and drawn sketches of its appearance, far from the impact of witnessing it in person.

He was indeed curious about how far Astrid and her team could go and whether it was worth the entire family placing their bets on them.

"Think carefully, for yourself and for the family."

"If you agree and Charlotte’s plan succeeds, find an opportunity to propose to Princess Astrid."

His father’s words echoed in his ears, and Tristian momentarily saw the figure with silver hair and crimson eyes.

A marriage alliance... Did he really need to do this?

The Honeysuckle Guild had recently acquired a batch of Radiant Silver, a coveted decorative item for every lady and miss in the Capital and the perfect material for crafting engagement rings.

As for the gemstone to be set in the ring, there was no need to worry.

The company had a precious Hemos Red Night Stone, which not only nourished the wearer’s spirit but also had the effects of prolonging life and maintaining youth.

Closing his eyes, silently feeling the faint vibrations transmitted to his body by the carriage’s movement, Tristian tried to find a strong enough reason to refuse his father.

He was the eldest son of the family and the future heir. Choosing a partner required utmost caution.

If he married a woman he disliked solely for the sake of interests, it would create significant hidden dangers for the education of their future children.

But... Did he really dislike Astrid that much now?

If he did, he could have brought it up in the palace earlier.

Looking at the sunlight streaming through the window and feeling the long-missed air of the imperial capital, Tristian gradually realized one thing.

He no longer felt the strong aversion he initially had towards marrying Astrid.

When did this start?