Looking forward (1/3)

Rafael spent the rest of the day outlining a plan for what needed to happen next. The inventions he proposed to boost crop production were the top priority.

"There's already a team working on a prototype to test it out. It might take a bit more than a week," Threo explained.

Rafael nodded. Next on the agenda was a small smelter to test the methods he'd read about.

"Since it's just a smaller model, we should have it ready tomorrow afternoon, the day after at most."

Following these came a list of "less pressing" projects: the crossbow's new design, a larger trebuchet, and finally a wagon suspension system.

"Unfortunately, with our iron supplies stretched thin, we can't allocate it to anything that's not essential. We'll need to focus our metal usage on the most critical needs," Venes, one of Threo's senior advisors, chimed in.

Rafael considered this. "About those iron reserves, how many mines does the kingdom have?"

"Only one nearby," Venes replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. "And no, it won't be enough to meet our demands. We're already buying from the neighboring eastern kingdom, but…" He frowned. "Their prices have become outrageous."

Rafael noticed the barely concealed anger on the men's faces. "And this mine—do they dig tunnels, or is it an open pit?"

"Tunnels," Threo said, clearly curious about these unusual questions.

"Then, may I suggest something? Tell the miners to bring a small bird into the mine with them," Rafael offered, watching the confusion flicker between the men.

"A bird? For what purpose?"

"Birds are more sensitive to air quality and will faint when the air becomes dangerously thin. If that happens, the miners can leave in time, potentially saving lives."

The advisors exchanged glances, uncertain. "Any specific bird?"

"A small one, like a sparrow, should work fine."

"All right," Threo said slowly. "If it might protect the workers, we'll try it." Rafael nodded, moving the conversation along.

"About the balloon, you mentioned concerns that the church might not approve of it, but I'm unclear as to why." One advisor spoke.

Rafael remembered his own brush with death at the hands of the high priest, who'd condemned him upon seeing the balloon rise in the skies back in Fritsburg. He kept it vague. "I have a feeling they might disapprove simply because they won't understand it."

Threo squinted at him thoughtfully. "And you do understand it, don't you?"

Rafael smiled. "Yes. When the balloon fills with hot air, it becomes light enough to float." He explained it in simple terms, hoping to avoid suspicion.

"And what would be the purpose of such a thing?" Threo asked.

Rafael's eyes lit up. "With a large enough balloon, you could lift a person into the air. They could gain a vantage point, spotting enemy troops from far away."

Threo's interest deepened. "That's invaluable. Regardless of what they say, we'll build one immediately."

Good, Rafael thought. He's starting to push past the church's boundaries. This could be a critical shift.

When they'd settled on a plan for the balloon, Threo praised him again for the ease with which he'd bested Icarus. "It was an impressive display, Rafael. I don't know if he managed to lay a finger on you." Threo chuckled.

"You don't have to worry about any accusations anymore, of course."

Rafael smiled but quickly steered the conversation to a safer topic. "Thank you, my lord. I'm going to write up the details of the balloon for our people to follow."

He paused, gathering his thoughts before introducing another idea. "Before I became an advisor, I lived with my wife and her family. At their estate, they had a unique rule about cleanliness."

"Go on." They waited for him to continue.

"Everyone was required to bathe daily, or at least every other day, and we washed all cooking utensils thoroughly with clean water and soap."

The advisors looked bewildered. "Wait—daily? You wash everything in cold water in this weather?"

Rafael continued, explaining how he sometimes washed himself with just a damp cloth when it was particularly cold, but they were skeptical.

"If it's about the smell, I could give you some perfume." Threo chuckled, clearly entertained by the thought of bathing so often.

"Actually, it's about health," Rafael replied. "Since adopting these habits, we've rarely fallen ill. In times like these, keeping sickness at bay could be invaluable."

Venes waved his hand dismissively. "Rafael, that's absurd. There's no connection between frequent bathing and health. You're tired after your fight, so let's adjourn here."

Rafael blinked, stunned by their dismissal. They've been accepting everything else, why are they suddenly resistant to hygiene?

"Please, my lord. I'll write down every recommendation I can think of to ensure better hygiene practices."

Threo, reluctantly, nodded. "All right. Submit your recommendations, and we'll see what we can do with it. If that's all, let's end this meeting here."

After the meeting, Rafael returned to his room, finding Ella waiting for him, a smile lighting up her face. She's right to be this happy. Her family won't be punished in any way and, in fact, is going to gain one village from the north now, albeit it being a small one.

After some talk about the fight, Rafael and Ella sat side by side at the table. Both were writing on pieces of paper. She was practicing her reading and writing while he was jotting down what he thought was important to know about hot air balloons and also his long list of things to follow for the sake of hygiene.

Maybe this is the right way to do this. As of now I only remember a few chapters and sub-chapters of the book. I had the idea that I should go slow with what I knew but if I keep like that I'll never get my machine back.

I hope they hadn't moved my time machine from that village, or else I'm fucked. While one sheet of paper was enough for the notes of the hot air balloon, Rafael used three for his points and recommendations about cleanliness and hygiene.

"Thank you," Ella said at some point, "for showing them that they shouldn't antagonize us. Seeing Icarus suffer brought me joy." She was looking at him.

Wow, Rafael thought, studying her. I didn't know she had this side.

He chuckled. "He deserved it. I needed to make a point that we won't be so easily mistreated."

She nodded, but her gaze clouded. "Do you think they'll actually leave us alone?"

"They'll have to think twice," Rafael replied, though he wasn't entirely convinced himself.

At another room, Pepin was walking around furious. The worst that could happen just came to be.

Meanwhile, Pepin paced angrily in his chambers, rage burning through him. Everything's gone to waste because of you, Icarus. He clenched his fists, barely stopping himself from smashing a nearby bottle.

From the other room, Icarus's screams echoed as healers tried to fix his leg. Pepin winced, but his sympathy for Icarus was minimal. He'd nearly banked everything on his success, and now, with that failure glaring back at him, only two options remained.

One was too humiliating to consider. The other required a risky alliance with a dangerous foreign power. Is there no other way?