[FMMIKA] Chapter 256: Technology Advancement (II)

"Ritsuka-chan."

Da Vinci was still doing the explaining.

"We've never said this is a normal situation. Using steam engine technology extensively in the world of magecraft and using it extensively in the regular world are two completely different concepts."

"..."

In the beginning, due to her early morning low blood pressure, Ritsuka felt a bit groggy and didn't quite grasp what Da Vinci was getting at. However, she soon understood Da Vinci's meaning.

The technology in the world of magecraft and the regular world was not the same thing.

Generally, it wasn't until the era of the Napoleonic Wars that steam engine technology gradually spread throughout Europe.

Napoleon even underestimated steam engines. Others suggested he should build steam-powered ironclad ships, but he didn't listen, and in the end, he failed.

Incidentally, something similar happened during the Franco-Prussian War.

The Prussians, using an extensive railway system and steam trains, swiftly mobilized their forces, amassing a million-strong army that took the French by surprise.

In contrast, despite having the advantage in terms of strength, population, and resources, the French were only able to hastily gather less than six hundred thousand troops, and their deployment was incomplete, resulting in their defeat by the Prussians.

"So, what I'm saying is, humans always repeat the same mistakes... hmm, no, that's not what we should be concerned about right now, right?!" Ritsuka, who had come to her senses, shouted loudly, "So, these steam-powered devices are all extraordinary... does that mean they're our enemies?"

"In a sense, you could say that..." Romani mumbled ambiguously.

"Well, that doesn't really matter! If they're our enemies, then let's go, Mash! Fire a light beam and take them all down! Jeanne, buff Mash. And you, Princess, be a cheerleader for Mash!"

Ritsuka quickly shifted into her Master mode and cheerfully issued orders to her three Servants.

"Uh..." Mash felt reluctant.

"But..." Jeanne was the same.

"Princess? Are you talking to me? How delightful~" Marie said cheerfully.

"Oh, in that case, I..." Robin Hood wanted to offer his help, but...

"You can just stand by and watch. I'm not particularly fond of commanding male Servants."

"..."

Upon hearing Ritsuka's cold and ruthless remarks, Robin Hood crouched down and started playing with the soil, muttering, "I'm not just any famous historical figure, you know. I'm not any less famous than the queen or the saint... I'm the legendary thief, Robin Hood, the master of Sherwood Forest... there's even an archery term named after me..."

"Who cares about that kind of thing!"

"Calm down a bit, Ritsuka-chan. They're definitely acting strange, but the ones using this technology are just ordinary people." Da Vinci tried to defuse the situation.

"Yes, Senpai."

"Tch." Ritsuka clicked her tongue, displaying a villainous expression.

"Since you're not interested... Senpai, I'll take care of this—"

"No need. Watch this!"

After saying those words, Ritsuka put on a sunny and cheerful expression, approaching the workers at the fastest speed and gathering intelligence.

"Thanks a lot, Sir."

"Hahaha, I'll answer any questions for a cute young lady like you!"

"...Senpai, you're amazing. Just a moment ago, you said you wanted to kill them, and now you're casually making friends."

"A leader, a truly exceptional leader."

As the discussion buzzed around the Servants, Ritsuka returned joyfully and shared all the information they had gathered with the group:

"They said that all these things belong to the king."

"That king, who is none other than Charles VII, is planning to build a vast network of railways that will cover all of France."

"Besides that, there are also highways, canals, and even large airship stations."

"These public works have absorbed all the refugees who were previously displaced due to Dark Jeanne's uprising, and they're even quite prosperous now. So, the unemployment rate in France is very low."

"Besides the locals from France, scholars, engineers, designers, and artists from England, Spain, and various parts of Italy have flocked to France, lured by the high salaries offered by the King of France, all ready to contribute to building a world-leading national transportation network."

"..."

The Servants stared at each other, amazed.

"That's quite unexpected."

"It's getting even more peculiar. Leaving the artistry aside, where on earth did this guy get the money? Did he find tons of gold, or perhaps Aladdin's lamp?"

"No, even if he had enough money, where did he get the resources? People can't survive on money alone; they need food. Just having money without enough food would lead to inflation."

"So, instead of solving the problem, it has become even more complicated."

"Yes, indeed..."

"Let's continue towards Orleans... no, is it Paris?"

"Yes, the king is preparing to return to Paris, but he didn't move into any of the palaces directly in Paris. He chose to stay in Versailles, just outside Paris, and is planning to build a new palace there."

"Palace of Versailles? I've heard of that."

"A name that brings back memories..." Marie wore a nostalgic expression, while Ritsuka couldn't help but mutter, "Could it be that the one controlling the country now isn't Charles VII but Louis XIV?"

"That's a possibility... if it's Louis XIV, he might have the ability to control Dark Jeanne. After all, he's one of the greatest monarchs in France's history."

"At this point, there's no point in discussing this further. Let's continue forward, everyone, in the direction of Paris."

And so, the Chaldea group continued their journey.

On their way, they continued to hear about many things.

The king began extensive training of a new army.

The king initiated a large-scale construction of the navy, seemingly with plans for colonizing the New World.

The king prepared to march into Holland, Lorraine, and even Italy.

The king also demanded all the nobles in the country to obey him.

In retaliation against England, he was ready to move north to conquer the lands of Britain.

Giant factories with tall chimneys, producing machines that roared with power, were established.

From chemical plants for synthetic ammonia to steel mills, machinery factories for steam engines and various mechanical devices, large shipyards for warships and merchant vessels, textile factories for wool, cotton, and even silk.

The king even planned to demolish and rebuild the entire city of Paris, from the underground water systems to the Champs-Elysees. The Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.

Of course, the Arc de Triomphe would not be built for the time being, not because they didn't want to build it but because they would wait until the French army achieved victory after victory to commemorate all the greatness and splendor, and then erect magnificent triumphal arches.

At this point, even someone with a character as easygoing as Ritsuka could understand that things had taken a serious turn.