Outside the Third Institute, a formidable group of guards stood watch, their presence underscoring the facility's importance. A dozen or so soldiers, clad in heavy armor and wielding their signature long-handled blades, formed a vigilant perimeter. Alongside them were five or six crossbowmen, their military crossbows loaded and ready, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of intrusion. The sheer number of armed guards and the advanced weaponry they carried spoke volumes about how highly Lucas valued the Third Institute and the secrets it harbored.
Whoosh!
As Lucas and his entourage approached, the guards snapped to attention, their postures rigid with alertness. Their sharp gazes locked onto the group, hands tightening on their weapons. But upon recognizing Lucas, their tension eased, and they saluted respectfully, stepping aside to allow passage.
"Enter," Lucas said calmly, leading his companions into the Third Institute. The moment they crossed the threshold, they were greeted by a hive of activity. Workers bustled about, their movements precise and purposeful, each absorbed in their tasks.
"Young Master, I'll fetch the lead researchers," Henry said, turning on his heel and hurrying toward the inner courtyard. The outer courtyard was filled with workers handling miscellaneous tasks, but the true heart of the institute lay deeper within, where only authorized researchers were permitted. The secrecy surrounding the inner sanctum only heightened the air of mystery.
In the outer courtyard, several workers were meticulously sewing the fabric for the hot air balloon's envelope. Their hands moved with painstaking care, threading needles through the sturdy material as if the slightest misstep might tear it apart. The delicate nature of their work was evident in their furrowed brows and the intense focus in their eyes, as though they were crafting a priceless artifact.
Tap, tap, tap…
Moments later, Henry returned, accompanied by two figures: a cloth-weaving woman and an elderly carpenter. These were the lead researchers for the hot air balloon project. The woman, renowned as one of Sedona City's finest weavers, was responsible for crafting the balloon's envelope, while the carpenter, whose woodworking skills ranked among the city's best, oversaw the construction of the balloon's bellows and basket. Together, they formed the backbone of the project, their expertise critical to its success.
"Greetings, Lord Lucas," The cloth-weaving woman and the elderly carpenter said in unison, bowing respectfully. Their voices carried a mix of deference and nervous anticipation, aware of the weight of Lucas's expectations.
"How is the hot air balloon experiment progressing?" Lucas asked, his gaze sweeping over the two researchers. He knew the weaver's reputation for producing flawless textiles and the carpenter's mastery in crafting durable, intricate wooden structures. Their skills were unmatched, yet the challenge they faced was unlike anything they had tackled before.
The elderly carpenter hesitated, his weathered face betraying a flicker of unease. "My lord, we haven't conducted a test yet," He admitted, his voice tinged with apprehension. The idea of creating something capable of soaring into the sky was so far beyond his experience that he struggled to muster the courage to attempt it. The notion of humans defying gravity seemed almost blasphemous.
Lucas's brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at the workers sewing the balloon's envelope nearby. By his calculations, the project should have been nearing completion. "And the progress?" He pressed, his tone calm but expectant.
"My lord, the balloon is complete," The cloth-weaving woman interjected quickly, her voice laced with a mix of pride and anxiety. She gestured toward the workers, who were already preparing a second envelope as a precaution in case the first test failed. The weight of potential failure loomed over her, and she couldn't shake the fear that their efforts might disappoint the city lord.
In truth, neither the carpenter nor the weaver was literate. Like many skilled artisans in the research department, they were learning on the job, absorbing knowledge as they worked. This was a common practice in the department: master craftsmen would hone their skills through practical experience, then pass their expertise to the next generation. Lucas's long-term vision was to cultivate a cadre of literate, technically proficient workers, and in a few years, he expected to see a significant portion of his research team capable of reading and innovating independently.
"Let's go see it," Lucas said, his voice steady but firm. He could sense the hesitation in his researchers, their confidence wavering under the enormity of the task. It was clear he needed to step in, not only to inspect their work but to instill the boldness required to push forward. Without his encouragement, they might falter, and Lucas knew that timidity now could jeopardize his grander ambitions. The hot air balloon was merely a stepping stone—a small but critical step toward his ultimate goal of building true airships, the "sky fortresses" that would dominate the skies. Once he could mass-produce hydrogen, airships capable of traveling hundreds of miles in an hour would become a reality, granting him unchallenged control of the skies.
"Yes, my lord," The weaver and carpenter replied, bowing again before leading the way toward the inner courtyard. Their steps were quick, driven by a mix of duty and the desire to prove themselves worthy of Lucas's trust.
"Young Master," Annie said, her brown eyes wide with skepticism, "Can people really fly into the sky?" Her fox-like ears twitched as she voiced her doubts, the idea of humans ascending to the heavens seeming like a fanciful dream.
"They can," Amelia replied abruptly, her voice cold and resolute. Her green eyes glinted with unwavering certainty, as if the very notion of doubt offended her.
Annie blinked, caught off guard by Amelia's intensity. She rolled her eyes playfully, her fox ears flicking. "Oh, sure, bird-beastmen can fly," She teased, assuming Amelia was referring to the winged races.
"Just wait," Lucas said with a light chuckle, his tone warm and reassuring. "You'll see for yourself soon enough." The dream of flight was universal, transcending worlds and eras. Lucas remembered his own childhood fantasies of soaring through the clouds, and he knew that same longing burned in the hearts of those around him. To make that dream a reality was both a personal triumph and a strategic necessity.
Annie's brown eyes sparkled with anticipation, and Mina and Elisa mirrored her excitement. The thought of gliding among the clouds, surrounded by the boundless blue sky, was a fantasy they had all entertained since childhood. Now, standing on the brink of witnessing it, their hearts raced with wonder.
The group soon arrived at a spacious clearing in the inner courtyard, where the hot air balloon awaited. The sight was striking: a finely crafted bamboo basket sat at the center, its intricate weave a testament to the carpenter's skill. Nearby, the balloon's envelope lay spread out on the ground, its fabric gleaming in the sunlight. Piles of charcoal, wooden bellows, and several ceramic jars filled with high-proof alcohol were neatly arranged, ready for use.
"My lord, everything is prepared," The elderly carpenter said, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest. Had Lucas not arrived, they had planned to conduct the test in a few days, but his presence spurred them into action.
"Follow the method I provided and begin," Lucas instructed, his expression serious. He, too, harbored uncertainties about the test's outcome. This was their first attempt, and no one could predict success with absolute certainty. Yet, he projected confidence, knowing his team needed his resolve to bolster their own.
"Yes, my lord," The carpenter replied, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He called over several assistants, and together they began assembling the hot air balloon.
The balloon consisted of three main components: the envelope, the basket, and the heating system. The heating system was the most critical, and Lucas had devised a clever substitute for a modern burner: hand-operated wooden bellows, typically used in forges, adapted to blow hot air into the envelope.
The team secured the envelope's ropes to the basket, then installed the bellows and loaded the basket with charcoal. The ceramic jars of alcohol were carefully placed inside, their contents ready to fuel the fire. Above the basket, they erected a simple frame to hold the charcoal. Once the charcoal was doused with alcohol and ignited, the bellows were pumped vigorously, sending a steady stream of hot air into the envelope. The heat rose in waves, gradually filling the fabric with life.
Within minutes, the envelope began to inflate, its form swelling as it absorbed the hot air. It tilted upward, straining against the ropes tethering it to the ground. When it neared full inflation, the team replaced the charred remains with fresh charcoal to maintain the heat.
"It… it's actually working!" Annie gasped, her brown eyes wide with disbelief. "Young Master, are you really going to use this… this fabric sack to send people into the sky?" The idea seemed absurd, yet the evidence was unfolding before her eyes.
"It's called a hot air balloon," Lucas said with a gentle smile, his voice tinged with pride. He glanced at Amelia, who was staring at the balloon with unblinking intensity. Her grip on his sleeve was so tight that her knuckles had turned white, her veins visible beneath her skin. The sight of the balloon rising filled her with a fervor that bordered on obsession.
"It's floating! It's really floating!" The elderly carpenter shouted, his voice brimming with childlike glee. He hopped in place, unable to contain his excitement, his earlier fears forgotten in the face of this triumph.
The balloon was now fully inflated, hovering just above the ground. Only the heavy stones anchoring it prevented it from soaring into the sky. The cloth-weaving woman watched in awe, tears welling in her eyes. The pressure she and the carpenter had endured was immense. They had poured their hearts into a project they barely understood, terrified of failing Lucas. Now, seeing their creation come to life, the weight of that burden lifted, replaced by overwhelming relief and joy.
For many in the research department, Lucas's high expectations were both a motivator and a source of stress. The generous resources and treatment he provided came with the unspoken demand for results. To these simple, hardworking people, receiving such support felt like a debt they were honor-bound to repay with tangible achievements.
"Lord Lucas, I want to go up," Amelia said suddenly, turning to him with a fierce, determined stare. Her green eyes burned with longing, as if the balloon represented her deepest desires taking flight.
"Alright," Lucas said, nodding. He glanced at Mina, Annie, and Elisa, noting the same yearning in their eyes. "One at a time," He added softly. "No need to rush."
The hot air balloon was small, designed to carry only two people at most. Any more would exceed its capacity, risking failure.
"Young Master, let me go first," Mina, the cat-eared girl, volunteered, stepping forward. Her ears twitched nervously, her concern for the balloon's safety evident. She wanted to test it herself to ensure it was safe for the others.
"No need," Lucas said, waving her off with a reassuring smile. "We won't fly too high." He took Amelia's hand and led her toward the balloon, his steps confident but measured.
This first test flight would be cautious, kept low to the ground. The research department wasn't far from Sedona City, and Lucas had no intention of letting news of the balloon spread just yet. A successful flight would undoubtedly attract attention from other cities, and he wasn't ready to deal with their scrutiny. For now, discretion was the wisest course.
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