He looked down at Ravenna with a smile, "That's right, isn't it?"
"...Yes."
Ravenna felt somewhat dazed, suddenly realizing that this idea... seemed to be something Ansel had given her.
He had said that the most basic needs of people are clothing, food, and shelter. He mentioned that housing could give commoners a sense of belonging and security from within, no matter how dilapidated or cramped the house might be, as long as it belonged to them, their minds and bodies would have a warm haven.
He also said that the cost of the house itself could be negligible. Using magic to construct a dwelling that is sturdy, comfortable, and safe for living was incredibly easy.
Creating an alchemical apparatus capable of automatically constructing houses is indeed exceedingly simple. After all, a house is essentially a large assembly of wood or bricks and stones. Even an alchemy apprentice, with a basic understanding of construction, could produce a satisfactory dwelling within a day.
The process of magically creating stone is even simpler.
Both the technical threshold and cost constraints are pitifully low —In fact, Ravenna has already created such a device. Although some lords and nobles have purchased it, it ultimately failed to become widespread.
The reason is simple: from the perspective of most authorities, the cost is still... too prohibitive. [Using ether or magic crystals in exchange for a house is an unreasonable proposition.]
Do their current houses not suffice? Are they not capable of working hard, earning wealth, and buying or building their own homes?
What? A better house can be acquired for a lesser cost? No, no, no... that's even less acceptable. If they spend less, then who will generate wealth for me?
"Oh, and there's this... this smell."
As Ravenna pondered, Ansel spoke again, his brow slightly furrowed as he waved his hand in front of his nose, "Randomly piled garbage, accumulated sewage... truly terrible sanitary conditions, dear Miss Helen. You surely have a method to improve this, right?"
"Sanitation system..."
Ravenna murmured, "Plan the area, place air purification devices, arrange garbage disposal units according to the layout, direct sewage to purification tools for processing... More planning is needed for the overall layout, but overall, it's not difficult."
"You remember very well," Ansel said, raising his eyebrows.
"Of course, I—"
Ravenna suddenly stopped.
I once had a friend, a remarkable genius with a vision and conviction unmatched by anyone else," she heard the devil whisper gently in her ear, "She believed that if ether has omnipotent power, it should be used to propel the entire world forward, not let a few dozen or hundred individuals, who possess great power but are preoccupied with exploring the truth and hardly ever use this precious power to bring change to reality, make the world silent, devoid of the sounds and possibilities of progress."
"An incredible idea, isn't it?"
Ravenna instinctively wanted to withdraw her hand, but Ansel held it firmly, preventing her from pulling away.
"But sometimes, I'm puzzled by something, Helen. Can you provide me with an answer?"
The malicious serpent, looking bewildered yet smiling at the increasingly agitated Miss Puppet, continued, "My friend, she had unparalleled talent, a grandfather who was equally gifted though senile and mad, and his students who could offer her unconditional help."
"Her growth was smooth sailing, and she never left the capital to go elsewhere, not even leaving the upper district of the capital."
"So, I am perplexed—"
The voice that reached her ears was so gentle, yet as it penetrated deeper, it was as cold as if it intended to freeze her soul.
"Living such a perfect, privileged life, where did her grand vision and passion come from?"
"She doesn't even know what the commoners lack or need... Without my reminders and assistance, oh, how many detours would she have taken? Isn't that right, Helen?"
"How could she be so persistent in wanting to use her extraordinary powers to change the world?"
Watching Ravenna's shoulders begin to tremble, Ansel's smile grew even more radiant.
"Do you think she truly wanted to use ether and the extraordinary to make everyone's life better, or did she simply want to see a future with more possibilities, not caring how others lived, or perhaps..."
"Maybe she doesn't even know why she chases after those empty illusions?"
"Heh, I'm not saying that those with a privileged life can't have grand ideas, but—"
"My former friend, she never immersed herself in the lives of the commoners, unaware of their needs, let alone the true hardships they face. So what exactly is she holding on to?"
There was another thought that the cheerfully smiling Ansel did not voice out loud.
That is, if his friend had not been interfered with by him, she might have entered into the world of the commoners, into the vast sea of suffering.
But he, as a devil, destroyed that possibility.
*