Chapter 326:

Chapter 326:

TL: Etude

This morning, Lord Paul Grayman of Alda summoned alchemists, including Wells, to his castle. It was Wells’ first time meeting the highest ruler of the land he lived on.

The alchemists were surprised to find that the lord appeared to be just of age, around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Having lived in Lakeheart Town for so long, they had certainly heard of Count Paul Grayman’s various impressive achievements.

Militarily, he had trained his army to eradicate pirates that had plagued the Northwest Bay for years immediately after assuming his lordship last year. He then led his forces to quell a rebellion by Baylding’s vassals and recently partnered with other lords to overthrow Count Marltz Kent, who had coveted the position of Duke of the Northwest.

In agriculture, he had audited farmlands, consolidated arable land, improved irrigation, and introduced crop rotation. In commerce, he encouraged the development of maritime trade and sent expeditions to Horn Bay.

He was also an inventor, owning a dazzling array of inventions like canned food, porcelain, new types of paper, a method for drying salt, and a remarkable reaping machine. These inventions led to the birth of numerous emerging industries in Alda and Baylding. Oh, and the legendary fire crossbow and thunder hammer were also his creations.

These legendary deeds bestowed many honors on the Count, making him a prophet-like figure to his people. It was a pity he was born in the Northwest Bay; had he been a lord further south, with just a little money, bards would have already extolled him as a young talent on par with geniuses like Catherine Rodney or Antonio Griffin.

The youthful appearance of the lord was somewhat incongruent with the tales they had heard, no wonder the alchemists were astonished.

However, they were pleased to find that Count Grayman didn’t put on airs like typical nobility.

“Gentlemen, please take a seat!” the Count gestured to them with a welcoming hand, more like hosting an academic salon than a lord summoning his subordinates.

He first praised the alchemists’ work and expressed satisfaction with their achievements.

The group quickly showed modesty, vowing to continue their hard work to meet the Count’s high expectations.

Then Count Grayman made an exciting announcement that made their hearts race. “I intend to build a laboratory in Lakeheart Town to fully support your alchemical experiments.”

The alchemists were ecstatic. Working in a well-equipped laboratory with ample materials to freely explore the mysteries of alchemy was every alchemist’s dream. However, this was challenging to achieve. Due to financial constraints, most alchemists could only work according to existing formulas and processes, as they were currently doing in the saltpeter fields. Even those supported by wealthy patrons operated under similar constraints.

Coming from an alchemical family, Wells once had a small laboratory in Crystal Shine, but that was in the past, and it was nothing compared to a laboratory supported by a lord.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; their main concern was that the Count might take credit for their work.

“Lastly, I suggest we name the laboratory ‘Chemistry Laboratory’, inspired by the idea of ‘Creating Everything.’”

“What a great name!” Wells was the first to agree. “Alchemy originally aimed to transmute other substances into gold, and though gold was never produced, it led to the creation of various other things, exactly ‘Creating Everything’!”

“Hmm... that makes sense.”

“The name is very fitting.”

“Chemistry... the study of creating everything...”

Everyone agreed with the name proposed by the Count.

“Good!” Count Grayman decided firmly, looking pleased. “Since everyone agrees, let’s settle on that.”

The discussion about constructing the laboratory continued cheerfully, with a lively atmosphere in the hall. The Count also inquired in detail about all aspects of alchemy, tactfully changing the subject when it delved into proprietary secrets, endearing himself further to the group.

The enthusiastic exchange lasted until noon, by which time everyone’s stomachs were growling. Count Grayman invited everyone to stay for lunch.

As the servants laid out the food, the conversation continued.

“Gentlemen!” the Count, fiddling with a strange pair of eating utensils made of two thin sticks, said, “I hope that once the laboratory is built, it can first help me solve a difficult problem.”

An older alchemist stood up and replied, “My lord, you have provided us with such a convenient environment, it’s only right for us to solve problems for you. May I ask what this difficult problem is?”

Paul Grayman casually responded, “Research how to massively collect saltpeter using feces, urine, and decaying animal and plant remains!”

A chill seemed to pass over the dining table...