章 52: A Study in Black

Mattheus was tempted to look around but his schedule didn't truly permit it. Only Brunilda would be able to explore Mecane during their short stay here. He would have to settle with sightseeing from the automobile—which seemed to have the springs added much like how Ophelia Marcel espoused about her latest models.

It was a pity though, from what he could with the top pulled back in the convertible, that he would only witness Mecane while sitting in one of the Crown automobiles.

Avalon, the capital of New Albion, was almost like wandering into a very casual historical reenactment. The most fantastical things in the capital he's witnessed were what he himself could do with his healing skill and in the laboratory of Endlewood and the office of his father.

In contrast, there was a distinct alienness to Mecane mixed with an odd sort of comforting eclecticism. And, no, it wasn't because of the minority races and tribes he saw mixed in with the humans with animal-like features or elfin ears and jewel-toned skin with neon facial markings. It was the easy intermixing of these minority groups when Brunilda has only mentioned seeing them in the East Eddes, also known as the capital slums.

It was the automata. He saw a bumbling robot made of gears broken down while a pair of grease-stained engineers tried to figure out what went wrong. A huge difference between the numerous mechanical birds, that glinted in their mish-mashed metals to extremely fine work of paint metal feathers and jewel eyes.

The noise of a city even when it was eight in the evening. The rumbling engines of cars and the warning but pleasant bell sounds of the trolley that looked to be run by fulminis-originated magnetism.

Shadows passed by above that weren't just birds both living or mechanical. Sleek airships that looked like works of art with their metal frames gleaming from light that kept them from running into each other. What looked like air bikes of all things, personal flying machines that no doubt used a small-scale version of airship mechanisms to make them fly.

There was steam all around him but he knew it was from the usage of alchemical engineering and no coal was involved. It lacked the stench of either gasoline or burning coal, this city. All he could smell that was industrial was metal and that oily scent of grease.

Mattheus was pretty sure that will be his father's next project, actually. While the steam was easily gotten rid of by what seemed like large turbines that blew it away, there was a certain humidity that would speed up the corrosion of steel and oxidation of metals that seemed to make up half the city.

There were some completely new buildings and structures, either replacing the old brickwork or strategically placed to brace up sky-high spirals of buildings. Some of the frameworks of predominantly glass buildings were amazing. They seemed to both acknowledge the strongest shapes were triangles and arches but also blatantly ignored it to his untrained eyes.

Rather than brilliant but mathematical works of architectural feats, Mattheus couldn't describe the buildings as works of art by madly creative geniuses. And it would be a pity for the longevity of these structures to shorten because of humidity.

But, of course, Mecane was given to Albert IV as a weird marriage present by the Duke of Basilea to the son-in-law and new husband of his only daughter. Or, rather, it was annexed from the Basilea region and King Mordred bestowed Albert IV the position of Earl of Mecane.

Mecane wasn't even the original name of this city, though the name escaped Mattheus for a moment. It had sounded Greek, though.

Considering how his father came into the position of being in charge of this city and Albert IV's personality, Mattheus wouldn't be surprised if a lot of this was a compromise of the alchemical engineer's passion and his love for his wife.

It would explain how a metal and glass monstrosity of an industrialized city could still be called beautiful.

"Mattheus, we should get one of those mopeds and have them sent over to the capital," Brunilda suddenly said.

Pale eyes glanced at the motorized bicycle the cat was referring to. It honestly reminded him of the ones back in the old world, though the frame itself was probably heavier. It looked to run on active mystical energy, which was fine except his healing magic was not exactly the most efficient to power machines.

He glanced at the cat. Why?

"I know someone who can use it."

Mattheus glanced at the bike before it disappeared. Well. It couldn't hurt.

…

The family estate staff was given warning of Mattheus's arrival but seemed surprised at him at every turn.

At first, he thought it was because Vincent had neglected to tell the butler that Mattheus was only staying for a few hours.

Then, he realized it was more because of his changed demeanor. The original Mattheus Crown wasn't exactly respectful to the servants nor the type to apparently smile.

Mattheus didn't have the time to do anything about it—didn't want to pretend to take on the Original's demeanor when it would be difficult for him to keep up. They would have to live with a changed young master. Maybe they would explain it away like the capital staff when they inevitably heard gossip about Mattheus possibly having memory loss from a hunting accident.

As he arrived in the evening and took almost two hours before he arrived at the Hexadion Hall, which was an expansive estate that was still built rather traditionally outside, he only had the night to study. He had to leave in the morning for a train back to the capital.

There were usually four trains a day in the regional line. Two in the morning and two in the evening. The latest one he could catch was the one that left at ten in the morning or he would be back late.

One of the inconveniences of being the Court Healer at the moment was that he couldn't leave his post empty for long, which Brunilda had lectured him that he needed to fix. Mattheus figured his friend was right and that he should talk to the Chamberlain's Office about possible arrangements that could be done.

Honestly, though, Mattheus was unsurprised at how the title essentially tied him down. It gave him the privilege of practicing medicine without going through the medical board and standard (but too long) training, yes, but he had been aware from the start that the position of Court Healer was essentially a collar around his neck with the royal family holding the leash.

Mattheus looked at the expansive library that practically took up the entire northern wing. He dismissed the butler, who had been confused at being told to direct him to the library, and Vincent.

"Vincent, get some rest for the night and get ready to leave for the morning train. Also. Let Brunilda out. She's feeling a bit restless."

"Yes, sir. Miss Brue?" Vincent offered his arm and was not surprised when the green-eyed cat padded up said arm like a platform before propping her front paws on top of his brown hair. The valet looked ridiculous and his unaffected expression made it worse.

The butler, Blaise, merely blinked. Though Mattheus felt that getting Blaise to blink in surprise was a feat in itself.

"Blaise, I don't want to be disturbed. I need to arrive back in the capital by tomorrow evening so please have breakfast ready by seven and bring it to my rooms. I want to change before I have to leave." Mattheus glanced at his suit, tugging at his lapel for a moment as he thought. "For now, I'll just work like this. I apologize to the laundry staff ahead of time."

"It is our duty and pleasure to serve the Crown family, Young Master. And understood. Do you prefer a heavier breakfast?"

Blaise must have been truly thrown off to need to ask Mattheus what he wanted for breakfast when he technically saw the twenty-year-old grow up and should be able to anticipate his needs, as expected from one of his position.

Mattheus wasn't fussed though. He waved the question and the men off. "Something light. With fruit, if there is any."

Blaise bowed. "I will have some coffee brought to you and some sustenance to last you a night of research, Young Master. Should we remind you of the time in the morning?"

"Thank you. And, no, unless I am still not out by eight."

Once the housekeeper came in with a maid, bringing an entire cart of contents which proved the estate staff were used to eccentric scientists like his father, Mattheus was alone. There was a ready cup of coffee served with a glass of water but, next to it, there was also a siphon brewer already set up to make more coffee.

Taking the coffee, he took a sip of the strong brew before quickly glancing at the second shelf of the cart, mentally noting the sandwiches and food on toothpicks. The bottom had napkins, plates, utensils, and more cups.

Mattheus drank half the cup before adding the cold water to dilute the sweetened but strong brew and set out to search for texts related to curses or Obitus Energy.

It took him several hours, cheating with the Dedicated Student passive to pick up titles, to cover the entire library and all the private sections of the place. Within that time, he only found a little less than two dozen texts that could contain the information he wanted–and many of the texts only peripherally.

He only found one tattered journal that talked about curses. When he opened it, he realized it was a grimoire and immediately stopped to read the other texts so he would have a frame of reference for terms and possible formulas.

Mattheus went through all the books rather quickly, considering his passive reading speed boost from Dedicated Student. The official texts admittedly weren't too helpful.

It seemed that Obitus Energy was pretty taboo to study in academia outside of how to manage it. Unfortunately, that meant what exactly the specific element of mystical energy represented was widely disputed.

The only agreement academics seemed to have was that Obitus Energy and manifestations of are something to be wary of, because of the inherent destructive qualities of the black-colored energy.

That nothing good came of Obitus Energy, hence why it was taboo to attempt to utilize it.

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