99 The Final Inspection

With the final day of inspections finally starting in earnest, as we are walking around, Aurelia begins asking her questions. There is, of course, the standard questions regarding the integrity of the building, but unlike before the is no mention of profit or anything pertaining to the status of the workers. Since everything is funded by the central government there isn't a need to worry about such things so Aurelia gets straight to the point, the number of guns that are produced each day, which type of gun has the most being produced, and the amount of ammunition that's developed here.

As we were nearing the end of the inspection of this factory, Aurelia had copies of the different guns that are manufactured here and presented them to us.

"To honour the visit of the Empire's friends from afar, in a show of good faith I present to you these weapons," Aurelia says, while also staring me down. Silently telling me to carry and not consume.

Having received the weapons, the inspection of the first large factory ends and Bearnas offers to see us off. A few other guards tried to follow under the guise of an escort, but Bearnas sent them off. With them gone, Bearnas accompanies us to the carriage.

Once we've boarded the carriage, Bearnas says, "I wish you luck in your endeavours, your Majesty."

"Thank you. Oh, by the way, do you know who is in charge of the other two factories that are manufacturing the guns and what they have compared to here?" Aurelia asks.

"They aren't anyone important, but as far as I know they've sided with the Archidux. I wouldn't try to get anything from them since everything they have, we also have. To my knowledge, most of the factories are producing the same stuff, the only one that has anything different are the ones further out that produce nothing but ammunition and the factory near the high command."

"So that is the case after all, well that's fine. Since I don't need to come up with any plans to get something from them this last day of inspections for Ugernum should go smoothly. I hope to one day see you again, Overseer Bearnas, but rather than in a factory office, I hope to see you in my audience hall as a military officer. Until then, farewell."

Bidding goodbye to Bearnas, we begin to set out for the other areas of the third inspection day. There's the visit to the three large factories which were a given, but also the several smaller ones that produce consumer goods and other miscellaneous items for general use. There are also a few other places related to government affairs.

The inspection of the other large factories was... less than pleasant. Unlike the first one where Bearnas had tried to fill as many of the guard positions with people who are unaffiliated with the Archidux as she could, the other factories had both workers and guards filled with people have doubts towards Aurelia. Needless to say, the reception of our visit was cold, although with yesterdays display and Aurelia's words having spread through the city, no one was giving us an overtly hard time.

The inspections of the other two large factories went by quickly since none of us really wanted to be there and they didn't really want us snooping around either. After asking what she needed to know in regards to the inspection, we quickly made our leave to begin the inspections of the smaller factories.

Being of lesser importance to the Archidux, he hasn't bothered to extend his influence much further than military affairs, making these smaller factories considerably more pleasant to be in as the people there were much more friendly. Unlike the people in the large factories who gave us false smiles and empty words, the people here seemed to genuinely enjoy having Aurelia visit them. The Overseers of these smaller factories seemed really proud of themselves after receiving Aurelia's praise for running the factory well. Despite there being less to see in these factories, the inspection took longer than it did in the larger factories since Aurelia took time to make small talk with the Overseers and several of the workers.

Our final places to go are the building related to civil service, places like the Guard Station, Tax Bureau, and the General Affairs Building. For the most part, while we were there it wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't a spectacular feeling either. Some of the people were fans of Aurelia, while others had doubts regarding her ability to rule, and naturally, there were some who were a little scared from yesterdays show.

The Guards Station, being affiliated with the military, was surprisingly exciting. The Chief didn't see what happened yesterday, nor had he heard of it. Apparently, in the past, he had openly expressed support of the Archidux, have once said 'the Archidux was better fit to have the throne over a young woman who spends her time singing and painting', this strong public stance of his led to a rather amusing turn of events.

While most people by this point had heard of what happened and those affiliated with the Archidux being a little nervous, most didn't believe that Aurelia had personally dealt with those traitors herself, even though the truth is that she did. And because of the Guard Chiefs personal policy and strong attitude, no one bothered to inform him of the execution and Aurelia's statement in how traitors would be dealt with.

When we had met with the Guard Chief, he was very openly dissatisfied with Aurelia and purposely tried to make things difficult for her. Brave or perhaps pure stupidity, who knows what pushed him to do what he did, but he said straight to Aurelia's face that she should abdicate to her Uncle.

Saying, 'perhaps now is a good opportunity', Aurelia just beat down the Guard Chief... former Guard Chief. Not only beating him unconscious but doing so in front of nearly all the guards at the station. Making good use of the opportunity, Aurelia took her time to show that she wasn't as weak as most people perceived her to be. I was, of course, reminded once again of how good of an idea it was to be on her good side, I seriously think she can hold her own in a fight with a Legendary Monster.

After she finished beating the former Chief, Aurelia appointed the Vice-Chief to be the new Chief and with her lastest display of strength, no one dared to talk back. Talking with the newly appointed Guard Chief, Aurelia finished up the inspection of the Guard Station and we went on to the next place.

Unfortunately, the remaining areas had been rather plain and boring as nothing special happened. Just asking the relevant questions for each place we went to. And finally, the day of inspections end as we start moving toward the shabby inn we've been staying at. Much like the first day, we had been followed by a crowd of Aurelia fans, being excited to see her since many couldn't enter the noble district the other day. Dropping the carriage off at the stable again, we take a back door out so that the crowd doesn't find out where she is staying and by taking a few detours to avoid prying eyes we finally make it back to the inn.

Returning to our rooms to rest, we split from Aurelia. with the door and curtains both closed, we turn on the lamp in our room as I spit out the various guns we got today from Aurelia. With unusually quick movement from Lia, she snatches up all the guns and starts looking them over, mumbling something, but I ignore it as I begin to study the blueprints and recreate the gun using my Element Creation and Manipulation.

The night goes on, Lia continues to fiddle with the guns while I keep trying to recreate the gun from the blueprint. But after much trial and error, I finally got all the parts in place and in working order. It was really difficult for me to get this working since, although I can create all the parts and put them where they should be, getting them all to work was a different problem. Since I used metals I was familiar with like standard iron and bronze along with steel and titanium, but steel sees infrequent use since it doesn't conduct mana well and titanium doesn't seem to have even been discovered here yet. I got better results when using metal I learned about here like mithril, but I couldn't bring out the effects of the prototype we received.

Giving in to temptation, I ate the prototype without storing it, giving me some information on the materials that were used for it, and I soon found what I needed. The primary metal used is one found only in Lausiel called Lauferro and the wooden base is made from tree bark that is also only found here called Laucutis. Both of these materials are apparently very good at conducting mana, much more so the mithril and using them I managed to create the prototype design for the sniper.

Before I can do anything else, the door to our room swings open, revealing Aurelia in her nightgown, "Will you two please be quiet, some people are trying to sleep," she says.

"But we haven't said anything," I respond.

"No you haven't said anything out loud, but you're broadcasting your thoughts like there's no tomorrow. And Lia, what the hell are you thinking! I didn't take you for someone with such uhh... weird tastes."

"Putting that aside, you're leaving tomorrow right?" I ask, fully aware of Lia's strange fascination with guns.

"That's correct, on top of this being the last day of inspections in Ugernum, it is also the last day of inspections overall. Tomorrow I will be returning to the Capital and I would like it if you two would join me and assist with future plans for the conflict with my Uncle," Aurelia says while walking towards me.

"Yeah, sure, but I want to stop along the way to test out the guns, I just recreated the prototype and need to make sure it functions properly."

Grabbing a hold of my hand and trying to pull me out of the room, Aurelia says, "yes, of course, now follow me. It's dangerous for you to stay here right now."

Unsure of what she means, I try to resist and ask, but I find that I don't have the strength to escape. But before she brings me out from the room, Lia shouts, "NO!" pulling my other arm to prevent Aurelia from taking me out.

I once again find myself being pulled back and forth between the two of them, but unlike a couple of days ago, I don't have any strength to fight back, and I quickly realise why. I have that damn status affliction again, The Debuff of Eternity. Now I understand what's going on.

"I don't care if we're working together or if you're the Imperatrix, don't ruin my fun time!" Lia yells.

Shouting back, Aurelia says, "No, I'm sure you've done it with her before! Let me have a taste!"

"Don't I get a say in this?" I ask, but despite their argument, they seem to be on the same page when they both yell "no!"

The argument ends up going on all the way until sunrise and The Debuff of Eternity is finally removed, allowing me to escape from both Lia's and Aurelia's grasp. And unlike me who was both not exerting any effort and has no need to rest as much as other people, these two are completely exhausted and look ready to sleep.

With my strength having returned, Aurelia gives up, saying, "I'm going to delay our departure for a couple of hours, I need to rest. I'll have someone come pick you up when it's time to leave."

With the door closed once more, Lia says, "Lend me your lap, I want to sleep for a bit."

Although I don't immediately answer, she grabs hold of my tail and rests her head on my lap. Closing her eyes and quickly falling asleep.

"Sweet dreams," I whisper while giving her a light kiss to her forehead.