The Roads Interlaced - II

"But with this, it's different." The man's eyes were full of hope. "With this thing, it feels like not only the foul air is gone, but the whole environment has improved. Our children will grow up healthy!"

These answers reassured Ravenna, but she remained meticulous and cautious, asking, "It hasn't caused any trouble, has it? For instance, has anyone tried to control it, demanding money from you in return for its use?"

"Ha ha ha, we were worried about that at first too! But Lord Milo thought of everything!" 

The man laughed heartily, his expression full of admiration. "He always thinks of us… I even heard that this thing cost a fortune! Lord Milo spent a lot of money to—"

"How could it be Milo?" Ravenna interrupted. "Isn't it Faust who maintains its stable operation? And wasn't it Faust who created it?"

And costly? It was just a little gadget she had made casually. How had it been rumored to be so expensive?