Free

The next day, both woke up simultaneously and asked a servant to bring breakfast. "In one hour, we depart for Tredemburg. After speaking with Baron Ine, we'll meet with Baron Floutt, and finally, we'll reach that village to investigate this demonic relic," the High Priest said while eating his bread with cheese.

And I'll finally be free to do my own things. That was all Rafael wanted. "Sir, I have faith that you'll know what to do with the relic. The world will be a better place once it's taken and secured."

"Taken and secured? We've already discussed this, Robert, and I don't think it's wise to keep such heretical and blasphemous objects in existence." The window was open, letting in the fresh morning breeze and sunlight.

"Okay, okay, I trust your judgment."

"I've informed the priests about my journey, and they'll manage everything while I'm away. As for you, my apprentice, I ask that you oversee the liquid stone production site and check with the blacksmith on the progress of the printing press."

"Of course, don't worry, High Priest. By the time you return, everything will be done and functioning."

"Good. Now, help me with that bag over there." Rafael picked up a bag for Julius, and they walked to the southern part of the city, where a group of people and horses had gathered. Two other clerics and ten soldiers were getting the last things ready for the expedition.

Rafael tied the bag onto Julius' horse and helped him mount it.

"May God guide you on your journey," Rafael said, trying to sound like a devout follower offering a blessing.

"God bless us, for we're going to need it." After a few minutes, they set off, with only Julius knowing that the true objective was to see the relic.

Rafael took a deep breath as he watched them grow smaller in the distance. Finally, I'm free. What should I do? Now that he had the freedom to do whatever he wanted, including introducing new inventions, he felt a bit lost, unsure of where to start.

There's so much I want to do! Okay, think. Yesterday I visited the cement production site and the mathematicians. I still want to write a book about numbers and math, just like in the time machine's book. I want to start distillation too, but that can wait a bit until I find that priest. Hmm... I think I'll write that book now before my memory fails.

Rafael walked to the well-built wooden house and knocked on the door. It opened, and he was greeted by an old woman.

"Good morning, cleric. May I help you?"

"Good morning, Ana. It's me, Cleric Robert." He had seen her yesterday, but it seemed she had forgotten who he was.

"...Oh my! I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you. My vision isn't what it used to be. Please, come in; Vincent will be back soon." She gestured for him to enter.

"Excuse me," he said, passing her and sitting at the table. "No problem, I'll wait for him."

"Would you like some milk?" She picked up a jar.

"No, thank you. Ana, may I ask you something?"

"But of course."

"Do you boil the milk before drinking it?" Rafael knew, and had read in the book, that milk was one of the most dangerous foods if not pasteurized.

"Ah, well, no, we don't boil the milk. Sometimes I warm it up a bit, but never boil it. Why do you ask?" She found the question strange.

"I've heard it's dangerous to drink milk if it hasn't been boiled first. Try this: heat your jar of milk by the fire for about 30 seconds, and I guarantee it will be safer to drink."

She blinked a few times. "Thirty seconds?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"What is a second?" She set the jar of milk back on a smaller table near the fireplace.

Oh my god... It seems I'll have to revolutionize everything.

"Do you know what a minute is?"

"Yes, that I know."

"Then just heat the milk and keep it warm for half a minute. Is that easier to understand?"

"Half a minute, you say... Hmm, I think I get it now." She added some wood to the embers in the fireplace, and soon the fire was burning. She placed the jar next to it and waited.

"So, Cleric Robert, Vincent talked a lot about you last night. I must admit, I've never seen him so excited... except when we got married, of course."

"He talked about me, huh? Well, I know things that would make him go crazy... in a good way."

They chatted a bit more until the door opened, and an old man stepped inside.

"Ana, can you believe they ar— Oh, Robert! I'm so glad to see you here! Have you eaten yet? Ana, prepare something for him." He dropped the bag he was carrying on the table next to the fireplace and walked over to greet Rafael, shaking his hand.

"Please, there's no need. I had breakfast just a few minutes ago."

"You left so early yesterday; there were so many things we wanted to ask you!" Vincent, one of the three best mathematicians currently in Calistoga, said as he sat across the table.

"Sorry about that. It's just... I remembered the High Priest was going to teach me new things, so I had to rush."

"Ah, don't worry. If it's because of him, then there's no problem. So, are you here to continue where we left off?" He leaned forward, speaking with anticipation.

"Yes. Actually, better than that."

"Better than that?"

"Yes. I want to write a small book about everything I know. Trust me, Mr. Vincent, it will change the way you see and do math." Rafael observed the man, waiting for his response. ... Is he... shaking?

"Ohhh my Lord! Thank you!" Vincent exclaimed, looking up at the ceiling. "Quick, Ana, send someone to call Metrim and Fradgar here!"

Rafael watched as the woman exited the house and the old man grabbed some parchments and ink.

Now the fun begins.