Chapter 32
Serena knew that the glass from Luches Bay and the black oil import rights from Cador were merely the foundations upon which she stood, far from being indispensable to her. She needed a deeper foundation, broader support, and… something more valuable that Lucien could not easily shake.
She carefully selected allies within the nobility, not blindly befriending them, but rather favoring those old nobles who were also oppressed by the emerging imperial power or harbored doubts about Lucien's radical reforms. Through marriage alliances and sharing profits from glassmaking, she subtly wove a network of shared interests. Simultaneously, using her ducal title and wealth, she funded the establishment of a primary arithmetic and writing school for commoners' children in Roconia, ostensibly aimed at "training more qualified scribes and merchant assistants for the empire." This costly move, however, earned her a reputation for "benevolence and foresight" among commoners and lower gentry, rapidly enhancing the Wilde family's prestige among the imperial populace. These subtle and persistent actions, like water dripping on stone, slowly but steadily solidified her position.
However, what truly kept her awake at night and consumed her energy were the weapon concepts that originated from her memories as a time traveler and transcended the understanding of this era. She knew that only by demonstrating disruptive value in the military field could she truly attract Lucien's attention, or even make him wary.
1. The Gaze Through Glass – The Telescope
While the Luches Bay glass workshop was producing colored vessels, another extremely secretive production line was experimenting with colorless, highly transparent flat glass. Serena, based on her hazy memory, drew a very rudimentary diagram of a combination of lenses with different curvatures. She summoned the most talented of the Comerian glassmakers and asked him to try grinding these special "lenses."
After countless failed attempts and the consumption of vast amounts of precious materials, the first crude "telescope" was finally born. It looked clumsy, and the image was somewhat distorted, but when Serena looked through it and clearly saw the intricate carvings on the weathervane atop the distant clock tower, she knew she had succeeded. Imagine a naval commander spotting an enemy ship's mast before it entered his regular field of vision, an army commander gaining early insight into enemy troop movements… This advantage in visibility would be decisive on the battlefield. She secretly delivered this preliminary work, along with a confidential letter detailing its military applications, directly to the Minister of the Navy through an absolutely reliable channel.
2. The Roar of Black Oil – Greek Fire and Incendiary Weapons
Serena's ambitions regarding Kador oil went far beyond its simple flammability. She recalled scattered accounts of "Greek fire"—a terrifying weapon capable of burning on water and extremely difficult to extinguish. She instructed her trusted confidant in charge of oil imports to establish a heavily guarded secret testing ground in Salt Whisper Bay, completely isolated from the glass workshops.
There, alchemists and craftsmen, hired at great expense and strictly controlled, began experimenting with mixing black oil with other locally collected substances such as a certain resin and sulfur, guided by Serena's vague instructions on "mixing, pressurizing, and spraying." They designed copper containers and pumps to safely store and stably spray this mixture. The experiments were fraught with danger; several small explosions and fires nearly exposed the secret, but progress was slow. They produced a paste-like substance that burned more fiercely and had stronger adhesion than pure black oil, and designed a prototype spray nozzle. Although bulky and with limited range, its flames were enough to cover a small area of water or a wooden city wall. Serena sealed the experimental records and a top-secret report on "Controllable Fire Oil and Its Applications in Coastal Defense and Siege Warfare," along with a telescope, and presented it as "the Wilder family's loyal contribution to the Imperial Armaments."
She did not ask for any reward, nor did she publicize it. She simply and calmly placed these two prototype weapons, which could potentially change the nature of warfare, before the imperial military machine.
When the First Lord of the Navy and several key admirals, in a secret meeting, saw into the distance through that crude telescope and reviewed the astonishing report on "fierce fire oil," the entire conference room fell into a long, deathly silence.
Their eyes met, filled with shock and disbelief.
This top-secret intelligence was quickly sent to the palace.
In the imperial study, Lucien carefully examined the telescope and reviewed the report describing the terrifying incendiary weapon. His face remained expressionless, but his deep purple eyes were churning with an unprecedentedly violent storm.
Glass... is no longer just decoration.
Black oil... is no longer just a ignition source.
In her hands, they transformed into the eyes and fangs of the empire.
This time, what Serena Wilde offered was not wealth, nor a pledge of loyalty, but... power. A tangible power capable of influencing the future form of warfare within the Empire, and even the continental landscape.
Lucien slowly put down the report, his fingertips gently tracing the signature of the "Wild family".
He realized that the canary he had once tried to imprison had now grown strong and had opened a door to a whole new realm of warfare for him and for the entire empire.
This value went far beyond the realm of "indispensable." It brought opportunity, but also...an unprecedented sense of threat. Lucien knew that his relationship with Serena Wilde had to be reassessed. A more complex, more delicate, and more dangerous balance was about to be established.
The initial results of the trials of the telescope and the improved flammable oil caused an almost seismic reaction within the Imperial military's high command. Naval commanders enthusiastically praised the telescope, nicknamed "Eagle Eye," which gave the fleet an overwhelming visual advantage during patrols and engagements. Meanwhile, the army and siege engineers both revered and coveted the viscous incendiary substance tentatively named "Wilder Fire," which demonstrated terrifying adhesion and sustained burning in a simulated attack on an abandoned fortress, proving largely ineffective with traditional methods of slapping and covering with sand.
These two items were no longer merely "novelties"; they were quickly classified as top imperial secrets, and their production and equipment were rapidly deployed under strict supervision. Part of the glass workshop in Luches Bay was taken over by the Royal Guard, specifically for grinding the lenses of "Eagle Eye"; while the purification and mixing of black oil and the formulation of "Wildfire" were moved to a more secretive coastal outpost directly controlled by the royal family, with the Wilder family responsible for providing the core formula (and some raw materials).
Instead of seeking direct control of the production process, Serena wisely chose to relinquish most of the leadership, retaining only the role of a technology contributor and key supplier. This, in turn, reassured Lucien and the military, and further bound the Wilder family to the core interests of the Empire. Revenue from these two technologies flowed steadily into the Wilder family's coffers, far exceeding the previous profits from glass luxury goods and black oil imports.
But more important than money is influence. Serena Wilde's name is now synonymous with "military reform" within the military and among a select few in-depth observers. She is no longer merely a fortunate heir, but a highly valuable collaborator capable of bringing substantial power enhancements. Several military elders who previously viewed her with skepticism or even disdain now greet her with a nod when they meet in the Senate.
This change, of course, did not escape Lucien's notice.
In a small, secret meeting attended only by core cabinet members, after discussions on the equipment progress of "Hawkeye" and the reserve plans for "Wilderfire," a brief silence fell over the room. Lucien's gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling seemingly casually on Serena, who, though not formally present, was allowed to observe due to the relevance of the topic. She sat demurely against the wall, her expression calm, as if the inventions reshaping the Empire's military landscape were none of her concern.
“Duchess Wilde,” Lucien began, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet council chamber, “The Empire will not forget loyal and valuable contributions.”
The words were plain and even formulaic. But everyone present understood their weight. This was the first time the emperor had publicly and formally acknowledged her abilities, a statement far exceeding any material reward.
Serena rose and performed a proper curtsy, her voice steady: "It is an honor for the Wilder family to serve the Empire, Your Majesty."
She showed no sign of smugness, and her attitude was perfectly measured.
After the meeting ended, as everyone filed out, Lucien's voice rang out again, calling out to Serena, who was about to leave.
"The Duchess".
Serena stopped and turned to face him. Only the two of them remained in the empty council chamber, along with the statue-like guards in the distance.
Lucien slowly descended from his throne and stood before her. He was much taller than her, and his shadow carried an invisible sense of oppression. His deep purple eyes scrutinized her carefully, as if reassessing this collection he once thought he had completely mastered, which now continued to bring him "surprises."
“You always bring…something unexpected.” His tone was ambiguous, whether it was praise or inquiry, or perhaps both.
Serena raised her eyes to meet his gaze, her blue eyes clear and calm: "Your Majesty, the world is far more vast than we have seen. There is always new knowledge waiting to be discovered and new powers waiting to be used. The Wilder family is willing to be one of the Empire's eyes and arms in exploring these unknowns."
She did not place herself in an overly high position, but rather subtly attributed it to her family's service to the empire, while hinting at her potential to continue bringing "new knowledge" in the future.
Lucien's lips twitched very slightly. He looked at her composed demeanor, at the calm in her eyes that stemmed from knowledge and confidence.
He knew he could no longer see her the same way he had before. She had successfully proven her worth in a way he could no longer ignore. She was no longer a fugitive he could manipulate at will, nor even an ordinary hereditary noblewoman. She was an important figure with unique resources, capable of directly influencing the empire's power.
This value brings a new balance, but also new... dangers and opportunities.
“Very good,” he finally said, his voice low. “Continue your…exploration, Duchess. The Empire needs eyes that can see far, and flames that can burn away obstacles.”
After saying that, he didn't linger and turned to leave.
Serena stood there until his figure disappeared outside the door before she slowly let out a sigh of relief. Her back was already covered in a cold sweat.
The torrent of time carries the destinies of empires and individuals forward. Emperor Lucien's iron-fisted rule laid the foundation for the Augustan Empire's strength for centuries to come, while Duchess Serena Wilde, with her unique contributions to commerce, technology, and even indirect military affairs, became an indispensable page in the imperial annals.
After initial confrontation, probing, and mutual exploitation, the relationship between the two gradually developed into a peculiar balance that has been the subject of much discussion among historians but remains elusive.
In public, they were monarch and subject, maintaining impeccable etiquette and distance. Lucien never bestowed upon the Wilde family any extra favors beyond those of other core nobles, and even during several political purges, he ruthlessly eliminated several old nobles who had been closely associated with Serena, as if deliberately drawing a line. Serena, in turn, always adhered to her duties as a subject, focusing on managing the family business and promoting technological advancement. She spoke cautiously in the Senate, never forming factions or seeking personal gain, and never using her special contributions to demand any political privileges.
However, in some subtle ways, one can glimpse unusual traces.
When the Empire’s highest-level military technology research and development institution, the Royal Academy of Applied Sciences, was first established, Duchess Wilde’s name was prominently listed on its advisory board. She was the only advisor who was neither from the military nor a member of the royal family, although she rarely attended formal meetings.
Before the promulgation of several imperial decrees concerning overseas trade and new technology regulations, the Imperial Commissioner would "coincidentally" hold "informal consultations" with relevant officials from the Wilder family.
When the Wilder family encountered difficulties during several economic fluctuations, there were always opportune loans or orders from anonymous channels that offered favorable terms, helping them to overcome the difficulties.
There are even unofficial historical accounts that once, when Emperor Lucien was inspecting the newly built naval shipyard, upon seeing the latest flagship equipped with improved versions of the "Hawkeye" and "Wildfire" jet systems, he whispered something to the menacing figurehead that only his attendants could hear: "...as sharp as her eyes, as inextinguishable as her will."
Of course, this is just an unverifiable anecdote.
They never had any more private meetings beyond official business. It was as if that brief confrontation in the side hall of the Duke of Wilde's mansion years ago, and the few words exchanged at the subsequent royal meeting, were the only private interactions between them.
This delicate balance lasted for decades until they each faded from the stage of history.
Emperor Lucien died suddenly from a cold in his later years. It is said that before his death, he burned all his private letters and manuscripts and left no words for any specific person.
Duchess Serena Wilde passed away peacefully at the Ducal Palace a few years later. She donated most of her estate to the schools she had funded in her early years and to her academic foundation, leaving her family only a short letter instructing them to "remain independent, focus on practical matters, and stay away from the vortex of power."
Later historical accounts offer a complex yet consistent assessment of Lucien the Great: a man of great talent and ambition, ruthless and decisive, and one of the empire's greatest founders. Serena Wilde, on the other hand, is praised for her wisdom, foresight, and outstanding contributions to the empire's development.
However, the reason why Emperor Lucien maintained such a peculiar attitude toward the duchess, whom he had once pursued but who later demonstrated remarkable value,—a relationship that was both one of both reliance and distance, both suppression and subtle protection—has always been a topic of endless debate among historians and writers.
Some believe it was a pure appreciation and utilization of outstanding talent; others speculate it was imperial scheming, intended to establish a controllable role model; still others offer a romantic interpretation, portraying it as a twisted yet persistent secret affection buried deep beneath power and time.
But all speculation remains just speculation.
No conclusive documents, letters, or reliable third-party testimonies can confirm that Emperor Lucien harbored any special feelings for Duchess Wilde beyond those of a monarch towards a capable minister. What they left to posterity were only those cold, hard decrees, recorded contributions, and that tense yet incredibly restrained relationship that spanned pursuit, confrontation, checks and balances, and long-term cooperation.
The truth, with the passing of that era, has long been buried beneath the dust of history, becoming an eternal, alluring, yet unsolvable mystery. Only the ancient walls of Rokonia still stand silently, witnessing that legend that began in captivity and ended in checks and balances, before finally fading into silence.
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