19 Chapter 19 (1/2)

The Kritten heights were desolate and elevated lands, the heights had very little to no grass, growing on it's soil...

This was largely due to the fact that it had too many metal ores, the concentration of these metals in the soil effected plant growth thereby making them deficient and also gave the soil very dark colouration...

And at the top of a hill in this dead and desolate lands was a facility that was currently being constructed.

There were nearly a thousand soldiers and mages patrolling it, it seemed well protected and had several tens of watch towers and various other land defenses.

All in all, it was heavily and highly guarded building...

-●-●-●-

There was only one heavily guarded entrance to the Kritten heights, it was a through a forest...

The entrance to the forest too was guarded by soldiers and mages alike, currently there was a group of civilians who wore white robes.

They stood and waited by the entrance for someone to come, nobody said anything...

Within the distance, they could see a beautiful blood red carriage moving towards them at a considerably fast pace.

After a few minutes, the carriage stopped infront of the group of civilians as the door to the carriage opened.

It was Alexis who had a smirk on his face seeing Magnus Animo waiting for him with his group as he had predicted...

”Mr.Magnus and colleagues, good morning!” Alexis greeted them as he gently helped Florestine come out of the carriage.

”Your highness, we have been waiting for you!” Magnus said excitedly and bowed respectfully, this behaviour was followed by the men behind him.

Alexis chuckled lightly and asked the men to follow behind him as they walked upto the guards, he then took out a purple crystalline tag, it was big enough to fit his pocket considering the fact that he was wearing a suit.

He showed it to the soldiers and mages at the gate, after staring at the purple tag in daze for a few seconds, they quickly got over their shock and kneeled...

”You may rise” Alexis said as they hurriedly rushed to the gate and opened it, right as they did so, they informed the Guards at the entrance to the Kritten heights, so that their Prince does not need to wait!

They did not even bother checking if the tag was fake or not, considering the fact that only a few of them were actually informed of the real tag and they noticed it immediately...

”Security seems very tight, your highness!” Alexis heard Magnus comment, he turned to the old man with a cold smile.

”Ofcourse... afterall it IS a secret weapon!” Alexis chuckled and held onto Florestine's hand as they walked together in harmony...

The rest of the journey wasn't anything memorable and the party quickly entered the establishment and stepped into the main building, the office and the laboratory, it was the heart of the entire structure...

-●-●-●-

The party gathered around a polished stone round table as Alexis drank a mouthful of water from the glass kept for him at his space of the table and turned to the military officer responsible for security...

”Mr.General” Alexis began talking to him as the military officer quickly interjected with a wry expression.

”I apologise for my intrusion but it's Titus, Your highness...” Titus informed him with an apologetic smile.

”Very well, General 'Titus'...” Alexis said sarcastically and continued,

”I hope you do not interrupt when I do speak, If you have anything to say, say so after I'm done with whatever I have said...” He said and lightly glared at the man who kneeled and bowed apologetically.

”I will let you off this time since it is our first time meeting, however... next time I won't be so lenient!” Alexis threatened him as the man nodded in shame and sat down on his chair...

”As I was going to say General Titus, I hope you do your job properly at protecting these gentlemen as they are very important for the Empire!” Alexis stated,

'More important than you...' he added.

Titus nodded with a determined expression as if he would sacrifice anything and everything to keep the men in white robes safe...

'I hate people like you Titus, and I'm already hating you...' Alexis talked to himself.

”You may leave now!” Alexis told him as the man looked shocked, he really disliked the man and dismissed him almost immediately...

”B-But your highness I'm the General...” Titus said, he was stumped.

”Indeed you are, but we do not require your presence at this moment... your duty is to protect us... not to involve yourself with what we are doing inside... If you do have vast scientific and mechanical knowledge, then... you may help us.” Alexis reminded him as Titus turned purple in anger, he immediately left, leaving the group in an awkward silence...

”That man is dangerous!” Magnus commented on Titus as soon as the man left, his subordinates nodded their heads as Alexis turned to Florestine who had a serious face.

”That maybe so... but he is a coward, he won't try anything unless he knows he has the upper hand. But in an fortification like this, where there are many captains from the armies of different Generals... he can't do anything. I'll still keep a look out for him!” Alexis muttered as Magnus nodded his head in acknowledgement.

He then took out the blueprint from a hard black cylindrical case, and laid it on the table for the scientists and inventors to see...

Alexis then explained the mechanisms of the rifle and added some extra knowledge from Earth so that they would be more willing to work under him.

The six men who observed the blueprint of the rifle, eyed it with very keen eyes...

To say that they were amazed was an understatement, they were excited, shocked and stared at Alexis as if he was an alien.

”You six are to work on the rifle and improve it... first we need to make the most important parts, the bolt and trigger mechanisms... once we get this perfected, the rest will be a smooth ride!” Alexis said with enthusiasm as the six men agreed...

”I will come every six months, as of now... there is no time limit for the rifle, but I hope to hear news of a working bolt action rifle and your individual machinery that will help produce them at an industrial level by four years time...” Alexis mumbled, he said so while thinking...

”I'm sorry but you six will be very busy...” Alexis apologised and looked at them with a wry smile, Magnus shook his head.

”As Your Highness said earlier, we would like to be known as the founding fathers of this

so-called Industrial revolution and I believe I speak for everyone!” Magnus said and turned to his friends and fellow colleagues who smiled widely at being called the 'Founding fathers of the Industrial revolution'.

”Very well... however do be sure to rest, we do not want anyone to fall sick at these crucial times and thus stagnating our development...” Alexis warned them and guided the six of them to their new rooms that were inside the office.

”So this is our new home huh?” One of the inventors said with an excited smile on his face.

”Gentlemen, You may pick whichever room you wish to take and ask help from the guards at the entrance to carry your luggage if you wish to do so...” Alexis reminded them.

”Good luck!” He said earnestly and left the building.

He and Florestine stopped next to one of the guards and turned to him.