Gele City's development ranked near the bottom among the nearly twenty thousand cities in the Crimson Soul Principality, and it could only be considered upper-middle tier within the Monte Province.
This was closely related to the conservative governing policies of the hereditary fiefdom's Viscount Weissman family.
The development of most cities directly under the principality was much better. As Felina explained, many advanced industries and technologies were actually nowhere to be seen in Gele City.
Perhaps this was the drawback of the aristocratic fiefdom system. Feudal nobles were not particularly keen on territorial development, focusing more on family advancement and individual strength.
Half a witchcraft hour passed quickly as the two chatted and laughed, and the silhouette of Gele City was already visible in the distance.
In the distant skyline, over a dozen slender, massive smokestacks stood tall, billowing thick grayish-black fog. From afar, they looked like fifteen long snakes floating in the sky...
As they gradually approached Gele City, the first thing they saw was a large expanse of plantations...
These plantations mainly grew the raw materials needed for inferior potions. These plants generally did not have overly strict requirements for energy particles.
There were also some glasshouse-like plantations, which required much stricter cultivation conditions.
Generally, some witchcraft arrays had to be set up to increase the concentration of energy particles in the air. These were the buildings used to cultivate and grow the raw materials for genuine low-grade witchcraft potions.
After quickly driving past the large plantations, they entered the industrial zone...
The towering smokestacks they had seen from afar were located in this ring, faintly forming a circle around Gele City. It was basically evident that Gele City adopted a circular structure, similar to the imperial capital in Lizer's previous life.
The industrial zone was a vast stretch of steel factories. The roar of machinery and the high-pitched broadcasts from the factories could be heard from afar:
"Labor is glorious! Work hard for 100 days to complete the 'Crimson Flame Army' order, and everyone's bonus will increase by 20 percent."
Lizer felt as if he had returned to the research institute.
Lizer looked at these factories. From a distance, he could vaguely see a wide variety of products being manufactured. The productive forces were still very strong, presenting a thriving scene.
Yet, this was still the Gele City that Felina had described as ranking near the bottom in the Crimson Soul Principality. He wondered what those top-ranking cities looked like.
Looking closely, there were about two or three factory buildings producing machinery. Lizer asked Felina, who was leaning against him:
"Felina, weapons factory production requires ore refining furnaces, medium-precision lathes, and forging machinery. Do you know which factories or merchant groups in Gele City sell these?"
Felina looked outside, pointed to a distant factory with an "S" shaped logo, and said:
"For ore smelting, it would be this 'Mountain' Metallurgy Institute.
I've heard the upper management of the institute is a family of gray dwarves skilled in metallurgy. As a common intelligent humanoid species, gray dwarves have completely integrated into human society, so don't be surprised if you see them.
The furnaces from the 'Mountain' Metallurgy Institute are of excellent quality and outstanding performance.
You know that wizard apprentices all need to smelt rare metals when studying alchemy. Most of the wizard apprentices I know buy furnaces provided by the 'Mountain' Metallurgy Institute."
She paused, and seeing that Lizer had no other questions, she continued:
"As for medium-precision lathes and forging machinery, I recommend the 'Crimson Soul Machinery Group'.
This is a group under the military that produces all kinds of machinery. They have a complete range of types and reliable quality."
Hearing this, Lizer smiled:
"So traveling with Mentor Felina was the right choice.
These things can't be learned from books. If I had to solve these problems myself, it would be a whole lot of trouble."
Felina smiled slightly upon hearing this and asked:
"Then should we go directly to these two institutions?"
"No rush.
Driving the witch-box for so long is tiring.
Let's go to the Carnival to get a room first and have a good time touring Gele City for two days. Buying equipment is secondary; spending time with you is the real business."
Lizer gave a mysterious smile. Driving the witch-box did indeed consume the driver's spiritual energy, though it was minuscule.
'Carnival' was a famous affordable luxury hotel within the Crimson Soul Principality, suitable for the middle class who valued their quality of life.
One night wasn't cheap, costing about 10 silver coins, which was even more expensive than an ordinary knight's sword. But Lizer didn't want his woman to feel wronged.
'Carnival' was one of the few buildings in Gele City with more than 10 floors. As it was the off-season, Lizer was lucky enough to book a suite on the top floor, the 23rd floor, which practically overlooked the entire city.
Lizer held the charming Felina in his arms, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, accompanying her as they looked out at the bustling Gele City...
Feeling the strange changes in the boy's body behind her, her body temperature rapidly rose, and a drunken flush appeared on her fair skin.
Lizer whispered in her ear:
"Mentor, let's take a rest."
Felina turned around, her eyes becoming hazy:
"Mhm..."
Lizer lowered his head to kiss her and commanded:
"Call me Master today; after all, I was the mentor's manservant for several days before."
Felina immediately lowered her head in shyness, her voice like the buzz of a mosquito:
"Master, let me serve you as you rest, okay?"
This rest lasted for a whole day and night...
Knowing the taste of the marrow... (censored).
At four or five o'clock the next morning...
Lizer finally fell into a deep sleep only when he truly had no strength left...
By the time he woke up, it was nearly noon. Felina had already woken up and was looking at him with deep affection, stroking his chest with her delicate hands.
Lizer felt secretly annoyed with himself. He had said he would take Felina to tour Gele City, but in the end, the two of them just went crazy in the hotel for two whole days.
They still had to rush back to Gray Mist Mountain Town at night, and they had to negotiate the purchase of equipment in the afternoon. Seeing that there was no time left for sightseeing, it seemed they could only wait for next time.
Felina, however, was very happy and completely satisfied spending such intimate time alone with Lizer, looking like a sweet little wife.
When Lizer got out of bed and walked out, he still felt his calves trembling slightly...
The physical fitness of this wizard apprentice was truly terrifying. If he didn't improve his own physical fitness as soon as possible, he feared he wouldn't die on the battlefield, but rather in his own home...
The academy library had a rich collection of books. Among the medical books, there were definitely some potion formulas for strengthening the body and consolidating one's foundation.
It seemed it was time to go to the library and pay to win by analyzing one or two such formulas.
Lizer first took a blissfully happy Felina to the "Mountain" Metallurgy Institute branch in the city center to negotiate the purchase of the metallurgy furnaces, ordering 4 sets all at once.
The specifications of these smelting furnaces were custom-graded according to volume, smelting temperature, and temperature control level.
Based on his needs, Lizer ordered large furnaces that could reach a temperature of 2400 degrees with a temperature control level of 50 degrees (meaning the temperature could be precisely controlled within 50 degrees above or below the target temperature), costing nearly 8 gold coins.
Such a large order caused the institute's service staff to repeatedly hint that they could give Lizer a private demonstration tonight on how to maintain the furnaces.
Lizer had no choice but to hastily sign the contract under Felina's murderous gaze, pay the deposit, and flee in a panic...