Chapter 499

This chapter is an additional update for the "Wu Ma Wei Yang" patronage reward.

With a gentle push on Loki's neck, Liszt leapt into the air and landed on the railing of the Sky Ship. Following the direction Kosto pointed, he clearly saw what the keel of the Sky Ship looked like.

Indeed, it was a single, entire branch.

The branch started from the bow, without a ram, but split into two branches extending to both sides of the ship's bottom, forming three parallel lines with the main branch. These three parallel lines constituted the main keel and the side keels, forming the main load-bearing structure of the ship.

From these three keels, many branches extended to the sides, forming the ribs.

In essence, the core structure of this Sky Ship was composed of a single branch. However, this branch was very standard and symmetrical, as if cast from a mold. Other structures were continuously spliced onto this trunk, and upon closer inspection, it was still evident that many components, like the keel, were also whole branches.

This was a Sky Ship "grown" from various branches.

"Absolutely astonishing," Liszt exclaimed, unable to contain his amazement. "Such technology is definitely ahead of its time; no noble in our nation possesses this kind of skill."

"My lord, our nation's shipbuilding industry is the most advanced. If we can't build such a ship, I think... only the Moon Empire could have the capability to build such a large ship," Marcus, who had climbed up, confidently analyzed. "This ship might have been submerged for thousands of years!"

The Moon Empire serves as a convenient scapegoat.

Anything incomprehensible or unexplainable can be attributed to the Moon Empire.

Naturally, Liszt wouldn't reveal now that this Sky Ship was crafted by the Children of the Sun from another continent. So he also shifted the blame: "I think so too. Only during the Moon Empire era could there be such powerful forces to build such a large ship."

"We've actually salvaged a shipwreck from the Moon Empire—how magnificent!" Blair sincerely praised. "The glory of knighthood indeed favors you, my lord, and this territory!"

Traditionally, the relics of the Moon Empire are synonymous with treasures.

This shipwreck has clearly been recognized by them as a type of relic, and salvaging it is a common way to obtain treasures in knight novels.

A path to riches that everyone eagerly seeks and aspires to.

Of course, in Liszt's territory, apart from the stipulated commercial and agricultural income, all other productions belong to Liszt.

This shipwreck belongs entirely to Liszt.

"Kosto, you are quite knowledgeable about ships. Do you think this ship could be transformed into a sailing ship?" Liszt tested the hardness of the "branch"; even after being soaked in the sea for countless years, it remained sturdy and showed no signs of decay. The main structure of the entire ship was still intact.

Kosto pondered seriously before replying, "I believe it's possible, my lord. We have stockpiled rockwood for masts and Thorn Ironwood for other hull components, and with the intact keel of this Moon Empire shipwreck, we can make a fast sailing ship... However, we lack shipbuilding technology."

Liszt had brought over numerous serfs from the mainland, including many craftsmen, but none were skilled in shipbuilding.

Shipbuilders, particularly those capable of constructing large sailing ships, are exclusive to the Sapphire Duchy, where the technology is held by a few prominent families.

"If we're lacking in technology, we'll innovate and train our own shipbuilders. We've already overhauled several cargo ships; gaining experience is not a concern for us. With rubber as a superior adhesive, I'm confident that even haphazardly assembled ships can navigate the seas!" Liszt said sternly.

The Flower Ship, the Thorn Ship, the Pearl, the Red Mangrove, along with three newly acquired cargo ships.

The serfs within the territory have the opportunity to learn a considerable amount about shipbuilding technology. While advanced sailing ships may be beyond our current capabilities, the sailing ships of this era are not particularly complex. Using rubber in place of rivets for assembly significantly simplifies shipbuilding, akin to working with building blocks.

As long as one isn't a fool, with sufficient learning and practice, one can construct sailing ships of this era.

...

The branches, along with the light blue metal and twenty-one skeletons found in the cabin, were transported to the port town for storage.

Regarding the main structure of the Sky Shipwreck, Liszt spent several days examining it. The only certainty was that the branch forming the keel was identical to those stored in the cabin. With no further discoveries made, he entrusted it to Blair, instructing him to mobilize the serfs in an attempt to convert the Sky Ship into a sailing vessel.

"My strategy involves selecting the most intelligent from this group of serfs and training them to become skilled shipbuilders."

"Yes, Lord!"

Then Liszt further instructed Kosto: "You are the navigation instructor of the territory. I expect you to train more sailors as soon as possible. I will continue to add cargo ships in the near future. You must ensure that the sailors are fully staffed, and focus on training more suitable senior crew members like captains and first mates."

"Lord, it might be very challenging in a short time. The serfs transported from the mainland are all inexperienced with the sea. They don't even dare to swim. It's very daunting for them to overcome their fear of the sea."

"I will ensure Advisor Gort provides you with sufficient support. Your task is to train qualified sailors for me!"

"As you wish, Lord!"

...

Upon leaving Black Horse Island, Liszt took away some branches and light blue metal. He needs to continue researching items that can be stored in the sky ship's cabin. These are no ordinary items.

Especially this kind of branch, which can grow into a keel, is simply unbelievable.

"Does thoroughly researching this branch mean I can build a sky ship myself? Even if I can't build a sky ship, I can still build sailing ships for sea voyages. Naturally grown keels are clearly stronger than those spliced with rivets."

During his research, he often visits the glass greenhouse.

Unfortunately, after five days, no seeds have sprouted in the glass greenhouse. I’m not sure if it’s the wrong time, the temperature is off, or the seeds are dead.

He still has the patience to wait.

But on the other hand, he is gradually losing patience.

"Bavell, haven't you made tofu yet?" Liszt came to the Flower Restaurant and asked the chef Bavell. It has been more than a week since he funded Bavell.

There is still no sign of tofu.

Bavell is a bit panicked. He received a sponsorship fee of ten gold coins and hired ten assistants, but there is still no research result: "I'm sorry, Lord, I... I haven't found the method to make tofu yet."

"As soon as possible!" Although Liszt is very anxious, he still patiently did not express it, after all, the other party is the candidate recommended by the smoke task.

Perhaps the success of tofu lies in Bavell.

Pushing too hard might hinder the emergence of tofu.

After urging Bavell, Liszt chatted with Cris Truth, firstly to take away this month's magic potion. Secondly, to see if she has the intention to impact the great magician. If she directly breaks through to become a great magician, the smoke task is not urgent.

"Viscount, I have not tried to impact the great magician recently. I am focusing on researching the spirit bug amber. I have a premonition that the secrets it contains are the key to my breakthrough to the great magician!" Cris said with an excited expression, she has discovered many amazing clues in the amber.