Chapter 22: Touring Tulia

Chapter 22: Touring TuliaA carriage rolled to a gentle stop at the edge of a modest town nestled in the rolling hills of Lord Cedric's vast domain.

As Cedric stepped down, his polished boots sinking slightly into the packed earth, he scanned the scene before him.

The air carried the scent of fresh bread and blooming wildflowers, but what caught his attention was a peculiar sight: a line of villagers, men and women of all ages, clutching jugs and buckets, queuing patiently before a metal pipe protruding from a stone structure.

A young boy at the front twisted a valve, and clear water gushed forth, filling his jug with a steady stream. Laughter and chatter filled the air as containers were filled one by one.

Cedric's eyes widened. "By the gods," he murmured, "it's true." He stepped closer, his knights trailing behind, their armor clinking softly. "What is this contraption?"

The villagers froze, their gazes snapping toward him. A woman gasped, dropping her jug with a soft thud, and a ripple of recognition spread through the crowd.

"Lord Cedric!" a man exclaimed with a low bow. Others followed suit, their containers abandoned as they dipped their heads or knelt in respect.

"Your Grace, welcome to Tulia!"

Cedric raised a hand. "Rise, please. I mean no disruption. Tell me about this... device."

A wiry man with sun-weathered skin stepped forward, wiping his hands on his clothes.

"This is the water pump, m'lord. Built by Adrian, the blacksmith's son. No need to fetch from the well anymore — water comes right to us."

Cedric's breath caught at the name Adrian, his mind flashing to a past he'd long buried. But the words blacksmith's son grounded him.

'Why am I even thinking of him?' He cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Remarkable. Show me more of this Adrian's works."

The villagers, eager to please their lord, formed an impromptu tour. The wiry man, introducing himself as Tobin, led Cedric through Tulia's cobbled paths, joined by a growing crowd of curious onlookers.

Their first stop was a communal oven, its stone exterior fitted with a clever system of vents and a rotating spit powered by a small waterwheel.

"Adrian rigged this up," Tobin explained. "Cooks bread and meat twice as fast, and the heat's even. Saves wood, too."

Cedric ran a hand along the oven's smooth stone, his mind racing. 'This could feed entire garrisons with half the fuel.' "Ingenious," he said aloud, his voice tinged with awe. "What else?"

They stopped at a tailor's shop, where a woman worked a gleaming contraption of steel and wood. Her foot pressed a pedal, driving a needle that darted through the fabric, stitching a shirt in moments.

"Adrian's sewing machine," Tobin said. "Sews faster than a dozen hands, with gears so precise it never jams."

Cedric's fingers grazed the machine's frame, as his mind raced with the possibilities. "A marvel," he said, voice thick with wonder.

"What's next?"

In the village hall, a broad fan spun overhead, its wooden blades stirring a cool breeze. A girl turned a crank connected to a small, sealed box of copper and zinc plates immersed in a briny solution —Adrian's battery, Tobin explained.

"Powers the fan all day. Keeps us cool, even in summer's blaze."

Cedric felt the air kiss his brow, picturing sweltering council chambers transformed. Every noble would clamor for this.

"Astounding," he murmured. "Go on."

They reached the square, where a youth zipped past on a two-wheeled frame, pedaling with ease.

"Adrian's bicycle," Tobin grinned. "Faster than walking, cheaper than horses. Most of us use 'em now."

Cedric's eyes gleamed, envisioning scouts and couriers crisscrossing his lands.

After several more minutes of touring the village and having seen enough; Cedric turned to Tobin and said with a firm voice.

"Where is this genius boy? I must meet him."

Tobin exchanged a glance with a stout man beside him, the village chief. "He's not here, m'lord," the chief said. "Adrian's gone to Eldergrove, likely to the Magic Forest."

Cedric's eyes widened. "The Magic Forest?"

"Aye," the chief confirmed. "He's a 1-star Adventurer. Special lad."

Cedric's heart quickened, a mix of curiosity and urgency stirring within him. "When will he return?"

"Not sure, m'lord," the chief replied. "But it'll be today, we reckon."

"Then I'll wait," Cedric declared, his tone leaving no room for debate. He turned to the chief. "I trust you'll accommodate me?"

The chief nodded eagerly, gesturing toward a modest house nearby. "Eli and Mara, Adrian's parents, will be honored to host you."

Cedric followed, his knights in tow, as the chief led him to a sturdy home with a thatched roof and a small garden bursting with herbs.

"Lord Cedric!" Mara gasped after opening the door to see the Duke. Eli approached the door after hearing Mara, and on identifying the Duke, he joined her to bow.

"Your Grace, what an honor," he stammered.

The chief stepped forward. "His Grace is here to meet Adrian. He's seen the boy's inventions and wants to speak with him."

Eli's eyes lit with pride. "Yes, that's our Adrian. He's off in Eldergrove, likely at the Magic Forest."

Cedric's brow furrowed, still processing the idea of how much magic talent the boy must have to be able to venture the Magic Forest alone. "When will he return?"

"Hard to say exactly, but it should be today," Mara replied calmly.

"I'll wait," Cedric said firmly before glancing at Eli. "I trust you'll keep me company?"

Eli grinned, sensing an opportunity. "While you're here, my lord, fancy a game of chess?"

"Chess? What's that?"

Eli's grin widened. "A game Adrian brought to Tulia. Almost everyone is hooked on it. It's a game if strategy and wits, like a battlefield in your mind. Care to try?"

Cedric's curiosity piqued. "Very well. Show me."

Eli led him inside, where a polished wooden board sat on a table, its checkered surface adorned with carved pieces.

Mara bustled about, offering tea, while the chief and a few villagers lingered outside, whispering about the lord's visit.


Chess had swept through Tulia like wildfire since Adrian introduced it, turning quiet evenings into fierce contests of intellect. Men always gathered at the tavern or their homes, debating moves and challenging each other, building relationships too.

Eli set up the board, placing each piece with care. "Okay, my Lord. Here's how it works—"

***

Adrian's carriage rattled along the road back to Tulia. He could have easily used a Bicycle for the trip, but that was too much stress on his small body. So it was better for him to spare just a gold coin for a carriage.

"Hey, Tech Core. Would I get a notification if [Superpublish] is triggered on my invention?" Adrian decided to ask after some time.

[If you wish so, you would]

"Okay, inform me when the detector gets destroyed."

[Sure]

The carriage slowed as Tulia's familiar rooftops came into view. As the carriage stopped near the village square, he hopped out, stretching his stiff limbs, and began approaching his modest house.

The air was warm. But something felt off — too many villagers were gathered near his house, their voices hushed and excited.

Frowning, Adrian approached closer. His eyes widened as he spotted a polished carriage adorned with a noble crest... One that he could recognize anytime.

'No way.'

He pushed through the crowd, ignoring their murmurs, and froze at the sight of Lord Cedric himself, seated at a table inside his home, playing chess with Eli.

"Adrian!" Mara spotted him first, and the rest of the room turned their eyes on him. But only one pair of eyes met Adrian's gaze directly.

"Adrian..."