[TIDK] 35 – Illegal Blueprint

The moment Scarlett’s head touched the pillows, Viktor immediately searched her room. It didn’t make any sense. 

The person most familiar with the tram engineers in Salantier was none other than himself. 

Viktor believed the aristocracy, blinded by the tantalising short term gains, had gone to delusional lengths. 

The neighbouring kingdoms were all smaller than Salantier. Still, there was no guarantee that war was off the charts. 

Especially considering the perspective of a neighbouring country’s politicians, where else would they find such mouthwatering prey as Salantier? Salantier had, of course, dipped its shoes in wealth in the war against the pirates.

Additionally, Salantier had, for nearly a decade, suppressed the advancement of Science. Even the Tower of Science — a well-established structure and influential building — was to be demolished. 

Viktor was against the war, and therefore he felt that an even more vital military force was needed. In his mind, he reckoned the best way not to go to war was to build up military power. It was a scare tactic to deter the enemy from waging war in the first place. And even if they did, Salantier would have the upper hand with unrivalled military forces.

However, for that to happen, scientists and engineers were crucial. They needed acclaimed inventors, like those of the Crimson House. Unfortunately, the Crimsons had died in an accident. Thus, without the knowledge or consent of the royal family, Viktor had sought out these engineers. 

That was how he had happened upon the broken tram in an inspection whilst aiding the police in their crackdown. 

 But there, hidden in that box, was Scarlett Crimson.

 She was the niece of the current Crimson head, but she had never learned anything from her uncle. How could she fix trams and watches? 

With Scarlett sleeping, Viktor anxiously searched her room before finding what he was looking for. 

 The men gathered at Viktor’s residence were grave — the aeroplane blueprint at their centre.

 Pallin spoke.

 “You mean to say that she drew this? A blueprint for an aeroplane?”

 “Yes.”

 Pallin scruffed his red hair. 

“You’re driving me crazy. If someone discovers this, the High Priest will be targeted. Extremists will attack. What the hell was your wife thinking?...”

 It was true. Religion would never admit such delinquency.

 “Drawing a blueprint doesn’t mean you can fly. Thinking about the bigger picture. Even the Crimsons failed in designing a viable aeroplane during their lifetime.” Evan said. 

 “Hm, is that so?”

 “But it’s all right not being able to fly; we can bluff with a prototype. It will be difficult to wage war against Salantier.”

 “That’s right; we have to lie to say that we also can fly.”

 Hope chimed in next to him.

 “But, even if you make a prototype, your life is in danger,” Evan said. 

 Viktor sat in his chair and watched their excited chatter. 

 The Rubied’s Navy Special Forces were the talents chosen by the Air Force. They were recruited from the Air force, and the Crimsons, tasked to create a way to fly, died in an accident.

 Even though they were secretly trained as candidates for the Navy, Army, or Air Force officers, they were left with only gliders that could fly for only one minute and twenty seconds one way with a sniper on board.

 Evan’s words were realistic. Vestina, who was counting on the war, could back down with a trivial bluff of planes. 

 Viktor rested his chin on his hand and pondered.

Whenever he thought of Scarlett leaving him, he would become sombre. It irked him. 

 Scarlett had claimed she would do everything she could for her husband, and she often spoke about how happy she was with their marriage.

She gave all her love to him; it was her everything. Yet what was her love when it threatened to kill him? If in the end, all she did was leave like an eternal farewell, only to appear before him again.

Viktor felt lost when she disappeared from his life. 

-How pathetic. 

He laughed at himself. It was so trivial, yet it consumed him. 

She had never asked him to love her. And as soon as he became accustomed to her outpour of love, it ceased. She turned her back on him and left. 

-Oh, Scarlett, what should I do? 

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