Gun of Ashes

Chapter 508: Chapter 102: Inheritance

A gentle snore arose, and Arthur looked disdainfully at Maxwell, who had fallen asleep atop the round table. Perhaps he was too exhausted; under such a comfortable environment, he fell asleep directly. His body was still damp, unsure if it was drool or rainwater, pooling around him.

This historic round table had witnessed much, stained with blood and blade marks; it might have been the first time it was soaked with drool. Arthur could not stand it anymore and gestured for someone to take him away for a good rest.

The old fellow was like the Dead, being casually lifted, occasionally muttering meaningless dreams from his mouth.

”He loves all this.”

Nikola watched Maxwell being carried away. The old fellow’s hair was graying, wrinkles lined his face like dry tree bark. His age nearly qualified him as Nikola’s grandfather, yet here he faced the wind, rain, and thunder alongside the young lads.

Humans age easily, and it isn’t something that can be rationalized by ’being vigorous in old age’. Yet Maxwell loved it so much that at this moment, he could even regain his youth.

”Indeed, he was someone who personally experienced the Dunling Plan, believing he could bring innovation, only to end in bleak defeat. He thought his life would end thus, but he found a new opportunity in his later years.”

Arthur spoke slowly, reminiscing the past.

”Maxwell retired for a long time, secluded in the countryside outside Old Dunling, where one could see clear skies and breathe extraordinarily fresh air, akin to the Celestial Kingdom compared to Old Dunling. As we deliberated, we prepared to conduct a new round of electricity experiments on the remnants of the Dunling Plan, and after some consideration, we found him.”

At that time, his life was quite idyllic, having planted a small vegetable garden, drinking and enjoying daily pleasures, leaving me envious. Then I personally went to ask him if he was interested in returning to join us, though I wasn’t sure if he would return, seeing how beautiful retired life was, and Maxwell was already so old. He should indeed comfortably spend his twilight years.”

”But he still came back.”

Nikola said that upon his joining the Purification Mechanism, Maxwell was already working there, even guiding the newcomer Nikola as a mentor.

”Yes, actually, at that time, when I said all this to Maxwell, he didn’t speak, just maintained silence. I thought he had refused, so I left, but as I boarded the train, suddenly someone knocked on the window.”

Someone brought hot water, and Arthur took a sip to warm himself.

”It was Maxwell, the old fellow banging on the train window, shouting through the glass at me, ’You said developing electricity, right! Is it right!?’ ”

He was full of excitement, riding on a magnificent horse against the wind like a young man chasing the train. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a waiting bride on the train, only a group of weapon-wielding Soldiers. If I hadn’t promptly stopped them, he would’ve been shot by the guards.”

It was at that moment I realized he hadn’t refused me; it was just that his brain, rusted from a peaceful life, had only just begun to turn over—late. He was agile, unlike an old fellow, leaping onto the train, then stumbled his way inside.

His face beamed, arms outstretched as if to embrace me, yet before he could say anything, he fell. He was already old, and just that intense movement nearly took his life.”

Nikola’s expression was complex, perhaps not expecting the ending to be so absurd.

”Do you know what it would’ve been like if Maxwell came in to give me an enthusiastic hug, then without a breath, sat down to discuss specifics with me? Impossible, he’s old enough indeed. If I hadn’t found him, he would’ve spent his twilight years like a foolish old man with his flora.”

Arthur gripped the cup with both hands, feeling the warmth within, while his gaze fell upon the documents on the round table, the draft outlined one deadly weapon after another.

”Just now, he seemed so young, yet now, he reverted to being that old man, tormented by damn chronic diseases, lying on the ground in painful gasps...

Nikola, at the time I pondered what sustained him, making this old fellow suddenly turn young again, recklessly chasing after... His work clothes were still on, hammer and scissors stuffed in his pocket. Perhaps he hadn’t even locked his door before chasing after.”

I thought for a long while, discovering that this thing has many names: obsession, ideal, belief, and countless others, they sustain us, generation after generation advancing forward.”

Arthur turned to look at Nikola, whose eyes beneath the dark circles were full of spirit.

”Maxwell, me, Merlin, we’re essentially sustained by such things; only the body ages, not the will. It’s just sorrowfully trapped in ever-aging flesh, like a cage.”

”You speak like you’re about to die, entrusting duties before death,” Nikola said.

”Not quite at death’s door, but it’s indeed entrusting duties. You’re the new generation of the Perpetual Motion Pump researcher, the successor of Merlin and Maxwell. Years or decades from now, it will be the domain of you young ones,” Arthur said.

”This is quite a difficult path, perhaps the ultimate destiny of every pioneer.” Arthur sighed and drank a sip of the water that was beginning to grow warm.

”In reality, the Dunling Plan failed due to numerous factors—not just technical issues, but also external interference. At that time, the steam engine had only been around for a few decades, wealthy merchants and nobles poured all their financial resources into the steam technology. Thanks to their enthusiasm, the power of Ingwig soared all the way.”