Chapter 1245: Chapter 1245

Dolores felt a flicker of confusion as she noticed her teacher secretly observing the cat.

"My teacher seems to have been watching Mr. Williams's..."

She decided then and there to address Jenkins differently, a change that would begin in her own mind.

"Why has my teacher been secretly watching Jenkins's cat so often lately...?"

She puzzled over it, completely unaware that her teacher had learned an astonishing truth from a certain mischievous young lady from the future.

"So, looking at the numbers, besides 'Twin Demons,' 'Undying Man,' 'Real Illusion,' 'Destiny's Stage,' and 'The Stranger,' there are only four Savior slots left in this epoch. The next one is related to 'Disaster.' I think we could start by searching the records for any unique abilities connected to that word."

"It's not four, it's three. I have a lead on another one. I'll tell you about it when you've gathered all the other qualifications."

Alexia murmured vaguely, her gaze drifting back to the cat. She cut off a small piece of sausage from her plate and nudged it over.

The cat eyed the petite woman with a hint of confusion, then sniffed the offering to ensure it was safe before finally accepting the "gift."

Jenkins concluded with a nod.

Alexia repeated the term.

"Oh, that's... a name I gave it."

Jenkins gave an awkward laugh and quickly bent over his plate. There wasn't much food left; if he didn't eat soon, Chocolate was in danger of eating until it burst.

"Difference Engine... that's an interesting name," Alexia mused. "Actually... do you remember my primary reason for coming to Ruen?"

the petite woman suddenly asked.

Jenkins's incorrect answer instantly brought an infuriating memory to Alexia's mind. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel•fire.net

"It was for the library at the Tower!"

she stressed. A proud expression immediately graced the face of Dolores, who was sitting beside her. She knew why her teacher had first approached her, but she was delighted to have played such a crucial role.

Moreover, she knew that Alexia genuinely regarded her as a student.

"The real reason I came here was to find a way to break through the demigod realm, and perhaps even go beyond it. While I did see infinite potential in you and successfully found one path, I don't believe relying on a single option is wise.

I once read an inscription on a fragmented stone tablet. It spoke of a legend from a very ancient era, when the predecessors of the material world forged a machine capable of performing complex mathematical calculations automatically. That is what I was searching for. That is why I came to Ruen. The machine you call the 'Difference Engine' will undoubtedly offer me new inspiration."

She finished with another sigh.

"But it seems that machine is destined to be smashed to pieces by you. If it hadn't gone out of control, I had intended to build a dedicated castle just to house it."

The so-called "Icy Tower" did not refer to the ancient building left from the last epoch, but rather to an independent organization that had developed around it. This organization's special status stemmed from the end of the last epoch, but Jenkins had been unable to uncover the specific details.

Since the Tower was located near Ruen, the Stuart royal family maintained a good relationship with them. This was how Dolores had been able to secure Alexia the opportunity to view their secret archives.

So far, Alexia had gained access to the third level of the library and had found a few documents possibly related to the "Difference Engine." However, combined with the information Jenkins provided today, she was now certain that those texts didn't describe the original machine. Instead, they described replicas—inferior copies—built by those who had discovered the original throughout the ages.

"For instance, that strange machine whose seal you reinforced underground was likely one of these 'Difference Engine' series items. Even the machine you mentioned that killed the demigod diviner was probably something similar. I still haven't found the method the ancients used to seal the original, but I'm certain that information exists. I'll have to trouble you with this, Dolores. I need higher clearance in the Tower."

"Yes, I'll do my best!"

The princess raised a hand, making her promise. She didn't fully understand what Jenkins and Alexia were discussing, but she could tell from the fragments of their conversation that it was of great importance.

He had hoped to spend the evening with the young women, finding a suitable place for the ice palace with its hundreds of snowmen and chess pieces. Shortly after dinner, however, the Church sent someone for him.

He had no choice but to take a carriage to the church under the cover of night, where he was informed that a connection to Nolan was available.

"Good evening, Papa Oliver. Good evening, Miss Bevanna."

Jenkins's large, floating face spoke from the air in Miss Bevanna's office.

"How have you been? I heard you went to the front with the troops, only to run into serious trouble before you even got halfway there."

Papa Oliver teased Jenkins, looking to be in high spirits.

"Please don't bring that up," Jenkins said.

Jenkins replied wearily, "It was just an accident."

"Alright, alright, no more jokes," Papa Oliver said. "We're contacting you to inform you of the plans ahead. First off, you won't be returning anytime soon. There's been an issue with scheduling the steam airships. Besides, Bel Diran wants you to remain in Ruen for a while to prevent any resurgence of the snowmen in the north."

Jenkins's image nodded in the stone basin.

"Good. You'll likely be staying in Ruen for about a month. The Church won't assign you any tasks during that time, but..."

Papa Oliver paused, then gestured for Miss Bevanna to continue. She took over with a hint of resignation.

"But, as you know, the royal family of the Hamparvo Kingdom is facing significant problems. To maintain stability during this critical time, the Church may give you some... rather complex long-term assignments. Pontiff IV will explain the specifics to you himself shortly. I hope you'll understand."

This was likely about Dolores. Jenkins understood, of course, and nodded again.