I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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The Path Leaving the Cruel Territory.

Ed recalled the conversation he had with Grand Duke Illeia.

In response to his question of whether it would be acceptable for Fix to take Enya as his concubine, the words he had muttered with a bitter smile came to mind.

Indeed, life is unpredictable; he never imagined he would end up sending his proud daughter as a concubine.

– “It turned out exactly contrary to what I said. Hahaha…”

Illeia reminisced about her past—her embarrassing desire to take Ed as the male concubine of the Cruel Family.

– “Don’t worry about it. Back then, everyone must have thought that way.”

Nonetheless, Ed said not to mind it.

It wasn’t that he was holding onto Illeia’s remarks.

Under the common sense of that time, it was a thought anyone could have.

It was merely Illeia’s overprotective feelings for her daughter, leading her to speak a bit prematurely.

– “No… If I had been a bit more cautious, I wouldn’t have made such a gaffe. If the Great Mage and Her Highness the Princess are supporting someone, there must be a reason, yet I foolishly got too excited over the fact that she came from a commoner background, wrapping my daughter in too much comfort.”

However, even if Ed said it was okay, Illeia apologized for her slip of the tongue and blamed her deficiencies.

Now, the Fix family stood at the center of the world, having risen as one of the strongest families alongside the Orserk Family.

She aimed to eradicate any potential seeds of discontent that might linger in Ed’s heart.

Now, failing to maintain a good relationship with the Fix family would mean political death.

As all political dynamics of the Empire revolved around the Fix family, it became the utmost task not to provoke Ed Fix, for the sake of her daughter’s happiness and the prosperity of the Cruel Family.

“Hmm… You don’t have to be so humble.”

However, Ed felt a bit of pity for Illeia’s 180-degree change in attitude.

After all, he was to be her father-in-law; was it really necessary to bow that low?

“Surely being part of the imperial family must have a significant impact.”

…Still, considering that the rumor of his marriage to the princess was openly spreading throughout the Empire, Illeia’s attitude was, in a way, expected.

The Orserk Family was indeed a symbol of absolute imperial authority.

If he were to become the husband of the princess, it meant he was joining the ranks of the Orserk family.

In other words, he would also be becoming one of the imperial family, leaping into a sacred class that ordinary nobility could hardly approach.

“Moreover, having a concubine is permitted…”

Above all, originally, the structure was such that the princess would have a proper husband while maintaining several male concubines. Instead, it had turned into the reverse, with him taking the princess as his proper wife and several concubines.

And this indicated that the structure of Empire’s political dynamics had been organized around the Fix family.

The Orserk family, which ruled with an iron fist, would never have permitted such a marriage arrangement.

– “What does this mean? Rather than Lord Fix becoming the husband of Her Highness the Princess, Her Highness the Princess becomes the proper wife of Lord Fix?”

– “Are you saying His Majesty the Emperor permitted this?”

– “If that’s the case… Doesn’t it mean imperial authority has mostly transferred to Lord Fix?”

As a result, quick-witted nobles were already scrambling to align themselves with Ed.

Once the rumor spread that Ed had several concubines, it meant forming a marriage alliance would be immensely profitable.

“Thank goodness Eve is taking care of it.”

Thus, Ed had left all the side effects arising from his political maneuvering to Eve.

Being smart and competent, she would concoct suitable reasons and keep the nobles in check.

This way, he could focus on what he needed to do.

“Anyway, have all the institutional foundations been laid?”

In any case, he was achieving his intended goals.

The national marriage with the princess was only two months away.

If the princess became his proper wife, she would properly manage internal affairs during his absence.

With the princess’s magic and Eve’s intellect, the organization would not split apart.

“Of course, not everything has gone according to plan…”

However, a minor issue had arisen: the marriage was evolving more into a ‘romantic marriage’ rather than a ‘contract marriage.’

This was because, in the last few weeks spent with the princess, they had grown too close.

“Now we’re at the point where we call each other by name.”

Furthermore, after their first kiss, their relationship had ignited uncontrollably.

The day after their first kiss, the princess requested he call her by name, and the day after she asked for a pillow to lean on.

Then the following day, she offered to clean his ears while lying on his thigh.

A princess coming at him so freely was quite adorable, and her abundant charm made it hard to refuse.

Until now, he had maintained a cold and heavy attitude due to the lack of anyone to tease.

The princess’s original personality was lively and filled with charm.

Thus, this contrast with her usual stoic and cold demeanor had a disarming charm.

“…But who knows? Perhaps Sephilia just needs someone to rely on.”

However, a thought lingered in Ed’s mind.

If someone other than him had been there, would the princess have found them charming if his magic didn’t work?

Maybe she didn’t open up to him because he was ‘Edgar Fix,’ but simply because he wasn’t someone her magic could influence.

“For now, I should stick to the original plan… and adjust course.”

Consequently, Ed was still thinking about sending the princess back to the real world.

Since she was of the bloodline of Orserk, she’d feel no interest in this world.

If she went to a reality where magic didn’t work, she would be able to live a happy ordinary life.

“After all, our objective was… to get back home.”

Most importantly, his and his companions’ original goal was to return home.

It wasn’t about living as a local in this other world.

The sole objective was to defeat the Lord of Hell and return to the reality where his family awaited him.

It just happened that the war prolonged and he was sealed, leading to his acclimatization.

“Nana and the Duke’s children have already become people of this world, but… Elena and Sephilia…”

Therefore, Elena, who kept repeating eternal returns in search of her loved one, and Sephilia, who felt everything in this world was fake, might find returning to the real world a happier path.

Especially since Sephilia would feel that apart from herself and Elena, all relationships seemed fake.

“Well, it’s just me imagining things before victory.”

But all this pondering was a concern for when he would win against the Lord of Hell.

Talking about returning in a situation where a proper war hadn’t even started was just daydreaming.

Ed snapped back to reality and began considering what he needed to focus on.

“Indeed, it’s about strengthening the control.”

Thus, after much contemplation, Ed thought of reinforcing control.

That is, further solidifying the system to manage the millions of people packed into this narrow land.

Because even now, problems were starting to arise.

“I forgot how much humans love conflict.”

Even with their populations not fully integrated, issues were cropping up here and there.

This was all tied to the matter of ‘equity.’

In other words, even when resources are evenly distributed, there are those who are dissatisfied.

Because sharing identical food may lead to different satisfaction levels depending on personal preferences and amounts eaten.

If the taste or quantity doesn’t suit them, dissatisfaction is inevitable.

However, this is a very simplistic example.

The reality is that more complex interests are intertwined, giving rise to conflicts.

For instance, some of the imperial citizens residing in Ed’s territory want more definite preferential treatment.

They’re saying, “We are the imperial citizens; why are there no distinct differences in the food and accommodations we receive compared to the refugees from other countries?”

No matter how much a savior of humanity you are, neglecting your own citizens in such a manner is indeed a very disappointing way to handle things, and while they cannot express direct complaints, they have been continuously raising issues.

…But would citizens from other nations stay quiet?

No.

They, too, sacrificed everything they owned to the Empire and are now questioning why prejudices are being fostered against them.

On top of that, territories are fighting to gain more preference over each other.

Occupied nations quarrel over who should receive more favorable treatment.

Not only that, but races are also clashing with one another.

Even the residents of Fix territory are drunken with superiority simply because they are Fix territory citizens.

Suddenly wielding newfound power to satisfy their vanity.

“Well, as expected.”

Nonetheless, Ed didn’t feel particularly annoyed by these happenings.

Originally, people cannot be satisfied merely by being warm and well-fed.

Therefore, conflicts arising as life becomes more bearable are somewhat natural.

It’s just that the desires for a better life have manifested in the form of egotism.

“I guess we need some content.”

Thus, Ed decided to correct these desires.

Turning their hatred and selfishness towards one another into healthier desires.

“Eve, let’s start a content business.”

“Okay.”

So, Ed operated the factory he had set up in advance, producing a large amount of ‘video transmission crystals.’

In other words, he fashioned crystal spheres into flat TV shapes and distributed them to every household.

– “Damn those demonic bastards!”

– “We must tear them all apart and kill them!”

Starting with such headlines, reports about the deeds of the demons began to emerge on TV.

How brutally they slaughtered humans.

How many nations had perished by their hands.

How pitifully those who had been corrupted by demons met their end, and the terrible deeds they committed against humanity.

Everything was broadcasted vividly.

…After a few days of reporting how humanity outside the barrier had suffered under the demons’ heinous acts.

Ed achieved two effects.

One was making people feel gratitude for being under the protection of the barrier.

The other was redirecting the anger that was once aimed at each other toward the demons.

“Now, it’s time to create heroes.”

Having successfully funneled the rage of humanity inside the barrier toward the demons, Ed promptly moved to the next phase.

He planned to create heroic figures in each nation and broadcast their exploits.

As a result, the citizens within the barrier, who had been harboring internal dissatisfaction, began immersing themselves in the heroes’ activities.

Videos of the national representative hero rescuing people in crisis alongside Edgar Fix gained immense popularity.

[Indeed, it’s the Mechanic Griffin Brigade. Thanks to your grand duke support, we have been able to prevent numerous sacrifices.]

Hence, Ed appropriately reacted.

Knowing that a single compliment could boost the pride of another nation.

Whenever a suitable moment arose, he praised the heroes of other nations.

He also feigned familiarity with their culture.

[The Dianque vegetable porridge from the Créan Kingdom is a humble dish, yet it tastes exquisite. It’s the best ordinary meal that balances flavor and nutrition.]

– “As expected of the savior of humanity; his palate is extraordinary.”

– “Hahaha! Have you heard? Lord Fix is so enamored with our food that he supposedly eats vegetable porridge three times a day!”

– “It doesn’t end there! Lord Fix shares dinner with the Empire’s princess, and rumor has it he’s spreading our Dianque vegetable porridge!”

[Certainly, the technological prowess of the Visante Kingdom is unparalleled. Even I occasionally draw inspiration from this remarkable technology.]

– “Hahaha! Did you see that? Even the great Edgar Fix knelt before the technology of the Visante Kingdom.”

– “I’ve heard that 50% of the technologies on the airborne aircraft carrier come from our kingdom.”

– “Elder, I’ve heard something. Apparently, Edgar Fix’s father, James Fix, is… from the Visante Kingdom. It’s said that he eloped with the youngest daughter of the former king, who went missing. Thus, their child is Edgar Fix…”

– “…No!? If that’s the case…?”

– “…Yes. In truth, Edgar Fix is the hidden prince of Visante Kingdom…”

Thus, every time Ed offered a compliment, all sorts of rumors began to spread.

Not only did it fill the pride of that nation’s citizens, but bizarre speculations like the “Prince Edgar Fix” narrative also emerged.

“Hahaha! If that’s the case, the Visante prince marrying the Empire’s princess means we’ve practically taken over the Empire!”

Thus, the videos Ed disseminated were consumed in various ways.

However, it was certain that the animosity toward the demons and the satisfying narratives of heroes would eventually lose their novelty.

So, he aimed to create content that covered diverse aspects.

Furthermore, he filled in various advertisements through the TV media, instilling the illusion that if people worked hard, they could enjoy a better life.

As a result, the number of people voluntarily joining the factories skyrocketed.

“Now, it really won’t be long.”

When the cultural dissemination to strengthen control had been completed, it was already a day before the national wedding with the princess.

Thus, Ed was preparing to sleep early to get ready for the grand national wedding happening tomorrow.

As there were so many complicated procedures, he needed to wake up early.

– *Click!*

But then, out of nowhere, Ed’s wardrobe opened by itself.

However, instead of clothes, a brilliant blue aurora was gently swirling inside the space where clothes should be.

It was evidently a scene where a magical space was connected through the wardrobe.

“Is this the right place?”

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in Ed’s eardrums.

Sure enough, the identity of the familiar voice soon revealed itself as Elena peeked out from the aurora.

“…Master?”

“Oh, oh. You found the right place. Were you getting ready well?”

“Yes. What brings you here?”

“Ah… well…”

Elena fidgeted with her hands.

She scratched her cheeks awkwardly and then cautiously said to Ed,

“Can you… help me?”

“……?”

Ed tilted his head, puzzled.