Chapter 32: The Rebellious Phase Has Arrived

The Craftsmen’s Guild, together with Mitia, once again resumed optimizing the lathe machinery, such as transforming the previous parallel-moving tool rest into a turning lathe capable of cutting smooth surfaces.

They modified the parallel-moving tool rest into a power-driven one, allowing the cutting tool to move at a constant speed, thereby cutting precise threads onto rotating cylinders.

With this, they produced brass lead screws, which were then used to manufacture lead-screw lathes—this was the classic “machines producing machines” model.

Under her intervention, large gantry planers and milling machines capable of reciprocating cuts on steel pieces, as well as slotting machines, were successively tested and built.

Using silicon carbide to create grinding wheels, they also invented the grinding machine.

By now, many probably already understood—this was the traditional set of woodworkers’ skills: turning, milling, planing, grinding, and drilling.

But when these woodworking skills were applied to metal processing, they revealed an entirely different kind of brilliance.

Among these, the seemingly inconspicuous lead-screw lathe was in fact the most important, for it was specifically used to cut precise bolts.

Threaded bolts were one of the most practical inventions of the industrial era, found in nearly every related field.

Of course, there were also metal gears, which could be further developed into a variety of gear machining tools—turning, milling, planing, grinding, and drilling—to manufacture gears of all shapes.

With threaded bolts and gears, there had to be a theory of tolerance and fit to standardize assembly.

Only with such unified standards could collective effort bring theory and practice together, quickly establishing a rational foundation for application.

And Mitia spent so much energy working day and night alongside the craftsmen, not just to optimize industrial machines.

At its root, all of this was to lay the foundation for the creation of one particular thing.

The internal combustion engine!

Take the most common piston engine as an example—inside it was filled with all sorts of irregular components.

In the past, with Astal’s level of industry, such an engine would have been impossible to manufacture.

But now, after their upgrades, components such as crankshafts, connecting rods, pistons, and camshafts could all be produced on lathes—turning what was once impossible into possible.

As for solving the problem of fuel, that was simple.

The earlier principle of firearms—where different elemental magic crystals clashed and detonated—could be adapted here.

Instead of mixing magical powders to cause an explosion, this time, mixed powdered magic crystals would be sprayed into the cylinder through a nozzle.

Air would then be drawn in to diffuse the powder throughout the chamber, while the piston compressed the air and dust.

Inside, the crystals would activate, igniting the compressed powder.

The miniature explosion would generate pressure, converted into powerful kinetic energy, forcing the raised piston back down and driving the crankshaft below to rotate and perform work.

Normally, piston engines were built with four pistons as a group, each with different functions.

For instance, the first drew in air, the second compressed the powder dispersed by air, the third ignited and detonated, and the fourth expelled exhaust.

This was a complete cycle of the internal combustion engine.

This time, she did not bother letting them slowly work out the principles on their own.

Instead, she directly drew the structural blueprints of the engine, telling them to manufacture the parts according to the diagrams once the new lathes were ready.

Come on, why keep the cheat sheet hidden until it expires?

At the same time, she also conveniently gave them the most basic blueprints for wheeled vehicles and track-type load-bearing chassis for research, telling them to handle things as they saw fit.

Mitia returned to the Commander’s residence in high spirits, feeling extremely pleased even as she read through documents.

Finally, she could get a proper vehicle built—she had long been sick of the slow, sluggish pace of horse-drawn carriages.

Tanks, however, were still difficult.

At least the kind of tanks she remembered were impossible to manufacture here.

A single-barrel cannon had to be small enough, powerful enough, and yet not too heavy.

The difficulty was simply too great.

But if it was just about building small cannons, there was still hope~ So she figured she might have to be a follower of the “multi-turreted divine doctrine” for a while...

Obviously, mounting artillery onto a mobile chassis was far easier than creating a true tank.

Thanks to her deliberate promotion of steam engines to boost productivity, the kingdoms had all developed a feverish obsession with making money from top to bottom.

For the time being, no one had spare attention to deal with her.

But from her observations of the speed of goods circulation in this world, this craze could not last long.

Once goods piled up unsold, a strong chain reaction would erupt.

The contradictions that had been hidden beneath huge profits would inevitably be triggered in an instant.

These tensions could either be vented internally or externally through war.

The first was not so bad—she could not only sit back and watch, but even add a little fuel to the fire.

But if it was the second, then naturally, she would be the first unlucky target, looking like the easiest one to pinch.

Not that she was afraid of trouble.

She could even seize the chance to push into enemy territory, capturing cities and lands.

The problem was this world’s utterly rotten transportation infrastructure.

Even if she won, she might not gain anything.

Take logistics for example—how would she transport ammunition? With horse-drawn carts? The supply lines alone would drag her to death!

That was why she had to develop ships and automobiles.

They were true force multipliers, and without them, it was impossible to go further.

When she returned home, Mitia hung up her military cap and coat, loosened two buttons of her shirt collar, and smiled as she saw her younger brother waiting at the doorway: “Coy~”

“Older sister!”

Coy replied respectfully, making Mitia purse her lips slightly.

Over the years, Astal had developed rapidly, and she had been endlessly busy, neglecting her family.

The once small, soft, and adorable Coy had already grown into a half-grown teenager in the blink of an eye.

Thinking about it, Mitia felt a little disappointed.

After all, as the saying went, if you wanted to hit your little brother, you had to do it while he was still young.

She had barely gotten a few chances before losing the opportunity altogether...

Suppressing her messy thoughts, Mitia put an arm around Coy’s shoulders and led him outside: “Why so distant all of a sudden? Don’t tell me you failed your classes again and need me to sign your report card~”

“That’s not it! That was so long ago, why do you keep bringing it up? It’s something else...”

Interrupted and thrown off rhythm, Coy complained, letting out much of his pent-up frustration.

Mitia’s curiosity was piqued: “Oh? What could make the lawless little tyrant act like this?”

“I want to apply to the military academy, but Mother won’t let me... Sister, can you help me talk to her?”

“Hiss, now you’ve really stumped me. How could I dare bring that up? Do you think you’re the only one afraid of Mother?”

Mitia looked at him speechlessly.

As if her saying it would magically work? What nonsense!

Given Astal’s current external environment, enlisting meant a 100% chance of being sent to the battlefield.

Asking the Astal family’s only male heir to enlist—who would dare suggest such a thing?

Even Astal’s own recruitment policy did not allow only sons to join the army.

If nothing happened, fine.

But if something did, it would be unbearably cruel.

“I don’t care. Whether she agrees or not, I’m going anyway!”

Well, well, well—the rebellious phase had arrived.

The problem child was volunteering for battle!

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