Big G, Coffee Machine and Goblin

Chapter 26 Levi's Bicycle

Ma Li did not refuse to travel with others; in fact, both of them gained a lot of useful knowledge from each other.

When Renee brought the luggage to the squirrel's tail, the old alchemist also showed Mario his replicas of ancient alchemical artifacts.

It was a bicycle, or at least it looked very similar to a bicycle.

It has a basket, handlebars, brakes, a seat, and pedals...

However, they were not quite the same as those in Ma Li's memory. The entire thing, including the wheels, was made of cast iron, and the total weight exceeded 100 kilograms, requiring at least two adult men to move it.

Most importantly, its power system completely overturns the understanding of horsepower. Without bearings, although the pedals can still turn, they cannot transmit power to the wheels at all, fundamentally solving the hidden danger of the brakes not working.

In short, this bicycle is a complete rip-off, full of all sorts of dubious little tricks, a perfect example of all show and no substance.

But what's even more amazing is that it can actually run.

All of this was thanks to the magical runes engraved under the seat and the wondrous alchemical reaction between the dire wolf leg bone that served as the seat tube.

The old alchemist seemed a little nervous as he explained the principles of the car to Ma Li, much like a primary school student returning to school after winter break submitting homework to the teacher.

He then added, "My research is still incomplete, and for now I can only use the power of runes to achieve the effects recorded in ancient books. However, I have a preliminary idea. Next, I plan to extract the concept of 'rotation' from the waterwheel and apply it to the wheel. What do you think?"

For a moment, Ma Li was at a loss for words. After thinking for a moment, he could only say, "I wish you success soon."

The old alchemist seemed encouraged and went on to introduce several other works.

Noon arrived quickly, but the half-elf girl was still nowhere to be seen.

Marley spent five copper krones to hire a group of children on the street to inquire about the news. From them, he learned that Yorevan had long since left the town hall and returned to Trembling Fortress.

This worried Ma Li, so he asked the landlady to find a layman who had listened to the petition meeting at the town hall. The layman didn’t remember the name Charles, but he did remember a country girl who had been arrested for falsely accusing a guard of Trembling Fortress.

"Tell me in more detail what exactly happened." Ma Li handed the man with rotten teeth in front of him ten copper kroners.

However, even after receiving the money, the latter still acted as if he couldn't remember anything at all.

Only when Ma Li tossed him five more copper kroners did he finally show a satisfied smile.

He swept all the copper coins in front of him into his other palm with one hand, muttering under his breath, "Alchemists are indeed rich." Then he continued, "She heard that Lord Jorovian was unwilling to send troops, and she shouted for the guards to return the money she had bribed!"

"Lord Jorovian grew impatient with her nagging and summoned the guard, but the man denied taking her money. Lord Jorovian, of course, preferred to believe his own guard, so he had the village girl arrested. What, you know her?"

"That guy's in big trouble. According to the laws of the duchy, false accusations are punishable by having your tongue pulled out," the man with rotten teeth said gleefully.

Based on the half-elf girl's unusual behavior last night, Ma Li could roughly guess what had happened.

He planned to ask Jia Anda for help in rescuing the people, but was stopped by Li Weier.

"There's no need to trouble the association with such a small matter. I'll accompany you."

The old alchemist asked confidently, as he was already figuring out how to further his relationship with Ma Li, and seeing an opportunity presented itself, he had no reason to let it slip by. "Are you familiar with the Morales family?"

“This is my first time in Eaglebeak City too, and I don’t know them,” Levi shook his head. “But if that kid named Yorevan isn’t hopelessly stupid, he should know that there’s no need to offend two alchemists. In a small place like this, alchemists are more valuable than gold.”

Indeed, just as the old alchemist had said, the two arrived outside the castle, introduced themselves, and were soon invited inside, led to the meeting hall on the second floor.

Ma Li looked up and examined the figure in front of him. He looked very young, only thirteen or fourteen years old. He was sitting upright in a high-backed chair that was about the same height as his head, trying to straighten his body. His tender face still showed a little unease.

To his left sat a middle-aged nobleman with a sinister face; the two bore a striking resemblance. To his right sat a graceful noblewoman.

After Mali and Li Weier stepped into the hall, the boy subconsciously looked at the male nobleman beside him, who stood up and said.

"These two alchemy masters look unfamiliar; they don't seem to be locals. I wonder what brings them from so far away?"

“We’ve come because of a misunderstanding,” Levi said bluntly.

"Misunderstand?"

The old alchemist bowed slightly to the boy in the middle. "We heard that your men mistakenly arrested one of our companions this morning."

"Is there such a thing?" the middle-aged nobleman with a sinister face asked indifferently.

“He must be talking about that half-elf…” Yorevan whispered a reminder, but his uncle waved him off.

Levi frowned. He hadn't expected the Morales family to be so indifferent to alchemists, unlike the enthusiastic nobles in the capital.

Moreover, it seems that the person truly in charge of Trembling Fortress now is not Yorivan, but his uncle Garrison.

However, since Levi had already boasted, he could only bite the bullet and continue, "I am the vice dean of the Alchemy Department of the Staff of Radiance, a lifetime member of the Alchemist's Guild, a platinum donor to the Turtleback Library, an honorary knight of the Kingdom of Menia, and a member of the Revatres Continent..."

“I know who you are.” Garrison remained unhurried.

“This is Eaglebeak City. Nothing that happens here can escape our eyes. And I heard that you were driven out by the Staff of Light.”

The old alchemist's face turned somewhat ugly when his secrets were exposed in public.

However, Garrison didn't care about saving face and continued, "Unfortunately, you've come to the wrong place. What you've been looking for won't be here. As for you..."

He then turned his gaze to Ma Li and warned, "You'd better be careful too, foreigner. The Duchy is currently under great threat. If I find out that you are colluding with those imperial people, even the Alchemist's Guild cannot protect you."

He finished speaking in one breath and, without waiting for their response, ordered his men, "Go and bring that half-elf here."

About five minutes later, Ma Li saw Charles again. She looked a little tired, but fortunately, she was unharmed and had not been injured. She was also very surprised to see Ma Li.

"How did you get arrested too?! I told them I came alone!"

(End of this chapter)