"Alright. Do your best—bring me a finished batch when it's ready."
"I'm not in a hurry!"
Rowan knew distilled liquor wasn't complicated; the key was the apparatus. With Diluc's status as Mondstadt's richest, getting it built would be easy.
But good spirits take time. Grains and fruit need to ferment—even if Teyvat's rules are a little different.
The longer the fermentation, the better—right?
According to Rowan's recipe, the sweet spot was one month.
That was why Diluc had said "one month," and Rowan had no objection.
Diluc left in a rush with the recipe—Rowan still had plenty more up his sleeve anyway. Vodka, and all kinds of Daxia-style alcohol—treasures from home.
"So, Your Majesty—what did you prepare for me?"
Catching Rowan's gaze, Albedo immediately understood why he'd been called. If Diluc got a wine recipe, then naturally Albedo was being tapped for alchemy.
"This is a cement formula. See if you can produce it."
Rowan didn't mince words and handed over the recipe. Strictly speaking, this was work for a civil engineer, but he wasn't sure if Teyvat had exact equivalents for the materials. To be safe, he'd give it to Albedo. An alchemist handled all manner of reagents—he'd likely make it work.
"Can this be made?"
Rowan watched him expectantly. If even Albedo couldn't manage it, he'd have to take the recipe to a certain idle fellow who spent his days wandering the streets. As the Geo Archon, he could definitely make it happen.
"It should be possible. Could you explain its use? It looks like an adhesive of some kind?"
A single glance and Albedo had guessed its purpose. He looked to Rowan, curious.
Rowan didn't play coy. He smiled.
"Correct. As expected of Mondstadt's foremost alchemist.
"This is cement. It binds bricks and walls and can also be used to build roads. It's extremely sturdy and wear-resistant—especially when mixed with certain aggregates—making it ideal for paving.
"My plan is for you to produce it, then we mass-manufacture and lay roads."
Albedo blinked. "Roads?"
"Right—roads.
"Where I'm from, we say: 'If you want to get rich, build roads first.'
"Mondstadt's economy is stagnant. To jump-start growth, I want cement roads from Mondstadt City to Springvale, Dawn Winery, Jingfu Harbor, and other key points—linked end to end.
"Especially the routes connecting to Liyue—we'll give those an even better overhaul.
"That'll accelerate trade and cooperation."
It was the wisdom of those who came before, and Rowan was simply applying it. Daxia had boomed because districts and provinces were ever more tightly linked by highways and railways—faster and faster. Cooperation became easier and more convenient. So the roads had to be laid first to get the economy moving.
Albedo nodded. He wasn't naive; he knew that if cement roads really appeared, communication between Mondstadt and its regions would speed up dramatically. But that assumed Rowan's conditions could actually be met.
The vision was lovely, but there was a glaring problem: Mondstadt was still in the midst of the dragon calamity. If they didn't resolve the East Wind Dragon's rampage, even finished works would be smashed by monsters and Dvalin alike—time wasted, labor lost.
Albedo voiced the concern, and Rowan nodded.
"You're right. Dvalin is a problem.
"But it's fine. Tomorrow I'll go with Venti and put him in order.
"Not just Dvalin—those monsters need a purge as well.
"From now on, the Knights of Favonius will add a new training pillar: field clearing of monsters.
"Each week, a squad rotates out to patrol and relieve the rangers.
"I've already issued the orders. No need to worry. Just focus on the cement."
Albedo hadn't expected Rowan to have planned this far ahead. He took the formula and left.
Only then did Rowan finally relax, slumping into his chair—exhausted.
Who knew holding a single meeting could be this tiring?
Clearly, this seat wasn't for him. He was better suited to hands-off management.
No matter—it would just be busy for a while. Once Mondstadt ran on rails, he could let go. When the Traveler arrived, he might even tour other nations and see their local customs firsthand.
"Whew… let's head back for tea and a breather. I still need to check public reaction this afternoon."
While Rowan met with Diluc and Albedo, outside at the Anemo Archon Plaza…
After leaving the palace, Seamus and the others got to work posting proclamations. Many Mondstadters had already read them; most accepted Rowan's new policies.
Only Eula's appointment drew objections—especially when people saw she'd become Vice Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. Some got worked up, shouting that the Lawrence clan was returning and Mondstadt would be smothered by the old aristocracy again.
But when most people actually looked at Eula's deeds, they didn't join the outrage. They realized she'd been protecting Mondstadt all along, quietly and for a long time. Many felt guilty and lined up outside Knights HQ to apologize to her.
Eula was deeply moved. If years of misunderstanding led to today, it was worth it.
Of course, a few came to make trouble and slander her. The Knights arrested them on the spot and tossed them into the cells.
"So—why have you come here?"
(End of Chapter)
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