In September and late autumn, withered yellow is the main color of the season.
In addition to the carefully decorated gardens and the various flowers blooming in the season, even the green lawns are starting to turn yellow, and the fallen leaves of the Intis sycamores that come with the wind are endless, and it is impossible to pick them up.
There is a flat-topped garden pavilion in the middle of the lawn.
Of course, it only looks like a pavilion on the outside, and there are no tables, chairs or other equipment inside.
Because it's actually the entrance to Professor Portland's private laboratory.
The interior of the pavilion is roughly divided into two parts. One side is a staircase extending downward, and the other side is only a large square steel plate flush with the marble floor.
"Everyone, please stand on the steel plate," Professor Portland said with a smile, "It may be a little crowded, just get over it, it will be fine soon."
More than a dozen people quickly stood on the steel plate of about three square meters.
Professor Portland finally stepped onto the steel plate and flipped the switch on the column next to it.
The sound of "rolling, rolling, rolling" gears sounded, and the entire steel plate began to slowly sink.
"Don't panic, this lifting platform is safe." Professor Portland's calm voice suppressed the surprised voices of some guests.
"Its main purpose is to transport heavy objects. The structural strength is sufficient, and it can carry us up and down without any problem."
Having said this, he laughed a few times and added:
"Of course, descending can only rely on our own weight, but ascending requires work from the steam engine. The machine is not running today, so everyone will have to take the stairs to come up later."
Guests all said there was no problem.
The darkness during the descent was short-lived. Soon, everyone returned to the light world and truly entered Professor Portland's private laboratory.
In the bright light of the gas lamp, the first thing everyone saw was a steam engine with a huge boiler, connecting rods, flywheels and many pipes connected to it. Dark black high-quality coal was piled next to it.
"This is a classic model among more than ten products produced by Stark Company. It has been slightly modified according to my requirements."
Professor Portland walked out of the lifting platform first and began to introduce the equipment and instruments:
"This is the furnace...this is the vise...this is the milling machine..."
This underground space is actually not small, but after installing many equipments, there is not much space left for activities. More than ten people are crowded together, and some activities are difficult to move.
Professor Portland took everyone around and showed several small prototypes, which fully satisfied everyone's curiosity.
Finally, he pointed at a simple mecha that could be roughly seen as a humanoid, and spoke with a bit of pride:
“I made this based on the imagination of Emperor Russell, but unfortunately it is still far from being completed.
"Emperor Russell is really an outstanding genius," he said with emotion. "The manuscripts he left behind depict his imagination of various mechanical devices in the future, many of which have become reality!"
Valeela felt as if she could see a more advanced and complete finished product through the big guy in front of her.
The guests echoed the praises of Emperor Russell and came closer to watch one by one.
When it was Valeela's turn, she noticed a familiar structure in the palm of the mecha's right hand - the retractable opening of the folding blade.
I see... She somewhat understood the value of her two drawings to the professor.
After everyone had seen the unfinished mecha, Professor Portland began the last and most important process of the visit——
question Time.
…
After a few questions, Valeera naturally became the best visitor and won the honor of entering the small studio.
Amid the curious and envious or careless gazes of other guests, she followed Professor Portland and stepped behind the dark iron door.
Private laboratory, in-house workshop.
After the iron door was closed, Professor Portland retracted his ceremonial smile and said seriously:
“Time is limited, so I won’t be polite.
"I have tried the 'acting method' you mentioned, and it works very well. I can feel that my spirituality has become more lively and relaxed.
"It's a pity. If I could have known this method earlier, I should have been able to truly become a 'craftsman'."
The entire workshop is not big, only about ten square meters. Apart from the research table and a large workbench, there are only a few stands that store various materials.
In Valeera's spiritual vision, most items exude various spiritual brilliance, strong or weak.
After hearing Professor Portland's words, she withdrew her gaze and replied with a faint smile:
"It seems that this is why you are willing to meet me.
"Now that you have tried and approved the 'acting method', our communication has a little foundation of trust."
Valila took a few steps, stepped forward, picked up an item on the workbench, put it in her hands and looked through it.
"Originally speaking, I am a lawful and kind person. It is only because of the performance requirements of the sequence path that I do some...evil things that are not very harmful?"
She raised her eyebrows and continued:
“In fact, I think some people at the top may be acting much worse than I am.
"I think we can get along harmoniously. Just like this meeting, it will be beneficial to both of us, what do you think?"
As she spoke, Valeera found the key mechanism of the object in her hand, allowing it to transform and unfold, turning it into a crossbow.
"A very subtle change." She raised her crossbow and looked at Professor Portland.
Professor Portland smiled and responded, "It's for you."
"The fact that I choose to meet you means that I have given up my intention to report you."
He walked to a stand, found a small square wooden box and put it on the research table. "There are dozens of set of crossbow arrows in it, and a few of them have extraordinary effects. They are given to you."
Professor Portland had obviously thought about it in advance and continued smoothly:
"I'm grateful for the 'acting method' you taught us.
"It is indeed a very valuable secret knowledge, and its value is indeed not much worse than the formula of a high-sequence potion. I am willing to pay 10,000 pounds in exchange for it.
"I have deposited the money into this bearer account in advance. I hope you are satisfied."
As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on the previous wooden box.
Valeera simply couldn't be too satisfied.
You know, Klein only sold this knowledge for the price of two pages of Russell's diary... while Audrey bought three pages for 20 pounds!
Although her expectation was far more than 20 pounds, it was only a few hundred or even a thousand pounds. What's more, when she chose to "advance" before, she was mentally prepared for no profit, and now she suddenly got 10,000 pounds. The reward is naturally a surprise and extremely satisfying.
Of course, Valeela would not express her surprise.
She glanced at the two items on the table with a dull expression and nodded slightly, "Fair deal, 10,000 pounds is enough."
