After finishing a breakfast that felt a bit excessive in terms of warmth, Perfikot left Windsor Castle, riding her steam carriage to a deeply collaborative alchemy workshop.
Originally, Bafeikete had an alchemy workshop in the city, but her two alchemy workshops were merely small workshops she purchased to mass-produce alchemy puppets. Their production capacity was limited, and the types of products they could produce were also very limited.
Before Bafeikete acquired them, these were two workshops specializing in dolls and precision components, and due to poor management, they were preparing for sale.
Thus, knowing beforehand about the impending apocalypse and deciding to abandon her native industry to move to the New Continent, Bafeikete conveniently packaged the sale of the two workshops along with the doll stores.
This did not cause any adverse effects on Bafeikete; on one hand, she had her own laboratory at Brandelis Manor, and if she really needed something, the "Royal Licensed Alchemist" could craft it herself.
Additionally, alchemy workshops were not uncommon in Langton City. If Bafeikete needed to customize anything, they were more than willing to take on an order from a Royal Licensed Alchemist.
In fact, Perfikot was now going to a deeply collaborative alchemy workshop to pick up the items she ordered.
James shamelessly joined in and hopped onto Perfikot's carriage.
Despite not liking this intelligence agent who looked like a playboy, considering he was working for her now, Perfikot didn't kick James off the carriage.
However, Perfikot didn't allow him inside the cabin and only let him sit on the driver's seat outside.
The steam carriage traveled through Langton's streets, forming a stark contrast with those traditional horse-drawn carriages on the road.
Although the invention of the steam engine was last century, the Empire had massively promoted steam engines for nearly a hundred years now. But in Langton City, steam engines were more commonly seen in industrial production than in transportation.
While the Empire had introduced steam-powered rail public transport vehicles, similar to early trams drawn by steam locomotives, in earlier years.
These big vehicles faced some traffic accidents due to municipal planning issues and their inherently flawed design.
As for the small-scale steam engines that emerged in recent years, although some, like Bafeikete, have applied them to vehicles, those capable of doing so are either engineers or alchemists.
In short, they are still in an experimental and technical verification phase.
Therefore, it is still difficult to see steam-powered vehicles on Langton's streets today.
Perfikot's steam carriage can be considered unique.
If not for the apocalypse she might consider becoming a carriage magnate, perhaps making a small profit selling steam carriages before the invention of the internal combustion engine?
The steam carriage soon stopped in front of an alchemy workshop that radiated a sense of historical weight just from its appearance.
James jumped off the carriage on his own, opening the door for Perfikot, acting quite like an attendant or escort.
This caused the old housekeeper Foster, originally tasked with this job, to frown slightly, then looking at Perfikot still sitting in the cabin, seemingly wanting to complain to her.
However, Perfikot just glanced at James and then said to Foster, "Fu Grandpa, let this guy follow me for now! Prepare yourself, I still need you to protect me when we go to the New Continent."
Upon hearing Perfikot's words, Foster remembered what she gave him earlier and nodded to signify he understood, "I understand, Miss."
Then he turned to scrutinize James with a somewhat disdainful look, saying, "Boy, if you're going to stay by Miss's side, show some capability. With your decadent appearance now, you can't protect Miss."
Hearing Foster and Perfikot's conversation, James could only agree with a slightly bitter smile, "I will, Miss Perfikot has already mentioned this issue to me."
Seeing James's attitude, Foster didn't say much more, but came to the carriage, unfolded the stairs from the bottom of the cabin, and then reached out to support Perfikot as she stepped down the stairs.
"Mr. James, you can go handle your own affairs first. Tonight, you may come to Windsor Castle to find me. I should be staying in the city for the next few days." Perfikot, not intending to make things difficult for James, simply instructed him, "Don't forget what I've asked you to do. You can try contacting or recruiting some suitable candidates. Exploring the New Continent is a very troublesome task, I need many experienced people."
"Rest assured, I will recruit the most professional team for you." James bowed to Perfikot, also making promises for himself.
Perfikot gave a polite smile without saying much more to James, turned, and walked with Foster towards the nearby alchemy workshop, while James sighed slightly and turned to leave.
Perfikot paid no mind to James's departure, and once inside the alchemy workshop with Foster, someone immediately approached her.
"Ah! Isn't this Miss Brandelis? What a rare guest! Your visit truly graces our humble establishment!" A chubby man, whose voice alone seemed vulgar, appeared with a fawning smile in front of Perfikot, nodding and bowing while rubbing his hands together. A round pair of glasses sat on his face, complementing his squinty eyes when he smiled, making him look truly amusing.
Especially when the chubby man wore a vest stretched tight around him, his image became even more comical.
But Perfikot showed no humor as she looked at him, nor exchanged pleasantries; she just flatly asked, "Where are my items?"
"Miss Brandelis, your order is completed. Everything is packed and ready for delivery to your house!" The chubby man saw Perfikot's cold demeanor; his expression didn't change but his tone swiftly shifted to a serious one: "Your four micro steam engines, six high-strength drive shafts, and matching gearboxes are all finished. However, due to some woodworking errors, the large propeller you ordered may be slightly delayed by two days. We apologize deeply for any inconvenience caused and are willing to compensate you for any loss!"