"This is merely an old servant’s speculation."

Roland’s expression was hesitant, though he was far more informed about the news from Eldora than Simon.

Lancelot’s expression was stern. "My Lord, while the Third Prince may be targeting you, this incident might also be a case of internal and external collusion."

"What do you mean?" Simon was puzzled.

"My Lord, I have always been strict in managing the military. It is impossible for ordinary citizens to carry bows, arrows, or swords into the city unless they are hidden in goods."

Simon frowned deeply, glancing in the direction of the Goldwynd family estate. The prominent families of Brambleford were all there, drinking and making merry. Large shipments of goods came from them, so who among them was colluding with the Third Prince?

After a moment of contemplation, Simon said. "The assassin is dead, and with him, the evidence. These are all just our speculations, but the fact remains that someone tried to kill me."

"My Lord, such a heinous crime has never occurred in Brambleford before. From now on, whenever you go out, you must bring guards for protection." Roland was always most concerned about Simon’s safety.

Simon nodded. This incident had served as a wake-up call, the world was still a dangerous place.

Unable to reach a conclusion for the time being, Simon instructed Lancelot to secretly monitor the movements of the prominent families in the city while also strengthening the security of the prince’s residence.

News of the assassination attempt on the prince spread throughout Brambleford that night.

Simon had deliberately instructed Lancelot to release the information, aiming to stir the pot and see if any unusual activity would surface in the city.

"Father, an assassination attempt was made on the prince. Who do you think did it?"

In the dim, flickering candlelight, Walter and his father sat facing each other in the garden pavilion of the Goldwynd family estate. The banquet had ended, and the faint scent of alcohol still lingered in the courtyard. Walter was slightly tipsy.

Cedric stroked his long beard, his eyes closed as if deep in thought. He spoke. "From Captain Lancelot’s actions, it seems he suspects that the prominent families in the city colluded with outsiders to harm the prince."

"How can you tell?" Walter asked, confused.

Cedric snorted coldly. "I’ve always told you to study more, but you never listen. Now you’re ignorant and unskilled. The assassination attempt on the prince is a covert matter, yet Lancelot is making a big show of publicizing it. Isn’t that a way to flush out the snake?"

Walter shrank back, frightened. "No wonder. But who could it be? If the Prince were to die, it wouldn’t be good for us."

"The prince is foolish and doesn’t know how to manage his domain. That’s good for us. I believe the other three families, like us, only want to use the prince and wouldn’t go so far as to harm him." Cedric pondered.

The assassination attempt on the prince also left him puzzled. As soon as the news arrived, he had immediately ended the banquet and sent people out to gather information.

After a pause, Cedric said. "Tomorrow morning, take some gifts and go visit the prince. Show that our Goldwynd family is close to him."

Walter nodded, then remembered something. "By the way, Father, you sent me to the Engineering Department, and I went. At the time, the prince seemed to be teaching the craftsmen how to make something. The coal briquettes and iron were for that purpose."

"Hmmm, we both know the prince’s limited capabilities. He can’t stir up much trouble. I sent you there because I was worried the reavers might invade, and the Machinery Department would be making weapons. Since that’s not the case, don’t bother keeping an eye on it anymore. Just focus on maintaining good relations with him." Cedric spoke with an air of confidence.

Meanwhile, the Chandlier, Duskry and Redwyk families in Brambleford were also discussing the matter.

The next day, all four families sent their sons to visit the prince’s residence.

"Walter, Alfred, Lucan, Brandt, there’s no need for such courtesy." Early in the morning, Simon was awakened by Roland.

Upon waking, he realized that the local prominent families had come to visit him.

Naturally, there was no shortage of gifts. The so-called ’Four Musketeers of Brambleford’ Walter, Alfred, Lucan and Brandt, were all present.

The four were dressed as scholars, wearing long robes in blue, red, black, and green respectively.

Walter was pale and sickly-looking, Brandt was robust and dark-skinned, Lucan was plump and round, and Alfred was tall and thin.

Standing together, the four of them were a sight to behold, each unique in their own way.

"Your Highness!" What they had in common was the cheeky smiles they wore upon seeing Simon.

In the Eldorian Empire, ordinary citizens couldn’t afford education, but the sons of prominent families all held scholarly titles. The four had all studied and could be considered scholars.

Since there weren’t many scholars in Brambleford, the four called themselves the ’Four Great Talents of Brambleford’ though in the eyes of the common people, they were nothing but pests.

"Roland, prepare seats."

Roland, who had been happily busy collecting gifts, finally remembered that the four young masters were still standing. He immediately had chairs brought over.

"Your Highness, I heard about the assassination attempt on you yesterday and was so worried that I couldn’t sleep all night. I came first thing this morning to see you." Walter wore an expression of concern, as if his own father were gravely ill.

"Walter, that’s too fake. I’m the one who’s most worried. Not only did I not sleep all night, but I also had my servants prepare a wooden stake and hacked at it a thousand times, imagining it was the assassin, to vent my anger." Brandt, who always claimed to be both scholarly and martial, had developed a muscular physique.

"Brandt, that’s too superficial. Your Highness, my father specifically sent me with a century-old tea to help you recover." Lucan’s chubby face quivered with sincerity.

At this, Alfred showed a hint of disdain. He gently waved his paper fan and spoke. "Your Highness, they’re all too vulgar. Last night, I thought long and hard and came up with an excellent place to take your mind off your troubles."

"You mean a trip to the Colt River?" the other three said in unison, their tone dripping with sarcasm.

It had to be said that the previous Simon had been on good terms with these four scoundrels, which was why they felt comfortable joking and bantering in front of him without restraint.

Although Simon now prioritized eradicating the harm caused by the prominent families, he had to pretend to be the same as before.

Whether in modern times or ancient times, dealings between interests were simple. Brothers at the dinner table, knives drawn beneath it.

On the surface, everyone still had to maintain a harmonious facade.

However, Alfred’s mention of the Colt River stirred something in Simon.

Brambleford was a place of half-mountain, half-plain terrain, situated at the northern foot of the Ashen and Frost Mountains. Its mineral resources were primarily limestone and iron ore.

To the south of Brambleford, a river encircled the city, the Colt River that Alfred had mentioned.

Before the advent of steam engines, water power was the most important natural force for the common people. In addition to the Colt River, Brambleford also had the Rushmoore River and the Ford River to the north. All three rivers eventually flowed into the Brambleton Bay.

Now, Simon had taught the craftsmen how to make lathes, but that didn’t mean steam engines could be produced immediately.

These lathes were only meant to facilitate the production of various components. The craftsmen still needed time to hone their skills before they could manufacture steam engines. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

After all, the development of steam engines was also built on the foundation of skilled craftsmen.

However, before that, he could give these craftsmen some practical experience by having them create traditional tools. At the technological level of this era, these tools would be comparable to the practical devices of the Marine Dynasty.

Many of these devices were related to water.

Simon had always wanted to visit these three rivers. Now, he said. "Alfred’s suggestion is a good one. Let’s go to the Colt River."