Reincarnation of Nikola Tesla in another world-Chapter 15: Popsicle and Fear

The inn's lanterns burn low, into the quiet hum of the night. across the table, Aldric stares at me expectantly, eyes bright with curiosity.

"So?" he asks, practically bouncing in his seat. "What's the plan?"

I run a hand through my hair, glancing at the small pile of mana crystals in my satchel. Their soft glow flickers like tiny caged stars.

"We're heading to the city," I say. "Public carriage. It'll take a full day and night."

Aldric's face lights up. "A city? Like, a _real_ city?"

I give him a blank look. "No, Aldric. A fake city. The people there aren't even real. Just lifelike puppets pretending to shop."

His mouth drops open slightly. "Wait... really?"

I blink. "No. That was sarcasm."

Aldric groans and leans back in his chair. "You could've just said no."

I smirk. "But this is _more fun._"

He pouts but quickly shakes it off. "Okay, fine! But what's the city like? Have you been there before?"

I tap my fingers against the table. "No. But I know what to expect."

Aldric leans in, eager. "Like what?"

I lift a finger. "First off, it's nothing like this place. You think this town is busy? Imagine ten times as many people, all shouting over each other. Merchants will scam you before you even realize your money's gone. And if you stop in the middle of the street, a carriage will run you over and keep going."

Aldric blinks rapidly. "...That sounds _amazing._"

I stare at him. "You... _did_ hear the part about getting scammed and trampled, right?"

He nods enthusiastically. "Yup! Sounds fun."

I rub my temple. Why am I not surprised?

His gaze flickers toward my satchel. "By the way... what are you planning to do with all those mana crystals you bought?"

I glance down at them, then back at him. "A grand invention."

Aldric gasps dramatically. "A what?"

"A grand invention," I repeat, offering zero elaboration.

His expression shifts into betrayal. "Kim, you have to tell me!"

I lean back. "I don't have to do anything."

He grabs my wrist and shakes me. "You do!"

I pry his fingers off, sighing. "I'll tell you if you help convince Brom to come with us."

Aldric stops. His eyes narrow. "That's blackmail."

I nod. "That's correct."

He grumbles. "Brom won't just leave the forge without a reason. I need motivation."

I raise a brow. "What kind of motivation?"

Aldric straightens his back like a royal making a declaration. "I want a popsicle."

I blink. "You're serious?"

He nods gravely. "I require cold, sugary compensation."

I exhale through my nose. "This is a waste of time."

Aldric clasps his hands together. "Please, Kim. I have so little joy in life."

I cross my arms. This is stupid.

But...

I glance at him again. He's looking at me with those ridiculous hopeful eyes.

"...Fine," I mutter. "One popsicle."

Aldric punches the air in victory.

The next morning, the town is completely different.

People move frantically, sweeping the streets, hanging lanterns at every corner, tidying up like their lives depend on it.

And maybe they do.

Shopkeepers scrub their signs until the wood shines, food stalls are spotless, and workers haul garbage beyond the town walls.

Aldric, completely unfazed, licks his popsicle. "So, uh... this is normal, right?"

I don't answer immediately.

My gaze flicks to young guards-in-training, criminals in shackles, and lanterns being lit across every street.

I exhale. "This isn't just cleanup. This is a political shift."

Aldric pauses mid-bite. "Like... something important is happening?"

I nod slowly. "Yeah. And it's happening fast."

Nearby, a popsicle vendor and a toy shop owner talk in hushed voices.

"—The new chief's appointment saved this town," the toy vendor whispers.

The popsicle seller nods. "That poor hardy fool escaped last night."

The toy vendor sighs. "I just hope this peace lasts."

We make our way toward the forge, stepping over freshly washed streets and avoiding workers setting up new lantern posts.

That's when I see him.

A tall man strides through the main road, surrounded by scribes and attendants. His cloak flows behind him, chin lifted high. Every shopkeeper, every villager bows their heads as he passes.

No one speaks. No one dares.

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I nudge Aldric. "Is that some kind of celebrity?"

Aldric looks up, licking the last of his popsicle. "I dunno. He looks kinda important."

We step aside as he passes, his group walking with perfect synchronization. The scribes frantically jot down everything he says, and even guards stand at rigid attention in his presence.

Whoever he is, people fear him.

Not admiration. Not respect.

Fear.

I watch him disappear into the town hall, my mind already running through possibilities.

Someone that important doesn't come to a place like this for nothing.

Aldric suddenly gasps beside me.

"Oh no."

I tense. "What?"

He clutches his empty popsicle stick like it's a tragedy. "Kim... I finished my popsicle."

I stare at him. "That's your emergency?"

He nods seriously. "Can we get another one before we leave?"

I exhale slowly. "We are literally watching a political shift unfold, and you're worried about a popsicle?"

Aldric shrugs. "I mean... yeah."

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. This idiot.

Then, an idea forms. A brilliant, manipulative idea.

I cross my arms and look him dead in the eye. "Fine."

Aldric perks up instantly.

"Really?!"

I nod. "Not just one, either. You can have as many popsicles as you want today."

His face lights up, pure childlike joy taking over. "Oh man, I—wait." His eyes narrow. "What's the catch?"

I smirk. "Simple. You have to emotionally blackmail Brom into joining our team."

Aldric blinks. "...What?"

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "Make him feel guilty. Convince him that leaving his forge behind is the only way he'll ever be taken seriously. Tell him that if he stays behind, he'll just be another no-name blacksmith, forgotten in some backwater town. Tug at his heartstrings, make him question his life choices. Whatever it takes."

Aldric's mouth opens slightly. "You... you want me to mentally ruin him into coming with us?"

I grin. "Yep."

He stares for a long moment, then crosses his arms. "I want two conditions."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? Negotiating now?"

He nods firmly. "First, I want a popsicle before I do it, to boost morale."

I roll my eyes. "Fine."

"Second," Aldric continues, "if I succeed, you have to say my new favorite phrase."

I pause. "Your... what?"

His grin turns devilish. "I have a phrase. And I want you to say it. With conviction."

I narrow my eyes. "...What phrase?"

He leans in, voice a dramatic whisper.

"You are truly the light in my darkest hour."

I physically recoil. "Absolutely not."

Aldric bursts out laughing. "Aha! You hesitated! That means you'll do it!"

I shake my head, standing up. "No. That's ridiculous. That's a line people say before they get betrayed and left for dead."

"Ohhh, but you agreed to my terms!" Aldric waggles his finger. "If I get Brom to come, you have to say it."

I groan, rubbing my forehead. This is not how I planned today to go.

Aldric claps his hands together. "Alright! I'll handle Brom. Time for maximum emotional damage."

I sigh. This is going to be a disaster.

But at least I get something out of it. and i also cannot leave another genius wither away taken slave by capital hungry monger, can I?.

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