Royal Lady of the Blueprint

First Day

Inside Michael’s office, who was still amazed and confused at the same time, composed himself together. A noble Lady who hasn’t gone to university and yet her vast knowledge in the field of mathematics almost toppled him.

She answered all of his tests and beat him in his challenge. He can’t think of another test that will somehow beat her so he accepted her as his apprentice.

But he still is not giving up. One day, he’ll beat this lady for sure. She might have a vast array of knowledge but will it matter if one can’t apply it in the field?

“Emilia, you’ve surprised me with your intellect. Sorry for being rude to you lately, please forgive me.”

“No no, it’s okay. I understand. In order to assess a new recruit, one must test them if they are qualified right? I certainly agree with your methods. Although some of them are not related to engineering.” Emilia chuckled

“Now I’ll think of work that I will give you.”

Under normal circumstances, he would take her with him, giving her hands-on experience. But he didn’t plan on doing that earlier since he sees her as not a worthy disciple, but when she managed to get perfect scores in tests, it’s now worth a try.

However, considering her as a Noble lady, there’s no way that she’ll work here for long.

He stood up.

“Follow me, I’ll tell you what to do.”

…

The place where he took her was a room on the third floor that had an unpleasant smell.

“This will be your office in the future. Forgive the bad smell, I’ll have it clean for you. In the meantime, you can leave your things here. I’ll show you around.”

“Okay.”

As Emilia left her things in her filthy office, Michael began touring her around.

On the third floor, there were a lot of rooms that had a specific role. Such as a room for planning, discussion room, engineer’s room, room archives, laboratory, and so on. Emilia greeted all the people working there and received a warm welcome. She did her best to memorize the faces of the engineers and architects there since she’ll be working with her from now on.

On the second floor, this is where technical works are done. There are a number of machines such as lathes and milling machines, tools, et cetera. There, she saw a number of people building something that looked like a vehicle.

On the first floor, aside from reception, this is a large room to test prototypes that they had built. Outside, there are large grounds that are also used for experimentation and testing.

…

“Now that you have knowledge about the structure and locations of this place, let’s return.”

“Okay.”

…

Back in her office. An office that looked dirty when she first got here was now looking tidy and clean. The unpleasant smell that discomforted her was all gone. Maybe during her tour, someone cleaned it for her by the order of Michal.

“Since you’ll be working from now on, I’ll give you work to do. But before that, I need to debrief you about what we’re building here.”

Emilia listened carefully at Michael’s long briefing.

Long story short, this establishment is focused on developing aviation and automotive. The cars that are roaming now in the street are designed here. The planes that are being used for military reconnaissance, atmospheric research, delivering cargo, and so on.

What’s more concerning about his long briefing is that there’s an arms race going on, specifically in the air and sea. The Granzreich Empire was keen on building more dreadnoughts due to tension from the Tauric Peninsula that could cause a major conflict. The Britannia Empire built their own dreadnought to counter the growing fleet of the Granzreich Empire and it’s still battling for supreme naval technology.

In regards to air, some countries, including Granzreich Empire, noticed the importance of planes on the battlefield, so major powers in the west are racing on developing suitable aircraft that can be efficiently used on the battlefield.

In short, Emilia or Catarina or Alexandra was back in the day where she was developing these weapons was her forte.

But the level of their aircraft and naval warships dates back to world war I. As an engineer who is experienced in building modern aircraft and ships, this type of work is easy for her. With the level of technology of this world, it’s possible to upgrade them to the world war two era, or even the cold war era level.

But will that make her suspicious? Like how the hell did this girl build something that is beyond their imaginations?

“For now, we’ll be focusing on building this type of aircraft.”

Michael handed her a blueprint containing the schematics of the proposed aircraft.

“We call it Airlift 1. Since the tragic accident of the Aidenburg explosion, the government wants us to build an aircraft that is not dependable on helium gas. This means we are going to turn an aircraft meant for research purposes, reconnaissance, carrying two persons, to airline one. That’s right, a passenger plane.”

‘Ah, so this engineering institute project is to build a commercial plane which is safer than a blimp.’

Emilia rolled up her sleeves and looked at things that were out of place, wrong, and needed improvements.

At first glance, she knew that this aircraft won’t be able to carry out its duties. It’s short, the engine lacked the power to produce thrust needed, and the current design, monoplane, is not suitable for commercial use, and the fact that they are using wooden frames.

“How many passengers do you think this plane will carry? Sir Michael.”

“The approximate are 15 passengers and can carry 250 kilograms of load.”

“In that case, this plane won’t work.”

“What?”

Emilia spun her pen as she began to explain why.

“Look at this part, this engine produced only 250 horsepower, adding that to the other two, it will be 750. Which is not enough to even lift the desired number of passengers that you’re expecting to.”

In the modern age, this horsepower is comparable to muscle and supercharged cars.

“Well, the only problem here is the engine. If we can build an engine with more horsepower then we can achieve it. No, we can even lift more than a hundred passengers!”

“What!” Michael gape ludicrously, “You may have perfected the exams and beat me in the challenge but what you’re dreaming of is impossible. There’s just no way that you can lift a hundred people in a single aircraft. You said it yourself, not even this plane can carry 15 people so what makes you think that you can think of a plane that will carry a hundred passengers.”

“I’ll design one.”

“You...you’ll design one…!” Michael was shocked again, his brain felt like it’s going to explode.

“Yep, before I came here I’ve been thinking of making one. But…”

Emilia realized something.

There’s only one problem. In regards to the level of technology, it seems like the use of superalloys here in this world is not yet introduced. Limiting them on building an aircraft whose parts are made from steel and woods. Luckily, she knows what exact alloys are needed to build the aircraft.

‘If only Brazil existed in this world...a country that has a mountain full of treasured minerals.’

She’s been thinking of making an aircraft similar to the Boeing 747. It’s feasible but will take a lot of time. She remembers her bet with the Emperor. That she needs only six months to accomplish something more valuable than being a future empress.

‘Ah…’

An idea sparked inside her mind. A type of aircraft that can be built within six months.

“Uhm...Sir Michael, what do I need to propose to you?”

“What? Are you really going for that idea? I told you that’s impossible.”

“No, I'm not going to build that. I’m going to design something different.”

“Design something?” Michael furrowed his brows. “I don’t understand, be clear.”

“Are you aware that most of our aircraft here can take off by gathering speed and lift along the runway?”

“That’s the standard, yes. Why?”

“Well, I have something that can revolutionize the aircraft industry.”

Michael leaned forward, looking interested, “Oh? What is it?”

“It’s a helicopter!”

“A helicopter? What’s that?”

“It’s a type of aircraft that can lift off vertically without the need of a runway. It’s suitable for transports and even the military. Not only that, it can land anywhere as long as the ground is flat.”

“I’m not following you, Emilia. I can’t imagine what you’re talking about. But it sure is interesting to see. So, can you draw the schematics for me to see?”

“Yes, but it’ll take hours for me to complete it.”

“Very well, please do so. If you think that this aircraft of yours is better than this presented aircraft, then we’ll prioritize it. When you finish drafting the schematics, please see me in my office.”

“Understood.”

…

Michael left her office and Catarina began working.

Building a helicopter is easy as long as you have the materials and machinery needed to weld parts together. Fortunately, the level of their technology can achieve what she wants.

There are seven major parts to building a helicopter. They are The cabin, airframe, landing gear, powerplant, transmission, main rotor system, and tail rotor system.

The helicopter that she has in mind is a Bell UH 1 helicopter. A utility aircraft used by the United States military in 1952.

With that, she has to build an engine that was not yet introduced in this world. Since it’s different from all existing aircraft here in this world.

It’s called the turboshaft.

To design a helicopter, one must design the engine first. Catarina drew schematics and listed alloys needed to make it. Most of the alloys or metals she listed were not found in this country, so she’ll need to ask the head engineer to import them for her.

After that, design the airframe, the transmission system, and the rotors.

Completing that, she only needs something to run it. And that is oil.

As far as she remembers, the Granzreich Empire relies on imported oils. If she can build something like a Fischer tropsch machine.

‘Argh. By thinking of the parts I can’t help but think of others too.’

‘Well, science is a step-by-step process. It may take longer but the end is worth it.’

After three hours of drawing the schematics without taking a break, Catarina finally stood and went to Michael’s office.

At the door, Catarina knocked.

“Come in…”

Hearing his permission, Catarina entered, carrying something.

“Sir, I’m done.”

“Ah...perfect. I’ve been waiting for hours just to see it.”

Catarina passed him the blueprint and moments later, Michael’s eyes widened.

“What is...this…”

She may be bad at writing but her drawing skills are top-notch. A detailed schematics of the helicopter are now in his hand. There he can see how each part works together. Then there is this new engine called turboshaft that he hadn’t heard of. Basically, he’s looking to the future.

Still, he doubts that this will work since he hasn’t seen a helicopter operate.

As soon as he finished looking into the blueprint, he noticed a paper containing a list of materials needed to build one.

“This looks promising...I want to see it…I will authorize you to use any means necessary to build it. If you need manpower, money, materials, we’ll provide it for you.”

“Thank you very much, Sir Michael.”

“If this proves to be superior to the current aircraft we currently have, I believe the government will invest money to produce it.”

“That’s the plan…” Catarina muttered.

“Pardon?”

“No no...nothing. Forget about it.”

And thus, the first project of Emilia or Catarina began.