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A linked identity verification system and strict confidentiality regulations needed to be established.
When conducting core experiments such as explosions, no personnel were allowed to leak any information or enter or exit freely.
They found a suitable location between the cities of Luca and Florence.
It wasn’t too far away, but it was also not easily discoverable by others.
From now on, more related experiments would take place there—from gunpowder and firearms to explosives—they could keep many secrets safely hidden in this place forever.
Hedy had to use religious methods to strengthen further control.
Anyone involved in the scientific experiments had to press a blood seal on the Protestant cross and swear an oath before God.
In an era without cameras and listening devices, she could only rely on this primitive method to protect certain core technologies, but it was effective enough.
A group of death row prisoners were secretly brought to this place—among them were demons guilty of molesting young girls and unfilial sons who had tortured the elderly.
The mystery surrounding the reaction between nitric acid and cotton was finally starting to be uncovered.
When combined, they didn’t explode under normal conditions.
But if they were heated with a magnifying glass to a certain degree, or if stored for too long, the mixture would spontaneously ignite.
When storing such chemicals, they had to be kept in the dark, away from heat, padded with non-combustible materials, and kept moist.
The professors recorded the relevant observations and began conducting single-variable explosion experiments.
Black powder was suitable for use in firearms—easy to store and transport but prone to misfires.
After black powder exploded, there would be a lot of black residue on the site, making it very difficult to clean.
However, nitrocellulose, when it exploded, didn’t produce black smoke, and the amount needed to trigger an explosion was far less than that of black powder.
The vineyard was named Lorenzo.
It had a large enough experimental field, with complete emergency and safety facilities, and was hidden with great care.
From this moment on, Florence would no longer feel any tremors. Aside from the fact that there were fewer ‘visiting’ students and teachers at the academy, no one cared about the story behind the explosion anymore.
CHAPTER 28
Hedy’s abdomen began to slowly swell.
The rate at which it expanded was much faster than she had anticipated, but Dechio and the seamstresses were very skilled, modifying her dresses to be more flexible—so much so that even with a pillow tucked inside, it was hardly noticeable. The waistline was raised to just below her chest, making her appear slender as before.
From March to July, she was still able to move around and walk freely.
As time passed, however, to avoid any unexpected shocks or impacts, she had to stay in her chambers, waiting for the moment to give birth.
Although Leonardo would go to Lorenzo’s estate every other week to inspect the progress of the explosive devices, most of the time, he stayed by Hedy's side.
"You all in that era, did you really love children?" he asked, gently adjusting the pillow at her side and handing her a honey apple. "I noticed, there are stories that seem to be specially for children."
Hedy took the sweet treat and smiled warmly. "That’s right."
In modern society, children are regarded as angels and treasures, receiving special attention from education to entertainment.
"So, what kind of education do they get?" Leonardo asked, curiously, as he lightly stroked her gently swollen belly. "Don’t they learn things like arithmetic?"
