Published: January 4, 2026
While Evelyn was excited, I alternated my gaze between the map and the wired telegraphy.
“Is something the matter?”
Noticing my demeanor, Evelyn asked.
“Hm? It’s about the wired telegraphy. There’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently.”
“What is it?”
“Well, right now, it’s sending text messages.”
“Yes.”
“But theoretically, if we get creative, it should be possible to send images as well.”
“No way!?”
Evelyn was stunned.
And rightly so.
The technology to send text at an overwhelming speed over long distances is already incredible, and it’s a major advantage for the empire.
Now, hearing that images could be sent as well, spoken with such certainty, it was only natural to be amazed.
“It’s theoretical. There’s no practical application at the moment.”
“What do you mean?”
I returned to my desk, with Evelyn following.
I grabbed a pen and paper, drew lines on the paper, creating a grid.
I drew alternating vertical and horizontal lines.
“Done. Let’s call this—tentatively, graph paper.”
“Graph paper...”
“There are about ten squares vertically and horizontally, a total of a hundred squares.”
“Yes.”
“Now, using the technique of pointillism...”
As I said that, I started filling in the squares of the makeshift graph paper.
“Is this... a flower?”
“Yes, a flower. Drawn in pointillist style across a hundred squares. Now—”
I glanced at the wired telegraphy equipment tucked in the corner of the tent.
“The wired telegraphy uses Humbaba’s threads to send codes in black and white combinations. Naturally, we can send the black and white squares directly. If we predefine the grid and send black and white signals sequentially from the top-left to the bottom-right—”
“You could send pointillist pictures through telegraphy!”
“Exactly.”
Evelyn understood, and I nodded.
The realization that images could actually be sent made her eyes sparkle.
“Your Majesty, this is amazing! If images can be sent, the range of applications will expand even further.”
“But it’s not practical.”
“Eh? Wh-why is that?”
“Right now, it’s ten squares vertically and horizontally, a total of a hundred squares.”
“Yes.”
“This is pointillism. I tried it, and to make it practical as an ‘image,’ it would require about 300 squares vertically and horizontally, a total of around ninety to one hundred thousand transmissions.”
“On-on hundred thousand...”
“See? It’s possible in theory, but not practical.”
“That’s true...”
“But it would be a shame to discard it completely. Whenever I see the telegraphy sending and receiving, and simultaneously see some image, I can’t help but keep thinking about it.”
Still, I think the prospects are not great.
Even if the numerical problem is solved, a new problem arises because only black and white images can be sent.
Solving that will be much harder.
It’s more realistic and effective to think about methods to send faster, or ways to expand the telegraph network.
Just as I shifted my thoughts toward making it faster—
“Angus Bull, I have returned.”
“Come in.”
Responding, a young general appeared outside the tent.
When he entered, Evelyn, who had been chatting casually, stepped aside and moved to the wall of the tent.
Angus Bull.
The husband of my sister, the fourteenth princess Arlene, and one of the empire’s generals.
Angus entered the tent with steady steps.
Though lightly purified, the scent of blood still lingered.
If there was enough composure to purify but the heavy scent of blood remained—that meant—
“Did you win?”
“Yes, the enemy forces were routed. The rear guard general fought desperately, so we didn’t pursue recklessly and withdrew.”
“That’s good. There’s no need to waste time on dead men.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. But it’s amazing.”
“Hm? What is?”
“Thanks to Your Majesty, morale soared, but beyond that, after the charge, the absolute reassurance that Your Majesty was holding back has spread among the soldiers. As long as Your Majesty is present like this, our empire’s army is invincible—the soldiers universally believe so.”