Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 510 Intent
This is also a precision instrument with extremely high technical craftsmanship, and the person who can produce this item is probably not here to seek technical support as I thought.

“Interesting, I mean, quite an interesting creation,”

The archbishop's expression shifted several times, but he finally sighed with some emotion and handed the strange object back to him.

"Although I am reluctant to admit it, the person who made this must be a master. In terms of practicality, it has already surpassed our previous idea and can replace the function of those magic clocks."

"Your Excellency has excellent judgment. If those people heard the bishop of the God of Craftsmen give such a evaluation, they would surely be overjoyed."

The monk accepted the praise with a reserved smile, and unsurprisingly, was met with questions.

"However, your strange object is probably facing the same dilemma as the timer. The more sophisticated the creation, the more demanding the skill level of the maker becomes. Neither manpower nor time costs allow for mass production, so it will ultimately be a special sample."

It's not unreasonable for Braslan to make this inference, given his current level of industrial processing capabilities; after all, Ferren is far from being able to automate the production of items with this level of precision on an assembly line.

Even the rune factory in the ruins couldn't do that, unless the crystal technology workshop, which has only been on the drawing board so far, suddenly became a reality.

The mechanical watch he presented could be considered a display of skill, but Mr. Zhang's actions were merely a prelude; his true intention lay elsewhere.

"It is indeed too complicated to rely solely on the mainspring to provide power for the operation of a clock. However, if we replace this part with another component, we can greatly reduce the difficulty of its processing and manufacturing."

The mage finally revealed his true intentions, and the archbishop frowned upon hearing this.

"So in the end, it still comes down to relying on witchcraft?"

That's not entirely true.

The monk shook his head, then took out another watch face and handed it over.

The archbishop, having steadily taken the dial, examined and listened intently for a moment, just as before, then pondered for a while before speaking:

"The movement of the pointer should still be driven by gear transmission, but in terms of its weight and thickness, it has been cut to an unbearable degree."

"Moreover, although the magical aura emitted by this clock is dim and weak, it's no easy feat to inscribe a magic circle on such a small dial, is it? The complex craftsmanship involved is probably..."

As the archbishop finished speaking, a sense of disappointment welled up inside him. If it was just about miniaturizing magical items, there were plenty of ways to do it, as long as one was willing to spend the cost.

But wouldn't that just lead us into a dead end?
"That's not the case. No enchanting techniques were used in this piece; the purpose was largely achieved through mechanical means."

"How can it be!"

Bishop Braslan's gaze sharpened, and he subconsciously clenched his fist, only to feel the metallic texture of the watch face more acutely. He quickly loosened his grip and brought the watch to his eyes to examine it closely.

The result, naturally, was nothing.

The clock's casing concealed its internal structure, making the archbishop, who was itching to take it apart and examine it closely, quite curiously.

However, this idea is undoubtedly unrealistic. Not only would it be too unseemly, but it would also be a great pity to rashly disassemble precious samples without mastering the corresponding technology, and if damage is caused that cannot be repaired or replicated.

This is not the style of the Gonde Church.

“If what you say about the technology is true, then the manufacturing process of watches can indeed be significantly reduced,” Braslan said, looking directly into the visitor’s eyes, his eyes slightly narrowed.
"Then I acknowledge that this would be a remarkable improvement in technology, and we can discuss future collaborations or patent protection."

"Where my divine power reaches, I will not tolerate any deceitful or treacherous tricks!"

The archbishop's tone was stern, yet carried a hint of warning:

“My friend, deceiving God is a grave sin of blasphemy, and theft is insignificant in comparison.”

"I wouldn't risk my life and honor just for that pitiful vanity."

The latter did not flinch, but met the other person's gaze frankly, speaking each word clearly and deliberately:
"But if it's for actual benefit, what's the point of all this fuss if all I've done is create a bubble of lies that can be exposed at any time during subsequent cooperation and promotion?"

"In the name of arcane arts and truth, everything I say is evidence."

His words were resounding and logically sound, and, most importantly, Braslan believed in his own perception and discernment as an archbishop within the temple.

If someone can be so easily fooled even while residing in a holy place, then he is a patriarch for nothing.

"Since that's the case, then tell me your plan. I don't think you're the kind of person who just talks big; you know what you want."

coming!

The monk thought to himself, "All this groundwork, all this preparation, was for this very moment."

"With Your Excellency's wisdom, it is not difficult to see the value and potential market of this clock. As for its secrets, they are actually worthless. This is why I am seeking to cooperate with your church to protect this patent."

"No need to be modest. Many inventions and creations are like the riddle of the copper dragon before the mystery is unveiled, leaving people scratching their heads and unable to figure it out. As for what happens after the mystery is unveiled, humph, only a winner like you would use such a false modesty."

As soon as he finished speaking, Braslan turned and walked towards the inner hall. He called back to follow him, then quickly stepped forward, lifted the curtain of the partition, and went inside.

Following closely behind, Zhang Yuan passed through the curtain, and the scene before him was different from that in the main hall. There was no longer any golden splendor or carved beams and painted rafters, but instead a sense of simplicity and unpretentiousness.

Inside the inner sanctum, levers, gears, chains, and mechanical arms interlocked and connected, replacing the novel inventions displayed in the outer sanctum and housed in exquisitely decorated crystal showcases.

It feels like stepping from a museum into a machine shop.

The archbishop came to the front of the altar inside the temple and prostrated himself on the ground to worship the statue of Gonde that stood on the altar.

The monk stood silently to the side, waiting until the other person stood up and slowly climbed the steps to the altar.

The statue of the forger, which appears particularly tall compared to the altar, stands silently with a hammer in his right hand and his index finger resting on a large bell.

The statue is made of neither stone nor wood, but cast from a bluish-black metal. The large bell hanging above it is a single piece, radiating a reddish luster, as if it were cast and forged from copper mixed with pure gold ingots.

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(End of this chapter)