Mr. Pantalone has no crazy plans today.

P.S.: I was feeling sleepy while writing this chapter and even fell asleep in the middle. Let me rest for a bit; there will be another chapter later.

Chapter 21: The funding request is too large.

Pantalone was taken aback upon hearing what Sandone said.

Relaunch the 'Intelligent Self-Discipline Sequence Mechanism' plan?

Wasn't that plan rejected at the executive meeting?

Is it really okay for you to tell me so openly that you want to restart that abandoned project?

You should know that he has been removed from all related instructions in the plan. Apart from the fact that he proposed the plan, he can now be said to be a completely irrelevant and marginal person.

"As you know, 'The Clown' Piero vetoed the plan at the executive meeting, but I think it's a real shame to abandon it like this. I believe you think so too, don't you? You must also be very unhappy that your plan was scrapped like this, Pantalone."

"This plan shouldn't be buried like this. We can secretly try to develop the 'Intelligent Autonomous Sequence Mechanism' without reporting it to 'The Clown' Piero. As long as you provide me with enough funding, I will definitely be able to realize your plan."

Looking into Sandoni's incredibly earnest eyes, Pantalone said.

No, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!

He had never considered such a thing. He was devoted to Her Majesty the Queen and would never do such a crazy plan that would bring disaster upon herself by secretly researching it behind the Queen's back.

Is his persona that of an ambitious person who likes to secretly research crazy plans and has grand schemes and ideas?

Well, he really is.

Pantalone glanced around and whispered quietly.

How confident are you?

"As long as you give me enough funds to support me, I am absolutely confident."

Sandoni leaned over, resting one hand on the tea table, and whispered softly in Pantalone's ear.

The itchy sensation from the warm, moist breath coming from his ear stirred something within Pantalone, causing a slight ripple in his heart.

From Pantalone's perspective, he could even see the "puppet's" delicate profile and her cherry lips, which shone with a crystalline luster.

He had never been this close to a girl in his past life, which made him feel a little strange at first.

Sensing something amiss with Pantalone, Sandone cast a strange glance at him.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just weighing and calculating the benefits."

Pantalone suppressed his somewhat strange aura and exhaled lightly, pretending nothing was wrong.

Sandonne did not doubt this answer. She was certainly not a naive girl who knew nothing about matters between men and women; she simply hadn't thought of going that way at all.

Aside from her impression that Pantalone was a shrewd businessman who was good at calculating profits, Sandone never imagined that Pantalone would have any designs on her.

After all, he was Pantalone, an ambitious schemer just like the mayor.

Therefore, Pantalone's answer was perfectly normal, after all, this was the Pantalone she knew.

She returned to her place and explained her progress to Pantalone.

“In fact, since the Executive Council rejected the ‘Intelligent Autonomous Sequence Mechanism’ plan, I have already made some progress. Although it is different from the theoretical concept, you reminded me of the part about alchemy.”

"By combining the legacy of Kanria with mechanical technology and alchemy, and drawing inspiration from the sliced ​​prosthetics that 'Doctor' Dottore created for himself, I have designed a 'mechanical prosthetic' that closely resembles the envisioned product and can be replaced."

"This kind of 'mechanical prosthetic' is still somewhat different from what you imagined. It cannot theoretically upload consciousness into the 'mechanical prosthetic' to overcome wear and tear as you mentioned, but it is sufficient to support its use. Under certain conditions, it looks no different from a real body."

"Moreover, due to the use of some special technologies in this 'mechanical prosthetic body,' it is able to isolate most energy to a certain extent, while also possessing the special characteristics of self-repair and free change of form."

"When necessary, different 'mechanical prosthetics' can be switched at any time to cope with the vast majority of crises, and can be discarded when necessary to facilitate the execution of various plans."

Pantalone was horrified when he heard about Sandone's progress in developing 'mechanical prosthetics'.

He just mentioned it casually last time, and the other party actually developed the product based on that idea.

One by one, they all quietly dropped a bombshell on him; how could his heart possibly take it?

Are all the executors of your Fatui tribe like this?

This is a special form that can be replaced with a 'mechanical prosthetic body', self-repair, and freely transform. Is this definitely not the Soul Steel Body of the former Archbishop of Destiny next door?

He had no intention of fighting for all the good things in the world.

He's just an ordinary, unremarkable banker, but it seems like his colleagues are researching increasingly dangerous things, making me, a banker who only knows how to manipulate money, feel very out of place.

However, it must be admitted that the idea of ​​a 'mechanical prosthetic body' did indeed pique his interest.

After careful consideration, Pantalone looked at Sandone tentatively and asked.

How much working capital do you need?

To be honest, he doesn't have much liquid capital on hand right now. After all, besides the 'Intelligent Autonomous Sequence Mechanism' project that Sandonne proposed to restart, he also has an 'Elemental Energy Storage Project' that he needs to report to his superiors.

If Sandoni needs too much cash flow, he'll have to consider how much he'll have to lose.

After Pantalone asked this question, Sandone held up his palm and showed Pantalone five fingers.

“Fifty billion Mora?” Pantalone asked tentatively.