Star Forge Titan

"Please don't mention that matter again." Conrad's expression suddenly fell, and he pleaded helplessly:

"Don't worry." Ivan patted his shoulder.

"Everyone who heard the conversation here knows about that. You don't have to worry about being socially destroyed due to the news leaking out."

"It seems so." Conrad clapped his hands and showed an expression of sudden enlightenment.

"That's okay." He immediately relaxed and took a glass of champagne from the tray held by Khayon in a familiar manner, completely ignoring the dead eyes that suddenly appeared in the latter.

"..." Seeing the interaction between the two, Catherine suddenly hugged Diana's arm tightly. She felt that there was a bad trend that the number of reliable people around her was getting smaller and smaller. Perhaps only this naive or naive girl was worthy of trust.

Diana felt a little uncomfortable with her intimate gesture, but she didn't say much about it. She didn't reject the feeling of being depended on, and was even used to it.

After all, in the downtown area with poor living conditions, it is difficult for people to survive without mutual support, especially orphans like her.

The cheerful conversation of these people made other nobles who wanted to get closer to them retreat unconsciously. They always felt that they could not get involved.

Suddenly, it seemed as if even the gloomy atmosphere brought by the Butcher Prince had disappeared.

However, just as the celebration dinner was about to end, an unexpected 'uninvited guest' suddenly appeared.

"Good night, His Majesty the Emperor." The visitor bowed to Conrad, then turned and saluted Catherine in the same manner.

"Good night, His Royal Highness the Duke of Loire."

After saying that, the vice president of the Linde Alchemist Association named Flamel stood up and looked at Ivan who was standing beside him.

"Excuse me, I have something I need to discuss with this gentleman alone. Could you please..."

"Oh? May I know what the topic is?" Catherine asked directly without any hesitation:

"Regarding the last match..." Flamel hadn't finished his words when he was met with a preemptive and harsh rebuke from the Duchess.

"The referees oversee all aspects of the competition. Do you, the Alchemist Association, still have doubts about the outcome? Or are you questioning those of us who participated in the refereeing role?"

Hearing this conversation, Alvin seemed to see Catherine skillfully putting a series of hats on the other person's head one after another, and with just one sentence she disrupted the visitor's composure.

"No, no, no, Your Highness, you misunderstood." Vice President Flamel, who is not humble at all on weekdays, suppressed his anger and put on a respectful look.

"I just wanted to ask this gentleman if he found a small metal box in the wreckage of the Golden Thought."

"That's a very sturdy box. Even in an accident, it won't be easily damaged. If you accidentally pick it up, please return it to our Alchemist Association. It's a very important part, even..." Vice President Flamel looked around, then lowered his voice and continued in a very serious tone:

"It's about another revolution in magical engineering!"

Chapter 9 Awakening the Tower Spirit

"What a surprising statement." Alvin took a step forward and reached into his suit pocket to take out a box shining with golden light.

This inconspicuous-looking palm-sized metal box was what he took from the wreckage of Golden Thought.

According to the relevant information in memory, its function should be similar to the black boxes installed on airplanes and ships in the previous life, which can export and save part of the data stored in the difference engine in the form of punched cards.

Those cards, made of relatively soft brass, are covered with rows of regularly distributed tiny holes that are so small that they are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye. After taking these cards out of a differential engine, another differential engine equipped with a special reading device can read the data stored inside and complete the data transfer.

Although the amount of data stored in each brass card is quite limited due to the capacity of the storage medium, this small metal box is tightly stacked with hundreds of extremely thin metal cards. Together, they form a compressed data stack, allowing the entire metal box to accommodate data that would seem quite large even in later generations.

In the early years of the rise of the nations, only the Alchemist Association, which mastered a large number of high-level alchemy techniques, had the ability to manufacture data storage devices of this scale. The manufacturing process even required the participation of superior transcendents who mastered high-level alchemy techniques.

Therefore, even in the metal box that is only the size of a palm, the core data about the mechanical tower spirit is actually stored.

As for the other party's statement about the 'next stage of the magical revolution', it was not an exaggeration.

As far as Ivan knew, the key technology enabling the further development of magical vehicles into larger, heavier vehicles, and most crucially, automated ones, was the Mechanical Tower Spirit. This device, like the CNC technology of the steampunk worldview, could fully automate machines that previously required constant control by ordinary people or even transcendent beings.

Looking at the metal box in Ivan's hand, Flamel's eyes fluctuated slightly, and then he regained his composure.

"Holy Father, everything I just said is true." The middle-aged alchemist said solemnly again:

"It's really frustrating. I thought I could take this opportunity to relax." Conrad sighed and looked helpless.

"Brother." Catherine glared at him sternly, then took Diana's arm.

"Diana, I really like the next song. Let's dance to another one." After saying that, the Duchess pulled the still confused Diana away, and their actions also attracted the attention of other nobles.

"Ah, I suddenly found some very exquisite pastries. Please allow me to leave temporarily." Then, with squinting eyes, Khayang also saluted Conrad with a smile and left quickly. At the same time, he did not forget to wink at Ivan, indicating that he should be careful.

Diana might not be aware of this, but these two people clearly understood the meaning of what Flamir had just said, so they took the initiative to leave a relatively private space for the three of them.

Conrad was originally planning to find an excuse to slip away, but before he could open his mouth, he saw Catherine, who was dancing with Diana, turned around and glanced at him with an extremely fierce look.

Immediately, the current emperor of the great Central Empire of Linde, His Excellency Conrad Carolingian, who was nicknamed "The Happy King" and "Merry Kangkang", shuddered involuntarily all over. Then, he naturally replaced what he wanted to say with a righteous invitation.

"You two, please go to my study. It's quieter there."

Alvin did not comment on this statement, but just looked at the middle-aged alchemist Flamel in front of him.

Although his performance in the plot is not particularly prominent, his contributions during that time cannot be ignored. As the most politician among the alchemists, Flamel's research capabilities were relatively limited, but through his own rational allocation of resources, he ensured that the entire Alchemist Guild remained operational during the war.

At the same time, a steady stream of magical vehicles and alchemical equipment are sent to the front lines, and in the face of various difficulties, the research and development of new weapons, new equipment and even new technologies are ensured to continue to advance steadily. These include but are not limited to skeleton gargoyle bombings, burrowing corpse monster tunnel warfare, and many other special undead tactics that can cross the front lines and threaten the rear.

He later even left the Alchemist Association and was promoted by Fireline to a special officer in the Quartermaster Department, responsible for the logistics management of the entire Linde Magic Legion.

In other words, the appearance of this person probably also means that the Alchemist Association is willing to compromise to a certain extent, rather than taking more forceful measures to reclaim the metal box storing the data.

It’s great to live in a peaceful era.

Ivan chuckled and went to the emperor's study with Conrad and alchemist Flamel.

After having Guardian Knight Galar, who was on duty outside the study tonight, close the door, the three of them sat on three sofas, forming a triangle, just like the different representatives of the three parties at the moment.

Although in Flamel's opinion, Ivan had obviously made such a move after obtaining the authorization of the Carolingian royal family, and Conrad was actually the most confused of the three people present. He didn't even know why he was sitting here and listening to an alchemist introduce a bunch of techniques that he didn't understand at all.

When Conrad was dizzy from being "beaten" by all kinds of professional terms, Alvin also roughly understood why the other party needed the metal box in his hand.

Unlike the mechanical tower spirits in the laboratory that were so rigid they could only follow orders, or even repeat a few simple commands, the tower spirits used to pilot the Golden Thought showed great initiative in the competition, even possessing a strong desire to win, just like humans.

This was a development that the alchemists had never anticipated, and the backup data they had was only an old version that was superior to other mechanical tower spirits before the competition, but not to that level.

Therefore, the data in Alvin's hands is likely to be a unique evolved mechanical tower spirit.

Of course, Flamel hesitated for a moment and said another word to describe this type of mechanical tower spirit - awakened type.

"So, what do you plan to exchange for this?" Conrad suddenly asked.

“…” Flamel was silent for a moment, his eyes looking back and forth between the emperor and the black-haired boy.

"We are willing to lower the price of arms sales and provide promotion opportunities for new wizards."

"So direct?" Conrad was a little surprised.

Although he was not very willing to take charge, he was very clear about the value of these things, which meant that the Linde Alchemist Association was willing to give up considerable benefits in exchange for this data.

However, Alvin did not find this strange at all. In fact, the status of the Linde Alchemist Association was different from that of associations in other countries or regions. Their essence was close to the military-industrial complex of a certain country in his previous life. It was a large integration of arms dealers and weapons research and development and manufacturing departments.

These guys are super rich.

Chapter 10: The Living Dagger Project (Part 1)

The so-called magician is a counterpart to the sequence of steel soldiers and engineering knights, and is another route of extraordinary people who use knowledge of magical engineering.

If the engineering knight is similar to the traditional knight or swordsman, and is a combat professional influenced by magical engineering, then the magician is closer to a spellcaster like a wizard or warlock.

This class's defining characteristic is its ability to manipulate external magic. While there are some traditional mages who excel at this, those truly capable of massaging the free magic in the natural environment or the unowned magic in the mana furnaces are at least fourth-tier Crowned Ones who have completed the Path of the Fire Sword, equivalent to Champion Knights or Crowned Mages.

But magicians are different. Because of the magic engine, they can, before they complete the trial of the Fire Sword Road, resonate with the magic machinery and call on the external ownerless magic power generated by the consumption of alchemical fuel in the magic engine in batches to cast spells.

Simply put, these guys are like a wizard carrying an external mana pool, and can control more magic power than other extraordinary people of the same level.

Although the amount of magic power cannot completely determine the outcome of a battle, a spellcaster who can mobilize more magic power will still have a certain advantage in most cases. This is also the key factor in Lind's later development of legion-level combined spells.

Why was it that the Alchemist Association in Linde could, in just a few decades, grow from a transcendental force to a force comparable to the military-industrial complex of Ivan's previous life? This must begin with the political system in Linde.

The Central Empire of Lind, as one of the new countries born after the division of the first ancient empire of mankind, has a very long history. As a result, the political system of this country has become very complicated, and it has also tried many ancient systems including the clan system.

In a sense, the current Central Empire Linde is in a dual political model with monarchy and aristocratic republic coexisting.

Among them, Emperor Linde naturally possessed extremely high power, but this did not mean that the power of the Carolingian royal family had already covered the entire empire. The feudal nobles in various places also held a considerable degree of power, including military power.

However, through several foreign wars including the Human-Demon War, the royal family relied on wartime centralization to promulgate a unified constitution throughout the country, and through means such as the noble bloodline and the improvement of the inheritance system, the nobles were allowed to divide themselves into several factions. They also established a noble council to discuss various national issues, and the royal family itself acted as an arbitrator, naturally obtaining a higher level of power and status.

To put it bluntly, the emperor became the one who divided the cake and struck the hammer, and the status of the royal family itself became more stable.

This is why, even with the current emperor's playful and lazy nature, he's still able to sit firmly on the throne. This is why Linde needs an emperor. This country needs an arbitrator who can prevent the conflicts between various factions from escalating to an unmanageable level.

Because of this complex system, the Alchemist Guild, which controlled the production of items related to supernatural powers, gradually rose in prominence amidst national development and the outbreak of war. Ultimately, with the outbreak of the Magic Industrial Revolution, the Alchemist Guild evolved from a mere producer and distributor to one that gradually infiltrated the Council of Nobles, beginning to exhibit an influence akin to that of a military-industrial complex.

Of course, the royal family would not allow them to develop unchecked. The Royal Society was established in the hope of fostering a competitor to the Alchemist Association's "same niche." Since the Society's funding and resources came from the royal family, it was naturally subject to strict control.

Judging from the results, the two have indeed entered a state of healthy competition. The royal family does not need to worry too much about the excessive expansion of the Alchemist Association's influence for the time being, but occasional crackdowns are necessary.

Looking at the association's vice president Flamel bargaining with the emperor, Alvin pondered these things in his heart.

However, he also noticed that Conrad's expression seemed a little strange, as if... just like an unlucky guy with diarrhea who couldn't find a toilet.

And this is indeed the case. As the emperor, Conrad only feels that the sweat on his back is about to seep through his clothes. Fortunately, the formal dress is thick enough to properly cover up his current embarrassing situation.

As an emperor, Conrad was truly unaccustomed to discussing interests. If possible, he truly wanted to push the door open, sprint to the second-floor terrace overlooking the entire banquet hall, and shout loudly:

Sister, help me, help me!

Fortunately, before his patience for hard work reached its limit, he finally finalized a preliminary agreement with the Alchemist Association. Next, it was the turn of the other party to express their opinion.

Flamel was stunned to see Conrad pat Ivan on the shoulder, then said bluntly, uncharacteristically like a noble:

"Come on, my share is already settled, it's up to you how much you can shave next."

Damn it, you're the emperor, not some street thug. Besides, isn't he your subordinate? Why does this require his approval?

Of course, the emperor may not act like an emperor, but Flamel could not ask such a question to his face. In name, the vice president of the Alchemist Association is also a vassal of Conrad, and he agrees to enjoy the treatment of aristocrats, but he does not have an actual fiefdom.

Hearing Conrad's messy words, Ivan did not show any overreaction. In fact, he just slowly raised his head and looked at the other party.

One glance and Flamel overturned his previous thoughts. Such a man would never be inferior to anyone else. Even the Emperor of Linde would be looked upon with his eyes.

In reality, Ivan had done nothing. However, his past life experiences had made it difficult for him to understand the difference between nobles and commoners, so he acted indifferently. Furthermore, it was difficult for him to feel respect for Conrad.

It's hard for most people to respect a guy who you've seen running down the street wrapped in a shower curtain with bare hairy legs, even if they guess that his true side might not be as ridiculous as he usually appears.

But Flamel didn't know about this special situation, so he felt that even though this young man in front of him was not well-known before the game, he treated Emperor Lind with an almost equal attitude, and the latter didn't care about it at all.

It’s not easy, it’s not easy…

This was the vice president's first reaction.

"I don't have any special requirements for this matter." Alvin said.

But Flamel looked even more serious as if he was facing a great enemy.

No demands, that is, demands greater! As a seasoned bureaucrat, he is very familiar with this kind of speech!

Regarding the change in attitude of the person in front of him, Alvin sat back on the sofa with his arms folded, looking as if it was just the way it should be.

"In fact, why don't you ask the person involved about whether to hand over the tower spirit's data?"

"What?" Flamel was stunned.

Then he saw Alvin put the metal box on the table and look at him again.

"What are you waiting for? Go prepare a difference engine."

The black-haired boy said:

Chapter 11: The Living Dagger Project (Part 2)

As the imperial palace of Linde in the Central Empire, it is quite normal for a difference engine to exist in Neuschwanstein Castle.

Although this machine was idle most of the time, it was occasionally turned on only for the emperor's personal butler to handle accounting work.

But it does not prevent temporary use. After all, its maintenance is still regularly handled by professionals. As the vice president of the Alchemist Association, Flamel knows this very well because the professionals responsible for maintaining the difference engine are under his jurisdiction.

In addition, he also knows how to operate this complex machine.

You have to know that in this era, the difference engine is like a mysterious machine full of mysteries for most people. It is impossible to understand how to operate it without systematic learning. Even the most basic starting of the machine will make them feel at a loss.

At this moment, Alvin was standing in the room, watching Flamel operate the differential engine to start up.

"Model 1883, an early version from a few years ago? It seems that although our Majesty is able to accept new things, the speed of upgrading is still not fast enough."

After checking the condition of this outdated machine, Flamel pulled down a long rod, and the sound of springs creaking came from inside the differential engine.

The end of this operating lever is fixed with a circular protrusion to allow the operator to exert force better. It can also be seen from this that Lind's magic engineering has reached a certain level and gradually has the spare capacity to develop in the direction of detailed, humanized and other branch technologies.