No sooner had they stepped out of the State Councilor’s mansion than the wealthy merchant Maifuzhe instructed his entourage to hurry and arrange a visit to the Mortav team.
Then the joy of being presented by the other party with an actual “Mortav Type-1 Visualizer ” completely filled him.
It was nearly midnight by the time Mortav and his team left that luxurious residence, wiping the cold sweat from their brows.
“Boss, you certainly have the foresight! ” grumbled the companion sitting in the back of the car. “Good thing we brought a backup, or today would have been trouble. “
Mortaf gently pursed his lips towards the back of the driver’s head, signaling to the person beside him to be quiet, and said in an extremely low voice:
“I had foreseen all this. It’s just… “
“Just what? “
“I’m afraid there are still discrepancies with what I expected. We need to have the research factory step up the pace and work overtime, or else we might not have enough to distribute in a couple of days. “
Three sedans drove along the road, and Dereiano, who was riding in the last car as the escort, sighed, thinking how unpredictable things were.
Sometimes he never imagined that there would be a path to deliver demonstration machines to high-ranking officials and celebrities. And it was even something they were actively requested to do.
He pondered the feasibility of this trend in his mind, then gently shook his head. Under the shadow of doomsday crises, this kind of action could at most give birth to a glimmer, and to brew a flash, one must still wait for the naturally occurring major trend that would arise much later before it could be feasible.
A young man from the research lab in the seat next to him turned his head and asked:
“Brother Dereiano, why isn’t Yang Buchen with us tonight? “
“He’s gone to look up some materials. “
“Going to look up materials so late? You Fogfolk seem busier than we are. ” the young man said with a sigh.
“It’s rare that the library here offers limited-time barrier-free reading rights to scientific personnel. Ah, and once you enter the preparatory committee, you’ll find yourself dealing with that place often. Then you won’t have a choice but to go. “
……
The reference room temporarily borrowed a nearby administrative building that had been specially vacated.
Several rough, circular Roman columns supported a thick, over ten-meter-high giant stone lintel, as if one had entered the bedchamber of giants. These buildings, exuding a sense of massiveness, could be seen everywhere in Kruun.
Relying on the invitation qualification from the Science Preparation Committee, Yang Zicang entered here and, under the guidance of the old librarian who remained on duty here at night, quickly found the reference catalog related to the scientific and technological records of the Golden Shell Federation.
His fingers traced across the book spines, and he took out a document titled “Directory of Signal Transmission Schemes ” to flip through.
“Was the land area of the former Golden Shell Federation as large as present-day SiDefen? “
“What a great golden age that was. “
The old librarian’s words were filled with satisfaction and regret:
“Over thirty regions and city-states, scattered along the coast like unfinished puzzle pieces placed just so. Though its territory was smaller than our current nation, at that time, even the sun could not fully illuminate its pearl-like lands scattered across the earth within twelve hours. “
“As for the specific distance between the two farthest points, do you know, sir? “
“Almost as long as the continent itself. Do you also lament its former grandeur, Mr. Mistfolk? “
Yang Zicang closed the materials in his hand, turned his head, and said:
“Hm, I only want to know which radio stations their jet planes reported to after taking to the skies. In other words, just how far could those radio towers transmit signals? “
The administrator looked somewhat bewildered as this person merely flipped through two files and then turned to leave.
……
Upon returning to the entrance of the suite, Yang Zicang saw the still noisy Motave and his group.
Seeing Yang Zicang’s return, Motave said with some delight, “Mr. Hero, our video projector may soon gain recognition from high society. “
Hailikoni was also in the room, sharing in everyone’s joy, though Jennifer alone felt a bit overwhelmed.
“This is an unexpected bonus, but… ” Yang Zicang looked at the seven or eight people discussing here, then pulled Motave aside to a corner of the room and said,
“Since you were also able to improve and integrate the radio system, you must be quite proficient in telephone technology, right? “
“It’s alright. Hey, we had no choice. Fortunately, as far as signal technology goes, knowing the principles helps us avoid issues. Apart from the trouble of money and materials it’s cost me, everything else has gone smoothly. Is there something you need? “
“I want to pull it out separately. “
Motave almost choked on his own saliva. Yang Zicang said without any tone of negotiation,
“Have your team quickly make me a wireless telephone, using some of the existing HF band relay technologies from the former Golden Shell Federation. “
“Ah? ” Motave pondered for a moment. “Can we still make a living doing this? Good heavens, sir, you truly are a remarkable man of the mist-world. “
“Quit the nonsense. Can you have a plan ready by tonight? “
Saying this, Yang Zicang pulled a piece of paper from the pile of documents cluttering their desk and quickly began writing down the directory he had memorized regarding the Golden Shell Federation’s wavebands.
Haili Koni shuffled two steps closer and tilted her head to look at him, “What do you need to use the telephone for at this hour, sir? “
“Yes, friend Bu Chen, ” Dereiano said, walking over from the dining table in the distance.
“Let’s discuss the promotion plan for tomorrow’s new television project at the preparatory committee meeting a bit later. “
Jennifer, hearing this from the side, quickly chimed in:
“If we want to include it in the heritage projects, then it’s best to keep the technical data confidential. Therefore, we need to thoroughly study the production and preservation plan for the long-distance visualizer—in other words, the issue of exclusive rights. “
“Let’s put all of that on hold for now. ” Yang Zicang stopped writing and looked up, saying:
“Regarding listing this technology among the heritage items, I think we should wait a bit longer. “
Dereiano’s eyes widened instantly, staring at this friend of Zorro’s before him with disbelief.
……
That night, Cheng Yunze, who had just brought back two trainloads of people, was informed by Haili Huikewen that Yang Zicang was waiting for his return call.
Running to the desolate, under-construction civilian dwelling, after waiting for a while, Cheng Yunze heard the sound of the connection being established.
“Is there something you need me to do? ” he asked, covering the mouthpiece.
— “I have a plan. I think your team would be the most suitable for it. If it succeeds, then this counts as a miracle. “
A subtle change flickered across Cheng Yunze’s face. His mind raced, but he saw no potential for a “Heroic Flash ” event to arise in his vicinity within two days.
Could Yang Zicang be pulling another one of his tricks, finding something that could overturn the trajectory of the old world?
“What is it? ” he asked.
A low burst of static came from the other end.
— “I want you to take our new television and cross the sea at top speed, heading for the Next Era Land. Determine whether it can be corrupted by the era’s demon. “
Cheng Yunze’s mind just (blared with a roaring white noise), 6. froze him in stunned disbelief.
……
A demon train pulled up to a sealed bunker on the border of what was once the Golden Shell Federation, now the Solser Autonomous Region.
This place was a long-abandoned grave of dangerous technology, untouched for decades.
Zhang Zhiquan was the first to jump down, wearing an oxygen mask and carrying an iron tank on his back. After confirming no sense of danger, he turned and waved a hand.
CLANG!
A dozen large mining lamps blazed with light as bright as day, illuminating the pitch-black, cold silence of the bunker before them. But its depths remained hidden in darkness.
Countless machines and devices, covered in dust, lay in heaps stretching into the distant black void.
“Well, which of these are the radio relay stations? “
“That’s for our experts to figure out. “
Cheng Yunze turned around. The researchers from the “TuffCorp Electrical Assembly Center, ” who had been urgently summoned from their beds, were constantly moving through the shelter, where the temperature was only a few degrees, jostled by the sliding train and the Guardian Warriors from the several major families who radiated formidable strength.
“Found them, I’ve got two here! “
“I’ve got some here too. “
Good news began to trickle in.
“Good heavens, I’ve got a whole heap here! Only… they’re a bit big. “
The members of the Four Phases team who hurried over saw devices even bulkier than outdoor distribution boxes and felt overwhelmed for a moment.
Two warriors, with faint, shadowy auras, ran in swiftly, carrying a civilian researcher on their backs.
After taking a look, a young man from the Assembly Center let out a dismissive chuckle and said:
“They’re just big; the core components are only a few modules. Easy enough to dismantle. Leave this to us. “
Cheng Yunze and his team, who had been somewhat tense, only now began to relax.
“We’ll leave this place in the care of the gentlemen from House Goas. Let’s move on to the next Hazardous Technology Burial Vault. “
“The equipment thrown into the sea under the Chebin Archipelago is surely unsalvageable. The nearest burial vault is within the borders of the Duchy of Transilnax. But most of what’s there concerns unfinished shipbuilding technology. “
“Their new ships should have similar supporting communication equipment. That’s our spot. Let’s move. “
……
A classified telegram was sent to Lieutenant General Ross’s bedroom.
Wearing his glasses, he read the latest intelligence in his hand:
“I never thought that at this time of day, I would be receiving news not about state affairs, but about the independent actions of those Fogfolk. “
The man rubbed the bridge of his nose and looked at the man before him. “What are your thoughts? “
The young military officer in uniform standing before the bed said calmly,
“I suspect they may be plotting something again. Now that we are stretched thin monitoring the situation on all fronts, we should curtail their authority. “
As he spoke, his gaze met Lieutenant General Ross’s without flinching, neither servile nor arrogant.
After a moment of thought, Lieutenant General Ross said, “Is there anything else you want to say? “
“The Fogfolk presume to elevate their status, believing they have leverage due to their so-called investments. Moreover, they are siding with the old aristocratic forces that need to be weakened next. I suggest excluding this group from the preparatory committee list. “
The young officer straightened his back and continued,
“Our Kingdom of Heivenzike is not currently lacking in talented individuals who have been attracted to us. “
“You’re right. Several Fogfolk who have been certified as landholders by the Mist People and honored with the ‘Blazelight’ distinction have already expressed interest in investing. “
The young man’s gaze shifted slightly as he looked at the Lieutenant General before him.
Ross said, “But if we ostracize them, the other princes may try to win them over. Compile the essence of your report and have it delivered to His Highness the Crown Prince. “
The young man hesitated for a brief second, then composed a solemn expression. “Yes! But I will still faithfully submit the core ideas of this report unchanged to His Highness, for the future of our motherland. “
After the young man left, Ross lay back on his pillow. “Hah, the backroom struggles of the Fogfolk are truly disruptive to a good night’s sleep. ” He closed his eyes slightly, breathing gently as he drifted into his dreams.
……
The next morning, in front of the office of the Preparatory Committee for Science, wide stone steps were flanked by simple welcome banners on both sides.
The office lobby and the area outside swarmed with a sea of people, the majority being students from the Academy of Sciences and their families who had not yet departed.
These parents, relatives, and friends had all received a piece of news: their children had indicated that recently, aside from organizing scientific principles and technologies, they had been participating in a top-secret project led by a Fogfolk during their overtime work.
Moreover, there was an interesting event to witness today.
At this very moment, when Yang Buchen, a Fogfolk who had recently gained notoriety abroad, was about to conduct an inspection in his country’s Preparatory Committee, Haimasen, the president of the Keruen Military Academy, was personally going to recommend a team for entry into the committee.
It was also rumored that this team enjoyed Fogfolk investment.
News of that mysterious investment had already spread like casual gossip through many households that had recently and voluntarily changed their names.
Whether driven by curiosity, invitations issued by the Military Academy for their children to come home on special leave, or by a sense of ethnic pride set against foreign-funded speculators.
Those parents who had been promised two future spots for evacuation alongside their children all dressed up in fine attire and made their way to the administrative building in front of the Preparatory Committee office.
A gray, dense crowd had gathered.
Yang Zicang and the others who had arrived at this reception hall earlier had already learned of the sudden changes that occurred today.
They hadn’t expected that President Haimasen of the Science Academy would go to such lengths to suppress the sealing of their technology.
Even the Motafu group, who had originally planned to visit as invited guests, were temporarily placed under the green-black tents by the administrative square because they were not part of the official invitation team, waiting until the meeting’s celebratory moment to enter.
And all of this was due to Haimasen’s sudden strictness and meticulous supervision of the Empire’s visitation regulations.
The new acting chief committee member, Wolde, who had only taken office two days ago, wore a half-sullen expression the entire morning.
He strode quickly toward a small office carrying a document to get it stamped. At the door, a slightly short, round-faced woman in her fifties pulled him aside and asked in a lowered voice:
“Councilor Wolde, if Science Academy President Haimasen… enters our committee’s leadership, will those previous slots still be valid? “
Wolde swallowed hard and exhaled two streams of breath through his nose:
“Whether he enters or not, the people who can leave now, along with their families, are all on that technology list he’s been screening. “
The acting chief committee member stepped into the small room. The woman at the door, who had been pondering with her head down, soon heard two heavy stamping sounds from inside.
……
At ten o’clock, the welcome ceremony officially began.
Yang Zicang and Zorro, accompanied by two delegation representatives, entered under the arrangements of the meeting organizers. The two sides engaged in a ceremonious exchange following the meeting agenda.
The words Jennifer had to say had already been shown to her last night.
But at this moment, Yang Zicang saw these new elements that were not in the meeting process.
“What exactly are we going to do today? ” The people present murmured as they watched the person approaching from the stone steps.
A group of men and women were led by Haimasen, whose hair on top of his head was sparse, into the bustling venue.
They glanced at Yang Zicang and the others beside them. After Haimasen shook hands with Yang Zicang and exchanged greetings, Alienong also came over, and the two Fogfolk exchanged a look.
Yang Zicang sensed some subtle shift in focus within the atmosphere.
“What the hell are they really up to? ” Zorro whispered, leaning in.
“Maybe they have some plan to present, ” Yang Zicang replied in a low voice, then turned sideways, making way for the president of the Military Academy, much like a standing deputy chief commissioner would.
“Excuse me, everyone. I have a few words to announce. “
Haimasen spoke loudly, drawing everyone’s attention, and the venue quieted down. In front of the attending reporters—both invited and uninvited—and representatives from various departments, he introduced:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to witness at this moment the doomsday salvation operation carried out by our Keruen Academy of Military Science, in conjunction with the Fogfolk Alienong’s team: The Unveiling Day of the Complete Great Keruen Plan! “
“Complete Great Keruen? What is that? “
The people on-site murmured among themselves, then some abruptly heard exclamations coming from outside.
The light seemed to dim.
Motav poked his head out on the square. One after another, giant figures larger than houses were slowly rising from the ground.
If one was enough to surprise, then ten would shock. But now, airships rising from every corner beyond the city, instilling a sense of gigantic terror, were blotting out the blue sky and white clouds with a suffocating momentum.
The people in the office turned to look. Outside against the skyline, hundreds of airships were slowly drifting…
Leave a Reply