The door of the study was opened, and an old sorcerer in a black robe with dark patterns appeared in front of Rosetta Augustus. He was stooped and had artificial nerves wriggling behind his back.
This was not the first time they had met.
Daniel was once a reclusive sorcerer who lived in seclusion in the countryside. But before that, he was one of the high-ranking members of the Royal Association of Mages. Today, he was the most outstanding expert in the Association of Craftsmen. He was also the mentor of the president of the Royal Association of Mages, the creator of a large number of new technologies in the Empire, and the technical master that many nobles in Oldenheim sought after. He had won the trust of the royal family, including Rosetta Augustus himself.
Emperor Rosetta had always been courteous to technical personnel. He did not mind Daniel's terrifying appearance at all. At the same time, a slightly stiff smile appeared on his face. "Master, I hope my summons did not affect your work."
"It's my duty to work for you," Daniel bowed slightly and said respectfully. "I'm happy to answer your questions in the technical field."
Rosetta nodded. After the old sorcerer sat down, he asked, "I heard that the imitation of the arcanotech car has been successful?"
"Yes, the prototype will be tested in two days," Daniel replied. "If everything goes well, we will get it into the practical stage as soon as possible."
"Your wisdom is an immeasurable asset to the Empire," Rosetta could not help but sigh. "With a new means of transportation and a new railway system, we can finally solve the problem of transportation of raw materials and finished products."
"My personal wisdom is not important. The imitation of the arcanotech car is the result of everyone's efforts, and compared to our insignificant wisdom …" Daniel said and shook his head gently. "Perhaps we should be more impressed by the wisdom of the Ansu people. They first created the arcanotech, and then the arcanotech car, a sophisticated and powerful machine."
"Strictly speaking, it's the wisdom of the Cecil people. I called you here today to discuss this matter with you."
Daniel lowered his eyelids, concealing the flash of light in his eyes by maintaining a respectful posture towards the imperial power. He lowered his head slightly and said, "Please go ahead."
"The arcanotech technology originated from the Cecil people, including our imitation of the Magic Net. Although the structure and unit specifications are different from the Cecil people's Magic Net, many of its features are very common," Rosetta said slowly. "In addition, the railway system in the west and south of Oldenheim is a product of the Cecil people, and all the core technologies are in their hands …"
Daniel looked up. "Are you worried that the technology originated from the Cecil people will eventually threaten the security of the Empire?"
"Even if we don't consider this, it is ultimately inappropriate to hand over the lifeline of the Empire to outsiders, even if it is only a part of it," Rosetta Augustus said solemnly. "The Cecil people are good at using the power of the Magic Net, and now they have built railways in the Empire. Those powerful trains can transport goods, weapons, and troops. I can even come up with some plans to use railways for war. The Cecil people must have thought of it."
How important was the railway? Before seeing the detailed information about the railway, Rosetta Augustus only had a general impression of it. But after seeing the detailed information, he almost instantly realized the terrible power and potential application of this almost subversive technology.
It could transport troops enough to capture a city to the destination in a short time and maintain logistics at a very low cost. If it was directed at the transportation of other countries, cutting off the railway could instantly paralyze the supply of goods in a city or even a region. Its transportation power was so powerful that many things that were unimaginable on traditional roads and carriages were possible on the railway.
Last winter, the Parliament of Nobles and the royal advisers were greatly shocked when they received the information about the railway. They were shocked and nervous as they discussed the feasibility of laying railways in the Empire for three days and three nights. Finally, they gave Rosetta a report of more than ninety pages. The report first confirmed one thing.
Typhon needed this advanced transportation technology because Typhon's factories needed it.
Then, the report put forward two of the most important assessments of the potential dangers.
First, they had to be wary of the Ansu using the railway to launch an attack on the Empire. With the speed of the railway, if the first wave of attack came without warning, the guards at the pass would not even have time to blow up the railway.
Second, how to protect the railway in the Empire, ensure that it was completely under the control of the Empire and prevent it from being destroyed by the enemy.
As an Empire that had walked out of the flames of war, Typhon had never lacked vigilance against war, especially after the Empire had developed to a certain … critical state. The Ansu had become the imaginary enemy in the hearts of almost all the upper echelons of Typhon.
Daniel quietly looked at Rosetta Augustus for a few seconds, then his slightly yellowed eyes moved slightly.
"Your Majesty, I'm just a technician, so I probably can't understand your military concerns. But from a technical point of view, I can give you some advice."
"That's what I want."
"The key to the problem is energy, or rather, the Magic Net," Daniel said calmly. "Whether it's the railway or the train, they all rely on the Magic Net. And if the Ansu, or Cecil, really want to attack the Empire, many of their memories of the war also rely on the Magic Net to operate. The Magic Net they can carry is limited, so the key is to prevent the Magic Net of the Empire from falling into the hands of outsiders.
"Recently, I've been thinking of a control structure for the Magic Net. Perhaps we can set up a total control of the Magic Net in the core area of the Empire, so that it can shut down the Magic Net supply in any area at any time, even destructively.
"Unless the enemy controls the core area of the Empire and captures the capital and the palace, their energy supply will be cut off in any area of the Empire."
"… This is a good plan," Rosetta Augustus thought for a while and said slowly, "Hmm … very good."
As the Emperor of the Typhon spoke, he raised his eyelids and quietly looked into Daniel's eyes.
The artificial nerve cord behind Daniel was still wriggling gently. His face was calm as he faced Rosetta's gaze.
"Master, I'll leave this matter to you. Please come up with a plan as soon as possible and let me review it personally."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the old sorcerer left, Rosetta picked up the document he had put away earlier and flipped through it casually.
"Ansu …"
He muttered the name of the ancient kingdom that was in a whirlpool. His eyes were calm, with no hostility or sympathy.
Cecil's sudden rise to power was unexpected. Those inconceivable technologies and the existence of Gawain Cecil made him feel a threat that he hadn't felt for a long time. Therefore, this powerful ruler of the empire couldn't help but think of some 'defensive' matters.
But in essence, he still preferred to attack.
"After this war, the blood of the Ansu people should be almost exhausted …"
Daniel left the Emperor's study and the long corridor in front of the study. He passed through the front hall of the Obsidian Palace and left the palace's main entrance. He walked to the square in front of the palace and took a deep breath before slowly exhaling.
The artificial nerve cord crawling on his back wriggled quickly for a few seconds before gradually calming down.
Thanks to the knowledge bestowed by his master, he was able to successfully control his emotions and reactions. If he had been on the verge of losing control of his mind before, it would have been impossible for him to complete such a difficult negotiation.
After slightly relaxing his mind, the old sorcerer raised his head and began to look for his apprentice who should have been waiting for him in the square.
Mary was not standing where she should have been.
Daniel frowned slightly. He looked around and could not help but mutter, "That idiot … Where did she go …"
He did not have to search for too long. After only a few minutes, he saw the familiar black-haired female apprentice.
Mary had run to the edge of the square at some point and was now squatting in front of a little girl who had come out of nowhere. Looking from afar, Daniel could even see two magical balls of light jumping in Mary's hands.
She was acting like a lowly street clown, running to the square to perform a magic trick for a child passing by?
Daniel was stunned for a moment before he angrily walked over. Even when he was behind Mary, the young female sorcerer did not react. She was still enthusiastically conjuring magical balls of light to tease the little girl in front of her. The little girl opened her eyes wide and looked at the performance of the "older sister sorcerer" in amazement. But she finally noticed the gloomy expression of the old sorcerer and immediately shrunk her neck in fear.
Only then did Mary notice the familiar presence behind her. Her whole body trembled almost subconsciously. She quickly stood up and turned around. Unsurprisingly, she saw the gloomy expression of her mentor.
She immediately lowered her head and nervously clasped her hands together, "Mentor … Mentor … I …"
"What's going on!?"
"This child is lost, I … I just wanted to …"
Daniel was about to say something angry, but when he heard Mary's words, he could not help but be stunned for a moment. He then lowered his head and looked at the little girl.
A lost little girl, dressed decently, so she should not be a child worker from a factory. But she was not at the level where she could enter and leave the palace. She was most likely a citizen who lived nearby.
For some reason, another thought suddenly appeared in Daniel's mind.
A long time ago, when Mary ran into his sorcerer tower in a daze, she seemed to be this big as well …
He raised his head and looked at the female apprentice who had a nervous and even frightened look on her face.
Now, the little girl who ran into the sorcerer tower in a daze had grown up.
If Mary had not run into his sorcerer tower, what would she be like now? Would she be looking at an old sorcerer in fear and waiting for punishment? Perhaps she would be living peacefully by her parents' side, or perhaps she would be married and have a husband …
Daniel's face twitched as if he wanted to squeeze out a pleasant smile, but his shriveled and stiff muscles did not seem to be able to do such a complicated thing. He could only shake his head and reach out to pat the little girl's hair, "Don't run around. If you get lost, your parents will be worried."
He then raised his hand and waved at the guards near the square.
The guards immediately ran over and did not dare to be negligent. Even if the guards did not know the Chief Scholar of the Imperial Institute of Craftsmen, they had seen Daniel walk out of the Obsidian Palace with his own eyes. Naturally, they had to treat him with respect.
"This child is lost. Bring her to her parents. I will confirm this with your commanding officer later."
Daniel casually ordered, and the guards agreed.
After the guards and the child left, Daniel looked at Mary, "You are hopelessly stupid. Even with your status in the Imperial Institute of Craftsmen and your connections in the Parliament of Nobles, you can command any soldier on this street, but you only know how to use a few tricks to coax a child. "
Mary lowered her head and did not dare to make a sound.
Daniel's gaze then fell upon Mary's neck. His gaze fell upon the iron runic necklace.
"Do you remember what I told you? What will happen if you leave the area I set for you?"
It was only when she heard her teacher's words that Mary reacted in shock. She subconsciously reached for the iron bracelet on her neck.
However, before some more terrifying thoughts appeared, she saw her teacher reach out to her. That hand pinched the iron necklace on her neck, and then with a soft click, the iron necklace that had accompanied her for many years was casually opened.
Daniel muttered, "I knew it. Even if you wear this thing, it won't stop you from running around. Better throw it away.
"Throw away the necklace of those idiots when you go back."
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