All along, Cecil and Typhon had taken different technological paths. The former opened up a new path of magical technology, while the latter pushed the potential and application of Extraordinary to a higher level. In the short term, the advantages of the two were inextricably linked, and Gwen had never thought that there would be a day where the two paths would cross.
Unfortunately, it had always been Typhon's specialty to make a fuss about the talents of Extraordinaires, try to select "weak talents" from ordinary people, and use drugs, rituals, and training to catalyze them into genuine Extraordinaires with limited applications. This had always been Typhon's specialty, but Cecil's research in this field was zero.
The Eternal Sleep Congregation had always been active in Typhon, so when faced with the predicament of lacking suitable personnel for psionic singers, Venti immediately thought of Typhon's potions and catalysis technology. But when it came to the details of these technologies … it was obvious that she did not know.
"These things are military secrets. The potions are in the hands of the royal family of Typhon and a few major military nobles, and the catalysis technology is the same. And even if you have mastered these things, you still need to have a matching training method, or the tester will be in danger." Yuri was born in Typhon nobles, and although he had left the circle of nobles when Typhon's mass-production technology matured, he still had connections, and he obviously knew some of the internal information better than Venti. "I don't think we can get this information in a short time …"
Gwen's expression turned serious as he stroked his chin, while Heti beside him said softly, "Do you think Number Twenty-Five …"
Gwen thought for a moment, and slowly shook his head.
He did immediately think of Daniel, who had infiltrated the upper echelons of Typhon. As the most successful spy in Cecil's spy system, Daniel certainly had access to many unimaginable secrets, but it was precisely because of this that the information he could get would be highly territorial, and he would have to bear a higher risk of exposure. The fields that Daniel could be involved in were basically under the name of Typhon's "Imperial Craftsmen Association", and other than that, he relied on his personal connections to inquire about some rumors among the upper nobles and mage scholars. Logically speaking, it was unlikely that he would come into contact with mass-production technology that had nothing to do with his field of research.
Of course, they could also take some risks and let Daniel steal the information, but Gwen thought that the hidden danger was too great. Typhon's rogue agents were not idiots, and Rosetta Augustus was a cautious man. Recently, with the tense situation in Oldenheim, many spies working for Cecil, and even the liaison officer of the "Trajectory" plan, had been captured by Typhon's authorities. Amber had even had to cut off several intelligence lines because of this. Under such tense circumstances, Gwen could not let an irreplaceable spy like Daniel risk his life to steal the formula.
While thinking, Heti suddenly thought of something. "By the way, I thought of someone …"
"You mean our 'guest' in Sorin Castle?" Gwen raised his eyebrows. "I don't think she's willing to cooperate with us on this. Surrendering for the greater good and betraying the country are two different concepts. "
"… Or her father?" Heti thought for a moment. "Bard used to be …"
"Please allow me to interrupt," Yuri said. "First of all, the Wendell family is indeed the most important military noble in Typhon. The head of the family and its heir must have access to this part of the secrets, but I don't think Bard can help. He left Typhon more than a decade ago, and at that time, mass-production technology was far from mature. For many years after, Bard was locked up in the biochemical lab by the All Ends Society. He should not have had access to this information …"
"Let's talk about this later." Gwen thought for a moment and shook his head. "This topic is off topic. We should focus more on the normal research route. Heti, you can try to arrange for someone to contact the Wendell father and daughter, but be careful not to cause the opposite effect. Before that, Venti and Yuri, you should follow the previous plan. First, select some suitable mages and train them. During wartime, our mental defense unit must be put into use as soon as possible. Even if we can only put in a small number of elites, it can still increase the survival rate of the frontline soldiers. "
After everything was settled, Gwen did not stay in the lab for long. Before evening, he had to preside over a Consul meeting.
After leaving the research facility, Gwen and Heti walked on the road to the parking lot. A gust of cold wind blew, and Heti, who did not activate her Breeze Shield, instinctively shrank her neck.
Gawain raised his head and saw that the sky had turned gloomy at some point. Thick, lead-colored clouds covered the land, and a cold wind blew through the clouds. As the air currents intertwined, sparkling and translucent snowflakes fell from the sky.
"It's snowing …" Heti also looked up. The snowflakes falling from the sky were reflected in her bright eyes. She reached out her hand, and a snowflake touched her fingertip, but it turned into a drop of water in a few seconds. "The first snow of the year in the south came really late …"
"It snowed last week in the Holy Spirit Plains," Gwen said. "The Meteorological Research Bureau compared the pattern of rain, snow, and temperature changes over the years. They think that there may be a cold winter this year … colder than any winter in the past 20 years."
"The textile trade with Typhon has been suspended due to the impact of the war. At least before the war ends, we won't be able to get cheap textiles from the East," Heti said seriously. "Fortunately, we have accumulated enough stocks from last year's large purchases and cotton production in the western plains. We don't have to worry about cotton clothes this winter. Of course, if the war continues to drag on, we will have to consider expanding cotton production. This year's baby boom has brought a large number of new people, and this will require additional textiles, medicine, and food supplies. In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture has already made corresponding plans. "
"… The impact has begun to appear … The people of Typhon won't be much better this winter. Many of their railway lines are still unable to operate independently, and a large number of factories are waiting for our finished parts." Gwen shook his head. "This will be a test of the new international rules, and also the first test of the two settlement areas. The people of Typhon will find a way to maintain their market in the southern part of the continent, and our trade with the western part of the continent must continue as usual. The news of the war should have spread throughout the countries by now. Steady trade can strengthen the confidence of our allies and relieve our pressure. "
Heti bowed her head. "I understand, ancestor."
…
When the first snow of this winter fell in Cecil City, another snow also visited Oldenheim City, which was far away in another country.
Compared to Cecil City, which was further north, the snow in Oldenheim City seemed to be gentler. Scattered snowflakes fell on the ground amidst the gloomy sky and thin fog. With a leisurely nature, it took a long time for a thin layer of white to cover the wet ground of the city.
Ferdinand Wendell walked out of the porch and stood in the snow in the courtyard. He was lost in thought as he looked at the luxurious courtyard that appeared to be exceptionally spacious and empty. His attendants and maids were standing not far away, but he felt that he was the only one here.
A year ago, Andesha had stood here to watch the snow with him. Ten years ago, he still had Bard and his daughter-in-law who was still alive. Twenty years ago, he still had his wife, who always had a smile on her face, sitting next to the beautiful fountain under the swing not far away. But this year, he was the only one here.
A bone-chilling wind blew, and Ferdinand felt as if his arms and knees had been penetrated by the cold wind. He finally couldn't help but put up a protective barrier of aura to block off the cold wind from the north, dispelling the snowflakes that were dancing on his body and around him. He couldn't help but smile bitterly in the wind. No matter how intimidating the Wolf General was, there would come a day when he would grow old. But when he was young, he had never thought that he would be standing alone in the courtyard in the wind and snow.
Andesha, who is far away in Cecil City, should be fine … The people of Cecil City shouldn't be so harsh on a general who voluntarily laid down his weapon. Is there anyone accompanying her in such a cold winter?
A voice came from the side, interrupting Ferdinand's thoughts. "My Lord, the wind is getting stronger. You should go back to the house and rest."
Ferdinand turned his head in the direction of the voice, and saw the butler who had accompanied him for many years standing in the snow. Quite a lot of snowflakes had already landed on his shoulders, but he was still standing upright in the wind, as meticulous as a statue.
The time for reminiscing was over, and Ferdinand's expression became serious again. He once again became that intimidating Suzerain of Knight. He nodded his head in a dignified manner, and turned to walk towards the porch. The butler followed him half a step behind, and at the same time, quietly brushed off the snow on his shoulders.
"You sent the servants to the market in the morning, right?" Ferdinand asked casually under the porch. "How's the order there?"
"The prices have stabilized, and the situation of anxiety has improved a lot," the butler immediately replied. "The people are still a little nervous, but it's no longer the fear of being at a loss. Everyone is more worried about whether the price of food will rise again, and when the war will end."
"How many people are discussing the church?"
"There are discussions everywhere, but it's rare to see people who doubt the Nation's Knight Regiment or the Obsidian Imperial Guards, or people who are extreme supporters of the church — at least not in public," the butler continued. "The public evil spirit purification ceremony, as well as the detailed reports and pictures of the contaminated altars and rooms in the church, has a great deterrent effect on ordinary people. Even the most devout believers would say that evil spirits have tainted the church, and no longer insist that the Church of the God of War is pure and flawless …"
Ferdinand nodded slightly, and the serious expression on his face seemed to relax a little.
The atmosphere in the city was taking a turn for the better. Even though some of the nobles were restless, some of the speculators were uneasy, and the upper class was nervous, the overall order in Oldenheim had quickly and miraculously stabilized, and the operations of various key departments were improving at a visible rate.
The supply of food, medicine, and other key supplies had stabilized, and several premeditated acts of price gouging and withholding of supplies had been forcefully suppressed. Some of the God of War priests had tried to resist the blockade with armed forces, but before they could take action, the Obsidian Imperial Guards and the Nation's Knight Regiment had already suppressed and disbanded all rebellions. In fact, as early as a month ago, the churches of the God of War across the country had been closely monitored by troops loyal to the royal family. Even though a portion of the troops had unexpectedly gone out of control, the overall situation was still under the control of the Obsidian Palace.
There were people who were worried that the temporary closure of the Parliament would cause a prolonged and difficult chaos to the ruling order of the entire Empire, but Rosetta Augustus, the royal cabinet, and the Emergency Advisory Group led by him proved everything to the world with extremely high efficiency and resolute execution. Now, everything was starting to develop in a good direction.
At least for now.
The old duke subconsciously pressed his chest, and he touched a hard object the size of a pocket watch. It was a special amulet, and the power of the amulet was currently flowing slowly, infiltrating and protecting him. This amulet made him feel a sense of security, but it also made him understand that some things were far from over.
…
Ever since the start of the war, the intelligence from the frontlines had been continuously transmitted through the communication towers scattered all over the Empire, gathering in Oldenheim and on Rosetta Augustus' desk.
Perhaps this war itself was something that many people did not wish to see, but some of the 'gains' brought about by the war were also real. And to the ruler of the Empire, the greatest gain was intelligence — intelligence about the enemy, and also about themselves.
Rosetta's eyes moved slowly on a document, and Mathilda stood quietly beside him.
In this document, there was a lot of detailed information about Cecil's' Arcanotech Mechanized Troops', including the various automatic war machines, the equipment and fighting methods of Cecil's infantry, the enemy's tactical thinking, the macroscopic layout, and a summary of the report on Typhon's own army.
Every life on the battlefield was turned into experience and reflection on this thin piece of paper. Whether it was for Cecil or Typhon, this was the first time in history that an evenly matched opponent had engaged in such an extensive and in-depth confrontation on the battlefield.
Both sides were learning from each other. Rosetta looked at the intelligence in his hand, and he believed that Gwen Cecil's desk must have something similar.
"Your previous judgment was correct, Mathilda." After a long time, Rosetta looked up and looked at his eldest daughter beside him. "We have to go one step further and introduce the arcanotech technology into the military field. It's not enough to just let the soldiers sit in the arcanotech vehicles or use the factories to produce some weapons. Cecil's people have great potential for war. Although they are now in a stalemate with us, as time goes by, their growth rate will surpass ours sooner or later. And the gap between them, on one hand, is the arcanotech technology, and on the other hand, their … way of thinking. "
"Andesha once told me that she has always been worried that we and Cecil's people will fall into a prolonged war. Their war machines have a short production cycle, and their soldiers are fast in training. They can afford to lose everything. Although our supernatural army has improved a lot compared to the traditional army, we still can't keep up with Cecil's speed in this aspect. A prolonged war is very disadvantageous for us."
"… Time, so we need time," Rosetta said slowly. "I hope we have enough time."
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