Boom——!!!

A blaze of blinding white light flashed, accompanied by a deafening roar. A cloud-like column of dust rose hundreds of meters high, while sand and splintered wood rained down.

Soon after, a terrifying shockwave swept over, carrying a massive amount of sand and stone, causing the onlookers' clothes to flutter wildly.

After a brief wait.

Aiven waved his hand gently, summoning a gust of wind that blew away all the dust in the shooting range.

"Hmm, the power is about as expected. Confirmed successful preparation. Once metallic hydrogen achieves mass production, Black Gold can almost be directly phased out of our combat sequence."

He nodded in satisfaction, seeing the small grove in front of him disappear, leaving nothing but a large round pit.

While TNT and Black Gold, representing artistic standards, were great and had their moments of glory, to Aiven now, they're like monkeys choosing weapons in a dragon palace—too light and impractical!

Unless the dosage is increased, it's impossible to deliver a killer blow to the varied methods of most Tier 4, let alone serve as a trump card.

The wizards from the "Mechanical Immortality School", utilizing the witchcraft creature [Gravity Core] recorded in the fourth volume of the Inheritance Secret Scroll from the "Life Tree School", and the super hydraulic press from static compression methods.

In a laboratory setting, they prepared a total of one hundred kilograms of [metallic hydrogen].

It appeared bright silver, sparkling under the light, as if it had already turned into real metal.

This recent experiment alone consumed eighty kilograms, equivalent to four tons of TNT!

Standing nearby, in a white robe, Sedric stepped forward, patting his chest in assurance:

"Your Majesty, the raw material for this new type of explosive, 'hydrogen gas', is everywhere. We will find ways to improve the process, design the optimal workflow, and strive to achieve mass production as soon as possible."

Clap—!

Aiven snapped his fingers, very satisfied with the work attitude of this Peak Official Wizard:

"Very good! Mr. Sedric, also start the [Plasma Cannon] project I mentioned to you right away, and come up with an experimental model as soon as possible. The simpler the operation, the better, cost is not an issue."

The essence of the [Plasma Cannon] is actually "plasma", the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas.

The temperature itself can reach millions or even tens of millions of degrees, comparable to the temperature inside the sun. In the face of such an attack in the natural world, any material would instantly be vaporized, with extremely terrifying destructive power.

If a finished [Plasma Cannon] was in hand, Aiven would dare to challenge any Tier 4 Knight already nurturing a [Titled Sacred Artifact] alone.

An attack powerful enough can truly be called an absolute!

You have the "Titled Sacred Artifact" that's unbreakable, I have the [Plasma Cannon]!

You have the "Titled Sacred Artifact" that's far-reaching, I have the [Plasma Cannon]!

But the problem is that while they could use an ultrahigh-strength helical magnetic field similar to a "tokamak" device to produce the required plasma, and Aiven could even handcraft it at full force with the [Meteorological Spirit].

But plasma contains large amounts of positively and negatively charged particles and possibly a few neutral particles.

When constraining it with a magnetic field, the directions of particles with different electrical properties differ completely, and their trajectories become extremely unstable due to Coulomb forces and mutual collisions in between.

Therefore, to fire this powerful "plasma" as a weapon, the emitted particles would only scatter like fireworks.

Moreover, the higher the energy carried by the plasma, the more severe this chaotic phenomenon becomes, posing a direct "burst barrel" risk if used within the atmosphere.

Uh, anyway, even if Aiven himself had the ability to personally experiment, he wouldn't dare to move recklessly. If he accidentally got taken down by his own grand move, it would be laughable.

Luckily.

He has been venturing further along the path of [Money Power], building laboratory after laboratory within the Duchy. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The "Horsetail Weed", harvested in waves using biometallurgy technology, has seen a massive amount of Golden Lion investments, waiting to reap rewards effortlessly.

The key lies in how to coat the plasma with a controllable "magnetic cage".

Upon hearing, Sedric saluted again:

"At your command, Your Majesty! The relevant personnel at the Science Academy will spare no effort to overcome the technical barriers."

Though seeking immortality is the main pursuit, new technologies have immense appeal to the "Mechanical Immortality School", and the [Plasma Cannon] could perfectly upgrade and modify the [Prosthetic Body].

Aiven nodded, casting a glance at the "Snake Witch" who had come over with him for the excitement.

Originally intending to let her coordinate paths for the witches' participation in the [Plasma Cannon] project, but swallowed back the words.

While the "Mechanical Immortality School" is a domesticated wizard school with no loyalty issues, most witches belong to the "School of Truth Gate".

Aiven may just finish developing the [Plasma Cannon], and the "School of Truth Gate" might concoct something bigger.

He isn't into rural technology proliferation or allowing others to reap the rewards, so even if the research progresses a bit slower, it's still acceptable.

After arranging everything, Aiven turned to look at the [Gem Star], already shrunk into a humanoid form next to Olivia.

Once the [Plasma Cannon] is completed, it will be mounted onto this Legendary Battleship, to venture into space and take a potshot at the myriad "Purifiers" filling the skies.

Let's see then who purifies whom!

It seems Aiven's gaze was too fervent, causing the Octopus Girl, less than a day old, to quickly hide behind Olivia, sticking out her tongue at him:

"Bleh bleh, don't think of doing anything weird to me!"

...

Sssh! Sssh!

The air crackled and two streaks of flowing light flashed and chased each other across the small square of Phaletis St. James' Palace, occasionally clashing swords, igniting sparks and thunder that resounded miles away.

Two perfect figures, both with brilliant gold-red long hair, clad in similarly styled fitted armor, outlining their slender and athletic curves.

Muscles flowed like water, easily twisting all the body's strength into one, exploding with terrifying brute force comparable to demons.

Boom!

After exchanging a move of the same lineage, "Secret Sword Art: White Moonlight," the two figures separated to the left and right, revealing two tall beauties with strikingly similar appearances.

"Whew—! It's been a few years, and your strength has improved so quickly, almost catching up to me."

"Hahaha, it's just the benefit of this crown, sister!"

After receiving the Essence Fruit from the "Sea God's Son," Liweina's growth spurt was like boarding the "Gem River" and skyrocketing. Additionally, she received the Goddess's blessing during the decisive battle for "Sea Monarchy."

She has firmly stepped into the ranks of the Peak Grand Knights, even surpassing Stephanie in physical qualities by a margin.

"Let's go, let's wander around the Royal Palace like before. Sister, you must stay longer this time."

The participation of Jelos in the battle had already been noticed by Liweina.

After the victory, Liweina repeatedly invited them, and in the end, Stephanie and the Jelos couple couldn't fully abandon familial ties and returned to the Kingdom Mainland for a visit.

Stephanie now returns without any burdens.

Her sister Liweina has long since secured the throne, and because of her merits in overthrowing the Hilus Overlord, she is greatly loved by the people. Even if Stephanie, the original first heir, reappears, it wouldn't impact her sister at all.

Tap... tap... tap...

The sisters held hands, and their "Venom Armor" reverted to the elegant appearance of court dresses.

"Now Phaletis is busy with state affairs. Seeing you and mother doing well, my brother-in-law and I will return after staying for a few days. I've already avoided my responsibilities, and I don't want to waste your energy any further."

"It's okay. Aiven once spoke to me about the arts of rulership, which makes a lot of sense.

The King only needs to grasp the core powers. Specific affairs can be left to the ministers as long as he doesn't close his eyes or ears and get manipulated, not needing to attend to every detail himself."

When mentioning that name, Her Majesty the Queen's lake-green eyes sparkled with some light.

They chatted leisurely as they walked.

Even though Liweina's life was much more comfortable than Empress Dowager Teresa's of Hilus, the words once spoken by Saint Angel Bellenus were not forgotten by the allied monarchs.

The stride for national development and advancements never paused for a moment.

Currently, there are three focal points in the management of the Kingdom and the alliance.

The first is the newly acquired Peacock Islands.

Aiven has no political demands on the "Peacock Islands," only seeking solid profits.

He doesn't mind letting Liweina take the limelight, as most outsiders don't realize that the Duchy is the majority shareholder of the East Lenz Company. Hiding behind the alliance, being comfortably affluent as the world's second is just fine.

Thus, another jewel was added to Liweina's crown.

The second is the steam industry within Phaletis.

As the first country to initiate the industrial revolution, Phaletis has a solid industrial foundation, leading ahead of all countries on the continent.

After merging with the Galliot Duchy, they are now strikingly dominant.

With the spinning machine and steam engine marking the start of the Steam Industrial Revolution, over the years, they have gradually achieved the invention and application of various machines.

The most basic steam engines are not limited to one type: from single-action steam engines to linkage steam engines, and then to high-pressure steam engines...

The cotton-textile industry has invented various new types of looms and cotton gins...

In metallurgy and mining, there are blowers, rolling mills, pumps, drilling rigs, hoists...

In transportation, there are steam locomotives already in operation and steamships under research...

Most importantly, in the machinery manufacturing industry, they have obtained the "moving tool carriage"—various steam hammers and metalworking lathes.

Liweina and Aiven's goal is to be wholly capable of using machines to manufacture machines and extensively export machinery and "advanced productivity" abroad, marking the completion of the Steam Industrial Revolution.

By then, the entire alliance, from factories to mines, from land to sea, will resonate with the roar, movement, and gallop of machines... together forming the grand tide of this magnificent era.

This is a trend even earlier than the so-called "capital"!

The last is Ugor Island as the connector to the West.

It allows for the endless supply of raw materials that the New Continent, especially the duchy, cannot currently absorb at its industrial level, fueling the Kingdom's steam industry continuously.

Additionally, by controlling the Black Sea route, exerting influence over the entire New Continent, placing a shackle on the formidable "Golden Palm Federation."

Stephanie strolled shoulder to shoulder with Liweina in the familiar yet unfamiliar Royal Palace. Not much else was noteworthy; the ancient palace maintained its consistent style for centuries, not leaving much blank space for later generations to paint on.

However, a group of gardeners in the garden taking soil samples caught her attention, as if to cultivate something.

Noticing her sister's puzzlement, Liweina explained with a smile:

"These are all new varieties of tulip bulbs bought from the Lowlands, rumored to be at a high price."

Though the Tulip Islands, particularly the island where the Tulip Duchy is located, are indigenous to this flower, the true bearer of its glory was the original Frisia Kingdom, now the Lowland Republic.

Both the climate and soil are ideal for cultivating tulips.

Reportedly, there are even guilds organized specifically to control the trade of rare tulips.

"With the rise of the alliance, nobles across the continent are now pursuing this flower. I'll give you some when you leave."

The two sisters giggled at their small talk, not dwelling on such a minor incident.