Chapter 190: Chapter 186: Technology Acquired

The Odyssey entered the docking lane, appearing exceptionally nimble amidst a fleet of massive transport ships.

Allen handed over control of the Floating Ship to the port tower. He had already scheduled a meeting with his master and went directly to the fortress’s top floor through a private corridor.

Master Mercer’s back was to the entrance. He was still standing on the command platform, surrounded by countless screens of light, as if he hadn’t moved an inch in the past two years.

Allen didn’t make a sound, standing quietly to the side so as not to disturb him.

He knew that the amount of information his master could process at once far exceeded what an ordinary person could even imagine.

"Mining Area B-7 was ambushed by Tunnel Worms? We lost three large Mining Golems?"

Mercer’s voice was flat. "Send the Third Patrol to clean them up. Have the loss report and worm tissue samples sent to the lab to check for any new mutations."

"Order the 9th Golem Legion to advance fifty kilometers east and repel that large Crystal Shell Giant Scorpion population."

After dealing with the most urgent matters, the screens of light surrounding Mercer slowly faded away.

He turned, his deep blue, crystalline eyes falling upon Allen as if they could pierce straight through his soul.

"You’re here." Mercer’s tone was flat; to him, three years seemed like only a brief separation.

"The development of your territory is seventeen percent faster than I predicted. Not bad."

"Thank you for choosing my starting location, Master," Allen said with a slight bow.

"That isn’t praise. It’s data."

Mercer walked up to Allen, his gaze lingering for a moment. "Your Spiritual Power is solid, and your total Magic Power has increased considerably. It seems your zone is on the right track."

A chill ran down Allen’s spine. ’In front of a Morning Star Wizard,’ he thought, ’it’s like I’m completely transparent.’

He got straight to the point. "Master, I need a piece of technology that isn’t on your personal inventory list."

"Go on."

"A miniaturized ’Magic Power Furnace,’" Allen’s voice was firm and steady. "One with enough Magic Power output to drive a Level 3 Golem with supersonic maneuvering capabilities."

The faintest hint of an expression flickered across Mercer’s face.

"Quite an appetite."

Countless streams of data seemed to flash through his deep blue eyes. "You should know, the ’Magic Power Furnace’ is an advanced technology of the Alchemy School. Half the value of your own workshop is tied up in the one you have."

"I understand."

Allen nodded. "I came here to purchase the technology directly. I have the funds ready, and I hope for your approval."

Mercer gave the student before him a long, deep look.

’In just three years, he’s grown into a Warlord bold enough to ask for core technology. It seems he’s planning to build a large-scale Level 3 Golem.’

Level 3 Golems correspond to the Official Wizard stage, a significant leap. The difference between an entry-level model and a true High-Level Golem was night and day.

Even he was slightly surprised by this rate of growth.

"Alright." Mercer’s reply was so direct and decisive it caught Allen by surprise.

"The stronger your Golems, the more territory you can help me conquer."

"This technology is called the ’Singularity Engine.’ It’s an early design from our lineage. Its energy conversion rate isn’t top-tier and the power output is merely average. It’s not enough for a workshop, but it will be sufficient for your current Golem."

"Most importantly, it will expose you to a new technological field. After you’ve gained more experience, you can modify and upgrade it to develop your own creations."

"Additionally, I must warn you of two limitations regarding this technology."

"Please, continue."

"First, the engine is massive. Even the smallest model is over three meters tall. If your Golem isn’t at least ten meters tall, it will be very difficult to install."

A thought struck Allen.

His Freedom Gundam was eighteen meters tall. The torso had been designed with plenty of extra space, originally reserved for a cockpit. ’If I remove that section and expand the Energy Storage,’ he realized, ’it will fit perfectly!’

"No problem. My Golem is tall enough."

"Second." Mercer gestured to a crystal panel. "Once this engine is ignited, it will continuously draw on the ambient Magic Power in the environment unless the core overloads or it is manually shut down. It creates a massive disturbance, making it impossible to conceal."

"Understood," Allen nodded.

’As long as it can move, who cares about a little noise? That’s the roar of a powerful engine!’

Finally, Mercer held up a single finger.

"Two thousand Mid-Level Magic Stones."

Two thousand Mid-Level Magic Stones—the equivalent of two hundred thousand Low-Level Magic Stones.

It was a price that would bankrupt the vast majority of First-level Wizards.

But for Allen, who now had liquid assets in the millions, it was a painful but affordable expense.

"No problem, Master." Without a hint of hesitation, Allen initiated the transfer from his personal terminal.

[Transaction Complete]

A flash of approval showed in Mercer’s eyes. He appreciated such decisiveness.

He raised his hand and tapped the air. A silver data chip, shimmering with complex Runes, materialized and slowly floated in front of Allen.

"The complete schematics for the Singularity Engine, the Rune Matrix models, and all related theoretical knowledge are on here. How much of it you can grasp is up to you."

Allen solemnly took the chip. It was cool to the touch, yet it felt as though he were holding a beating, red-hot heart.

The problem that had plagued him for nearly a year was finally solved!

The Freedom Gundam was about to be truly reborn.

"One more thing." Mercer retracted his hand, his tone becoming serious again. "The Molten Iron Mountain Range plane has been restless lately."

Allen’s expression grew taut.

"Are the Magical Beasts running rampant again?"

"Yes, the Magical Beasts are running rampant, frequently attacking mining sites all over. On top of that, Black Wizard activity has also become more common."

On Mercer’s holographic sand table, several blinking black dots appeared at the edges of a few vast, red-colored regions.

"A group of lunatics has popped up out of nowhere recently, frantically attacking our resource points. We’ve managed to repel their probes a few times, but their activity is increasing. In one encounter, a First-level Wizard from the Mind School under my command fell."

"Your Zone 18 is on the western edge of the defensive line, far from the main battlefield, but you must still be extra careful."

"I understand." Allen committed the warning to heart.

’For Master Mercer to issue a personal warning, the threat these Black Wizards pose must be far from ordinary.’

"Go on, then." Mercer waved his hand dismissively, turning back to the holographic sand table.

Allen bowed once more before turning and exiting the command hall.

With his greatest concern resolved, his mood lightened considerably. He planned to head to the fortress’s materials exchange to purchase the rare materials needed to build the "Singularity Engine," as well as to replenish his own training supplies.

’A two-hundred-thousand Low-Level Magic Stone transaction... Before, I wouldn’t have even dared to dream of it, but now it feels like a bargain. Having money really does give you confidence.’

As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, the noisy clamor of the fortress flooded his ears once more.

He was contemplating what else to buy when a staff member in a fortress logistics uniform suddenly blocked his path.

"Excuse me, are you Lord Allen Wesren?"

Allen stopped and glanced at the man. A low-level apprentice with no dangerous Magic Power fluctuations.

"I am."

"Whew, I’ve finally found you, sir."

The staff member wiped sweat from his brow and carefully brought out a tightly sealed metal box from his storage pouch. "There’s an express delivery for you. It came through the cross-planar Teleportation Array, addressed specifically to you."