Chapter 659: We're the Real Deal, Honest Trading
Matthew raised his hand, manipulating the components into detailed segments, marking them clearly with data records, and placing them into the magical projection structure of the Elemental Fusion Engine.
The work was tedious and complex, yet it required Matthew's personal involvement.
The Elemental Fusion Engine wasn't particularly large, shaped like a sphere with a one-meter diameter.
But its complexity far exceeded Matthew's expectations.
Over 3,000 parts, large and small, were cleverly interlocked.
Each metal had different material compositions and vastly varied manufacturing techniques.
With Bay Territory's current manufacturing capabilities, a team of elite master craftsmen could be dispatched for entirely "manual" production.
First, solve the issue of "creating something from nothing."
Then, Matthew could compile more data and information to begin constructing production lines, semi-automatic lines, and even fully automated ones.
Matthew had a large appetite, but he liked to savor things slowly—he never had indigestion.
By analyzing the manufacturing principles contained in the Elemental Fusion Engine, Matthew could extract a vast amount of technical knowledge.
This would further strengthen Bay Territory's craftsmanship, magical tech expertise, and mana-tech accumulation.
While continually learning and absorbing nourishment, Matthew hoped the Professionals and researchers of Bay Territory would also leverage their intelligence to create wisdom and technology unique to their domain.
This required time to accumulate, and also policy support.
With this in mind, Matthew methodically stepped outside the seal's entrance and resumed his observation.
Behind Matthew, the civil engineers were hard at work.
They operated large-scale construction golems, assembled on-site, clearing away heaps of rubble and debris.
After purification and sorting, many valuable items could be retrieved from the debris, providing great returns for Bay Territory and the soldiers.
The work of the civil engineers was both important and dangerous.
Each wore two mental protection devices; once one's protection value dropped to a third, they had to withdraw and rest.
Even if they weren't in direct danger, their entry time was strictly regulated.
Though a bit tedious, this greatly ensured safety.
Moreover, shift-based work arrangements ensured the excavation of the ruins would never truly halt.
Although the space here was vast, Bay Territory would clean and develop it bit by bit.
Bay Territory's development was systematic, rarely encountering dangers or exposing flaws.
Facing this situation, Barok felt a helpless sense of panic.
He "stared" deeply at Matthew and unhesitatingly continued to unleash the Words of Chaos.
"What exactly are you doing? Observing the seal? Or digging for treasure?"
Matthew didn't respond, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Ignoring a cunning demon like Barok was one of the best strategies.
"Your bloodline is so powerful—with my help, it can grow even stronger..."
Matthew remained unmoved, meticulously collecting all information on the Elemental Fusion Engine.
"I possess the manufacturing techniques for the Reaper-3000 and other constructs. If you let me out, I'll tell you everything. I swear on my true name!"
Matthew didn't care—he only needed time to retrieve all the information about these construct golems.
If he could enjoy the feast calmly, why take risks?
Still, with Barok constantly rambling in his ears, many thoughts began to form in Matthew's mind.
During his recent collaboration with the old swordsman—
Matthew discovered the biggest obstacle in potion-enhanced transformation and the most time-consuming preparation phase for the Dragoon surgery was mental defense training and reinforcement.
At its core, it was similar to practicing other feats and skills.
Mental defense training, once the basic principles and techniques were grasped, required continual grinding, trials, recovery, and improvement.
By repeating this process and adding in some special techniques and resources, the skill could be mastered and improved quickly.
Matthew's skill parsing ability took this a step further—finding the most efficient, fastest, and optimal method.
Bay Territory had already built a complete training system and facilities for other skills and feats.
However, the newly built mental defense training facilities were falling behind Matthew's demands.
Most could only train from low to mid-level feats and abilities, struggling to support high-level and advanced training.
At first, Matthew considered using "aberrations" and "monstrosities" to build the corresponding training chambers.
But because these beings were so well-sealed, problems arose.
They could no longer exert large-scale mental influence or pressure for extensive training.
In fact, when the swordsmen heard Matthew's idea, they thought he was insane.
Training sword saints and monks in Bay Territory, then putting them through mental training?
That already consumed a lot of the swordsmen's efforts, and a great deal of the aberrations' power.
Originally, Matthew's plan for mass training in mental abilities had fallen through.
But now, he ran into Barok—so "full of energy."
Though this guy wasn't easy to deal with, he had one obvious trait: he was far smarter than most demons and knew how to adapt.
Until Barok had absolute certainty, he would always disguise himself like now—as all kinds of "con artists."
He would use every trick to deceive, tempt, confuse, and control any creatures who approached the seal.
Barok would secretly gather power. Once his control over creatures reached a certain threshold or upper limit—
He would then gather all of them to assault and destroy the seal in one strike.
That's likely how the two Reaper-3000s ended up so heavily damaged.
Mutated monsters over the millennia had worn and torn them down.
So Barok himself could actually become a ready-made "trainer."
Helping Bay Territory's high-level and Extraordinary-level Professionals train mental feats.
Matthew wasn't worried that Barok would resist or withhold his mental spells after realizing his new role.
Barok wasn't the kind of demon who could endure loneliness.
After painstakingly regaining even a bit of power, if he didn't use it, wouldn't it all have been for nothing?
Even more interesting, Matthew wanted to use Barok as a sample—letting Bay Territory's heavy-hitters experience what a Legendary Demon was really like.
Once they'd seen Barok's miserable state and embarrassing condition—
They'd be less fearful when facing other demons in the future, because they'd understand them better.
A psychological advantage, paired with Bay Territory's caution and thorough preparation, could create ideal pre-battle morale.
Naturally, Barok had no idea what Matthew was planning—if he did, he'd be even angrier than when Eiris mocked him.
Right now, he was obsessively "watching" Matthew, burning with curiosity about his power and presence.
Too bad his leisure time was almost over!
Matthew only stayed at the underground seal site for three days before returning to Bay Territory.
In a hidden and secure underground laboratory, the heads of several Bay Territory research institutes had gathered for a meeting.
In the center of the room, an enlarged projection of the Elemental Fusion Engine—more than ten times its size—spun rapidly.
Surging waves of magical energy spread out in the form of energy waves and data values.
Matthew observed everyone's expressions and noticed the passion and excitement in their eyes—he nodded inwardly.
After Bay Territory gave them better research and operating environments, their drive hadn't waned. This was a very good sign.
It also reinforced Matthew's conviction—
He must continue strengthening ideological guidance and foster a positive, forward-looking research culture.
Only through collective effort could everyone in the territory hope to change the terrifying future!
Once everyone had seen enough, Matthew began his introduction:
"This is the Elemental Fusion Engine, the pinnacle of goblin empire ingenuity—a Legendary-grade magical construct!"
"When running at stable power output, it can produce 1,000 energy points per second, with an energy conversion level of 5."
"That's equivalent to releasing 100 Tier-5 spells every second!"
As soon as those words landed, everyone's eyes widened.
Tier-5 spells were immensely powerful—genuine high-level magic!
An enhanced Fireball Spell, turned into an Explosive Fireball, was a standard Tier-5 spell!
Only high-tier spellcasters could cast them!
A hundred per second!
That was like a hundred high-level mages casting spells simultaneously!
Such terrifying power made everyone even more excited.
To give them a clearer idea of the real specs of the Elemental Fusion Engine—
Matthew snapped his fingers, summoning a projection of the Dragoon No.1 Golem and pointed at the glowing energy core in its chest:
"The peak-tier Dragoon No.1 Golem uses a High-Energy Mana Engine, which consumes mana stored in the energy core to provide kinetic force to the construct's body."
"Its high-energy mana generator outputs 180 energy points per second, with an energy conversion value of Level 3."
A gap of nearly 500 times made every team leader suck in a cold breath.
Some who were less familiar with energy conversion immediately began reviewing the related knowledge.
"Every single level of energy conversion is ten times stronger than the previous, just like the spell ring hierarchy."
Once they realized the massive disparity in the data, everyone became even more thrilled about the Elemental Fusion Engine.
If Bay Territory could master the technology and capability to build it, then far more powerful construct golems could be made.
But that wasn't all—Matthew then gave a detailed explanation of the basic composition of construct golems.
He broke down various mechanical structures, emphasizing their functions and manufacturing difficulties.
He also analyzed the effects of each special structure.
Once these were combined, they created a unique synergy.
Everyone marveled at the brilliant design of the Elemental Fusion Engine, diligently jotting down what their lord was saying.
Each person, based on their specialty, understood different aspects.
Macaron was especially skilled in magical mechanical enchantment.
Obsessed with the effects of enchanting tiny components, he studied and tinkered with excitement.
Victor specialized in the coordination of structural systems.
He was awestruck by how every part of the Elemental Fusion Engine was seamlessly interconnected.
He was dying to dive into research and unravel its secrets.
He believed that once he mastered it, his progress would be immense.
Morduncan, quite shocked, carefully examined the mana fluctuation model produced by the engine's operation, his eyes widening.
He could clearly feel that the entire engine's model formed several extremely advanced and powerful magic arrays.
They had deep ties to the large-scale portable magic arrays Morduncan had studied.
Recalling the exact effects of those large-scale arrays and the immense energy output of the engine, he couldn't help but ask:
"If you're just using the Elemental Fusion Engine to power a construct, isn't that a huge waste...?"
Orianna, eyes gleaming, nodded vigorously when she heard that. Thinking of her recent design work, she chimed in:
"It really is like using a sledgehammer to kill a chicken. If you heavily upgrade and strengthen the construct's frame, it'll put too much strain on its agility and size."
"I think it's better suited to large-scale spell effects, massive barrier arrays, and wide-area offensive or defensive force fields."
"Plus, it can not only sustain large-scale magic arrays for long periods, but also rapidly supply energy to power generators..."
As she spoke, Orianna enthusiastically gestured over the magical projection.
A bold and exceptional construct model gradually took shape in her hands.
Morduncan looked at Orianna in disbelief.
Even though he'd mentally prepared himself for the girl's talent, her brilliance still stunned him.
He had clearly witnessed her growth during this period, as half her mentor.
What impressed him even more was how the lord had supported and nurtured Orianna.
Not only had her talent been fully realized, but she had a rock-solid foundation as well.
That made Morduncan deeply envious.
Even if he personally taught his own children, he couldn't provide the kind of comprehensive, well-rounded development Bay Territory gave.
Indeed, Bay Territory had done its utmost to give every child the best possible conditions and education.
Maybe... it was time to stop hesitating.
As for "there"—
Morduncan figured it was time to let go!
In the end, the happiness and future of his own people mattered most.
Just as his mind drifted slightly, the lord's voice and orders rang in his ears:
"Next, production assignments: within 5 days, everyone must produce their respective components and equipment."
"Of course, the quality standards aren't that strict yet—but at the very least, they must reach Extraordinary-level strength and have precise enchantments."
"Because the Elemental Fusion Engine we're producing is currently too large in size, we'll need continued effort to miniaturize it in future development."
Five days?
Producing about 750 Extraordinary-grade components—this was no minor task.
Still, with their current research facilities, it was troublesome, but could be done with some overtime.
What intrigued them more was: once these Extraordinary-grade components were produced—
Could assembling them really create something like the Elemental Fusion Engine?
Morduncan, the most experienced, immediately understood the lord's purpose in scaling up the parts.
Since current techniques and materials weren't up to standard, they were using higher fault tolerance to work through experimentation and research first.
There would be plenty of time to refine it later!