I Aggressively Stack Steel of the Heart in the Knight Order

Prototype technology was called ’prototype’ not only because it was rare and powerful, but more importantly, because the technology itself was unverified and extremely unstable.

Even the developers of the prototype technology couldn’t predict some of the uncontrollable consequences.

Furthermore, this technology had not been formally recognized by the Imperial Administrative Region or the National Church. Illegally using it on an Imperial Knight posed a tremendous threat to the user.

It carried the risk of being deemed a heretic by the Judgment Court.

This was part of the reason Agate sought Reinhardt’s authorization.

With the exception of Raphael, every member who joined the Vengeful Angels project was an experienced veteran who considered matters with far greater depth and caution.

Moreover, with Reinhardt’s authorization, Agate, as a Mechanical Sage, could mitigate many risks for himself within the Mechanical Order.

Most importantly, for safety reasons, the illegal use of protected prototype technology required the endorsement of a powerful figure with high status. This was not just for him, but also for Matthias.

Grand Governor Sedon may have initiated the Vengeful Angels project, but he was a political powerhouse, a leader of an Administrative Region caught in a vortex of complex power struggles. If this matter caused a conflict between him and the Mechanical Order... Agate could not predict the outcome.

In such a situation, the authorization of another powerful figure was crucial.

The only candidate was Reinhardt.

After becoming a Mechanical Sage, Agate’s vantage point from the upper echelons of the Mechanical Order gave him a completely different perspective than when he was merely a Technician Soldier.

Perhaps in the eyes of Manon and Raphael, Reinhardt, the leader of the Vengeful Angels project, was merely their Tactical Captain.

But in the eyes of the top rulers of the major powers, all intricately entangled around the Imperial Administrative Region, the Emperor’s Vengeful Angel—Reinhardt—was, in fact, a new powerhouse who had risen within the region.

He was closely tied to the dynastic Overlord of the Capet Family.

On Verne World, a planet whose citizens were exceptionally fierce warriors, more than half the faithful worshiped not only the Emperor but also the Vengeful Angels who had saved them from their suffering.

These zealous followers were especially prevalent throughout the various Legions on Verne.

In recent years, as the National Church recognized the legitimacy of the Fire of Vengeful Sect, the sect has continuously expanded. It has even begun to spread among the major Battle Groups stationed on Verne.

In other words, the major powers in the Administrative Region were deeply wary of Reinhardt.

They knew that if this Vengeful Angel issued a call to arms, his influence within the military on Verne World gave him the potential to become one of the most powerful warlords in the Imperial Administrative Region.

And with such a solid foundation to rely on, Reinhardt’s personal power was also undeniably immense.

This was made clear when he executed a Judge, and the Judgment Court—an organization accustomed to wielding special privileges and acting with impunity throughout the Empire—chose to quietly drop the matter.

Furthermore, some leaders of factions within the Administrative Region privately speculated that Reinhardt was very likely to become one of the region’s titans in the future.

As a veteran with two hundred years of service, Manon was vastly experienced, even if he wasn’t skilled in politics.

His brow furrowed, and he looked up at Reinhardt.

”Sir...”

Reinhardt didn’t immediately authorize Agate. Instead, he asked, ”I need to know some of the details of this technology.”

’This response was entirely within Agate’s expectations. If he had agreed so recklessly, he wouldn’t be Lord Reinhardt.’

”I’ve already explained the effects of the Alchemy Potion I injected into Matthias. Even if I repair his wounds, it’s highly unlikely he’ll regain consciousness on his own.

The Mighty Melting Furnace is an Artificial Level Extraordinary Creation personally designed by Great Sage Gneus for the Artificial Angels project...”

As he spoke, Agate showed Reinhardt the object he had taken out. It resembled the Wizard’s Secret Treasure implanted in the back of Lady Catherine’s neck. ”Unlike traditional Imperial Legions,” he continued, ”which require a Lord of the Legion to personally distribute Legendary Power to their subordinate Battle Groups.

Mass-produced Mighty Melting Furnaces can not only be used to arm large numbers of modified Imperial Knights, but they can also house Legendary Powers from various systems, drastically increasing the combat effectiveness of the Artificial Angels.

The more Legendary Powers it houses, the higher the creation Level of the Mighty Melting Furnace becomes.

The one I’m holding is one of three prototypes gifted to me by the Great Sage. Due to confidentiality protocols, I cannot disclose the materials or technical details. However, this Mighty Melting Furnace was personally forged by Great Sage Gneus. It contains the Legendary Power of the Emperor’s Shield and the extinguished Power of Radiant Angels.

These powers can help Matthias stand again, but the consequence is that once implanted, it cannot be removed.”

This was the first time the usually taciturn Agate had said so much at once in his cold, mechanical voice.

Manon’s brow furrowed after hearing this. ’The Legendary Power of the Emperor’s Shield?’

”Are you referring to the Steel Cable Muscle Power?”

Agate’s Mechanical Eye, which glowed with a faint blue light, twitched slightly, but he remained noncommittal.

As one of the Old Empire’s Main Battle Corps, the Emperor’s Shield naturally had its own Legendary Powers, and Steel Cable Muscle Power was just one of them. An Emperor’s Shield Knight who acquired this power would develop extremely dense muscle tissue. Their raw physical power would be comparable to a Destruction Knight, and their defensive capabilities would be immense.

Manon himself possessed the Steel Cable Muscle Power.

However, now was not the time to question how the Mechanical Order had obtained the top-secret Legendary Power of the Emperor’s Shield Legion. Gazing at the deeply comatose Matthias, whose Knight Power was steadily fading, Manon’s tone became urgent.

”We don’t have any more time, sir.”

Reinhardt was silent for a moment. ”In my capacity as leader of the Vengeance Angel Squad, I authorize you. Perform the surgery.”

As Agate cut open the back of Matthias’s neck to implant the Mighty Melting Furnace, Reinhardt, who had already risen to his feet, stood over him. Looking down at the Mechanical Sage, he asked in a cold voice, ”If you can save Matthias, this will be a mark of merit for you. But afterward, you will give me an explanation regarding this Mighty Melting Furnace.”

’The very fact that Agate possessed prototype technology personally created by the Great Sage was highly suspicious.’

’Agate had produced the Extraordinary Creation without hesitation the moment Matthias was grievously wounded. It was almost as if he had been prepared.’

Agate, focused on his work, made no attempt to hide the truth. His cold, mechanical voice was frank, yet it was filled with the Mechanical Order’s characteristic disregard for life.

”The Great Sage possesses a profound wisdom we cannot imagine, Lord Reinhardt.

Before we carried out the Radiant Angels rescue mission, he ordered me to carry this piece of prototype technology with me. If one of us was critically injured and near death, they would become the perfect test subject for the Artificial Angels project.

If an Imperial Knight with high-intensity Extraordinary Power is compatible with the Mighty Melting Furnace, then the subsequent mass production for the Artificial Angels project can begin immediately.”