Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 547 - 546: Origin Laboratory

Clearly, anyone engaged in research can immediately perceive the significance of this virtual space.

The Eternal Sleepers who created this virtual world are also quite aware of its value—even though Gawain often mocks them for creating a mind network just to daydream. However, from the information Daniel has passed on, it’s evident that the Eternal Sleepers have been conducting technological research on the mind network from the very beginning. The only issue is that they created this ”experimental environment” without developing a matching research model.

In the history of technological development, such ”adaptation delay” incidents are common—the chief Mage of the Meteoric Era in the Gondor Empire had once created a mind core capable of receiving twelve input commands simultaneously, but he never found a use for it during his lifetime. It wasn’t until the latter half of the Meteoric Era that one of the Mage’s apprentices invented the ”Magic Puppet Synchronous Compilation Method,” applying it to the mind core and thus creating the Iron Soldier Corps, the pride of the Gondor Empire.

Similarly, there was the Shock Crystal created by Sir Fao in Anzu year 122 which only after eighty years did people realize could be used with a crystal resonator. Count Topalis crafted the first Ring of Windhowl in Anzu year 455, but it was not until Anzu year 496 that a royal mage discovered the high-frequency resonance phenomenon of wind elements, that this crucial ”elemental sensor” was used in playing the high-pitched parts of court music...

Compared to inventing products, inventing methods for invention is often more difficult, but once it’s formed, it signals the imminent arrival of great technological advancements—the greatest advantage Gawain has is knowing such methods exist.

Next door, the Typhon Empire has also recognized the existence of such methods. Emperor Rosetta Augustus founded the Imperial Construction Association, proving he found the path to initiatively invent however, Typhon’s success is built on decades of accumulation. Their talent quantity and people’s mindset naturally allow the emergence of the Imperial Construction Association, while Anzu doesn’t have these conditions—their talents, technical accumulation, and people’s mentality are lacking.

Therefore, Gawain could only resort to cleverness by forcibly building a similar research system. He established the Magical Technology Department, built the Rune Research Center, Magic Guide Technology Research Institute, Mechanical Manufacturing Facility, and various design bureaus, and now he must also dig out the mind network of the Eternal Sleepers to become his laboratory.

Only this way can he bridge the gap between the Cecil Principality and Typhon, reducing the negative impact of his side’s weak foundation to the minimum.

Rebecca and the others excitedly discussed future application directions of this experimental space, while Aunt Heidi happily calculated how much budget could be saved this way. Gawain remained silent, waiting quietly by the side until Rebecca and others calmed down a bit, then he lightly coughed twice to attract everyone’s attention back: ”Let’s not get too excited, I still need to remind you all about several points regarding ’virtual reality’.”

Jenni was the first to regain her composure, slightly bowing her head: ”Please go ahead.”

”Firstly, although this space indeed simulates parts of the real-world experimental environment—even most of it—its simulation is not 100% reliable,” Gawain nodded, speaking slowly, ”After all, the Eternal Sleepers did not truly create a world. The mind network has limited computing power, and the real-world input parameters are limited as well. So do not completely trust the simulation results here; treat it as part of the experimental methods, not everything.

”Secondly, never forget the ’unknown’ in the field of technology. This experimental space might be able to reproduce most known aspects of our world, but for those we don’t understand—such as the elements’ world, the world of souls, the shadow realm, and the shadow realm—their rules might not operate according to common sense, thus always be prepared for discrepancies between virtual space experimental conclusions and reality.”

Gawain felt it was necessary to emphasize these points—especially the second one.

He didn’t know if this world also had a ”physical chasm between micro and macro domains,” but he believed similar chasms certainly existed. As long as technology progresses, even the most advanced rune logic will someday encounter situations that current theories can’t explain or comprehend. After entering that new domain, experience will fail, formulas will fail, virtual reality will fail, but the scientific thoughts of technicians... should never fail.

Rune logic and magic guide technology are still too young, yet developing too quickly. It may have already faced some setbacks, but it is far from maturity. To prevent this vigorous yet inexperienced new thing from one day being crushed by frustrations or even falling into the abyss of theology and nihilism, he must give them the ”vaccine” in advance.

Rebecca and Jenni listened to Gawain, slightly bewildered, then understood Gawain’s intentions. Rebecca earnestly nodded: ”I understand, Ancestor.”

Gawain nodded in satisfaction, then continued: ”I have already preliminarily set up the virtual environment of this space, and preset some things, which I will later teach you the usage of. And regarding the knowledge of manipulating objects, creating new entities in the mind network, Daniel will instruct you.”

Daniel bowed deeply: ”It is my honor.”

Gawain exhaled, then cast his gaze into the distance: ”Finally, this place should have a new name.”

His gaze swept over the vast water surface and clear sky, in that vast empty place, he seemed to already see the birth of countless new devices and technologies in this experimental space.

”This space shall be called ’Origin Space’, and the laboratory established here will be named ’Origin Laboratory’,” he said, ”This will be a new technological starting point. I hope every one of you will make good use of this place.”

”That’s a wonderful name,” Kamel said in a buzzing voice, ”We will certainly live up to your trust.”

Gawain gently nodded, then looked at Daniel: ”Then let’s wrap up the discussion about Origin Space and Origin Laboratory, next we’ll discuss recent changes in Typhon. Daniel, tell us about your work.”

This moment had finally arrived.

Among the Wanderers from Outer Realm and their many envoys, reporting work as an envoy.

Daniel’s heart could not help but be a little excited, but soon he calmed his mind and slightly bowed his head: ”Yes, my lord—

”As per your command, I have been contacting small aristocrats and emerging merchants groups meeting the requirements and have successfully recruited and persuaded quite a few people. Among them, those of considerable influence are...

”As you expected, Emperor Rosetta Augustus is favoring emerging industries with numerous policies, while vigorously encouraging the emergence and application of new technologies and novelties. He has heartily commended the inventor of the Anglais weaving machine...

”The upper nobility is indifferent to the Anglais weaving machine and textile factories...

”The emperor recently issued new orders, demanding the construction of more roads next year, primarily to connect the northern and southern regions of the Empire, while commanding the widening of canals...”

Just as Gawain anticipated, the advancement of technology will foster the birth of various new industries, and for Typhon’s small nobility, these new industries represent an excellent chance to regain wealth and political status—they are the group that has suffered the most from the Empire’s structural reforms, urgently needing new opportunities to return to the Empire’s political scene, and becoming ”capitalists” is their best path.

On the other hand, the large nobility, who still retain abundant political resources and wealth and have never left the center of Imperial power, react much slower to these emerging industries due to lacking the ”urgency” of the small nobility.

These two groups are destined to create a divide.

And as new businessmen enter the scene through capital and merge with the small nobility to form a new group, this divide will become even more chaotic.

As for Emperor Rosetta Augustus’s support for various new technologies and novelties, his backing of new factories, and his promotion of road transportation... these are things he must do and cannot avoid doing.

Not everyone on site could understand the significance of Daniel’s report, for instance, Rebecca and Jenni were left in a wide-eyed stare, while those who did grasp it—such as Aunt Heidi and Gawain—bore extremely serious expressions.

”You’ve done well,” Gawain stated once Daniel finished his report, ”So you’ve already attracted the initial investors within Typhon’s noble congress... Are your actions drawing attention?”

”No extra attention will be drawn; this is just the operating rule of Typhon’s upper society. I’m doing what everyone else would do,” Daniel replied, ”For someone like me, who held a high position in the Royal Mage Association but was absent for a long term, reconstructing networks upon returning to the imperial capital is very normal.”

Gawain pondered and then asked, ”To my knowledge, most of Typhon’s Pyrostone Acid Plants are located in the north, correct?”

Daniel wasn’t sure why the Wanderer from Outer Realm suddenly asked such a question, but he answered earnestly, ”Yes, most Pyrostone Acid Plants are in the north. Although the south regions have been promoting them in recent years as well, the production and transportation conditions of Fertility Dust are very harsh, and most Pyrostone raw materials come from the northeast coastline, hence its promotion in the south is very slow.”

”Also, just now you mentioned one thing—the main cotton production areas of Typhon are in the south?”

”Yes, nearly seventy percent of Typhon’s cotton comes from southern plantations, but once the textile factories are up and running, the northern areas will inevitably convert to cotton farming on a large scale—relying solely on cotton from the south will certainly not suffice for factory consumption.”

Gawain raised his eyelids, revealing a slight smile, ”But the people in the south don’t know this yet, do they?”

”...What do you mean...?”

”Do you have the capacity to spread news in Typhon’s south?”

”I don’t know the noble councilors in the southern regions,” Daniel said, ”But... I believe there are certainly members in the Eternal Sleepers from southern Typhon since the Eternal Sleepers originated in the south.”

”The Eternal Sleepers?” Gawain was slightly stunned, suddenly realizing he’d overlooked this path—Daniel is simultaneously an agent placed in Typhon and within the Eternal Sleepers, but often he would consider these two identities separately, yet in reality... these identities may be able to function together...

Evil cult followers need to live too. Most of the lower and middle-tier followers cannot dedicate themselves entirely to religious activities, in the real world, they have their own businesses and jobs, for example, merchants, hunters, or... plantation owners in southern Typhon.

New ideas quickly took shape, Gawain pondered briefly and said, ”Good, then spread the news within the Eternal Sleepers, naturally letting the information out—describe the textile factories, let people know that soon there will be a huge demand for cotton in Typhon’s north.”

Daniel quickly understood: ”You’re trying... to make southern cotton plantations blindly expand?”

”In the initial stage, they are not blindly expanding because even if the northern cotton starts planting now, it will take time to supply for factory consumption, hence southern cotton plantations will profit richly first. But once they invest all those profits into expanding plantations... Typhon’s northern cotton should be able to fill the gap,” Gawain looked into Daniel’s eyes, ”As you mentioned just now, the main Pyrostone Acid Plants... are all in the north.”

Daniel met Gawain’s gaze and suddenly realized the Wanderer from Outer Realm’s intention.

In a shiver of coldness, he lowered his head: ”In accordance with your will.”

(Book recommendation, book title ”Tomorrow’s Calamity,” which many people might have heard of, a new book by Bear Wolf Dog. Fantasy category, ingenious concepts, relaxed atmosphere, worth checking out if you’re facing a book shortage; personally, I find it very appealing.)