Chapter 1369 Showcasing Inventions <TOC> Chapter 1371 Split Personalities
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel followed behind Midora, journeying deeper into the serene and narrow corridor.
Midora didn’t disclose the purpose of calling Angel, but with a cryptic tone, hinted that all would be revealed if he simply followed.
“Lord Midora, why is the Research Institute so quiet? Where is everyone?” After treading a silent path for a while, Angel couldn’t help but inquire.
“Others? The Research Institute is usually deserted. Only when a significant item is about to be unveiled do people return.” Midora sighed softly, “I truly hope that the director’s creation can be perfected and revealed soon. Then, everyone will surely return. Perhaps, by then, a replacement can be found to oversee this place in my stead.”
Angel was utterly baffled.
In his mind, the Research Institute held an esteemed position — a place where countless alchemists aspired to be. Yet, the disdain in Midora’s voice was unmistakable. Why?
Without addressing the confusion in his tone, Midora shifted the topic, discussing the members of the Research Institute.
“Currently, less than a hundred members are registered with the Institute. Many have lost contact, either passed away or left this world. Only about thirty remain in touch,” revealed Midora. “Of these, the vast majority, much like you, aren’t originally from Sky Mechanical City but hail from various wizard organizations.”
“Ordinarily, they don’t reside in Sky Mechanical City. They only rush here when there’s news of a new invention at the Institute,” Midora continued, then, turning to Angel, posed a question, “Do you know why they come?”
Angel pondered for a moment before replying, “To learn the latest spells?”
“To master the latest spells, they had set their sights on this innovation long before its inception,” Midora said with a chuckle. “Perhaps you should ponder it further.”
“Was it not for mastering the spell, but rather to gather intelligence?” Angel hesitated briefly, voicing his thoughts.
“Exactly,” nodded Midora. “Indeed, they are driven by the need to acquire firsthand information about this novelty and relay it back to their respective wizard organizations.”
The Research Institute’s creations are unparalleled in practicality and versatility. For wizard organizations, the allure is undeniable, driving them to seek information at the earliest opportunity. If the innovation benefits them, they’d rush to acquire it.
Just as prophecy wizards from various organizations converge during the Star Observing Day at Crown Star Church. Isn’t their goal to attain the latest insights?
“You now grasp why the regional territory of the Savage Grottoes is dubbed the ‘Alchemy Wasteland’, don’t you?”
“Because the Savage Grottoes lack members from the Research Institute?” Angel queried.
“Correct. Or, to be precise, they lacked them until now,” Midora hinted, casting a suggestive glance at Angel.
Angel, slightly flustered, sought the right words. Going by Midora’s insinuation, was he to be the liaison between the Savage Grottoes and Research Institute, or perhaps the intermediary for information? The notion felt somewhat…
“Do you foresee complications?” Midora, discerning Angel’s reservations, remarked, “If it were truly bothersome, would eminent alchemists bother returning? Time will clarify things for you.”
The worth of knowledge, the allure of benefits, and the reciprocity of favors — none of these would lead to regret for those involved.
As their conversation progressed, they found themselves in a grand hall.
The grand hall stood eerily empty, save for a massive mechanical door at the far end. But in the hall’s very center lay an elevated platform, reminiscent of a stage. Atop this platform, a display case sat, bereft of any human presence.
This case bore a striking resemblance to those Angel had seen before, but with one significant distinction——
It was intricately detailed, the epitome of opulence!
Just the materials used for its creation, to Angel’s discerning eye, comprised several exceedingly rare elements. Not to mention, the case was adorned with magical formations and runes.
Moreover, the display case’s placement at the center of what appeared to be a ritual altar suggested it was under the protection of some unknown ritual.
Given such stringent security measures, what invaluable treasure could the case possibly hold?
Angel was irresistibly drawn to it.
Yet no matter from which angle he observed, the case was devoid of any contents.
“Could it possibly contain something only visible in a specific condition?” Angel couldn’t help but turn his gaze to Midora, hoping for an elucidation.
However, as Angel looked toward Midora, he realized that he too was fixated on the sole display case, a trace of melancholy hiding within his eyes.
“That is reserved for a certain Mysterious Object,” Midora revealed.
“A Mysterious Object?” Angel asked, astonishment written all over his face. “You mean to say someone once crafted such an Object?”
Midora hesitated momentarily before nodding, “Indeed, it was crafted. But the aftermath wasn’t as glorious.”
Moving silently toward the display case, as Midora neared the ritual circle, a screen materialized before him. It bore the words: “Name: Unknown (Box of Reincarnation), Effect: Unknown, Creator: Ivo Shpratt.”
Ivo Shpratt. Angel had never heard this name before. He originally wanted to inquire about it from Midora, but Midora remained tight-lipped about the whole affair.
Midora was evidently reluctant to delve deeper. He simply remarked, “Though this Mysterious Object isn’t here, what’s lost isn’t always to be lamented. Move on, in time you’ll understand about him. Dwelling on it now serves no purpose.”
Angel wasn’t one to persistently pry, but he was curious. An alchemist who has touched the realms of the mysterious should be well-known, shouldn’t he? Why had he not only never heard of him, but Midora also seemed disinclined to discuss him?
Shaking off his doubts, Angel continued to follow Midora.
Finally, they stopped before the only mechanized door in the hall. Midora said, “Did you notice the elliptical building atop the Research Institute’s tower from outside?”
Angel nodded, “Is that what lies beyond this door?”
Midora affirmed, “Exactly. Have you ever wondered why, for a Research Institute, it’s filled with display cases? Behind this door lies the answer.”
Midora gestured for Angel to present the access card.
As the card was produced, the door seemed to come alive. The metal transformed into tentacle-like forms, warping to create an entrance.
A blinding light emanated from beyond the passage.
As Angel’s eyes adjusted, he peered inside, his eyes widening in disbelief and his pupils contracting sharply.
“How can this be? Is this…?”
A city?!
Before Angel stood a city of steel, animated entirely by intricate machinery!
As Angel stared in astonishment at the spectacle before him, a bird fluttered out from the doorway, hovering directly in front of him.
Upon closer examination, this bird was not a living creature but a mechanical creation made of brass. Its wings shined with a metallic sheen, and its eyes were adorned with pigeon-blood rubies.
“A fresh face in Enchanted Mechanical City, bring him in,” a languid voice emanated from the beak of the mechanical bird.
Following its announcement, the mechanical bird fluttered its wings and disappeared into a passage, coming to rest atop a tall steel pillar.
Midora addressed Angel, “Come, someone has been eagerly anticipating your arrival.”
Someone? Who could that be?
Still reeling from the shocking scene, Angel shot a puzzled look at Midora. Midora merely responded with a cryptic smile and took the lead into what was truly an Enchanted Mechanical City.
Following Midora into the passage, Angel realized he had entered a metropolis constructed within a vast steel chamber. Complicated layers of machinery, gears, and unidentifiable steam-powered instruments occupied spaces he would’ve otherwise assumed were houses.
“This is Enchanted Mechanical City; its design and even its name are a product of someone’s peculiar taste,” explained Midora.
Before Midora could continue, the mechanical bird from atop the steel pillar interjected, “Peculiar taste? It’s a strong personal preference! Don’t you think it perfectly contrasts with Sky Mechanical City?”
Midora chose to ignore the bird, guiding Angel up a metallic staircase and adding, “In simpler terms, this place is the real Research Institute, or better put, the ultimate Research Laboratory.”
“Indeed, we have a communal large-scale laboratory here, as well as individual labs for all members of the Research Institute.” The response came from a small cat, its half-body covered in machinery, perched atop a steel pillar. Its voice retained the same languid tone from earlier.
Midora noted, “Each researcher does have a private lab, and they’re outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment. However, one must put up with a certain someone’s incessant pestering while here.”
“What you call ‘pestering’, I call networking! Communication! Do you understand?” A crow, perched atop a cogged clock tower, retorted indignantly.
Shrugging, Midora gestured ambiguously and displayed an expression that read, ‘See? I told you. He’s getting all flustered.’
“If it were truly about networking, this city wouldn’t be a solitary haven for just you all year round,” Midora pointed out.
With a disdainful “Hmph,” a mechanical fish, shimmering in gold, leapt from a pool filled with an unidentified liquid. With a swift flick of its tail, it splashed the liquid towards Midora.
Expertly dodging, Midora warned Angel, “The pool is filled with a specially formulated reactive solution. Though it appears stable now, it’ll react violently upon contact with any living entity. This pool belongs to a particular biological alchemist known for their vicious temperament. If you visit in the future, it’s best to steer clear.”
Angel was still trying to process all the information, but upon hearing ‘biological alchemist,’ two names sprang to mind: Bruen and Dongola.
Speaking of Dongola, she was a notoriously ferocious witch. Could it be her that Midora was referring to?
Finally, after navigating an extensive staircase, they arrived at their destination: the pinnacle of Enchanted Mechanical City——The Creation Hall.
Chapter 1369 Showcasing Inventions <TOC> Chapter 1371 Split Personalities