Process of Civilization (Part 2)

"The process of obtaining this case was actually very complicated."

Shade spoke slowly and undid the clasps on both sides of the case with a click. He was not worried about a self-destruct device inside; at worst, he could use Breath of Time to turn back time.

"I'm guessing it must contain something extremely important. For example, a deployment map of Delarion's southern border forces."

"Or blueprints for the kingdom's most advanced warships, or the method for smelting special alloys."

Angelina guessed as well.

"Or the personal secrets of the kingdom's important officials, or a detailed list of bribes accepted by civil servants in every department."

Leisha said casually. The three of them all looked at the black suitcase on Shade's lap.

"There probably isn't anything more important in this era, anything worth so many top agents stealing, right?"

Shade thought.

Outlander, do you really think those are the most important things?

"She" asked softly. In the somewhat cramped carriage, the sensation of someone speaking beside his ear was quite wonderful.

"Civilization is the most important thing, but how could civilization possibly fit inside a suitcase?"

Shade replied inwardly, then opened the case. Just as he had expected, it was filled with paper materials. Document folders, official papers, letters, blueprints, and all sorts of miscellaneous things were piled together. There were even two books.

That made the suitcase seem less like a classified secret and more like the luggage of some old professor on a business trip.

"What is this?"

He muttered curiously, picking up the first document. By the light of the gas lamp beside the bridge outside the window, he read its title aloud:

"Preliminary Draft of the Design Principles and Schematics for the Second Generation Simple Mechanical Integral Calculator—Data Storage Area Section"

Leisha and Angelina both watched