"Time waits for no one!" Logo sighed.
He really just wanted to develop slowly, build up his strength to a certain level, and then sweep away every force in his path in one fell swoop. He didn't want to get mixed up in all that other messy business.
But fate wouldn't give him a chance to develop in peace.
Logo had already deemed the Russell Family a hostile force.
To deal with an enemy, he could either weaken them or strengthen himself.
"Since things have come to this, I'll have to be more aggressive! So be it. Let's see who comes out on top!"
After Xisi left, Logo closed his eyes and entered the Higher-Dimensional Information Space once more.
He looked around and found the knowledge he wanted among the stars of information filling the sky.
Formulas for two materials.
Strong Vibration Steel-a special alloy with high density, high hardness, and self-sharpening properties. It also had superior energy conductivity, as well as considerable stability and ductility. It was suitable for many branches of heavy industry, and its unique molecular structure made it ideal for rune enchantment, giving it even broader applications and increasing its value further.
Using Strong Vibration Steel as a base and adding different elements could produce a vast range of alloys, with a wide variety of applications and tremendous research potential.
Red Crystal Gunpowder-an alchemical gunpowder. Besides its exceptional explosive properties, it also had high energy, high density, high stability, low sensitivity, low toxicity, and low cost, making it an extremely cost-effective military explosive.
Red Crystal Gunpowder took the form of orange-red granules that closely resembled crystal powder, hence its name.
The technical information for both materials had been plundered by the Aslant Civilization when it destroyed other civilizations. Each had been protected by a technical cipher that was almost impossible to crack with Planet Oklo's current level of technology.
Planet Oklo's arms market was divided into three tiers: high-end energy weapons, mid-range electromagnetic weapons, and low-end gunpowder weapons.
On the magical side, the power of rune firearms varied enormously according to the grade of their runes and the quality of the magic crystals loaded into them, spanning all three tiers.
But most rune firearms were made by hand by alchemists. Although their performance was in no way lacking, their production efficiency was far lower than that of technological weapons, making it impossible to equip troops with them on a large scale.
Weapons made using Strong Vibration Steel and Red Crystal Gunpowder were more powerful than ordinary gunpowder firearms, nearly matching electromagnetic firearms, but cost far less than the latter.
Under the three-tier classification, they would fall into the mid-to-low-end weapons category.
The Gendaya Royal Court mainly focused its research on magitech, particularly "elemental pool" technology, in which it was among the best on Planet Oklo. But it lacked technology in the field of material science.
The more advanced technological weapons used by the Royal Court's troops, such as missile arrays, particle beam emitters, and laser guns, were all purchased directly from the Crimson Alliance.
Lower-end weapons, such as gunpowder firearms and howitzers, were made in its own arsenals.
However, the raw materials used to make the weapons, such as alloy steel and gunpowder granules, still had to be purchased from the Crimson Alliance or the Gonis City-State.
It wasn't that the Royal Court couldn't produce these materials, but at the same cost, their performance and quality were far inferior to those produced by the Crimson Alliance. It was better off buying them.
With Strong Vibration Steel and Red Crystal Gunpowder, the Royal Court would be able to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers for some of its arms, and could even earn foreign currency through exports.
Logo, who submitted the formulas, would also receive a considerable share of the benefits.
After familiarizing himself with the formulas for the two materials, Logo went to the mechanical manufacturing workshop in the laboratory.
The lights on the ceiling cast a soft white glow, bright without being harsh. Mechanical parts lay scattered across the floor as far as the eye could see.
In a corner, two partially formed mechs rested on metal racks.
One was shaped like a tiger, and the other was humanoid.
The former was being made for Crassus. Ever since he had seen Logo building a humanoid mech half a month ago, Crassus had pestered him, insisting that Logo make one for him to play with too.
Logo had no choice. It was his own cat; what else could he do but spoil him?
And so Crassus came to the laboratory at a set time every day to check on the mech's progress.
It made Logo feel like a laborer being watched as he worked, which felt rather strange.
With Lv7 mechanics, he could already build one-star mechs.
For Crassus, however, a one-star mech would be of little use unless it was Legendary quality, providing no particularly significant boost to his combat power.
As for Logo, he was growing so quickly that a one-star mech would likely become obsolete not long after it was built.
He might as well build a two-star mech instead.
Both mechs before him were two-star models.
Endoskeletons, exoskeletons, external armor, engines, energy conduction devices...
The materials used for every part were precious, costing Logo quite a few Ta Pounds.
It was only after becoming first in line to inherit that he had gained a firm grip on the finances of the Campbell Family's direct line and could mobilize vast resources.
Otherwise, his previous savings really wouldn't have been enough.
There was a saying in the Astral Realm.
Every outstanding alchemist was built on a mountain of money.
Knowledge, equipment blueprints, materials... which of them didn't cost money?
Especially later on, when an alchemist wanted to mass-produce troops, the funds required were astronomical. Without a massive power backing them, they simply couldn't manage it.
Of course, alchemists were just as astonishing at making money as they were at spending it.
Earning fast and spending fast was the norm for an alchemist!
Logo went to the material storage warehouse and took out two black cases containing materials he had prepared earlier.
His original plan had been to release Strong Vibration Steel and Red Crystal Gunpowder in six months.
But plans couldn't keep up with change. The unexpected assassination attempt and the establishment of a hostile relationship with the Russell Family had prompted Logo to move his plans forward.
He opened one of the cases, revealing blocks of metal in different sizes and colors. Iron, chromium, manganese, tungsten... fourteen metallic elements.
Logo went to the high-temperature furnace, took out a block of pale yellow metal, and tossed it in.
Time passed slowly. Block after block of metal went into the furnace, where the flames' extreme heat melted them into liquid.
Logo activated the Eye of Insight. Information on forging Strong Vibration Steel flowed through his mind like a stream, and he began working.
The Fire of Birth flared to life. Under Logo's control, it transformed into hundreds upon thousands of energy threads, manipulating more than a dozen containers at once...
Half an hour later, a silver-black metal block, thirteen centimeters in length, width, and height, lay quietly on the forging table, radiating waves of heat.
This was Strong Vibration Steel.
The manufacturing process was not complicated. The key lay in controlling the proportions of the materials and the timing. Following the formula, Logo learned how to make Strong Vibration Steel with ease.
An ordinary technician could probably grasp the basics of its production in around three days.
After making the Strong Vibration Steel, Logo opened the other case.
A multitude of materials came into view. At the very center was a fist-sized red crystal.
Flame Fluid Crystal came from deep within the crusts of magical planets. It was formed when volcanic rock mutated under the combined influence of fire and earth elements. Its reserves were vast, and it was relatively easy to mine, but the material was highly unstable, flammable, and explosive.
The key to the Red Crystal Gunpowder technology lay in controlling Flame Fluid Crystal.
Fully formed Red Crystal Gunpowder wouldn't explode even if subjected to forceful pressure or impact.
It could deflagrate under extreme conditions, and its stability was highly reliable. The material proportions had only been determined after countless experiments, embodying the painstaking work of many researchers.
Naturally, Red Crystal Gunpowder's performance lived up to expectations. When ignited in a gun barrel, its instantaneous deflagration produced several times the kinetic energy of ordinary gunpowder. Its explosive power could also be freely adjusted by varying the number of crystal granules, and it came in over a hundred varieties.
Strictly speaking, the Red Crystal Gunpowder formula Logo had brought out was only one of those varieties.
Using two portions of materials, Logo made about a hundred grams of Red Crystal Gunpowder.
With both materials ready, Logo didn't stop. The best way to test their effectiveness was to make them into a weapon.
The city lord's mansion!
"Go and investigate, damn it! If you can't find the killer, then quit and go home to look after your children!!"
The full-throated roars echoed through the room. Catherine's sudden death had sent the old count into a furious rage, and he had ordered a thorough investigation.
The main reason he was so angry wasn't Catherine's death itself, but the fact that, despite having sent people to keep watch, he still hadn't figured out how she had died. It was as if a curse really had erupted.
It was like a fisherman having his bait eaten by a fish that then swaggered away.
It didn't do much harm, but it was immensely insulting.
No wonder the old count was so angry.
Just then, a guard reported that Sir Logo Campbell was requesting an audience.
The old count was taken aback. He thought Logo had come to demand an explanation. After all, Catherine had died mysteriously in the clan prison, and he, the count, couldn't escape responsibility.
The Gendaya People's clan system was similar to a tribal alliance. Herbert was merely the leader, the chairman, jointly selected by everyone.
The seven families beneath him were the major shareholders, and their leaders likewise wielded considerable power.
"Let him in!"
When Logo entered the hall, the old count came to meet him, his face full of apology.
The old count was just about to speak when Logo produced a stack of documents.
The old count took them in confusion and gave them a quick look. His eyes suddenly widened.
He abruptly looked up and sent everyone out of the hall, leaving only Logo.
"Where did you get this?"
"I picked it up!" Logo spread his hands.
"..."
The old count was speechless. Where could he possibly have picked up technical information like this?
Could it have been from one of the Crimson Alliance's heavily guarded laboratories?
Could you take me along next time you go picking things up?...
Do you have to be so casual about it, you brat?
I may be old, but you don't have to fob me off like that!
But if Logo didn't want to talk, no one could force him.
The old count wasn't one to follow the rules either. Who cared where it came from? It was theirs now!
Before that, however, he had to verify its authenticity.
Logo had come prepared. He pulled a handgun from his waist and explained, "This is a large-caliber handgun. Its main material is Strong Vibration Steel. It's twenty-four centimeters long, has a caliber of 9.21, and holds eleven rounds. It's loaded with Crimson Crystal bullets and has an effective range of eighty meters. Its power is maximized within thirty meters, where it rivals a sniper rifle. The drawback is its heavy recoil. Without enough strength, you'll lose accuracy..."
The old count took the handgun and tested its feel. He instantly became so fond of it that he couldn't put it down.
Because Logo had forged and polished the handgun by hand, his alchemist's perfectionism wouldn't allow any flaws in his work.
Both its feel and appearance were superb. To an old man like the count, who had spent half his life in the military, the gun was the finest work of art.
"This gun is mine!" the old count declared rather domineeringly, like an old child.
Logo shrugged and said indifferently, "As long as you're satisfied!"
"Come on, let's test its power. Let's hope it's not just for show." The old count bustled out of the hall with the gun, Logo close behind.
The two found an open area at random. The old count raised the gun, aimed at a large tree in the distance, and pulled the trigger.
Bang, bang, bang-
The gunshots rose and fell in a pronounced rhythm, carrying a distinctive beauty.
Large holes appeared in the trunk, passing straight through it.
After emptying the magazine in one go, the old count let out a satisfied breath.
Based on his many years of experience with guns, this handgun's power was unquestionably unmatched among the gunpowder firearms on the arms market.
Only electromagnetic firearms could surpass it.
But the latter's cost was what it was. High-energy batteries were too expensive, keeping their price consistently high.
"What are you planning to do?" the old count asked, tucking the handgun into his waistband.
"Submit it to the Royal Court."
"Mm, that's what I had in mind too. The interests represented by Strong Vibration Steel and Red Crystal Gunpowder are too great for the clan to protect. We're better off handing them over to the Royal Court. Those above us naturally won't treat us unfairly." The old count was old, but his mind was clear.
The test had thoroughly convinced him of the two materials' value. Arms made with them as a foundation could perfectly fill a major gap in the arms market, and the scale of the interests involved was easy to imagine.
The Red Maple Clan could certainly keep the formulas for Strong Vibration Steel and Red Crystal Gunpowder to itself and make a fortune, but it would inevitably attract the attention of stronger powers. A snake that tried to swallow an elephant would choke.
Besides, the nominal head of the Red Maple Clan was currently the Sunset Lord.
If the latter demanded the formulas for the two materials, would they give them to him or not?
But if they submitted the formulas and technical information to the Royal Court, everything would be easier.
With the Royal Court as a backstop, their returns would be smaller, but so would the risks.
"For now, please don't tell the other families about this," Logo reminded him. "Since we're concealing the source of the information, we should do it thoroughly. Give the outside world the impression that the Royal Court already possessed both materials, and leave the Red Maple Clan out of it. At least publicly, we can't admit that the two materials came from us."
"Mm, since you provided the technical information, you can handle it however you like. Come to think of it, an old fellow like me has benefited from your efforts this time, picking up such a great contribution for nothing."
Herbert was in an excellent mood. His anger over Catherine's mysterious death had been swept away.
As the current Count of Red Maple, he received a share of the credit for all the clan's contributions.
Perhaps the credit for presenting this technical information would give him enough contribution to the clan to obtain another Legendary resource.
The old count had once attempted to break through to Legendary, but unfortunately, he had failed.
A supremely precious Legendary resource had been wasted for nothing.
He had already given up hope. In a few more years, his bodily functions would completely deteriorate, and he would enter the halls of death.
Who would have thought that, at this critical moment, Logo would suddenly present him with such a great gift?
The old man's once-cold blood seemed to have been infused with new vitality, and his whole being blazed to life.
His bearing also changed noticeably, becoming full of drive and vigor.
Logo was a little bewildered. What's going on?
Has the old man found a second spring?