Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Revolutionary Magitech
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"You think that's possible? Even for illusion magic, pulling off something on that level would require the precise mana control of a grand archmage and a massive amount of data."
Illusion mages didn't study countless laws and phenomena for nothing.
But was it realistically feasible? Unless there was some massive repository of information data stored somewhere, running on algorithms with exquisite precision, the mages of the Magic Tower shared the view that it was utterly impossible for them to replicate.
"There's no material capable of that in the first place. No ingredient I know of could make it work."
Without knowing the processing method for moonstone, the virtual reality illusion artifact might as well have been a figment of imagination to them.
"So it's just a rumor?"
"That's what we think. Probably some scam to fool people who don't know much about magic."
"But one of the imperial elders..."
"Imperial or not, I'm telling you it's impossible! Even a grand archmage would need an enormous amount of power to manifest illusion magic that precise, and on that scale!"
"Hey, if it's not possible, just say so without the attitude..."
The other mages shook their heads.
"Anyway! We've already sent someone from the Magic Tower to verify the facts, so we'll get an answer soon."
At those words, sparks flew from the door, and an old woman shrouded in a robe stepped in.
"I'm back, you old coots."
"Lord almighty, did that hag actually go?"
"When's that old bat finally gonna kick the bucket? Hurry up and go plant some black flowers already."
They grumbled irritably, but it seemed routine.
"When the well's dry, even the thirsty dig. I had to go myself since I was curious."
The counterpart was a count's family of the empire. They needed to send someone of equal stature.
"So, what was it like when you saw it?"
"You eager for the results?"
"Of course I'm curious. The empire's in an uproar over that artifact."
At that, the old woman fell silent with a serious expression.
Was she choosing her words?
The other mages gulped, watching intently.
About a minute passed like that.
Then the old woman flashed a mischievous grin and raised her middle finger.
"Not telling."
"You crazy old hag!"
"Wanna throw down, huh?! Come on?!"
The mages erupted in fury at the disappointing punchline after the long wait.
The old woman waved them off and plopped down in her seat.
"Tsk tsk, just kidding. I went and saw it myself."
"Fine. But if you drag it out for another minute, it's war on the Magic Tower."
"What a pain... I don't even know what to say."
Uncharacteristically, the old woman stared at the table with a deflated look.
"Is it magic? The answer to that is no, not quite."
The mages tilted their heads.
"Not magic? So it exists, at least?"
"Yeah. More like a product of magitech. A machine powered by mana. Some enormous data stored in the artifact, running with exquisite precision."
"So it's purely magitech?"
"Not quite that simple. Magic's mixed in here and there."
The old woman spoke calmly, then continued.
"But honestly... I couldn't figure out a single thing about it."
"What?"
"A grand archmage like this old bat couldn't make heads or tails of it?"
She closed her eyes at the question.
"Yeah, magitech. Feels different from conventional magic. But I couldn't fathom its structure or what materials it used."
Her face was dead serious as she confessed she wanted to disassemble it right then and there.
"It's a revolution."
That short phrase plunged the mages into shock.
"How the hell did the Berner family make something like that..."
"Not the Berners. The creators are somewhere else. But... the young lady of House Berner wouldn't say who she bought it from..."
She'd only experienced the absurd thing firsthand.
"Want a cold, hard assessment?"
"Spit it out."
"I majored in magitech. I can give a rough estimate. By my standards... it's at least 200 years ahead."
At those words, ambition flickered in the mages' eyes.
But one Magic Tower lord thought differently.
'A mysterious magitech product 200 years ahead?'
Coincidentally, he'd just received a report on something similar.
Damn it all...
He cursed inwardly. Everything had gone sideways because of that blunder by some low-rank mage.
-So the empire's in a frenzy over it?
"Yeah, that's what I heard. Apparently, it's blowing up among high nobles as an artifact to paradise. Good thing we kept the source hidden."
Selling the items was fine, but excessive attention was poison.
Melissa knew that well.
"This thing... could make a fortune, right?"
-Your ancestor makes them for you?
"You can just make them."
Leon’s voice carried disbelief at the bold, shameless demand.
-You're out of your mind.
"Hear me out. I've been thinking."
-Don't. Just don't, seriously.
Melissa was unfazed.
"Let's release a few through the merchant guild and see how they do on the market."
To gauge its value and potential demand.
-Test the market, huh?
"Exactly. No harm in trying."
-Disclaimer accepted.
"Deal."
She replied coolly.
-How many we talking?
"Around 30."
30. Not a huge number, but not small either.
Considering the empire's scale, it was actually modest.
"For starters, let's put that many out there. I have a guy from my academy days in the guild. I'll send him the materials list."
-Not worried about the guild figuring it out?
"He's from a small guild, so no deep entanglements. Solid reputation, and trustworthy with money."
Melissa shuddered as she recalled an academy connection.
"Though she's a maniac when it comes to cash."
Melissa was pretty shrewd herself, but this guild lady took it to another level.
A money-obsessed fiend.
She trembled recalling the black-haired girl from the student council days.
Supposedly from some minor noble house in a small kingdom, but who knew the truth.
What mattered was her skill, regardless of background.
"By the way, big brother."
-From headbutts to full-on headbutt dinosaur. You're giving me chills acting all sweet.
"I asked for this, but are you sure it's okay? If it spreads, won't they steal the tech or something...?"
It was a valid concern, given her limited magitech knowledge. The Magic Towers she knew could copy anything after one glance.
Leon explained confidently.
-Well, I don't know the level of the Magic Tower mages or magitech experts, but unless they crack my hidden security and access the internal data...
His voice brimmed with confidence as he trailed off.
-Replicating a big data mass accumulated over thousands of years? Tough, right?
"Thou... sands of years?"
-No big deal. That's how hard it is. They probably won't get it even if they see it.
It was built to the Sage's Hall standards, mixed with necromancy.
From a necromancer's view, they'd grasp maybe half; the rest would be baffling.
"Then it's yours."
Melissa immediately sent a letter to her academy classmate.
And merely half a day later.
A girl with sleek black hair and a sly smile visited House Cascadia.
Lustrous ebony locks, blue eyes, porcelain skin to match.
Western continent stock?
"Nice to meet you. Melissa's told me all about you, Young Master Leon Cascadia."
"Uh..."
"Oh right, silly me. I'm Aurora. Call me Aurora casually; I'd appreciate it."
No family name usually meant commoner, but hard to be sure.
A confident smile.
Harmless-seeming grin was her trademark.
Melissa had sent the letter just half a day ago.
Yet here she was already?
No teleport gate involved, either.
"You arrived sooner than expected. Quite the surprise."
"Of course~. Melissa's proposals don't come often."
Her smiling affirmation matched Melissa's description of her academy friend.
"Melissa doesn't make proposals often?"
"She doesn't beg favors unless it's a sure thing."
Worth praising, that trait.
"Our Planetaria Guild may be small, but we have multiple trade routes. Whatever item you wish to sell, we can exceed your expectations."
Born a merchant, Melissa had called her.
She cut straight to business, so I handed over one of the virtual reality artifacts I was making.
"Sales agency. I provide the goods, and you handle distribution."
"Arti... fact, huh?"
Her eyes narrowed briefly. Quick appraisal, then back to normal—impressive finesse.
After a pause, her eyes widened.
"No way... the virtual reality illusion artifact?"
She'd only pitched the business vaguely, without details on the item or source.
Yet she clocked it instantly.
"Sharp eye."
"Hehe, a slow merchant lacks talent. To see the hot item buzzing in the Pascalia Empire firsthand... and made by Melissa's big brother, no less."
There was bite in her words.
"Did Melissa say something about me at the academy?"
"Hmm... that's a secret for the lady herself. Friends, you know? Though she never mentioned you being so handsome and polite."
Friends?
She lightened the mood effortlessly, lowering guards.
I narrowed my eyes.
Thinking back, Melissa must've trashed me gleefully at the academy.
Can't blame her. I did the same.
She examined the item closely, then asked.
"Mind if I test it briefly?"
Mischief twinkled.
"Stock's 30 including this. You know it becomes used after one go, right?"
She didn't flinch at my smile.
"Maker's premium. Means higher price."
"Go ahead. It'll take time to inspect anyway, so I'll return in two hours. Instructions are built-in."
"Ah, thanks for the consideration."