Chapter 555: Technological Revolution (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 555: Technological Revolution (2)
Park Cheol-min no longer had any reason to hide the truth.
Having received direct permission from Roman Dmitry, he spoke frankly to the Master of Miracle, whose eyes were shining with expectation.
"All thirty-one swords supplied to the Directly Controlled Unit were personally forged by His Majesty, Emperor Roman Dmitry. I don't know the exact process behind their creation. But what I do know for certain is that the core elements capable of sparking this technological revolution you speak of, Master of Miracle, originate entirely from His Majesty."
"...Are you seriously asking me to believe that?"
"Did you not ask me for the truth? Hard to believe or not, that is the reality of the situation."
The Master's eyes wavered.
His name was Park Gwang-deok. Even before the Great Disaster, he had been hailed as a master artisan. With the dawn of the new era, he had dedicated his life to forging mana weapons. With his shock of white hair and piercing gaze, he prided himself on being a true artisan in this field. Thus, the shocking truth Park Cheol-min had just dropped was difficult to swallow.
This is the work of His Majesty the Emperor?
He looked down at the object resting on the table. Ordinary people might not recognize its value, but that single sword undeniably possessed the qualities to turn the entire mana weapon market upside down. To think such a masterpiece was the work of Roman Dmitry... it was only natural for him to be thrown into a state of utter confusion.
Roman Dmitry.
The Emperor of the Korean Empire.
A monster who had quelled the Great Disaster with a single sword, eradicated the corrupt Central Government, and swept away Russia—a world-recognized superpower—in one fell swoop. Following the dissolution of its previous regime, a new government had been established in Russia. They had sent a formal apology to the Korean Empire, admitted defeat, and adopted a staunchly pro-Korean stance. Things that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago had become reality, all because of a single man: Roman Dmitry.
He walked a truly unprecedented path.
Roman Dmitry was a being who rewrote history through sheer personal might alone. Thus, the idea that he also possessed peerless crafting skills defied all common sense. In the past, Lee Tae-seong had shown the exact same reaction. No matter how much one relied on a 'Crafting Skill' to forge mana weapons, the realm of true artisanship required decades of dedication to birth a fine weapon based on perfect mastery. For Roman Dmitry, a man who appeared to be only in his twenties, to possess both absolute martial prowess and master-level crafting skills was an impossibility.
It was unbelievable. He simply couldn't believe it.
And yet...
If it is His Majesty, Emperor Roman Dmitry, it might actually be possible. He is a man who completely transcends common sense.
Park Gwang-deok swallowed hard.
Roman Dmitry was revered as a god within the Korean Empire; even Park Gwang-deok could no longer dismiss the claim as impossible. If Roman had been a being bound by common sense, he would have failed at every turn—whether it was resolving the Great Disaster, dismantling the Central Government, or waging war against Russia. By the standards of ordinary people, he should have perished. Yet, had Roman Dmitry not triumphed over them all to establish the Korean Empire?
He didn't believe in common sense. He believed in the man himself.
If Park Cheol-min's words were true, Park Gwang-deok had to learn the technique used to forge that sword, no matter the cost.
A method to drastically improve the physical performance of a steel weapon while perfectly maintaining its skill manifestation rate. It was a true technological revolution. A deep thirst welled up inside him, burning with fierce anticipation.
Remembering exactly who he was dealing with, Park Gwang-deok suppressed his burning desire as much as possible and asked cautiously, "...Would it be possible for me to meet His Majesty, Emperor Roman Dmitry, in person?"
* * *
That very afternoon, Park Gwang-deok's request was granted.
Standing before Roman Dmitry, he offered the proper etiquette of a loyal subject before getting straight to the point.
"Your Majesty. In all my years of forging countless mana weapons, I have never once seen a blade that successfully preserves both the physical strengths of a steel weapon and the mystical properties of a mana weapon. That is the harsh reality of the current market, which is entirely dependent on 'Crafting Skills.' Yet, the sword Your Majesty forged is different. It is flawless as a steel weapon, and its ability to conduct mana far surpasses the standard ranking system. I beg of you. Please teach me that technique."
He didn't dare look up. Roman Dmitry was an absolute existence in the Korean Empire, so Park Gwang-deok kept his head bowed, continuing in a polite yet firm voice.
"Of course, I do not expect this favor unconditionally. As the Master of Miracle and the president of the Korean Empire's Artisan Association, if you pass down this technique to me, I will offer not only significant financial compensation but also my full cooperation in the Korean Empire's weapon production in my capacity as president."
The Artisan Association. It was a massive global organization with branches in every country. The Korean Empire's branch was highly respected even abroad. In truth, they had already been cooperating with the Korean Empire without such a deal. However, the nuance of a formal agreement changed things entirely. Until now, they had merely prioritized the Korean Empire out of patriotism, but binding their cooperation in exchange for this technique was a different matter entirely.
It wasn't a bad deal. If he could formally secure the cooperation of the artisans, the Korean Empire would establish an even more solid foundation for its military power.
But Roman Dmitry's thoughts were entirely different.
"Your proposal is flawed from its very premise," Roman said. "If my forging technique is indeed capable of sparking a technological revolution, then those who currently make up the Artisan Association will inevitably be left behind in the new era. With a level of technology that merely relies on Crafting Skills, you will no longer be recognized as the best. I am the Emperor of the Korean Empire. I hold both the absolute power and the supreme technology of this nation. Do you truly believe I need to leak my techniques just to secure a deal with the Artisan Association? It is only a matter of time. Even without the association's help, the Korean Empire will soon possess the world's greatest technological prowess."
"...I cannot deny that. But do you truly believe you have no need for our help, Your Majesty?"
Park Gwang-deok's face turned pale.
It was exactly as Roman Dmitry said. Once the new era fully dawned, artisans who failed to acquire this crucial technology would naturally be discarded. This was an unexpected turn of events. He had thought his proposal was incredibly attractive, but he now realized it was merely the narrow perspective of a frog in a well.
"It is not that you are not needed. You are simply excluded from my priorities," Roman replied. "Park Gwang-deok, Master of Miracle. If you wish to adopt this new technology and develop the Korean Empire's crafting environment, I am willing to teach you. Of course, such a monumental favor comes with a single condition."
"What is that condition?"
"You, Miracle, and by extension, the entire Artisan Association of the Korean Empire."
Roman had distributed the weapons for a reason. He had deliberately drawn out this reaction. If someone capable of recognizing their true value appeared, he fully intended to put them to good use. Just like Master Hendrick in his past life, he needed someone to serve as a reliable foundation.
"I want all of you to belong to me."
* * *
The conversation was over.
Park Gwang-deok looked up at the sky with a dazed expression, Roman's final words echoing in his mind.
"There is no need to take the concept of 'belonging' so heavily. As artisans of the Korean Empire, you will simply carry out the crafting required by the empire from now on. In return, the technology will be passed down to you. I have no intention of excessively infringing upon your freedom just because you belong to me. If you remain faithful to your roles as artisans, just as you do now, I promise on my name that you will gain both wealth and honor."
It was an extraordinary proposal. To make the entire Artisan Association submit to him. Even as the association president, it was not a matter he could hastily accept. But Roman Dmitry had put an end to his wavering thoughts with an ultimatum.
"I will not force you. However, you have exactly one week to make your decision. If you cannot reach a conclusion by then, I will seek another way. I fully understand your confusion—you cannot surrender the Artisan Association and its decades of history in a single moment. If you need help making a decision, come to my workshop early tomorrow morning. Over the coming week, you will be able to watch me forge swords with your own eyes."
A one-week deadline. It was incredibly tight.
But what flustered Park Gwang-deok even more than the time pressure was the fact that Roman had freely permitted him to watch the crafting process.
We are veterans of the forge. Stealing a technique just by watching someone work is child's play for us, yet he boldly opens his doors. This can only mean we won't be able to learn it even if we watch. Such a thing is impossible without absolute confidence. Emperor Roman Dmitry knows exactly what kind of technology he possesses.
His mouth went dry.
It was not an easy decision. Most artisans were free spirits, and not a single one of them would welcome being shackled to the Korean Empire. Of course, everyone held favorable feelings toward Roman Dmitry. No one disliked the great hero of the empire. But deciding their entire future in a single moment required the utmost caution.
For now, there was no reason to refuse the invitation to watch.
Park Gwang-deok pondered for a long time before heading out to meet the artisans who were waiting for him.
* * *
The next day.
From the crack of dawn, the artisans of the Artisan Association began to gather. Like Park Gwang-deok, they were all individuals who had reached a considerable level of mastery, and their expressions were filled with skepticism.
"To just show us his crafting process... What is he thinking?"
"Isn't he just using this as an excuse to bind us? I've always respected Emperor Roman Dmitry, and I'd be happy to work for the Korean Empire, but I cannot accept being shackled by force. Wasn't the Artisan Association originally founded to protect powerless artisans? The moment we submit to the state, the very purpose of the association will vanish."
"I feel the same way. And above all, I doubt whether his technology is truly worth sacrificing the entire association for. Yes, the swords crafted by His Majesty are amazing, but whether he has established a clear system to pass that skill down to others is a different matter entirely. If his uniqueness is simply imbued into the sword through his personal power, then only the swords he personally makes will be special. That won't lead to a technological revolution."
Their concerns were perfectly reasonable. It was a crucial matter that would dictate their entire future. While they were eager to see this supposed new technology, they couldn't help but view the situation through a critical lens.
Park Gwang-deok finally spoke up.
"I fully understand why you all feel that way. However, the harsh reality we must accept is that if Emperor Roman Dmitry truly possesses such technology, our current skills will inevitably fall behind. As the president of the Artisan Association, I can guarantee this with absolute certainty: the sword I examined is worth that much."
"...Understood."
"It's not that we're doubting you. We trust you, President. And we trust Emperor Roman Dmitry as well."
The artisans swallowed their doubts. For now, they had been given a chance to verify the truth with their own eyes. Whatever decision they ultimately made, it wasn't something they had to choose right this very moment.
A crowd gathered in front of the workshop.
Soon, Roman Dmitry made his appearance. Acknowledging their respectful greetings with a light wave of his hand, he calmly prepared to forge a weapon. Tending the fire and organizing the tools—it was a sight deeply familiar to the artisans. Even when utilizing a Crafting Skill, weapon forging still took place in a workshop. Roman Dmitry's preparation process was something these veterans had repeated tens of thousands of times over the decades.
He finished his preparations.
The workshop had been specially modified, its walls opened up to allow the crowd a clear view of the interior. Roman Dmitry picked up a forging hammer and glanced at the artisans watching him from outside.
"I will not stop you from trying to learn my techniques while watching me work. If you can grasp the principles of this technology just by observing, you are free to develop it and make it your own. However, if you realize that belonging to me is the only way to avoid being left behind in this new era, then give me your clear answer in one week."
Whoosh.
He channeled his mana.
This time, he did not intend to use the Flame Divine Art. Instead of his own unique martial technique, he would use the standard crafting technique that had served as the very foundation of Dmitry. The method that utilized mana. The exact same technique that had earned Dmitry the title of the nation of blacksmiths.
One week from now. Regardless of the artisans' choice, I will display the sword crafted today to the rest of the world. It will serve as the catalyst for the Korean Empire to leap forward as the absolute center of this technological revolution. Just as Dmitry possessed the greatest power in the northeast region, this small nation of the Korean Empire will also attain a status that completely transcends its physical size. What I desire is an intangible power that overwhelms the world, even without the use of military force.
"Huu."
He exhaled a deep breath.
In an instant, a heavy silence descended over the crowd. As the artisans watched without even daring to breathe, Roman Dmitry silently manifested his resolve.
Behold. The new realm you must accept.
Roar!
The furnace blazed to life.
Amidst the fiercely dancing flames, Roman Dmitry finally struck his first hammer blow.
Clang!
A clear, resonant ring echoed through the air. It was the moment the legend of Dmitry was reborn in his new life.