Chapter 334: Chapter 335: Aeridar’s Busy Schedule
"There’s definitely a solution; I just haven’t found it yet," Dalt said, unfazed. To him, science was rigorous, and failure was a common occurrence.
"Then let’s put Project 03 on hold for now. We’ll resume research after the Germa 66 people deliver the ’Lineage Factor’ theory in a few days," Aeridar decided immediately.
"’Lineage Factor’ theory?" Dalt raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "What’s that?"
"No wonder you let Judge go! So the condition was the ’Lineage Factor’ theory? He really gave it up!" Vade exclaimed in surprise.
The ’Lineage Factor’ was discovered by Vegapunk and is now the highest secret of the World Government and the Marines. That’s why Dalt didn’t know about it. However, Judge, who had also collaborated with Vegapunk, knew about it, and Vade, being in close cooperation with Judge, was privy to some of Germa 66’s secrets.
The ’Lineage Factor’ theory and its extended techniques like human cloning and enhancement were Judge’s lifeblood. Vade was surprised that he chose to hand them over to Aeridar.
"His life or his technology; he chose his life," Aeridar chuckled sinisterly.
Half an hour later, in an office in the central area, Aeridar, Dalt, and Vade were gathered. Oliver, Otto, Enrod, and Galan had gone off to drink.
The three sat on a sofa, and Aeridar spoke impatiently, "Vade-san, I know you specialize in mechanics and physics. So, I hope you can research a new power system for us. Ideally, it should be an expanded steam engine that can be installed on our warships, similar to the Marines’ battleships."
The technology tree in the One Piece world is incredibly skewed. Various ship power systems exist—wind, electricity, steam engines, and so on—but very few are truly mature.
For example, Franky’s cola-fueled power system, the Marines’ large steam engine system, Enel’s electrical system... but most of the world’s ships still rely on wind and manpower. Hence, Aeridar urgently needed a mature steam engine system comparable to the Marines’.
"That’s no problem. It’ll just take some time," Vade said easily. As a world-class scientist, his own submarine ran on an electrical system; he didn’t even care for steam engines. However, electrical systems were not yet very mature and were too costly.
"Then I’ll leave it to you. I’ll have Dalt prepare a laboratory and assistants for you. Just tell Dalt what instruments, experimental materials, and research funds you need," Aeridar said with a gentle smile. "I won’t interfere with your mechanical weapon research or restrict your freedom. When you’re tired, you can go explore the town or visit the Clifford Kingdom to relax and have some fun. However, in the end, I’ll need a finished product."
After all, if I’m giving you machines, assistants, and funds, you’ll have to give me something useful in return. Otherwise, why would I need you? Only capable individuals are valued.
Snap~
Hiss~ Exhale~
Vade lit a high-quality Gulár cigar, took a deep puff, then exhaled a plume of smoke, stating confidently, "Don’t worry. With such excellent conditions, I’m not a fool. After all, the stronger the Chris Pirates become, the safer I, a world criminal, will be."
Saying this, Vade took a document from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table. "This is my latest research: the GK-type humanoid mechanical weapon. However, there are still many issues with its intelligence, which has been my primary research focus."
"The reason I was wanted back then was because of an error in setting the intelligence parameters, which caused them to go out of control, slaughter a town, and destroy a Marine warship."
"As for intelligence..."
Aeridar recalled Vegapunk’s Pacifistas, which could distinguish between friend and foe and obey commands. Aside from their combat power, in terms of intelligence alone, Vade’s mechanical weapons were inferior to the Pacifistas; they couldn’t distinguish between friend and foe and would kill anyone they encountered.
However, Aeridar also felt a pang of unease. Talking so casually about slaughtering an entire town’s residents—scientists truly are cold-blooded.
Of course, Aeridar himself wasn’t a good person either. While he hadn’t actively slaughtered civilians, the number of innocent people who died in the collateral damage of his battles with powerful foes was not small.
"An intelligence system... the two of us can research this together. After all, if Project 03 succeeds, it also needs to be controlled. I haven’t figured out a solution for that," Dalt’s eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands. "If it can be controlled by an intelligence system, that would be perfect."
Pere pere pere... Pere pere pere...
As they were talking, the sound of a Den Den Mushi suddenly rang out.
Dalt and Vade stopped their conversation and both looked at Aeridar.
Aeridar raised an eyebrow, reached into his pocket, pulled out a Den Den Mushi, and answered, "This is Aeridar."
"Captain, our people in Paradise have delivered an entire ship’s worth of supplies to Amazon Lily via the Donquixote Family’s channels and have picked up the survivors from Ship No. 37," an pleasant female voice came through the Den Den Mushi. It was Mina’s voice.
Aeridar leaned back on the sofa, casually crossing his legs, then said, "Tell them to wait at the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Understood," Mina replied, then added, "However, there’s one more thing: the people of Amazon Lily wish to meet with you."
"The people of Amazon Lily?" Aeridar was somewhat surprised, wondering, "Boa Hancock, that woman? Do you know what it’s about?"
"I’m not clear on the specifics. They only revealed that they wish to meet you." The Den Den Mushi shook its head, indicating Mina didn’t know either.
After a pause, Mina added, "But I suspect it might be related to the SS drug."
Aeridar raised an eyebrow. "Oh, tell me more."
"Besides weapons, ammunition, and food seeds, they also hoped to receive some SS Potion among the ship’s supplies. So I gave them ten doses," Mina continued. "Perhaps they saw those ten doses of SS drug and believe we have a way to obtain more."
"Ah~ So they’re looking for me to get more SS Potion, hmm... that’s certainly possible." Aeridar nodded, agreeing with Mina’s speculation, and said, "Then tell them I will pay a visit sometime soon."
Afterward, Aeridar and Mina discussed the recent situations of Niji and Yonji before hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
"The Captain truly has a demanding schedule!" Dalt joked.
——————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my patreon ——— patreon(.)com/JuanFiction [remove the parentheses ( )]
There are over 100 advance Chapters available for you!