Chapter 217: Chapter 213: The Military Department Visits
Perfikot did not immediately return to the Northern Territory; high-ranking military officials rushed from the mainland on another Flying Airship to intercept her.
"Count Brandelis, can the Flying Stone be used in the construction of warships or the development of flying vehicles?" An admiral from the Navy asked Perfikot directly about their primary concern.
The accompanying Army general was more personable with Perfikot, chatting about ordinary matters before getting to the point: "Little Perfikot, I heard you encountered a thief before I arrived. Nothing important was stolen, right? Can that Flying Stone make the Steam Knights fly?"
This Army general was a colleague of Perfikot’s grandfather, so his address was more familiar.
Listening to the questions from the two military generals, Perfikot squeezed her nasal bridge, relieved the fatigue in her eyes, and replied: "The Flying Stone can be used for military purposes, but its production is extremely difficult. I believe I have already made this clear in my previous telegram to the Military Department.
As for whether it can make Steam Knights fly or be used to create other flying vehicles or even flying warships, it all depends on whether the Flying Stone can be mass-produced."
"We know. The moment we received your telegram, we consulted the Alchemist Association. They expressed their strong support for whatever you need," the Navy admiral said, lowering his voice immediately: "The Navy has already approved a decision to completely halt new shipbuilding plans, but this is currently top secret and has not been disclosed. All of the Navy’s shipyards are being prepared to shift their capacity to building Flying Airships.
If Count Brandelis, you need anything, the Navy can provide all necessary resources as long as you can..."
Before the Navy admiral finished speaking, the Army general interrupted him, saying: "Little Perfikot, if there are any difficulties in producing the Flying Stone, feel free to tell us. Though our Army resources do not match the financial strength of the Navy, we can still manage, and our demand is not high — we just need Steam Knights that can fly. You see..."
Looking at these two persistent generals, Perfikot felt exhausted.
Before they arrived, she was already preparing to return to the Northern Territory, using this time to pack her things. Perfikot was contemplating how to construct shelters in the Northern Territory and what form these shelters should take.
The snowstorms encountered in the Northern Territory this winter were just a rehearsal, but based on the information already gathered, Perfikot had collected sufficient details to understand what elements the shelters must possess to withstand an apocalyptic winter.
Thus, before these two generals arrived, she was studying the planning and design of shelters. If not for their interruption, Perfikot would have been drawing design diagrams.
But with these two generals demanding her attention, she had no choice but to deal with them herself instead of having someone else send them away.
Therefore, confronting their demands, Perfikot pondered briefly before saying: "Creating the Flying Stone requires a new technique called Imaginary Alchemy, which I developed based on the Philosopher’s Stone.
To achieve mass production of the Flying Stone, Imaginary Alchemy must be promoted and popularized, but mastering Imaginary Alchemy requires a Philosopher’s Stone.
The Philosopher’s Stone in my possession is from the research results left by my parents, and I have only this one piece. So if you wish to mass-produce the Flying Stone, there are two options."
"What are the two options?" The Navy admiral was particularly concerned, desperately hoping for mass production of the Flying Stone, wishing he could personally go to the shipyard and tighten screws for the warships.
The Army general beside him also looked over with burning eyes, full of urgency and longing.
Had they not already interrogated the Alchemist Association, knowing no one other than Perfikot currently possesses a Philosopher’s Stone, they wouldn’t have come personally.
"The first option is to have the alchemists from the Alchemist Association try to create a new Philosopher’s Stone and use it as a base to promote Imaginary Alchemy," Perfikot outlined the first option while offering supplemental explanation: "I know those alchemists lack the ability to create a new Philosopher’s Stone in a short time, but I can provide them with technical support.
Alchemy emphasizes equivalent exchange; without effort, there is no reward. This is a principle every alchemist must follow.
Therefore, every alchemist receiving technical support from me must work for me for ten years as tuition for the technical support they receive, regardless of whether they successfully create a Philosopher’s Stone."
Hearing this condition, the Navy admiral and Army general fell into contemplation.
They indeed knew very little about alchemy but understood at least one thing: over the past few hundred years, Perfikot is the only confirmed holder of a Philosopher’s Stone.
Evidently, creating a Philosopher’s Stone is not a simple task, so much so that Perfikot’s parents sacrificed their lives for it, indicating how extremely difficult this undertaking is.
In their view, even with Perfikot providing technical support, ordinary alchemists manufacturing a Philosopher’s Stone seemed almost impossible, not to mention the new technique called Imaginary Alchemy mentioned by Perfikot.
Thus, they cautiously refrained from choosing this option and asked Perfikot: "What about the second option?"
"The second option? That would be waiting for me to find time to perfect the Flying Stone’s manufacturing technology before proceeding with mass production." Perfikot presented the second option but added before the two generals could respond: "However, right now I do not have the time. I think you both understand the importance of the Northern Territory matters; before resolving them, I can’t find the time to tackle this task.
Therefore, even if you wish for flying warships and flying Steam Knights, you would have to wait three years. But there’s still room for negotiation, as long as..."
"As long as what?" The two generals asked anxiously, their eyes filled with impatience.
"As long as someone can help me manage the affairs of the Northern Territory, allowing me to have the time to perfect the Flying Stone’s manufacturing technology," Perfikot casually answered.