Chapter 313: Chapter 309: Large Autonomous Engineering Robot
For Perfikot, thanks to the existence of the Philosopher’s Stone, using Imaginary Alchemy doesn’t require much effort.
Moreover, she began the design and research of large autonomous engineering robots a long time ago, but it was stuck at the conceptual stage due to being unable to spare her hands, delaying the progress.
Now with Imaginary Alchemy, she’s able to focus her energy on it, naturally speeding up the progress.
Thus, a roughly fifteen-meter-high engineering robot with six slender mechanical legs and four mechanical claws for gripping was created by Perfikot.
"Large Autonomous Engineering Robot"
"Material: Imaginary (Legendary)"
"Craftsmanship: Extraordinary"
"Effect: Driven by a steam core, records and executes commands via a difference engine, has a maximum output of fifteen tons and basic mechanical logic, can understand standard instructions and comprehend blueprints"
"Evaluation: You haven’t installed advanced mechanical logic, so its intelligence is only about that of a six-year-old child, don’t expect too much. However, this big, clumsy thing is indeed suitable for engineering construction."
The rare Jade Record didn’t critique Perfikot’s design but rather praised it as a remarkable piece.
This made Perfikot very pleased, as she’s become deadened to others’ evaluations, be they of any kind of flattery.
Moreover, these people’s assessments are limited by their own knowledge and insight, making it hard to offer Perfikot any effective reference.
The only critique worth mentioning comes from the Jade Record, a divine artifact containing all alchemical knowledge, providing a more objective evaluation of Perfikot’s design from a higher perspective.
Though it doesn’t offer suggestions, even its critiques help Perfikot significantly, at least allowing her to see where she might have gone astray.
After all, being critiqued naturally indicates some areas aren’t well done.
If something were done perfectly, there wouldn’t be any grounds for critique.
Presently, the engineering robot is considered Perfikot’s most successful design to date.
She didn’t use the Jade Record’s calculation and optimization abilities in its design, completing it entirely based on her own knowledge and skills.
During its construction, she merely utilized the Philosopher’s Stone for Imaginary Alchemy, not relying on its ability to break the principle of equivalent exchange to create the work from thin air.
Therefore, this project represents a significant amount of her effort, regarded as one of her proud achievements of late.
Thus obtaining such high praise from the Jade Record, Perfikot naturally feels extremely happy.
A massive robot being built of course means its activation must be tested.
Top-grade coal mined from a small mine was loaded into the autonomous robot’s fuel chamber. An engineer ignited the furnace with a long stick wrapped in whale oil-soaked hemp cloth while several robust workers started spinning a gigantic crank to activate this robot.
Coal chunks were transferred from the fuel chamber to the furnace, crushed, then fell into the flames within the furnace, causing the turning crank to powerfully draw in air from outside.
Abundant oxygen caused the coal to burn vigorously, immense heat baked the boiler, boiling the heavy water stored within, expanding it into superheated steam with twice the volume of normal steam.
Quickly, steam was generated, injected into critical parts of the steam core via pipes, beginning to spin the turbine and provide power to the colossal robot.
Initially, a faint hum was heard, but soon the noise grew intense.
The sound of the turbine slicing through the air while rotating rapidly filled everyone present with anticipation.
"Autonomous Engineering Robot Prototype, standing by." Finally, when enough steam was generated and pressure reached an optimal value, the engineering robot, deliberately painted purple by Perfikot, emitted sounds produced by mechanical gears and springs.
Upon hearing the robot’s sounds, everyone shouted out in applause.
Workers threw their soft caps into the sky, cheering loudly, exclaiming random slogans like "Long live the Northern Territory", "Long live the Lord", and "Long live the robot", expressing their joy without reservation.
Perfikot seemed to be influenced as well, unwittingly showing a bright smile.
Witnessing Perfikot’s joyful smile, the old steward Foster commented to her, "It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smile so happily, miss."
"Really? Maybe I’m truly happy today?" Perfikot responded to the steward softly, with a smile still on her face.
Indeed, she feels joyous today; on one hand, she successfully created the autonomous engineering robot; on the other hand, as mentioned earlier, she was affected by the celebrating workers.
The workers’ emotions are so pure, simply happy for the operation of this robot and celebrating it.
For Perfikot, such pure joy is the most infectious and touching.
She detests the conspiracies and calculations, the feigned flattery and kindness around her, which always makes her feel disgusted.
Yet she has no choice but to temper her emotions, dealing with those whom she loathes.
After all, she knows the adult world is dictated by interests rather than pure likes and dislikes.
Encountering such unadulterated emotions occasionally still manages to infect her, causing her to feel joy.
Just like Foster mentioned, it’s been ages since she laughed so heartily.
The pressure of the Northern Territory Plan nearly suffocates her, although she could easily abandon it, her inherent kindness keeps her persevering, bearing the heavy responsibility.
If not for such moments of pure joy alleviating her emotions, perhaps Perfikot would already be overwhelmed.
Still, it’s precisely due to such pure joy that Perfikot chooses to shoulder the heavy duty of saving humankind and confronting the apocalypse, hoping more may survive to show her such pure happiness.