"Neither... The people of the Gatekeepers call them Kensets, living deep underground. Their average lifespan is ten thousand years, far longer than any known human civilization."
Xiao Xun shivered involuntarily as he finished, "It says here that the Kensets' technology is countless times higher than humanity's current capabilities, and they can speak like humans. Most importantly, they monitor the growth and decline of humanity, and even the moon was created by them."
Although Mu Jiahe was the empress of the magic world, she still looked disbelieving, "What you're saying sounds like science fiction."
Xiao Xun's expression was solemn, "But it's all true, just like you crossing from this world to another. It's inconceivable."
The two discussed this topic until dawn. Mu Jiahe, with dark circles under her eyes, yawned and changed before heading out. Meanwhile, in the imperial court, the new prime minister was struggling, lacking the iron-fisted authority of the former prime minister, Mitimaduo.
Xiao Xun also arrived at the arsenal. What concerned him most now was the progress of these armories.
As soon as he entered the production line, thanks to the efforts of the goblins, the blueprints for the aircraft production line had been handed over to the factory. However, the production line required to manufacture aircraft was extremely large, which the current arsenal could not accommodate. The same applied to tanks, so the arsenal was now solely focused on producing magical weapons and consumables.
As Xiao Xun walked out of the arsenal, a person holding a book stood before him. He had a lens in his left eye and wore a purple mage robe, appearing very polite.
"Duke, I hope you are well!"
Xiao Xun found the person familiar but couldn't recall who it was, "May I ask who you are, sir?"
The person smiled and said, "Your Highness, you are truly forgetful. I am Lorgaard, an Arcane tutor from the Academy of Magic."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun instantly remembered that he still owed him two gold coins when he borrowed books. He patted himself down, but he didn't have a single cent.
He said to Baiyang, "Do you have two gold coins?"
Baiyang flipped his hand, producing two gold coins from somewhere and handing them to Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun gave them to Lorgaard, "Here are the two gold coins I borrowed from you. Thank you for your help back then."
Lorgaard did not reach out to take them. "Your Highness, you misunderstand. I am not here for money today; I have something important to discuss."
Xiao Xun looked at him again with curiosity, wondering what the tutor wanted with him.
Lorgaard glanced around and said that this was not a place to talk.
Xiao Xun then led him to the arsenal's conference room, "Is this place alright?"
Lorgaard nodded, "Yes."
Then, he placed the book he held in his left hand on the table, opening it cover-up. A folded piece of paper fell out from the book.
Lorgaard picked up the blueprint and came over to Xiao Xun, opening it and showing it to him, "Your Highness, this is a weapon I have been researching: the Arcane Repeater."
Xiao Xun looked at the blueprint. It had six gun barrels, connected to a special card slot at the back. He wasn't sure what "Arcane" in the card slot referred to, but overall, he thought, "Isn't this a Gatling gun?"
Lorgaard asked, not having heard clearly, "Your Highness, what did you say?"
Xiao Xun remembered that the Gatling gun didn't exist in this world and said, "Nothing. Can you explain its principle to me?"
Lorgaard pointed to the blueprint and said, "Not long ago, we discovered a scroll that can store arcane energy. Then, the arcane energy on the scroll can be absorbed by a lightning-elemental magic stone under specific circumstances. However, this substance is unstable, and mages cannot use it directly. So, I collaborated with several mechanics and invented this device. By placing a magic stone that has absorbed arcane energy into this energy emitter, and then firing it continuously through the six gun barrels, it has high speed, great power, and stability. The only drawback might be its weight, but I saw that our war chariots were lacking such a weapon, so I came to find you specifically."
Xiao Xun nodded, "Your invention is excellent and very creative. I will have them mass-produce it immediately."
Then, seeing Lorgaard hesitate to speak, he added, "Speak your mind! What do you hope to gain? As long as it's within my capabilities, it's absolutely no problem."
After much deliberation, Lorgaard said, "I wish to be the Dean of the Military Academy."
Xiao Xun thought, "Currently, besides myself as the dean, the Military Academy only has teachers and students, with no other positions. It looks like a makeshift setup and is a bit improper."
He looked at Lorgaard beside him. After all, Lorgaard was from the Academy of Magic, which was a very famous institution of higher learning across the continent. Making him a dean was not an issue.
With that thought, Xiao Xun nodded, "Alright, I agree. Go and make preparations!"
Lorgaard agreed and prepared to leave.
"Wait~"
Xiao Xun suddenly called out to him again. He turned to look at Xiao Xun, thinking he had changed his mind or found something improper, "Your Highness, do you have any other instructions?"
Xiao Xun picked up the blueprint and said, "What you invented is very useful. I won't let your hard work go unrewarded. You will receive one gold coin every month. I don't have much authority to offer more."
Lorgaard bowed to Xiao Xun, "Thank you, Your Highness. You are the hope and future light of Saintiroman."
Xiao Xun, holding the blueprint, said to Baiyang, "Notify the chief engineer. This item is to be mass-produced."
"Sir, you've forgotten something very important."
Xiao Xun looked at Baiyang, "What?"
"He said this item must be used with a magic stone that stores arcane energy. Mass production now can only produce the outer mold."
Xiao Xun smacked his forehead, "Right! I was too excited earlier. You reminded me. It seems I still need to visit the Academy of Magic."
As soon as he finished speaking, Baiyang used magic to transport him to the entrance of the Academy of Magic.
The Academy of Magic had many young mages, men handsome and women beautiful, all with high颜值. Xiao Xun looked like an ordinary person here, quite unremarkable.
However, who in the entire capital of Saintiroman didn't recognize Xiao Xun? They all bowed and greeted him, and Xiao Xun politely responded to each one.
Seeing someone who looked like a professor, he stepped forward and blocked his way, "Hello, could you please tell me where Lorgaard's laboratory is?"
The professor scrutinized the unassuming person in front of him, "What do you need his laboratory for?"
Xiao Xun was always kind to intellectuals and said humbly, "This is a matter of confidentiality and it's inconvenient to disclose. Could you please tell me?"
"I'm sorry, I have no obligation to do so." The professor then walked away with his hands behind his back, looking very arrogant.
At this moment, two female magic students approached and said to Xiao Xun, "Your Highness Svein, we can take you there, but can you allow us to work in your arsenal after graduation?"
Xiao Xun thought that the production lines were dirty and tiring. He had intended to refuse, but seeing their pleading eyes, he agreed.
He quickly realized that due to the arrival of the Scourge Legion, prices had soared, food was scarce, and people from all countries were flocking there. If they could bring gold and jewelry, it would be fine, but what could refugees bring?
They could only work in small workshops, or even sign indentures and become slaves, just to earn a meal.
Most of the students at the Academy of Magic had returned home to help. The handsome and beautiful individuals who were still studying were mostly children of nobles and high officials. The two who actively sought jobs today were only a small portion.
Saintiroman had a bumper harvest this year, but there was no such thing as gratuitously aiding refugees from other countries. Allowing them entry into the country for safety was already a great kindness.
For ordinary people, especially foreigners, there were now only three paths to survival: becoming slaves to the wealthy, working in factories, or enlisting in the army.