Chapter 550: Have You Heard of Bay Territory?
December 30th.
Bay Territory.
Riverside factory district.
On the open ground next to the military factory, dozens of gigantic engineering golems were tirelessly busy.
A large quantity of construction materials was being quickly integrated into the massive building.
Watching from the sidelines, Mantelhammer stared in shock at the vast underground space.
Thousands of kobolds and construction engineers were bustling below.
On the other side, Annie quietly observed the rapidly solidifying magical concrete, constantly pondering.
What kind of technology would be required to trade for it from Bay Territory?
Annie originally intended to purchase the magical concrete directly from Bay Territory.
This would enable rapid construction of various fortresses and buildings, creating layers of strongholds along the path of the Cole Elf Kingdom's advance.
With structures made of reinforced concrete, they could steadily wear down the Cole Elf Kingdom's momentum.
However, Annie quickly realized that this plan was fraught with difficulties.
The Cole Elf Kingdom had already blocked teleportation arrays into the Elven territories.
First, they would have to break through the teleportation blockade, and then the cost of teleporting large quantities of concrete would be astronomical.
Producing the concrete locally in the Elven territories became the only viable option.
If it were any other Elven family, they might resort to stealing the methods if absolutely necessary.
Annie had no such thoughts—there was more to be gained from maintaining good relations with Bay Territory.
Many elven artisans accompanying Annie were stunned as they examined the blueprints and gazed, bewildered, at the busy construction site.
The sheer scale of the operation far exceeded their expectations.
Smiling, the steward Parry meticulously explained the details of the various buildings on the blueprints.
Even the once disgruntled elven artisans had fallen silent.
Massive, hulking engineering golems.
A large number of spellcasters (apprentices).
Piles upon piles of steel materials.
A construction method so mysterious it was completely unfamiliar.
And those imposing patrolling golems nearby.
All of this deeply impressed the Elves.
This not only showcased Bay Territory's formidable strength but also demonstrated their extraordinary magical technology.
The strong naturally command respect.
The Elves, who had long been targeted by the Cole Elf Kingdom, striving to survive and develop in a hostile environment...
...were more pragmatic than their other kin.
If they didn't pursue strength, they would have been swallowed by the Cole Elf Kingdom long ago.
Most importantly, both the lord of Bay Territory, Matthew, and Yaya held esteemed statuses even among the Elves.
"If Bay Territory would ally with us, our family's development could accelerate…"
"More importantly, we'd be safer. The Netheril Empire isn't afraid of the Cole Elf Kingdom…"
"Though their relations are good now, when that child grows up, she won't be so obedient."
"If the war turns sour, at least this side offers a retreat…"
"Stop discussing it here. Let's set this aside for now."
"Bay Territory surely isn't short on smart people. They've kept quiet to leave room for negotiation."
"I heard Bay Territory doesn't get along with the Cole Elf Kingdom either, and they're even under a blockade dominated by the latter."
"Who knows? I think Bay Territory's philosophy is spot on—there are no permanent enemies, no eternal friends, only everlasting interests."
"Don't underestimate Bay Territory—it may be small, but it's full of intriguing things…"
"Don't overthink it. I heard that the great arcanist Cronorman will be visiting Bay Territory. Perhaps we'll…"
Having witnessed Bay Territory's capabilities and learned about their background,
The Elven artisans and spellcasters quickly abandoned their initial thoughts and started silently observing the factory where they might work for a long time.
After briefly showing themselves, Matthew and Yaya returned to the underground lab to focus on preparations for the sixth surgery.
Don't be fooled by the current dominance of the modified warriors on the battlefield and the fame they've earned in numerous wars.
Matthew understood all too well that Bay Territory never lets the modified warriors fight hopeless battles.
They only pick opponents that are easily crushed.
Moreover, beyond the innate abilities of the modified warriors,
it was the enhancement of weapons and equipment worth hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of gold coins that created the current spectacle.
Furthermore, the strength of the modified warriors was not permanent.
When the first elemental tide arrived, infusing the material plane with abundant elemental energy,
the speed at which almost all beings increased their power would rise dramatically.
Staying stagnant now meant inevitably falling behind in the future.
Therefore, Matthew continued to push forward with experiments, constantly accumulating new technologies.
The elemental tide would drive the surge of energy, alter individual potential, and ease the difficulty of advancing through professional ranks.
However, it wouldn't spontaneously generate more knowledge. All progress would still rely on continual accumulation over time.
The focus was on mental and cognitive protection, as well as the enhancement and fortification of willpower.
This was the goal of the sixth surgery.
Yet identifying the most suitable experimental path from hundreds of feats and skills still consumed significant time and effort for Matthew and Yaya.
Matthew didn't concern himself with the level of a feat, but rather with its potential and the improvements it could yield.
Simply relying on destiny force to strengthen and enhance a test subject's feats was too costly and couldn't achieve perfect or ideal results.
As his grasp of destiny force deepened, Matthew could more accurately measure its capabilities.
It could turn a 0.01% chance into something close to 100%.
But it couldn't start from zero.
"Sigh, another failure…"
Suppressing the urge to use more destiny force, Matthew comforted the pouting Yaya. His eyes grew thoughtful, and with a faint smile, he said:
"It's a very long and complex process for just the two of us, so we need to gather more people…"
Tilting her head, Yaya looked at the vanishing orc test subject and instinctively asked:
"Huh? Weren't we supposed to keep this secret? If too many people get involved…"
With a faint smile, Matthew replied calmly and confidently:
"We simply don't tell them. Let's see how much they can accomplish with their ingenuity…"
The more Matthew thought about it, the more he believed the plan was feasible. He immediately began making arrangements.
The professionals within the territory were still unaware that the lord's care was about to descend upon them.
Currently, they were still busy with their respective tasks and battles.