Chapter 1245 - 1170: Brass Ordinance Bureau
Star realm.
Although the direction pointed by that elder of the Sorrido Clan was the Ethereal Tower, Horn could still understand that he was actually referring to the star realm.
According to Fagius, undead magic, as the name suggests, uses the magic of awakening the undead.
Essentially, it involves refining bodies that have recently died and are still relatively fresh into "flesh machinery" similar to spring mechanisms.
Then, the undead are summoned and driven to enter these skeletal zombies.
As for where the undead come from, similar to magical creatures, they all come from the star realm.
Interestingly, according to this elder of the Sorrido Clan, there were records of the star realm and spirit realm during the El Empire period.
Horn also read descriptions of the star realm and spirit realm in the "Emerald Record."
Countless worlds float on the river surface, like bubbles formed by the agitated water flow.
The star realm is above the water surface, while the spirit realm is below it.
According to many El Scholars or mystics, the Celestial Kingdom is in the star realm while the Fire Prison is in the spirit realm.
Normally, the undead or evil spirits driven by vampires should come from the spirit realm.
But somehow these evil spirits still enter from the star realm, just like the magical creature Lightning Slime from before.
The El people believe the star realm and spirit realm are distinct, but subsequent alchemists and scholars think the star realm and spirit realm are one entity.
Regardless, the evil spirits from the spirit realm will indeed come into this world through weak points in the star realm, possessing animals and turning into magical creatures.
This actually gives Horn a hint that wherever magical creatures appear, there’s likely a weak point in the star realm.
This means that when searching for star realm weak points or building new Ethereal Towers in the future, it won’t be left to chance.
However, Horn soon thought of a new problem.
According to this logic, could evil spirits possess humans? Could people possessed by evil spirits become witches?
Fagius, however, gave a negative answer.
The Sorrido Clan has always been remarkably interested in soul and puppet magic, making them experts in this field.
Based on the Sorrido Clan’s research on undead magic, human souls are too stable, and so far, there’s been no discovery of evil spirits possessing humans.
Except for witches.
But witches aren’t transformed into magical creatures by being possessed; rather, they are witches by birth, just undetectable.
Their state is similar to Horn’s early condition — having mana without spells.
They can possess spells only because they inadvertently devour an evil spirit, a process that is the witch’s awakening.
That’s why witches cannot be detected before awakening because they haven’t devoured an evil spirit yet.
Of course, despite the elder of the Sorrido Clan confidently telling Horn that this is the truth.
Horn understood that this can only be considered the reasoning of the Sorrido Clan, lacking reliability and validity.
Having understood the origin of undead magic, it isn’t much of help in solving the current problem of mechanical demonization.
However, using the so-called "evil spirit" theory as a reference, it’s possible to infer how they demonize spring mechanisms.
Evil spirit possession can affect any "organism" capable of simple movement, though the chances are small.
Although Horn doesn’t consider spring mechanisms to be organisms, from the evil spirits’ perspective, things that look like organisms and can move for a long time—
They ponder that it’s just an organism.
But this provides Horn with a way to prevent mechanical demonization.
In the future, it’s best to avoid overly anthropomorphic or animal-simulating mechanical forms.
Furthermore, all demonized machinery must undergo a Holy Water sprinkling before leaving the factory to prevent mechanical demonization.
It might even be necessary to convene a group of monks and build more monasteries, using Divine Art police to suppress these demonized machines.
Especially since the Ethereal Tower’s diversion for charging is becoming more frequent.
We might have to establish a new institution called the "Bronze Accord Bureau," specifically for suppressing and controlling demonized machinery.
For this newly established department, it’s necessary to appoint a leader, which is troublesome.
Not just the issue of this new institution, but possibly a new project afterward.
Even after hearing Sorrido’s explanation, a technical priest immediately proposed the idea: "What would happen if vampires applied undead magic to spring mechanical puppets?"
If it doesn’t work out, then so be it.
If it works... Wouldn’t it mean Horn could completely pilfer the Blood Race technology tree and apply it to spring mechanisms?
Originally, with the local accumulation of spell resources, the speed of Holy Alliance research was slowing down.
Unlike before, where casually digging into ancient texts could create new materials.
Now, if the technology of fully automated zombie skeletons from the Blood Race can be transplanted, the research is bound to experience another boom.
Upon hearing this message, he immediately decided to form the "Bronze Accord Bureau," with its first task being testing undead magic on spring mechanisms.
If demonized machinery and Blood Race spells can truly control spring puppets, the significant productivity boost behind it is unimaginable to Horn.
Although similar to the Blood Race, incapable of performing complex tasks, simple work can be accomplished.
However, this will inevitably provoke protests from workers and farmers.
Once advanced systems become a hindrance to progress in the face of even more advanced productivity.
"Brother, brother? Brother Horn!"
"Hmm?" Horn suddenly snapped back, noticing Jeanne sitting across the dining table puffing out her cheeks, staring at him.
In front of him, on the plaid tablecloth, sat a silver candle holder, along with the table filled with dishes.
Fragrant roast chicken, cheese pudding, and cream mushroom soup, all Jeanne’s favorites.
"Brother, what’s the meaning of inviting me out for dinner and not saying a word?" Jeanne’s chin wrinkled as she tightly clasped the dinner fork.
Horn snapped back to reality, realizing it was already evening, and he was at the Holy Alliance’s most expensive restaurant—Beretta Restaurant.
The twinkling stars outside cast their glow on the wallpaper, creating a play of shadows.
Horn’s monthly salary compared to the highest-taxed wealthy people was far lower, but it was quite high compared to ordinary civilians.
In this restaurant, not saying it’s like a canteen, but having a meal here once a week is more than affordable.
Looking across the table, amid a pile of dishes, Jeanne’s long, dark hair was braided and draped over her shoulders.
There was no electric light inside, only candle fire clearly illuminating Jeanne’s face.
A long blue-green dress accompanied by silver earrings with transparent gems, her face slightly powdered and blushed.
Half her body was hidden in darkness, her brow slightly furrowed, feigning anger but not quite managing anger.
Compared to the past, this face showed little change but bore more mature allure.
Horn then recalled that tonight was the day he agreed to meet Jeanne, yet his thoughts remained on the Bronze Accord Bureau.
"Brother, why are you dazed again?" Jeanne set down her fork, her words tinged with disappointment, "If you’re too tired, we can meet another day..."
"No, it’s nothing." Horn reached across the table, pressing Jeanne’s hand, "Sorry, you’re too beautiful tonight, I was mesmerized."