"I'm quite disappointed in you, Mr. Albert, for not knowing our lord's capabilities. Isn't information supposed to be your job?" Cao Cao asked smugly, questioning Albert's competence.
Albert looked back with a smile. "It's precisely because I know the information that I am in awe and surprise right now. What our lord did defies the fundamental rules of alchemy. It's like suddenly discovering that what I breathe is not air, but water, and having it proven right before my eyes. That level of surprise."
Cao Cao was stunned. He had intended to provoke Albert and hurt his pride, hoping to make him slip up and show his ugly side in front of their lord. Perhaps he had underestimated Albert's ability to maintain his composure.
Daniel began, "Is it that surprising?" He placed the transmuted Adamantine on the desk and slid it toward Albert. "But don't worry, transmuted material still has its limits."
Albert received the transmuted Adamantine, scrutinized it, and used a spell to analyze its structure while listening to his lord speak.
"Envy and I have already tested this and found that my teacher's method of alchemy is said to be a perfect form of transmutation, but it's still a method, not a miracle. There are still limits. For example, to transmute a material into a higher-grade material like Adamantine, the original material needs to have a certain level of mana quality.
For instance, that stainless steel I transmuted to Adamantine should have around 60% to 70% of the durability compared to natural Adamantine. To reach a higher percentage, I need to use Orichalcum as the base material. The best I can achieve is 98%. It's rare to create 100% durable transmuted Adamantine from Orichalcum," explained Daniel.
"I see..." Albert nodded in understanding after listening to Daniel's explanation and examining the transmuted Adamantine himself. He then turned to Daniel.
"What you just demonstrated is not a miracle but a higher form of alchemy. May I ask you to teach me this, my lord?" asked Albert.
"You can learn, but it won't be me teaching you. It will be my teacher, Hermes Trismegistus. However, that will be after I have set up our mage organization's reward system. You can use that system to request tutoring or exotic materials for your research later. Now, let's focus on the meeting," Daniel said, steering the conversation back to the agenda.
"Of course, my lord. I apologize for distracting us with an unrelated topic," Albert apologized with a noble manner, bowing to Daniel.
"Where were we? Ah yes, I told Mr. Cao to bring those samples to me so I can make the machine, right?" Daniel continued from where he had left off, and Albert nodded.
Daniel turned toward Cao Cao. "Mr. Cao, do you have anything more to add?" he asked.
"No, my lord. I don't have anything more to report," Cao Cao shook his head, concluding his report. Now it was Albert's turn.
"Mr. Worseley?" Daniel called Albert, indicating it was his turn to give a report.
"Other than the work on the forceful evacuation of the Hightower splinter cells, we are also working on increasing our influence in Canada, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Once we have established influence over all of North America, Japan, and Southeast Asia, we will install independent secret operation cells in Europe to monitor the Hightower.
As for the Qing Empire, it's still a no-go zone for us right now. We have too few reliable connections there," said Albert.
Daniel nodded, then turned toward Cao Cao. "Mr. Cao, the Qing Empire is your former homeland. Can you help him?" Daniel asked the former warlord.
"How so? Tell me..." Daniel inquired.
Tanner seemed uncomfortable and remained silent for a few seconds before relenting, seemingly persuaded by the warden on his side that it was in his best interest to tell Daniel.
"They... They use innocent people... as sacrifices. I don't know exactly what they do, but the man in the wooden mask seems to have a method... or substance to mutate people into living flesh mounds... Then...
they put people who want to become mages inside these flesh mounds, one person per mound, and within 24 hours, they become mages. There are... many types of flesh mounds, each with different purposes, from what I've observed," Tanner explained.
As Daniel listened, he opened his notebook, pulling up classified data on the screen for Tanner to see. The file contained various pictures that his people had obtained from the US frontline after Ragnar and Greed destroyed the flesh mounds in the secret tunnel.
"Is this what you're talking about?" Daniel asked.
Tanner seemed stunned at the sight of the pictures, growing even more uncomfortable.
"Yes... It's this," Tanner confirmed with a nod.
Daniel, noticing Tanner's discomfort, looked at Albert then down at his notebook. He closed the file, no longer showing the pictures to Tanner. He would keep this information and discuss it with Envy later.
"Mr. Tanner," Daniel addressed the man, waiting for his attention. "I have a proposition for you."
Daniel raised his fingers as he listed the options:
"First, you can work for me here at Astral Tech as a researcher, but in return, you must forget everything about magic and its phenomena. If you wish, we can... edit out your memories of this incident and give you a fresh start."
"Second, you can also work for me in my secret lab, but you'll need to learn about magic and its applications. We'll utilize it to create advanced technology and accelerate the world's technological progress."
"And third... we'll erase your memory of the incident and, of course, of us, and let you go."
Tanner fell silent, contemplating the options. Then, his eyes narrowed.
"That second option... are you perhaps... aware of magic?" Tanner asked cautiously, understandably wary after his encounter with an unsavory mage.
Instead of immediately answering, Daniel opened his hand and conjured a simple flame, showcasing his ability to Tanner. "Yes, Mr. Tanner, I am a mage myself. But a naturally awakened one, not through those disgusting rituals you described. In fact, there are many mages in this world... we simply remain hidden from the unawakened population...
like you."