Chapter 304: I Have an Idea
Annie
Identity: Lord of Bloodmoon City, ???
Power: Level 8 Mage, Level 7 Arcanist.
Challenge Level: 18+!
Evaluation: Never provoke a mad scientist lightly.
Matthew was not surprised by Annie's presence.
This had already been discussed with 343 before coming.
Moreover, if Matthew wanted to join the Truth Organization, he would inevitably have to interact with Annie.
However, Annie's appearance at the moment seemed a bit odd, and her expression made Matthew feel somewhat creeped out.
Fortunately, 343 appeared in front of Matthew at this moment, immediately understanding the thoughts of her lord, and without hesitation, shouted:
"Lord, have you finished your experiment? I remember there were still some parts to wrap up!"
Unexpectedly, Annie didn't dive headfirst into her lab like usual, but instead remained still, staring intensely at Matthew and said:
"My experiment is done. Now's the perfect time for a break, so I'll entertain Baron Matthew."
Hearing Annie's "strange" response, 343's heart pounded, and she quickly gave Matthew a look:
"Something's off, run!"
Matthew also felt that Annie's current behavior didn't match the lord he knew.
Could she be an imposter?
Luckily, the data display showed Matthew that she was real!
Since she was real, Matthew had nothing to worry about—he never feared someone coveting him!
As for this Lord Annie, Matthew had only one thought:
"If I'm of no use to her, she definitely won't treat me kindly. So, what use am I to her?"
A flash of insight crossed Matthew's mind, and he immediately understood Annie's intent. He gave 343 a reassuring look, then smiled and said:
"Thank you, Lord. You should already know why I'm here. Can it be done?"
Annie's smile slightly stiffened, and she sneakily glanced at 343, giving her a questioning look:
"What's this about?"
Rubbing her forehead, 343 coughed lightly, knowing that her lord probably hadn't read the materials, and quickly explained:
"Lord Matthew, the Truth Organization is still in the review process. The lord has invited you here to further tour the mage tower."
Annie, quick on her feet, smoothly followed up:
"Ah, yes, that's right. Their efficiency is always slow, and your work is excellent. To ease your concerns, a chat would be good."
"However, I'm curious about the adventurer gear produced in Bay Territory. Could you explain that?"
Initially, Annie's words were normal, but soon they shifted, becoming something Matthew was very familiar with.
"As expected, everything still revolves around gold coins!"
The truth reveals itself, doesn't it?
A bold idea flashed through Matthew's mind, and without hesitation, he nodded and responded:
"Thanks to 343 and the help from the mage tower, otherwise, mass-producing enchanted parts would've been a huge issue."
"I got the inspiration from you, Lord. The magical tools I bought from you gave me some ideas."
Matthew subtly hinted at his longing for the mage tower.
Of course, the focus was on energy!
Elemental energy pool!
It was the core of building a mage tower, capable of powering the massive tower's operations.
Once Bay Territory had an elemental energy pool, it could leap from the manpower era straight into the age of nuclear fission!
Safer, more efficient, and easier to control than nuclear fission power!
This was also why the societal structure hadn't changed much over the thousands of years of human development.
High-level professionals and spellcasters wielded far too much power and energy!
No matter how many ordinary humans there were, they could never compete!
When numbers become meaningless, societal revolutions cannot occur.
Furthermore, with the advancement of magical and floating city technologies, the gap would only grow deeper and more terrifying between the two.
Just like the future Netheril Empire.
Ordinary people on the ground couldn't even see the shadow of the floating cities passing overhead.
Annie's eyes lit up, and without hesitation, she asked, "Do you have any other ideas? We have plenty of production space in the mage tower."
343, unable to watch any longer, turned her head away, deeply worried that Matthew would turn and walk away.
If someone has the ability, why would they bother collaborating with you?
Surprisingly, Matthew nodded without hesitation, excitedly continuing:
"I just happen to have an idea!"
Both of them froze in shock.
"Really?"
"No need... um..."
Five minutes later.
Matthew was invited by 343 into a lavishly decorated dining hall, across from him sat a smiling Annie.
Judging by her current expression and demeanor, she was every bit the elegant, noble beauty exuding ceremonial grandeur.
However, as soon as Annie spoke, the image shattered:
"You mean to use the spatial carriage as a prototype and modify it for development?"
Looking at the dishes being served, clearly with strong Eastern flavors,
Matthew thought he would like a life steward like 343, but still answered Annie's question immediately:
"That's right, Bay Territory conducted interviews with over ten thousand adventurers."
"We found that they spend long periods living in the wild, especially when undertaking exploration and long-distance tasks."
"Finding a safe place to rest is the most troublesome issue for adventurers."
As Matthew elaborated, Annie was about to interrupt, but caught 343's "stare," immediately quieting down.
No choice—she still needed the steward to make money!
Matthew noticed this but remained patient and continued:
"We also surveyed mid-level professionals and higher-level professionals."
"If there was an item that allowed them to rest,"
"They'd be willing to pay between 2,000 to 5,000 gold coins to purchase it."
"After all, though it's a large investment, it benefits the entire team, improves rest efficiency, and ensures safety."
Hearing this, 343, who had gathered a lot of information, immediately responded enthusiastically:
"Exactly, over a quarter of adventurer deaths are due to night watch and rest."
"If we can control the costs and produce it, many adventurers would be eager to buy it."
Hearing 343's words, Annie's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she raised her hand to cast a spell.
343 quickly moved over and held Annie down, smiling slightly at Matthew:
"This idea is excellent. If it can be realized, it will bring us significant profits."
"After all, even just in Bloodmoon City and the eastern provinces, there are hundreds of thousands of adventurers still active in the wild."
"How should we collaborate on this?"
343 had thought it through. Matthew, with his considerable strength, remarkable skills, and powerful background, could very well do it alone.
Since he had chosen to bring it up, he was certainly looking to collaborate!
She mustn't let the "foolish" lord mess this up!
Otherwise, in a few months, Annie would be broke and borrowing energy again.
Feeling a bit dizzy, throat a little sore...