Jonsen glanced towards the Secrets-Hunter seats, and Vivian immediately averted her gaze.
The vampire's inherently keen spiritual sense made him feel a faint, watchful surveillance.
Normally, this viscount wouldn't hesitate to issue a warning. But upon seeing Sister Haida, wearing the brass signet ring and carrying the heavy two-handed sword... he ultimately just snorted lightly and remained silent.
Just then, an ethereal female voice emanated from the silver mirror on the Veiled Assembly's seat.
"Hey... Jonsen, you're scared too? Or is staying quiet at the sight of a hunter just an instinct for you bloodsuckers?"
"Shut up."
Jonsen cracked his knuckles, producing several crisp bone sounds.
"I came at the invitation of my allies under the Budding Moon Covenant, and I don't want trouble. But you, why don't you dare show your true form? Which of us is really scared?"
The person in the mirror seemed about to say more, but as Professor Terence stepped onto the podium, the council chamber quickly fell silent.
"Each symposium has the exact same welcoming address; I'm sure everyone is tired of it, so I'll skip that formality."
Terence stood firm on the podium, his posture ramrod straight, a deep brown suit making him appear dignified and resolute.
Most White Cup Error-Purgers developed an unhurried scholarly air in their later years, often jokingly referred to by other secret cults as 'producing handsome old men'...
"Upholding the Great Pioneer's ideal of pursuing and disseminating enlightenment, the White Cup cult will first present our academic project. Of course, we are merely showcasing; to learn more... you must also offer a corresponding price."
With that, instead of stating specifics like a typical speaker, he turned and pulled aside the deep black curtain behind the lectern.
Within a metal frame and ritual arrays, something concealed in shadow gradually revealed its true form.
It was a humanoid mechanical suit of armor.
Pure white paintwork interlocked with cold steel power struts, forming its bones and muscles. Ritual circuits engraved within the armor constituted its nerves and blood vessels.
And the weapon-forging furnace-heart deeply embedded within... gave it the organs necessary to drive the body.
Thump!
The sound of the furnace-heart starting was like the powerful beat of a heart. Exhaust from the valves spewed smoke like a breath, surging and howling.
Facing the surprised and astonished gazes of the attendees, Terence placed a hand on the exoskeletal struts of the weapon-forged armor and began explaining in an orderly manner.
"This is the first prototype of our 'Exo-Armor' project, codename 'Truth'."
Clang!
Precision engineering and ancient heavy armor, two nearly contradictory elements now harmoniously integrated into a single suit of armor, giving it both a next-generation mechanical feel and classical aesthetics. Though rough spots were still visible, it was no less stunning.
One could see fiery micro-glimmers flashing in the gaps of the visor's eyes, like a dust-sealed knight from the Lost Age casting its gaze upon those present.
Hearing the engine and furnace-heart's roar-like throbbing in his ears, Jonsen felt his breathing grow inexplicably heavier. Some older-generation vampires sneered at the White Cup's mechanical technology, only restraining their contempt due to the Budding Moon Covenant.
But he was different! He deeply understood the intense heat and power lurking beneath that cold steel structure.
It was also through the weapon-forging support from the Sun-Forgers cult that Attilan, at a disadvantage in the Reti War, gradually reversed its decline.
Besides that, any psychologically healthy adult male would probably harbor some longing for mechanical armor...
Jonsen made no attempt to hide his interest in this weapon-forged armor, immediately asking Terence on the podium for its specifics.
"Professor Terence, is it a relic? Dug up from which numbered ruins?"
"Hmm... A normal thought. Most academy professors thought the same when they first saw it."
"The heavy industry of the Lost Age far surpasses our comprehension; all reverse-engineering of weapon-forging relics is a useless waste of time. This is an ironclad rule proven by numerous cases."
Terence's tone was unhurried, clear to everyone's ears.
"Therefore, the design and R&D of the 'Truth'-type weapon-forged armor were independently completed by the White Cup cult. It is not an irreproducible unique piece... but a purely industrial creation."
"So you mean... it can be mass-produced?"
Jonsen guessed based on his experience, even picturing scenes of weapon-forged armor units deployed in war.
To this, Terence neither confirmed nor denied.
"Currently, there are only a few prototypes for validating theoretical correctness. Several technological iterations are still needed before mass production."
"How's the performance?"
The Sun-Forgers craftsman Dourn was also very interested in the White Cup's new creation. But as an experienced insider, he obviously cared more about the combat effectiveness of this creation.
"Terence, I think you know why knights were abandoned by the era... because their prized heavy armor was no better than papier-mâché before firearms and autocannons; charging was suicide."
"If this armor can't withstand bullets, it's no different from an iron coffin."
Facing Dourn's skepticism, Terence's expression remained as usual, clearly prepared.
The White Cup cult itself was a staunch proponent of the firepower superiority doctrine; of course they wouldn't neglect this practical aspect during weapon-forging R&D.
"That is obvious."
"It uses S-813. Pseudomorph Steel as the material for homogeneous armor. The calibers of conventional rifles in circulation are insufficient to penetrate it. However, specific parameters... allow me to keep those confidential for now."
Dourn originally wanted to ask about its effectiveness against secret arts, but was distracted mid-thought by something else Terence mentioned.
"You've mastered mass production of Pseudomorph Steel?"
"Not long ago."
"Hah, your talent for imitation remains as exceptional as ever..."
His tone held a hint of displeasure.
Pseudomorph Steel was originally a relic with exceptionally superior physical properties. But later, the Sun-Forgers cult obtained its refining formula from deciphered ancient texts... enabling mass production.
Could the White Cup cult really have reproduced it on their own? Preposterous...
Just then, Haida spoke up calmly.
"How is its mobility and endurance?"
The weapon-forging furnace-heart's noisy roar was still in their ears, and grey-black smoke dispersed in the council chamber.
This overwhelmingly noticeable presence... made Haida skip directly over the stealth concerns the Secrets-Hunters usually valued most, inquiring about other performance aspects.
"As long as the weapon-forging furnace-heart is operating, all movement of the wearer is augmented. 'Clumsy' is just people's stereotypical impression of armor. According to our tests, it can effectively reduce physical burden during movement."
"As for energy endurance..."
"The furnace-heart of this prototype currently only accepts spirit-infused materials as fuel. At full charge, it can operate continuously for five days."
As he said this, a barely perceptible flicker passed through his eyes.
In fact, the energy issue was currently this weapon-forged armor's biggest shortcoming. Its high mobility and load-bearing capacity completely relied on the weapon-forging furnace-heart's drive, and that thing's fuel wasn't cheap.
According to the White Cup cult's product testing results during R&D, the perfect fuel for the weapon-forged armor was the Sun-Forgers' Philosopher's Stone. Carrying just a few could provide months of endurance.
But that would instantly send energy costs skyrocketing to astronomical figures...
And if using ordinary fossil fuels, that would require carrying an extra bulky fuel tank. The numerous inconveniences this caused would almost negate all the product's tactical advantages.
"I understand."
Haida nodded, gaining a general understanding of this weapon-forged armor.
Simultaneously, she couldn't help but recall the Grey Knight power armor in Dr. Fran's collection. The solemn, imposing armor was adorned with books, skulls, and blades, like a meticulously crafted artwork.
Although there were some slight similarities in design philosophy between the two suits of armor, the chasm-like technological generation gap was even more evident. Haida had personally seen that unmanned Grey Knight tear open a hole in the material avatar of the Rotten High-Crown...
At this moment, Fran, sitting in the outer seats, pinched the round frame of her silver-rimmed glasses and pushed them up the bridge of her nose.
"The White Cup cult's tech tree seems to be adding points in strange directions..."
"And they've done quite well; many design aspects align with the prototype concept of power armor."
As a collector of some experience, she had always been passionate about collecting antiques and prototypes. The commemorative significance of first-generation creations was completely different from assembly-line products after technological iterations.
If there's a chance, she should get one to try out...
Moreover, the usage threshold for this weapon-forged armor wasn't very high. It didn't require extensive pre-implantation surgeries or installing a Black Carapace on the wearer; it was very user-friendly.
Hmm... It seems designed for mass production from the start.
Fran gently stroked her suture-covered palm, suppressing the urge to quietly make off with one from the White Cup's hangar.
Terence lightly tapped the lectern. Utus, who had been standing nearby, immediately understood and stepped onto the podium.
"Next is the live demonstration."
The weapon-forged armor opened its access hatch, and Utus entered it.
Click.
As the gaps at the armor joints perfectly aligned, it suddenly moved. Like a slumbering beast abruptly awakened, the diffuse sense of oppression was nearly suffocating.
Finally, this "empty shell," complete with all its organs, obtained the one thing it lacked... a soul.
"The 'Truth'-type armor primarily uses handheld autocannons for combat, and is also equipped with chain weapons for close-quarters fighting."
A weapons rack hidden behind the shadows was revealed to everyone as Terence spoke.
And at that very moment, Utus, in the armored state, suddenly grabbed a large-caliber handheld autocannon from the weapons rack and, facing the seated attendees, pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! His movements were precise and swift, appearing extremely incongruous with the heavy mechanical armor he wore.
In the blink of an eye, before anyone could even think to dodge, deafening gunshots resounded throughout the council chamber.
Vivian almost flipped out of her seat to find cover, but Sister Haida grabbed the back of her neck, forcibly stopping her escape impulse.
"An assassination attempt? Does the White Cup want to start a war?"
"That's impossible! They'd gain nothing from this..."
Listening to the scattered, panicked whispers of others in the outer seats, Fran lightly covered her thin lips and let out a bored yawn.
It seems the White Cup indeed put a lot of effort into this symposium, even preparing an impromptu performance...
"Have you gone mad, Terence?!"
Jonsen's sharp shout was almost instinctive, nearly preparing to use the Bat Transformation secret art, only restraining himself at the last moment.
"Blanks."
Haida reminded him, her gray chestnut eyes showing little surprise. From the first shot, she had discerned that Utus was firing blanks.
Besides, the White Cup had absolutely no reason to attack emissaries of various cults this way; it would only make them a target for all.
"Correct."
Terence gave a slight bow, calming the somewhat agitated attendees. After that, he asked everyone for their impressions of the previous scene.
"Everyone, compared to an ordinary soldier, was the armored individual's speed faster or slower? Were the actions less stable... or more precise?"
The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment. Even Jonsen, who had been somewhat displeased with him earlier, began to recall Utus's actions.
Leaping, drawing the gun, aiming—three actions executed in one fluid motion, without the slightest hesitation.
If he hadn't seen Utus don the armor himself, he would have thought this was a mechanical creation with independent consciousness.
"...This thing's responsiveness is indeed much higher than it looks."
Ultimately, Jonsen had to acknowledge its performance, which defied common sense.
The White Cup cult's academic showcase was truly impactful, worthy of being an opening trump card.
This also caused the vast majority of attendees to focus their attention on this weapon-forged armor codenamed "Truth."
In fact, Jonsen and Dourn directly requested detailed post-symposium discussions with Professor Terence, wanting to discuss product specifications and procurement orders after the event.
Prototypes were mostly conceptual products made to validate theoretical correctness, so cost was hardly considered during R&D, and their value was difficult to estimate.
Dourn dared to ask primarily because the Sun-Forgers cult had ample budgets and solid assets.
And Jonsen's Molting Moon cult was an ally of the White Cup, usually able to get some discount on purchases. Moreover, the vampires controlled many century-old industries and had substantial wealth as well.
Putting the most exciting main event at the beginning meant that if subsequent content wasn't captivating enough, it would be hard to hold people's attention...
This made Dourn's subsequent weapon-forging studies and the Mirror Lady's divination topics seem somewhat dull. Although they indeed provided valuable mystical knowledge, only industry insiders found them interesting...
Coincidentally, Fran was quite interested in both areas.
Although the mechanical technology she mastered was several generations ahead of the Sun-Forgers cult, they possessed unparalleled advantages in metallurgy. For instance, Sigrid had previously been able to remold and reshape adamantium with just a few rituals, making it hard not to admire…
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T/N: Hey readers~! New Translator here! Before I say anything, I'd first like to thank the original author for creating this wonderful story. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to share this adventure with you. I hope my translation does justice to their work, and that together, we can enjoy this story.
With that said, I'm happy to let you know I'll be uploading daily chapters. And for those who wish to support my work and gain early access, I've set up a Patreon where advanced chapters will be available.
[email protected]/PeakTL