Chapter 382 The Devil's Weapon

Professor Hector's efficiency is much higher than Luo Yan imagined.

Just one day later, teaching assistant Corgi hurried to the Magic Science Laboratory and reported the latest progress to Prince Colin, who was sitting at his desk reviewing the students' research progress.

"Teacher, there's news from Professor Hector!"

Corgi's tone was filled with excitement and excitement, and without waiting for His Highness Colin to speak, he continued excitedly.

"He has already reached an agreement with Mr. Merck, as you promised!"

The apprentices around were used to it.

Although Mr. Corgi was nominally Professor Hector's assistant, they had long regarded him as "one of their own."

Luo Yan put down the report in his hand and raised his eyebrows with interest.

"Oh? What did he say?"

Although he expected this task would not be too difficult, he did not expect it to be so smooth.

Corgi excitedly recounted the agreement reached between Professor Hector and mentor Merck, and vividly described the latter's reluctance to part with the mentor, and how Professor Hector, who pressed on step by step, managed to pry open the mentor's mouth.

When he said this, he paused for a moment and continued in a cautious tone.

"Professor Hector has done his best, but sir, this matter still requires your approval. Although Professor Merck agreed to give up the research rights of Virtual Realm No. 178, he also put forward a condition."

"explain."

"He requested to join your follow-up research on Virtual Realm No. 178 as an observer or participant..."

After saying this, Corgi couldn't help but add his own opinion.

"Teacher, maybe you don't care, but this request is actually a bit presumptuous in Xuebang. Professor Hector didn't remind you because he thought you didn't care, but... I think it's better for you to know."

After a pause, he whispered again.

"In addition, based on my observation of Professor Merck, if Professor Hector works harder, he should be able to reach an agreement without any conditions attached...You are actually helping him a lot by taking over this trouble."

Scholars are never reluctant to share their research results in the Sage Newspaper.

However, when it comes to truly critical technologies, people are usually very secretive about them, for fear that their "secret skills" will be learned by others.

From the perspective of Professor Hector's assistant, he shouldn't have said these unnecessary words to increase his professor's workload, but he liked this approachable prince very much, and he didn't want his highness to be schemed against by those scholars who seemed to be upright but were actually full of ulterior motives.

He didn't mind making two extra trips for this.

Although the Corgi had a worried expression on his face, Luo Yan didn't care at all.

His real purpose has never been to study magic, but to spread the "corruption" of the devil, so he naturally couldn't be afraid of people stealing his knowledge.

"No problem, let him come."

With a playful arc on his lips, Luo Yan said in a relaxed tone.

"I just happened to be curious about how he messed up."

He can't even copy homework, this is not right.

He thought that this was what the magicians of Xuebang were best at...

Corgi turned around and passed the message.

Ophelia, who had been secretly observing this place, finally got her chance to appear. Recently, her dear prince seemed to be troubled by trivial matters other than research.

Her respected father often told her that the Castellón family had no worries, and if they had to find one, it would be the mountains of gold coins that had nowhere to waste.

come on--

Ophelia, this is an opportunity!

Holding the Advanced Mathematics book filled with devil's whispers, she pretended to ask questions and walked casually to the desk, with a charming smile on her elegant and dignified face.

"It seems that the respected mentor is in some trouble. Is there anything that Miss Castellón can help you with?"

This sentence comes from "One Hundred Blushing and Heart-beating Secrets in Boudoirs".

Although this book seemed to be written for gentlemen, as her father always told her, the descendants of the Castellón family should not be bound by rules and regulations. They should be the makers of rules rather than slaves of dogma.

Ophelia had complete faith in her respected father, especially when what her father said was exactly what she liked to hear.

For example, she had obviously forgotten that her father had said, "Don't give up the forest for a leaf." And, "Just smell the bard's writings and don't take them to heart."

"Really? That's great. I just happen to have something to ask Miss Ophelia."

Looking at Miss Ophelia whose face was full of anticipation, Luo Yan smiled and took out a piece of notepaper from the side, on which were written the math problems prepared in advance.

By the way, this is also the tribute that players pay to him.

"This is a difficult problem I encountered in my research. Please think about it for me."

Looking at the devil's mumbling written all over the sticky note, Ophelia's face changed, cold sweat covered her fair little face, and the corners of her stiff mouth twitched slightly.

"Ha, ha, ha... This little thing is naturally no problem for me. What I mean is... are there any other troubles? And, you can rely on me a little more!"

"Really? That's great."

Having said this, Luo Yan smiled and took out a few more sticky notes with advanced math problems written on them and calmly handed them to Ophelia.

Ophelia's expression could no longer be suppressed. She glared at him fiercely with tearful eyes and ran away with the textbook covered with sticky notes in her arms.

Admiring the fleeing figure, Luo Yan nodded with satisfaction. Looking at the sticky notes in the drawer, he felt that this thing was much more useful than magic.

Youyou's shadow appeared beside him and complained quietly.

"Master Demon King, Youyou discovered that you are so evil..."

Picking up the teacup and taking a sip of the warm black tea, Luo Yan thought calmly in his heart.

"Isn't this for her own good?"

Youyou: "But you say this to everyone..."

Um?

Is this true?

…

It was soon dusk, but Ophelia, the "genius girl" from the holy city, was still racking her brains for the first question.

Ilana was a little worried about her condition, and was even more curious about what kind of problem His Highness Colin had given her, so she asked her if she needed help.

This time, Ophelia was not reserved and hugged the thigh decisively.

Ever since Ilana showed her her skills last time, she has been impressed by this top student's incredible mathematical talent.

The two seemed to have become good friends.

Ilana, who got the first question, quickly started calculating.

Then--

Not surprisingly, both of them were stumped by the tongue-twisting math problem.

Luo Yan, who was observing secretly, nodded with satisfaction.

Perfect!

When Luo Yan finished dealing with the chores in the laboratory and returned to the dormitory tower, an unfamiliar apprentice was waiting at the foot of the tower, looking exhausted.

Seeing the figure of Mentor Colin, the apprentice's eyes suddenly lit up. He walked forward in two steps and excitedly handed over a letter sealed with wax.

"Sir! You are finally back! Someone asked me to bring you a letter!"

The two metal golems in front of the dormitory tower door stared at the apprentice with a fierce look in their eyes, and it was obvious that they had no intention of letting him pass by.

However, the apprentice was also sensible enough to know that he could not enter the professors' dormitory tower, so he chose to wait quietly at the foot of the tower.

"Thanks."

Luo Yan took it with a smile, threw a magic stone to the young man as a tip, and then went straight back to his dormitory amid the latter's surprised thanks.

Sitting in the comfortable chair in the study, he opened the envelope, and a smell mixed with engine oil and metal dust hit him in the face.

【

Dear Mr. Colin:

I am sorry to write to you and disturb your precious time immersed in the endless truth.

The purpose of this letter is to report to you that the magic device that you previously commissioned our store to make, which can be called a "work of art", has finally lived up to your expectations after countless days and nights of careful polishing and repeated debugging, and is declared completed today.

You can always take the time to visit my workshop and personally inspect this outstanding design that you and your apprentices have put so much effort into!

Artisan Street, Alberto's workshop.

Sincerely, Alberto

】

The letter was from Alberto from Artisan Street.

The letter was written in humble and respectful terms, informing him that the mysterious "magic device" he had ordered earlier had been completed and he could pick it up at any time.

Apparently, after accepting the order, this skillful craftsman conducted a "background check" on his generous customer and, relying on his connections in the Tower of the Great Sage, found out what the name Colin meant.

Luo Yan was not surprised that he was curious about his identity, but he was a little amused that the gentleman's attitude had changed so much.

It seems that he is not as free and easy as he appears to be. Although he has left Xuebang, the imprint of Xuebang is still deeply engraved in his bones.

Just as Luo Yan was thinking about his next schedule, a round shadow suddenly poked its head out from under his robe.

There was a gleam of curiosity in those golden vertical pupils, his thumb-thick nostrils twitched, and he muttered with interest.

"Magic device? What kind of magic device? Is it a weapon?"

Taff's voice was filled with excitement.

She used her two little front paws to grab the edge of the table, trying to climb higher so that she could see the contents of the letter clearly.

She had long been fascinated by the legendary Artisan Street, where magic apprentices often went.

The thought that there might be all kinds of new things and delicious foods she had never tasted there made her so excited that the tip of her little tail couldn't help shaking slightly.

Mainly food.

Looking at Tafu's pitiful look as she couldn't wait to wag her tail, Luo Yan smiled and nodded, saying happily.

"Of course you can, but you have to be obedient and don't run around."

"I know, I know," Taffy patted his arm with her curled tail impatiently, "I'm not a child. I don't need you to remind me every time!"

Luo Yan smiled but said nothing.

He hasn't forgotten his last experience.

Before, the little girl had been clamoring to join in his class, and he thought many students were curious about his pet, so he brought her over.

It was fine at the beginning, this guy was sitting quietly on the climbing frame scratching his head and playing with his tail. But as soon as I talked about something she knew a little about, this "knowledgeable little devil" became restless, making a puffing sound with her mouth and covering her mouth with her hands to laugh.

Although she didn't do anything to disrupt the show openly due to her master's orders, the buzzing sound like a fly was really annoying.

Of course Luo Yan didn't spoil her later. She became obedient after he waved his magic wand.

A mere baby dragon is not enough to resist the magic of a platinum-level wizard.

Of course, afterwards, Taf denied having such a memory. Instead, she stubbornly bit back and blamed him for being too sensitive.

Ignoring Tafu's solemn promise, Luo Yan turned his head and looked at the silent figure in the corner of the room and gave instructions.

"Sarah, come out with me tomorrow at noon, and remember to take care of the child."

"I'm not a child!" Tuff protested immediately.

Sarah, who was standing next to the bookshelf, moved slightly, as gracefully as a cat blending into the shadows, and nodded respectfully to the respected Demon King, simply ignoring the protesting little female dragon.

"As you command, Your Highness."

…

At noon the next day, the snowstorm that had lasted all night paused slightly, and the long-lost warm sun penetrated the clouds, coating the snowfield that was covered with snow all year round with a layer of holy gold.

Luo Yan remembered that when he first came here, it was the coldest time of the year, but in the blink of an eye, spring was coming.

Although spring does not mean the melting of ice and snow in the northern wilderness, it at least allows the beautiful scenery of the wilderness to emerge from under the ice and snow.

At noon, Luo Yan took Sarah and Tafu out of the dormitory tower and set off for the Artisan Street near the Great Sage Tower on time.

Sarah was still wearing the leather armor that made it easy to move, with a velvet cloak covering her. She was holding the restlessly twisting little dragon in her arms.

She lagged behind Luo Yan by half a step, like a silent shadow, isolating herself from the crowded crowd around her, while being alert to the danger in the shadows.

Today's streets were much more lively than in the past, and could almost be described as "crowded with people". Young apprentices wearing robes of various schools crowded in groups of three or five on both sides of the street, making the already narrow road seem even more crowded.

Luo Yan noticed that Sarah was particularly serious today.

It can be seen that even after so much time has passed, the cat is still brooding over the mistake it made in the Holy City.

However, Luo Yan felt that there was no need for her to be so nervous. There was probably no place safer than Xuebang in the entire Aos continent.

This is the territory of the wizards.

He said with a casual smile in order to make her relax a little.

"What's wrong Sarah, you seem surprised?"

"Yes, Your Highness..." Sarah said in a low voice with a hint of hesitation, "Why are there so many apprentices on this street?"

She remembered that there weren't usually so many people.

"In a few days it will be the annual 'All Souls Festival' of the academy," Luo Yan smiled and said in a casual tone, "According to tradition, the Great Sage's Tower will hold a grand 'Maze Trial' for the apprentices. These guys are probably here to purchase equipment."

Many apprentices in his laboratory were also preparing for this activity, such as Hader and Bell who were researching "thermobaric explosive bombs". He also encouraged the two to design their own equipment as much as possible, so that the power of the Magic Science Laboratory could be fully utilized in the maze trial.

If the funds are insufficient, you can provide “sponsorship” yourself.

As for Ophelia, she also wanted to show off her skills, but unfortunately she had only talent and was still a novice in casting spells and meditation.

The teachers at Xuebang would definitely not let the young ancestor of the Castellón family do such a dangerous thing.

Although it is not a real maze and there are no demons or devils, it does not mean that there is no danger at all.

"So that's how it is..." Sarah nodded in sudden realization, and looked around with a rare hint of curiosity.

The same was true for Taf, who was held in her arms. Her golden vertical pupils kept moving around, looking at everything around her with interest.

However, compared to her curiosity about new things themselves, her interest is mainly focused on the sense of superiority of advanced civilizations over inferior primitive people.

As she passed a potion shop, her eyes quickly fell on the pot of bubbling green soup behind the window.

Watching the wrinkled old witch throw a whole toad into the cauldron, she made a retching expression and grumbled in Dragon Language.

"…It's unbelievable that they threw a whole toad, along with its internal organs and feces, into the pot and boiled it instead of analyzing the active ingredients and purifying them. Is this alchemy or the manufacture of biological weapons?"

Before Luo Yan had time to respond to her, her attention was immediately attracted by a stall in front of the alchemy shop.

The stall owner was selling a talisman that could be used for short-distance calls to the apprentices, with saliva flying all over the place. It seemed that it was used for long-distance communication in the maze.

Objectively speaking, this thing is actually very useful. The troops on the Empire's frontlines are all equipped with it, but not many of them are equipped.

But for Taft, this was clearly a low-brow trick.

"Tsk, tsk, point-to-point single-channel audio transmission, this thing can actually be sold as a commodity... If I had more friends, wouldn't I have to stuff my crotch with rocks to keep in touch with them?"

Listening to her endless criticism, Luo Yan couldn't help but smile.

He turned his head, looked at the arrogant little guy, and asked an interesting question in a chatty tone.

"When something is invented, do you think the interests of the inventor or the user are the first to be served?"

I didn't expect the Demon King to throw this question to me, but this stupid question obviously couldn't stump Lord Tafu from the Zeta Empire.

She answered almost without hesitation.

"Is there even a need to ask? Of course it's the user! What else? Tools are created to solve problems!"

The smile on Luo Yan's face became even more intense.

This self-evident answer is actually consistent with the self-identity perception of the "advanced worker bees" in an atomized society.

"In terms of results, this is true," he said leisurely, "but if you view history as a continuous and cumulative calculus, you will find that every new thing, at the moment of its birth, actually conforms to the interests of the inventor. It is only occasionally that the interests of the inventor coincide with the interests of the user...so the latter has an illusion."

He pointed to the stall selling talisman stones not far away.

"Point-to-point communication is, of course, for the purpose of selling more communication stones. The same goes for those magic scrolls that become ineffective after one use... After all, those magic apprentices don't have a choice, right?"

"At least for now, Xuebang has no competitors in this land. The Kingdom of Rhodes and Xuebang may not get along on the surface, but that's just on the surface. They have always been part of the huge system of the Empire."

"And the various mentors in the academy have no disagreement on the position of 'how to squeeze the most benefits from the apprentices'. Those who are truly capable of changing this situation will certainly compete with each other, but they will never compete for the interests of the apprentices, but for the virtual realm that the apprentices will never be able to reach in their lifetime."

"If you think about it from this perspective, don't all the irrational behaviors you see become very reasonable?"

Tafu was stunned. She had never thought about the problem from this perspective, but her instinct and pride made her immediately refute.

"This is sophistry! It's obviously just the magician's dish here!"

"This has nothing to do with any debate. This is the real world. Do you think that only the magicians in Xuebang are not smart enough, and your Zeta Empire is an exception?"

Luo Yan spoke slowly, his caring eyes as if he was looking at a child who refused to admit defeat.

Looking at the little female dragon with eyes wide open, he uttered a real devil's whisper in a normal voice.

"…For example, why did the Zeta Empire want to 'castrate' all Zetas at the genetic level, depriving them of the right to reproduce naturally? Is this really for the benefit of all Zetas?"

"If that's the case, do you use the time you saved through cloning technology, which should have been used to conceive and raise offspring, to enjoy life, or to produce more 'surplus goods' that you can't consume at all?"

"Let's take a step back. Since you call yourself an empire, there must be a head of state, right? Did he and those who came up with these bad ideas strictly abide by this rule instead of enjoying the happiness of having a wife or family? Or... did they also jump out of the cloning warehouse?"

"If that's the case, I have to admire you."

These words were like a poisoned blade, piercing Tafu's vital points precisely.

Her defense was broken instantly, and she almost screamed, "Enough! You devil! Mind your own business! The Zetas don't need you to worry about them!"

She wasn't defending the head of the empire, but she was really scared.

He really wanted to promise to let the Zetas lay eggs!

This guy is a real devil, and his power to bewitch people is too terrifying.

He can always easily find the weakest link in a person's faith and then cleverly inject the devil's genes into it!

And all this is done in the name of justice!

Tafu couldn't help but think of the "flying boat" that looked like a starship. Xuebang seemed to have really established some kind of connection with her hometown.

Although she had thought about taking this opportunity to contact her hometown, report her situation, and even ask her compatriots to find a way to take her back, she felt a chill when she thought of the mysterious methods that this guy showed in the 440th virtual realm, and she was extremely afraid that this guy would follow the clues and interfere in the affairs of her hometown.

It's better not to deal with these spiritualist lunatics...

Especially when the Zeta Empire's fleet seems unable to physically invade this universe on a large scale, the primitive magicians who are proficient in extraordinary powers seem even more unreasonable.

And the most important thing is——

She looked down at her little paws.

She is now just a "meat lizard" and she really doesn't know how to explain the current situation to her compatriots.

Those guys won't just laugh it off like the devil would.

If the Zeta Empire's starships really come here, in the face of the "meat lizard" industry chain that is so huge that it cannot be measured by economic value, all the "dragons" on the entire planet will probably disappear.

Unconsciously, her interests and personal safety seemed to have been tied to the demon king beside her...

Looking at the little female dragon in his arms who was in great panic and self-doubt, Luo Yan smiled and decided to let her go for the time being.

His teasing of Tafu was always brief and he didn't need to let a fellow wanderer break down his defenses.

He nodded happily and ended the topic gently.

"You're right, that's your business."

After all, his hands were not that long and he could not reach behind the virtual realm.

But if it could, that would be another matter.

Just like the question he asked Tafu at the beginning, whether an event is related to the Demon King depends on the Demon King's interests.

…

The carriage stopped at a relatively secluded corner of Artisan Street, where "Alberto's Workshop" was located.

Unlike the surrounding shops that were decorated with gorgeous decorations for enchanted weapons and armor, this workshop looked plain and unpretentious, as if it was completely unaware of the festive atmosphere.

I think this is related to the fact that the owner has been busy dealing with a big deal recently.

As Luo Yan and his group walked to the door of the store, a thin figure immediately came out from the store.

This person was the shop owner Alberto. He was still wearing the leather apron that was slightly stained with oil. He looked excited and a little nervous, like a nervous student who was about to present his graduation work and waited for the instructor's judgment.

"Dear mentor Colin! You are here!"

Alberto stepped forward quickly, bowed deeply and respectfully to His Royal Highness, and spoke eagerly.

"The work you commissioned has been completed! It is the greatest honor of my life, Alberto, to be able to participate in such a talented design as yours!"

"You're welcome, Mr. Alberto. That was just an immature idea of mine. I should thank you for making it a reality for me." Luo Yan smiled and nodded. Instead of continuing the greeting, he gave a look to Sarah behind him.

Sarah understood, freed a hand from under Taff's tail, took out a heavy purse, and shook out seven gold coins into Alberto's hand.

The gold coins made a crisp collision sound in Alberto's rough palms, and the pleasant sound made his already excited face even more flushed.

"Thank you for your recognition, Master! But..."

Alberto carefully collected the balance, rubbed his hands, and said embarrassedly, "The 'work' you ordered is too large to be fully displayed in this artisan street with many shops. If we want to see its full appearance, I'm afraid we have to go to the open snowfield outside the city."

Hearing this, Tafu became even more expectant. She stretched her neck to look into the store with an eager look.

Looking at the cautious Mr. Alberto, Luo Yan nodded happily.

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."

After all, this was his means of transportation to the Principality of Campbell, so he naturally had to inspect it first. He couldn't let it fail at the critical moment.

(End of this chapter)