Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 180: Chapter 176: Jon’s Origin? The Rise of the Giant God Workshop

After such a harrowing attack, no one had the heart to continue the banquet.

Viscount Paris urgently dispatched someone with Reya’s token to the Sun Church, requesting the Defender Army and Priests come to the Lord’s Mansion to check for any residual Evil Magic. They would also interrogate the captive, Adonis.

Meanwhile, Reya and her father, Yed, went to soothe the nobles one by one, further reinforcing the effect of her earlier encouraging words.

In the process, tales of Jon’s own deeds, as well as the names ”Giant God Workshop” and ”Gun Cavalry I,” began to circulate formally among the nobles.

”I see. So this Mr. Jon is not only your savior, Reya, but also a benefactor to Viscount Paris. He’s even saved Birch Town multiple times... Truly remarkable...”

A young noblewoman acquainted with Reya marveled softly. She withdrew her gaze from the distant Jon—who was surrounded by gentlemen and discussing something with Paris—and looked back at the red-haired girl before her.

”Then... Reya, do you know where he comes from?”

”He’s so young, yet he has such an air about him. He doesn’t seem like an Ordinary Adventurer from a humble background.”

Hearing this, an almost imperceptible hesitation flickered across Reya’s face. ’Since I’m so fond of Jon, of course I want to know everything about him.’

But Jon had never spoken of such matters, and she had instinctively chosen to respect his privacy.

”Regarding Mr. Jon’s origins... he has never told anyone his surname. I’m afraid he doesn’t wish to speak of it, so we should respect his wishes.”

At this reply, the noblewomen gathered around Reya exchanged glances, and the surrounding whispers died down.

Just then, a middle-aged noblewoman in a deep purple velvet dress, with a touch of frost at her temples, suddenly furrowed her brow. Her gaze returned to the distant Jon, filled with uncertain scrutiny.

”Before, I couldn’t be sure, but now that I look... Mr. Jon’s... face seems somewhat familiar...”

Her voice was not loud, but it instantly captured everyone’s attention.

Reya’s gaze, along with those of the other ladies and young women nearby, snapped to her.

Facing the silent pressure of everyone’s ardent stares, the lady instinctively straightened her back. Her index finger tapped unconsciously against her lower lip as her gaze pierced through the crowd, growing more intent, as if she were trying to make out every detail of Jon’s profile.

Then, her voice lowered, laced with conviction.

”Yes... I’m certain of it.”

”About seven or eight years ago, while accompanying my husband on a diplomatic mission to the southern border states, I met the heir to a small Duchy at a grand diplomatic banquet...”

”His Highness was young, but his bearing was extraordinary. There was a... a sort of innate majesty to his every move that made him unforgettable.”

Her gaze locked onto Jon’s upright silhouette and his unique, ice-blue eyes once more.

”The contours of this Mr. Jon’s face, especially his eyes... bear a striking resemblance to that of His Highness.”

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze. Reya couldn’t help but hold her breath.

Finally, the lady concluded that topic and began a new one with a single name.

”I remember that Duchy... I believe it was called... Apollonia...”

...

At the other end of the hall, surrounded by gentlemen, Jon was naturally unaware of the storm of speculation about his origins brewing around Reya. He was busy introducing his products.

”Gentlemen, do you have any questions about the Gun Cavalry I?”

An elderly nobleman with a neatly trimmed goatee and a sharp gaze was the first to speak.

”Mr. Jon, it was deeply impressive how your Mechanical Body was unaffected by that Mage’s Breaking Skill.”

”Is this a unique feature? Is it immune to all forms of interference?”

Jon nodded slightly, his ice-blue eyes sweeping over the crowd.

”That is one of the core advantages of the Gun Cavalry I, Sir Harlington.”

”As you all saw, it does not rely on traditional Magic Power. Its core power source is a stable and resilient form of energy—I call it ’Crystal Energy’.”

”The vast majority of interference and corrupting effects are almost completely ineffective against a Mechanical Body powered by Crystal Energy.”

His understated words precisely targeted the nobles’ deepest anxiety at that moment—their fear of bizarre Evil Magic.

The earlier scene of the attendant’s betrayal had truly terrified them.

Another tall nobleman wearing a knightly insignia immediately followed up.

”And what of its actual combat capability? Its charge was certainly terrifying, but what level of Warrior is it equivalent to?”

This was a question on everyone’s mind. No matter how miraculous the Mechanical Body was, it was just an expensive ornament if it lacked substantial combat power.

”An excellent question, Sir Marcus.”

Jon’s tone was full of confidence.

”After rigorous testing, a single Gun Cavalry I’s comprehensive combat power is sufficient to match an experienced Official Level Knight.”

”Its Power, speed, and durability exceed that standard. Equipped with a Rune-Engraved Steel Long Spear and a tower shield for both offense and defense, it is especially suited for holding a position or charging into the fray.”

He paused before adding.

”Of course, its tactical flexibility and on-the-fly adaptability cannot compare to a truly intelligent being, but its reliability and endurance are irreplaceable on certain battlefields.”

”If it’s that powerful, the controls must be extremely complex?”

A nobleman who seemed more of a scholar than a warrior asked with a frown, clearly considering the operational difficulty and cost.

A slight smile touched the corner of Jon’s mouth.

”That is another key aspect of its design.”

He revealed his wristband and gave it a slight shake. A Gun Cavalry unit standing beside him immediately raised its spear and performed a knightly salute.

”Thanks to Crystal Energy, the operator doesn’t need complex training. They only need a basic ability to focus their Spirit to issue mental commands through the wristband from a safe distance, allowing for broad-strokes combat direction.”

”Specific tactical maneuvers are executed autonomously by the Mechanical Body’s pre-programmed combat logic.”

He looked around at the crowd, his voice rising slightly.

”And this means that you, gentlemen, can simultaneously command several Gun Cavalry units from a safe location, forming an iron legion that knows no fear and follows every order. You won’t have to worry about your precious Knights or Soldiers being lost.”

”One person can control several units?”

A suppressed gasp rippled through the crowd.

Viscount Paris’s eyes were shining with astonishing brightness.

He knew Jon intended to establish his own power base, but he never expected him to produce something this revolutionary!

This was nothing like the cumbersome, expensive Mechanical Bodies they were familiar with, which required immense skill to operate!

Jon took this opportunity to broaden the topic.

”Yes. This is the very purpose of my Giant God Workshop. Technological innovation brings about many changes.”

”And we don’t just produce Mechanical Bodies.”

He spread his hands as if presenting a grand blueprint.

”Besides the Gun Cavalry series, we also offer exquisite weapons and Armor, supervised or even personally forged by a Dwarf Grandmaster.”

The two words ”Dwarf Grandmaster” instantly caused an even greater stir and more intense whispering among the nobles.

Compared to a new type of Mechanical Body that had yet to be widely tested, this was far more appealing to most traditional, old-school Professionals.

Jon didn’t mind; he simply took the opportunity to continue his presentation.

”Furthermore, the Workshop also accepts orders for various high-quality potions. Whether it’s healing potions and Antidotes urgently needed on the battlefield, or Combat Potions to aid in training and provide temporary enhancements, we can provide stable and effective solutions.”

”In short.”

”The Giant God Workshop aims to provide our allies with comprehensive military support and technical assurance. From the sturdiest shields to the sharpest spears, from arming individuals to constructing an entire strategic force, we can do it all.”

These words thoroughly ignited the nobles’ enthusiasm.

”Mr. Jon, what is the Workshop’s current production capacity? When can the first batch of Gun Cavalry be delivered?”

”Does Master Sutton’s work accept private commissions? What are the prices?”

”Can the supply channel for healing potions prioritize my family’s needs?”

”That core technology that resists interference... could it be applied to Magic Armor...”