Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 588 - 587: Intelligence Exchange and Arrangements

The materials Gawain copied using his powerful memory are invaluable treasures for each Cecil researcher—even Rebecca, with her simple thoughts, can unmistakably recognize this.

”Elf rune technology originates from ancient times. They unearthed the arrangement and combination methods of these runes and abundant knowledge in mechanics, biology, physics, and the arcane realm from the legacy of primordial elves. However, they lack the process of deduction for all these technologies and cannot recreate the special environment the primordial elves had when conducting research. This has led their technological development to a bottleneck in recent years,” Gawain slowly explained the Silver Empire’s issues as Kamel and others gazed at the technical materials, ”Elves, like us humans, rely on Transcendents’ spiritual perception to research magic. This method is extremely efficient in the early stages, as no tool can match the comfort of innate talent, but later...”

”They must step out of their ’comfort zone,’” Kamel lifted his head from the mysterious and complex runes, the arcane lights at his head position fixated on Gawain, ”Their rune arrangement is very intricate, and maintaining a normal operation of a magic circle under such complexity is no easy task. They’ve reached the pinnacle in the realm of experience. These rune arrays might be the result of hundreds or thousands of years of exploration and summarization... It’s truly regrettable that their exceptional magical talent has instead become a kind of limitation. This talent prevented them from realizing that mathematical tools hold more potential than innate talent in time.”

Kamel’s statement is very reasonable, but Gawain knows that elves have started to introduce mathematical tools in the field of magic research over these years. The Astrologer Vilanya managed to derive some numerical values of magic wave fluctuations through calculation. Yet evidently, the elves’ remarkable magical talent still limits their thinking in this area.

But this is not the issue to be discussed at the moment.

”Jenni, organize resources to translate these runes and seek optimization strategies,” Gawain looked at several experts on rune logic present, ”Kamel, Rebecca, you two work together to develop a testing plan, strive to promptly simulate the operating environment of these runes in the Origin Laboratory.”

Three voices simultaneously responded: ”Yes.”

Then Gawain turned to Aunt Heidi: ”What is the operational status of the domain?”

Aunt Heidi stood up: ”Everything is developing steadily. I am focusing on monitoring those old aristocrats to prevent any inappropriate thoughts during your absence from the domain. Agriculture, industry, military are all operating as usual. Regarding food supply, the total warehouse intake has reached the planned level for this year. Some new urban areas in the west might experience food shortages in winter, and relief has been arranged in advance... The first test line for the Magic Train has been laid, and real train testing will be conducted soon...”

”Any new information from the north?”

”The ceasefire between the royal family and the Duke of the East continues, but both sides are obviously preparing to resume hostilities at any moment—Duchess Victoria has personally led the Mountain Corps into the Plains of the Holy Spirits, and the Duke of the East has increased troops in the confrontation area. However, as the weather turns colder, troop increases should stop before winter.”

Gawain has been away from the Cecil Principality for nearly a month, and the domestic situation and the internal situation in Anzu have not deviated from his expectations, which lets him breathe a small sigh of relief.

After confirming the domestic condition, Gawain turned his attention to Daniel and Mary.

He looked at the old mage: ”What’s the situation in Typhon Empire?”

”Everything as you planned,” Daniel respectfully stated, ”I shared the methods of running factories, enclosing land for farms, and controlling costs with those investors. No one can resist those enormous profits, investing in factories and establishing businesses has become a craze among small and medium aristocrats and wealthy merchants in Aldernon and major cities in the northern areas. Even citizens are borrowing heavily to invest in those new factories and companies—Emperor Rosetta Augustus ordered the council to complete the paper currency reform quickly before leaving Aldernon to cope with the increasingly large scale of capital flows. This matter is now overseen by Regent Duke Ferdinand Wendell and should begin soon.”

Gawain nodded: ”Closely monitor any issues that arise during the paper currency reform. You can directly provide the relevant information to Aunt Heidi.”

”Yes, my lord.”

Gawain lightly exhaled.

Paper currency... As economic development progresses, the transition from precious metal currency to paper currency in commercial activities is inevitable. Heavy gold and silver coins are inconvenient to carry, cumbersome to count in large transactions, and have inherent defects in circulation, management, and storage. Paper currency is undoubtedly the best replacement for precious metal currency once the economy reaches a certain level of development. Thus, as the Cecil Principality continues to grow and domestic commercial activities become more frequent, the issuance of a form of paper currency has naturally been placed on the Administrative Office’s agenda.

However, replacing metals used for hundreds of years with a sheet of ”paper” with numbers on it is not that easy.

People’s usage habits are the first issue; they might not be accustomed to purchasing with ”paper.” Secondly, it’s a matter of the trust in ”paper currency.” Citizens accustomed to metal currency will naturally worry whether those numbered ”papers” can truly hold value like gold and silver. Additionally, the officials in the Administrative Office must consider the order of market transactions during currency replacement, merchant fluidity and stability, unexpected losses and order disturbances due to unfamiliarity with paper currency among the populace, and currency conversion issues when it comes to the Principality’s foreign trade...

The first two issues can be gradually resolved through the Administrative Office’s promotion and authority, while subsequent issues must be addressed carefully and attentively one by one.

Gawain is not omniscient in this field; he lacks confidence. He only knows the superiority of paper currency over metal currency but is uncertain about what problems might arise when implementing the new currency.

Fortunately, the Cecil Principality can cross this bridge with Typhon Empire’s guidance.

Under Daniel’s deliberate promotion and the socioeconomic foundation of the Typhon Empire, led by Aldernon, the developed cities of Typhon are entering the industrial and capital era at an astonishing pace. The middle and lower aristocrats, who have lost substantial profits due to the Empire’s new policies, see the hope of returning to glory and are almost frantically plunging into commerce. This will undoubtedly prompt Emperor Rosetta Augustus to reform the currency system.

In fact, even before this grand ”magical industrial revolution,” Typhon’s economy had developed to a rather high level. The thriving commerce and increasingly abundant material output constantly required the circulation of money in the hands of the Typhon Empire. Years ago, Emperor Rosetta Augustus had already organized his advisors to study this matter and concluded the need for a more advanced currency. Now, Daniel’s activities are just pushing this reform in Typhon a step further.

They will stride into this quagmire and stumble numerous times. They will ultimately summarize correct experiences and gain enormous benefits through their missteps. Meanwhile, the Cecil Clan will promptly learn about each pitfall they encounter and avoid them in advance.

Of course, doing so does not mean complete safety. Aunt Heidi and her Administrative Office team will surely encounter Cecil-specific issues while promoting the new currency. Nevertheless, accumulating some lessons from Typhon as a testing ground is always beneficial—after all, the Cecil Clan has a fragile foundation and cannot afford major mistakes.

After giving observation tasks, Gawain inquired Daniel: ”How have the Typhon Empire’s military movements been recently?”

”There’s not much change. Emperor Rosetta Augustus has currently left Aldernon, and the various troops of Typhon are stationed at their posts. I suppose these troops would not dare make any move whilst the emperor is away from the imperial capital unless something significant happens.”

”Very well,” Gawain nodded, ”I suppose they won’t make any move until the construction of the great walls is complete and Rosetta Augustus returns to Aldernon. During this time, just continue executing your tasks as usual without any extraordinary actions to avoid arousing suspicion.”

”Yes, my lord.”

The exchange of intelligence concluded.

Gawain adjusted to a relatively comfortable position in his chair, glanced at the participants of this network meeting, including Mary, who entered the Origin Space for the first time, and after briefly organizing his thoughts, he spoke unhurriedly: ”There is one more thing—I discovered some things at the great walls.”

He recounted his discoveries at the sentinel towers and the vines he saw in the shadow realm, as well as his suspicions regarding the Oblivion Association.

”...If the situation is indeed as I suspect, the infiltration of the Oblivion Association and what they are plotting may far exceed our imagination,” Gawain continued seriously after sharing his findings, ”Kamel, prepare the plan for a Magic Web Terminal that can connect to the sentinel towers as soon as possible. The elves have already agreed to open their communication keys and messaging technology. We now need to quickly contact the Elven Royal Court of the Silver Empire, so they can organize forces to inspect all sentinel towers. Aunt Heidi, send another warning to the city of St. Soniel in my name... hopefully, they can at least catch some Oblivion followers hidden within the kingdoms.”

After a slight pause, he added, ”Also, send the same warning to the Duke of the East.”

Aunt Heidi questioned slightly: ”The Duke of the East? Do you mean Edmund?”

Her question was justified—according to the intelligence possessed by the Cecil Clan, Prince Edmund Moen might have long been secretly in contact with the Oblivion Association. Sending a warning about Oblivion to him seemed unnecessary.

However, Gawain nodded: ”Yes, Edmund. Send it to him—at least formally, this letter is necessary. I’m also curious about the extent of Edmund Moen’s involvement with the Oblivion Association. If their connection isn’t that deep... this warning letter might have some unexpected effects.”

Aunt Heidi nodded: ”I understand.”

Gawain then turned to Daniel: ”Daniel, as far as I know, the Three Great Dark Sects have had interactions. How much do you know about the Oblivion Association’s infiltration actions at the great walls?”

”I’m sorry, my lord. My knowledge in this area is limited,” Daniel bowed his head apologetically, ”For many years, my focus has been on studying Eternal Sleepers Sorcery, not paying much attention to the actions of the Oblivion Association. However, I have heard of something. It’s said that the high ranks of Oblivion control a technology called ’Shadow Bridge,’ which seems related to the great walls.”

Gawain slightly frowned, softly repeating the term: ”Shadow Bridge?”

”The Shadow Bridge does exist,” Pittman, who had been mostly silent, now spoke proactively, ”It’s a form of communication—but I don’t know the specifics.”

Pittman was quite knowledgeable about Oblivion matters. This wasn’t a secret here. Although Gawain had never mentioned that the old Druid once served dark sects, in this concealed space, he didn’t mind sharing some secrets about the cults he knew.

”A communication tool, is it...”

Listening to the information Pittman provided, Gawain murmured to himself, contemplating silently.