191 So What's Next
"Wait before we decide our next plan," I say before turning to Hakase, "can you prepare like a thousand more of those automaton crystals, the same way you did for the Burning Metal Dragon? Also, can you teach me how to do it as well, I can reimburse all the crystals and you'll end up with several times more than what you started with. I can also provide a few tons of raw materials."
Hakase slowly opens her mouth to respond but before she can, both Boshi and Gyosu look at each other before turning towards me as they both yell, "she accepts!"
Having lost her chance, Hakase gives up and just nods before she gets dragged out of the testing area by the two of them, likely to make her work faster, not that I expect the pestering of those two to actually affect her work speed.
Leaving the rest of us alone, we return back to the previous conversation as I start it off saying, "for the time being, I want to stick around here until the job I asked for is done and until I can create my own script in the automaton crystals."
"I don't think any of us really have a problem with that, but what comes after?" Aurelia asks.
"I'm curious as to why you want so many? if you don't mind my asking," Yue says.
"Isn't it cool to be able to have my own personal army? Just imagine what it would look like to see an army of my machines on the battlefield, a thousand near-indestructible giant automatons rushing across the battlefield."
"Teacher's got a point, I think it's pretty cool too."
"Isn't that just because your both simple minded, and I don't think hihi'irokane is as indestructible as you think, but I will admit that it's probably unmatched in most cases."
"Putting aside the insult, what makes you say that, although I have no problems breaking and bending the metal, it doesn't seem like anyone else can do so."
"There exist artefact weapons made from it so you aren't the only one who can do so. Chances are Demigods with some relation to metal can do so and most Gods and Goddesses should also be able to destroy it, not to mention the more powerful ones like Serabane and Akkre. And I know you haven't been paying attention to most of the results from all the testing that was done with the metal, even the ones you had participated in. Do you know what happened after you used a Void enhanced attack on the metal?" Aurelia asks.
"Well, I saw that it didn't break so I just ignored it. Did something happen afterwards?"
"*Sigh* that's just like you, and yes, something did happen. Boshi had gone to examine it and found that the hihi'irokane had become brittle. The same thing happens with all the test where you had used Void Energy. And you do know that by pushing Divine Energy into the metal you can expel all the absorbed fire in a targeted beam, you were at least paying attention to this, right?"
"Yeah, I thought it would be a pretty cool weapon, what of it? There should be something more to it if you're bringing it up."
"Figures you weren't paying attention to the explanation, but to keep it simple, after emptying out the absorbed fire, if you keep pushing Divine Energy into the hihi'irokane it will cause a similar effect to what the Void Energy does to it and become brittle. However, if you keep pushing past that point, the hihi'irokane will collapse and break down. It's a good thing Hihi'irokane doesn't passively absorb Divine Energy as it does for fire."
"Damn, and to think I was just kicking myself for not paying attention in school. I really need to start listening to what people say when they explain stuff like this."
"It's ok, Cory, even if you don't pay attention, I'll just pass on the information for you. Although, I do agree you should at least try to listen," Lia says.
"And you," Aurelia says, turning to Lia, "you need to stop spoiling her."
"I feel like we're really far from the original topic," Wanjing says.
"Maybe I shouldn't have asked about the automatons," Yue says.
"No, it was a good opportunity for Cordelia to know the limits of hihi'irokane before she blindly walks into a fight with them only to be beaten down by their weakness. But Wanjing is right, we are a bit far from the original topic, so let's move back to that. Should we continue exploring Shengdi or make our way out?" Aurelia asks.
"I say we leave, I want to see the outside world," Wanjing says.
"I'll just go along with whatever Cory chooses to do," Lia says.
"I personally want to keep exploring Shengdi, but I got word from my clone recently and it seems that Milla wants you two to return as soon as possible," Aurelia says.
"If that's the case, I think we should try to finish things here, Cory, but I'll leave the final decision up to you."
"If you choose to leave, I'd like to go with you all, but I still have things I need to take care of some loose ends here before I can think about leaving Shengdi," Yue says.
"How about we help Yue with her problems then we leave with her and see what Milla wants, although I get the feeling I already know what the problem is. But for now, what is it you need help with, Yue?"
"Are you sure? You'll basically be declaring war on Shenzhou if you help me with this? Although, depending on how we handle this, the central government may not make any moves."
"Well we do have an army in the making now and I need a target to test out my new weapons. Besides, as far as they're concerned, we're already criminals. But if you're saying that Shenzhou may not retaliate, just what is it you want to do?"
"It's a few things but it all comes from a single root, remove the Hong family from power. Undermine their businesses, expose their corruption and bring their poor ethics to light, as well as killing the family's elders and their supporters."
"That's gonna be difficult," Wanjing comments.
"And why's that?" I ask.
"My family, the Hong family, is one of the oldest in Shenzhou along with the other Scion families, with the exception of the extinct descendants of the Azure Dragon, although I suppose they aren't truly extinct since there is one sitting before us here. The Hong family has been long time servants and guards of the Imperial Family and its influence is quite wide. Launching a frontal assault on the family home wouldn't work since I don't believe we could win since a few of the leaders within the family are stronger than me," Yue explains.
"So then how are we supposed to uproot them?" I ask.
"As Scarlet Feather, I've already exposed the corruption of a few seniors and brought a few of the family's businesses down. At this point, it's just a matter of dealing with the strongest and most influential of the elders and other leaders. The number of people within the family that are dissatisfied like I am isn't low, but none are as strong as me to be able to take matters into their own hands. As long as we deal with the senior leadership and the influential elders, the biggest roadblock for the dissatisfied will disappear paving the way for reformation."
"So how do we do this without attracting the ire of the Imperial Family of Shenzhou?" Lia asks.
"A frontal assault as I said likely wouldn't work, at least not on my own, with you lot it might actually work, but we would be within the sight of the Imperial Family. But if we find a way to isolate and assassinate our targets, without causing a commotion in the Capital, then we should be able to get away without attracting the old guard of the central government."
"If it's assassination, then we might be able to do this with relative ease," Aurelia says turning her eyes towards me and Lia, "while the Dragon duo may not be the quietest, their knowledge on poisons and venom is certainly top tier. Yue, I want to speak with you about the plan for this over the next few days while Cordelia is busy here with her robot army."
"So are we done? I can go see Hakase and the others now, right?" I ask.
"Yeah, I'll continue to discuss the plan moving forward with Yue and let you know when it's finalised," Aurelia says.
"Ok, later then."
Leaving Aurelia and Yue behind, I get up to head over to Hakase's workshop as Wanjing transforms and jumps on top of my head while Lia follows as well. I just hope that I can let my new army fight at some point soon.
