But Linen said with some excitement: "This is ancient alchemy, but have you ever thought about it, Ade, what were the ancient Numelin Elves combat artisans like?"

Fang Hong was taken aback.

But evidently, Linen wasn't the type to keep things to themselves. He didn't keep them guessing and continued directly: "The contemporary Alchemist and combat artisan actually have their similarities. Having participated in the Continental League, you should know that the operations of a Craftsman in a magic furnace are quite similar to the manipulation of flexible constructs. Thus, we can completely deduce that ancient alchemy and ancient combat artisans are not fundamentally different either."

He appeared somewhat excited, to the point that his voice was slightly off-key: "Ade, the essential difference between ancient Alchemists and today's alchemy is merely the presence or absence of magic. By the same token, could it be that the ancient combat artisans and today's combat artisans are the same principle?"

Fang Hong couldn't help but truly freeze for a moment. He never thought about it from this angle, but suddenly realized it made a certain kind of sense. It's not as simple as one plus one equals two, or add one equals three, however.

He thought for a moment and identified the issue: "You're not thinking of following the same pattern, using an alchemy array to simulate ancient spells, and then manipulating flexible constructs, are you?"

Having just considered the feasibility of it, Fang Hong couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. To use the same method for some simple alchemy operations is already challenging for him; to transform it into more complex, flexible construct manipulation would be...

He simply couldn't imagine what kind of inhuman difficulty that would be.

Fortunately, while Linen had a rather linear thought process, it's not to the extent that he would run into a wall in front of him. He shook his head and said: "It's very difficult for a Craftsman to achieve this step, but I think the difficulty lies in mastering spells, after all, we are Alchemists, not Arcanists. However, if we're talking about Arcanists and today's magic guided conductors, Elementalists, there isn't much difference, so as long as we find someone who knows magic guided arts or elemental spells, and can also manipulate flexible constructs for experimentation, it can be done."

Fang Hong instinctively glanced at Luo Yu beside him.

Immediately, an idea flashed through his mind, recalling those peculiar black Clockwork Fairies that emitted light beams which he saw in the Hall of Thousand Doors. Initially, he thought those entities were just imagined within the phantom realm, but later seeing an actual one in Rolin's hands, he realized those 'Black Stars' might have genuinely existed in history.

And at this moment, Linen's words gave him a reminder, making him wonder whether those 'Black Stars' might have been the flexible constructs used by ancient Numelin Elves.

Ancient Numelin Elves' alchemy was on par with contemporary mortals' alchemy, each having its strengths, but judging from those 'Black Stars', ancient Numelin Elves seemed to have been far more formidable than contemporary combat artisans.

This perhaps is decided by the inherently aggressive nature of magic.

Linen was looking for someone, and Luo Yu undoubtedly was such a ready candidate. Fang Hong couldn't help but feel a bit of coincidence, even thinking, could this be the path Luo Yu had been searching for all along?

Evidently, upon hearing Linen's suggestion, Luo Yu's heart wasn't unaffected. Fang Hong looked at him and could clearly see the young man from Tabopolis with his eyes gleaming faintly. Although he had already switched professions to Elementalist, he had never given up on the dream of becoming a combat artisan.

However, dreams and reality still have their disparity.

Fang Hong asked Linen about the extent of certainty regarding this hypothesis, and the latter straightforwardly said it was merely an idea. How long it would take for a new technology to go from an idea to reality, no one could say.

It might happen swiftly, and soon yield results.

But the lengthy projects, just like the Silver Tower's research on Fairy Dragon Knights, may span centuries, eventually having to face failure.

Nevertheless, having hope is undoubtedly better than having none. Fang Hong looked at Luo Yu, only able to wish that he could find his own path.

He then asked Linen about matters regarding Rolin, and Linen had met Rolin back in Idus, where their relationship had always been good. After Rolin's betrayal, it brought quite some trouble for him—not only the investigation by the Elfendo Council, but rumors continued to circulate within the alliance, and suspicious eyes inevitably fell on this young man.

Yet the latter seemed hardly bothered by this, as compared to these slanders, what truly concerned him seemed inconsequential.

For Fang Hong's concern, Linen merely shook his head and said: "I believe Rolin had his reasons. A person so outstanding in alchemy would never willingly fall so low."

For such words, Fang Hong could only roll his eyes. He liked alchemy too but not to the extent of ignoring black and white for it. If being proficient in alchemy made one a good person, Master of Magic Potion Deplar would surely be the best person of all.

With a few words, he dismissed this alchemy enthusiast. Only then did he finally have the chance to speak with Hilveld—though it was at this moment that Xiangzi came over with a wine glass, seemingly wanting to speak with him. Fang Hong really couldn't deal with these people, and hurriedly glared at the other:

"Go away!"

Xiangzi stood there with a perplexed look on his face, as he was merely going to the restroom—although after some thought, he still meekly walked to the side.

Hilveld watched this moment, smiling with narrowed eyes.

But she looked at her Lord Captain and then softly spoke: "Is Lord Captain wanting to ask my opinion on the current Elfendo Council affairs?"

Fang Hong nodded, that was indeed his intention.

After thinking briefly, Hilveld answered: "Although the Elfendo Council of today differs greatly from the past, following the Nikopolas incident, the council's opinions veer increasingly to the left. We can see that the Super Competitive League's measures to separate the Invoker and the Southern Region Alliance were highly effective—it is evident that natives are much easier to split than Invokers in Eteliria. But the Rose Workshop is still quite a considerable assistance to Lord Captain, are you truly decided on that?"

Fang Hong shook his head. He had already discussed with everyone beforehand but at this moment still wanted Hilveld's own opinion: "What do you think?"

Miss Ship's Officer turned her gaze and counter-asked: "What does Lord Captain think?"

"I don't wish to get caught up in the whirlpool of the Southern Region. Big Cat People have it right; we're not interested in it," Fang Hong finally replied. "Moreover, even if I acquired the inheritance rights for the Rose Workshop, it would still be just an insignificant party within the council, especially with Count Westwood Sibika above it."

He spoke softly: "If they make unfavorable decisions for you, what am I to do? Other than Teacher Ande, I trust neither them nor the simple-minded Artisan Masters, but what about the Southern Region Nobility backing them? Having consulted the teacher before, I came to know that the Elfendo Council had previously betrayed both you and the Albert family once..."

"I'm not adept at politics and neither do I need to sway back and forth in it. It goes against my original intent." He earnestly gazed at the girl's sea-like eyes and said: "Hilveld, I will help you in my own way, instead of relying on these external forces—especially since they themselves might not be reliable in the end."

"So this is Lord Captain's answer?"

"Yes."

Hilveld just softly smiled: "Then Lord Captain's opinion is mine as well, haven't I already said it before?"

She looked around the hall and further commented: "But although Lord Captain doesn't care about the Rose Workshop, the Heart of Fairy is a masterpiece of my father and grandfather. Leaving it in the council only benefits outsiders. We still need a way to get it in our hands."

Fang Hong nodded gently.

In his heart, he had already formulated a plan.

...

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