Volume 2: Empire Chapter 132 World Tree Research Plan
Coming out of the CIA station in Winter City, Luke blended in with the crowd and took a rail car to the outside of the city.
At this time, Qingkong was drinking morning tea, reading a book, and tasting the Dongdu pastries that Jennifer was learning to make. The black cat was lying on the windowsill, enjoying the morning sunshine. Princess Dale stood aside and recited the spell she learned yesterday, and the magic ripples swayed around her as she recited.
A knock on the door broke the atmosphere in the room.
Jennifer walked over and opened the door, and Professor Antoine was outside.
"Professor Qingkong, please forgive me for disturbing you so early. The Ice Cave's chief, Lord Hercule, wants to see you about something important. A team of Ice Cave agents was attacked last night."
Qingkong put down the book and said, "What does the attack on the Ice Cave Agent have to do with me? I don't want to deal with people outside your academy. Please refuse it for me."
Professor Antoine said awkwardly: "Professor Qingkong, the college is under great pressure. Please understand."
Qingkong handed the book to Jennifer and asked her to supervise Dale to continue reciting the spell. Then he stood up and walked towards Antoine: "Then let's go meet him. Is the person coming the chief of the Ice Cave?"
Antoine made way and walked forward along the corridor with Qingkong. "It's Master Clermond Helkkin. He is now the headmaster of the Ice Cave, a big shot that the academy should take seriously."
"What happened?"
"That... let Lord Hercule speak." Antoine didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble, so he changed the subject and said, "Professor Qingkong, what do you think about the establishment of the World Tree Research Institute at our Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy?"
Qingkong didn't rush to reply.
The real reason why the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy resisted the pressure from the At County Alliance and invited her here was for the World Tree.
As a supernatural creature that has existed since ancient times, the World Tree has created a huge ecosystem with its own individual power, opened up a rich oasis in the desert, and affected thousands of kilometers.
It can be called the most advanced creature without a doubt.
The World Tree itself has great research value, and the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy has already formulated many research plans, including but not limited to magic, alchemy, pharmaceuticals, biology, etc. Now they just need to wait for the Moonlight Queen to nod, and the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy can send a team to the Moonlight Royal Court.
Antoine has mentioned the matter of establishing a research institute to Qingkong many times.
About halfway through the journey, Qingkong said, "The new World Tree has just been born. I am afraid that improper research will cause damage to it."
Hearing Qingkong's tone soften, Antoine immediately said, "Please rest assured, Professor Qingkong, all our research on the World Tree can be carried out under your supervision. We also have a complete set of regulations to protect the World Tree, and all research has the highest safety standards.
Please trust the professionalism of our Winter City Magic Steam Academy. We will definitely be able to protect this unique world tree."
"Of course I believe in you. During the exchange at the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy, I learned that you are world-leading in many fields, and your attitude towards academics is as rigorous as this city."
Antoine asked expectantly, "Does this mean... that you allow the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy to open a research institute in the Moonlight Royal Court?"
"What can the Moonlight Court gain?"
Negotiating terms means half the job is done. Antoine couldn't help but slow down his pace: "We can give the Moonlight Royal Court a fee every year, and we can also help the Ancestral Grassland improve the ecology there."
Qingkong smiled and said, "You are not sincere. Nutao City has a 10 billion investment plan in the Predecessors' Grassland, and it does not need to be repaid. How much money can you give?"
Hearing about the 10 billion investment plan of Raging Waves City, Antoine's expression changed, and he smiled bitterly and said, "How can Winter City Magic Steam Academy compete with Raging Waves City in terms of financial resources? But we are very sincere. Professor, please tell me what you think we should do..."
"Moonlight Royal Court is not short of money." Qingkong stopped and stood at the corridor looking at the campus outside: "If you have been to the grasslands of the ancestors, you can deeply feel its separation from this world. The world tree has been gone for too long, making it a place that cannot be cared for by civilization. This is not something that can be solved by simply investing money.
I want to open a magic academy in Moonlight Court, so that the light of knowledge can illuminate that fertile land again."
Antoine understood and said, "Those of us working in the Moonlight Royal Court can serve as guest professors at the Moonlight Magic Academy."
"This is not enough..." Qingkong looked at the students on campus with a dreamy light in his eyes: "Winter City Magic Steam Academy will introduce at least one hundred outstanding students to teach at Moonlight Magic Academy every year, and allow the Moonlight Royal Court to sponsor poor students from Ate County to study at Winter City Magic Steam Academy."
"We can introduce outstanding students to the Moonlight Court, but what is the purpose of supporting poor students?"
Qingkong said: "If we want to build the Moonlight Magic School, we must first improve the basic education in the Ancestral Grassland. But the Ancestral Grassland is very poor and it is difficult to attract excellent teachers.
The Moonlight Royal Court will sign an agreement with the sponsored students, and after graduation, the students will go to the First People's Prairie to serve as teachers for five years. "
Antoine thought about it and felt that it would not be bad for the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy.
"Okay, the Moonlight Royal Court can sponsor poor students to enter the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy, but it is limited to citizens of Art County."
"Of course, as I said before, we will only support poor students from Ate County." Qingkong then proposed the second condition: "All your research on the World Tree must be conducted under the supervision of Moonlight Magic Academy, and the research results must be shared with Moonlight Magic Academy."
Antoine said awkwardly: "Professor Qingkong, our research results should belong to us."
"But the World Tree is not yours."
"Okay..." Antoine knew that Qingkong would not make any concessions on this point: "We can share the research results, but Moonlight Magic Academy needs to obtain the consent of Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy before sharing again."
"I will definitely respect your efforts." Qingkong continued to state the conditions: "If the World Tree is attacked, the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy must unconditionally protect the World Tree."
"We in the Moonlight Royal Court will definitely protect the World Tree. There is no doubt about that."
Qingkong reminded: "I'm talking about the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy."
Antoine was stunned: "Professor Qingkong, this range is a bit large."
"And it's not up to you." Qingkong said casually, "Take this condition to your internal meeting of the academy for discussion. The world tree was only able to give and not ask for anything, so it was destroyed once, but this time I am here!
Since you want to take what you want from the World Tree, you must consider whether you are willing to sacrifice for it, and whether what you get is worth the sacrifice."
For Antoine, this was indeed a difficult problem that he had no say over.
I heard that the Moonlight King's Court is seeking compensation from the five ancient civilizations for the destruction of the previous world tree.
This seems a bit presumptuous.
If the Moonlight Royal Court angers the five ancient civilizations, will the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy be drawn into the dispute in order to protect the World Tree?
"Professor Qingkong, can't the Moonlight Royal Court stop pursuing the five ancient civilizations?"
"cannot!"
"Why?"
"Because I am the Moonlight Queen who inherited the authority of the previous World Tree."
Antoine couldn't help but stare at the clear sky in a daze.
Both of them seemed to have forgotten about Chief Helkkin who was waiting to meet Clear Sky.
At this time, Helkkin was waiting anxiously in the reception room.
In order to "entertain" this sudden visitor, Antoine specially arranged more than ten wizards inside and outside the reception room to prevent the Ice Cave Agent Chief from doing anything that would embarrass the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy.
"When will Professor Antoine bring Qingkong over? I've been waiting here for an hour."
Herculin loudly questioned the wizard guarding the door, his scarred bald head carrying the ferocious look of a born villain.
"Please wait patiently here, Master Helkkin."
No matter how Helkkin asked, the gatekeeper only answered with this one sentence. Not only was it Antoine's order, but the academic mages didn't like the agents who walked in the dark.
"How long do we have to wait?"
When Helkkin was about to rush out with his subordinates, Antoine and Qingkong pushed the door open and walked in.
The murderous intent instantly locked onto Qingkong.
Qingkong ignored the sharp glances and found a seat to sit down.
"Who is Chief Hulkkin? If you have any questions, please ask them now. My time is very valuable."
Professor Antoine stood between Helkkin and Clear Sky: "Please take a seat, Master General. Please abide by our agreement and give Professor Clear Sky the safety and respect he deserves."
"I'm afraid someone didn't abide by the agreement." Helkkin glared at Qingkong, then sat back in his seat and asked Qingkong, "Where were you from 8 to 9 last night?"
"I'm right here." Qingkong replied.
“Who can prove it?”
Professor Antoine said, "I can prove it! From seven to nine last night, Professor Qingkong instructed the students of the academy's esoteric arts department to observe the changes in the fluorescence of the moonstone at different positions of the moon, and to collect and preserve the moonlight based on the changes to make mysterious props.
I was only away for about twenty minutes... no, less than twenty minutes, as all the students from the Department of Mystic Arts who did the experiment with me last night can attest."
He was only gone for less than twenty minutes!
Helkkin found that the time was a little wrong.
Rush to the crime scene from the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy, set up the space-masking secret technique, kill a team of Ice Cave agents, and then return to the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy.
It's impossible to finish it in twenty minutes.
"Professor Qingkong, can you tell me what you did during the twenty minutes you were away?"
Qingkong replied: "The exact time is sixteen minutes. I will go back to the room to get the materials needed for the experiment. Master Gary can prove it."
Mage Gary was the one who stood at the door to stop Helkkin. He testified for Qingkong: "Yesterday I was responsible for protecting Professor Qingkong's safety. Professor Qingkong did go back to his room to get a note. I stayed outside the door until I accompanied Professor Qingkong back to the esoteric arts classroom."
Helkkin didn't expect that not only did the time not match, but there were also witnesses who were not present.
Could it be that the person who attacked the Ice Cave agents last night... was not Qingkong?
"Professor Qingkong, where were you on the day of the Winter Hunting Festival?"
Antoine rushed to answer: "Of course Professor Qingkong is in the academy."
Helkkin looked towards Clear Sky, waiting for her answer.
Qingkong smiled meaningfully, "Yes, I was in the academy during the Winter Hunting Festival. At that time, a student from the Department of Mystic Arts asked about the mystic arts of mechanical transformation. I answered many questions for her and also gave relevant demonstrations.
This should be an esoteric lesson that she will never forget.
Her name seems to be...Irabim, a very cute girl.
Professor Antoine, can you please call Irabeem here? She can testify for me."
Antoine thought for a moment and said regretfully, “Irabeem’s father withdrew her from school yesterday, and they are leaving Dongdu due to work transfer.
Chief Herkekin, do you need me to find Irabeam? Perhaps she and her family have not left Winter Capital yet. "
"unnecessary!"
Hercules stared at the clear sky, his eyes filled with uncontrollable anger.
This was tantamount to admitting that she was the one who killed the Bartlett team of agents on the day of the Winter Hunting Festival. The tragedy in the factory seemed to reappear in front of her eyes, with broken machinery and limbs that could not be put into human form.
Now another elite team has been slaughtered, and Hulkkin's intuition tells him that... it is most likely done by Qingkong.
But there is no evidence, not even indirect evidence.
"Professor Qingkong, it seems this is a misunderstanding. Your identity has made us a little too sensitive."
Helkkin slowed down his tone to make himself sound more friendly.
"Since it's a misunderstanding, I have nothing to do with it..." Qingkong stood up and said to Antoine: "Professor Antoine, I have something to discuss with you about the World Tree."
Antoine quickly stood up and saluted Helkkin: "I'm sorry, Lord General! I can't see you off. You can leave on your own."
Qingkong and Antoine walked away, and the mages also left. Hercules was so angry that veins appeared on his hands.
"Enoch died while investigating underground rebels. This at least proves that he found the place where they had to die. Where did he find it?"
The subordinate behind him replied: "Commander Enoch found out that the daughter of the rebel leader has been hired by a steam engineer from Harut Heavy Industries as a maid to take care of his daily life.
It was after Commander Enoch questioned the steam engineer that he encountered an ambush. We have inferred that the steam engineer should not have had time to arrange such a thorough ambush.
The agents who were monitoring him nearby did not find him leaving his residence or contacting the outside world.
"Is the man who was watching the steam engineer still here?"
“They were all Commander Enoch’s men. After Enoch’s death, they were reorganized into other teams and did not continue to perform surveillance missions.
Mr. General, do you need to question the steam engineer again? "
Helkkin thought for a moment and said, "Ynok didn't arrest anyone, which means he didn't get anything out of him. Send someone to continue monitoring..."
"Yes, Mr. General."
