Volume 2: Empire Chapter 140: An unusual private gathering
"Ace Agent! Commander Hercule is really so heartless! He kicked you out just like that. Didn't he consider your contribution to the Ice Cave at all?"
While Luke was sighing, he searched the database on his phone for information related to Hulkkin to see if he could analyze his purpose from his personality.
Darikova looked as if she had never expected to be abandoned like this.
“Helkkin believes that with your talent and the favor of Editor-in-Chief Morsong, if you are interested in politics, you will definitely become a powerful figure in the Art County League.
He didn't want to offend you by investigating you, especially since I had deceived your feelings. You men are very sensitive about those things between men and women, which is worse than cheating money.
To Hulking, I am just a decent tool, but if this tool could hurt him, he will throw it away without hesitation.
But I didn't expect him to do it so ruthlessly!"
"It's quite heartless!" Luke agreed casually while browsing through Hulkkin's information.
The director of the ice cave really likes steam technology. He has signed up for the steam engineer examination many times, but has never passed.
It seems that it is just a hobby and he has no talent in this area.
However, a player who was doing the Hulkkin quest mentioned that he had tried his best to help Hulkkin pass the steam engineer exam. After Hulkkin got the steam engineer qualification certificate, he first joined the Steam Engineers Association, and then made connections everywhere. In the end, he successfully entered politics and even became the Secretary of State.
The player described Helkkin as a man who fawns on the powerful and flatters the rich and powerful, and who would do anything to get promoted. Moreover, his experience in the Ice Cave gave him a lot of dirt on politicians, and when he got rid of his identity as an Ice Cave agent, this dirt became his weapon.
What a talent!
It seems that there was no conspiracy behind Helkkin's expulsion of Darikova. He was just afraid of hindering his future.
Luke felt that he even had another thought. If he was interested in Darikova, he would definitely look for her. At this time, Darikova had no relationship with the ice cave and was living in poverty. Such a beautiful woman with a clean face was given to the future national dignitaries and technical authorities.
It's a profit no matter how you calculate it.
Luke suddenly felt that Hulkkin should not take the exam to become a steam engineer, but an actuary.
After Darikova complained for a while, she finally vented the anger she had been holding back for the past few days. She asked Luke, "Okay... I've finished my story. I've paid a heavy price for deceiving you. What are you going to do with me?"
Luke said, "You are doing your job, why should I punish you? Besides, I am just an employee of Harut Heavy Industries, not a government official, so I have no right to punish you.
If you want to return to the Ice Cave and continue your work as an agent, I can talk to Helkkin."
"No, I will definitely not go back, and he won't let me go back. I plan to open a private detective agency, beating people up, collecting debts, spying... whatever work is available.
You are my first client, and you have to pay me for playing the role of your female companion this time."
"How much?" Luke asked.
Darikova thought for a moment: "1,000 Atecoins."
"no problem."
Darikova didn't expect Luke to agree so readily, so she immediately added a condition: "I charge hourly wages."
"Okay, 1,000 At coins per hour." Luke took out a stack of banknotes from his inner pocket, counted out 4,000 At coins and handed them to Darikova: "I'll pay for four hours first. If the party ends within four hours, the money is yours; if it exceeds that, we'll settle the bill separately."
The business she had just thought of opening, and she could get at least 4,000 Atecoins, Darikova felt that her life was about to hit rock bottom and rebound. She happily took the money and put it in her bag without counting it.
"Thank you, boss! I'll give you another bodyguard service, free of charge!"
…
Editor-in-Chief Morsong lives in a large hot spring manor outside the winter capital. From the outside, the manor looks like an artistic ice and snow castle.
The car drove into the manor and stopped in front of the main building. Luke and Darikova got out of the car hand in hand. Deputy Editor-in-Chief Vartasky, who received the news, immediately came out to greet them.
"Luke, you are finally here. Editor-in-Chief Morsong has asked about this many times. An important guest is coming today. It would be very rude if you were any later." When Vartaski saw the bright and beautiful Darikova, he saluted very gentlemanly: "Beautiful lady, welcome to the hot spring manor."
Darikova took Luke's arm, held out her other hand for Vartaski to kiss, and then said in a standard upper-class tone: "I'm really sorry, Deputy Editor Vartaski, please don't blame Luke, this is all my fault... When I knew I was going to attend such an important party, I was very nervous. In order to dress appropriately, I spent two hours on makeup and another hour choosing clothes.
Fashion changes so quickly nowadays, I need to update my wardrobe.
I forgot to introduce myself... My name is Naiasqin Darikova, from the Polar Daylight City, you can just call me Darikova."
Vartaski judged that Darikova must be from a prominent family, and thought that Luke and other junior brothers could...seemingly busy with work every day, he didn't expect to quietly find such a well-educated, elegant, and well-born female companion.
"Hello, Miss Darikova. Only in the Polar Daylight City can you find a beauty with such pure skin like you. Please come in quickly. It's too cold outside..."
Waltaski kindly took Luke to the house and talked to him about the recent health condition of Editor-in-Chief Morson.
The gathering was held in the library of the manor.
The library is designed in a circular shape, with a five-meter- high bookshelf filled with all kinds of books. In the middle of the library, there is a circle of leisurely chairs, where the invited steam engineers sit together.
At this time, a steam engineer was describing his research.
Vartaski, who had brought Luke in, made a low gesture, then slowly led the two men to a seat and sat down, himself sitting in the chair on the other side of Luke.
Luke first glanced at the gathering place. There were 24 steam engineers present, all of whom were listening attentively to the narrator's narration. Then Luke saw Editor-in-Chief Morson looking towards him. He immediately nodded to Morson, who also smiled and nodded.
About half an hour later, the steam engineer finished his talk and the discussion session began.
Editor-in-Chief Morson, as the host of the party, temporarily interrupted the discussion and pointed at Luke to introduce him to the steam engineers present.
“This is Luke, the young steam engineer who came up with the idea of the water molecule dual-phase steam engine. I invited him here because I wanted all of you masters who have made unique contributions in your respective fields to give him some advice.
He is young, talented, and very hardworking. He will definitely create his own chapter in the field of steam technology.”
Luke stood up and saluted the Steam Masters.
The steam engineers present all knew that Editor-in-Chief Morson admired Luke very much and that Luke was indeed very talented, but they did not expect that Editor-in-Chief Morson would give him such a high evaluation this time.
Because of Morson's attitude, the steam engineers did not dare to neglect Luke in any way, and they stood up together to return his greeting.
Darikova, who was sitting next to Luke, tried her best to keep her breathing even and smiled naturally, but her heart was filled with excitement.
Although she didn't understand steam technology, she knew the steam engineers present here, and any one of them would be someone that the Ice Cave Agents would protect at any cost.
Now all the top steam engineers of the At County Union have gathered here, which can be said to be the foundation of the entire country. And Luke is qualified to be on equal footing with them... Is the water molecule dual-phase steam engine so powerful?
Is the charge cheaper?
At this time, Morson said to Luke: "What do you think of the principle of the convection shield air wall that Engineer Davrion just described?"
During these three days, Qingkong did a lot of homework for this gathering. Luke thought about it for a while, and after receiving the answer, he replied: "I have read Master Davrion's research paper on the convection shield air wall. The convection shield air wall was first proposed by Master Dashiqi, who is also Master Davrion's mentor.
The difficulty of the convection hood air wall is still the pressure difference and impact volume control of the two counter-flow airflows, which are variables that change with the environment. Even slight differences can cause unstable steam transmission. As a new technology for steam transmission, it can only be realized in a laboratory environment.
Master Davrion’s approach to solving the problem from the material point of view is the right direction, creating a steam pipe with constant properties that does not change with the environment and meets the stringent environmental requirements of the convection hood air wall.
I feel that magic and alchemy, which have their own variables, are unlikely to produce steam pipes with constant properties, but mysticism is a kind of incomprehensible constant mysterious art, and using mysticism may be able to produce the required steam pipes.
I read in the Neronia Mysticism and Ancient Witchcraft Notes that there is an ancient secret technique for making water pipes that will not expand or contract with temperature differences and can also repair themselves..."
Luke's words brought new ideas to Engineer Davrion, who had been troubled by the materials. He asked eagerly, "There is no water pipe that expands and contracts with heat! Maybe the secret technique can really solve the problem that my mentor and I have not been able to solve. Where did you see the "Neronia Secret Technique and Ancient Witchcraft Notes"? "
Luke thought for a moment and said, "This is a very common secret book, which contains many strange secrets. However, many of the secret words are incomplete, and I am not sure whether this secret is true."
Davrion couldn't help showing a look of anxiety.
Editor-in-Chief Morsong smiled easily: "Engineer Luke really reads all kinds of books. If you hadn't reminded us, we wouldn't have thought of a solution from the occult. After all, this is a very unpopular academic discipline, and occultists are all mysterious."
Luke said: "The secret arts can be said to be the oldest academic discipline. It originated from ancient sacrifices and was not recognized by mainstream academics for a long time. I think that since it exists, it has its value. If the secret arts can be integrated into the current academic system, perhaps it can show another side that we have not discovered.
So when I was studying, I dabbled in some esoteric arts.”
After hearing this, Morsong couldn't help but sigh to the other steam engineers: "See? This is the young people! The thinking of us, the older generation of steam engineers, has become somewhat rigid. We rely more on experience when doing research, and we lack the young people's ideas that are not bound by conventions.
Engineer Davrion, I think you need to invite the Department of Mystic Arts of the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy to assist in completing your research. During this period, Professor Qingkong, the head of the Department of Mystic Arts of the Oulu Academy, was invited to the Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy for an exchange of mystic arts.
My students told me that Professor Qingkong is a true master of the mystic arts. Although the Oulu Academy has lagged behind in mystic arts research for a hundred years because of the Abyss Mage, with Professor Qingkong, they will soon return to the top of the world in the field of mystic arts. "
Davrion said awkwardly: "But Professor Qingkong is from the Golden Shield Empire. Is she willing to help the enemy country develop steam technology?"
Morsong said: "Professor Qingkong has another identity, the Queen of the Moonlight Royal Court. The Winter Capital Magic Steam Academy has reached some mutual assistance agreements with Queen Qingkong. You can try your luck. Your research institute can always do something for the Moonlight Royal Court."
Davrion seemed to understand something: "Thank you for your advice, I will go visit Professor Qingkong, I hope my luck will be good."
Morsong nodded and turned to Luke and said, "It's a good opportunity for everyone to gather here to talk about your water molecule dual-phase steam engine and see if there is anything we can help you with."
When Luke stood up and prepared to talk about his new steam engine research concept, the manor servant came in and reported: "Master... General Vaughn and Consultant Donahue have arrived."
When Luke heard the two names, he immediately looked towards the library door.
General Vaughn is the Chief of Staff of the Art County Allied Forces and is responsible for the formulation of all operational plans for the war against the Golden Shield Empire.
Donahue is the chief technical adviser to Congress and is now responsible for planning the development and production of new weapons for the military.
Luke knew that some big shots from the At County Alliance would be attending this gathering, but he didn't expect the level of the people coming was so high... almost as high as his own in the Golden Shield Empire.
General Vaughn, wearing the uniform of the Ate County Union, strode in with great dignity. Following behind him was Donahue, the chief technical advisor to the Congress, a middle-aged man with a very bureaucratic air.
When Luke saw the two people, he knew that this private gathering was not as simple as he had imagined, and it also reminded him of his job.
As a senior agent of the Golden Shield Empire Secret Service, I am attending the highest-level military secret meeting organized by the General Staff of the Art County Allied Forces. If Agatha knew that I was here, what would she think?
Luke now became very interested in the real topic of the gathering.
Editor-in-Chief Morsong said: "Please rest outside if you are not necessary. You can go to the hot springs here."
Luke pretended to stand up with Darikova, but Vartasky held him back and said, "If you want to soak in the hot springs, there's plenty of time. Sit down, there are servants to take care of Miss Darikova."
Luke sat down for the official meeting.
