Volume 3: The Nameless Chapter 15: Fighting and killing is boring, let's form a "Craftsmen Alliance"
In a room in Star Castle, Mason was holding a cup of tea and looking at the place in front of him that looked like a factory workshop.
Although he had long known that the members of the Star Society would renovate their residence according to their own ideas, such as Judy turning her room into a workshop, this hardcore place with such an "industrial style" still exceeded Mason's imagination.
He walked through it with a cup of tea, examining the machines of unique appearance, and occasionally looking at the various "training formations" placed at hand.
This is a unique alchemical ability belonging to the world of the Elric brothers. They have developed alchemy to a new level. As long as there are enough materials and corresponding alchemy arrays, an excellent alchemist can complete a series of unscientific material conversions in an instant and directly turn materials into finished products.
The complete omission of the middle link makes this form of "alchemy" no different from magic.
But Mason knew that even such an unscientific system followed the most ancient principles of alchemy.
That is "equivalent exchange".
"Have you seen enough?"
The unhappy voice of the blond alchemist Edward came from behind Mason. He said:
"People who come into contact with the Alchemy Array for the first time simply cannot understand the principles behind it. I advise you not to try it."
"A 'Metal Melting' is embedded with two 'Shaping's. The outer ring uses 'Flame' and the inner ring uses 'Cooling'. This forms a standard 'Steel Refining' conversion formula."
Mason turned back to take a sip of tea and said to Edward, who was staring at him:
"Look, I'm not an unlearned guy. Although I have never been exposed to your weird alchemy, I know the general principles.
After all, I am an alchemist, and I made this myself."
He pulled an irregular grey alchemist's stone from his pocket and threw it to Edward, who took it in his hand, glanced at it, and then gave it to his brother.
The armored brother carefully observed the alchemist stone with his thick fingers. After a few seconds, he said in his unique hollow voice:
"It's very similar to the principle of the Philosopher's Stone. Perhaps it can be understood as a downgraded version of the Philosopher's Stone. It releases internal energy to affect the quality and characteristics of the transformed materials or finished products."
"So let's swap."
Mason pointed to the complex-looking alchemy array at hand and said to the two brothers:
"I'll use the formula of the alchemy stone to exchange for the various alchemy array drawings you have. Although it is far from orthodox alchemy, your unique knowledge system is indeed very convenient."
As excellent alchemists, the two brothers Edward were always curious about unknown knowledge, but at this moment, the blond brother sat on the sofa, shook his head and said:
"We never trade knowledge with the hounds. You say you're not a hound? Where's the evidence?"
Mason stared at him and took the Sorting Hat, well, the Sorting Hat, off his head and handed it to the two brothers.
The two brothers were really scared when the hat protruded a blurry face from its own face. Then the hat told them everything that happened in the Hogwarts world and explained Mason's identity again.
The suffering of a world silenced the two brothers.
After learning that Mason's K Team had not yet carried out any mandatory missions, their attitude became noticeably friendlier.
"I apologize to you for our previous ill will."
Edward, the blond, handed the Sorting Hat back. He performed a very special courtesy and explained:
"It's just that our world suffered the same fate as Mr. Hat's homeland, and that plague destroyed civilization in a way that my brother and I will never forget.
Although that world was rotten before it happened.
It was only after we accepted the help of the Star Society that we learned the truth from others during an accidental expedition.
This damn organization plays the role of both destroyer and savior, which is extremely hypocritical, and the hounds' style of doing things is really disgusting. "
"I understand."
Mason took a sip of his tea and put his hat back on his head.
He glanced at the two brothers and said:
"Are there many people like you? As you can see, I'm a novice and don't know much about these things. I hope you can explain them to me."
“Not many, we are a real minority.”
Edward shrugged, took out the snacks he bought at the market to fill his stomach, and said vaguely:
“As far as I know, there are only a few B-level personnel who are lone rangers like us, and they never participate in pioneering operations but only provide logistical assistance for them.
But below grade C it is hard to describe.
The guys you see at the market who are obviously very powerful but cannot enter the Star Castle are all of this type. Their own world is gone but they don’t want to destroy other people’s homes.
But in the system of the Star Society, we cannot withdraw, so we can only resist their recruitment in this way. The most typical example is the Great Sword Ranger Claude and his two girlfriends...
They are just the lowest level E-class personnel.
But no one dares to underestimate them. They are always wandering in various worlds, stopping bad things when they encounter them, helping when they are in trouble, and never cooperating with hounds.
Those hounds contemptuously called them "Ronin" and would even deliberately provoke them in certain war worlds, but anyone with eyes knew that the power of the Ronin was formidable when they united together.
Therefore, the top leaders turned a blind eye to it and did not force the issue to avoid causing trouble.
Oh, right.
There are actually similar guys in the upper echelons, and you just met one of them."
"oh?"
Mason took a sip of tea in surprise and said:
"That old wizard who was cosplaying as Gandalf? I said he looked like a very powerful guy. Who was that?"
"'Thunder' Shazam."
The armored man Alphonse standing behind his brother said with an admiring tone:
" A member of the A-level Twelve Council, a well-known neutral faction. Although he is under the command of the Warlock Grand Master, he never participates in aggressive pioneering operations.
He has a high reputation among the ronin.
But the old man does have a lot of quirks. He always likes to dress up as famous wizards from various worlds and walk around everywhere. My brother and I were deceived by him when we first came here...
Ahem, what I mean is that we were shortsighted that time."
"Shazam?"
Mason raised an eyebrow.
He thought of Shazam in the Gotham world, but on his side, the old wizard seemed to have died, and even his power was passed on to a silly boy.
So it should be a time-space entity.
"So, the invasion system formed by the hounds is actually just a part of the Star Society?"
Mason put down his teacup and sat down next to the two brothers.
He stroked his chin and said:
"Is there no one who wants to unite them? Since so many people are dissatisfied with the way the Star Society does things..."
Before he could finish, he saw Edward pointing to his left arm.
Mason understood immediately.
All right.
With that soul curse in place, it is indeed almost impossible to destroy the Star Society from within, but Edward's introduction and the existence of the "Ronin" did allow Mason to see another side of the Star Society besides the darkness.
Come to think of it, it is impossible for everyone in a large organization spanning countless worlds to be an incorrigible bastard. No matter how dark the place is, there will always be people who stick to their bottom line.
"Let's not talk about this anymore, let's talk about what's going on between us."
Mason shook his head, took out a piece of paper, wrote down the formula and process of making the Philosopher's Stone that he had analyzed so far, and handed it to the two brothers. He said:
“I wasn’t kidding when I said this was an industry exchange between alchemists. I really want to learn some useful knowledge from you two. Perhaps we can develop deeper cooperation.
You two must have found a lot of good things while traveling through the worlds, some of which I really need."
"You mean this kind?"
The short Edward glanced at Mason, flicked his finger, and the Ark Reactor specially designed for rescue machines that had been placed on the counter jumped into his palm.
He looked at Mason, swallowed a meatball in a big mouthful, chewed it and said:
"Your eyes were burning when you looked at this thing before. It must be very important to you, right?"
"Indeed, I need it, but I can't afford it."
Mason shrugged his shoulders and said pitifully:
"I'm just a C-level rookie after all."
"Who said you can't afford it?"
When Edward lowered his head to check the knowledge on the paper, the outspoken armored brother immediately said:
"Don't you have the Philosopher's Stone in your hand? Give it to us, and we will not only give you this Ark Reactor, but also our collection of Mark series armor.
Previously, during the Hulk War, my brother and I were lucky enough to find Iron Man’s lost workshop.
We don’t mean to brag, but the stuff in there is pretty amazing.”
“That thing is not for sale.”
Mason shook his head and said:
“I only have so little, and it’s impossible for me to make something of that level in such a short time. Selling it to you would be like draining my pocket.
But I'm curious, since your world is ruined, why do you continue to search for the Philosopher's Stone? Do you still plan to resurrect your mother?
You should have learned your lesson. Transmuting the human body into something else is an absolute taboo in alchemy."
"It seems that Mr. Hunter did tell you a lot of things. But no! We plan to do something more correct with the Philosopher's Stone."
Edward put away the papers in his hand, stood up, took out a box full of various drawings from the corner of the workshop, placed it in front of Mason, and pushed it to him.
The short alchemist looked at Mason and said seriously:
"With enough Philosopher's Stones, we can bring our world back together again."
"impossible!"
Mason immediately shook his head and said:
"Although I don't know the truth about the 'impact' incident, I am sure that this is a cosmic disaster. The reality rewriting of the Philosopher's Stone cannot cover such a high level.
It's like you're trying to charge a Cybertron with AA batteries.
The ideal is beautiful, but the reality is…"
"Of course it's impossible under normal circumstances."
Edward stuffed a skewer of roast meat into his mouth and said while chewing:
"But we are all in a secret organization that exists across worlds. What is impossible? If we follow the principle of equal exchange, as long as we can pay enough, repairing the world can become a reality.
Of course, this will have to wait until this spreading disaster is over.
This box contains all the alchemy arrays that my brother and I have mastered so far, as well as an introductory guide to alchemy. If you don't understand anything, you can come to Star Castle to find us at any time.
We won't be leaving here for some time. We are trying to purify the unicorn blood you gave us before. The curse is troublesome, but it is not unbreakable."
"Perhaps we can work together?"
Mason was shocked when he heard this. He opened his bag and took out several bottles of cursed unicorn blood. He also took out his alchemical notebook and said:
“I have also researched several ways to use unicorn blood, and they are still being tested. You can listen to my ideas first.
I intend to 'fight poison with poison'. If I can't completely purify it, I will add more toxic substances to it to make it an offensive alchemical poison."
He told Edward his thoughts, but before Edward could speak, the armored brother shook his head and said:
"No, the contaminated unicorn blood has already deteriorated in theory, and its stability can be easily destroyed. Adding poison will not only prevent effective extraction, but will also make it lose its effectiveness."
"But I have this."
Mason fished out a small bottle of water from the Pool of Lazarus.
As soon as this thing was taken out, the two brothers jumped up and took several steps back. They could tell that the toxicity of this thing was far beyond that of ordinary toxins.
"Don't be afraid. Although it comes from a demon god, this thing is not fatal. Come, I will show you how to use it. Do you have alchemical vessels for purification?"
"We have better ones."
The Fullmetal Alchemist snorted, snapped his fingers and said:
"Alphonse, bring out the molecular purification machine we got from Mr. Fantastic's laboratory and show it to Mr. Mason. Since this is an industry exchange for alchemists, we have to show some real skills, right?
But looking at the things you have produced, are you a traditional alchemist specializing in the field of potions?"
"That's really underestimating people."
Mason shook his head and stepped back to make room.
He then released the anti-Superman armor that he had half-repaired, and took out a copy of the various weapons he had currently made to demonstrate his prowess in engineering.
If the Fenrir armor had not been left in Judy's workshop and the control module had not been replaced, Mason would have planned to take that thing out to "shock" the two brothers.
But how could a professional be frightened?
People could see the problem with the anti-Superman armor at a glance.
"This thing is in a damaged state and needs to be repaired. There is something wrong with the design, or it is estimated that it was designed like this."
Edward stepped forward to take a look, shook his head and said:
"Its heavy defense weakens it in other aspects, but it has gained top-notch defensive capabilities among mechas of this size. If I'm not mistaken, this should be a mecha that is effective against certain types of enemies.
And you're reassembling it to make it into a usable combat suit?"
"Yes, the renovation drawings have been drawn, but there are some key locations that I haven't figured out how to design yet."
Mason took out several detailed design drawings and invited the two brothers to look at them. The three alchemists discussed Mason's new designs in the factory.
The two brothers are younger than Mason, even younger than him, but they have learned an astonishing amount.
Before the world was destroyed, they experienced stories that were unimaginable to ordinary people. After the world was destroyed, they traveled around the worlds, not only improving their attainments in alchemy to a higher level, but also becoming very proficient in other manufacturing fields.
It just so happens that Mason's wish is to become a "master of all professions". He is currently practicing manufacturing skills in various fields so that he can keep up with the thinking of the two brothers and put forward some ideas of his own.
The three of them got more and more interested in each other as they talked, and in the end Mason simply invited them into his "suitcase factory" and showed them his collection.
"I think we should form a small organization."
In the workshop that Mason had specially set up for the Batmobile's transformation, he said to the alchemist brothers who were observing the design of the Batmobile with great interest:
"It's a pure organization among craftsmen. I have too many wonderful ideas but I can't realize them due to my current lack of ability. I'm sure you two have the same troubles. It's like a pen pal club.
Meet regularly to brainstorm.
And as wandering merchants, you must have your own network of connections, and I can use them to sell my various products."
"Then you should just stop being the captain of Team K and step down as soon as possible. Stop getting involved in things that will get your hands stained with blood sooner or later."
Edward looked up and said:
"We can still find a spot for you in our merchant team."
"Yes, Mason. You may not want to care about war, but war will always come to you. My brother and I have experienced this firsthand."
The armored brother Alphonse also advised:
"Your personality might be more suitable for becoming an excellent engineer or an outstanding alchemist. Since this is what you are interested in, why throw yourself into that quagmire?"
"If war is bound to come, we must prepare in advance."
Mason shook his head and said:
"Your world is gone, but mine is still there. They need me, and I really can't be as carefree as you. Let's not talk about this anymore. Come on, help me see how to repair these three gadgets."
He took out the three spells he had obtained from the old wizard Shazam and said to his alchemist brothers:
“If I can repair them, if I can make them, believe me, these things will definitely sell well. Then I will entrust the sales rights to you two, and we will split the profits 70% and 30% respectively.
By the way, please give me a set of the workshop components with the refining array that you have in the base, and give me a discount.
Look, this place is so empty.
To be used as a mobile factory, it would have to be renovated.”
