Volume 3: The Nameless Chapter 22 Operation Codename "Swindle"
"Are you sure you want to tear it down?"
Outside the lakeside of the Hogwarts ruins, next to the Hodmood village station, Zack watched Mason pick up an engineering wrench and gesture at the front of the magic train.
He glanced again at the Fenrir armor placed on the platform, which was standing in the moonlight like a mechanical giant, being stared at by a group of pirates in amazement and awe.
He flicked his tongue and said:
"I admit that this alchemical engine looks interesting, but it's too big to fit into that Batboy's super cool armor, right?"
"Who do you think I am?"
Mason looked up at Zha Kang and said:
"Is this the only simple job you can do, which is putting one thing inside another? Have your people come and dismantle it! I've already drawn the blueprints and understand the working principle of this thing. Now I just need to inspect the real thing to confirm my idea of miniaturizing it."
"Can you do it?"
Zhakang is a magical genius but also a mechanical idiot.
His understanding of these engineering items was limited to exclaiming "How awesome!" when he saw them.
But at Mason's request, he rolled up his sleeves and called on the pirates of the Black Pearl who had been almost trained to come forward to help.
Mason had disassembled the alchemical engine used in this magic train once before, so he was familiar with the process this time.
He used an engineering wrench to dismantle the parts while instructing the pirates to carry them out and place them in order on the platform.
The wizard's request must be carried out seriously.
The pirates also behaved well and tried to make a good impression in front of Mason.
The most obedient among them have been sent to another world to live with Captain Jack. The rest of them naturally have to seize the opportunity to behave well in order to escape from this ruined world full of "magic zombies".
Dozens of people worked together to quickly move the alchemical engine to the platform. Mason took out the drawings that had already been analyzed and drawn to compare with the actual object in front of him.
After aspiring to become a master of manufacturing, this was his first attempt to combine multiple skills to complete his first memorable "big project".
He wanted to miniaturize this alchemical engine and send it into Fenrir's armor as its energy center.
"I said, why are you taking all this trouble?"
Zha Kang used a teleportation spell to send the pirates back to the wizard tower in the Forbidden Forest. He stayed beside Mason, smoking a cigarette and complaining:
"Since this is Batboy's own armor, he must have a power battery that can be used with it. With your relationship with him, can't you just go and ask for one?
Although I don't understand mechanics.
But I don't think it would be a good idea to put an engine that's used on trains in a suit."
"I could get an atomic battery from Wayne Industries' cutting-edge lab, but why would I do that?"
Mason used his engineering knowledge to modify the blueprint and said:
“Other people’s things are always theirs, and I don’t really like to rely on others for my survival.
I finally found Judy to help me remove all Batman-related elements from this armor and unlocked the DNA lock. Why should I repeat the same mistake and send it back to Bruce?
John, if the Justice League comes to beat us up, you better hope I can finish modifying this thing before then."
As he spoke, Mason looked up at the idle Zha Kang, and took out a large bag of enchantment and inscription materials that he had prepared in advance from his suitcase, and said to Zha Kang:
"If you have time, why don't you help me engrave the armor inscriptions on Fenrir's armor?"
"You must be kidding me!"
Zha Kang's eyes widened and he said:
"You're going to engrave runes on such a big piece of iron? Are you going to enchant it fully afterwards? Are you going to transform it into a weapon that combines both technology and magic?
What an idea!
But it doesn't work.
The steel of this armor is not a magical metal. It is strong enough but its energy conductivity is too poor. "
"We have plenty of magic metals."
Mason said without looking up:
"Just design a powerful inscription and enchantment system, and I'll replace the magic metal inside. Oh, and this, too!"
The young man took out the tattered anti-Superman armor from the suitcase, snapped his fingers at Zha Kang and said:
"By the way, let's also design some 'magic armament' for this suit, and give it functions like shields, rays, energy absorption and emission.
This shouldn't be a problem for you, right?
When our system matures, I will get each of you a set of armor. Otherwise, if other teams see us, they will think we can’t afford it.”
Mason made crazy promises, but the cunning Zha Kang just wouldn't be fooled.
Constantine had seen a lot of things. He picked up the pile of magic materials and looked at the two sets of combat equipment, one large and one small, beside him. He said:
"When you can make this kind of armor by hand, I guess you won't even need it and can defeat a demon knight like Brad with your bare hands.
Tsk, after I learn all of Grindelwald's dark magic and the secret inheritance of Shinto magic, I will go back and beat up that bastard."
"You don't have to wait until you become powerful. You have the chance to beat him up now."
Mason used a ruler and drawing pen to make changes to the drawing in front of him.
All kinds of knowledge in his mind kept rolling, pushing his thoughts to become active, and all kinds of wonderful ideas were splashing, making him constantly modify the original design of the alchemical engine in front of him.
While drawing, he said to Zha Kang:
"Since Jason Blood has unreasonably targeted our people, there is no need for us to talk to him about any rules. I decided that when we go to hunt Mr. Sandstorm this time, we will take him with us.
The veteran Blazers squad is strong, and we may need a little 'foreign help'.
If Jason Blood is a righteous demon as you said, then when he sees the K team and the hounds of the Star Society fighting to the death, he will naturally understand the significance of our existence to the world. "
“Good idea.”
Constantine blew out a smoke ring and said quietly:
"But what are you going to do? Brad is not one of those rookies who will be fooled by your words.
That guy has lived for more than a thousand years. In his time, he was one of King Arthur's most trusted Holy Grail Knights. Although he did not enter the Round Table Council, he should not be underestimated.
Not to mention he has a 'demon friend' helping him with his plans.
The fighting power of the higher demon Itlegan is beyond your imagination, Mason. If you are not careful, Mr. Sandstorm will not be killed, but our K team will be eaten alive by that crazy and brutal guy.
Demons generally have bad tempers."
"Yes, although I have never seen a demon, I know that they have a bad temper."
Mason nodded and said:
"So, John, can you forcibly awaken the demon in Jason Blood ? A knight who has lived for a thousand years can definitely maintain his sanity and not follow us through the door under deliberate temptation, but if it is a demon that is out of control and provoked, I think the probability of us being able to trick it is very high."
"Dry!"
Zha Kang viciously smashed the cigarette butt in his hand to the ground, stomped it out, raised his middle finger to Mason and cursed:
“I knew I should have been alert when you said you had an idea, are you going to push me into the fire again?
You idiot captain! I've been working very hard since I joined Team K, so why do I have to do such dangerous things every time?"
"The more capable you are, the more work you will do."
Mason sighed and said:
"Besides, no one else can use such advanced magic except you. I can make some magic scrolls now, but I don't think I can make such high-level scrolls with my poor inscription skills, so you have to come.
But I won't let you do it for nothing, John.
You know me, I've always been generous, how about letting you challenge for the spoils first this time? Or wait until I make the super soldier serum and give it to you first?"
"What the hell is that thing? Why does it sound so evil?"
Zha Kang picked up another cigarette and asked.
Mason explained the effectiveness of the alchemical formula he had obtained at the trade fair.
After hearing that injecting the serum could allow his physique to surpass human limits in all aspects and enter the superhuman realm, Constantine narrowed his eyes and was obviously attracted.
He has his own set of troubles.
Just as he himself said, both "above" and "below" the world of Gotham, there is a group of bad guys who are always coveting his soul.
In the past, Constantine would do anything to protect himself, but now that he has joined Team K, he can hide in other parallel worlds and finally spend some undisturbed leisure time.
But those troubles will not disappear on their own, so Zha Kang is also constantly strengthening his power in his own way.
He studied Grindelwald's dark magic, the secret arts of the Shinto Magic Institute, and collected all kinds of strange and bizarre magic books in Star Castle for this purpose.
He is one of the people in Team K who has the most urgent need for power.
So after more than ten seconds of consideration, Zha Kang took a deep breath of smoke, glanced at Mason, and said:
"Okay, deal. I can help you this time at the risk of completely offending Brad , but you have to get me the super soldier serum within a month.
If it really has no side effects as you said, then I owe you a favor.
Alas, magic is also very troublesome. I actually master many dangerous forbidden techniques, but my mortal body simply cannot withstand the backlash of that kind of high-level magic."
"Well, actually, if you can accept having a second personality in your mind... I can make you a similar superhuman potion right now."
Mason pointed to his head and whispered:
"The formula is here. I've tried it before. As long as you nod, John, you can instantly become a super strong guy. It's just a matter of taking a little risk.
Anyway, considering how bad your life is, having a second personality is not a big deal. On the bright side, you can still chat with yourself. "
"Go away. I don't need a second personality to chat with myself. Besides, my life has already fallen into the quagmire. Do you still want me to swim on my back in the stinking mud?"
The scumbag Kang scolded:
"If you're going to use something, you're going to use the best! Don't try to trick me into testing medicine on you again, you bastard. You've been writing and painting for so long, and you still haven't finished it? Is that a pig's hoof growing on your arm?"
"Don't scold me, it's already been planned."
Mason picked up the complicated drawing in his hand.
It was a miniaturized alchemical engine, about the same size as the one on his flying motorcycle.
But the internal structure used in the large engine of the magic train was retained and improved to ensure that the power of this small thing was enough to support the Fenrir armor in full combat.
Before getting super technology like the Ark Reactor, this thing is the best power source Mason can find.
Moreover, it was designed by wizards, so it can naturally perfectly adapt to some magic charging requirements, and there is no need for complicated "ordinary energy/magic power" conversion.
This is very convenient for Mason who wants to transform the Fenrir armor into a technological/magic armor.
"The only problem now is that I need to improve my engineering skills to make it, and I need to build a professional engineering laboratory."
Mason stroked his chin and looked at his drawings. He said:
"You can't really rub these precision parts out with your hands. That's neither scientific nor magical."
"There's another question!"
Zha Kang, who was circling around the tattered Anti-Superman armor to come up with a magical enhancement plan for it, looked up and said to Mason:
"All of Batboy's weapons are designed and manufactured according to the 'no kill' principle.
His armor is equipped with non-lethal weapons, which only a madman like Bruce Wayne can use. Non-lethal weapons are not very effective for the situation we are facing.
You also have to find a way to equip these two sets of armor with more powerful weapon systems.
But I don't think you need to rush this matter, because we have better options besides stealing things from Wayne Industries' military laboratories."
Constantine blew a smoke ring and said to Mason:
"Isn't it said that the Afterlife Team, which has access to future technology, has a grudge against that Sandstorm? After we kill Sandstorm, wouldn't it be cooler to extort some more destructive weapons from the Allied Team and equip them?"
"Now we are of the same mind, John."
Mason grinned and said:
" The various black technologies mastered by the Next Life team are also a treasure trove. We must be good at digging out the urgently needed knowledge from them. I'll leave these two things with you while I go back.
I will bring magic metals to them tomorrow night to transform their 'casting system'."
"What are you going back for?"
Zha Kang curled his lips and said:
"Be careful not to be caught and tortured by Brad. Demons are known for their perverted punishments, so it's better to stay here."
"I want to, but don't I have to go to work tomorrow morning?"
Mason sighed and said:
"Doctor Leslie was very kind to me, and I also need to keep practicing first aid skills in case you really encounter a critical situation and no one treats you.
This is a matter of life and death, and we cannot afford to be careless.
Also, did the two wizard traitors who stayed with you get anything out of them?"
"No, my mouth is very hard."
Zha Kang snorted and said:
“They are all high-level wizards, and the effect of truth serum on them is limited.
If you allow me, my dear captain, perhaps I can use some less 'humane' methods to get the information we need."
"Whatever you want."
Mason pushed his hat up, looked at the ruins of Hogwarts in the distance, and said:
“Just remember to save your life.
When they choose to betray their own world, there is no need for us to talk to them about human rights. Perhaps their screams can bring peace to the resentful spirits in this apocalyptic wasteland.
That's it.
I'm going back first."
He said goodbye to Zha Kang and used the World Gate to return to the secret base in Miller Port.
He was very careful on the way back to the shop. When he approached Crime Alley, the Sorting Hat, which had been silent all this time, suddenly reminded Mason:
"Look at the area to the left of the third advertisement under the telephone pole on your right in front of you! Yes, it's the few lines of text below the advertisement that claims to have an aphrodisiac effect. Read it carefully!"
"Um?"
Mason followed the complicated instructions of the Sorting Hat and saw an almost invisible light flickering in the dark night.
This was when Mason was able to sense the flow of magic power because of his magic fire. If he hadn't been reminded, he would never have noticed that thing that looked like a child's graffiti.
"It is a dark spell used to monitor everything that happens around, like a demon's eye."
The Sorting Hat whispered:
"It won't be effective for more than thirty minutes, Mason. The demon knight Jason Blood has locked onto you, and he will act immediately if you show any suspicious behavior."
"Um."
Mason stood in front of the small advertisement on the telephone pole and looked at it carefully. His expression was as if "my disease is finally cured". Then he walked away quickly in silence under the contemptuous gaze of a drunk sister passing by.
Amid the laughter coming from behind, he whispered tiredly:
"Don't worry, Hat, he won't interfere with your revenge, I promise."
"It's our revenge!"
The Sorting Hat corrected him in that old man's voice:
"I can already sense that you are about to be dragged into a terrible trouble, which may take up a lot of your time and postpone the sweet moment of revenge.
This is what I don't want to see, so I decided to give you one more thing to help you get through this difficult time... Don't be afraid, the blood oath of revenge has been sworn, and as you said, we are already family, so we will not ask you to do anything dangerous again.
However, I would like to state in advance that you may need to find a way to fix it first."
