Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Ren Is Somewhat Tempted

"The magic-tech vehicles have succeeded?"

The Gray Fort Emperor didn’t seem too surprised. Obviously, he’d known about the magic-tech vehicle matter long ago.

In fact, when magic-tech tractors appeared, he already knew about this.

Tractors and tanks were just substitutes without proper tires, suitable for certain special scenarios but not for roads.

But the think tank had been analyzing the potential in them for a while now.

Creating them wasn’t something worth doubting.

All kinds of things kept emerging in this world endlessly. How could there not be suitable materials for making tires?

If there really weren’t any, there were still beings like alchemists who could eventually manufacture them.

Such things naturally couldn’t exceed the Gray Fort Emperor’s expectations.

’Tricky Coin’ Al thought for a moment, pulled out his Magic Net ring, quickly opened a video, and placed it in front of the Gray Fort Emperor: "Look, they’ve not only successfully manufactured them, but they’ve also made many different models that can be applied in many areas."

"What’s your thinking? Also participate in manufacturing magic-tech vehicles?" The Gray Fort Emperor didn’t take the bait but instead questioned him.

"We don’t have that capability... This is much more complex than imagined."

’Tricky Coin’ Al thought about it, then changed direction: "But I think we need to try. I’ve thought of two different plans."

"One: we figure out how to purchase some and bring them back, then have the Church of Creation Association start researching them, striving to develop something similar. However, because we don’t have Roster’s territory’s kind of complete mechanical creations, production costs and production efficiency will both be much higher."

"Of course, we could also catch up from the fundamentals, but that might take a very long time."

"Two: we directly partner with Viscount Roster to establish a new company, with both sides each holding half the shares. Viscount Roster provides technology, we provide manpower and production land. After production, we split the profits fifty-fifty."

"You seem to favor the second plan very much. Did Roster propose it?" The Gray Fort Emperor understood his old friend.

Just through the tone and expression of the conversation, he could already tell a lot.

After all... they’d been partners for twenty years.

"Actually, in my view, Viscount Roster—or rather, everyone in the entire Church of Technology—has only one goal, which is to push the progress of the entire era forward, letting everyone enjoy the benefits of magic-tech industrialization."

’Tricky Coin’ Al’s forehead showed slight beads of sweat, but his expression remained calm: "If that’s the case, then they won’t pass up this opportunity."

"Of course, Viscount Roster is also an excellent businessman. He absolutely won’t do something at a loss."

"Actually, this plan appears to be us and Viscount Roster establishing a new company to jointly produce and sell, each paying certain costs and splitting the profits fifty-fifty."

"But in reality, this plan means we’re using Gray Fort Empire’s market and our willingness to industrialize with magic-tech to exchange for cooperation."

The former was benefits for Viscount Roster, the latter was benefits for the Church of Technology.

The Gray Fort Emperor’s fingers kept tapping on the table, clearly thinking about something, finding it hard to decide.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be like this.

After who knows how long, the Gray Fort Emperor slowly spoke: "I can agree to this plan, but I have one requirement. At least half of the main production personnel in the new company we cooperate on must be our people..."

"I want you to make a military pledge. Within ten years, completely learn the magic-tech vehicle production technology, even the entire production and sales plan. If after ten years, I don’t see Gray Fort Empire having its own magic-tech vehicle manufacturing company, you’ll be held accountable."

"Also, don’t think about the ultra-high-speed train matter. I don’t accept using Dawn Kingdom technology for that. I can’t accept having such a behemoth able to travel freely between our two countries."

"I understand."

’Tricky Coin’ Al nodded slightly.

Actually, he felt it was a bit of a pity, but being able to have him partner with Viscount Roster to establish a magic-tech vehicle company already counted as a concession from the Gray Fort Emperor.

This was basically the maximum risk the Gray Fort Emperor could bear.

"Recently, how are those factories you’ve been operating doing?" The Gray Fort Emperor suddenly changed the subject.

’Tricky Coin’ Al honestly answered.

But inwardly he couldn’t help but complain—how could the Gray Fort Emperor not know these things?

In the divine realm.

Ren seemed to sense something and quickly checked the memories brought by his authority. His eyebrows couldn’t help but rise slightly: "Interesting, didn’t expect them to solve problems this way."

"What happened?"

The Goddess of Magic looked at Ren with some curiosity.

"In the largest iron mine within the mortal realm’s human-controlled area, because of frequent accidents and such, miners often prayed and gave birth to a newborn god who likes blood offerings."

"Are you going to deal with it?"

The Goddess of Magic’s expression shifted: "As faith born from this iron mine, if you devour it, you might be able to speed up this mine’s collection rate. You could even directly move the minerals in this mine to the surface."

"There’s an operation like that?"

Ren was somewhat surprised and somewhat tempted. Then he shook his head: "Let’s talk about that later. What really surprises me is that this Iron Mine God actually evolved into a species. The slime secreted from this species’ bodies is suitable for making tires. Those people in the mortal realm successfully manufactured magic-tech vehicles."

The information was a bit much. The Goddess of Magic also took a moment to digest it.

This mass of faith evolved into a species?

And this species could be used as material to make tires?

The tire problem that she’d suspected might need their help, that might take a very, very long time to manufacture—was solved just like that?

"So this faith has been born for a very long time to be able to evolve a species?"

The Goddess of Magic soon showed an interested expression: "I’m even more interested in having you devour this mass of faith now. The faith of a species—for any god, this is something that can be encountered but not sought."

Aside from a few gods like the God of Nature who’d gained most members’ faith from certain species, other gods were basically ’wandering’ between various species.

If they could make almost an entire species believe in them, they’d most likely become a top-tier god, even if the species was extremely weak.

"I can’t confirm whether the species he evolved can provide faith. I even doubt whether they possess intelligence." Ren shook his head slightly.

Looking at the situation with those worm creatures, they didn’t look like they could provide faith at all.