Chapter 132 15. Fighting and killing is boring, let’s form a “Craftsman Alliance”
In a certain room in the Star Castle, Mason was holding a cup of tea and looking at the factory-like place in front of him.
Although he had known for a long time that members of the Society of Stars would renovate their residence according to their own ideas. For example, Judy turned her room into a workshop, but the "industrial style" hard-core place in front of her was still beyond Mason's imagination.
He walked among them with tea in hand, checking out the unique-looking machines, and occasionally looking at the various "training formations" placed at hand.
This is a unique alchemical ability that belongs to the world of the Elric brothers. Their place has developed alchemy to a new level. As long as there are enough materials and the corresponding alchemy formation, an excellent alchemist can complete a task in an instant. A series of unscientific material conversions, directly turning materials into finished products.
The complete omission of intermediate links makes the expression of this "alchemy" indistinguishable from magic.
But Mason also knew that even such an unscientific system followed the oldest rules 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 formation formation for the first time will not understand the principles at all. I advise you not to try it."
"A 'metal melting' is embedded with two 'shaping', the outer ring is 'flame' and the inner ring is 'cooling', thus forming a standard 'steel making' conversion formula."
Mason turned back and took a sip of tea and said to Edward, who was staring at him:
"Look, I am not an ignorant guy. Although I have never been exposed to your weird alchemy, I know the general principles.
After all, I am an alchemist too, and I made this on my own. ”
He took out an irregular gray alchemy stone from his pocket and threw it to Edward. The latter took it in his hand, looked at it, and gave it to his brother.
The armored brother carefully observed the alchemy stone with his thick fingers. After a few seconds, he said in his unique hollow voice:
"The principle is very similar to the Philosopher's Stone. Perhaps it can be understood as a downgraded version of the Philosopher's Stone. It releases inner energy to affect the material and characteristics of the modified material or finished product."
"So swap."
Mason pointed to the complicated-looking formation at hand and said to the two brothers:
"I exchange the formula of the alchemy stone for the various refining formation drawings in your hands. Although it is far from orthodox alchemy, your unique knowledge system is indeed very convenient."
As excellent alchemists, the two Edward brothers are always full of curiosity about unknown knowledge, but this time the blond brother was sitting on the sofa, shaking his head and saying:
"We never trade knowledge with hounds. You say you are not a hound? Where is the evidence?"
Mason stared at him, took the Sorting Hat, well, the Sorting Hat off his head and handed it to the two brothers.
The two brothers were really startled when Lord Hat's blurry face protruded from his face. Then Hat told everything that happened in the world of Hogwarts and explained Mason's identity again.
A world of suffering silenced the two brothers.
After learning that Mason's K team had not yet conducted a mandatory mission, their attitude became obviously friendlier.
"I apologize for our previous ill will."
The blond Edward handed the sorting hat back. He made a very special courtesy and explained:
"It's just that our world has suffered the same thing as Mr. Hat's hometown. The plague that destroyed civilization is something my brother and I will never forget.
Although the world was fucked before it happened.
We only learned the truth from others during an occasional expedition after accepting the help of the Society of Stars,
This damn organization plays both a destroyer and a savior. It's hypocritical as hell, and the way those hounds scratch the ground is disgusting. ”
"I understand."
Mason took a sip of 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 am a newbie and don't know much about these things. I hope you can explain it to me."
"Not much, we are a real minority."
Edward shrugged, and while filling his stomach with snacks bought at the market, he said vaguely:
"As far as I know, there are only a few loners like us among the B-class personnel, and they never participate in pioneering operations and only provide them with logistical assistance.
But it’s hard to describe anything below C level.
You can see those guys in the market who are obviously very powerful but cannot enter the Star Castle. They are the same type. Their own world is gone but they don’t want to destroy other people’s homes.
But within the system of the Stars Club, we cannot withdraw, so we can only resist their recruitment in this way. The most typical example is the Great Sword Ranger Cloud and his two girlfriends
They are just the lowest level E-class personnel.
But no one dares to look down on them. They always wander around the world, stop something bad happening, help when in trouble, and never cooperate with the hounds.
Those hounds contemptuously call them 'ronin', and even deliberately provoke them in some war worlds, but anyone with eyes knows that the power of the ronin is terrifying when they are united.
Therefore, the higher-ups did not pay attention to this and did not forcefully suppress it to avoid causing trouble.
Oh, right.
There are actually similar guys in the higher-ups, and you just met one. ”
"Oh?"
Mason took a sip of tea in surprise and said:
"The old wizard who cosplayed with Gandalf just now? I just said he felt like a very powerful guy. Who is that?"
"Shazam, Thunder."
Alphonse, the armored man standing behind his brother, said with an admiring tone:
"A member of the A-level Twelve-member Council, a well-known neutral faction. Although he is under the command of the Grand Master Warlock, he never participates in aggressive pioneering operations.
He has a high reputation among ronin.
But the old gentleman did have a lot of quirks. He always liked to dress up as famous wizards from various worlds and walk around. My brother and I were deceived by him when we first came here.
Ahem, I mean, we were blind that time. ”
"Shazam?"
Mason raised an eyebrow.
He thought of Shazam in the Gotham world, but in his side the old wizard seemed to be dead, and even his power was passed down to a stupid boy.
So it should be a space-time heterotopia.
"So, the aggression system formed by the hounds is actually just a part of the Society of Stars?"
Mason put down his tea cup and sat next to the two brothers.
He rubbed his chin and said:
"Isn't there anyone who wants to twist them into a rope? Since so many people are dissatisfied with the way the Stars Association does things."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Edward pointing to his left arm.
Mason suddenly understood.
All right.
With that soul curse, it is indeed almost impossible to break down the organization of the Stars from the inside. However, Edward's introduction and the existence of the "ronin" did allow Mason to see the stars besides darkness. The other side.
Think about it, in a large organization that spans countless worlds, it is impossible for everyone to be an incorrigible bastard. No matter how dark the place is, there are always people who stick to the bottom line.
"Stop talking about this, let's talk about what's going on between us."
Mason shook his head, took out a piece of paper, wrote down the recipe and process for making the magic stone that he had analyzed so far, and handed it to the two brothers. He said:
"I'm not kidding when I say this is an industry exchange between alchemists. I really want to learn some useful knowledge from these two people. Maybe we can develop deeper cooperation.
There should be a lot of good things from the two of you traveling around the worlds, some of which I really need. ”
"You mean this?"
The short Edward glanced at Mason, and with a flick of his finger, the Ark Reactor specially placed on the counter for the rescue machine jumped into the palm of his hand.
He looked at Mason, swallowed a ball, chewed it and said:
"Your eyes almost burned 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, made a pitiful look and said:
"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 piece of paper, the outspoken armored brother immediately said:
"Don't you have the Philosopher's Stone in your hand? If you give us that thing, we will not only give you the Ark Reactor, we can also give you the Mark series of armors in our collection.
During the Hulk World War, my brother and I were lucky enough to find Iron Man's lost workshop.
Not that we're bragging, but the stuff inside is really awesome. ”
"That thing is not for sale."
Mason shook his head and said:
"I only have so much in hand, and it's impossible for me to make something of that level in a short period of time. Selling it to you is equivalent to emptying my pocket.
But I'm curious, since your world is over, why do you continue to look for the Philosopher's Stone? Are you still planning to resurrect your mother?
You should have learned your lesson. Refining the human body is an absolute taboo in alchemy. ”
"It seems that Mr. Hunter did tell you a lot. But, no! We intend to use the Philosopher's Stone to do something more correct."
Edward put away the paper in his hand, stood up, took out a box filled with various drawings from the corner of the workshop, placed it in front of Mason, and pushed it over to him.
The short alchemist looked at Mason and said seriously:
"With enough Philosopher's Stones, we can bring our world back."
"Impossible!"
Mason immediately shook his head and said:
"Although I don't know the truth of the 'Impact' incident, I am certain that this is a cosmic-level disaster. The reality rewriting of the Philosopher's Stone cannot cover such an advanced level.
It's like trying to charge a Cybertronian with AA batteries.
The ideal is beautiful, but the reality is"
"Of course it's impossible under normal circumstances."
Edward stuffed a piece of barbecue into his mouth and said while chewing:
"But we are all in a secret organization that exists across the world, what else is impossible? If we follow the principle of equivalent exchange, as long as we can pay a sufficient price, repairing the world can become a reality.
Of course, this will have to wait until this unfolding disaster is over.
This box contains all the alchemy formations 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 us at the Star Castle at any time.
We won't be leaving here for a while. We are trying to purify the unicorn blood you gave us before. The curse is troublesome, but it is not unbreakable. ”
"Maybe we can work together?"
When Mason heard this, he came to his senses. He opened his bag and took out several bottles of cursed unicorn blood. He also took out his alchemy handbook and said:
"I have also researched several ways to use unicorn blood. I am still testing it. You can listen to my ideas first.
I plan to 'fight fire with poison', and if I can't completely purify it, I'll add more toxic substances to it to make it an offensive alchemical poison. ”
He said his thoughts again. Before Edward could speak, the armor brother shook his head and said:
"No, the contaminated unicorn blood has already deteriorated in theory, and its stability can easily be destroyed. Adding poison will not only fail to extract it effectively, but will also render it ineffective."
"But I have this."
Mason took out a vial of water from the Lazarus Pool.
As soon as this thing was taken out, the two brothers immediately jumped up and took several steps back. They could tell that the toxicity of this thing was far higher than ordinary toxins.
"Don't be afraid. Although it comes from a demon god, this thing is not deadly. Come on, let me show you how to use it. Do you have any alchemy vessels here for purification?"
"We have better."
Fullmetal Alchemist snorted, snapped his fingers and said:
"Alphonse, bring out the molecular purifier we got from Mr. Fantastic's laboratory to open Mr. Mason's eyes. Since this is an industry exchange for alchemists, we have to show some real skills, don't we?
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But looking at the things you took out, are you a traditional alchemist specializing in potions? ”
"This is so disrespectful."
Mason shook his head and stepped back to make room.
Then he released the anti-Superman suit that he had repaired half of, and took some of the various weapons he had made so far to show his strength in engineering.
If the Fenrir armor hadn't been left in Judy's studio to be replaced with a control module, Mason would have taken it out to "shock" the two brothers.
But how could a professional be intimidated?
People can see the problem with the Anti-Superman suit at a glance.
"This thing is damaged and needs to be repaired, and there is something wrong with the design idea, or it is estimated to be designed like this."
Edward stepped forward to check it out, shook his head and said:
"The heavy defense has caused it to be weakened in other aspects, but it has gained the top defensive capabilities among mechas of this size. If I read correctly, this should be a mecha that is effective against specific types of enemies.
And you are reassembling it to turn it into a practical combat armor? ”
"Yes, the renovation drawings have been drawn, but I still haven't figured out how to design some key locations."
Mason took out several precise design drawings and invited the two brothers to check them out. The three alchemists discussed Mason's new design in the factory.
The two brothers are even younger than Mason, but their knowledge is terrifying.
Before the world was destroyed, they experienced stories unimaginable by ordinary people. After the world was destroyed, they traveled around the world. Not only did they improve their alchemy skills, but they also became very proficient in other manufacturing fields.
It just so happens that Mason's wish is to become a "full professional master". He is currently practicing manufacturing skills in various fields so that he can keep up with the thinking of the two brothers and also put forward some opinions of his own.
The three people chatted more and more, 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 specially set up by Mason for the transformation of the Batmobile, he said to the alchemist brothers who were watching the Batmobile design with great interest:
"A very pure organization between craftsmen. I have too many fantastic ideas but I cannot realize them due to lack of current ability. You two must also have the same troubles, just like a pen pal club.
Meet regularly to brainstorm.
Moreover, as wandering traders, you must have your own network, and I can also use it to sell my various products. ”
"Then why don't you just stop being the captain of Team K, step aside as soon as possible, and stop participating in things that will stain your hands with blood sooner or later."
Edward looked up and said:
"Our merchant team can still find a spot for you."
"Yes, Mason, you don't want to pay attention to war but war will always come to your door. My brother and I have personal experience."
Armor brother Alphonse also advised:
"Your personality may be more suitable to become an excellent engineer or an excellent alchemist. Since this is your interest, why throw yourself into the quagmire?"
"If war is bound to come, you 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 cool as you. Let's not talk about this. Come on, first help me see how to repair these three gadgets."
He took out the three talismans he had obtained from the old wizard Shazam before and said to the alchemist brothers:
"If I can repair them, if I make them, believe me, these things will definitely sell well. When the time comes, I will entrust the sales rights to you two, and we will earn 70% of the profit.
By the way, give me a set of the workshop components with the formation formation that you have in the station, and give me a discount by the way.
Look, this place is too empty.
If it is to be used as a mobile factory, it will have to be renovated. "(End of Chapter)