Chapter 546: The Origin Laboratory
Clearly, anyone engaged in research would immediately grasp the significance of this virtual space.
In fact, the Sleepless—the ones who created this virtual world—were well aware of its value. Although Gawain often joked and mocked that these cultists had built a “mind network” only to daydream inside it, the information Daniel relayed made it clear that the Sleepless had been using the mind network for technical research from the very beginning. The only problem was that while they created this “experimental environment,” they never developed a corresponding research and development model to go with it.
Throughout the history of technological progress, such “adaptation lags” were common. During the Starfire Age of Gondor, a chief mage at the Imperial Academy once invented a mental core capable of processing twelve input commands simultaneously. Yet, he never found a practical use for it in his lifetime. It wasn’t until the late Starfire Age that one of his apprentices invented the “Simultaneous Puppet Compilation Method” and applied it to the mental core, giving birth to Gondor’s proud Iron Legion.
Similar stories abounded: in Ansu Year 122, Sir Fao created the Resonance Crystal, but it took eighty years before people realized it could be used in crystal resonators. In Ansu Year 455, Count Toparis crafted the first Wind Ring, but it wasn’t until Ansu Year 496 that a royal mage discovered the high-frequency resonance of wind elements. Until then, this crucial “element sensor” had only been used to play high notes in court music…
Compared to inventing products, inventing the method to invent—creating the method to create—is often far more difficult. But once established, it signals a massive leap forward in technology. Gawain’s greatest advantage was that he knew such a method existed.
The neighboring Typhon Empire had also realized this. Emperor Rosetta’s founding of the “Imperial Manufacturing Association” proved he had found a way—a way to proactively invent. But Typhon’s success was built on decades of accumulation. Their talent pool and the mindset of their people naturally allowed the Imperial Manufacturing Association to emerge. Ansu, however, lacked these conditions—its talent, technological base, and intellectual foundation were insufficient.
So Gawain had to take shortcuts. He had to forcibly build a similar R&D system himself. He established the Arcane Technology Department, built the Rune Research Institute, the Magitech Research Institute, the Mechanical Manufacturing Institute, and various design bureaus. Now, he intended to bring the Sleepless’ mind network over as well, turning it into his own laboratory.
Only by doing this could he close the gap between the Duchy of Cecil and Typhon, minimizing the weaknesses on his side.
Rebecca and the others excitedly discussed the future applications of this experimental space, while Hetty happily calculated how much budget this would save. Gawain remained silent, waiting patiently until their excitement subsided a bit. Then, he cleared his throat and drew everyone’s attention back.
“Don’t get too excited just yet. I have a few points to remind you about this ‘virtual reality,’” he said.
Jenny was the first to calm down, bowing her head slightly. “Please, go ahead.”
“First, although this space can simulate much of the real-world experimental environment—even most of it—the simulation is not 100% reliable,” Gawain said steadily. “After all, the Sleepless didn’t truly create a world. The mind network’s computing power is limited, and the real-world parameters it inputs are limited as well. So don’t trust the simulation results blindly. Treat this as one experimental tool among many, not the whole.”
“Second, never forget the ‘unknown’ in technology. This experimental space may replicate much of the world as we understand it, but for realms we don’t yet comprehend—like the elemental world, the soul realm, the Shadow Realm, and the Umbral Realm—the rules may not follow common logic. Always be prepared for discrepancies between virtual experiments and reality.”
Gawain felt these warnings were necessary—especially the second.
He didn’t know if this world had a “physical divide between the microscopic and macroscopic,” but he believed such a divide must exist. As technology advances, even the most advanced rune logic would one day encounter phenomena beyond current theories and understanding. Once entering that new domain, experience, formulas, and even virtual reality would fail—but the scientific mindset of the researchers must never fail.
Rune logic and magitech were still too young, yet developing too fast. They might have faced setbacks, but they were far from mature. To prevent this eager but untempered new field from being crushed by failure—or worse, falling into theology or nihilism—he had to prepare them in advance.
Rebecca and Jenny listened, a bit stunned at first, then understood Gawain’s intent. Rebecca nodded seriously. “I understand, honored ancestor.”
Gawain nodded in satisfaction. “I’ve already set up the virtual environment here and preset some elements. I’ll explain their use to you later. As for manipulating physical objects or creating new entities within the mind network, Daniel will teach you.”
Daniel bowed deeply. “It is my honor.”
Gawain exhaled and gazed into the distance. “Finally, this place needs a new name.”
His eyes swept over the endless, vast water and clear sky. In that boundless space, he seemed to see countless new devices and technologies being born within this experimental space.
“This space shall be called the ‘Origin Space,’ and the laboratory established here will be the ‘Origin Laboratory,’” he said. “This will be a new starting point for technology. I hope each of you will make good use of it.”
“That’s a great name,” Kamail buzzed. “We will not disappoint your trust.”
Gawain nodded gently, then looked at Daniel. “That concludes our discussion on the Origin Space and Origin Laboratory. Next, let’s talk about recent developments in Typhon. Daniel, please report on your work.”
The moment had finally arrived.
Among the Outer Wanderer and his envoys, Daniel was about to report as one of the envoys.
His heart stirred, but he quickly composed himself and bowed slightly. “Yes, my lord—
“Following your orders, I have recently been contacting minor nobles and emerging merchants who meet our criteria. I have successfully won over and persuaded many, including some influential figures.
“As you expected, Emperor Rosetta Augustus’s policies favor emerging industries and strongly encourage new technologies and innovations. He has rewarded the inventor of the Angré Loom generously.
“The upper nobility remain indifferent toward the Angré Loom and textile factories.
“The emperor recently issued new orders to build more roads next year, mainly connecting the empire’s north and south, and commanded the widening of canals…”
As Gawain had predicted, technological development would spur the birth of new industries. For Typhon’s minor nobles, these new industries were a golden opportunity to regain wealth and political status. These minor nobles had suffered the most during the empire’s restructuring and desperately needed new chances to reenter the political arena. Becoming “capitalists” was their best path.
On the other hand, the great nobles, who still held vast political resources and wealth and had never left the empire’s power center, lacked the urgency of the minor nobles. Their response to these new industries was much slower.
These two groups were destined to split.
And once the emerging merchants, backed by capital, merged with the minor nobles into a new class, this split would become even more chaotic.
As for Emperor Rosetta Augustus’s support for new technologies, new factories, and transportation infrastructure—it was something he had to do, and had no choice but to do.
Not everyone present understood the significance of Daniel’s report. Rebecca and Jenny exchanged wide-eyed looks, while Hetty and Gawain listened with grave expressions.
“You’ve done well,” Gawain said after Daniel finished. “So, you’ve already secured the initial investors in Typhon’s noble council… Have your actions attracted attention?”
“No extra attention,” Daniel replied. “That’s just how Typhon’s upper society operates. I’m doing what anyone would do. Someone like me, who once held a high position in the Royal Mage Association but was absent for a long time, naturally needs to rebuild connections upon returning to the capital.”
Gawain pondered, then asked, “As far as I know, most of Typhon’s fuel acid factories are in the north, right?”
Daniel didn’t know why the Outer Wanderer suddenly asked that, but answered seriously, “Yes, most fuel acid factories are in the north. The south has been promoting them in recent years, but the production and transport conditions for Fertile Dust are harsh, and most raw materials come from the northeast coast, so promotion in the south is slow.”
“You also mentioned something earlier—Typhon’s main cotton-producing areas are in the south?”
“Yes, nearly 70% of Typhon’s cotton comes from southern plantations. But once the textile factories start running, the north will inevitably switch to large-scale cotton cultivation. Relying solely on southern cotton won’t meet factory demand.”
Gawain raised his eyelids, a faint smile playing on his lips. “But the southerners don’t know this yet, do they?”
“…You mean—”
“Do you have the ability to spread news in southern Typhon?”
“I don’t know any southern noble council members,” Daniel said, “but… I believe many Sleepless cult members come from southern Typhon, since the cult originally started there.”
“The Sleepless cult?” Gawain was slightly taken aback, suddenly realizing he had overlooked this angle. Daniel was his spy both in Typhon and within the Sleepless cult, but he often thought of these two identities separately. In reality… they could work together.
Cultists need to live too. Most lower-tier believers can’t devote themselves entirely to religious activities. In the real world, they have their own businesses and jobs—merchants, hunters, and… southern Typhon plantation owners.
A new idea quickly took shape. Gawain paused thoughtfully, then said, “Good. Spread the news within the Sleepless cult. Use a natural approach to let people know about the textile factories—that northern Typhon will soon need a large amount of cotton.”
Daniel caught on quickly. “You want… southern cotton plantations to blindly expand?”
“At first, it won’t be blind. Even if the north starts planting cotton now, it will take time to supply the factories. So southern plantations will profit handsomely at first. But once they reinvest those profits to expand their plantations… northern Typhon’s cotton supply should fill the gap,” Gawain looked Daniel in the eye. “As you said, the main fuel acid factories… are in the north.”
Meeting Gawain’s gaze, Daniel suddenly understood the Outer Wanderer’s plan.
A chill ran through him as he bowed his head. “I will follow your will.”
(Recommendation: The book “Calamity of Tomorrow” by Bear Wolfdog is quite well-known. It’s a fantasy novel with a fresh, imaginative plot and a light atmosphere. If you’re looking for something new to read, I personally find it very enjoyable.)
(End of chapter)