The Owl Dragon Empire
"This is the material gathered on the Sacred Elf Empire. And the covenant of alliance, signed." Zhao Chen looked at Lilith and Charlotte on the other side of the video window, talking with them about this visit to the Sacred Elf Empire.
Lilith was reading every item of material on the Sacred Elf Empire in detail, ten lines at a glance.
Charlotte, by contrast, paid no mind to the information in the covenant.
She looked at Zhao Chen with interest. "Is there material on the Sacred Elf Empire's warships in active service? I hear they have a raw material that can build T6-grade warships?"
Zhao Chen opened another document.
In this document there was nothing but material on warship after warship, all from the Sacred Elf Empire.
But the material on some of these warships was fairly full, and on some there might be only pictures and a simple introduction.
Commonly, the higher the grade of the warship, the less material there was.
"These are in the main the warships the Sacred Elf Empire has in service now, and has had in service before. All the material I could get is here. Nothing more detailed. As for that World Tree: it truly is a very marvelous thing, a new kind of material, and with some kind of energy in it too. It can be used to build T6-grade warships. But there may be limits on it; I don't know much of the particulars; the Sacred Elf Empire restricts things in that area," Zhao Chen explained.
Charlotte began to study the information on these warships with rapt attention.
By now Lilith had in the main taken in the gist; she raised her head and looked at Zhao Chen. "The content of the alliance covenant is in the main without problems; we didn't get much the better of it, but at least we didn't lose out either. After all, this is all the capital we have right now. But about the Sacred Elf Empire's development of T7-grade technology, there doesn't seem to be any detailed material?"
Zhao Chen nodded and explained, "I tried to keep an eye on that too. I did find the Sacred Elf Empire's research into T7-grade technology isn't on any great scale. But it can't be ruled out that they're doing the research in secret."
Lilith frowned slightly and said, "Research into T7-grade technology: normally, research of that grade takes enormous resources, manpower, materials and time. There couldn't be no sign of it at all. And the more so since the whole of the Sacred Elf Empire's universe is in the elves' hands. There's only invasion from outside, by Order and the Devourer Civilization. And normally the Sacred Elf Empire could quite openly research T7 technological civilization, striving to break through to T7 technological civilization early and stand against Order head-on. There's no need for such secrecy at all. At most, they'd add to the guard around the research institutes, to keep them from being attacked by some zealots who worship Order."
Hearing Lilith's analysis, it was indeed so, by reason.
Zhao Chen said in a deep voice, "In truth the Sacred Elf Empire really does hold some secrets that can't be explained. Whether with the Sacred Elf Empire's Elf Sovereigns, or with the special envoy from the middle ranks of power who came back with me this time, Gladys, one can feel there are things they're unwilling to lay out openly. On these, we can't dig too deep for now. Otherwise it may very well open a rift in our two sides' cooperation!"
Lilith nodded in agreement. "That's right; we're in an alliance with the Sacred Elf Empire now, and we need to borrow the Sacred Elf Empire's strength too. In this period we must keep our bond with the Sacred Elf Empire in good order. Of course, we can't be wholly without channels for getting information on the Sacred Elf Empire either. After this I'll find a way to set up some suitable channels for getting information."
Suddenly the corner of Zhao Chen's mouth lifted, and he said, "About that channel for getting information, I'd already thought it out before I came back."
Lilith looked at Zhao Chen, puzzled.
"This I'll tell you later. I've been gone about ten days. How are things everywhere?" Zhao Chen asked with concern.
On this visit to the Sacred Elf Empire, Zhao Chen had been thinking of home all along, so he had gone quickly and come back quickly, and had not lingered in the Sacred Elf Empire.
"Everything is going by the original plan. There'll be no trouble. About the possible invasion by the Devourer Civilization: everywhere within our Owl Dragon Empire is holding second-grade combat readiness twenty-four hours a day, and in some important areas the number and frequency of patrol fleets have been raised too. The T6 Universal Space Dynamics Monitor is kept running as well; any unusual movement in our universe, we're sure to know at once. Charlotte and the marshals have drawn up several sets of emergency plans as well. And I've drawn up some contingency plans for going over to a state of war in an emergency. Under our arrangements, once an enemy is found appearing within our Owl Dragon Empire's universe, wherever it may be, in normal conditions we can guarantee three hundred thousand warships reaching the target point within three hours to block the enemy. In an emergency, we can deliver a million warships to the target point within three hours. ……" Lilith went on to tell of every side of the preparations for war in one long string.
Peaceful as the Owl Dragon Empire looked now, at one order the whole Owl Dragon Empire would go over to a state of war in the shortest time.
Everyone would give their own share of strength for the war!
"I got a document from the Sacred Elf Empire's side before on the fighting strength of the Devourer Civilization's military fleets. Look it over, and make some preparations before the war." Zhao Chen brought out another important document and handed it to Charlotte and Lilith.
Charlotte was very, very interested in this too.
She ran her eye over it and said at once, "Give me three days; I'll have the Imperial Military Department make an assessment on the basis of this information on the Devourer Civilization's armed fleets."
Zhao Chen nodded.
"After this the Sacred Elf Empire will station troops within our Owl Dragon Empire; settle the five base sites. After that, arrange people as well to deal with the people of the Sacred Elf Empire's legion fleets. Those high elves of the Sacred Elf Empire are every one of them ill-tempered, with their eyes above the tops of their heads. When we send people to deal with them, they must be ready for it in their minds. But remember: they're allies, and we'll respect them. But at the same time we can't let our own dignity be weakened!" Zhao Chen reminded them.
"Leave that to me." Lilith nodded.
After chatting about some more things, Zhao Chen ended the talk with the two of them.
When he had ended the talk, Zhao Chen himself hurried off to another place.
"So this is your Owl Dragon Empire's imperial capital star system?"
The Emperor's Guard Fleet had come straight back to the Owl Dragon System; it was Gladys's first time coming to the Owl Dragon System.
The first time she came to the Owl Dragon Empire, before she had had time to go about this universe at all, she had been surrounded on every side by the Owl Dragon legion fleets.
After that, even once the two sides had cleared up the misunderstanding, she and her fleet had not been allowed to leave the position they were in.
And the only channel by which she could learn of this Owl Dragon Empire's universe was the local network.
She knew there was such a place as the Owl Dragon System, and had seen pictures and footage of it, but that was a wholly different experience from coming here in person.
"To tell the truth, our star system isn't as… magnificent as your Sacred Tree System," Xiong Lulu said sincerely, standing beside Gladys.
But her eyes rested gently on this Owl Dragon System before her. "But this star system grew under our eyes. In the short span of under ten years, from an out-of-the-way little star system with a population of under a billion, it's grown into the capital of this Empire now. This is the Owl Dragon's home."
Gladys gazed at this star system.
There was no magnificent World Tree, nor any marvelous sights of plant technology.
But looking at those interstellar fleets in perfect order, and the warships coming and going in an unbroken stream,
she could feel how full of life this Owl Dragon System was!
"Where is your Excellency the Emperor?" Only now did Gladys notice that, since they came to this star system, that Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor had vanished.
Xiong Lulu said with a smile, "His Majesty the Emperor has gone to the Imperial Military Industry Research Academy. That's a classified establishment, so you can't go with him. But you may look around the Owl Dragon System everywhere; I've been ordered to keep you company."
Gladys glanced at Xiong Lulu, and the two smiled slightly with a tacit understanding.
Gladys knew that His Majesty the Owl Dragon Emperor's having Xiong Lulu keep her company was in fact to watch her.
It counted as a kind of 'return of courtesy' for her keeping His Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor company, on the High Council's instructions, back in her own Sacred Elf Empire.
Only this time it was she who enjoyed the service.
But Gladys had no objection either; she said with a smile, "Then I'll gladly do as I'm bidden. I truly am very curious about this star system that His Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor came out of, this star system that gave birth to the Owl Dragon Empire, and what kind of place it really is."
……
The Imperial Military Industry Research Academy
When Zhao Chen had dealt with every matter of the Owl Dragon Empire from this while, he hurried back without a pause, as soon as he could, to the Imperial Military Industry Research Academy.
Having seen with his own eyes the Sacred Elf Empire's advanced, powerful warships, and learned how strong the Devourer Civilization was,
Zhao Chen felt more clearly than ever that his own strength fell short.
Bang
Suddenly there was a loud crash.
The door was kicked straight open.
It gave Annie, who was gnawing a hamburger, such a fright that she jumped.
The patty in the hamburger fell straight onto the floor.
"What's the matter with you?" Zhao Chen looked puzzled at Annie, standing there dazed before him.
Annie looked with longing eyes at the patty Zhao Chen had trodden underfoot.
Oh no!
My patty!
"Annie, report on how your work's been going this while. On my way here just now, your sister Nana already reported her share of the work to me." Zhao Chen took a step, and only then noticed a patty under his foot.
He frowned slightly and muttered, "Whose patty is this, thrown on the floor? And the sweeping robot doesn't even clean it up."
As he spoke, Zhao Chen looked at the sweeping robot docked at one side, its opening facing just this way.
Zhao Chen put some force into his foot and kicked the patty straight in.
In!
Full marks!
The whole move was smooth as silk.
After that, Zhao Chen went back to his own place in the office next door.
"Annie."
Hearing Zhao Chen call her, Annie at last came back to herself; she looked at the hamburger in her hand, nothing left of it but the bun, and pouted.
Holding to the principle of not wasting food, she still stuffed the bun into her mouth.
Then she went to the desk on Zhao Chen's side and began reporting on her work this while, though her words still carried a touch of resentment.
When he had heard Annie's report on her work:
Annie's ability at work was still without question.
"These are some things I noted down during this time in the Sacred Elf Empire. Look them over first; they may help every department's research to come," Zhao Chen said.
"All right." Annie, seeing her work grow again, could only accept the task helplessly.
At this point there was a knock at the door.
"Your Majesty."
"Come in,"
Zhao Chen said.
Dr. Camille walked in; she had come specially on being notified.
"Your Majesty."
"Camille, you're in charge of the universe exploration and universe star-gate research projects." Zhao Chen looked at Dr. Camille.
Dr. Camille nodded.
"The universe exploration part you can hand to your deputy; there's no great hurry about it. You're now to take chief charge of the universe star-gate research project. I have some theoretical material here that may be of use to you; take it back and look it over. Besides that, the Sacred Elf Empire's side sent some technicians back with me this time. Our two countries have formed an alliance, and will use the Sacred Elf Empire's 'Water Dragon Gate · Star-Gate Type' technology to build a permanent universe star gate linking the Owl Dragon Empire's universe with the Sacred Elf Empire's universe. To raise the building efficiency, on our side of the star gate, the low- and middle-end parts modules will be ours to build, and those technicians will give guidance and technology. But the core technology modules will still be built on the Sacred Elf Empire's side and then shipped over. True, what we can get our hands on is only low- and middle-end technology. But for us as we are now, something is better than nothing. When the time comes, arrange a few researchers who learn fastest to go along with those Sacred Elf Empire researchers. In short, learn as much as you can. Get us, as fast as possible, able to build our Owl Dragon Empire's own cross-universe sailing, and to build our Owl Dragon Empire's own universe star gates!"
Hearing the Owl Dragon Emperor's words,
Dr. Camille understood, and said, excited and resolute, "Let Your Majesty rest easy; we'll seize every chance there may be to speed our own research. We'll certainly have, in the shortest time, cross-universe sailing technology second to none!"
Zhao Chen nodded in satisfaction.
Zhao Chen had now chosen to slow the universe exploration project, and to put his weight on cross-universe sailing, for this reason:
the former, Zhao Chen had pursued to find a primordial universe, for research toward breaking through to T7 technological civilization.
But now, by the information the Sacred Elf Empire had supplied, at least within the nearer range there was no primordial universe of this kind.
And for cross-universe sailing technology, they could not keep using someone else's forever, or it was as good as letting someone else have a grip on your weak point.
So solving this technological problem was the most urgent thing of all!