Chapter 534 — Provision Against the Rain
Blade of Dawn · Page 3 of 4
"We can build three confirmations into the process. The neural cord controller sends a signal that an interruption is imminent, to the illusion-generation matrix, indicating that it is prepared to disconnect; the illusion matrix, upon receiving the signal, returns one to the neural cord controller indicating that it is ready; the neural cord controller, upon receiving the second acknowledgment, sends back a final confirmation signal indicating that both sides are synchronized; and the illusion matrix, upon receiving that, generates the interruption prompt for the brain while the neural cord powers down—this reduces the chance of desynchronization to a minimum."
"Oh? That idea of yours has legs… Say! We could apply the same approach to the Magic Web communications—that might solve the signal misalignment we are seeing in the remote regions…"
Once technicians enter a technical discussion they become different people entirely; even Piyun began earnestly arguing through various experimental schemes with Camille. Amber, who had been standing by enjoying the spectacle, sank into a daze the moment the conversation veered onto technical ground. She listened, blinking, as the little old man and Piyun traded remarks back and forth, and at length could not resist poking Rebecca's arm. "What on earth are they going on about… can you even follow it?"
Rebecca thought it over, then answered as though it were the most natural thing in the world: "Sure."
Amber: "…"
A tide of crushing defeat washed over the half-elf's heart—Gaoyang noticed the shift in the expression of this Shame of All Things and understood it deeply. He guessed Amber's mood just then was much like discovering that the classmate who flunked mathematics alongside you was in fact a lopsided genius fluent in eighteen languages…
But this was not a laboratory, and Gaoheng had to cut Camille and Piyun off. "Since you already have a plan for what comes next, finish the remaining tests as soon as possible. I need a practical connection device from you in the shortest time possible."
Camille bowed slightly, and a voice trembling with energy issued from him: "As you wish."
Piyun, curious, asked, "Has something happened on the Never-Sleepers' side? Why the sudden urgency?"
Gaoyang shook his head and said gravely, "It is not the Never-Sleepers. It is Typhon."
This time, even Piyun was at a loss.
How on earth did Typhon come into this?
"I have a hidden line planted on the Typhon side," Gaoyang said unhurriedly, taking in the puzzled faces around him. "I will tell you the particulars of that line later. What I want to tell you now is that the Typhonians… are about to enter the age of magical industry as well."
Of everyone present, the quickest to react—and the strongest in reaction—was Hedy.
"Magical industry?!" the chief steward of Cecil exclaimed. "They have built a Magic Web and magical machines too?"
"Their building a Magic Web and magical machines is not what is frightening," Gaoyang said, glancing at Hedy. "In fact, their 'Magic Web' technology was itself within my plans."
"Within your plans?" Hedy was startled again, and then noticed Gaoyang's half-smiling look. She grew thoughtful. "You… do you have some scheme in mind?"
"I do," Gaoyun said with a slight nod, and spoke the words that startled everyone present. "I intend to help Typhon… to help them into the age of magical industry. And to help them greatly."