Chapter 853: Good News
“Not entirely…” Zarion admitted.
“But it is now manageable. At least, enough to be used as stabilized energy cores for Warden Units or Turret Batteries…
He placed the canister on the nearby table.
“This one alone could sustain a Warden for 20 continuous days in combat mode.”
“What?! 20 days… That much?!” Shane was shocked since the operational time of the Warden Units was only in hours. Not in days!
Seeing Zarion nod, Shane calmed himself.
“So the Red Crystals aren’t just scrap anymore…”
He thought for a moment, recalling how many crates of those volatile stones were stored in his inventory.
“If we can mass-produce these batteries, that’s a major breakthrough. Maybe we can use it to power Mech Frames as well.”
Zarion gave a faint smile. “Indeed. I’ve already started blueprinting a Red Core Integration Module for the next-generation Mechs. But it requires other important materials we don’t have yet, like the tungsten we need.”
“Ahh… I can find that. Don’t worry, just let me know if you need anything else.” Shane immediately replied.
“As for the others, you can use the stockpile from the lower hangar…” Shane said firmly. “You’ll have access to the restricted material vault, I’ll inform Arial and Cloud about it.”
“Understood, Blessed One.” The elf lowered his head again.
“The fortress itself will benefit from these cores as well. I plan to replace the secondary generator array with these stabilized crystals. It should boost our output by thirty percent without risk of mana contamination.”
Shane nodded slowly.
The Foreign Survivors, except for him, may not have bodies that could tolerate the existence of red mana.
If it were stabilized, however, Shane would have nothing to worry about.
“That’s huge…” He muttered.
Thirty percent more power meant stronger barriers, faster recharge for the AEGIS Mechs, and longer endurance during Red Night assaults if it were available till den.
“You did well, Zarion… Continue your experiments, but keep the containment protocols active. If even one crystal overloads, it could corrupt everything in a hundred-meter radius… According to Cloud, at the very least.”
Zarion’s tone turned serious. “I understand. I’ve already deployed three apprentices to oversee containment safety.”
Shane was satisfied with this. “Good…”
Zarion hesitated after giving his report, it was as if there was something else he wished to say.
Shane noticed it immediately.
“What is it?” he asked expectantly.
The elven master smith took a deep breath before he replied. “It’s not about the crystals, my lord. It concerns… our people.”
Shane raised an eyebrow. “The elves?”
“Yes.” Zarion.
“As you know, there are only about sixty of us across all territories…”
Shane nodded as he continued to listen. “Go on.”
The elf finally made up his mind and continued.
“Some of the younger elves have begun… cohabitation. Voluntarily. It started as companionship among the artisans in Springriver, as I’ve heard, and the guardians stationed at Silver Mine, but in recent months, it has become something more deliberate.”
It was not too surprising since Elves could also travel between shelters since they have special access to the portals he had connected.
Still, it took Shane a few seconds to process that. “You mean…”
“Yes…” Zarion confirmed quietly. “They’ve begun procreation.”
For a moment, Shane was unable to comment.
He didn’t even think that this matter would be brought up at all. Furthermore, he didn’t really mind it at all.
‘Is that required to be reported? Ahh… Maybe it is an elf thing…’
Then, Shane chuckled faintly.
“…About time… Frankly, I was beginning to think your kind had forgotten how.” He teased.
Zarion looked momentarily caught off guard, then smiled faintly.
“We have not forgotten, my lord. We only lacked the hope to try again.”
Shane smiled and nodded… “And now you have it?”
“Yes. The shelters are stable. The air is clean. The forests around Springriver and Eclipse Domain are returning to life… So the five of us have encouraged it. We believe the rebirth of our kin should begin under your domain.”
He was certainly referring to the five Legendary Elves.
Shane was moved by those words.
“You don’t need my permission for that, Zarion. If your people can thrive here, I’ll support it.”
The elf bowed his head deeply after hearing this.
“Thank you, my lord. I feared it might be seen as a distraction from duty.”
‘Is that what they thought in the Fairy Realm?’ Shane mused.
“Not when survival’s on the line…” Shane replied. “If anything, this is duty. Life doesn’t end with war… It continues through those who choose to live despite it.”
Shane paused as he felt that line was actually quite good.
Zarion smiled genuinely this time. “Then the children born under your banner will carry that will, Blessed One.”
“Good…” Shane replied.
To be honest, he wanted to know if the Elves also needed 9 months or maybe just a week, like the Goblins in the Fairy Realm Invasion.
However, he felt it was a bit inappropriate, so he decided not to ask more.
“Very well. Just make sure that once you’ve all had children, they’re raised properly. Teach them the crafts, the runes, and the old ways. They’ll inherit what we’re building now.”
“As you command.” Zarion said.
Before leaving, Zarion hesitated once more. “There is one more thing, a personal note, if I may?”
“Speak.”
“I believe you will be pleased to know that the first child is expected before the end of winter.”
That actually made Shane pause.
‘End of winter? They only need 3 months? It’s different from the books I’ve read… Interesting.’
Shane wasn’t sure what to first at first but he immediately felt happy as he realized that there would be a child soon…
“Heh. A child, born in my territory… That’s something I didn’t think I’d ever hear again.”
“The first of many…” Zarion said softly.
“Then let’s make sure the world they’re born into is still standing…” Shane replied.
Soon, Zarion left, and Shane was left in his room alone once again.
“Elves rebuilding their race… in a world like this…” He murmured. “Is this what the Fairy Queen wanted?”