Chapter 225 - Technology And The Pillars

"Construct? The most technologically advanced race? Are they some robots?" Wain asked.

His current world and the home world were pretty well advanced technologically, but that's only compared to the Middle Ages. 

Wain understood that the power of technology was great. Before the advent of souls, it was the only way to progress.

"Yes." Sven nodded, "Construct has long had things like battle lasers, energy shields, holograms, combat, work robots, and so on. However, Construct are not robots. Wain, you know what a cyborg is, right?"

"Of course, it's a mixture of a biological organism and technology. Simply put, half-human, half-robot."

"Right, but Construct are neither robots nor cyborgs. They are so technologically advanced because of the plant that grows in their world. It was originally one flower, but it was the flower that was the beginning of the emergence and rise of the technological race itself." Sven muttered.

"What? What does the flower have to do with technology?"

"It is an unusual flower. Its pollen contained something called nanites. The microscopic particles that make up Construct. They are comparable in size to human cells. However, nanites can rearrange themselves and are quite flexible in their control."

"I see, roughly speaking, it's mechanical flesh, but how did the first Construct come about?"

"Tree. Once upon a time, one of the flowers grew and became a massive tree. Outwardly it is no different from the usual one, except for the gray bark and blue leaves. However, inside the trunk, new Constructs appear daily. They are intelligent, strong, but unemotional."

Sven touched the crystal ball, and before Wain, an image of a man and a woman appeared.

They were virtually indistinguishable from a human, but there was a visible mechanical part behind the pupil of their eyes. 

Several areas looked like hexagonal details on the skin, like a membrane. The man had a square-shaped mark on his chest, and the woman had a triangle-shaped mark.

"Variations in the appearance of Construct can be of any kind. Their abilities are just as unlimited. They choose one attribute, and their nanites are tuned to develop in that direction. Constructs are quite strong, and unlike other creatures, they have only one weakness. It's their core, and it's in the place of their Mark." Sven muttered.

"They are dangerous adversaries..." Wain muttered.

In Wain's opinion, it was rather difficult to fight an enemy with no joints, tendons, or muscles. 

Also, a powerful blow to the head would not lead to a temporary concussion, no blood loss, as well as exhaustion due to serious injuries. Construct was harder to fight even than the robots.

"Yes, by the way. Even though Construct technically has no blood, their nanites perform this function. Therefore, they are not exceptions, and they too have ranks that depend on blood purity."

"What do the figures on their bodies mean?"

"All Constructs are divided into three types, depending on their module. The first type is defensive, the sign of the square. The second type is attacking, indicated by a triangle. The third type is auxiliary, indicated by a circle. I don't think it's necessary to explain what each type does."

"Yes, that's understandable. Sven, you said they have no emotion, is that really true?"

"That's a hard question to answer. Construct can hold a conversation, but it seems unnatural. Perhaps the reason is in their nature. Constructs, along with Vampires, don't mind new acquaintances and mutually beneficial offers. They are interested in unique things and unusual materials."

"By the way, I wanted to ask you. When you talked about the Inerians, you said they're pretty well developed technologically and have electricity. However, as I understand, the development of other races is at the level of the Middle Ages, while Constructs has a real cyberpunk. What's the reason?"

"You mean why aren't the other races trying to make the same technological progress as Constructs?"

"Yeah, they don't have that option, or it doesn't make sense?"

"The second option is correct. Construct had no choice but to become technologically advanced to live comfortably. However, the other races don't need it."

"Aren't lasers, missiles, and blasters better than bows and guns?" Wain wondered.

"Of course, they're more powerful weapons, but only if souls and energy didn't exist. You're right about something, though. Technological advancement only affects power for the duration of the Primary Chronicle. Then monsters and other creatures become too strong for a laser or bow to make any difference."

"I see... But what about atomic and nuclear bombs? Moreover, I'm sure Construct has more powerful weapons."

"Hmm, certainly nukes and atomic bombs have astounding firepower, but they're expensive to produce. I mean, it doesn't make sense to use a nuclear bomb to destroy one enemy."

Wain nodded.

"Nuclear bombs are needed to destroy large-scale targets, but such points are well defended, so nukes are useless. Also, if Constructs decided to use such weapons against a single target, then that target is strong enough to defend itself."

"I see. It's a vicious circle. Okay, then let's go back to the beginning. You said that Construct is the second race among the best alchemists. Does that have to do with their technological advancement?" Wain muttered.

"Yes, I would compare Constructs to engineers while Axalts are artists. They have a completely different approach, but they both have amazing results. If you need a good alchemist, you need to go to one of these races, but I'm afraid you won't be able to find the right person."

"Why not?"

"Wain, becoming an alchemist is not easy. They are respected and praised. A talented alchemist is many times more valuable than a warlord. To become an alchemist, you have to go through hell. 

Hundreds of training, attempts, and failures. They sacrifice the development and strengthening of their bodies to create amazing potions, pills, and cures.

However, if an alchemist succeeds, he quickly regains his progress. However, only one in a hundred achieves any success, and even that is not enough in most cases."

"I see... Given my resources and my Void, I can hardly interest an alchemist-master. Moreover, I don't have the money to pay for his services. It's quite unfortunate..." Frustratedly said Wain.

"You're right. However, you do have one option."

"Which is?"

"Professional alchemists, regardless of their Chronicle, won't want to cooperate with you, but you can try to find a diamond in the dirt."

"You're suggesting I go to their worlds, go to the slums and the most inauspicious places, and by some miracle find a future genius alchemist?"

"Yes, that's the only option." Sven said, smiling.

"No, that's nonsense. I don't have that much time. I'm not good at it and won't see the potential of a possible alchemist. Moreover, I don't have a portal and won't be able to get into their worlds."

"Eh, you're right, but you don't have much choice. You need the dregs of society, and among them, you must spot a sparkle of genius. Only then can you get the right alchemist to work for next to nothing."

'The dregs of society...' muttered Wain to himself. 'They are rejected by society as the worst, but some still fit that category. I don't need to find the dregs but the misunderstood and abandoned geniuses.

Wain understood that this was even more difficult, but then he didn't need to hope that he had properly considered the potential in a person. Wain thought about it for a while, and an interesting idea occurred to him.

"Sven, the first time we met, you gave me a coin with a picture of glass on it. That's the key to this Void, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Without it, you couldn't get in here again, although if I gave you a one-time invitation, the door would appear in the spatial rift."

"Can I give you a key or a one-time permission to enter my Void remotely?" Asked Wain.

"Key no, you have to hand it over in person, but you can give permission any distance, but there has to be contacted between you and a person. Otherwise, it is impossible."

Wain smiled contentedly. He was now confident that his plan would work, and perhaps he could solve the problem of the alchemist's absence.

"Sven, are there any other races I should know about?"

"Yes, the next race is the Angels. After talking about Demons, I wanted to talk about them, but we jumped abruptly to alchemy. Angels can be called the opposite of Demons. Unlike them, they honor hierarchy, which is essential to their society."

Sven touched the crystal ball, and an image of a man and a woman appeared. They had pale skin, blue eyes, and blond hair. They had energy bracelets on their wrists and an energy band on their foreheads that looked like a halo.

"All angels have light skin. The color of their eyes can only be blue, white, or amber. The color of hair is similarly limited, either white, blue, or light. Basically, use only three attributes, water, fire, and light. They, like the Elves, against the attribute of darkness."

'I imagined the Angels a little differently.' Wain thought.

'As I said earlier, hierarchy is important to Angels, and there's a reason for that. Angels whose blood purity equals or exceeds 75% have wings. This distinguishes nobles from commoners. Along with the wings also comes a halo over their heads, which greatly increases their power."

Wain nodded.

"Angels are a rather reserved yet cruel race. Usually, no one but Elves wants to mess with them. Vampires dislike them. Because the blood of Angels must first be purified so that vampires can drink it. I have nothing more to say about this race."

Sven then touched the crystal ball, and an image of a man and a woman appeared. The man had dark skin, while the woman was pale. They had no pupils. Their eyes glowed bright green like two dead torches.

The man had short purple hair, and the woman had pale yellow hair. On their elbows and knees were bone outgrowths like armor.

"This is the Undead. A stealthy, small and dangerous race. Necromancers, assassins, and dark mages are often found among them. Undead from birth has increased resistance to poisons and various curses. 

They cannot accept the attribute of light but can use fire in some of its variations. Usually live in dark and cold places, often their bases are under cemeteries."

At that moment, Wain remembered Estrid. He did not know what race she was, but he now realized that Estrid was Undead.

"Undead are unsociable, but they are known for selling forbidden and secret goods. The Undead have the largest black market. You can find anything and more there. They often cooperate with vampires and demons. Undead dislike Elves and Angels, respectively."

"What is their relationship with Ashen?"

"As I said earlier, not one race does not have a deadly feud with each other. There is only a general situation, which often may not reflect reality. However, with Ashen, almost everyone tries to maintain a neutral or good relationship." Sven pronounced.

"Hmm, I thought that because of the attribute of fire, Angels should be friends with them, while Undead and Vampires, on the contrary, are hostile."

"Wain, you're missing something. Relationships are not based on the attribute of a race but on that race's character and social structure. In this case, an attribute is of minor importance."

"I see. It looks like I was wrong." Mumbled Wain.

"Sven, I've learned about quite a few races already. How many more races are left that dominate this world that I need to know about?"

Wain had not expected that so many different races existed in this world. He had read in books about Vampires and Elves, but these creatures were a bit different in reality. 

Moreover, he didn't think that Demons and Angels actually existed and were full-fledged races.

"Not many more. All overriding races are called 'Pillars.' You already know about most of them.. Only Plants and Beastfolk are left."