Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 474 - 473: Technological Value

In Gawain’s view, the technology of the Eternal Sleepers has always been of great value, it just needs some modification.

Currently, a portion of the Eternal Sleepers’ technology is already being used in the Magic Web Communication network established in the territory, but what Gawain wants goes far beyond just these things.

To him, the achievements of the Eternal Sleepers in the fields of neurosurgery and brain immersion techniques are equally fascinating.

Daniel is the most senior Eternal Sleepers technician Gawain could find. He has been an Eternal Sleepers adherent for over a decade and is well-versed in the relevant technology. More importantly, he comes from a mage background, which gives him excellent research capabilities: Although Gawain often criticizes traditional mages for being pedantic and backward, that criticism is aimed at the group as a whole. Individually, anyone who can become an advanced spellcaster must have strong skills in mathematics, logic, and sheer intellect.

Sure enough, Daniel showed a look of pride: "My lord, there has been significant progress in this area of research. Referring to the blueprints of that ’Coronet’ device you gave me, I designed a set of connection devices that can be used by ordinary people while retaining as much functionality as possible, including connectors that simulate nerve cords and brainwave amplification arrays. Theoretically, it can achieve the same effect as that coronet..."

However, the old mage paused here, with a hint of apology and tension in his tone: "But currently, it is still very imperfect. The biggest problem is its large size, making it entirely impossible to carry, and secondly, its high energy consumption..."

Gawain listened without showing any emotion, feeling a slight sense of relief: as he had anticipated, assigning this task to Daniel was the correct decision.

The "Coronet device" mentioned by the old mage is none other than the magic supplies used by Patty when she falls asleep. It is a complex and expensive artifact of the Eternal Sleepers and currently the only device Gawain has seen that allows ordinary people to connect to the mental network. Some of the magic symbols in the Magic Web Communicator are designed based on that coronet.

But Patty’s coronet also has significant drawbacks: like all traditional magic supplies of this era, it is overly complex, precise, and costly, making it utterly impossible for mass production.

So Gawain handed the coronet’s information to Daniel, instructing this old mage to redesign a new "mental network connector" by combining his own artificial nerve cord and amplification array with the magic symbols from the coronet.

Now he finally waited for the results, although they were still imperfect.

"Give me your current research data and blueprints," Gawain nodded slightly to the old mage, "I will continue to perfect it."

The old mage quickly nodded and reproduced the data from his memory in this virtual space using Quick Note Magic. As Gawain watched the old mage’s movements, some thoughts began to form in his mind:

The timing seems to be about right...

Daniel has already undergone long-term observation and testing, and the security of this hidden virtual space has also been verified. Perhaps... he can consider telling trustworthy people around him about what’s happening here.

If Daniel’s connection device proves effective, he can connect the territory’s technical personnel to this virtual space. Utilizing the simulated environment here, many research projects in the territory could speed up...

With Daniel and Kamel in contact, the analysis of Eternal Sleepers technology by the territory’s researchers will also become easier, improving efficiency.

Previously, Gawain had not told those around him about his ability to connect to the mental network, mainly due to security concerns. He did not want the Eternal Sleepers to know that their mental network had a breach, nor did he want them to know that he had infiltrated their network. However, after Daniel successfully became a bishop of the Eternal Sleepers, Gawain finally used him to establish an original IP system and security system within the mental network. Using these systems, he has confirmed that there are no Eternal Sleepers network nodes in at least the Cecil Main City and surrounding areas—so as long as those connecting to the network are loyal and trustworthy, there is no need to worry about information leaking.

Deep in thought, Daniel had already completed the reproduction of the data, and the old mage respectfully pushed the blueprints filled with symbols and text in front of Gawain: "My lord, this is all the information."

"Very well," Gawain took the information and casually said, "You should know about the forces I’ve established in Anzu, right."

The old mage lowered his head: "Yes, your loyal servant has heard about them."

"I’m considering letting you come into contact with my subordinates in Anzu," Gawain said while observing Daniel’s change of expression, "Do you have any objections?"

Daniel was stunned for a moment, then showed an expression of excitement and joy: "It would be a great honor for me!"

Clearly, the old mage regarded this as proof that his loyalty was finally recognized by Gawain.

Gawain could guess what the old man was thinking, but he didn’t reveal it, only casually reminded him: "In Anzu, my identity is the founding king, Gawain Cecil, not some Wanderers from Outer Realm. You must remember this firmly."

Daniel quickly reacted and hurriedly lowered his head: "Yes, I shall heed your will..."

"Very well," Gawain nodded in satisfaction, then carefully examined the old mage before him, "How are the effects of those patterns I gave you?"

Mentioning this, Daniel immediately showed a look of humility and gratitude: "They possess incredible power!"

Then he explained all at once the power inherent in those magical patterns, and the effects they had on him, especially mentioning the benefits he experienced after achieving mental stability: "...During the gradual healing of the nervous system, I felt my mind becoming much clearer than before, as if my cognitive abilities returned to their peak state in my youth... The reason I could complete your task swiftly and devise a new brainwave connection scheme is precisely because of this..."

Gawain nodded: "Any adverse reactions?"

"None at all—though I did encounter the ’blind joy’ state you mentioned, it seems as long as one maintains a will to resist, they can break free, which is the most incredible aspect: its intoxicating effect is stronger than any mental illusion I know, yet it allows those who come into contact with it to maintain the utmost clarity. I believe that as long as a person isn’t actively willing to abandon their mind, they wouldn’t be completely controlled by it..."

At this point, Daniel paused for a moment and said cautiously, "However, I haven’t let my apprentices try it... I’m not very confident in their mental resolve..."

Gawain glanced at the old mage indifferently: "You’re worried that once they’re exposed to that state of ease and joy, they’ll immediately abandon the painful reality without hesitation, aren’t you?"

Daniel’s face instantly showed a trace of embarrassment and annoyance: "In these years... my mind has often lost control. Only in the psychic network am I completely lucid; in the outside real world, I’m becoming almost like a twisted monster. It’s normal for my apprentices to be afraid of this."

The old mage in front of him was someone whose mind was nearly unhinged in the real world, unpredictable in moods, and prone to violence—this was something Gawain knew after delving into Daniel’s surface memories.

Due to excessive indulgence in the sorcery of the Eternal Sleepers, along with prolonged setbacks on the path of Magic and the residual effects of neurosurgery, the old mage’s mind had been spiraling out of control over the past decade or so, deteriorating to the point where he could only maintain relative sanity within the psychic network. In Gawain’s presence, he appeared humble, respectful, and mentally agile, entirely because the psychic network supplemented his mind. Once detached from this network, his behavior was not much better than a madman’s.

But Daniel’s mental state wasn’t beyond salvation.

Gawain had once imparted to him knowledge related to the Magic Web and advanced mathematical materials. During this process, Gawain discovered that the positive emotions generated from learning new knowledge and making progress in research significantly eased Daniel’s mental instability. Upon confirming this change, he attempted an experiment:

He duplicated the patterns on Sea Demon Tiel’s tentacles in her Sea Demon Form and gave them to Daniel.

He wanted to see how Daniel’s mental state would change when exposed to those strange patterns.

Tiel’s Sea Demon Form had once left a profound impression on Gawain—the massive body, countless serpentine tentacles, and the bizarre and mesmerizing form completely overturned Gawain’s previous impression of this "lazy and neurotic salted fish spirit," with the special tentacles being the most memorable aspect.

The indescribable patterns, with their strong mental influence, directly rewrote the mind of a mortal. It could be said that if not for the overwhelmingly positive and humorous effects of those patterns, Gawain would have immediately regarded Sea Demon Tiel’s tentacles as one of the traits of an Evil God.

And even though Tiel’s pattern effects were too humorous to seriously consider her an Evil God, Gawain couldn’t help but associate them with gods. He had heard Tiel mention that the original sea demons did not have such a Sea Demon Form; their Sea Demon Form was an imitation of the deep-sea "Big Squid."

Though he didn’t understand why those salty fish spirits ended up emulating the deep-sea heretic god and turning themselves into deep-sea heretic gods, the fact that it possibly involved gods made Gawain treat it with caution. He wanted to test whether those patterns were still effective when detached and how vast their effects were. However, he couldn’t find a suitable test subject in his territory until, while assigning a unit test to Daniel, the idea of the old mage’s mental state suddenly struck him.

Nobody was more suitable as a test subject than Daniel—immensely powerful, so there was less worry about accidents; as a follower of the Eternal Sleepers, he had high mental resistance; more importantly, his mental state was so abnormal that, under normal circumstances, he was nearly disabled, urgently in need of treatment...

Yet, since he was a hard-earned dual-purpose spy, Gawain worried about the old mage losing control after exposure to those suspected Evil God patterns. Thus, he issued many warnings in advance, explaining the dangers of those patterns and the possible adverse reactions. He instructed Daniel never to have contact with the patterns for more than half an hour and to immediately cease contact if bizarre, comical thoughts (like wanting to dig up a Big Squid) emerged...

It now seemed that the old mage indeed strictly followed his instructions.

Gawain carefully listened to Daniel report the changes in himself, letting out a deep sigh in the end—

After coming into contact with those neurotic patterns, the old mage appeared much more composed.

"Go back and continue testing those patterns. When conditions are mature, you can let your apprentices come into contact with them, but be cautious. Also, it’s best not to let anyone other than you and your apprentices know about those patterns to prevent unnecessary trouble," Gawain stood up, his figure gradually fading in the virtual space, "I’ll contact you again."

Daniel also stood up and bowed deeply: "Yes, my master."

The connection to the psychic network severed. After a brief disorientation and illusion of weightlessness, the scene of the real world reappeared in Gawain’s sight.

He saw Aunt Heidi sitting across the desk, but she’d already fallen asleep on the table, breathing softly in a deep slumber.

Gawain did not wake the grandchild who was sleeping soundly—he knew Aunt Heidi was genuinely exhausted of late, and she needed rest.

Ah, Typhon...

"Everyone is progressing," Gawain couldn’t help but mutter softly, "No one will stop..."