Chapter 200: Only Jaebao Is the Most Adorable
The maneuver by the Eternal Night Empress is a typical case of killing two birds with one stone.
A magical projection emerged, restraining Frankenstein's desire for self-indulgence, while igniting Lydia's determination to refrain from laziness. This resulted in a direct conversion rate of 200% in terms of motivation and productivity!
Roger came across Frankenstein's illicit sale of mushroom bombs in the group chat and promptly reported it to the Eternal Night Empress. He also took the opportunity to disclose his own plans to her.
To ensure the success of the transaction and accomplish the empire's maritime strategy, the Eternal Night Empress will then proceed to remind Frankenstein.
The Eternal Night Empress, for various reasons, wholeheartedly agrees with Roger's arrangements.
As the layout of magical industrialization unfolds completely, Frankenstein's multiple roles have indeed expanded.
It is not to say that she is lining her own pockets, but rather that magicians who reach this stage often invest an excessive amount of energy into their areas of interest.
The Five-Year Plan has established clear objectives for the Imbalanced Chapter, but these objectives are estimated based on the Empire's initial productivity multiplied by the most conservative rate of development.
As a result, the fearless expansion of the Void Space, the successful harvesting of the powerful nations by the totem wristbands, the early shaping of the second-generation magic crystal machinery... In short, the development of the Empire has been much smoother than anticipated.
One can only say that the opponent was too inept.
This series of achievements represents a comprehensive surge in the Empire's industrial, livelihood, and cultural influence.
Although there was a loss to the Kingdom of Terra along the way, there was no significant damage. On the contrary, it liberated the Empire from its militaristic tendencies.
The citizens are no longer consumed by thoughts of war day and night. They can now find solace and devote themselves to the revolutionary transformation of magical industrialization, which in turn has given rise to unimaginable vitality in all aspects.
The magical civilization, which has been developing for tens of thousands of years, has undergone a brief period of incubation under the guidance of correct ideology, and has now started to explode comprehensively, much like the biological Big Bang.
In this way, many of the assessment criteria assigned to Frankenstein at the beginning of the year can be completed ahead of schedule in less than five years.
A competent project manager should flexibly adjust their work according to the actual situation and be eligible to receive extra rewards and such.
However, by simultaneously holding the position of Minister of Industry and being the master of the Imbalance Chapter, Frankenstein became engaged in an unfair competition where he was both referee and player.
The Empire still lacks the perfect anticipation of its talents.
The budget in the hands of a certain mechanical maiden was so abundant that it could not be spent. As a result, the assigned task targets from the Imperial government could be easily accomplished, allowing her to discreetly prioritize the projects and subjects that interested her by placing them at the forefront.
For instance, extracting a few key personnel from the Empire's five-year projects...
Regardless, with her approach, the tasks can still be completed on time, and no one will have any objections to make.
What's wrong with magicians having their own hobbies?
It's something that the Eternal Night Empress can understand, after all, she is also a magician and has experienced moments of being willful, excessive, and going too far.
If it weren't for passion, who would be able to achieve the level they are currently at in the monotonous pursuit of magical research?
However, as the Empire's productivity and research capabilities steadily increase, Frankenstein indulges in the satisfaction of continuous transfers.
As a result, the focus of research and development in the Chapter of Imbalance was shifted, which was noticed by astute individuals who promptly reported it to the Eternal Night Empress.
The Chapter of Imbalance attracts a group of geniuses, and there are indeed individuals who covet Frankenstein's position. However, such matters are beyond the oversight of the Night Watch Commander, as there is a vast divide between different professions. Only research personnel of comparable caliber have the potential to catch a glimpse of any subtle clues.
The Eternal Night Empress acknowledged the issue, but unfortunately, according to the laws, Frankenstein's actions were not illegal.
As long as it doesn't interfere with the scheduled assessment timeline, the Empress has no reason to intervene in her handling of the Chapter of Imbalance.
The child consistently ranks first in their grade in every exam, yet spends their days at internet cafés playing Genshin Impact and reading novels. Both parents and teachers find it difficult to address concerns about their lack of dedication, don't they?
This situtation is quite vexing.
Regardless of the unacceptable nature of Frankenstein's whimsical maneuvers, the Eternal Night Empress still aspires to swiftly transition from the Bunny Harvester and Mining Spider to wielding the Holy Spear in her decisive battle robot.
However, how to manage it? The Eternal Night Empress is also concerned that it might have a counterproductive effect.
Frankenstein's ability to secure the position of the Chapter of Imbalance's master is not only a matter of alchemical craftsmanship, but primarily a testament to her exceptional skills in project planning and management, unmatched within the Empire.
This matter must be acknowledged as having elements of talent and intuition, or perhaps it is related to the mechanical enhancements she has subjected herself to.
The entire operation of the Chapter of Imbalance, both large and small projects, is stored in her mind and carried out meticulously.
If that were not the case, Frankenstein would not have been able to engage in such extreme mobilization of manpower, accelerating her own project exponentially, nor would she have had the luxury of lazily indulging in national projects.
The Eternal Night Empress is worried that if Frankenstein is too strictly managed, she might lose her motivation and resort to passive-aggressive behavior of presenting a splendid facade while actually hindering progress. That would then be truly difficult to handle.
After all, she had once been caught by her weakness precisely because she let her guard down.
If this person intentionally keeps their secret moves hidden, until the very last moment, the Eternal Night Empress would truly be unable to discover their issues.
In any field, being the 1st Ranker means even the Eternal Night Empress, who is at a level above fifty, can only claim to have a vague understanding, rather than complete mastery.
Don't ask how the Eternal Night Empress knew, just know that during that incident, a certain mechanical maiden was brutally beaten, with gears, screws, and various magical arrays soaring several stories up.
Since then, the Eternal Night Empress has also come to understand that Frankenstein cannot be treated as an ordinary pawn to be bossed around.
The Eternal Night Empress secretly vented her frustration with Roger over this matter and discussed both open and discreet ways of urging Frankenstien, yet she still found it difficult to handle.
In adherence to proper procedures, just moments ago, a speech was delivered, expressing support for the independent entrepreneurship of magicians and the involvement of the masses, yet in turn, actively interfering with the specific management of the Imbalance Chapter. Isn't that akin to self-sabotage?
Roger reassured the Eternal Night Empress not to worry.
Not long after, a magical projection depicting the explosion of banned weapons in their own territory was delivered.
Suddenly, the Eternal Night Empress's headache disappeared, her vision cleared, and she regained vigor in her steps.
The predicament that troubled her was resolved effortlessly!
Thank you, dear Roger, for handing me the sword with great honor!
The Eternal Night Empress doesn't need to explain everything in this matter. Just go and inform Frankenstein that I am aware of the little maneuvers he have been up to. Should he dare to repeat this offense, I will not simply pummel him, but I shall arrange for Lydia to oversee his actions.
Frankenstein objected to Lydia's suitability, but now Her Majesty wishes to remove her. Is it a matter of competence?
That is a matter of attitude!
It was the confused maneuver that one thought would not cause any trouble, which triggered the butterfly effect, leading Her Majesty to believe that she had made a mistake in the vast ocean.
Frankenstein's head, although truly made of iron, still cannot withstand the overwhelming firepower of the Eternal Night Empress.
When she becomes aware of her mistakes, she will naturally restrain herself, and then contemplate ways to make amends in order to regain favor.
And the method to bring joy to the Eternal Night Empress is quite simple, which is to complete the projects she wishes to see in advance, as swiftly as possible, and immediately present innovative and explosive creations for her to behold!
The mechanical maiden has various peculiarities and many undesirable habits, but ultimately, her loyalty to the empire is assured.
Otherwise, the Eternal Night Empress would never allow her to cause a ruckus.
However, these individuals who immerse themselves deeply in their research fields, constantly delving into their own studies, have higher and higher intellects, yet their emotional intelligence inexplicably tends to diminish, and their approach to problem-solving becomes oversimplified.
Especially when it comes to research, wizards often resemble a child at heart.
One's own project is a beloved game, while the projects mandated by the country are examination papers.
The subjective agency of the two is completely different.
The difference lies in the fact that Frankenstein is a prodigious student who can pass exams even with closed eyes.
She mistakenly believed that no one would notice her secretly playing games during evening self-study, thus leading to the current situation.
Given that the consequences were not severe and timely corrections were made, the Midnight Queen didn't have to wait as long as five years.
After being threatened by the Midnight Queen with her dark past, Frankenstein shifted from a state of submission to one of desiring to regain favor.
The most straightforward approach is to find ways to improve one's exam scores, in order to receive praises from the Midnight Queen and solidify one's position.
Upon careful calculation, this still reflects childlike reactions, not exceeding those of a ten-year-old.
However, the issue on Lilibao's end is relatively straightforward.
Her post-graduation aspiration, to surpass Frankenstein, was eventually achieved with success on the battlefield of the sea nation.
Once satisfied and comfortable, she simply lay down flat.
The current state of her life trajectory can be considered unprecedentedly excellent!
Lydia has not only achieved great success in the field of auxiliary pharmaceuticals, but her life trajectory is also adorned with innumerable patents ranging from magical potions to chemical formulations and more.
The life trajectory is experiencing a frenzy of absorbing private capital, coupled with continuous injections of funding from the government, thus entering an era where the budget seems inexhaustible.
In contrast to Lydia's life as a salesperson, promising immortality to various nobles and wealthy merchants as an investment opportunity. It is truly akin to living in a heavenly realm!
She can freely engage in the projects she enjoys, experiencing small discoveries that bring her happiness every day. Unconsciously, Lydia finds herself lying even flatter...
And in the eyes of the Queen of Eternal Night, Lydia is fully capable of achieving even more!
Do not stop, little Lily!
What distinguishes you from a salted fish if you lose your dreams?
However, now that Lydia has become extremely wealthy, she doesn't wish to become the Minister of Health. Instead, she prefers to oversee her own projects and derive immense satisfaction from witnessing the joyful growth of those peculiar tentacled creatures and ferocious insects.
In the eyes of the Queen of Eternal Night, this is yet another Roger, someone who remains unmoved even when provoked by national righteousness...
Lidia, the gods are about to strike, and the empire is facing its most perilous hour!
Gods? It seems like dissecting a mighty thigh for research purposes!
Above, is the genuine conversation between the Queen of Eternal Night and her personal physician.
In such moments, the Queen of Eternal Night truly feels the immense difficulty of leading her empire's team.
If each of them were ambitious individuals, it would be tolerable, but alas, they all turned out to be mere children. The esteemed Empress of the empire has inadvertently become nothing but a nursery attendant...
Such hardship! Let us seek delight with A-Fu!
Departing from the orbit of Vitality Orb, the Queen of Eternal Night was transported to the Star Realm, where A-Fu was clandestinely constructing a divine kingdom.
These days, she has been assuming the role of an all-powerful system, the ultimate support for those progenies of systems, witnessing their legendary tales of fervent growth...
Comparing to those mediocre individuals of the Empire, the rising progenies of our system have put in tremendous efforts!
After meticulously planning several mission strategies, a sudden inspiration flashed through the mind of the Queen of Eternal Night as she reflected on her recent actions and couldn't help but sigh:
Am I not still playing the role of a kindergarten teacher with the enlightenment against the gods that I am providing to them...
A-Fu extended his chubby little hand and gently patted the shoulder of the Queen of Eternal Night, joining in the sigh, "Your Majesty, you have finally grasped the pain in the heart of this uncle."
The Queen of Eternal Night skeptically gazed at his sakura-colored little skirt, his black and white stockings, feeling as if there was something off about his self-proclaimed identity.
Ai, there are hardly any normal kids in this empire, Jeibo is still the cutest!
...
...
Three days later, underwater, at the besieged stronghold of the black sharks.
The military force of the Naga expeditionary army has essentially been fully deployed, and both sides have exhausted all tentative means. Both magical power and long-range ammunition are running dangerously low.
The main force is currently engaging in a relentless life-for-life battle to capture the city.
The ball-shaped fungi also shine on the front battlefield, but magic is capable of creating destructive power comparable to a nuclear explosion, naturally entailing defensive capabilities of equal magnitude.
This is completely different from the situation on Earth, where offense is strong and defense is weak, with a stark disparity.
Therefore, even if several hundred thousand tons of nuclear bombs are directly detonated, they would fail to breach the defenses of the black shark stronghold.
Through the powerful purification divine spell, residual radiation effects can be swiftly dispersed within a short period of time.
Because the tactical nuclear weapon has already been revealed on the blockade line, the black shark stronghold has been alerted, exercising sufficient vigilance and rehearsing corresponding countermeasures. As a result, the ensuing devastation caused by the ball-shaped fungi falls considerably short of theoretical expectations.
In the end, the Naga expeditionary force deployed a myriad of strategies and tactics, exhausting all options, yet ultimately relying on the most primal melee troops to engage in fierce close-quarters combat around the city walls, fully immersed in the brutal struggle to gain the upper hand.
Dor believed that the scales of victory have tilted in favor of his own side.
The battle at the black shark stronghold was extremely fierce; he himself even led his personal guard to the city walls to plug the gaps. However, the Naga expeditionary force suffered significantly higher losses in military strength than him.
By adopting a defensive stance within the city, one ultimately gains the upper hand.
Moreover, Dor maintains daily contact with Shaq and his forces. Despite the deterrence of ball-shaped fungi and specialized weaponry targeting the biofish swarm, the Coral Base cannot approach the warzone too closely, and the progress of the breakout is falling behind expectations.
However, due to having had sufficient time for preparations beforehand, after the extensive coral settlements transitioned into predatory-style mining operations, the production speed of the biofish swarm actually increased rather than decreased.
Further in the distance, there are new bases being established.
Thus, as time goes on, the overall frequency and quantity of attacks are gradually surpassing the limit Nickel and his forces are able to endure.
What deeply unsettled Roger was that even the most inexperienced officers could see that if things continued in this manner, victory would belong to the maritime nation. However, Nicole didn't give the order to deploy those two behemoth bacteria with a weight of five million tons each.
So those two strategic weapons never entered the realm of inflicting fatal losses upon Naga.
Even though he held the overall strategic advantage, Roger was unable to fathom Nicole's thoughts, uncertain of what exactly she was waiting for.
Though clearly holding the trump card, it seems as if the brute is determined to settle the outcome using conventional means.
However, fanatics have always been willing to go to any extreme.
Margaret and little Joey also cannot fathom Naga's intentions.
If this were the Empire's war, they would surely employ thunderous measures to eliminate the cunning Nicole, thus rendering the intrigue ineffective.
However, this is a war of the seas, and the Empire should not allocate more resources to this front, nor would the maritime nation accept it.
So all Roger could do was wait, remain vigilant, and await the shifting tides of the battlefield.
Simultaneously.
Within the Black Shark fortress, subtle currents of water converge from all directions, ultimately coalescing into a tangible entity shimmering with specks of starlight, a water elemental.
This is a magical being known as a Hidden One, transformed by the ascetic practitioner Collins.
He waited near the Black Shark fortress for three days, as Daul's defenses were remarkably thorough. Despite possessing various methods of invisibility and counter-surveillance, he didn't act hastily.
The opportunity to strike exists only once; he will not squander the countless lives sacrificed by his comrades in order to create a chance for him to enter the city.
Therefore, wait a moment, wait a little longer.
His patience has always been abundant.
Finally, the garrison's state reached its limit, exposing a vulnerability. Collins didn't alarm anyone, not even Nicole, as he successfully infiltrated the Black Shark fortress.
