"What do you... mean?"
"I have a better alternative to using cadavers," Michael replied.
After ChatJK5 analyzed the Red Lamp, he gained a much deeper understanding of the processes that take place in those soil mounds.
The reason that they use cadavers as a fertilizer was because of a human’s natural affinity to the eight elements, as well as Aubility Power.
Somehow, the Red Lamp was able to tap into those factors, and use them as a way to teleport GodForge pieces into this specific mineshaft.
But that could be changed. A simple Shadow Clone, made entirely out of mana, could easily replace the cadavers without problem. Plus, they wouldn’t have to worry about it decaying because the Shadow Clone could easily gather mana out of the environment to keep itself pristine.
Now, he would need to add a Unity Power Source into the center of a collection of Shadow Clones to manage their needs of Aubility Power, but that was still a much better alternative to finding cadavers every week.
"Can you really do that?" Jasper asked.
Michael raised his hand, a black magic circle manifesting in front of him.
Black motes of light gathered around his palms, slowly forming a small cube the size of a melon.
"May I?" he asks them.
With a gesture, Jasper retrieved a small piece of GodForge from one of the soil mounds.
And before he could even give it to Michael, the flaming drop of GodForge immediately shot towards Michael, sensing his natural Maugnetism.
Michael quickly caught the drop with the black shadow cube, containing it inside.
Then, he took out a Unity Power Source from his shadow inventory, placing it on the ground next to the black shadow cube.
A few seconds later, everyone watched as the Red Lamp above their heads glimmered with luminance, its Aubility Power thread spooling out and connecting to the black cube.
"It’s—it’s working!!!" Jot’un screamed in elation.
Jasper couldn’t believe his eyes. "Unbelievable..."
They’ve tried millions upon millions of alternatives, to no avail. They’ve spent ungodly amounts of money researching, trying, and failing to get a much more ethical way to reproduce GodForge pieces.
But in the end, they always had to use cadavers. And with how much they had to use to refresh their resources, they had to scour the entire Royal Continent for deaths just so that they could settle for the quota.
However, this new innovation by ’Keo’ completely revolutionizes their production!
Not only was it more eco friendly, but it was also extremely efficient! They don’t have to waste space in the mineshaft with a massive burial ground for the cadavers. Instead, it was now replaced by a black cube that could fit squarely in the palm of someone’s hand!
"The Thunderfoot will forever be in your favor!" Jasper said, once again bowing down to his knees.
Michael awkwardly scratched his head. "There’s no need for that. I’m just hoping for a good business relationship with the Thunderfoot clan. I’m sure that the Reborn company and your company can do wonders with a mutual working agreement."
"Of course!"
With the incredible growth of the Shadow Orcs, Michael realized more and more about his need for GodForge pieces.
A few hundred kilograms wouldn’t be enough. Not anymore. Especially if they wanted to beat the Ersatz, who had thousands upon thousands of Maugnetics under their disposal.
Despite their best efforts, there would still be some people who were enticed by the sight of the Ersatz Archer winning against the Conglomerate Archer.
With each second, their numbers would be growing and growing.
And without the Thunderfoot’s Red Lamp, the side of good wouldn’t be able to prevail against the looming darkness.
That’s why it was imperative for him to get close to the Thunderfoot clan. He needed them, just like how he needed Soo drops.
Thankfully, he also had something they wanted. Of course, he wasn’t going to give the Black Shadow Cube to them for free. The Unity Power Source was also very expensive, as he could have used it to create a phone.
"Yes, yes. A mutual agreement is only natural," Jasper nodded. "What do you have in mind?"
Michael smiled. "Well, have you heard about a discount?"
In the end, thanks to his friendship with Jot’un, Michael was assured a good 20% discount on their GodForge pieces, which was very helpful.
In return, he promised them a good deal on the Shadow Cadaver Cubes as well as the Unity Power Sources.
All in all, it was a beneficial deal for both parties.
...
...
...
After dealing with the Thunderfoots, Michael returned to the Nation of Reborn.
With him was Yuna, who quickly turned towards him as they both ascended from his shadow.
Then, she raised her hand, a rapier suddenly manifesting in her hands.
She flourished her weapon, pointing it at Michael.
"... what are you doing?" he asked her.
Immediately, she thrusted her rapier at him, making him flinch back.
But he realized that the weapon was still chasing after him.
Out of pure instinct, his wrist started to bend reality, warping the fabric of spacetime as he pushed himself forward.
He escaped out of Yuna’s attack, his eyes widening with surprise.
If it weren’t for his Quantum Step, he would have been hit by her attack!
She smiled at him, flourishing her rapier like a dignified knight.
This was perhaps the first time Michael truly saw this side of Yuna.
He knew she was a generational talent that could have become a Heavenly Knight if she wanted to, but this was the first time he actually realized it.
Sure, if Michael expected her to attack, he wouldn’t have had to use his Quantum Step, but the fact that her weapon mastery was enough to contend against his base reaction speed was already an impressive feat!
But that still didn’t explain that incredibly fast thrust. It exceeded reality. Much like how Aubility Powers functioned.
Yet, she wasn’t using a Diva at all!
"You’ve been underestimating me, thinking that I can’t handle myself. But there’s a reason why Montgomerys are respected all around. We operate on a different reality altogether."