usatvline Chapter 336: Collaborators to Watch Out For
Chapter 336: Collaborators to Watch Out For
Iberian city - Perdoni at night.
Scattered dim Originium lamps dot the city plots, adding a bit of vitality to it, and the tall chimneys of the factories emit exhaust gas into the atmosphere day and night.
Newly produced industrial products are immediately loaded onto transport trucks and supplied to surrounding cities.
The industrial configuration of each city has different focuses, some focus on light industry, some focus on heavy industry, which often depends on the resource allocation of the location.
In Iberia's "Golden Age", both maritime and inland trade were very developed. In order to save the cost of transporting goods, industrial cities were often moved to areas close to rivers or oceans.
The seawater backflow caused by the Great Silence severely hit the productivity of industrial cities. The seawater caused the metal of production machinery to rust and destroyed the Originium crystal circuit.
When the sea receded, Iberia was no longer able to restore the severely damaged industrial facilities. It could only recycle usable materials as much as possible and rebuild daily production.
Perdoni's industry is mainly based on light industry producing daily utensils, with the main focus on quality, being sturdy and durable, and abandoning useless and gorgeous aesthetics.
Iberia in its "Golden Age" was once rich in various artworks and literary works, and everyone was trying their best to show off the prosperity of their country.
Nowadays, few people talk about the glory of the past because it brings an unacceptable sense of emptiness to people.
In order to preserve the purest memories of the golden age, people choose to discard or seal up the souvenirs of that era, and then continue to face the difficult living conditions with a numb mental state.
......
The defense of the majestic and dignified headquarters of the Inquisition reached an unprecedented level due to the attack on the saints that occurred during the day.
A dragnet has been set up around Saint Carmen's residence, and countless pairs of sharp eyes hidden in the darkness are staring closely at everything around them.
Once any sign of trouble is detected, the sharp rapiers and large-caliber hand cannons will deal a fatal blow to the invaders like poisonous sea snakes lurking in the reefs.
Especially those Grand Inquisitors who were knocked down by the mysterious hooded man during the day. They knew very well that they had failed to perform their duties and put Lady Carmen in danger.
While I felt guilty, I was also very angry and had to get back at myself.
In the simply decorated study, Carmen let out a sigh of relief and put down the yellowed book in her hand.
It was a book about the early development of Iberia's sea routes, written from the perspective of a ship's first mate.
It tells the story of the rough waves, bad weather, and strange and unpredictable events experienced during the voyage.
It shows the Iberians of that era, who had the tenacious spirit to forge ahead courageously and not be afraid of challenges.
Iberia now urgently needs to re-establish this spirit and break through the current difficulties.
Carmen stood up and pressed the hidden mechanism on the bookshelf. After a slight sound of mechanical gears turning, the bookshelf opened to both sides, revealing a deep passage.
"Will you come?" Holding the crystal left by the mysterious hooded man tightly in her hand, Carmen was willing to become the first mate in the book, guiding the Iberia, a ship that had lost power and direction, to open up a new voyage.
As Carmen pressed the mechanism inside the secret room, the opened bookshelf closed tightly.
......
"Crack!" The fragile crystal fell heavily to the ground, and fragments flew everywhere.
Carmen stood tall, waiting for the reaction after the crystal shattered.
The hooded man was proficient in space magic, and the crystal he left behind served as both a locator and a trigger.
Ripples appeared in the secret room, and a mysterious hooded man slowly walked out.
"We meet again, Mr. Carmen. It seems that you have made a decision."
"Iberia needs that plant, what do you want Iberia to give you?"
"The technological heritage accumulated during the Golden Age, as well as various documents about the Agor Islanders, are all that Iberia can offer at the moment..."
"It's a very reasonable request. Anything else?" Carmen nodded and motioned for the mysterious hooded man to continue.
"I plan to set up an agricultural company in Iberia, specializing in the planting and promotion of salt-tolerant rice. I need the support of the Tribunal to facilitate the actions of the company's employees."
"......Okay, but I have a few requirements for the company's composition." It's a good thing that someone is willing to invest and establish a company in Iberia.
However, we need to be wary of foreign companies secretly accumulating strength, gradually growing into behemoths, and thus shaking the ruling position of the Inquisition.
"Mr. Carmen, please speak."
"About 80% of the company's employees are Iberians. The talents left over from that era are quite capable."
"As a supporter of the company, the tribunal needs to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. Likewise, the tribunal will protect the company's assets."
"In some remote areas, without the deterrent of armed forces, it is not easy to get things done."
"Well, Mr. Carmen is very thoughtful. I am willing to accept these requests. With a partner like you, I believe Iberia will have a better future."
The hooded man stepped over the crystal fragments on the ground and reached out his hand to Carmen.
"Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Doctor. Due to some special physical conditions, I cannot take off my mask to meet with Master Carmen."
"It's okay, Doctor. What's important is when the plant can be planted in Iberia." Carmen held the hand extended by the hooded man and looked at the face behind the hood.
"As long as Lord Carmen announces our cooperation in the name of the Inquisition, the seeds can be sown that same day."
The hooded man responded that he needed Carmen to use the reputation of the entire Inquisition to guarantee their cooperation.
"I will hold a special meeting of saints, and I hope Mr. Doctor can attend."
"Thank you for the invitation, Master Carmen. I just want to learn more about the other saints."
As the two men loosened their hands, the initial cooperation between the Hooded Man and Saint Carmen was temporarily finalized.
As for the other eight saints, Carmen had some understanding of each of their personalities. It would take some effort to reach a consensus.
After all, the technological heritage of the Golden Age belonged to the entire Iberia. He was alone, took the initiative, and agreed to trade it out.
If it were in an era when the law was perfect, Carmen's behavior would be considered selling out state-owned assets, which is a felony.
But for the future of Iberia, he is willing to take all responsibilities and risks.
The hooded man left again, leaving a crystal on the ground. Carmen bent down to pick up the crystal and put it away, then pressed the mechanism to leave the secret room.