Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 258 The Necromancer Corps

Rupert remembered nothing after that, only that when he woke up the next afternoon, there was an empty wine jar beside him. Everyone in the Him Cave had left; not a single mammoth remained at the entrance, and all the supplies had been taken away.

Having no other option, Rupert could only rely on the vague impression he had seen on the hillside before, and walked to the Youth Civilization Station to ask Su Ming for help.

Su Ming agreed to give him a ride, but on the condition that, due to intelligence control requirements, he must be taken to the Holy Mountain and released only after the prison break was completed. Alternatively, he could choose to get off near the next town, in which case his memory of that period would be erased.

Erasing several days' worth of memories inevitably has side effects, and suddenly losing a piece of memory can be distressing. Rupert struggled with the decision for a long time before finally choosing to go to the Holy Mountain.

****
The area around the Lorencia volcano is desolate, dotted with rolling hills. As the Youth Civilization train approached, it reduced its speed to 10 kilometers per hour.

The long train rose and fell with the terrain, moving forward with a dull hum.

At a pass on the outskirts of the volcano, Su Ming finally met up with the personnel arranged by Princess Daphne. Supervisor Benedict, the person in charge of the support operation, had been waiting in the biting cold for some time. When he saw the strange train made of bones and steel slowly approaching, he couldn't help but carefully examine this unprecedented mode of transportation.

Su Ming judged that this person was a technically skilled official.

Su Ming opened the door and stepped out of the car with Newman. Upon meeting, Benedict immediately averted his gaze, extended his left hand, palm up, and respectfully performed a servile scholar's salute to them, "Honoring Truth!"

"Truly a scholar." Su Ming returned the greeting somewhat awkwardly, palm facing inward, "Knowledge endures forever!"

Newman, standing nearby, returned the greeting, saying, "Knowledge endures forever!"

Although Su Ming was not granted the title of scholar by the Supreme Knowledge Association, his outstanding performance along the way is generally considered to be at least at the level of a great scholar.

Zijin suggested that he accept his status as a scholar, as it would be beneficial when dealing with various powerful forces in the future.

“Mr. Su, Master Jia Yan, this way please!” Benedict said, and began to lead the way.

After passing through a road winding through the hills, the view suddenly opened up before us.

Su Ming, who had expected to see a desolate wasteland, was surprised to find a sizable industrial complex hidden at the foot of the volcano. Various mining facilities were neatly arranged, and although it was currently in a seasonal shutdown, the sheer number of machines indicated a considerable scale of production.

Although covered in ice and snow, the buildings are clearly new and were not built recently.

“This is Princess Daphne’s property,” Benedict explained to the two. “It was built last summer and took six months to complete. Now that it’s frozen, the production staff have been evacuated.”

"What have you produced here?" Su Ming looked around and found the ground covered in fine volcanic sand. He tried to find traces of a mine, but only saw some calcining kilns.

Benedict offered no further explanation, instead leading Su Ming directly to one of the buildings. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a wave of dry, dusty odor washed over them.

This is a spacious warehouse, neatly stacked with tens of thousands of bulging sacks, piled up like small mountains.

Newman strode over to one of the bags, tearing open the packaging with a light swipe of his bone claw. He pulled out a handful of powder, rubbing it between his fingers. "The main ingredients are quicklime and volcanic sand, finely ground and evenly mixed—you're making cement!"

Su Ming contacted Miao Xin and learned that the material was similar to volcanic ash concrete from the Roman era on Earth. The Pantheon dome, with a diameter of 43.3 meters, and the massive Colosseum in ancient Rome were made of this material.

Su Ming looked around and found that the warehouse itself was built of concrete. He slammed his hand against the warehouse wall; it was very sturdy. Looking up, he saw that the arched roof spanned more than 40 meters.

"Excellent!" Su Ming exclaimed.

“This time we’re using the improved, enhanced version.” Benedict led the two deeper into the warehouse, to another pile of differently packaged goods.

Newman opened it for inspection as usual. "This one has a lot of alchemical ingredients mixed in, so its strength should be greatly increased—it should be enough for your plans!"

Su Ming nodded.

The excavation of the Holy Mountain Tunnel requires a large amount of high-quality building materials for constructing the support structure. In the agreement with Daphne, she was to provide this.

Unexpectedly, the princess had built a factory here.

“The North has a lot of mineral resources, but the level of development has never been high,” Newman analyzed. “Daffylin set up this building materials factory, definitely to develop the mining industry.”

“Impossible.” Su Ming categorically denied it. “Even if she builds the mines to a high standard, she cannot guarantee the royal family’s continued control.”

When there's no profit, nobody cares; but when there's output, naturally someone will try to reap the benefits—that's to be expected.

“Her Highness’s plan is to build a new satellite city north of Bubing,” Benedict replied, “as a strategic foothold for the royal family to further expand the influence of the region. This cement workshop is a preliminary step in preparation for this.”

As expected, the strategy of using force first is still the same. Su Ming raised an eyebrow and glanced at Newman, who snorted.

"In fact, Master Newman was right about the current situation," Benedict smiled. "The Lords' Alliance has been severely weakened by your forces, and Your Highness no longer needs to waste resources fighting against them. As long as mining production is expanded, new cities will spontaneously emerge."

At this point, Benedict suddenly bowed deeply to Su Ming: "Lord Su, I am from the North. After so many years, I finally see hope for change in the North!"

"You're a nobleman, aren't you?" Su Ming asked doubtfully. In this world, it's difficult for people from the lower classes to obtain sufficient educational resources, let alone reach the level that Princess Daphne would value.

“I left the family long ago,” Benedict explained. “The lords of the North are like a bunch of fighting cocks locked in a coop. Their so-called royal power and dominance are nothing more than fighting over a few kernels of corn and bullying chicks.” He sighed. “These people don’t seek any real breakthroughs in development; they are a disgrace to humanity without even realizing it. I have no interest in this kind of life and would much rather spread my wings and fly in a wider world.”

Just then, Yuniel entered with a group of zombies, dragging a dozen makeshift carts made of bones and metal bearings. The snorting of frost wolves could be heard outside.

These noble riding beasts were once again being used like mules.

Benedict immediately assigned a subordinate to liaise with Eunice to determine the scope and route of the goods that needed to be moved.

"We're only taking 400 tons this time," Su Ming instructed. "We can come back for the rest."

“Okay!” Yuni replied.

"It will take about ten days for the supplies arranged by the princess to arrive here," Benedict reported.

These supplies mainly consisted of food and steel, and the transportation methods in the north could not keep up with the speed of the Youth Civilization Train.

“No major problem. We can sustain ourselves with the supplies we brought in the early stages.” Su Ming checked the time and found that food and steel could be supplied in a timely manner. “What about the necromancers?” Benedict continued to lead the way, passing through several buildings and arriving at the other side of the workshop. This was a newly opened area, where hundreds of necromancers, under the organization of Benedict’s team, were constructing new facilities.

Each of them wore a special restraint ring around their neck, which allowed them to use non-harmful magic only within a limited range.

"The project is almost finished, just finishing up," Benedict said, pointing to the busy construction site. "I'll bring the people over to you in a bit."

"it is good."

****
Newman walked briskly toward the group of necromancer prisoners, his small, bony legs making a crisp clicking sound on the ground. Several of the prisoners looked up, recognizing the famous necromancer, their faces showing surprise.

Newman approached the group and exchanged pleasantries.

Su Ming stood a short distance away, arms crossed, observing the group of necromancers. He found that their mental state was relatively stable, and their work attitude was passable—at least there was no obvious resistance.

It can be judged that Benedict's team was relatively humane in its management and did not engage in any mistreatment of prisoners. When Newman went to talk to some people, which clearly affected their work, the guards did not intervene.

Rupert came running up, panting, with a bone pigeon beside him. "Lord Sue, you were looking for me?"

Su Ming beckoned him closer. He pointed to the group of necromancers in front of him, "Help me manage these people."

"Managing prisoners?" The former sheriff immediately patted his chest. "That's my specialty!"

Su Ming shook his head. "These are not real criminals; most of them haven't committed any crimes." He added, "We will gradually recruit the vast majority of them as members."

"Oh, you guys are necromancers too." Rupert slapped the back of his head, suddenly realizing, "I don't know how to absorb people, but with so many people joining at once, especially in this special situation, a gentle approach definitely won't work!"

“That’s right.” Su Ming nodded. “So we can’t just give these people freedom. If they escape and cause an intelligence leak, it will be very troublesome. But at the same time, we can’t offend them too much, and we still need them to do their jobs well.”

“Then we must first maintain a certain level of enforcement,” Rupert said, stroking his chin. “We also need to find the right balance, bestowing favors while establishing authority.”

Su Ming couldn't help but glance at the former sheriff again, thinking that this old fox was more quick-witted than he had imagined. "Help me carry out these tasks, and I'll pay you a salary."

Rupert waved his hands repeatedly, "The prisoners are fine, but as for you future members, what have I done to deserve this—"

"10 gold coins in one month!"

"Boss!" Rupert said immediately, "I'm going to hand over the roster now!"

He excitedly ran over to Benedict to ask about it.

Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief; the first manager had been chosen.

Princess Daphne's people cannot be allowed to continue managing these necromancers, otherwise the various "favors" she bestows upon them might be seen as doing the work for someone else's benefit.

****
Su Ming opened the tablet and removed the SD card.

"Where are the dodder group's things?" Su Ming asked Miao Xin.

"It's done." Miao Xin took out an identical SD card from her pocket and tossed it in her hand.

Using the SD card in his hand as material, Su Ming summoned the one in Miao Xin's hand. From his perspective, it was still a memory card, but the data inside had been replaced with new data.

He reinserted the SD card into the tablet, opened it, and found two new files inside:
Concrete Strength Measurement Standards and Reinforcement Tables

Pipe jacking construction organization design plan

SD cards record data by storing charge using floating-gate transistors. While Su Ming cannot reconstruct elementary particles, he can alter their distribution, including electrons.

Su Ming also began to understand the true limitations of his own abilities: energy and level.

In terms of energy, for example, he could utilize the readily available carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen elements in the alien world to summon high-molecular polymers on Earth, and even substances like explosives and gasoline. However, he would need to provide enough energy to complete the intermolecular bonding.

Currently, this type of reconstruction can be manufactured on a scale of hundreds of grams. If materials with similar molecular structures are used as a base, it could even reach a scale of kilograms.

This amount is only about one or two liters of gasoline, which is completely unusable.

Therefore, Su Ming's molecular reconstruction ability is more suitable for constructing devices, rather than consumables like fuels and gunpowder. The latter is equivalent to exchanging magic for an equivalent amount of chemical energy, which is not worthwhile.

The logistics system still needs to rely on localized supply methods; otherwise, even if we squeeze them dry, it won't be enough.

Su Ming himself was considering a different direction: to continue penetrating deeper into the lower levels, such as the entangled photon phases that counterfactual communication needed to transmit.

A single ordinary photon has an energy of only a few electron volts. A raindrop falling to the ground releases 0.00001 joules of energy, which is equivalent to trillions of photons.

Therefore, there is no energy barrier.

It all depends on his mastery of power and whether he can reach that microscopic level.

Su Ming gazed up at the azure sky, the vastness and intricacy of the universe inspiring awe. But even on a path strewn with thorns, he had to forge ahead!
****
Before long, a group of necromancers, carrying their own simple clothes, bedding, and daily necessities, walked to the Youth Civilization Station.

Most of them eyed the unfamiliar motorcycle warily, their eyes gleaming with suspicion. Many more, however, were filled with unease about the impending changes and whispered among themselves.

Also present were eight technical officers arranged by Princess Daphne, led by Benedict, who would provide technical support for the operation.

Benedict skillfully arranged the necromancers into a line, then stepped aside, handing over the reins to Su Ming.

"One person died of illness en route, so 122 people actually arrived. The entire necromancer prison labor corps is here," he reported to Su Ming.

(End of this chapter)