Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"What time is it over there?"

[It's about six or seven hours late. It's midnight there.]

"Good guy, is there something urgent for her to call? Are you sure it's her?"

[The caller ID is her - the caller ID I'm talking about is the caller ID she called the red phone and asked the transfer station to transfer it to her. 】

"Okay." Shangluo shook his head to wake himself up a little, "Take the phone."

"Shangluo." The other person asked straight to the point, "Have you found the key? The one from Vulcan Core."

"Ah, yes, I found it. How did you know?"

"Because the security department of the Muses Palace came to report that an Omega-level Vulcan core was activated. After verification, it was found that it was the one that was given as a national gift. We felt a little strange because that one had been sent since It never started again, so I called and asked. After asking, I learned that it is in your hands."

"Ah, yes." Shangluo nodded, "Is there anything important?"

"There's nothing important after you answer the phone - the main thing is to confirm whether any Vulkan core has fallen into Colombian hands."

"Huh? Is there something going on over there?"

There was silence for a while: "It was originally a secret, so you can't talk nonsense on the phone. But Rome is about to collapse, and it doesn't matter whether it is secret or not at this time - the security situation in Colombia has been deteriorating rapidly in recent days, similar to the Ripper." Jack's murders are endless. At first we thought it was just a copycat case of Jack the Ripper, but the situation was more serious than we thought. Traces of ice were found at the crime scene, indicating that someone was using Vulcan cores to commit crimes. And with Unlike previous Jack the Ripper cases, none of the victims left intact bodies."

"Is this... something running out?"

"We suspect that there are automata operating secretly in Colombia - because most of the victims are concentrated in the middle and upper classes of society, and each of them has an automaton in their home. And after the crime, the automata in the home will disappear. Many of them Machines look no different from humans at all, because they were designed and manufactured with the original intention of 'not seeing any flaws'. And..."

Victoria paused: "This matter has reached a fever pitch, and the reason it was brought to me is: last week, an automaton troupe ran away."

"Theatrical troupe? You let AI act?"

"Ah, it's actually an imitation of television. Hasn't Ming Dynasty always been testing the edges of television technology in various ways? We found that we couldn't catch up no matter what, but we also wanted to watch television. So some good people started to use automatons to Organize a theater troupe, and if each household has a theater troupe, the viewing effect will be similar to that of television. You can perform on stage 24 hours a day, and you can watch any program, and you can pause or rewind it if you want."

"Then you ran away?"

"Yes, and the play that was performed at that time was "Jack the Ripper."

"Huh? What on earth are you doing? Is this allowed to be said? Don't you have the taboo of the Holy Scriptures and cannot talk nonsense?"

"Two different things. This is the same interpretation script as the Heroes Parade board game - because things do exist, we must make up some conspiracy theories to cover up the really terrible truth. Even if it is outrageous or nonsense, as long as it has nothing to do with the truth That’s it. Our description of Jack the Ripper is a criminal who came from a parallel world. In their world, barbarians rule the world and sit on the table and eat like humans. It’s funny, right?”

"Ah, I can't seem to laugh. So why does this show explain that Jack the Ripper wants to kill people? You have to explain it, right? After all, real events happened."

Chapter 648 Telephone

"Because this barbarian is crazy. He thinks there are many selves in this world! He must start in London and kill all the 'other selves' in the world before he can wake up from this crazy dream and return to his In the plot of 'Barbarians all sit at the table to eat'."

"You don't seem to be far from the truth!"

"With nine truths mixed with one lie, the last lie is more credible and has more dramatic effect, right?"

"Okay, okay, you guys are having a great time. But what about the automaton?"

"It's hard to say, it's hard to say. So Pompey of Colombia surrendered to us for the first time. He thought that the special forces of the Oracle should be dispatched to deal with the troupe that slipped away. Because if left unchecked, New Antioch will never get through again. In a few months no one dared to walk at night.”

[New Antioch corresponds to the location of New York in your area. ] Apollonia added.

"Yeah" Shangluo nodded, "So, if it's in my hands, it shouldn't be a big problem, right?"

"Of course, of course, it's safer in your hands than in my own. The Vulkan core was given as a national gift because we were still very optimistic at that time and felt that the few Vulkan cores The core is not the end of our technology, we can definitely make further progress. It’s a pity that now we are thinking about how to deal with the aftermath. In short.”

She said to Shangluo: "In any case, you should be careful. But with the level of defense in Cathay, it should not be penetrated by those automatic machines that have to be wound up every day."

"Wait, you mean, they can find me? How?"

"The running Vulcan core will create a counter-entropic area, which will look as dazzling as the sun itself in the automaton's field of view. As long as you are running here, the automaton will probably always notice you. exist."

"Ah, why are they looking for me? To take away the core of Vulcan?"

“They want to create the most powerful individual among them—because the Vulcan cores used in the consumer-grade automatons currently used are quite low-grade products, and their output is lower than the power of humans themselves. Those murder cases were all run with pure skills and tools, and had nothing to do with power. And if they could get the Omega-level core in your hand, it would be over."

"Good guy!" Shangluo was stunned for a moment, "Then why don't you just come and take it away?"

"No, no, no. I gave it to you, give it to you."

"It's okay if you don't want this hot potato. How about I turn off the phone?"

"No, that's very useful. Wouldn't it be a pity not to use it?"

Shangluo thought about it for a while: "You want to share the risk in co-writing, right?"

"After all, Shangluo." Victoria said solemnly, "In this world, there must be an Omega-level Vulcan core running. This is a must. Just like the sacred fire must be lit in Olympia."

"What happens if I turn it off?"

"Then all the automata will shut down," Victoria replied. "So, now you have the switch. So, all the cores of the same level as yours, as long as they are under our control, have now entered a state of silent shutdown. Only yours remains—it's all yours. We are no longer able to deal with these problems. And..."

She added: "If necessary, you can directly shut down the Vulcan core in your hand. This will cause all Vulcan cores in the world to fail at the same time until one of the same level'Omi It’s only necessary to go online at the Ga level. Of course, with you there, we don’t have to turn on the computer.”

"Okay, okay." Shangluo pressed his forehead, "What is the use of this thing? Apart from turning on the washing machine."

"Ah," Victoria asked, "are you using it as a perpetual motion machine? Just to drive household appliances?"

"Isn't this usage wrong?"

"It's okay. But it's like using an aircraft carrier to fish. It's not impossible to fish, but spending so much effort to build a mobile city on the sea is obviously not the main purpose of fishing. We make Omega-class Vol The function of Gan core in the beginning was very simple and pure: to be used as a navigational bell.”

"Are you referring to the precise clocks that were used to assist in planning routes during navigation in ancient times?"

"Yes. Those Vulkan cores, from the very beginning, were intended to create a safe method of movement for the submarine force so that they would not get lost in the void. If you have that one in your hand, you You can carry it with you, it will act as a talisman. No matter what changes happen around you, as long as the 'Omega Level' is running, your time will run normally."

"Wait. Did I guess something? Have you considered the problem of time being compressed when some kind of 'transcendental physical state' appears? For example, a super-light state?"

"How did you know???"

[Don’t be surprised, he must know it. ] Apollonia replied, [Maybe a lot of the little things you have in your mind are taken from the Akashic records. Coincidentally, the Akashic Records were extracted from him. 】

"Okay, okay." Victoria replied, "Now that you know it, there's nothing to hide - the problem that has been troubling us is that the phlogiston submarine sometimes encounters a time uneven state. Ideally, , they should 'jump' past at a speed beyond classical physics. However, sometimes they arrive long after departure, and sometimes even before departure, because the speed is uneven. As long as one is deployed on the ship, The entire ship's time could then be 'calibrated' to synchronize with the clock tower of the Alexandria Lighthouse. No matter what, it would be neither too early nor too late, unless we forgot to wind the Alexandria Lighthouse."

"Good guys, you guys are having a lot of fun."

"But we are currently not able to deploy a 'target ship' with such performance, because safety, technology, and production are all not up to standard. But if the core in your hand is taken away, it's hard to say what will happen. - But now that you know the technical route, you might as well try it yourself. If you have this plan, we can share the existing research progress with you."

"It's not that we can't give it a try. Well" Shangluo nodded, "It's time for us to call each other, right?"

"Um, do you have any ideas? The two sides are going to merge. Do you want to break the ice and build a team?"

"Actually, there is an interesting event recently - I wonder if you are interested in participating in our autumn military exercises online? Let your students have a cyber military exercise with our students in cyberspace?"

Chapter 649 Exercise

"Exercise?" Victoria thought for a moment, "Do you want to have the two sides try out a confrontation exercise with actual troops?"

"Have we ever practiced this before?"

"No." Victoria replied, "But there was a real fight. It seems that tens of thousands of people died. Although it was mainly the subordinate countries on both sides. But that was a long, long time ago. We are realizing that After there is no benefit in attacking each other, they will acquiesce to each other not to attack each other.”

"So is there a covenant between us?"

"No." Victoria continued to answer, "Actually, the two sides have signed almost no agreement on paper. There are short-term delivery orders and the like, but there is no long-term agreement. The Alexander meeting between our two sides, in fact, We will not pass any resolutions with mandatory effect. According to Sinian language, this is called 'the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water'. There is absolutely no need for us to bind each other with paper agreements."

"Because any hostile behavior is unnecessary, right?"

"Ha." Victoria smiled, "I think this is the root of everything. Rome is not a good enemy, and Cathay is not, right. But neither of us has any interest in attacking the other. I'm afraid it's because of the war. It’s so useless that it doesn’t do any good to either of us. In other words, it’s indigestion. Both sides are stretched and need to be digested.”

"What do you think would have happened to both of us in the future if things hadn't happened now? Have you made any predictions?"

"There will definitely be a world war. There will be corpses lying thousands of miles away, and there will be bloodshed and rafting. And I think it will definitely happen. This matter was even discussed during the previous Babylonian summits. Both sides were noncommittal. Anyway, each other Everyone smiled, and everyone knew what would happen - by the way, the Babylon Summit is different from the Alexander Summit. The Babylon Summit was mainly held by your rites department. It was a meeting between our two sides to coordinate global governance. Our meeting here The Vice-Emperor is here to attend. If it’s next time”

She thought for a while: "Although the situation is getting worse, if Rome is not over yet, the Babylon Summit will still be held. Maybe you will come this year - if you come, I will not let my father attend on my behalf. Do it yourself. I have to explain some things to you face to face, and by the way, we will talk about other cooperation issues in the future."

"Yes." Shangluo nodded, "If that's what you want, I will go."

"What does 'I hope so' mean? Although there is no one else next to us, we don't seem to be that familiar, right?"

"I'm talking about business, what are you talking about?"

[Tsk, she is anxious. 】

"Ahem." After a few seconds of silence, Victoria spoke again, "Anyway, I don't seem to have any other opportunities to talk to people like this. Because, I have to be responsible for everything I say to others. It's not the case here. It’s a personal phone call, whatever you say is fine.”

"Actually, as long as you're not here to declare war, it's fine to hold a meeting. Phaethon should also want to meet familiar people."

"Then you take her with you. By the way, the Babylon Summit should be after you want to 'military exercises'. Do you really want to try? If you want to try, you can. Remember what I said before , Did we lose a lot of people during the running-in period? Why not simulate the situation at that time?"

"You mean, give the confrontation a theme?"

"You have to limit the situation."

"Tsk." Shangluo replied, "Are you addicted to group running? You have to find a script for everything?"

"It's not that I'm looking for it, but if we want to simulate it, we can't set up a void space where we don't recognize each other out of thin air. We have to pick a theme. So, what theme are you looking for? Or let me ask this - do you want to What time period will the fight take place? At what stage do you want to limit the armaments of both sides?"

"Is it okay to try? It's not just one fight anyway."

"Then it'll be a best-of-three match. I'll pick out a few scenarios for you to choose from. They're all stories from our past battles—it seems the earliest we fought each other was in the second half of the 17th century. The 17th century is for us, as far as your calendar is concerned, I'm not sure."

"It's okay, I know very well what it was like in the 17th century. But how was that battle fought?"

"It was the early modern period, the eve of the era of hot weapons. Tsk, I remember that Rome lost that battle, and lost miserably. But they may not lose if they fight again. So this is my choice, do you have any? What script do you want to pick?”

"Take out the current equipment and practice it. This is the theme of our training."

"No problem, then we will also take the current equipment. And..." Victoria paused, "Since you proposed it, you have to decide on the third script. What do you want to compare?"

"How is it compared to PVE?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"It's just that we always fight each other, and we get too angry. In the third game, let's see who can beat the barbarian faster."

"Hey," Victoria thought for a while, "You have a great idea. I didn't expect you could play like this. Okay, I can handle it here. Then Blackstone gave it to you, and we can connect the two sides. But then You have to put in the equipment yourself.”

"Wait, we have to determine the size."

"Scale?" Victoria was stunned for a moment, "Isn't it ten or twenty people?"

"What are you talking about! Do you think we are running in a group? Of course there are at least 10,000 people."

"More than 10,000! How is it possible to insert 10,000 people into the script at once? Ten people are enough, just play the role of the command, and then let the silhouettes simulate the rest - this is what I thought at the beginning."

"I told you it was a military exercise, so it must be something big."

"Okay. Okay." Victoria was silent for a few seconds. "The first question here, I wonder if you have thought about it: We can make it a small event with about ten people. If there are thousands of people, it will inevitably involve When it comes to letting the curtain fall. How are you going to deal with this? Are you ready now to let the extraordinary world directly enter the public's field of vision? Even if you are ready, I am not ready."

"Tsk, you don't have to worry about this, I already have a plan."

"Okay." Victoria's voice was a little helpless, "Suddenly such a big change really surprised me. Your mobility is really good. Can Phaethon really get a vacation at your place?"

"Now she is on compulsory leave. At this point she should return"

Chapter 650 Morning

"Dong dong." A gentle knocking voice rang out, "You said, sleep for 15 more minutes before calling you. I'm here to call you."

Hearing the voice on the other end of the phone, Victoria's voice rose higher: "Wow~~ It turns out you have reached this point. I'll hang up now and won't disturb you anymore."

"Beep - beep -" the sound of hanging up came from the receiver.

"Stop learning." Shangluo said to the switching station, "You keep listening, right?"

"Hmm."

"Does Victoria know you're listening?"

"The Roman monarch should not have known."

"Don't tell her. Don't let her know that you are conscious, otherwise she will die again."

After hanging up the phone, Shangluo walked to the door and opened it: "Are you really well rested?"

"I can't sleep for that long. Your breakfast is ready. I just warmed the oven and let you and I rest. I'll go play with Yanqiu later."

"Hey, yes, that's right, I just want you to rest like this."

"Then I'm leaving. See you tonight. Although I'm on vacation, I will still buy dinner. It's not considered work anyway. What to eat will be determined by my taste?"