16 – Dangers Beyond

Usually, only students at Mythra academy, teachers, and scholars attended someone's final project seminar. However, this time, several government and military people were also present.

Lance and Eve finished presenting the project in a conference room, then the professors asked various questions. It quite surprised Lance that they didn't ask too much about the mech system. They are more interested in implementing this technology.

Maybe they're unable to comprehend something like this? Did the palace request them to not complicate matters for Lance and Eve?

"As we have said, we will continue to develop this project." Eve answered one of the questions. "And maybe in the future we can dig deeper into the earth with this thing. Maybe we can look for the God's Crystal, a material only mentioned in ancient legends and transcripts. We can prove whether it exists or not."

The professors gasped. God's crystal, superior to anything ever known, lay at the core of the world.

According to legend, whoever possesses the crystal will reign over the entire world. But, throughout history, no one has found this material. Many scientists consider it just a myth.

"I think I should ask too." An old professor stroked his long beard. From the start, he asked nothing. "To what extent are you guys going to develop this armor? Is it just the things you mentioned? Just for national defense, research, exploration, search for resources, and extraction of those resources?"

Eve glanced at Lance, a sign that she wished the young man to answer. Lance smiled. The question made him excited beyond reason.

"We can develop this armor to a larger size." Lance stood up from his chair. "With a larger size, the destructive power will be greater, too. I'm thinking about 25-meter giants. Maybe it could be more than that, but I haven't found the right calculations in the system and materials. So currently the limit is 25 meters. I'm sure we can make it with enough research."

The professors and visitors lowered their chins in amazement. Some of them whispered in response to Lance's statement.

"I just heard this." Eve leaned towards Lance.

"From the inscription scheme you made, I know you can make movement magic have a greater effect." Lance smirked. With his hands in his pockets, he approached the professors. "You must be wondering, why make such metal giants?"

Not getting an answer, Lance widened his smile. "Do we truly understand everything about this world, ladies and gentlemen? What if there's a looming danger that we're unaware of? What if, to destroy this danger, we must have weapons with great destructive power?"

The atmosphere was still silent. No one could respond to Lance's words.

"What if the danger doesn't come from this world?" The tone points upwards. "What if a creature beyond our comprehension comes from above? What if they come with hostile motives? The question is, are we ready?"

The visitors were still speechless.

"If you can make a 25-meters metal giant, I guess it can't be called armor anymore, right?" The long-bearded professor asked again. This time, he chuckled.

"Mechs." Lance walked back to the chair. "It comes from the mechanical parts inside, and it's easy to say. Then, we can call the person controlling it the pilot."

***

"Ever since that seminar, you've been silent, Trish." Cecil commented on the female warrior who was walking next to him. "What happened?"

Trish massaged her nape. "I still get goosebumps from Boss' speech. It was cool, but I also felt an existential crisis because of that."

"That's just my way of hammering my ideas into their brains." Lance loosened the collar of his formal outfit. "Well, but what I said is true. We are unaware of the great dangers that lie in this world and beyond."

Lance knew very well that external danger existed. Aliens. Like factions and countries on earth, they also have interests. Some of them will resort to violence to make it happen.

"Your speech reminded me… We are just a small part of the world." Tobias motioned to the two soldiers accompanying them. They rushed to open the large door on the box-shaped building with windows.

"You must already know this place: the home of the four dragons owned by the previous king." Tobias explained as he walked into a building that comprised just one giant room. Only massive pillars occupied the space. "We've cleaned it up, but we still need to prepare various things."

"Ah, I remember about this." Cecil glanced around the stone-walled building. "The previous king released his dragons because he had a dream of meeting God. The God said he had to release the dragons, so that this kingdom would become more prosperous. And sure enough, our agricultural output and trade have increased a lot.

"But, at the same time, we are losing tremendous war assets." Tobias sighed. "Despite our efforts to hatch long-lost dragon eggs... Oh, sorry. I shouldn't rant like that."

Lance's gaze fell on the giant hangar door, which was tightly closed. In the past, dragons would come and go through that door.

"What do you think, Lance?" Eve lined up with the young man.

"This place is probably over 40 meters high, and its area is very large." Lance muttered. His heart was beating fast. Finally, he had a proper place to build mechs. "This is sufficient. Maybe we can even build those metal giants if needed."

"My team will prepare everything." Tobias said. "Anything else?"

"Make me a place to stay here." Lance couldn't hold back his smile any longer. "With me being close to production, it can increase efficiency."

One of his unfulfilled dreams was to live close to a mech experimentation and production site.

"If you stay here, I will come with you too." Cecil smiled. As usual, she didn't show the slightest hesitation.

Trish shrugged, smiling too. "As long as I can cook, I think it'll be okay."

"I'll come too, then." Eve joined in.

Tobias's mouth curled into a chuckle. "I envy the youthful spirit of you all."