Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 546 - 15 The Old Goblin’s Request_1

Chapter 546: Chapter 15 The Old Goblin’s Request_1

"This research center concentrates on a range of subjects related to life – agriculture, livestock farming, botany, zoology, medicine, and more." Christo spread his arms wide for emphasis. "This is where my ancestors achieved their most remarkable breakthroughs in biology. If there’s a method within goblin technology that could save that little girl, it would most likely be found here. If we can’t find it here, it would mean that goblins too, lack a solution. However, I believe that you might find a solution here, as medical technology was far superior during the Second Epoch. Many of their treatments are beyond the imagination of modern-day people. You wouldn’t understand. For a frail race like the goblins, biology is a crucial field of study. Only with a profound understanding of biology can we expand our knowledge of medicine to extend the lifespan of our race. Compared to that, subjects like puppet-making, crystal energy technology, and metal smelting are trivial matters. This is why our ancestors stored the information of this research center as top secrets in the silver codex."

"Such a complicated codex only provides a not-so-detailed map?" Pannis asked pensively, "It seems too simplistic."

"Of course, it’s not just that simple. Do you think it’s just a map? Remember the last image, with scrolling text besides it? It’s a detailed account of more than thirty thousand words including the type of subjects and lab distribution in each area, as well as a vague direction of the research and its results. I have organized all of this, and will give it to you shortly." Christo paused, looking exhausted and leaning on his cane for support before continuing, "But that’s not the key part. The most important thing is something nobody would think of. You see these pieces here, eh? These are actually spare activation keys. Each piece corresponds to an area, insert it into the corresponding slot, and you can urgently initiate the data storage and control center of that area, gaining access to its detailed map and information, including specific projects, the person in charge, team members, research budget, and so on. Without these codex pieces, even if you find the research center and enter it, you won’t gather anything else other than some unknown machinery."

"I see." Pannis’s face paled a bit, and he looked at Christo apprehensively. With a determination in his voice, he said in a low tone, "There’s a piece of bad news I have to inform you of. Prepare yourself."

"What is it?" A sense of bad premonition washed over Christo, and he asked nervously, "Did you find any problem?"

"I don’t think I told you how we got this tetrahedron," Pannis, playing with the goblin apex that had been detached from the codex, replied with a bitter taste in his mouth, "It was in an improper place."

After a moment of silence, Christo let out a sigh, "Let’s go upstairs first. We’ll discuss what you’ve figured out in my lab. I’m a bit tired."

Pannis also sighed and patted Christo’s shoulder. The trio left the treasury of the Tower of Colossus and returned to the lobby on the ground floor. They then teleported to the sixteenth floor through the elevator and the teleportation array. On the way, the old goblin remained silent the whole while, not nearly as excited and talkative as before. His back seemed to hunch more, looking years older. No one initiated a conversation. The overwhelming silence lingered until they entered Christo’s lab. The old man slowly recovered his calm, sinking into the familiar rocking chair and letting it sway gently. His usually sharp voice became low and said, "Alright, I’ve prepared myself. At worst, I’ll pretend I’ve never seen this codex, or that I’ve never managed to collect all the pieces. Now, tell me, where do you discover about this? Don’t worry, I can handle it."

"In a village nearby, called Angus Village. Lina and I discovered a goblin structure deep underground due to a coincidental incident while participating in the Harvest Festival." Pannis gave Christo a detailed account of the scenes and strange magical beasts they encountered, which Freya also didn’t know and listened intently. After retelling the experience, Pannis continued, "That structure was obviously a small part split from a large building, and this apex popped out from a slot in the wall of a room that we suspect was a control room."

The old goblin closed his eyes, remaining silent as if he had fallen asleep. Pannis sat across from the old goblin, accepting the teacup Freya poured. He quietly watched the rhythmic sway of the rocking chair. Sunlight streamed in from the transparent crystal window of the lab, warming the floor but unable to dispel the invisible gloom that pervaded the room.

"Kyle." Christo spoke in a disheartened tone, "You think the laboratory was destroyed, affected by the aftermath of the war at the end of the Third Epoch, because of the continental split?"

"Considering the evidence we have, we cannot rule out this possibility," Pannis nodded, "Of course, the premise is that it is the research center we have been discussing. But I believe that what can be activated with this apex is most probably the research center."

"Yes, that place should precisely be part of the research center." Christo asserted, "The magical beasts you mentioned are certainly artificially altered organisms, likely a lab inside the research center focusing on biological transformation. Of course, just a part of it, a place where they exhibit and store finished lab products."

"Actually, you don’t have to be so disappointed." Pannis gave a wry smile, "We should be the ones truly disappointed. If the research center is indeed destroyed, you suffer from unsatisfied curiosity. However, for us, Vivian probably won’t have any hope left. Luckily, we have not told her in advance, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to break such cruel news to her."

"I am not disappointed, I sorted it out two minutes ago." The old goblin lifted his head from the rocking chair, speaking calmly, "I believe the research center has not been fully destroyed. Perhaps some branches are indeed missing due to the land split, but I choose to believe the main body of the center still exists in its original location."

"What’s the reason?" Pannis asked, raising his eyebrows expectantly, "You’re not just comforting yourself. You must have a good reason."

"I have two reasons," Christo silently organized his thoughts and finally declared in a sharp voice with a revitalized look on his aged face, "First, historical records show that during the war at the end of the Third Epoch, the region of Kulan was not severely affected. There were no reports of any area being completely shattered."

"That is just speculation," replied Pannis, shaking his head. "It’s not enough proof."

"Hence, I have a second reason," Christo laughed shrilly, "You do not understand the dynamics of goblin technology. If the main body of the research center was damaged, those containers holding the magical beasts that you saw underground in Angus village would have lost their effect. But, in fact, that area still had an energy supply, didn’t it? This means the main body of the research center remains intact since it includes the energy extraction center and the energy distribution center. If they were damaged, only then we could say the research center is completely destroyed. How about that? Is this sufficient proof?"

"Hmm, that makes sense." Pannis stroked his chin and pondered, "Maybe only a small section of the center we encountered was damaged. Yes, it’s quite possible. It seems we need to pay a visit to the Mountain Country after all."

"I knew you would go even if I couldn’t provide a reason." Christo smiled, "Given your nature, even if there were only a one percent chance of helping that little genius girl, you would go and verify it yourself."

"Of course." Pannis glared at the old goblin and said, "Your goblin technology is truly fascinating. The source of its power supply is already separate from the main body and more than four thousand kilometers away, but it’s still able to receive energy supplied by the main body. Can it truly achieve this? Or is it a separate function of the device?"

"That’s why I said you don’t understand the energy supply of goblin technology," Christo retorted. "Currently, Magitech and Crystal technology require magical arrays and mithril wires for energy transmission. This method is rather primitive. During the heyday of the Goblin Empire, our ancestors utilized a higher form of energy supply."

"A higher form?" Pannis raised an eyebrow, "Is there such a method? What is it?"

"You’re not a scholar, so you wouldn’t understand the specifics," Christo dismissed, shaking his head. "Simply put, it allows for direct energy supply without any wires and regardless of distance."

"Alright, alright, you win," Pannis admitted, feeling the sting of this blow to his knowledge. "Since you’re certain that the main body of the research center is functioning properly, we should pay it a visit as soon as possible. Resolving Vivian’s issue will free her from her pain sooner. It’s distressing to watch her roll on the floor in agony when she thinks no one is watching, moaning in secret to avoid causing us worry, while pretending everything is fine. Catherine told me Vivian’s condition is getting worse, with her bones piercing her skin more frequently. If it continues like this, within a year... never mind, let’s not dwell on that. When we find the research center, do you want the research materials?"

"Most of the information at the research center would be useless to us now. They are all based on the foundation of then-goblin technology. With most of the supporting technologies lost, those advanced records would serve no purpose," Christo replied seriously, "I’ve told you before, haven’t I? The goblin race was wiped out by Divine Punishment. It’s widely believed that a war capable of destroying the world enraged the gods. However, it’s likely that no such war ever occurred. The real cause of the goblin’s extinction may lie within the research center. So, Kyle, my friend, no matter what, please reveal the truth for me. This has been a long-standing desire for many generations of our race."

"As you wish," Pannis looked at Christo earnestly, seeing his solemn expression for the first time, "As long as the truth is there, I promise to uncover it for you."

"Thank you, my friend."(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. If you’re reading this on a mobile device, please visit m.qidian.com.)