The last time an analysis was run on it, Locke's weapon was scanned from a low-end server, so a lot of the data obtained was in an unknown state. This time, it was different. The machine in front of Lamira was manufactured using the most top-tier technology available in the Hanos Science and Technology Tower. Therefore, she could completely analyse Locke's Nine Tribulations this time.
After some continuous scanning, Lamira found more and more new data on Locke's weapon. The technology contained in this weapon was even more advanced than the Steel Dragon created by her grandfather!
In other words, Locke's weapon was not a weapon that could be created by the technology of this continent.
Time ticked by, and soon, thirty minutes had passed.
Locke was about to retrieve his weapon when he realized that Lamira was in a state of high concentration. So instead, he took the automatic transport ladder to the first floor and prepared to pick out some extra weapons before returning to retrieve his staff.
Seeing Locke come down, Ischel Fergus and Clifford came to his side.
"I've received the king's order. You may pick any weapon you like from the armory. Take whatever you can!" Ischel said.
Clifford rubbed his hands happily.
Ischel Fergus immediately turned around and said to him, "The king only granted this permission to Locke, not you! Even if you're the king's chief mage, I can't let you do whatever you want!"
Hearing this, Clifford immediately rolled his eyes, and then came to Locke's side to whisper a few words to him.
Locke listened intently, then nodded at him.
"Don't worry! I'll get you what you want."
Ishie Fergus overheard their conversation. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but then decided to pretend that she had not overheard anything, mainly because Locke's weapon was still being tested in Lamira's hands.
Locke entered the armory and chose a few weapons. Basically, they were all for Clifford.
There were only five pieces in total. Two magic daggers, a magic hand cannon, a magic staff, and two pairs of wings.
After seeing Locke's choice, Ischel Fergus reminded him, "You can choose more. I heard that this mission is very difficult. Please bring as many items as you can."
Upon hearing this, Locke spread his hands helplessly and explained, "Even if I bring a bunch of weapons, I need to be able to use them! Otherwise, I'd just end up giving free equipment to the enemy, so these are definitely enough!"
'True enough!' Ischel Fergus thought. Without saying anything more, she put away all the other weapons in armory.
Meanwhile, Lamira had yet to return Locke his weapon, so he asked Ischel about it. "May I know how soon will Lamira be done with my weapon?"
Ischel Fergus immediately turned her head and feigned ignorance.
Left with no other choice, Locke walked toward the automatic transport ladder.
Ischel Fergus immediately caught up and held Locke's hand. "If it's possible, please let Lamira complete the analysis of the weapon. This analysis is really important and it'll help propel the steel dragon to the next stage!"
Hearing this, Locke wanted very much to help her accomplish this, but now was not the time. There were no weapons of the same level as the Nine Tribulations here.
Seeing that she could not persuade Locke to stay, Ischel reluctantly let go of his hand. After all, she had no say in this matter.
As he arrived at the top of the tower, he saw that Lamira was still analysing the weapon data.
Since an hour had passed, Locke immediately removed his weapon from the machine platform. It was only then that Lamira noticed Locke. "Ah! Half an hour has passed, just like that?"
Locke spread his hands helplessly and said, "More than an hour has passed. I'm rushing off to complete my mission, so I can't spare you any more time for your research."
Lamira immediately said to Locke in a pleading tone, "Please give me another hour! Just another one hour will do!"
As much as Locke wanted to agree to her request, he couldn't. He had to rush to William Bay to seek Duke William's help. He had to find a way to enter Stonolo's capital.
"I have a very important mission today that concerns the king's secret order! If I don't leave now, the neighboring Stonolo Kingdom will be destroyed! I'm left with no other choice. I have to depart now!"
Hearing this, an idea sparked off in Lamira's mind. She brought Locke to another automatic transport ladder. This ladder led them directly to the underground factory in the Hanos Science and Technology Tower.
At first, Locke did not understand why she had brought him to this place.
But he soon realized why!
This was the manufacturing factory of the Steel Dragon!
Lamira pointed at the rows of Steel Dragon that filled the entire central hall, "I'll grant you the rights to use the Steel Dragon in exchange for the research time I need on your weapon! As long as you use this Steel Dragon, you'll be able to enter Stonolo's capital easily!"
The offer was a very tempting one. After all, the Steel Dragon one of the seven catastrophes of the world.
After much thought, Locke decided that this was a good deal. With the Steel Dragon, it would be very convenient to go to William Bay, greatly reducing the time they needed to travel on the road!
However, this Steel Dragon would definitely consume a lot of energy. With this question in mind, Locke turned to Lamira and asked, "What is it powered by? How is its magic consumption?"
Hearing this, she was stunned for a moment. She did not expect Locke to consider the issue of power consumption instead of the Steel Dragon's destructive power!
Then, she explained, "The steel dragon is driven by the dragon soul core developed by Hanos' ultimate technology. You'll only need to fill it with Magic Stones to drive it! You'll only need to use one ordinary magic stone in exchange for about an hour of flight time! However, when casting large-scale magic, the consumption of magic will be determined by the level of the spell!"
Upon hearing this, Locke immediately relaxed and agreed with satisfaction, "Alright! The journey to William Bay should have taken us three days. With this, I'll only need one day to reach there. So please, try to fully analyse my weapon within a day and a half. When the time comes, I'll definitely have to have my weapon back."
As soon as Locke agreement to take her up on her offer, she immediately transferred the Steel Dragon control magic contract to Locke. Then, she turned around, grabbed Locke's weapon, and returned to the top of the technology tower to continue her research.
Just like that, Locke was left alone in the underground manufacturing factory.
"…"