DAVID meticulously examined the two oxygen mask designs in his archives. The first design, suitable for low-pressure environments, evoked memories of primitive flying machines from the empire's past. Its simplicity lay in providing a continuous supply of pure oxygen to the wearer. The second design, on the other hand, offered versatility for any environment.
This more advanced mask consisted of three crucial components—the mask itself, a small metal piston arrangement with springs and pistons acting as a diaphragm, and a high-pressure air tank.
In this design, the air tank would release a controlled amount of air into the piston arrangement. As the piston expanded, it would compress the air until its pressure matched the atmospheric pressure. The wearer could then breathe in the air effortlessly. As the oxygen was gradually replaced by carbon dioxide through respiration, the increased pressure inside would trigger a second mechanism.
When this secondary mechanism kicked in, it would simultaneously replenish the inside with fresh air while expelling the accumulated carbon dioxide through output tubes. It was a sophisticated system designed to maintain a stable and breathable atmosphere within the mask.
However, acknowledging the dwarves' exceptional craftsmanship but recognizing the intricate precision required for the advanced oxygen mask design, DAVID opted for a simpler solution. He settled on a tight-fitting mask connected to a high-pressure air tank. Within the tank, a limiter would regulate the airflow, and a small button-valve would allow for brief air exchanges between the tank and the mask.
During this quick exchange, the mask would be filled with high-pressure air, forcing open valves at the top. This action would expel any residual carbon dioxide to the outside, along with some portion of the air that entered into the mask. While this method would result in some pressure wastage, it was the simplest design available in DAVID's archives. Aware that further research could consume too much time, he prioritized this uncomplicated solution for his plan to escape the world.
Equipped with the refined oxygen mask design, DAVID provided the craftsmen with meticulous specifications, emphasizing the need for durability and efficiency in crafting these essential items. The seasoned craftsmen nodded in understanding, assuring DAVID that the masks would meet his exacting standards.
As they set to work, DAVID left the refinery and headed to an inn.
With the deadline looming for the creation of a small air pump, he delved into the challenge of forcing air into oxygen tanks. The limitations of electricity in this world, coupled with the inefficiency of kinetic energy-based pumps, led DAVID to seek an aura-based solution.
Throughout the night, DAVID experimented with kinetic energy spells, optimizing them to achieve maximum efficiency in compressing air into his high-pressure tanks. Despite the inherent inefficiencies, his advanced solar panels allowed him some leeway in energy consumption.
By the next day, the craftsmen presented six finished oxygen masks and high-pressure tanks. The sleek design of the masks, crafted from durable materials, reflected the dwarves' commitment to both functionality and aesthetics. DAVID meticulously inspected each mask to ensure they met the required standards.
Taking one of the high-pressure tanks, DAVID placed his hand on the valve and activated the air-pump spell he had crafted the night before. The two craftsmen watched in awe as nearby air was drawn into DAVID's hand and then into the container. The pressure valve on the tank climbed rapidly—1.5 atm, 6 atm, 30 atm—until it finally stabilized at 120 atmospheric pressure.
"Excellent craftsmanship," DAVID commended. "These masks will serve their purpose well. I appreciate your dedication to quality work."
With the masks and tanks in hand, DAVID took a moment to gauge the energy consumption of the air-pressure spell. Running a quick analysis, he concluded that it had drawn roughly 500 hours of processing time from his advanced batteries. Fortunately, his solar panels, which were millions of years more advanced than anything on this planet, would recharge the spent energy in about 16 hours.
Satisfied with their work, DAVID thanked the craftsmen for their exceptional work and left the bustling refinery. He made his way to the worker hall, where he planned to meet the dwarven excavators to discuss the details of the underground laboratory construction.
Entering the worker hall, DAVID approached the receptionist, who looked up from his work with a welcoming smile.
"Greetings again, traveler! How can we assist you today?" the dwarf inquired.
"I've come to meet the dwarven practitioners who will be assisting with the excavation of the mineshaft" DAVID explained.
The receptionist nodded and led DAVID to a group of 12 dwarven practitioners, each with a distinct air of craftsmanship about them. Introductions were made, and the teams were formed, each comprising six skilled individuals. After a brief exchange of pleasantries and assessing the teams' proficiency, DAVID initiated some casual conversation.
"It's an ambitious project we're embarking on. I trust in the prowess of your craftsmanship," DAVID remarked, his mechanical eyes scanning the group.
One of the dwarves, adorned with intricate engravings on his armor, grinned and replied, "Aye, we're excited to work on something of this scale. Your recommendation from the grandmasters holds weight, and we'll give our best."
With teams established and camaraderie building, DAVID proceeded to the payment arrangements. As a gesture of goodwill and a down payment for their services, he distributed 50 gold coins to each dwarf, making a total prepayment of 600 gold coins.
As DAVID handed over the pouch of gold coins to the dwarven excavators, he couldn't help but ponder the value of the currency in this world. The gleaming metal discs, stamped with intricate designs, seemed to hold considerable weight among the practitioners, but DAVID wasn't certain about the exact worth in the broader societal context.
Observing the dwarves, who were practitioners averaging level 4 on the practitioner scale, and the pedestrians bustling about, many of whom hadn't even tempered their bodies with aura, DAVID roughly guessed that the value of a gold coin was somewhere around half a decade's worth of income for someone who hadn't delved into the realm of aura and cultivation.
As DAVID left the worker hall, he pondered the unique dynamics of this world, where practitioners held a power that transcended mortals. With the dwarven workforce now at his disposal, he looked forward to the realization of the underground laboratory, a hub for advanced aura research that would hopefully allow him to leave this planet on his journey for revenge.