NOVPUBThe Stranger was very happy.
She didn’t know how her companions were doing at the moment, but she was indeed very happy now.
Because the guest she was receiving was completely beyond her expectations—
"Yes, I also think that the Philosopher’s Stone is unattainable. It goes against one of the essential principles of the Path of Balance, ’equivalent exchange,’ hence it is actually a misguided goal."
The girl with sea-blue curly hair and a gentle appearance was now sitting in the private room, endlessly chatting with the young man in front of her.
The young man looked more like a boy than a man. Even if he seemed no longer young, and might even be approaching or have reached his thirties, he still had a shy and timid air about him.
He had messy black hair and wore black-framed glasses. His clean demeanor, more akin to a scholar than a nobleman, was completely out of place in the opulence and decadence of this setting.
"I think you are absolutely right!"
The youth was very pleased, reveling in the excitement of finding a kindred spirit, "Have you also studied Alchemy? What do you think about ’Technologization’?"
"Technologization" is a term in Alchemy. In the past, it was usually derogatory.
Because Alchemy is actually a very complex doctrine—it encompasses a widespread method of understanding the world, including various philosophical concepts and methodologies. The specific alchemical formulas are even more systematic and everyone’s understanding has subtle differences... Most of the time, alchemists prefer to re-derive based on fundamental principles or to completely analyze and study others’ recipes before transforming them into their own.
"Technologization" refers to the impatient teaching methods of Alchemy mentors who, due to mistakes, teach apprentices too many alchemical formulas without the students having a thorough grasp of the foundational theories of Alchemy.
As a result, though apprentices possess the formulas, they do not understand the principles behind them, and thus cannot effectively adjust or improve upon them.
Therefore, Alchemy changed from a "doctrine of truth exploration" into a "technology of creating alchemical products," which is undoubtedly harmful and utilitarian in the mainstream thoughts of alchemists, further damaging the tradition.
If such practices became extreme, in the end, only those "useful," or even "most useful," formulas would be passed down, while a seemingly useless recipe might hold more secrets and keys to truth.
Yet the Stranger spoke without hesitation, "The core strength of the Path of Balance comes from fully analyzing and transforming [Mystical Knowledge] into [Conventional Knowledge], a process we call ’disenchantment.’ Recreating these various techniques and Magic Potions, which previously existed only in myths and legends, in reality, that is Alchemy. It is the power to devour and merge other paths, to ’unify’ them into a grand doctrine."
"Without a doubt, if only one path could ultimately exist in this world, it would also be the Path of Balance. And I believe, the essence of ’Technologization’ is to further disenchant Alchemy, turning it into ’Alchemy technology,’ that is, Alchemy."
"This is indeed utilitarian, but it is not harmful. Because this is one of the core ideas of the Path of Balance, to recognize and transform the world with knowledge and methods, to unify the disordered into the orderly—"
In the Stranger’s eyes shone an incomparably dazzling brightness.
It was the light of intellect and truth.
The young man sitting opposite her was also trembling with excitement, "You are right! Good heavens above, by the Hourglass—I never imagined that the first person to fully understand me would be at the Crescent Moon Manor... No, I must find a way to take you with me... "
As he spoke, he called out to the outside, "Pengbonazi!"
"Coming, coming..."
A handsome youth, swaying a goblet full of fresh blood, came over with a smile, "How is it, Bashir, my friend? Are you satisfied with the girl I ordered for you?"
When he saw the neat attire on both individuals, he was somewhat disappointed, "You’ve been drinking for two hours and nothing happened?"
"What are you talking about, you fool," Bashir Valentine replied with dissatisfaction, "This is a lady to be respected! She fully understands my ideas, and in some cases, her perspectives are even more advanced than mine—
"Look, Pengbonazi... how can I take her with me? I think ’The Twelve Keys’ needs her!"
"You like her that much?"
The Son of the Moon, known as Pengbonazi, was somewhat surprised.
He looked at the Stranger and asked, "Which number are you?"
"I am number 23."
The Stranger replied.
"23," Valentine exclaimed, "An odd number, a prime number. Just like your unique nature."
As he eagerly looked at his noble friend, Pengbonazi felt a bit of toothache.
"Alright, number 23 isn’t expensive. I’ll buy her for you, let it be your birthday gift. If you’re not staying here overnight, then just take her with you tonight."
Pengbonazi’s eyes locked onto the Stranger, his pupils turning a vivid red in an instant.
He sensed the emotions and thoughts in the Stranger’s heart and was somewhat satisfied as he curled the corners of his mouth upward—he did not detect any scheming or cunning, only a strong sense of reverence and excitement.
So he casually said, "It just so happens you should be establishing a family and career by now—if you don’t mind that she was once a blood servant."
"I’ve said it before, I just consider her a friend, a confidant—"
Bashir’s cheeks flush slightly as he protested, "I just want to bring her into my ’The Twelve Keys’!"
Meanwhile, the Stranger’s eyes were wide open, intently observing everything before her.
Compared to the promotion task, the chance to personally interact and have a face-to-face chat with the young Valentine I—she thought this was an even more precious and rare experience.
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There was not a single alchemist in the Antimony Kingdom who did not revere Valentine I.
It was his organization "The Twelve Keys" that selflessly transformed the knowledge of alchemy from something reserved for the nobility into something accessible to everyone—the so-called pathway to the truth. It was also because of his proposal to establish a nation based on alchemy that the Antimony Kingdom, having received the smallest and least fertile land after the Split Earth War, was able to annex the once powerful and wealthy neighboring countries.
Time had proven them to be in the right. And the person before them was the great man who brought them truth and victory.
——Given the right methods, any mortal could become a deity.
This was the idea proposed by Valentine I.
Even the lofty Celestial Marshals and Pillar Gods might not be irreplaceable.
In this world, there are no inevitable taboos or impossibilities, everything is about taking one step forward. And then another.
There’s nothing in this world that humans cannot accomplish, all people are like stars. When night falls, the stars can illuminate the earth.
The people of Antimony were drawn to this idea, gathering under his banner.
Meeting one’s idol was undoubtedly a delightful surprise, and to accomplish her task so easily was even more so.
But then, the Stranger suddenly remembered something—
This task had to be completed by two people.
Subconsciously, she spoke up, "However, I..."
...I have another friend, can he or she come along?
No sooner had the thought appeared in her mind than she felt hesitant.
With his crimson gaze, Pengbonazi turned around and said, "Hmm? Something wrong?"
"...No, nothing."
The Stranger’s thoughts spun rapidly, discarding the idea of convincing the patron to take her companion along with her.
That seemed a bit too presumptuous. Even if everything before her was an illusion, she didn’t want her idol Valentine I to think of her as a greedy person.
They’ll be able to solve the problem on their own, the Stranger thought.
——If only I truly lived in this era, if only I could join Valentine I’s The Twelve Keys. She pondered.
Compared to that, she should exchange more about her knowledge of alchemy with him.
Even if what he knew was hundreds of years behind, and the field of alchemy had been developing rapidly over those years... Being as smart as he was, he would surely be inspired by these new technologies and find some inspiration, right?
As it happened, the Stranger had encountered a technical challenge in the development of her Armed Gargoyles—these gargoyles, capable of deflecting spells but relatively fragile in the flesh, were inherently incapable of casting spells. So how could they deal effective damage from a safe distance?
He had taken up a side job in the Path of Balance and studied alchemy just to solve this problem. Yet now, even as his alchemy was on the verge of reaching the third Energy Level, he still couldn’t overcome this hurdle. The current best strategy was still to throw various alchemical mixtures... but that was rather costly.
Perhaps this founding Monarch of the Antimony Kingdom could give contemporary Antimony some technical inspiration—
The Stranger was filled with anticipation.
