Chapter 207: Chapter 201: Ignition! Allen’s Energy Revolution

Inside the workshop, all the combat data for the PX-2 "Flame Demon" from its battle in the lava lake was displayed in meticulous detail before Allen.

The mecha’s pressure resistance values at different depths, the armor’s thermal conduction efficiency, the volcanic engine’s power conversion curve at varying fire element concentrations... Every frame, every set of numbers, was rapidly processed in his mind.

"Jarvis, use the Flame Demon’s volcanic engine as a blueprint and perform the final optimization."

Allen closed his eyes slightly, his Spiritual Power deeply interconnected with Jarvis’s data, assisted by several threads and Dseek simultaneously.

"Increase structural strength by 15%. Remove all non-essential mobility designs."

"Expand the Thermal Conductivity Rune Array threefold and connect it directly to the conversion matrix."

"Increase the energy storage crystal clusters to thirty-six groups, arranging them in a ring formation to enhance stability."

[Design plan generating... Finalized ’Volcanic Magic Power Furnace’ schematic confirmed.]

"Begin manufacturing the core component: the ’Fire Element Conversion Matrix’."

Allen opened his eyes, showing no trace of fatigue.

This was the very essence of the Volcanic Magic Power Furnace.

If the entire Magic Power furnace was the heart of the workshop, then the conversion matrix was its most crucial valve. It determined the upper limit of Magic Power conversion efficiency, and there was absolutely no room for error.

Allen personally operated the workshop’s highest-precision "Magic Power Etching Arm," inscribing tens of thousands of hair-thin Runes on its inner walls.

These Runes were layered and nested, forming a complex array that would make any Wizard outside the alchemical schools’ scalp tingle just from looking at it.

For three whole days, Allen didn’t sleep a wink.

The sharp pain from overexerting his Spiritual Power pricked his mind like steel needles, but a satisfied smile touched his lips.

"And now, it’s time to witness a miracle."

...

On the shores of the Boiling Lava Lake.

The colossal "Odyssey" hovered five meters in the air. The bay doors on the ship’s underside opened wide, and heavy chains were slowly lowered.

A massive cylinder, five meters in diameter and eight meters tall, its surface covered in pipes and Runes, was carefully lowered.

This was the main body of the "Volcanic Magic Power Furnace." Weighing over thirty tons, it was the most intricate creation Allen’s workshop had ever produced.

The PX-2 "Flame Demon" stood silently on the shore like a loyal guardian, its damaged outer armor now replaced and pristine.

"Begin the installation."

Allen’s voice echoed in the Control Core of every Factory Servant assisting with the installation. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He also made his first appearance in person, personally controlling eight giant Craftsman’s Hands to oversee the installation and calibration.

The furnace’s main body was precisely placed and secured onto the reinforced foundation that had already been constructed by the lake.

Like a surgeon performing an operation, the Craftsman’s Hands began making the final connections.

Soon, it was time for the most critical step.

"Lower the conversion rods."

Following Allen’s command, giant alloy rods—each thirty centimeters in diameter and sixty meters long—extended from the bottom of the furnace, submerging section by section into the churning lava.

The surfaces of these conversion rods were densely inscribed with an extension of the "Fire Element Conversion Matrix" Rune Array.

They were like straws, extending from the furnace deep into the lava to draw up the purest Fire Elemental Magic Power.

[Depth: 30 meters... 40 meters... 50 meters.]

[Conversion rods have reached the designated depth. Connecting to the furnace.]

Allen took a deep breath, feeling a little apprehensive despite himself. "Ignite!"

[Command confirmed. Initiating ’Volcanic Magic Power Furnace’!]

VMMMM—!

A low hum, seemingly originating from the planet’s core, resounded.

With the furnace at its center, the Runes inscribed on the foundation lit up layer by layer, fiery red light spreading outward like ripples. A moment later, the countless Runes on the furnace’s surface ignited in a flash, light flowing across them like a rushing river of stars!

The surface of the lakeside lava began to ripple visibly. Deep within the magma, Fire Elemental Magic Power was being frantically drawn out by an invisible, tyrannical force, surging ceaselessly through the conversion rods and into the furnace’s core!

[Output Power: 30%... 70%... 100%...]

Even Jarvis’s steady voice held a barely perceptible tremor.

Finally, the reading stabilized.

[’Volcanic Magic Power Furnace’ operating stably. Design parameters met. Current Magic Power output is 38% of the main workshop’s primary core.]

[Energy conversion cost calculated: equivalent to 8.7% of direct power supply from Magic Stones.]

’Thirty-eight percent of the power! At less than a tenth of the cost!’

There were no cheers, no jubilation. Allen simply watched the operating furnace in silence, a complex look in his eyes.

"The technology still isn’t quite there, after all," he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with regret.

’It’s so large, yet its output is only a third of the primary core’s, and it has to be installed right next to a volcano. In my eyes, this is still an imperfect solution.’

’However...’

’Technology can be iterated on. Just having the ability to manufacture and build it is the biggest hurdle cleared.’

He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the distant volcanic range.

’As long as I want, I can build ten, even twenty, of these furnaces next to this volcanic range.’

’By then...’

A smile touched his lips.

’Production capacity? Not a problem.’

’The Golem Legion’s upkeep? Even less of a problem.’

"The energy revolution has begun," he murmured.

His gaze shifted from the data, sharpening once more as he issued a rapid-fire series of commands:

"Jarvis."

[Here, Commander.]

"First, establish a permanent workshop on this site, codename ’Furnace.’ Dispatch a permanent Golem garrison with the strength of three standard mining outpost garrisons to guard it and handle future expansion. I want this place to become the energy hub for the southern part of Zone 18. Annihilate any Magical Beast that dares to approach."

"Second, the PX-2 ’Flame Demon’s’ combat data is acceptable. No short-term improvements are necessary. Immediately initiate production of a second unit of the same model, codenamed ’Flame Demon-2.’ Divert all resources to it. I need it off the production line as soon as possible. Have the Freedom Gundam stand guard here for now, in case the Fire Element Lord and the Molten Core Lizard Lord decide to attack simultaneously."

A cold glint flashed in Allen’s eyes.

’If one Flame Demon can’t kill that Two-headed Lizard Lord, then I’ll just build another. Once Flame Demon-2 arrives, if it dares show its face again, I’ll make sure it’s a one-way trip.’

"Third, immediately start designing the schematics for a supplementary ’Simplified Maintenance and Recharging Workshop.’ I want the Furnace Workshop to become the Golem Legion’s supply depot in the south. All Golems can come here for rapid recharging and combat repairs, no longer needing to replace their Magic Stones."

"Fourth, all newly produced Golems will be equipped with the new high-capacity Energy Storage. All active-duty Golems are to be upgraded with the new energy modules within six months."

[All commands recorded and added to the execution queue.]

Allen gazed down at the crimson lava lake below.

The newly-born Furnace Workshop would be like a heart, pumping cheap yet powerful blood for his Steel Legion.

From this starting point, his influence would extend to cover the entirety of southern Zone 18.

From this day forward, energy would no longer be his shackles.

His gaze passed over the Boiling Lava Lake, settling on the depths of the volcanic range farther south.

On the other side lay Zone 19, Victor’s territory.

Allen called up a holographic map. The blue area representing his territory and another blue area representing Victor’s were separated by a red volcanic zone.

He reached out and tapped gently on the searing red expanse.

"I’ll be taking this piece of the pie."

"I hope you don’t mind, my dear junior Victor. I’ll make sure to save some of the soup for you."

The next moment, he turned and walked into the cabin.

"Jarvis, return to base."