Wallace exhaustedly left the workshop as he made some agreements with Veda.

Unfortunately, even though Veda had successfully integrated itself with mana, that took five long decades before it was made. It was also limited to a unique form of connection. Establishing a network to the whole continent took another three decades of its time to complete.

In short, it was impossible for Avalon to drastically increase its potential like Veda in a short time.

But that was enough, Wallace was already satisfied with what Avalon can do.

Whatever it could lack, this Veda can just compensate.

Anyway, Avalon will now be able to completely focus its full processing power to VR Pod production, building Mech Frames, building Spaceship, and Mass Driver.

For intelligence gathering, he can just ask Veda for assistance as he remembered their conversation.

[ Can you avoid making this continent a battlefield? ]

'Avoid this continent? Where do you want the battle to take place? In ocean? Wait...'

He quickly realized its intention.

"That's too difficult..."

Wallace answered as he was sure that Veda wanted the Empire to be intercepted in the outer space.

'Veda was planning not to let the Empire land here? That's wishful thinking... We don't have decades to count... We don't have time to create enough spacecraft that could contend against their number outside... We have to utilize the power of all the magicians on this planet so we can have a better chance...'

Wallace was against the idea of confronting them in the field they specialized in.

It seems that Veda wanted to protect something here but it was still not willing to tell. He can only guess.

In the end, Wallace agreed to create a small spaceship fleet with the superior A.I.'s help that could somehow redirect the attention of the Empire to this planet. Of course, all the expenses will be handled by Veda while the production will be handled by Wallace.

The fleet wasn't to completely rout the enemies but a form of assurance.

He learned that Veda was supposedly an A.I. used for medical practices. It doesn't have blueprints of spaceships and other technology aside from things related to medicine. It was already an impressive feat for it to create such a large network after it managed to integrate with mana.

It was also unaware whether the Prince was still alive or perished in an unknown place.

Apparently, for a citizen of the Empire, living for about 200 years was common much more for a Prince that was fully supported by various drugs and modifications since birth.

It wouldn't surprise Wallace if the man survives for four or five hundred more years.

They discussed a lot of things about their cooperation as it took them five hours to have a concrete plan.

***

On the next day, Wallace received many communications from various steel and manufacturing companies about some work offers.

Of course, it was offered by Veda. The other company's aim was to create some parts of the machines, mech, and spaceship he needed. The work will be divided and Wallace's job was to create the main parts and assemble all the parts created by various companies. To check their qualities, he also has to ensure that Avalon monitors their work ethics.

But because this happened too fast he let them standby for now as he was planning to purchase the whole mountain first so he can use the place as the main production area.

His factory at Cove City won't be able to handle such a large influx of materials.

'Should I contact her now? But she might think that I'm rushing her... No, I can just ask normally... Oh wait, maybe I should contact Clyne first.'

Only a few days had passed when he made a request. He knows that it will take some time but Wallace wanted to get an update now so he called Clyne to ask about his senior apprentice.

"Miss Lacus? She left already. She hasn't returned to the manor ever since you took your Iron Knight. But... I heard that she went to meet someone associated with Mavis Clan... Right, she also mentioned to me that a lawyer from our Manor will be helping you with your plans to purchase a plot of land or so."

Wallace was surprised to hear Clyne's words on the other line.

"Wait... Mavis Clan?"

"Yes... She said that she'll need to speak to a Mage Doctor of the clan..."

This revelation made Wallace confused.

'Was my requirement too high? Don't we have a Mage Doctor at the Manor?'

Wallace felt that it was better to ask Clyne who manages the Cloud Hawk Manor.

"Ahh... A Mage Doctor in our Manor? We do have a few... But the two outstanding Mage Doctor working with Sir Slaine has come together with him at the Northern Continent..."

Clyne answered as he also explained that the current Mage Doctor they have was probably judged by Lacus not to be competent enough for the requirements they were looking for.

"Is that so? Thank you for confirming..."

"Mhm... As for the lawyer I'm saying, he will be contacting you in the next few days. I heard that he was already aware of the details so he might be investigating at the moment..."

"I see, thank you, sir Clyne. Please send my regards to senior Lacus once she returned."

Wallace ended the conversation as he decided to wait for a few more days.

But in the end, he was contacted by a different person on the next day.

"Yes! It has been a while... Do you still remember me?"

"Drake?"

"That's right! We already have the money with us. I would like to meet with you and discuss our deal. Are you free?"

"Yeah!"

They quickly made arrangements as Wallace took his time to instruct Avalon in preparing the different types of energy he needed for his Astral Core Formulation.

Wallace used his Void Phase to arrive at their meeting place. It was the same village near the ruins they explored before.

'Oh... Did they use their money to improve the village? This place looks much better...'

Wallace thought as Drake's squad probably felt guilty about causing trouble when the ruins collapsed and caused damage to the surrounding area. He remembers that part of the farmland was destroyed due to that...

Soon, he was noticed by Marsha, one of Drake's subordinates, and was also living in this village. She quickly invited him to her house where everyone was waiting.

"Oh... Everyone has a different aura now, huh..."

He couldn't help but comment after seeing them. Their clothes have changed from mercenary clothes to formal ones. Drake was now wearing a suit and the others were also looking neat and clean. The females even wear dresses now.

It was completely different from Wallace's first impression of them. Aside from that, they are no longer carrying their swords or other weapons on their back.

"You're already here?!"

"Haha... I told you, didn't I? I'm free at the moment." Wallace chuckled as he didn't explain how he got here fast.

Drake invited Wallace to have a drink as they talk of random things before getting to the point.

"So... Tell me about the place you wanted to buy..."

Wallace asked after getting a chance.

"Right... Do you know the Seed Holdings?"

Drake said as he relaxed on his seat.

"Yes... They're the company dealing with Memory Crystals production. What about it?"

"Mhmm... The land we wanted to buy was now being eyed by this company... It's our fault."

There seems to be more trouble than he expected.

Soon, Drake explained their situation. Their squad wanted to purchase a plot of land that was previously filled with powerful Mana Beasts.

Because the place has a small ore vein before, the beasts have to be subjugated before the people can operate.

After that, it only took them about three years to empty the ore vein and the place was supposedly abandoned until Drake's group planned to acquire the land.

"What do they wanted? Do they own the land?" Wallace asked.

"Well, the land was still owned by the government... The Seed Holdings were just contractors working on that place before... Now, the place should've been abandoned for five years."

Wallace still doesn't get the situation so he waited for them to get to the point.

"The place was perfect for us to establish a stronghold but the company wanted it for themselves telling that there could be hidden treasures formed after five years of abandoning the land... That place is rich with Mana but not to the point that the government would desire it... There's a lot of better places but that one was the only one that we can reach with our status... No, we even needed your help... Sigh~ We just want to be stronger but this..."

Drake said emotionally. They seem to have a backstory but Wallace didn't ask more.

"Alright... I'm also about to meet a lawyer working with my master. I'll ask for their help." Wallace answered as he returned home. He will try to do his best to help since he promised this in exchange for getting the fragment of the Cube and the Zen Coins.

He rested for a while to prepare himself at forming his Astral Core.