欧美亚洲日产综合新一区

"Good question," Daniel replied. "The issue is that those reserves can’t be evaluated by third parties because no one has the technology to access them. Sources of wealth that can’t be verified can’t be used as leverage for the new currency we’re going to issue. The Hightower would easily dismiss the validity of those claims."

"I see," the Sultan nodded, then asked, "May I ask, how can we use this type of metal? Does it have any special properties? Is it better than gold or copper in terms of electrical conductivity?"

"Hm... how should I put it? The true value of this magical metal isn’t in its use for making ordinary or non-magical products. Its real value lies in its role in magical rituals and the creation of artifacts. For example, much of our advanced technology is a product of magic that incorporates metals like this. One of the key components of the anti-grav engine in the tanks you use is refined orichalcum," Daniel said with a smile.

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Hearing this, both Azis and the Queen of Aqaba’s eyes lit up. If this were true, didn’t that mean they possessed the key material to create advanced tech like anti-gravity engines? But the queen’s eyes quickly calmed as she sensed a hidden agenda in the information Daniel had deliberately revealed to them.

The conversation between Daniel and the Sultan continued for some time. They discussed cooperation, with Daniel promising to introduce the Al-Nasir royal family to the Curtained World and make the Sultan a mage, along with all the benefits that came with a Senate seat under the Order of Ember.

In return, the Sultanate of Aqaba and the Al-Nasir royal family would join the Order of Ember as senators and pledge the orichalcum reserve under their land to be evaluated when the Order of Ember issued its new currency. In truth, the Order of Ember wouldn’t touch this reserve, which would remain solely in the hands of the Al-Nasir family.

It could be said that Daniel’s offer was very generous—too generous to pass up. He had made it clear that this was a limited offer because the Order of Ember was still in its infancy and needed support. That’s why he was willing to extend such favorable terms to the Sultanate of Aqaba.

After the deal was concluded, they talked a bit more before Daniel excused himself to attend to his people, who had likely already arrived at the palace.

As soon as Daniel left the study, Azis spoke up with excitement in his eyes. "Your majesty, now that we know orichalcum is a key component in creating the anti-gravity engine, we could hire some good scientists and start researching. Sooner or later, we could develop our own anti-gravity vehicles!"

Azis was clearly enthusiastic, dreaming of making his country a technological powerhouse. But the Sultan sighed deeply.

"Sigh... Brother," the Sultan began, "Didn’t you hear what Lord Emberweave said? ’It’s one of the key components.’ And he mentioned the refining process, meaning there’s other technology involved that we don’t know about. It could even be magical. Lord Emberweave is the founder of his own mage organization and a powerful mage himself. Developing our own anti-gravity engine? We only know the tip of the iceberg. We have no idea what kind of technology or processes are involved in creating one. We can’t just hire researchers to figure it out because we know of one key component."

What the Sultan said doused the excitement in Azis’ heart. "You’re right, your majesty. I got too eager, hoping we could achieve what New Atlantis has already accomplished," Azis admitted, his enthusiasm dampened.

"It’s alright, brother-in-law. Besides, I think Lord Emberweave was baiting us, testing our reaction. He deliberately told us just enough, but nothing truly useful. If we’d fallen for it, we might’ve lost a lot of his trust," the Sultan said.

"So, that Emberweave guy was just baiting us!" Azis clenched his fists, feeling as though Daniel had made a fool of him.

"Isn’t that obvious, brother?" This time, it was the Queen of Aqaba who spoke. "You often get too eager for results, rushing without considering the ground beneath your feet. That’s why you chose to become a warlord—you thought your way was quicker," she said, dissatisfaction in her voice.

"Heh! Your husband was just lucky, Rania!" Azis retorted. "He’s still a weak Sultan. If not for Daniel Emberweave’s honor in keeping his word, we wouldn’t have achieved peace this fast."

The queen was irked by his dismissal of her husband’s accomplishments. Thesultan seeing that this pair of brother and sister were about to clash again, the Sultan quickly stepped in to calm them down. This was a role he often played in their childhood.

"Yes, brother-in-law," the Sultan said diplomatically, "Lord Emberweave is an honorable man who keeps his word. That’s why I believe that if we follow him and, once we’ve become fully-fledged mages, he’ll share some of his technology with us. Of course, I don’t expect him to give us access to the most advanced, key technologies—no one would do that. Everyone keeps something as a trump card. We’ll simply follow him and benefit from what he shares. That’s our path forward."

—

The feast began with a fanfare as countless fireworks lit up the sky above the capital of the Sultanate of Aqaba. This event had already become the talk of the global community, as anyone knowledgeable knew that this poverty-stricken country had been in a state of constant civil war for decades. Now, they had suddenly ended the conflict in just two weeks, thanks to New Atlantis technology.

The news devastated several major oil companies around the world, as they had lost access to valuable resources. These companies had made deals with warlords controlling the oil reserves in their territories, allowing them to acquire oil at a cheap price.

Now, those warlords had been eliminated, turned from warlords into criminals, and the deals made with them were no longer recognized by the newly unified Sultanate of Aqaba.

The oil companies tried every trick in their playbook to regain access to their oil sources, whether through bribery, blackmail, or attempting to negotiate concessions with the Sultanate of Aqaba. However, they were met with non-negotiable rejection.

For those foolish enough to threaten the Sultanate of Aqaba with force, they were met with mocking laughter and dared to bring trouble if they were brave enough.

Amidst the laughter and merriment of the grand feast, Daniel stood on the balcony of the beautiful marble palace, accompanied by Koyuki. He gazed down from the balcony at the palace courtyard below, where the people were enjoying themselves.

At this moment, he looked over at Koyuki. "Please tell me you didn’t sneak out in the middle of training again. I can’t protect you from Mayumi-san if she storms in here and drags you back to Japan to continue your training," Daniel said with a tired sigh.

Hearing this, Koyuki glared at her husband in dissatisfaction. "What do you take me for? This time, Mother gave me permission since you’re here as the founder of New Atlantis. They need to know who your main wife is, don’t they? Besides, I feel a bit neglected... Yes, I’m always in training because Mother adds more to my regime every time I sneak out to meet you! But at least send me a letter, will you? You heartless idiot!" Koyuki pouted before lightly hitting Daniel on the arm.

"Letter? What do you think this is, the 80th? We have the internet! Besides, I always chat with you before you go to bed," Daniel replied, looking confused.

"It’s not the same, you idiot! It’s more romantic that way," Koyuki pouted again, hitting his arm some more.

"Sigh..." Daniel let out a tired sigh.

"Don’t ’sigh’ at me, you dummy!" Koyuki scolded him, continuing to lightly hit his arm.

"I don’t care, you need to pamper me! Otherwise, I won’t go back to Japan to continue my training, and I’ll blame you for not letting me go when Mother comes to cause trouble!" Koyuki pouted.

"Who do you think she’ll believe, huh? Her mischievous daughter who always sneaks out in the middle of training to meet her husband, or me, the good son-in-law who always keeps his word?" Daniel said with a smirk.

"You!" Koyuki immediately pinched Daniel’s waist.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"

—

A few days after the grand feast ended, the renovation and repair of cities within the Sultanate of Aqaba were in full swing. Daniel had agreed to lease a large number of construction drones and machines to the Sultanate for their reconstruction efforts.