Chapter 434: Lord of the Forge
While Ryo was focused on analyzing the results of the dimensional exploration, advancing the "Avatar" project, and the Iron Guard training, a heavy transport ship belonging to the Nexum Forge World, escorted by several frigate vessels, ended its long warp voyage and slowly sailed into the Death World system.
The ship's identification code and Archmagos Vox's authorization authentication quickly passed the scan of the orbital defense network.
The transport ship was granted permission to approach, and its massive hull eventually stabilized above the base's main landing platform.
Ryo received the arrival notification. He temporarily suspended his work in the biological laboratory, and his massive dark-red body appeared at the edge of the landing platform.
The transport ship's ventral bay doors slowly opened, the heavy sounds of mechanical operation echoing in the thin atmosphere.
The first to disembark was Archmagos Vox's signature body, integrated with a multi-tread chassis.
The edges of his red robes bore faint traces of the journey, but his mechanical bionic eyes shone with a brighter, more certain light than when he had left.
"Magos Ryo," Vox's synthesized voice carried a faint electromagnetic static from the long trek, but its core frequency was steady and powerful.
"Archmagos Vox," Ryo responded, his crimson optical lenses sweeping over the other party, quickly evaluating his status.
"The journey to Mars has come to a close." Vox did not engage in excessive pleasantries and cut straight to the point. A data stream was transmitted to Ryo via a short-range encrypted link, containing a summarized digest of the negotiation results: "A new technological order framework is gradually being implemented. As a result, Nexum has obtained unprecedented development opportunities. All of this began with the changes you brought."
The data stream briefly mentioned the key benefits Nexum had acquired: exclusive mining rights in several resource-rich sectors, shared research permissions for several STC fragments that were previously strictly restricted by Mars, and a significantly elevated voice within the Mechanicus's internal councils.
"The reaching of the agreement is the result of a multi-party game," Ryo replied calmly, not taking the credit.
"But you provided the cornerstone for that game." Vox's mechanical mechadendrites made an emphasizing gesture. "Nexum remembers this contribution. The promise I made when I left has now come time to be fulfilled."
His data stream transmitted a property ownership document along with corresponding coordinates and structural diagrams.
"The 'Anvil of Fortitude' Forge Complex Number Seven, located in the Helios Mountain industrial belt on the Nexum capital world, now permanently belongs under your name," Vox introduced.
Judging from the transmitted data, it was not a small workshop, but a large-scale forge factory equipped with a complete production line, an independent energy array, and an attached residential area. Its scale was large enough to be considered a miniature industrial city.
The data showed that this complex had previously halted operations for a period of time due to a decrease in interstellar orders and resource allocation issues, but its core facilities were perfectly preserved.
"The ownership and full management authority of this forge have been transferred," Vox continued. "It can provide a foundation for any of your future large-scale production needs."
"Furthermore, because Nexum has secured new orders, this forge will also be assigned new production tasks."
"If you have no objections, it will take on production orders from the Forge World just like the other forges."
Ryo quickly browsed through the data.
Acquiring a ready-made, large-scale forge factory with complete infrastructure meant he now possessed a stable and controllable rear production base. Its value far exceeded a simple gift of resources.
"This resource is very valuable," Ryo confirmed.
"Not only that," Vox's data stream continued transmitting, "considering your cutting-edge research here requires faster and more direct material support, a factory far away on Nexum might not be able to fully satisfy all your immediate needs."
Along with his words, from within the transport ship's bay, a massive, modular structure slowly moved out, supported by an anti-gravity platform. It was a scaled-down forge unit. Although its scale could not be compared to a complex like the Anvil of Fortitude, it was still a fully functional forge facility, containing a basic smelting zone, precision machining platforms, and a molding workshop.
It was like a miniature steel city seed, capable of interstellar deployment via large transport ships.
"This 'Vanguard-class' mobile forge was specially built for you by Nexum using the new technological standards." Vox's synthesized voice carried a hint of steadiness from completing a major task. "It will serve you directly here, ensuring that your research and development have immediate and reliable material guarantees."
The mobile forge delivered by the large transport ship and the ownership documents far away on Nexum together formed a multi-layered and extremely substantial showing of support.
Ryo received all the technical data, activation keys, and maintenance protocols regarding the mobile forge, and confirmed the ownership credentials of the Anvil of Fortitude Number Seven.
He quickly planned the installation location for the mobile forge internally—there was enough space and connection ports for deployment near the base's energy core. "The timely and long-term replenishment of resources is crucial to the development of the base," Ryo said to Vox. "The efficiency and depth of the fulfillment of this promise have met expectations."
"This is Nexum's attitude toward a true collaborator," Vox replied. "The growth of your power also aligns with Nexum's interests. I look forward to you achieving more... eye-catching results here, and in the future at the Anvil of Fortitude."
After the simple handover was completed, Archmagos Vox did not leave immediately.
His multi-jointed mechanical legs slightly adjusted their direction on the spot, his main torso turning toward Ryo, and a data stream was transmitted over a more private encoding frequency.
"The new framework has been established, but the road ahead still requires caution." Vox's synthesized voice was low. "Mars will not be content with merely playing the role of a gatekeeper. Nexum needs firmer allies and a clearer direction."
Ryo's crimson optical lenses steadily watched the other party, his processing core instantly analyzing the inquiry hidden behind the words.
He responded, his data stream steady and certain: "The revival of technology will not stop here. My explorations will continue, and more archaeological discoveries will be brought back. The value of that forgotten knowledge will far exceed a single warp drive."
He paused slightly to let the weight of the information fully convey: "Nexum's advantage lies in being the first to embrace change. Consolidating this advantage requires establishing a longer-term, more institutionalized collaborative relationship with allied Forge World members such as Graia and Lucius, rather than just a temporary union of interests."
"Only a tight alliance can ensure that the channels for technology sharing and development remain unobstructed during the long-term game with Mars."
The processors inside Vox emitted a low humming sound, the sign of high-speed calculation.
Ryo's words pointed to a grander picture that transcended current technological distribution—an alliance system bonded by the continuous influx of ancient technology, with Nexum as a vital hub.
"A longer-term relationship..." Vox repeated, the light in his mechanical bionic eyes focusing. "This requires continuous and substantial data support." His phrasing was cautious, but the implication was clear: Nexum needed exclusive or prioritized sharing of Ryo's future discoveries to maintain and enhance its core position within the alliance.
"My discoveries need suitable soil to take root and sprout." Ryo's response was equally implicit yet firm, hinting at the future cooperation model. "Archmagos Vox, Nexum's future lies in whether it can become an indispensable cornerstone under the new technological order."
A brief silence enveloped the two Magi, with only data flowing silently within the encrypted channel.
Vox ultimately transmitted a confirmation code indicating receipt and understanding.
"Your logical chain is clear and unmistakable," Vox said. "Nexum will seriously consider the path of deepening connections with our alliance partners. I look forward to your subsequent explorations providing more... solid paving stones for this path."
The strategic-level communication had reached a basic consensus at this point.
Archmagos Vox lingered no longer; his treaded chassis turned, heading toward the waiting transport ship.
Ryo immediately mobilized the servitors and engineering units, beginning the work of transferring the mobile forge to its predetermined location.
At the same time, the ownership of that slumbering industrial complex far away on Nexum had quietly changed hands.
This was not just a generous gift, but a signal, marking that Ryo and Nexum, along with the alliance faction it represented, were bound together even more tightly.
The base's immediate production capacity and long-term strategic potential simultaneously entered a new phase with the arrival of this generous gift and the establishment of this tacit understanding.