I Hate Systems

Chapter 86: Every Lie Needs Exceptional Detail

“Right, can you also create this?” Compass Carburettor asked the engineer, having rushed to the warehouse after he thought of something important.

“It’s possible, but why do you need something like that? The damage they can inflict is inferior to an Armament’s energy blade.” The engineer said with a frown, “It only feels like a waste of valuable resources. You’ll also be burning through such resources every time you use this weapon.”

“I need it for ranged attacks. And,” Compass Carburettor raised his hand, saying, “And, when I make contact with my enemy using my energy blade, they are able to strike the energy blade too. And, if I don’t retract it fast enough, all the impact the energy blade suffers is transferred to me. But with this weapon design, I don’t need to worry about that.”

“So, you are sacrificing combat power for safety attacks.” The engineer nodded, “I understand. It’s not hard to create since the mechanics needed to make are a lot simpler as compared to your Spydragon.”

“Please make it using Darble completely.” Compass Carburettor said, noticing the engineer snort in response.

After a couple of seconds, he replied, “Fine. I still feel this is a perfect waste of resources. And, what material do you wish to use for the projectiles?”

“Make around 10 using Darble. As for the rest, use iron or any material that you feel can exhibit the greatest attack power with the greatest efficiency.” Compass Carburettor continued, “Also, if possible, can you create a Puppet that can produce these projectiles out of wood? I wish to create them in a forest setting.”

“I can see what you are planning.” The engineer said, noting down everything, “I’ll need a couple of weeks to create them since they require more manual labour.”

“That’s fine,” Compass Carburettor nodded, understanding that he was overworking the other party, “Also, how many States can you put in an Armament?”

Upon his question, the engineer suddenly glared at him, saying with a cold tone, “And…why do you need to know about that?”

“For only one reason. If I can have more States in my Armament, of course, I would want that. In a battle, I won’t have the time to change my Armament to another one.” Compass Carburettor said after a sigh, not taking the engineer’s attitude to heart.

The other party was a zealous craftsman, someone whose world revolved around his work. Expecting anything else from him would be a mistake. And, Compass Carburettor wasn’t someone that shallow to pursue vanity, at least, not anymore.

If he was still someone affected by vanity, the Money-Making System wouldn’t have brought him to the System World. He would still remain on Earth, performing quests to gather more and more of the people’s attention on him.

“If I had the blueprints, I could make them. Unfortunately, I only know the method to make Armaments with three States. To go beyond, I need to trial and error a lot. And, it might take years to achieve it without any clue to proceed about.” The engineer elaborated further, “Until three States, it follows a set logic. So, even though I have only learnt about one State, I was able to figure out the method to imbue three States in an Armament on my own. But to go beyond this, there doesn’t seem to be a way. So, only if I figure out the method to circumvent that would I be able to create Armaments with more than three States.”

“I understand,” Compass Carburettor nodded, taking out a chain from his pocket as he held it before the engineer, “I can feel that you are too stressed these days. And, it is simple with a glance that your distrust of people cannot be healed.”

“So,” Compass Carburettor placed the chain on the engineer’s outstretched palm, “Just wear this chain as a keepsake. An old friend of mine had gifted it to me when I was around your age. It’s something like a lucky charm. So, when you feel troubled, just hold it and think of anything that gives you peace.”

“This…chain?” The engineer glanced at the locket on the rather crude chain, clearly noticing the signs of wear and tear it sustained, something that can only be accumulated over decades. And, he could feel the old man’s emotions when he gave out the locket, something he clearly couldn’t bear to part with. Sighing, the engineer shook his head, “This seems valuable to you. I cannot keep this with me.”

“It’s fine,” Compass Carburettor sighed, “I just became attached to it. But, it’s time I parted with it. It serves no use to me anymore while I feel like you need it greatly. Just think of it as one scholar’s appreciation towards the other. In all my life, I have never seen anyone more dedicated to his craft than you.”

Sighing, Compass Carburettor continued, “Maybe if I was as dedicated to my craft as you, maybe we could have conversed as equals about our respective fields.”

“If it’s just a conversation related to our respective craft, I’m ready for a discussion any time.” The engineer flashed a wry smile for the first time, “I would never say no to anything that would broaden my horizons.”

“Once my journey ends, I’ll return for a chat.” Compass Carburettor turned around, pulling his top hat closer to his face as he exited the workshop, “I’ll show you my skills then. It’s not like I have wasted my life either.”

“I hope such a day comes to pass,” The engineer said, gazing at the chain in his hand, thinking of something as he placed it on his workbench. He then began to draw a blueprint for the items Compass Carburettor had requested to be made, occasionally glancing at the chain, observing its weathered locket that was shaped by a double ‘C’ tangentially joined together, sensing that there was a story behind it.

It was the Secret Society’s symbol. Compass Carburettor was an expert in making fake antiques. So, he created this chain that looked like something he had worn for many decades and had been with him through thick and thin, serving as his spiritual pillar.

Exiting the workshop, Compass Carburettor sighed, ‘It is becoming a habit to lie with such detail.’

He donned the appearance of an old man. So, everything that happened was in character. Returning to the inn, he removed his disguise, soon boarding the carriage with Duchess that exited the city, travelling south.