A moment later.
Leon learned a great deal of information from Scott.
This ruin was originally an alchemy laboratory built about a thousand years ago by an alchemist named Evelyn Parker.
This alchemist from a thousand years ago held an alchemy philosophy that was even more fanatical than that of today's Alchemy Guild:
She believed that the power of alchemical creations should not be limited to the purely physical realm, but should possess transcendent power beyond the scope of mechanical attacks, just like transcendents.
For example, she proposed that alchemical creations could, through special means, execute attacks directed at the spiritual level.
She also suggested that alchemical creations should not merely follow fixed programs and be controlled solely by alchemists.
Instead, they should possess their own intelligence, allowing them to handle specific problems on their own according to the situation.
A thousand years ago, Evelyn's theories were dismissed as fantastical and whimsical.
To wield transcendent power, one required a transcendent origin. Yet, a transcendent origin was something only living beings could possess—and not even all living beings, but only a small portion of them.
Alchemical creations, on the other hand, were not living beings but mere piles of machinery and ore. How could they possibly possess a transcendent origin?
Furthermore, the prevailing consensus in the academic world of alchemy at the time was that alchemical creations could, at most, possess various integrated functions.
How could they possibly possess their own intelligence and handle specific problems on their own according to the situation, just like living beings?
If even alchemical creations could possess intelligence, wouldn't the alchemist who created them be equivalent to a creator god?
A thousand years ago, anyone who dared to encroach upon the domain of the creator god was deemed disrespectful to the divine and deserved execution!
However, because Evelyn was an incredibly powerful Diamond-rank mage, no one dared to rush up to her face and demand her execution over mere theories.
Even so, other alchemists still ostracized and distanced themselves from her due to her "radical" remarks.
Evelyn was more than happy with this arrangement.
She distanced herself from other alchemists and established an alchemy laboratory beneath Zachary Manor, researching how to make alchemical creations generate a transcendent origin and how to enhance their intelligence.
This continued until she lost her life in this very laboratory, due to what might have been an accident or a deliberate design.
After news of Evelyn's death spread, one of her close friends used her remaining letters to enter the laboratory and find her unfinished research.
According to this friend, the research required several centuries of autonomous transformation before it could possibly be realized.
However, several centuries was a long time, and the friend knew her own lifespan was limited, making it impossible to witness it with her own eyes.
Therefore, she sealed the map marking the laboratory's location along with the relevant records, leaving them for her family's descendants to explore.
Yet, over the years, many unforeseen events occurred, and these documents were never discovered by the friend's descendants.
It was not until a thousand years later, when the dwarf chairman killed a descendant of that friend's family, that he accidentally discovered these records.
In the current era, alchemical technology had advanced rapidly.
The concepts Evelyn had once been ridiculed for by her peers—such as the intelligent and transcendent nature of alchemical creations—had now become cutting-edge research directions recognized by modern alchemy masters.
All in all, this Evelyn Parker was like the scholars of Leon's previous world who believed in heliocentrism.
Her theories, being far too ahead of her time, were met with skepticism, leading to her rejection and isolation by the alchemists of her era.
It was only as time marched forward and modern alchemists corrected past errors through development that they re-established their alchemical philosophies.
Only then did Evelyn's original foresight and brilliance finally shine through.
The dwarf chairman, who had learned of Evelyn's deeds, set his sights on the alchemical legacy she left behind. He traveled thousands of miles to the Heron Empire, hoping to explore the ruins and claim the alchemical technology for himself.
And then, he was killed by Leon, dying in this small attic.
As for the Deep Diver, it was a powerful alchemical submarine capable of "continuous autonomous evolution" that Evelyn had built.
The dwarf chairman had only learned of this alchemical submarine's existence from the intelligence left behind by Evelyn's friend; he had never seen it with his own eyes.
As for the "alchemical core," it was an "alchemical drive device" forged by Evelyn using all her alchemical expertise, carrying her extraordinary alchemical wisdom and powerful functionalities.
Hearing all of Scott's explanations, Leon's eyes flickered.
“Ordinary alchemical golems cannot execute spiritual-level attacks, nor can they provide me with audience feedback to grant me experience points.”
“So, putting Scott's words together, Evelyn's alchemical research must have succeeded.”
“The Deep Diver, the alchemical core, cutting-edge alchemical technology...”
Leon pondered for a long moment, then turned to look at Doncic.
“Mr. Doncic, please detain this man for now and keep a close eye on him. Once we verify whether his words are true or false, we will decide how to deal with him.”
“You really treat me, a Shadow Agent, like your subordinate...” Doncic muttered under his breath, but he still nodded and said:
“Sure, Young Master Leon!”
“I will keep a close eye on this guy and won't give him the slightest chance to escape or commit suicide.”
Hearing Leon and Doncic's words, Scott suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
Being detained meant he still had value and wouldn't be killed immediately; he was safe for the time being.
At the same time, hearing Doncic's address for Leon, Scott finally recognized who the priest standing before him actually was.
The master strategist who had led the expedition to subjugate the Mad Shark King, one of the Five Kings of the Dusk Sea.
The once-in-a-century Divine Art genius.
The second son of the current Imperial First Minister of the Heron Empire.
The super-ruthless figure and Governor of the Southern Isles who, by the command of the Heron Emperor, guarded the southern shores of the Heron Empire and slaughtered the mermen until they dared not cross the Endless Bay—
Leon Douglas!
If it's someone like him, he will definitely be able to tell that I'm not lying or hiding anything. He probably won't just kill me on a whim...
Scott comforted himself in his heart.
As an alchemy genius whom even the dwarf chairman couldn't bring himself to kill, he hadn't yet had the chance to display his alchemical talents or realize his alchemical ambitions. He didn't want to die just like this!
And so...
Scott grit his teeth and shouted aloud:
“Young Master Leon! My talent in alchemy is quite decent. If you do not spurn me, I am willing to follow you and obey your commands! I swear this on my alchemist's heart!”
Leon swept his gaze over Scott without saying a word. He merely waved his hand, gesturing for Doncic to take him down and lock him up.
Leon pondered in his mind. If he truly possesses remarkable alchemical talent, I can release him under supervision to let him join the exploration of these ruins...
Leon pondered in his mind. If Scott could manufacture alchemical creations like the Gramophone Golems in the ruins, he might consider taking him under his wing.
After all, the Gramophone Golems in the ruins could provide him with a decent amount of experience points.
Speaking of experience points, Leon opened his Divine Art panel and checked it:
Aside from Walking Meditation, the next Divine Art close to leveling up is 【I Name This the Mental Power Boost Divine Art】.
Speaking of which, boost-type Divine Arts can enhance every single one of my Divine Arts. I should learn a few more so I can do some buff stacking before starting a fight...
Leon made up his mind. He needed to make a trip to Stormveil City. First, to find an alchemist in the city to verify the intelligence Scott had provided.
Second, to ask Bishop Miles for a few buff-type 【Divine Art Scriptures】.
Compared to gaining Divine Art experience points from scratch, using a 【Divine Art Scripture】 to build a foundation first would allow him to level up much faster.
But before that, I should level up Walking Meditation first.
After stretching his muscles and bones, Leon took Alicia and returned to the underground ruins.
Luring the monsters, running far away, sitting cross-legged, and calming his mind.
It was a seamless routine.
Then, Leon slowly closed his eyes and began practicing Walking Meditation once again.
Rate on N.U.
