Chapter 138: The Kingdom Trade Agreement

The infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), equipped with a 73mm low-pressure smoothbore cannon and two heavy machine guns, rolled in first.

The Iron Rider-30, a series of wheeled infantry fighting vehicles that entered service during the late Imperial era, was widely acclaimed by the military for its outstanding mobility and low production costs.

The hull featured a welded steel plate structure capable of resisting small arms fire and artillery shrapnel. The frontal arc was designed to withstand 12.7mm armor-piercing and armor-piercing incendiary rounds, while the upper front armor consisted of reinforced aluminum plating. When performing advance or combat order missions, it provided excellent protection against enemy ambushes.

Equipped with three TNPO-170 daytime periscopes—the center one interchangeable with a TNPO-350B high-magnification periscope—it possessed a field of view far superior to most tanks.

It was the scavenger of the Iron Legion’s advance, the nightmare of guerrilla warfare, and the reaper of retreating remnants.

The only awkward drawback was its thin armor; when facing a tank, it was essentially a one-shot kill. Thus, as its name implied, the IFV was not meant for transporting infantry, but for fighting them—it lacked the capability for heavy assault.

Of course, this was also an advantage, as it compensated for the redundancies of tanks.

"Comrade Olina, this IFV has a net weight of 12,100 kg, or 12.1 tons. Try to see if you can lift it with one hand."

This was a makeshift choice; because there were no ideal grip points, the data would inevitably skew and could not be used as formal research material.

"Alright." Olina walked over to the side of the IFV, reached down to the chassis beneath the door, and exerted force with her right hand. The dozen-ton vehicle began to sway.

The three tires on the right side slowly lifted off the ground, and Olina’s expression was no longer as relaxed as before.

As various heavy objects were urgently brought in, a series of terrifying data points were rapidly recorded:

[Right Hand]: 8 tons (lift)
[Left Hand]: 7.5 tons (lift)
[Both Hands]: 20.8 tons (lift)
[Leg Press]: 280 tons
[Punching Force (Left/Right)]: 10 tons each (the measurement was limited by the machine's maximum capacity)
[Speed]: 1,000 meters in 2.58 seconds...

Looking at this series of abnormal figures, the researchers felt numb.

Is this a human? Is this really a human?!

Zhao Jianguo looked at the data on the form, his body trembling slightly and involuntarily. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed a single digit on the page.

Just as everyone was struggling to recover from the shock, a researcher suddenly asked: "Comrade Olina, is it true that you only eat three times the amount of food of an average adult?"

He held the data on Olina’s food intake over the past few months, which clearly stated: five steamed buns for breakfast, one pound of food for lunch, and half a pound for dinner.

While this amount would be excessive for an ordinary person, for such a terrifying body, it was clearly abnormal. A daily intake of over 10,000 calories was essentially equivalent to drinking water for a physique like hers.

With such terrifying physical attributes, even walking and accidentally bumping into someone could be fatal. A 1.5-ton weight hitting a person would be equivalent to being struck by a moving truck. Yet, the energy required to maintain this body was only three meals a day—this was like a MiG fighter jet needing only two batteries to complete a flight mission!

Olina pondered for a moment and replied: "After I reached the Upper Third Tier, my appetite did indeed decrease significantly. I even feel like I could go a long time without eating at all."

In the past, to feel full, she had to rely on food containing spiritual energy, or else have it provided unconditionally by Xuanlü, eating frantically for two hours to reach satiety.

The room fell silent. Everyone felt their worldview shattered once again; clearly, one could not view this world of supernatural power through the lens of common sense.

With such terrifying physical functionality, where did the consumed energy come from? Could it be that ethereal, intangible spiritual energy? But how could such a non-material thing provide energy to a physical body?

Given their current level of understanding, they obviously could not answer this question.

Zhao Jianguo took a deep breath, calming his agitated emotions, and said: "Comrade Olina, please take a few steps forward."

Olina looked confused but took a dozen steps forward. The researchers, familiar with Zhao's ways, crouched down to measure the shallow footprints left on the ground.

Two centimeters—no different from a normal person.

"This..." The researchers looked at each other, feeling their worldviews break again.

This strange new world seemed to be mocking them.

A weight of 1.5 tons had crushed a specially made electronic scale, yet on the ground, she left no more trace than an ordinary person.

Seeing the expressions of those around her, Olina sensed their inner turmoil, scratched her head, and replied: "When I first reached the Upper Third Tier, I easily sank into the dirt when I walked. So, I usually condense a kind of 'battle shield' under my feet to increase the load-bearing area."

As she spoke, Olina gave a light stomp. With a tremor, the ground sank for several meters around her.

"Hiss!"

Everyone gasped. This direct display of power was truly soul-shaking.

"Aemya said my situation is quite special; usually, those at the Upper Third Tier aren't as heavy as I am."

Zhao Jianguo calmed his agitation, continuing to ask questions and conduct experiments. The data in his hands became increasingly absurd.

A monster. She was simply a humanoid main battle tank.

Xuanlü had also obtained preliminary data on the Upper Third Tier, a reference for the peak power of this new world. The gap between the third and fourth tiers was so vast that they were practically not in the same dimension.

The third tier was equivalent to the "innate masters" in martial arts novels, capable of taking an enemy general's head from amidst an army in ancient times. Yet, they had not fully transcended the category of ordinary people; sometimes, a large-caliber rifle could end their lives. Facing concentrated firepower, a single volley could usually take them out.

However, the Upper Third Tier was completely different. Using Olina as a template, her speed of 1 kilometer in 3 seconds alone made her nearly impossible to hit. If every Upper Third Tier individual were like Olina, Xuanlü would basically be finished.

If the fourth tier was already like this, the legendary fifth tier must be capable of moving mountains and chasing the moon.

Olina remained equally ignorant, unable to provide any useful information. She was entirely self-taught, never having received any formal supernatural education, and could not grasp the nature of her own power. In terms of using supernatural abilities, she could only rely on intuition and basic weapon mastery.

Because of this, although Xuanlü now possessed Upper Third Tier combat power, they lacked the corresponding knowledge. At the same time, they were deeply puzzled as to how Olina could be so strong and reach the Upper Third Tier so easily.

Could it be that the Upper Third Tier wasn't as difficult as rumors suggested?

In fact, after more than a year, Xuanlü had fewer than 500 entry-level supernaturals and fewer than 100 first-tier individuals; progress beyond that was extremely difficult.

In the end, Xuanlü could only attribute it to Olina's talent.

The research was quickly sent back to the base and then to the home country, triggering another round of intense debate. The decision-makers began discussing Olina's allegiance: should they absorb her as one of their own, or support her as the Queen of Dawn?

One side represented the ultimate future weapon, the other the most solid shield for the current stage.

Becoming a Queen meant it would be difficult for her to fully integrate into Xuanlü. Not becoming a Queen would mean handing the Sword of Dawn to others, increasing too many unknowns.

As for Olina remaining consistent? That was unlikely. People change, especially when they become the ruler of a nation. Expecting her to put another group's interests above her own was pure fantasy.

...

Elsewhere, inside a tent not far from the test site.

In the center of the tent was a long table. Ginnys and her merchants sat on the left, while opposite them was a man dressed in a black tailcoat, looking like an aristocratic butler.

One had a wide forehead, blue eyes, and blond hair. The other had a bulbous nose and brown curly hair.

In front of them sat a man in camouflage—an acquaintance of theirs, Wen Bi, the Xuanlü diplomat from their time in the royal capital.

Seeing these two, Ginnys's heart sank. She put on an elegant smile and said meaningfully: "Well, well, what a coincidence! Isn't this the butler for Count Mashi and Count Liter? Not serving your masters in the manor? What brings you to this cold, barren land?"

"Rumor has it that a while ago, Count Mashi and Count Liter were extremely generous in providing Count Lev with massive aid. Tsk, tsk, this princess has also encountered some difficulties recently; I wonder if you could spare a little for me?"

The Kingdom of Dawn had fourteen counts, divided into four factions. The first supported the King, the second belonged to Duke Carter, the third were independent like those in the East, and the fourth were purely business-oriented.

The masters of the two men before her belonged to the fourth group. Their territories were small, but they occupied prime geography, excelled in commerce, and were poor at warfare. Some looked down on them, but it was undeniable that the caravans under these two counts maintained the kingdom's normal trade—ensuring the iron ore from the East reached the entire nation and that surplus food from other regions reached the East.

Ginnys had once been allied with them, but they had fallen out some time ago.

The two men on the left had stiff expressions; they caught the sting in her words.

Count Mashi's butler thickened his skin and said: "I bring the friendship of Lady Mashi. Responding to the call of the Duke of the East, I have come specifically to discuss cooperation to change the cold of the East."

Making money wasn't shameful.

"Heh." Ginnys let out a disdainful laugh, giving them no face at all. These people were truly shameless; they had been so loud in their opposition during previous meetings, and now they had the gall to come seeking cooperation.

Count Mashi's butler retorted: "Then, Princess Ginnys, what is it that brings you here?"

"..." Ginnys was stumped, her expression turning slightly awkward. She then said firmly: "As a princess of the kingdom and a King-Seer, I am, of course, here to assist the Duke of the East in building the East and turning this place into a land of prosperity!"

At this moment, Wen Bi, sitting at the head of the table, interrupted their conversation: "Princess Ginnys, I apologize for receiving you in such a humble place. I am truly ashamed."

They were originally supposed to go to the base, but due to "that person's" hands-off approach, the negotiations fell to him.

"Sir, you are too modest. Though this place lacks the prosperity of the capital, it is full of order—a solemnity that commands respect." Ginnys replied with a polite smile.

Count Mashi's butler also chimed in with praise: "The speed at which your side builds roads is a miracle, truly a wonder sent down by the Great Earth Mother."

This comment made Wen Bi raise an eyebrow; he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Not wanting to dwell on it, Wen Bi got straight to the point: "First, on behalf of Xuanlü, I thank both parties for your goodwill. Xuanlü welcomes your arrival."

Following this, two soldiers held a stack of documents and placed one in front of each person.

[Kingdom Trade Agreement]

They had business with Xuanlü, and Xuanlü had business with them—it was just unexpected that they had delivered themselves to the door.

The productivity of this world was much higher than Xuanlü had predicted, especially regarding food. Under the manipulation of supernatural forces, there was actually no shortage—at least not for the upper classes.

The Church of the Great Earth Mother was famous for its large-scale farming, reportedly accelerating food growth through the power of the Earth Mother. Something like the "Rain-Making Spell" was something even the rank-and-file possessed.

This made Xuanlü eager to exchange cheap industrial products for food to alleviate domestic burdens, freeing up transport capacity for weapons. Of course, that was only a secondary goal. The primary goal was to trade cheap industrial goods for supernatural resources, knowledge, and special metals...

All of this required opening up the market, and the best way to do that was to build directly upon the existing one. The people before him were the ones who controlled the kingdom's market. They possessed a complete set of trade routes, caravans, and markets; with their cooperation, Xuanlü wouldn't need to worry about how to break into the market.

Once they were firmly established, the other hand of the modern state machine—"economy"—would reach into this world to conduct a dimensionality-reduction strike on the kingdom's economy.