233: Crossbell 2

Several days ago, Crossbell Autonomous State, Epstein Foundation Headquarters.

Topaz stood before the Foundation Headquarters' main entrance, gazing up at the technologically advanced building. Today, she wore a sharp Scholar's outfit: a dark blue research uniform, gold-rimmed glasses, and she carried an exquisite metal case.

"Dr. Katja Rosenberg, Liberl Royal Orbment Technology Research Institute." She offered a slight smile to the security guard at the entrance and handed over her forged credentials.

The security guard carefully verified the documents: "Doctor, do you have an appointment?"

"Of course." Topaz calmly took a letter from her pocket. "This is an invitation from Director Albert of your esteemed Foundation."

After checking, the security guard respectfully stepped aside: "Please enter, Doctor. Director Albert is waiting for you in the third-floor reception room."

Topaz nodded gracefully and stepped into the lobby. Her high heels clicked crisply on the marble floor, drawing curious glances from the surrounding researchers.

In the third-floor reception room, Director Albert had been waiting for a long time. He was a middle-aged man wearing glasses, with graying temples that showed the passage of time, but his eyes were still sharp.

"Dr. Rosenberg, welcome." He stood up and extended his hand. "I've heard much about you."

Topaz shook his hand: "Director Albert, thank you for waiting."

After they were seated, Albert got straight to the point: "Doctor, I'm very interested in the new orbment communication technology you mentioned in your letter."

Topaz smiled faintly, opened the metal case, and took out an exquisite device.

It was a smartphone disguised as an orbment device.

"Please see, this is my latest achievement." She lightly pressed the power button, and the screen lit up. "Full touch control, no need for orbment circuit switching, instant communication, and it can transmit images in real-time."

The screen's light reflected in Albert's glasses, and his pupils widened slightly: "This..."

His finger lightly touched the screen, sliding through the interface, his expression growing more and more shocked: "Incredible! This operational fluidity, this interface design!"

Topaz watched his reaction with satisfaction: "These are just the basic functions. It can also perform remote data exchange, real-time positioning, and even—"

She tapped an application, and the screen immediately displayed a 3D holographic map of the Foundation building, with the distribution of personnel in each room clearly visible.

Albert abruptly stood up: "This, this is!"

"Real-time monitoring," Topaz said lightly. "Achieved through a special orbment wave frequency band."

"However, it consumes a lot of power and has insufficient penetration through metal."

Albert's hands trembled slightly: "This... if this technology were mass-produced, it would be enough to revolutionize the entire communication industry!"

Taking a deep breath and forcing himself to calm down, Albert finally spoke his first non-trembling words: "Doctor, name your price."

He clasped his hands on the table, his gaze burning: "As long as you are willing, the Epstein Foundation can meet any condition."

Topaz feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow: "Oh, any condition?"

"Any," Albert said decisively. "Salary, shares, laboratory, position—just name it."

He leaned slightly forward: "I can even directly recommend you to the President as Technical Director. I have that authority, please believe my sincerity."

A hint of playfulness flashed in Topaz's eyes. He took the bait faster than expected. It seemed the exclusive intelligence her boss provided was a bit conservative; this civilization's technology path was unusually skewed.

After discovering the use of orbments, the mystical side had almost completely suppressed the scientific side.

She feigned hesitation: "This offer is very tempting, but..."

"I am a Scholar, and there are few things that truly interest me." She lightly tapped the table. "If I had to say what I urgently need right now... if you can provide data on Septium Veins energy conversion research, I would be happy to exchange."

Albert's expression stiffened slightly: "This..."

Topaz continued to press: "My next step of research has encountered some bottlenecks. If I could have access to your Foundation's technical data for reference, I believe I could make a major breakthrough very quickly."

Topaz looked directly into Albert's eyes: "If Mr. Albert can open the database for my perusal," she paused deliberately, "I might consider authorizing the core patent of this technology to the Foundation."

The conference room fell into a brief silence. Albert's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, his brow furrowed.

'This technology is at least a decade ahead of current levels, but opening the database is too risky. No, that's not right. Someone who can invent such a groundbreaking creation is no ordinary person; this is my opportunity!'

'If this technology can be mastered, the Foundation's advantage in the communication field will be unshakeable!'

After considering the pros and cons, Albert made a decision.

He looked up: "Doctor, your request is a bit... demanding."

Topaz was prepared: "I can understand your concerns." She put away the device. "In that case, I'll just have to..."

"Wait!" Albert quickly called out to her. "Doctor, please don't misunderstand."

He stood up and said solemnly: "My personal opinion is that I completely agree to your conditions."

"However," he added, "the final decision requires approval from the President's office."

Topaz deliberately showed a troubled expression: "Is that so..."

Albert quickly said: "But to show our sincerity, I can first take you on a tour of our central laboratory."

"There, you can review some non-core technical data." He lowered his voice: "If the Doctor is satisfied... we can then discuss full cooperation in more detail."

Topaz's lips curved slightly. The old fox, he wants to dangle a carrot in front of her.

But unfortunately, she didn't need them to open all their data.

Topaz feigned contemplation for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, I accept your proposal."

Albert breathed a sigh of relief: "Excellent! Doctor, please follow me."

Passing through several security doors, Topaz followed Albert into the core area of the Foundation. A massive orbment device operated in the center of the laboratory, and dozens of researchers busily operated various instruments.

"This is our central laboratory," Albert introduced proudly. "All cutting-edge orbment technology is developed here."

Topaz's gaze swept across the entire laboratory, then suddenly, her eyes stopped in a corner.

A small girl sat there, with silver-blue hair tied into twin tails, intently staring at an orbment terminal in front of her. Her attire had a cyberpunk mage feel to it.

What concerned Topaz the most was that this girl had the aura of a path about her.

"You also employ child laborers?"

Albert followed her gaze: "Ah, no, no. That's Tio Plato Plato, whom we managed to invite with great difficulty. She is currently the youngest genius researcher at our Epstein Foundation."

Topaz's pupils contracted slightly. She remembered that name. In Altair City, Arios had mentioned the suppression operation several years ago, and she was the sole survivor of the 'True Knowledge' drug human experiments who was rescued.

Albert didn't notice Topaz's unusual reaction and continued to introduce: "Tio Plato has extraordinary talent in orbment network technology and is currently in charge of our Magic Staff project."

Topaz nodded thoughtfully: "Interesting."

Just then, Tio Plato seemed to sense the gaze and looked up.

Their eyes met in the air.

Tio Plato's pupils suddenly constricted, and her hands, poised over the keyboard, froze in mid-air.

This person, the feeling, something was wrong!

Topaz smiled slightly and stepped forward: "Hello, I am Dr. Katja Rosenberg, an orbment Doctor."

Tio Plato looked at her warily: "...Tio Plato Plato."

Albert didn't notice the unusual interaction between the two and enthusiastically introduced: "Tio Plato, this is Dr. Rosenberg from Liberl. She has brought a revolutionary communication technology."

Tio Plato nodded slightly: "...Hello, Doctor."

Topaz maintained a friendly smile: "Miss Tio Plato, I hear you're in charge of the Magic Staff project? I'm quite interested in that."

Tio Plato's fingers unconsciously clutched the hem of her clothes: "...It's just basic research."

Albert smiled, trying to smooth things over: "Tio Plato is a bit shy. Doctor, why don't I take you to see other areas first?"

Topaz nodded: "Ah, I see, my apologies."

She gave Tio Plato one last look, then turned and followed Albert.

'This girl is not simple. That aura about her, I think I've seen something similar at the company. Hmm... who was it?' Topaz narrowed her eyes, then gave up trying to recall. 'It seems this trip to Crossbell will have unexpected gains.'

Albert led Topaz to a separate data room: "Doctor, here you can review most of our non-core technical data."

He entered a password and activated the orbment terminal: "Please feel free. If you have any questions, just call me."

Topaz smiled: "Thank you, Mr. Albert."

After Albert left, Topaz immediately placed a disc on the terminal. Three seconds later, Topaz's wristband received data from the company.

"Alright, Sis Topaz, I've already translated and sent you most of the important information. But I don't know exactly what you need, so you'll have to analyze it yourself~ P.S. Bronya"

"Oh, as expected of Ms. Bronya." Topaz stretched her limbs and yawned. "Well then, let's do a quick search first."

"Starting keyword search: True Knowledge, Septium Veins, Orbment Network..."

The data on the screen scrolled rapidly. Suddenly, a comparative analysis result of several topographical maps and symbology data was highlighted in red. Clicking to view the results, Topaz's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Ha, just as I thought. It looks like I've found a shortcut for a speedrun."