CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 343 MAD GOBLIN_1

Watching the single-person aircraft, launched with a dummy, disappear into the unknown, Yan Xing struggled to refrain from making any snide comments.

Although it was not yet clear how many challenges remained before this aircraft could be manned, the Goblins’ bold idea was definitely commendable. After all, not just anyone, upon seeing a turbojet engine, would dare to conceive of such a thing and actually attempt it. This was the kind of imagination and innovation a scientific researcher should possess.

After the single-person aircraft vanished from sight, the Goblins began to demonstrate their second type of aircraft that utilized a turbojet engine. This aircraft was even less developed than the first; it was merely a model at the moment. To be precise, it was a semi-finished product.

The Goblins brought their model, which they called the subterranean shuttle, before Yan Xing. It was a floating platform with a horizontally arranged turbojet engine attached underneath. Yan Xing had ridden a similar hovering platform in the Goblin stores underground in Nuta City. The principle was similar to magnetic levitation. Through Magic and Alchemy, a permanent track was laid out, and the floating platform generated both attractive and repulsive forces with this track, allowing it to move along the track without derailing.

After settling in the Eternal Domain, this group of Goblins had always wanted to return to living underground. With Yan Xing’s permission, Chui Chui was assisting the Goblins in planning the underground space, aiming to make it as comfortable as possible for them without affecting the city above. Since they were moving underground, they certainly needed to set up hovering tracks for convenient commuting. To increase the speed of the hovering platforms, the daring Goblins decided to equip them with jet engines.

Yan Xing looked at the unprotected hovering platform and the jet engine mounted beneath it. He couldn’t help but be moved by the Goblins’ dedication. He also wondered if he had, perhaps carelessly, unlocked a highly dangerous aspect of the Goblins.

Goblin Gaga enthusiastically explained to Yan Xing that once these track-based aircraft were officially operational, the Goblins could save a great deal of travel time, allowing them to rest better and work more efficiently.

Looking at the jet-powered hovering platform model, Yan Xing nodded and said approvingly, "This is a very practical invention. And such a great invention should not be for Goblins alone to enjoy. I have decided to excavate a subterranean hovering track network throughout the Eternal Domain, and this network will also connect Blood Crown Mountain City and Nuta City.

"And your platform needs some modifications... people can’t simply stand on it. It needs to be fitted with seats, and it would be best to add an enclosed yet ventilated cabin-like structure. That way, Goblins can rest while traveling and also contemplate work-related matters. If several more seats are added, and over ten hovering platforms are linked together, with interconnected carriages allowing free passage between them, you’ll be able to discuss and research projects while on the move."

At this moment, Chui Chui asked in Yan Xing’s mind, "My Lord, what you described... should be called a subway, right?"

"Hmm... yes, a subway," Yan Xing said to Chui Chui. "These Goblins have been exposed to too much real-world equipment and technology, and their wild ideas might lead to something dangerous. You need to coordinate with them effectively, taking care not to dampen their enthusiasm for invention and creation while ensuring safety remains paramount. The single-person aircraft was a bit too avant-garde, but the subway system seemed promising."

Chui Chui replied, "Yes... Goblins and the Low-Level Magical Puppets they produce are very adept at tunneling and can permanently stabilize underground spaces. They are indeed well-suited for constructing a subway system."

The population of the Eternal Domain was growing steadily. Cars, horses, and various animal-powered vehicles contributed to significant traffic pressure as the city prospered, a problem exacerbated by the rainy and snowy seasons. The vitality and wealth of the Eternal Domain lay in the daily, large-scale flow of people and goods. In the future, as the city was projected to grow larger and its population to increase, they would inevitably face an overwhelming traffic problem. If they could rely on Goblins for subway construction and operation, they could effectively alleviate the burden on surface traffic.

Yan Xing’s suggestion seemed to open a new door for the Goblins. They were accustomed to standing on slow-moving floating platforms and had never considered sitting, let alone linking several or even more platforms together. This would not only be more comfortable but also allow a single power unit to pull more people. With interconnected carriages, they could also gather to discuss work while on the move.

"Lord Yan Xing, your wisdom is like the stars in the sky; even a casual twinkle represents an unattainable height! This suggestion is truly fantastic! We must build it," Goblin Gaga exclaimed, quickly entering Yan Xing’s suggestions and his own sudden ideas into the tablet computer on the armrest.

The other Goblins continued to show Yan Xing their awe-inspiring inventions:

High-altitude high-speed airplanes, resembling cruise missiles.

Sky aircraft carriers, like manta rays... models, of course.

Aircraft with articulated wings that flapped like a bird’s.

Transport pods with vertical take-off and landing capabilities, relying on sheer power.

...

Regardless of what the Goblins displayed, Yan Xing offered praise and appreciation for each invention. Although many ideas were a bit fantastical, the fact that the Goblins dared to imagine them meant they likely had some Alchemy-based theoretical foundation. As a Lord who valued technology and Alchemy Technology, and since he was optimistic about the Goblin race, Yan Xing decided to let them freely explore their ideas. He simply instructed Chui Chui to provide support and oversee the arrangements. Perhaps their next exhibition would feature a groundbreaking invention.

Realizing this, Yan Xing happily admired the Goblins’ works.

The Eternal Territory aircraft demonstration test flight had ended. Four types of aircraft would soon be integrated into the Eternal Territory Air Force, becoming the mainstays of future aerial battlegrounds. Development of the aerial fortress was also actively underway. The application of Magic Alchemy enhanced the aerial fortress’s survivability in the sky. A high-defense, high-offense, long-endurance aerial fire support platform could provide crucial offensive and defensive support for their own air force.

Therefore, as research and development progressed, the performance requirements for the aerial fortress continually rose. It needed to be equipped not only with tank cannons but also with quadruple anti-aircraft guns for aerial suppression firepower. The nose, tail, belly, and dorsal sections required self-defense armament. The wings and engines had to be protected by a powerful Magic shield, one that would not impede flight.

Ultimately, they also intended to mount Magic-amplifying disc launchers onto the airframe.

Eventually, they wanted to add an arena.

And in the very end, they planned to equip it with a certain number of drones.

...

As the Eternal Domain’s answer to airships and the core of its air combat strategy, Chui Chui and the Goblins aimed to utilize every inch of the aerial fortress. At the same time, they could not compromise its performance as an aircraft.

「As days passed,」

Finalizing the aerial fortress’s design was long overdue, yet the skies above the Eternal Domain grew increasingly busy.

「One day, a Beak Eagle jetliner landed at the Eternal Domain airport.」

Lady Karol had concluded her tour of the nations, making the Eternal Domain her final stop.