Monster Dismantling Company

Chapter 41 The Editor

"So, this is human technology?"

"Some kind of pre-war human technology." Silver Dragon manipulated the panel. "You see, it can be used to process anything imaginable, as long as it doesn't exceed the size of the container."

The processing container is embedded in the wall and is about the size of a commercial microwave oven, with a volume of about 45 liters.

Yinlong is about 1.5 meters tall. Even though the train crew uniform accentuated her figure, it was still clear that she was quite thin.

The microwave oven's capacity; the silver dragon's height and volume.

Volume, capacity.

Li Lin's gaze darted back and forth between the microwave oven and the silver dragon: "So, you're so short because the size you created can't exceed this microwave oven?"

"Ah... As expected of the Dragon King, you've found out."

"Interesting." Li Lin stroked the touchpad, sensing a familiar fluctuation within it...

"What's the energy source for this thing? I've heard of 3D printing technology, but that also requires a substrate, right?"

Silver Dragon answered truthfully, "It needs dragon fat, which is commercially known as 'whale oil.' In other words, it needs fuel for the train."

Li Lin noticed something unusual: Why would pre-war technology need dragon oil, which only appeared after the war, for energy?

There are two possibilities.

The first possibility is that the technology was improved after the war—improved from a previously unknown material.

Another possibility, which alarmed Li Lin, was that the dragon might have appeared before the battle, and perhaps even long before.

Judging from the correlation alone, the latter is clearly more likely to be true.

Upon closer reflection, the United Government's development of the monsters seems to have gone quite smoothly. Over several decades, they've even managed to develop trains that are completely integrated with the monsters. It's as if these trains were tailor-made for the monsters.

"Interesting... I have a question for you." He looked at the silver dragon, "What were you doing before you came here to work?"

"Going to school."

"Going to school???" Li Lin asked in surprise, "What's the process?"

"Actually, I was a dragon egg they found. While they were incubating me, they also taught me how to be an egg. After I hatched, I came here to work. They have completely fulfilled their promises to me, and I am very satisfied with my current job and situation... but I really don't want to die! That's why I'm begging you, I want to live."

She said she would tell Li Lin everything, and she really did tell him about her background from birth.

She wasn't a dragon raised in the wild; she was raised by humans from an egg and doesn't seem to have a physical form. However, she got a job as the control center of this train.

She also mentioned that she didn't want anyone to enter the engine compartment, indicating that the train is usually driverless and entirely operated by her.

Considering that this special express train holds a position in the United Government comparable to that of a naval capital ship, such trust is indeed quite rare. Silver Dragon can therefore work with great enthusiasm, traversing the vast lands and bringing everyone what they need.

This also makes her very satisfied with her life—this life is her treasure, and she will protect this treasure, just like the Dragon King of the East Sea guards his sea treasure.

The dragon kings of rivers, and even the dragon kings of wells, all have their reasons for lingering in certain places. Generally speaking, if a dragon stays put in a certain place, it's mostly because there is a spirit there, or something precious there.

The dragon, being an insect, can be disturbed and ridden. However, it has a reversed scale under its throat; if anyone touches it, it will surely kill them—this is also recorded in the Han Feizi.

Dragons can be tamed, and even ridden. But dragons have a sensitive spot that cannot be touched; whoever touches it will die.

This is the ethics of the dragon. Although dragons are proactive in tactics, they resist change strategically, and they all have their own inviolable taboos.

In this respect, Yinlong and Li Lin are similar; they both want to protect their current way of life. Yinlong is content with his life driving the train, while Li Lin is content with his life as a human being. Once they discover anything that threatens their lives, they will stop at nothing to destroy it.

For Yinlong, she was preparing for the upcoming conscription, so she now needed Li Lin's help.

As for Li Lin, a human being, he had just discovered something noteworthy—

The United Government has great trust in the Silver Dragon. This precisely demonstrates that the United Government has a well-established system for cultivating dragons to serve its purposes.

This system is so sophisticated that the coalition government is willing to entrust its most important assets to these dragons for control.

Such a deep interweaving makes one wonder if the connection between the United Government and the dragon existed even before the war.

Or to put it another way—where did dragons come from?

Li Lin also wanted to know the answer to this question.

"Go ahead," Li Lin waved his hand. "You're going to drive soon, right? I won't bother you any longer."

"Okay, I'll go back to work now." Just as she was about to return to the microwave, Li Lin suddenly called her back: "Although you didn't make this, but rather used a graphic designer, your taste is excellent, and the menu you chose is very suitable."

"So, you're very satisfied with my service?"

"Hmm." Li Lin nodded. "It seems you've learned very well in the Egg Cult. You're already a qualified dragon. A dragon must have class."

"Yes! I understand!" Having received Li Lin's approval, Yinlong was bathed in immense glory, which gave her great enthusiasm for her work.

Back in his seat, Li Lin picked up his water cup to take a sip. The train suddenly started moving, splashing water onto his face—it seemed the splash was a little too strong.

"Here are the photos." Li Lin put down his water glass and handed the printed photos to Lin Zhiqing.

"It's printed so quickly?"

"Yes, I borrowed the train crew's printer from my cousin."

"This photographic paper...it feels so smooth. It must be expensive, right?"

She could tell the difference just by touching it; it was different from the basic products manufactured in the city-state—those products were essentially imitations of the old society, merely superficial imitations. For example, photographic paper only met basic needs. It either felt bad to the touch or faded easily.

The photographic paper that Li Lin gave her was something she had only seen in photos sent back by her aunt. It represented the level of pre-war technology and could only be produced in Guanzhong at present.

"It's alright, just consider it a freebie. Make good use of the equipment in the car as a bonus."

"Sigh..." Lin Zhiqing sighed, "I told you this was expensive, so just go along with it. Why did you have to say it was a free gift..."