Chapter 108: The Welsh Basement

Above Wales, a stealth aircraft had already entered the air defense strategic strike range of the United Kingdom. However, because the plane held such high clearance, the air defense alarm never even sounded before being canceled.

In reality, this aircraft had long since broken the sound barrier. Even the most advanced air defense missiles at present could not reach such speeds; otherwise, the nearly impenetrable sonic barrier would have forcibly destroyed it. Yet, just before reaching Cardiff, the plane suddenly changed course, heading toward an area adjacent to the city. Shortly after, it began a gradual descent. Strangely, though the area was densely forested, an unusual ripple appeared, and the plane vanished into the sky above... then—

“Optical camouflage combined with reality simulation—no matter how fake the forest is, it cannot be detected or identified by long-range reconnaissance. Truly the Royal Academy’s technology. Though, compared to my quantum tech, it still falls short,” said Treshi as he and Roger emerged from the aircraft beneath the forest canopy.

They were in a secret base in Wales. The space was enormous yet only large enough to house Treshi’s private plane. It wasn’t that the base was small; rather, this was merely one of Treshi’s personal aircraft cabins.

“Who told you to be both His Highness Treshi and Lord Cole? Don’t you realize how famous you’ve become?” Dr. Roger followed closely behind Treshi, who was leading the way toward Cole’s laboratory.

“Coming back this time, I have to be both Treshi *and* Cole. It’s a bit exhausting! If it gets unbearable, I might as well use quantum regeneration tech to get myself out of this,” Treshi said, strolling casually through the secret passage built just for him, a tablet in hand controlling everything.

The first heavy door of Cole’s lab opened, revealing a colossal metallic sphere before them.

“No matter when I see this, it always amazes me!” Roger looked up at the enormous orb, which had a radius exceeding ten meters. No one would imagine that this massive glowing sphere was one of the underground base’s power cores.

“J Alloy—a special capacitor transformed by a spatial core. It was invented right after the teacher created the time machine. I wonder if it’s because every time the time machine is activated, a tiny fragment of the spatial core appears, and the teacher forcibly analyzed it,” Treshi explained as he gazed at the enormous J Alloy.

Though it seemed unremarkable to the naked eye, the J Alloy radiated powerful corona, like a miniature sun. In such a place, using ordinary electronic instruments or metal tools would provoke the mighty J Alloy’s defensive reaction.

Suddenly, “Electricity! Thunder!” As if conjured by a spell, a powerful ball of lightning gathered in Treshi’s hand, seemingly summoned by him but unlike any ordinary thunderbolt.

“Not bad! Pure lightning energy—no impurities—will double the efficiency of my work,” Treshi said with satisfaction. The next moment, he casually caught the lightning ball and tossed it like garbage toward the enormous J Alloy. Because both bore the attribute of lightning, the ball transformed into a streak of lightning upon contact and merged seamlessly with the J Alloy.

The second door slid open, revealing Cole’s true laboratory. A stream of blue light appeared before them, gradually coalescing into a humanoid shape. Before Treshi and Roger could enter, the light fully transformed into a person.

“Welcome back, Lord Cole!” The figure was a maid, but unlike the typical clones in most novels, she resembled a true human. Without the previous spectacle, no one would doubt her identity. She wore a standard uniform and had a pure, modest beauty—not dazzling, but elegant.

“Hm,” Treshi nodded, putting on his glasses—though not corrective lenses, they looked exactly like them.

“There, that’s more like Cole!” Treshi, or rather Cole, smiled quietly but did not head straight to any of the many lab tables.

“Not bad! An impeccable 3D projection technology, without a hint of distraction. Truly worthy of...” Roger couldn’t help but marvel upon seeing the maid. Of course, he noticed the light stream and naturally assumed it was a 3D projection.

“Projection technology?” Cole frowned at Roger’s words.

“Oh, never mind! Don’t be so casual in front of me—after all, she’s my assistant,” Cole said with a cryptic smile.

“Yes,” the maid responded instantly.

Before Roger could make sense of the situation, the maid’s hand suddenly struck his face with a sharp slap, the crisp sound leaving him momentarily stunned.

“Not bad! Quite gentle, thankfully I didn’t set the parameters too extreme,” Cole remarked.

Underneath the small spherical J Alloy in the center of the lab was what appeared to be its energy supply core.

“Open!” Cole’s voice triggered a series of mechanical sounds.

“Your Highness! Has your quantum regeneration technology been completed?” Roger quickly regained composure after the slap.

“No wonder you’re my assistant—quick reactions. With enough data, it’s easy to replicate multiple copies, but I don’t want too many. Two identities are enough; no big deal,” Cole said, standing still as a blue light swept over the space around him. Meanwhile, the door behind him opened further.

“So, this young lady—where did you get the data for her? I remember your drawing skills were...”

“No problem! With some textual adjustments and revisions, step by step, it ends up at an ordinary level. But outside, she’s still considered beautiful,” Cole said as he entered the lab, leaving the door open for convenience. Roger followed at a leisurely pace.

“This is your secret lab, Your Highness? If someone else came in, they’d think it’s just a power supply core!” Roger said, examining the small cluster of equipment, already accustomed to the surroundings.

“Mecha simulation pods?” What caught Roger’s curiosity was that only five mechas and their corresponding simulators remained in the room.

“Yes! What’s wrong? Pick one! This will be yours eventually, so choose carefully,” Cole didn’t mind Roger’s reaction and produced an even more enticing offer.

“What? A mecha personally crafted by Your Highness? Does that mean... an angel?”

“I’d never keep such a useless thing. Of course, I’ll improve it—maybe even solidify space so my new mecha can have spatial jumping capability!”

Spatial solidification and spatial jumping—abilities impossible in real life—were casually mentioned by Cole.

“Well then... I’ll take this one!” Roger quickly chose the type he preferred.

“Remote support control type?” Cole glanced at it. That mecha was only a frame—not fully completed, with no weapons placed nearby. Remote support suited Roger’s style, whereas the assault type was more fitting for... those two others.

“But I’m curious—there are five here: you, me, plus Hugo and the others make four. Who’s the fifth?”

“Secret! Now that you’ve chosen, I can get to work. You should leave—there’s still outside business to handle!” Cole turned to another mecha.

“Very well, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave!” Roger exited the room, heading toward the door.

“Really, no rest again—oh well, let’s get started!”