"Done?"
Rios had redeemed some advanced weapons that could currently be manufactured in Natlan from the system.
He handed the blueprints for the weapons to Xilonen, hoping that the other party could produce them as soon as possible.
He had originally thought that he might have to wait until the Traveler arrived in Natlan before Xilonen could complete the equipment production.
As a result, Xilonen had crafted the new equipment in no time and even wanted Rios to come over for inspection.
But at that time, Rios was busy making promotional videos for Natlan and designing the Pyro Archon's mechanics, so he entrusted this important task to Mavuika.
After Mavuika had inspected it and confirmed there were no issues, Rios then had the other craftsmen in Natlan mass-produce these advanced weapons.
Following that, he had Xilonen make some other devices.
"The defense tower that can automatically detect Abyss monsters and perform long-range attacks has been completed."
Xilonen's tone was somewhat weak, and her eyes even had dark circles under them—it was clear she had stayed up many nights.
But as she said this, one could faintly hear the excitement and slight smugness in her voice.
The defense tower was the most difficult commission she had ever received so far, even harder than crafting Ancient Names.
Even though the blueprints Rios provided were very perfect and she could build the defense tower just by following them, Xilonen had encountered quite a few hiccups midway due to issues with her thought processes and understanding.
However, after she had successfully built the defense tower, a sense of pride from conquering the difficulty welled up in her heart.
She had finally made this incredibly difficult thing!
"You've worked hard."
While updating the mall in the system, Rios had noticed this defense tower item.
Although he hadn't played Honor of Kings in his previous life, he had still heard others mention similar concepts, so he unhesitatingly bought the design blueprints.
Natlan's technological version of the defense tower was powered by phlogiston, capable of autonomously detecting Abyss monsters and launching Pyro Elemental attacks.
At the same time, it also had a training mode, which could be used as a tool for Natlan people to train their evasion abilities. In that mode, the attacks it fired were just minimal amounts of Pyro Elemental damage that wouldn't kill anyone.
In terms understandable to Genshin players, it would deduct just a few hundred HP when hitting a character.
Even if the team had Furina, and half the health bar was deducted, there was absolutely no need to fear.
"Have you had Mavuika test the quality of the defense tower?"
Rios asked.
He had entrusted all the weapon testing matters to Mavuika, and with the other's strength and personality, she would definitely be able to provide a good report and opinions.
"Her..."
Xilonen covered her forehead with one hand, wearing an expression of helplessness: "She saw that I was racking my brains over the defense tower and had no time to help her modify those damn sunglasses, so she took the Flamestrider and went racing everywhere."
"She's even recruiting riders from various tribes to race with her, saying she wants to compete for who is Natlan's number one fastest driver."
"If there were more than one Flamestrider, there would definitely be a ton of people going crazy with her."
As soon as she mentioned anything related to Mavuika, Xilonen was like a floodgate opening, talking non-stop—it seemed she had accumulated a lot of resentment from dealing with client-mom Mavuika on a regular basis.
"Racing competition? Sounds pretty interesting."
Hearing about what Mavuika had been up to lately, Rios actually got interested too.
Xilonen widened her eyes, showing a look of alarm: "Lord Pyro Archon, you're not thinking of doing a racing competition like Mavuika, are you?"
If that were the case, then as someone who developed the Flamestrider, how many overtime hours would she have to pull day and night?
"That won't go that far." Rios said, "The materials for making the Flamestrider are special. Even if you could work non-stop without eating, drinking, or sleeping to rush production, there still wouldn't be enough materials to make them."
"Mm-hmm, Lord Pyro Archon understands me!" Xilonen nodded repeatedly, while letting out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness Lord Pyro Archon wasn't as whimsical as Mavuika, or she definitely would have been dragged over for overtime.
"Although a Flamestrider race won't work, other competitive racing events aren't out of the question."
Thanks to Xilonen's reminder, Rios suddenly remembered something.
He was the Pyro Archon now.
So, wasn't the Traveler's activities in Natlan up to him to decide?
Believe it or not, he could bring over all the games he had played before and have players do a dozen or so mini-events with Primogem rewards in every version?
"Other competitive racing events... like Qucusaurus racing or something?"
Xilonen said.
In Natlan, the relationship between people and saurians was incredibly close, with many families raising saurian companions.
In daily life, it was common for people to compare their raised saurians with others', and Xilonen had long since grown accustomed to it.
"I'm talking about competitions using small props similar to your shoes." Rios said with a smile, "Best to make it into a chase game type—you guys run ahead, Mavuika chases from behind, and along the way, you have to pick up props to replenish phlogiston, with some props even having acceleration effects."
Temple Run, essentially.
"Sounds pretty fun too."
Just thinking about how others would also fall victim to Mavuika's clutches made Xilonen's furrowed brows unconsciously relax.
She liked this plan.
"Then, Lord Pyro Archon, does that mean my next job is to mass-produce these shoes that can move quickly on the ground and cliffs?" Xilonen asked with some anticipation.
"No."
Rios pulled out some other blueprints: "Your next task is to complete these defense devices."
"This... so many?" Taking the blueprints handed over by the young man, Xilonen widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief.
"The number of Abyss monsters is enormous, so naturally, the more defense devices there are to fight them, the better." Rios said, "As for the roller skates, just leave that to the novice craftsmen to practice on."
Upon hearing this.
Xilonen's emerald green eyes dimmed.
"I'm so stupid... really."
"I knew it—after finishing the weapon production last time, Lord Pyro Archon immediately gave me the defense tower blueprints on the spot."
"This time, it's probably the same as last time: as soon as one job is done, more jobs will definitely come..."
[Emotion value from Xilonen +100]
Rios hadn't expected that after hearing about the overtime, the other party's inner emotions would fluctuate so greatly.
So, Rios said considerately: "If you feel too tired, then rest for a bit first—these things aren't urgent."
"No need..." Xilonen said listlessly, looking utterly dejected, "Once I get back, the others looking for me to make weapons will come again, and there won't be any time to rest at all."
Xilonen was Natlan's most outstanding craftsman, with countless people seeking her out every day to forge weapons. On top of that, she had to be busy crafting Ancient Names, so she was extremely busy with very little rest time.
Seeing Xilonen living like a corporate drone right now, Rios said: "In that case, why not rest right here in the Stadium of the Sacred Flame until you've had enough rest."
"If anyone asks about it later, just say you were locked up by the Pyro Archon in a little black room to forge equipment, and it took a long time before you were released."