[Warning: Information disclosure may trigger unknown consequences.]
The red holographic screen vanished. The research elders remained in front of Geis, while the crystal sphere sat on the table. The blue flame inside it flickered slowly.
"You will continue researching this object," Geis said. "I want daily progress reports."
"Yes, Lord Geis," the elders responded.
"Do not speak of this to anyone outside this department," Geis added. "Not even other officials."
"We understand," they replied.
Geis left the research department and walked through the palace halls. Servants lowered their heads as he walked by. Guards stood up straight. Geis ignored them. His mind focused on the warning he had received.
'That warning came quickly,' he thought. 'The system has never interfered like this before.'
He returned to his chambers and closed the door. He sat on the bed, resting his hands on his knees.
A chime sounded.
[New System Notification.]
A blue screen appeared in front of Geis.
[Condition Met.]
[Unique Variable Interference Detected.]
[System Authority Expansion Available.]
"Open it," Geis commanded.
[New Authority Detected.]
[Name: Progressor.]
[Type: Passive.]
[Status: Locked.]
[Description: Progressor allows the system to detect rare future opportunities that may lead to significant gain if acted upon early.]
Geis stared at the screen.
'Future opportunities,' he thought.
"Explain the lock," he said.
[Requirement: Accept foresight burden.]
[Once unlocked, Progressor will operate continuously.]
[Authority cannot be disabled.]
He nodded.
'It will run by itself.'
"What is the foresight burden?" Geis asked.
[Progressor will reveal fragments of future events.]
[These fragments may alter the natural progression of the world.]
[Reactions to actions cannot be fully predicted.]
"If I ignore opportunities?" Geis inquired.
[Opportunities may expire.]
[No penalties will occur.]
Geis exhaled and looked at the screen.
"Unlock Progressor."
[Final Confirmation Required.]
[Accept foresight burden?]
"Yes."
[Confirmed.]
A pressure hit Geis's head. His vision blurred for a moment. Images appeared: stone corridors, collapsed walls, and a vast underground structure. Ancient markings covered the walls. Cracks in the floor leaked a thick black liquid. The liquid ignited when touched by flame. The images vanished.
Geis exhaled sharply.
'Oil,' he thought.
[Progressor Activated.]
[Future Opportunity Detected.]
[Location: Eastern Frontier.]
[Site: Forgotten Labyrinth.]
[Resource Identified: Subterranean Combustible Liquid.]
[Estimated Value: Extremely High.]
[Opportunity Window: Limited.]
Geis stood up. The Eastern Frontier was sparsely populated and mostly undeveloped.
'No one would notice large-scale excavation there,' he thought. 'I can secure this resource without interference.'
He clenched his fist.
'This is valuable, but I don't know how to use it.'
The thought struck him.
'I don't know how to extract oil.'
'I don't know how to refine it.'
'I don't know how to make machines.'
The system responded.
[Obstacle Detected.]
[User lacks required technical knowledge.]
[Suggested Solution Paths Available.]
"Show them," Geis instructed.
[Solution One: Acquire Talent.]
[Identify individuals with mechanical skills.]
[Accelerate knowledge accumulation.]
[Solution Two: Independent Experimentation.]
[High risk. High cost.]
[Low initial success rate.]
[Solution Three: Gradual Development.]
[Use existing crafts and industries as a foundation.]
Geis frowned.
'Knowing the opportunity is not enough.'
'Progressor gives chances, not answers.'
A knock came at the door.
"Geis?" Aurora said. "Are you resting?"
"Come in," Geis replied.
Aurora entered. "You look tired," she noted.
"I'm fine," Geis said.
She hesitated. "The elders are asking questions. They seemed nervous."
"They will adapt," Geis assured her.
Aurora nodded slowly.
Geis looked at her. "I need information," he said. "Do we have people who build complex devices?"
Aurora blinked. "Complex devices?"
"Not blacksmiths," Geis clarified. "People who make tools with moving parts."
Aurora thought for a moment. "Clockmakers. Artisans who work on water wheels and mills."
Geis nodded. "Bring me a list of all of them."
"I will," she replied.
After Aurora left, Geis focused on the screen.
[Progressor Status: Active.]
[Next Opportunity Scan: Ongoing.]
'This power will keep showing me opportunities,' he thought. 'If I do nothing, someone else will act first.'
He made a plan: First, gather talent. Second, study extraction and refinement. Third, secure the labyrinth. Fourth, begin experimentation. Fifth, industrial development.
Geis mentally wrote down the steps. 'Step one: talent.'
He needed skilled workers. Not ordinary laborers. Not merchants. He needed artisans who could understand moving parts, pressure systems, and fluid control. Then he would have a base for experimentation.
[Progressor Update: Nearby Talent Detected.]
[Clockmaker Guild: Eastern Capital.]
[Watermill Engineers: Northern District.]
[Metalworking Artisans: Central Market.]
[Suitability: Moderate to High.]
Geis read the updates quickly, making notes. He could contact them directly under his authority. Some would resist. Some would be curious. All could be persuaded.
'Next, the labyrinth,' he thought. 'Eastern Frontier.'
He visualized the map in his mind. Roads led east, but most were small paths. Reaching the site would require travel, security, and supplies. He would need approval from the frontier garrison.
[Progressor Recommendation: Expedite travel via river transport.]
Geis nodded. 'River is fastest and attracts less attention.'
He continued reviewing the update.
[Resource Extraction Method: Unknown.]
[System cannot provide direct instructions.]
[User must discover method.]
'No instructions.' Geis frowned. 'I have to learn or invent it myself.'
'Step three: experimentation,' he thought. 'Step four: develop industry.'
He imagined moving the liquid, heating it, storing it, and eventually powering machines. Each step had gaps. The system could show opportunities, but not fill in knowledge gaps. That was up to him.
'Step five: secure the labyrinth,' he reminded himself. 'Before anyone else finds it.'
He reclined against the bed. Aurora returned with a list of names.
"Here," she said. "All the clockmakers, engineers, and artisans you requested."
Geis scanned the names. "I will start contacting them."
Aurora hesitated. "Won't they be confused? Some of this is unusual work."
"They will learn," Geis replied. "I have authority. I also have reasons to motivate them."
Aurora nodded, choosing not to question him further.
Geis opened a new window of the system.
[Progressor Scan: Update Complete.]
[New Opportunity Fragments Available.]
[Next Scan Time: 24 hours.]
He noted this window. Progressor would show him more opportunities as they arose. This one in the east had a limited time frame.
'If I delay, I might lose this,' he thought.
He looked at the list of artisans. He needed meetings, assessments, and to start basic experimentation.
He considered sending a letter, but the quickest way was direct summons.
'Step one is moving people. Step two is teaching them. Step three is securing the resource.'
He opened the map again. The labyrinth in the Eastern Frontier was in a remote forest. Access would require guides, security, and supplies.
Geis mentally recorded everything.
'This is going to take time. I can't do everything myself.'
[Progressor Reminder: Talent acquisition is recommended. Immediate action increases opportunity value.]
He smiled slightly. 'Good. The system confirms my plan.'
Geis stood up. "Aurora, prepare horses, supplies, and letters. We leave for the Eastern Frontier in three days."
She blinked. "Three days? All of this?"
Geis nodded. "Yes. I need to secure this before anyone else knows. Progressor will guide us further."
Aurora did not argue. She left to make arrangements.
Geis returned to the window. He looked out at the city and the forests beyond.
[Progressor Update Pending: Next Scan in 24 hours.]
'This is only the beginning,' he thought. 'There will be more opportunities. I need to stay ahead.'
The crystal sphere on the table flickered. The flame burned steadily.
'Infinite flame, infinite chance,' Geis thought. 'Now I just need to figure out how to use it.'
He sat down and began planning the first steps in detail: travel, talent assessment, and resource evaluation. Every step would be monitored by Progressor.
The Eastern Frontier awaited. The labyrinth held oil. He did not know how to use it. He only knew he had to act.
[Progressor Status: Active.]
[Next Opportunity Scan: Ongoing.]
Geis closed his eyes briefly. The countdown had begun.