NOVEL NEXT Chapter 403: Petty
"So how is the Versailles Group involved?"
"It's simple really."
Giselle took a sip from her glass once again, before she spoke up.
"It is said that vestiges are mankind's greatest achievement to Hyumankin, excluding our genetic advancement. But of all vestiges, stellar processors are the most important, in terms of utilisation. One of the reasons why hyumankin has advanced to the current stage we are at now, is thanks to that.
"From small gadgets like display screens and communicators, to medium-sized ones like hover cars, sare shuttles or even anti-air equipment; and finally, advanced technology like spaceships and wormhole generators. Regardless of whichever one it is, they all have a stellar processor —or a group of them— at the centre of operation.
"In Belfargos territory, there is an interesting sport known as drift racing. It's a sport where the drivers compete with unique hover shuttles, called racing shuttles, capable of reaching speeds of up to 470km/hr."
Lucas looked strangely at Giselle, wondering whether she had already found out about what he had been doing all these months. However, after studying her expression, Lucas realised that she knew nothing.
Giselle didn't notice anything strange as her attention was in front.
"Even with the improvements from stellar refining, it is impossible for anyone under the ninth level to be able to agilely control a 400km/hr vehicle through a drift racing track all on their own. Even 350km/hr could prove troublesome for anyone under the seventh level. However, people at such levels deign to participate in the sport. Supposing, they did, it would still be a problem after all, at such high speeds, a delay of one second could prove life-threatening. It is impossible for a traditional hover car to be able to react to changes within a second, so drift racing in one would be suicide.
"However, with a specialised stellar processor installed, all these worries become pointless."
Giselle then raised a finger before turning to face Lucas on her side.
"This is just one advantage and use of a stellar processor."
Then she turned towards the front again.
"Back to the point. Stellar processors can basically be described as a valuable piece of technology that can make a large difference. The technological advancements of a city-state are also heavily reliant on them. As such, it is only natural that the production and exportation of stellar processors is controlled.
"Under the leadership of the City Lord Manor, Paros city-state enforced regulations regarding the exportation of stellar processors and also placed limits on local companies. For instance, the Versailles Group can't sell its real flagship products outside of the city-state, even through a branch. If they were to construct a manufacturing factory outside of Paros city-state to escape this restriction, the City Lord Manor would deal harsh measures on them. This is one of the reasons why both the Novanio Tech and Versailles Group do not have factories in Baylands city-state. It is also why I said all we've been 'enjoying' are basically lower end models, although slightly exaggerated."
For the first time in a while, Lucas was stunned. He didn't think that the stellar processors he could easily modify and design with a bit of effort could be so valuable.
"Since the Versailles Group headquarters is sending in support and a new model, that would be..."
"Yes." Giselle nodded.
"It will be a 'medium' grade model. However, even though it's a medium grade, it would still be something far ahead of the market. Even your SS version 1 chips might not compare to it." Giselle dropped a bombshell.
Lucas finally felt how much he had underestimated the vestige-smiths on the planet. Although he still couldn't compare to a Tier 1 Grandmaster, Lucas was confident that if he had stellar energy, he could outperform them. However, he just found out that a medium grade product from a company in another city-state, easily surpassed one of his best works months ago.
Nonetheless, the shock wasn't much.
The SS version 1 chips were not an original design, but a modification of an existing stellar processor. Hence, there was an innate limit to its performance even with modification in mind. Also, Lucas had made the SS version 1 chips by relying on the system skills available while in the vicinity of the store. It wasn't made with the ability he would possess at level 5, after he possesses stellar energy. On the other hand, the vestige-smiths who designed the stellar processor were definitely at least Tier 1 Masters or seventh level stellar practitioners.
"And according to the rumours, that's just one of the possible announcements slated for today. The rest were well hidden from all sources." Giselle added.
While it might not be on par with the top four families, the Versailles Group was just below them. It might be lacking in terms of a foundation compared to the illustrious families, but it was backed by a behemoth company from a different city-state. It wasn't difficult for the Versailles Group to isolate information.
In fact, the only reason why a rumour of a new chip was spreading is because it was the most likely reaction from the Versailles Group in response to the alliance of the Seven Sparks Forge and the Silverine Factory.
Also, the Versailles Group had purposely leaked that information to attract as many guests to the event as possible.
"Ignoring whatever plan they have, you still haven't answered why the older folks aren't in attendance." Lucas stared at her as he spoke.
"Like I said," Giselle smiled. "Everything is because of you."
She then explained,
"There are only three stellar processor companies in Baylands city-state. To some extent, the three companies were balanced out and checked each other. The Silverine Factory dominated the regular processor industry with minimal interference, while Novanio Tech and the Versailles Group competed for the stellar processor industry. However, your existence broke that balance.
"When the SS version 1 chips were released, it had caused a storm in the market. Even though it wasn't even in production for a week, it made all the companies in the city refresh their idea of the limit. Even those in the other regions of the city-state were affected.
"Now that the company behind that is back, everyone wants a piece of the pie. Nonetheless, your decision to partner with the Silverine Factory was indeed shocking. However, it didn't diminish their interests.
"The reason why the older folks aren't present today is because they don't want to inadvertently offend you and lose out on the new stellar processors you would be producing. News leaked that you were on the invitation list for this event. But with the Versailles Group's relationship with you, attending this event was risky. However, not attending it wasn't an option either. Like I said, this is because of your partnership with the Silverine Factory, but it's also because no one wants to cut off any of their options. So, the best choice was us, successors."
Then Giselle sighed and spread her arms wide helplessly.
"So, you're saying that compared to the Versailles Group, I'm seen as the pettier one?" Lucas glared as he asked in a dark tone.
Giselle froze at the question.
'He figured it out?!'
While her explanation was indeed correct, Giselle had purposely missed out on one fact. It was true that the various forces didn't want to offend Lucas and the Versailles Group, but that didn't mean that they couldn't attend the banquet. An attendance didn't imply choosing a side. The reason why their successors went instead, was due to a certain quality of Lucas they noticed.
From Lucas' moves so far, the other forces had realised that he was quite a petty individual. The Novanio Tech broke their contract with him and even though they tried to make amends, he still rejected them. The Versailles Group tried to pressure him to side with them, but he turned around and chose the worse-off Silverine Factory.
All these pointed out that Lucas was a no-nonsense individual who didn't tolerate even the slightest offence; or in simpler terms, that Lucas was petty.
To avoid any problems and not potentially offend any side, the best decision was to have their successors represent them. It was giving enough face to the Versailles Group while reducing any chance of suspicion from Lucas' side.
After all, compared to Lucas, the Versailles Group had other things to consider so they wouldn't be as petty.
Only a second of hesitation had gone by, before Giselle nodded in the end. To realise that fact from her explanation, it showed that Lucas wasn't as simple as everyone thought.
Lucas didn't have any visible reaction to her confirmation. Nonetheless, he couldn't help but feel that his image was being ruined.
'Doesn't matter though. I'll settle that later.'
Just as Giselle was about to bring up a new conversation topic to clear the air, the lights in the hall dimmed. Only the presentation platform in the hall maintained its light intensity, standing out from the other places.
At the same time, the president of the Versailles Group, Emery, walked up to the stage.
"Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Winter Showcase of Versailles Group. We have a lot of surprises for you all and we hope they're to your liking."