Chapter 612: 【Printing】, Xifu Silver Leaf

For an ordinary Mage in Netheril, the largest and most stable output is the Magic Scroll; linking the Magic Net for a scroll is equivalent to casting that Spell again, though of course, there are some actual differences.

Furthermore, the Arcane Geometry patterns drawn on the scroll also require a significant amount of time to consume.

Therefore, no matter which Mage it is, it is basically unlikely that they would convert all their idle Spellcasting ability into Magic Scrolls for storage.

If there were a printing press, one would only need to use their idle Spellcasting ability before going to sleep to link the Magic Net for pre-prepared quasi-Magic Scrolls.

The convenience is comparable to the 5th Circle Spell 【Create Arcane Crystal】, which greatly improves a Mage's utilization rate of their own Spellcasting ability.

……

The Arcane Geometry patterns on Magic Scrolls require relatively fine and uniform precision; if one wants to print quasi-Magic Scrolls, ordinary block printing is not a very good choice.

There is nothing wrong with the blocks themselves, as they can be made through an Alchemy Array no matter how fine they are, but Xia Duo does not understand modern printing from Earth; he has tried several printing methods himself, and the quasi-Magic Scrolls produced all had various problems.

Either the ink was uneven, or excess ink appeared, and the yield rate was not high.

If it were low-rank scrolls, it wouldn't matter, as the ink is cheap anyway, but if it were mid- or Advanced Rank scrolls, this would be hard to accept; if one were to factor in the failure rate when linking the Magic Net, a loss would be highly probable.

Perhaps there is someone in Netheril who could improve the process of ordinary block printing to enable the mass production of qualified quasi-Magic Scrolls, but Xia Duo, by himself, cannot think of a way in the short term.

Moreover, there is a better method before him, which gives him even less motivation to improve the process.

The 【Transcription】 Spell, brought back from the 【Projection Plane: Arcane Empire】, is almost born for printing, and it even has a specific evolutionary direction, directly called 【Printing】 in the Arcane Empire.

It can mass-print ordinary ink marks or Magic marks.

The Arcane Empire does indeed have printing presses; although Xia Duo has never seen the physical object, he has read books related to printing and thus has some understanding of printing presses.

Unlike mechanical Psionic Creations that achieve specific functions through complex structures, for Magic Items, the Spell is the core; as long as one knows the specific Spell, it is easy to design the corresponding Magic Item.

Perhaps the printing press Xia Duo designs will differ from the original version of the Arcane Empire, but the core function will be consistent: ensuring the stable operation of the core Spell, 【Printing】.

Since returning from that Projection Plane of the Arcane Empire, Xia Duo has been busy advancing, and after watching the Arcane Competition, he had to be busy studying his Spellbook; although the printing press was on his list of plans, it was ranked very low.

Had he known he might face a Drow invasion and the unknown crisis brought by that Scarlet Flash Star, he would have created the printing press long ago, and he would have been desperately hoarding Magic Scrolls.

Thinking about it now, he really feels some regret, but it is not too late yet; after all, the Drow have not actually killed their way to his door, and this can actually be considered routine preparation.

……

Just as Xia Duo was busy designing the printing press, far to the east of Konnifila City, in a small town on the northwest border of Cormanthor, the Silver Leaf Family was busy packing their belongings, preparing to flee.

The entire family settlement was permeated with an atmosphere of panic, but at this critical juncture, the family Elder Aobolaien blocked the door to the room of the Patriarch Aoruipusi.

Looking at his son's calm expression, the anger in Aobolaien's heart grew even more intense; if not for the fear of being discovered by other clansmen, he would have almost roared, "Going to human Territory is such a big deal, why didn't you discuss it with me beforehand?!"

"Father, I have already discussed this matter with my two uncles."

"Discussed it?!" Aobolaien widened his eyes, his long ears trembling in extreme anger, and his fury even caused the surrounding Magic Net to faintly fluctuate.

Patriarch Aoruipusi finally couldn't help but frown, his tone becoming slightly heavier, "Father, do you want to fight me? In front of the younger generation of the family? You are so old, can you be more mature!"

"I'm not mature?" Aobolaien hated it most when his son said this, so he forgot his original purpose for finding his son and just fixated on this point, wanting Aoruipusi to explain clearly.

Aoruipusi took a deep breath, barely maintaining his composure, pulled Aobolaien into the room, closed the door, and his tone softened slightly, "Father, not telling you beforehand was because I was worried that one more person knowing would mean one more risk of leakage; can you understand me saying this?"

Hearing his son's earnest explanation, Aobolaien was not as angry anymore, so he said, "I am not a talkative Elf! If you had told me in advance, I would certainly have been able to keep the secret."

"Yes, I know you would certainly have kept the secret." Aoruipusi's tone was already very weary; in private, there was no need to maintain the dignity of a Patriarch, and he was already coaxing his father almost like a child.

"Then why go to the Savile Territory?" Aobolaien asked again.

This was the key!

Aoruipusi knew that his father didn't actually care whether he had been notified in advance—after so many years, he should have been used to it—but there was one point: the Savile Territory was indeed a place his father was quite sensitive about.

But at the moment, it was indeed the only place most suitable for temporary refuge; Aoruipusi could not bear to deceive his father, so he said:

"I received accurate news that the Drow have broken through the defensive line and appeared on the Surface, and they are not far from the north bank of the Taisha River, very close to us; perhaps they will reach Xifu City by tomorrow, and Xifu City has no Mythallar, so it is impossible to stop the Drow's advance; we must leave as soon as possible."

"Really?!" Aobolaien was shocked; he only knew the family was going to human Territory for a temporary stay, but he did not expect the threat of the Drow to be right before their eyes.

"It is true; in Xifu City, besides us, only the Moonscar Family knows this situation, and I learned it from them."

Hearing the name "Moonscar Family," Aobolaien showed a look of realization; among the Elves, families with "Sun, Moon, or Star" marks in their names belong to the "Upper Family," or are branches of an Upper Family, or at least once were.

The Moonscar Family indeed might know such information.

But even knowing that the Drow might be about to attack Xifu City, Aobolaien was still somewhat resistant to going to the Savile Territory; he looked at his son somewhat ingratiatingly, "Then why don't we go to other big cities? Big cities have Mythallars and can certainly stop the Drow!"

"Big cities do have Mythallars, but big cities also have their own local forces; for a small family like ours fleeing there, how could we be allowed to enter without being stripped clean? Even if we got in, the Drow War is ongoing; who knows if we would be forcibly conscripted to fight! It is better on the human side; as long as Cormanthor still exists, they will not dare to do anything to us."

Aoruipusi said softly.

At this moment, he envied the Moonscar Family very much; with the care of their main family, they only needed to pay a minimal price to be able to hide in a big city with a Mythallar; however, compared to the other Elves in Xifu City who were completely unaware, the Silver Leaf Family was countless times luckier.

Aoruipusi's words made Aobolaien fall into deep thought; at this moment, he already knew why the family had to go to the Savile Territory, and at the same time, he finally felt the difficulty his son had in maintaining the family.

Regarding the incident ninety years ago when his son gathered his two younger brothers to drive him from the position of Patriarch, Aobolaien finally let it go; his son was indeed stronger than him, at least in terms of family management.

"I will go see if the clansmen need help."

After saying this, Aobolaien quickly left his son's room.

Inside the room, Aoruipusi revealed a bitter smile, "Father, I hope you can maintain this state!"