A Core Ship From The Start

“Generally speaking, there are two types of puppets made by puppet technicians. One is relatively simple, while the other is more complex. The simple ones are mainly controlled by the Puppeteer Master through threads, while the complex ones can perform some autonomous actions.”

While explaining, Baddy picked up his tools and began to make the puppet.

“I’ve seen the simple ones before, but I’m quite curious about how the autonomous puppets are made.”

Duanmu Huai had seen the first type of puppet, such as Ogis’s Guardian Puppet, which she controls with her thread. It’s the autonomous puppets that he found it hard to comprehend. Although Duanmu Huai had used these puppets more than once, he really couldn’t figure out the principle behind them.

Mechanical soldiers were actually easier to understand since they are related to machinery and have an essential core circuitry. But what about the puppets?

“Other than a complicated internal structure, there’s no significant difference.”

“What about the materials?”

“Well, most of them are made of wood. Of course, some are made of steel and other special materials, but that’s mainly for special purposes.”

As Baddy answered Duanmu Huai’s questions, he didn’t stop working. Duanmu Huai watched his hands moving quickly over the workbench, carving a piece of wood into the limbs and body of a puppet in the blink of an eye. Then Baddy assembled some gears, brackets, and springs, then put them together… soon a puppet took shape.

Next, Baddy took out a key, inserted it into the back of the puppet, turned it a few times, then Duanmu Huai saw the puppet open its eyes and slowly raise its head. It lifts its head, looks at Baddy and talks.

“Hello, master.”

Seeing the awakened puppet before him, Baddy nodded in satisfaction.

“Well, it’s done.”

“Wait a minute, would you?!”

At this point, Duanmu Huai finally couldn’t hold back.

“How did you do that?”

“Isn’t that how it’s done? Didn’t you see everything?”

“All I saw was you stuffing a bunch of parts into this puppet’s body?”

“That’s right, so I said, the autonomous puppet is a bit more complex. If it’s a puppet that’s manipulated, you only need to build the limbs and then assemble it.”

“No… but… ”

Duanmu Huai knew that pure technology could sometimes achieve some miraculous things, such as wooden oxen and horses, and clockwork puppets that could walk on their own. The ancient craftsmen’s skills were also quite magical. But even if the things they made could move, they were only repeating actions according to certain rules.

However, the puppet Baddy just made can not only walk and talk, but it can also obey commands.

This is clearly at the level of a robot, isn’t it?!

Where’s its information processing center? Does this thing not have a core??

“Can I take a look at the materials?”

“Of course.”

Duanmu Huai got up and came to the workbench, carefully inspecting each material.

A spring… a regular spring.

Gears… regular gears.

The other parts were also just simple metal parts.

He went back to the newly made puppet, opened its belly, and saw the gears inside constantly turning, driving the rotation of the spindle. Duanmu Huai also carefully inspected its head – besides components controlling eye movement and speech, there was nothing else inside.

???

What the hell is this technology?

Duanmu Huai was completely dumbfounded. He really couldn’t understand this thing… where was the power source? Where was the information processor? Why could it obey others’ commands and have its judgment? Why could it speak without a sound device?

This is not scientific at all!

But it’s very magic-like.

With this in mind, Duanmu Huai and the dwarf technician had another conversation, which eventually resolved some of his questions.

Simply put, this “autonomous puppet” can act independently to a certain extent, but that action is dependent on what the creator designs them for, such as a “sales-specialized puppet” or a “guard-specialized puppet”. These puppets will carry out autonomous actions within their assigned duties.

However, if you ask them to dance or cook, they will respond by saying, “I do not possess those functions”.

As for the issue of “letting puppets possess a sense of self”, Baddy gave Duanmu Huai a whole explanation. Simply put, it is indeed a very important topic among puppeteer masters, much like how there are always people researching robots in order to develop ones that are identical to humans.

There are currently only two viable methods.

One is to take someone’s “soul” and insert it into a puppet. Although it turns the human into a puppet, these types of puppets can be controlled. However, most people clearly would not choose this method. On one hand, it goes against moral ethics, and on the other hand, this method is prone to problems.

The other method is much simpler and can be summed up in one word: enchantment.

That’s right, if the puppets in this world are used for a long enough time, they will gradually develop and awaken their self-consciousness, eventually becoming a puppet with a heart and full consciousness. However, this typically requires at least a century to happen and a favorable environment for the puppet. Otherwise, even if you create a puppet and leave it in a box for hundreds of years, it wouldn’t change.

In the end, Duanmu Huai gave up on understanding puppet-making techniques. However, seeing the puppets Baddy had made set something off within.

“Since you can make moving puppets, what about animals?”

“Of course, I can.”

“Then… can you make me a mount?”

“A mount?”

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s request, Baddy was stunned. He looked Duanmu Huai up and down, then had an epiphany echoed on his face.

“You mean…”

“Yes, a mount that I can ride.”

Since the other party had figured it out, Duanmu Huai didn’t need to keep it a secret any longer. He indeed currently needed a mount. The two-wheeler he had before could also run, but it was made to human proportions. Riding it felt as awkward as an adult riding a child’s bike, so he abandoned it after only one use.

But now, seeing that Baddy could make puppets, and remembering the mechanical dog he saw running in the puppet zone before, Duanmu Huai was suddenly inspired.

Indeed, given his stature, finding a suitable mount was no easy task.

But…he could make one himself!

Of course, Duanmu Huai himself can’t make one, but he can commission one!

According to Merlot’s introduction, Baddy is the best puppet technician in the puppet zone, creating a mount should not be a problem, right?

“Hmm…”

Baddy crossed his arms, scrutinizing Duanmu Huai.

“It’s not impossible, but it’s going to take a lot of material…”

“Money is not an issue.”

Duanmu Huai seemed unaffected, after all, the Archbishop had rewarded him with a large sum of money that he hasn’t spent yet. If he could get a warhorse that matches his size, it would be worth it!

“Alright!!”

Hearing this, Baddy slapped his hand.

“This is the first time I’ve received such a commission. Do you have any particular requirement?”

“It needs to be fast, agile, and strong… and make it look good.”

“Good looking?”

“Yes, appearance is important.”

Given his size, Duanmu Huai no longer had much hope for change. He decided to focus on the appearance of his mount. If he could make a unicorn or Pegasus, wouldn’t that look much more presentable?

It must be said, Duanmu Huai’s request was a bit unexpected for Baddy, but he nodded in agreement nonetheless.

“No problem! Leave it to me!”

“Then, I’m counting on you.”

Hearing Baddy’s response, Duanmu Huai relaxed.

This could be considered a productive visit.