Legacy of the Void Fleet-Chapter 358: Ch The grand competition

In contrast, Generational Technology operates on an entirely different level.

It harnesses pure mana—scaled according to the sophistication and magnitude of the technology—and utilizes alloys at their full, one hundred percent potential.

The result is nothing short of extraordinary: vastly superior performance, overwhelming power, and capabilities far beyond conventional limits.

At the same time, it remains remarkably efficient and sustainable. After all, mana is virtually everywhere—abundant to the point of seeming limitless.

Because of this, and several other underlying factors, the gap between the two is not merely significant—It is akin to comparing the Mortal Realm to the Heavenly Realm.

In simpler terms, it could be said that technology and mana in Generational Tech have achieved a perfect balance—a sort of harmony that was absent in lower, vaguer levels like Arch and Magic Tech.

In those tiers, a mere 10–20 percent harmony is achieved despite using hyper-class alloys. This is the ultimate proof of the superiority of Generational Technology.

Focusing on the relaxation of industrial control, Kallus didn't just open the doors; he also introduced various subsidiesto foster and speed up industrial development.

While he reduced barriers, he didn't make it a "free-for-all." He understood human nature: the easier something is to obtain, the more its value depreciates in the eyes of the people, leading to a host of other problems.

"Let's do this, Empress: subsidies can't be given to just anyone. We need to create a rigorous structure where we select only those who show true potential," Kallus said with a thoughtful look.

"I was thinking the same thing," the Red Empress agreed. "While subsidies are welcome and necessary if we want to speed up the formation of a Private Industrial Complex, we can't just throw money away blindly. We need a strong selection process."

With a thoughtful look that mirrored his own, the Red Empress made her point clear.

"A stronger structure is indeed needed." Kallus nodded as he listened to the Empress, then continued, his tone steady and deliberate.

"After all, at the end of it… while we aim to capture a significant portion of the Azura Imperium's market, we must recognize something important. This cannot be achieved with mediocre efforts, can it?

I do not doubt our people—certainly not after the level of investment we have placed in them. I know they are capable, far from incompetent. However… this is a major step. There is no room for error. Even the smallest misstep could damage our standing—our face value—on a massive scale."

He paused for a moment, as though giving it deeper thought, then continued "This will be a delicate move. Precision is not optional—it is essential. And because of that… we cannot allow just anyone to participate at this stage. Only those with proven capability should be permitted to step forward."

The Red Empress nodded thoughtfully, one brow lifting slightly as she considered his reasoning.

"So," she said, her voice measured yet curious, "what do you propose we do? Do you already have something in mind?"

Kallus's eyes suddenly lit up, and a small smile appeared on his face. "Why don't we do this? Let's organize a Grand Competition! We can let people from different industries and interests participate in their specific lines of expertise—from mechs and shipbuilding to agriculture, medicine, and other fields.

"We will first start with an elimination process. People will propose concepts for their respective fields, which will pass through your subordinates' hands. Only those concepts that are realistic, implementable, and economical will pass this first hurdle.

"Then comes the second round of elimination. We will filter out the less valuable ideas until a total of ten thousand candidates are selected. Finally, in the Quantum World, we will let them create their own products within their respective fields. Only the best ten from each field will be selected.

"The winners will receive massive subsidies and rewards. For example:

-For Shipbuilders: We provide a shipyard—the most important asset—along with a design for a Corvette-class ship and a half-complete schematic for Quasi-Tier 1 Fusion Generation technology. They will also receive research funding and a highly advanced lab on a two-year lease.

-For Mech Production: We provide the top three candidates with production lines and designs for specialized Tier-3 to Tier-1 Super-class Mechs. This includes an incomplete schematic for a main component of a Tier-1 Multipurpose Mech, along with research funds and a leased advanced lab.

-For Other Fields: The rewards will be scaled similarly.

-For those below the Top 3: They will receive research funds, an intermediate-class lab, and a few basic design schematics.

"What do you think?" Kallus asked, looking at the Red Empress for her input.

"This is good!" The Red Empress's eyes lit up as she nodded. While calculating everything in her mind down to the smallest scale, she realized this was indeed an effective way to proceed.

It achieved the purpose of quality control, ensuring only the best of the best were selected. Furthermore, it ensured that resources wouldn't be stretched too thin to achieve anything meaningful. By concentrating resources on fewer people, the investment would be more efficient and less wasteful.

"But... as good as it is, I think a few things could be changed and others added," she continued. "First of all, the resources we are giving for vital infrastructure should be separated from subsidies. Instead, they should act as an investment.

We should take an equity stake in the companies these winners form, ensuring we maintain a degree of control—though only to be used in critical situations, which must be clearly defined in the contract.

Assuring the founder that they do indeed have overall control over their company, and that the state will not interfere with their interests or decision-making—unless, of course, they cross the line… which they should not, given the absolute loyalty they enjoy.

Still, it is better to be cautious than not; after all, it causes no harm to anyone, no? " Tilting her head, she said, and then moved on to say… "Also, we should increase the number of slots. While focusing on a small group is good, our aim is to capture markets at a faster pace, and ten industries simply can't do that alone.

We need more companies. Therefore, it is imperative that we increase the slots from ten to at least fifty in essential fields like shipbuilding, the mech industry, and weapons manufacturing.

And not forgetting that expanding slots would create a greater level of competition and urgency among these firms to innovate faster, stay on top, and ensure they continue receiving state support in their endeavor."

Kallus, hearing this, frowned. The first part was satisfactory—the conversion of vital infrastructure into investment rather than subsidies was something he thought was a great idea. The assurance that the founders would retain control of their firms was also both acceptable and necessary.

But the idea of increasing the slots… that, he did not feel particularly good about. He acknowledged that it would increase competition among the firms, leading to faster and greater innovation, yet he also felt it would divide resources among more parties, which seemed like a disadvantage—or so he believed. Not dwelling on it for long, he chose to ask directly,

"But, Empress, won't it cause an even greater division of resources, stretching them thin?"

The Red Empress, hearing that, nodded in acknowledgment, yet she still pushed for it as she began to explain why…

"While this will cause our resources to be stretched a bit more, I assure you this is more effective. It will not cost much more—only a little—and that is something we can easily afford and recoup quickly!

Just give it some thought… the Azura Imperium is surrounded by enemies on all sides. The orcs are continuously attacking their border regions, while the genomes are doing the same, though more covertly. The Imperium, powerful as it is, can defend itself… but from what I have gathered from the galactic net, it is facing challenges of its own. Its weapon production capability is falling shorter and shorter of meeting demand.

Despite possessing abundant resources, they are unable to convert them into weapons quickly enough. For some reason, they cannot even expand their production capacity, and because of this, about 20–40 percent of their weapons and supplies are coming from external sources.

Recently, they suffered a significant setback caused by an unstable supply of critical resources from a supplier state. Had it not been for the timely intervention of the Grand Elven Empire, the Imperium would have faced a major loss at the hands of the orcs.

Because of this, the Imperium is not only angered with the Syntheris race—a people known across the galaxy for their exceptional skill in producing weapons and related supplies, much like dwarves—but has also terminated its contracts with them. Now, they are urgently searching for a reliable supplier.

And that… is an opportunity. If we can seize it, we could very quickly recoup our investments."

Hearing that, Kallus raised his eyebrows in surprise; this was something he had been completely unaware of. A slight frown followed, and he looked at the Red Empress as if questioning why he had been kept in the dark—why he had been made to appear uninformed.