11. Shooting Down the Curved Moon (Part 3)

"Is this what you're calling a 'system tree'?"

Marseille, who had encountered this concept through Demont, was no stranger to the topic. He still remembered Demont's resigned yet sorrowful tone at the time.

– The development of technology follows a trajectory, the so-called "system tree," and no one can escape from it.

– The Empire's technology patents are the branching nodes of the tree. If you want to reach the next branch of new technology, you'll inevitably face a checkpoint called "patents." No matter what method you use, no one can escape from it.

"So you know about it..."

Dr. Gaskey forced a bitter smile and continued: