Mortefi: "Here's your sundial. Intact as it was."

Yangyang: "Mr. Mortefi, can we have the test results?"

Mortefi: "Simply put, it's hollow. Here, try tapping on it. It sounds different from a solid object. It's not just a timekeeping tool; it's an intricate mortise-and-tenon puzzle box. This sundial is hollow with an inner compartment. We've scanned it, and there is a small paper scroll inside. However, it's missing a crucial component. We should be able to spin the wheels on this sundial once the right component is installed.”

Rover: “Impressive analysis.”

Mortefi: ”Automata Mechanics isn't my field of study. I specialize in developing Tacetite Weapons, but the foundational theories behind these applied technologies are quite similar.”

Rover: “You're quite the expert!”

Mortefi: “I have some basic knowledge, but there is someone else who is more knowledgeable in Automata Mechanism than I am. It wouldn't have taken me this long if we were dealing with Tacetite Weapons. Install the missing part, then rotate the wheels to their correct positions, and you should be able to solve the puzzle and access the paper scroll. However, I still have no idea what the missing component should look like."

Rover: “Maybe we can brute-force it.”

Mortefi: ”Well that's a no-brainer indeed. We can certainly give it a try. If you're fine with the paper scroll being destroyed by its protective mechanism, that is.”

Rover: "Never mind. Shall we go ask the experts in this field?"

Mortefi: "No need to ask him. I can help you with this. I just need some time to think it over. One moment. I have an incoming call.”

Mortefi: 📞”... What is it? You certainly are well-informed. It's indeed beautiful data... Good taste. Well, since you've put it that way..."📞

Yangyang: "Rover... Mr. Mortefi's expression seems to have softened, don't you think?”

Rover: "Yeah, he looks like a purring cat now."

Yangyang: "...an amiable person, isn't he? We haven't even asked him to help us with assembling…"

Rover: "I guess the Academy people are just passionate about solving problems."

Yangyang: "It looks like Mr. Mortefi needs some more time. Maybe we should give him some space to concentrate? Rover, let's come back later, shall we?"

Mortefi: 📞"Yes, of course. I've already noticed all that you mentioned. Indeed. You just pointed out a blind spot in my thinking. Your workshop? That hellish place? Heh... Stop sweet-talking me. I get it."📞

Turn to address Rover.

Mortefi: "Sorry for keeping you waiting. Let's go back to the sundial. It's a mortise-and-tenon puzzle box. The missing component in the middle needs to fulfill two entirely different structural requirements at the same time. Considering its entire structure, this component needs an automatic buckle that goes down on top of an embedded pointer. I'll draw up a design for you. The parts you'll need can be found in Xiangli's workshop. I've already informed him about it; you'll only need to go fetch the parts in his place. He keeps a boxful of them."