[Robert may not exactly be optimistic but he's at least willing to give things a cursory inspection.]

Indeed. Or more controllable, or more reproducible... things that actual science would comprise of. The Malnosso appear to be less like scientists and more like fanatics with access to scientific tools.

[He sighs, and adds in a more uncomfortable way:] ... What is the biggest pity is that their technology and rhetoric are clearly quite advanced... and yet they squander it.

Not entirely unexpected from barbarians, but a shame nonetheless.