Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 437, Section 435: An Absurd Speculation (Bonus Chapter 6)

The blood-red gate opened, and space distorted.

Iron Knight Phil went first, followed by Oliveira helping the Siren King Alexius into the room.

Next are Lady Palacios, then Grand Duke Carlen, and finally Loy and Virgil the Red Dragon.

Before they left, they naturally released Princess Alicia of the Naga.

After gaining her freedom, the woman ran back to the sea tribe's camp and started running around trying to get the sea tribe guards to take down Luo Yi, who had humiliated her.

Unfortunately, with Prince Eros around, these guards remained unmoved despite being beaten and scolded.

This includes the guards who previously protected this palace, as well as the whale warriors.

As they passed through the blood gate, the surreal feeling of space distortion vanished in an instant. When they reappeared, Roy and the red dragon Virgil were already on the nameless desert island.

By this time, the night had passed, and although the surroundings were still shrouded in mist, the light of the sky could be seen through the mist.

This trip, though short, felt like a lifetime ago.

As for the result?
By all accounts, everything has been achieved!
The sea monster Alexius has been rescued, and the matter of underwater trade is finally showing some promise.

This bizarre experience is truly baffling.

When Loy returned, he saw Iron Knight Phil pulling Alexius and asking, "Tell me, when you were choosing partners, how did you come to value this woman?"

Didn't you know she was insane before this?

What could Alexius, the Siren King, say? He could only widen his eyes and repeat, seemingly innocently, "I don't know!"

"I do not know!"

Actually, you can't blame him. Given his status, he wouldn't have access to the higher-ups in R'lyeh, so judging the time is perfectly normal.

However, he will have to arrange the rest!

For example, the Blood Gate on this nameless desert island cannot be demolished, as it will become the channel for communication with R'lyeh City.

For example, if the Naga prince were to send someone, Alexius would have to receive them.

As for the negotiations between the two sides, there's no rush.

Once both sides have communicated and agreed on a time and place, we can continue the discussion.

As long as both parties are willing to make this money, exchanging goods and services is actually a very simple matter.

Loy gave Alexius a final explanation, then led everyone onto the magic warship and sailed towards the Flower Territory.

Theoretically, the trip went smoothly, but Luo Yi seemed preoccupied.

Everyone gathered in the captain's cabin, chatting casually about their underwater adventures. Walter, in particular, was full of curiosity and shamelessly kept asking questions.

Then, they started chatting, one after the other.

After the initial awkwardness subsided, everyone became quite talkative, except for Luo Yi, who went to the bow of the boat alone.

The magical warship sailed through the waves, and Luo Yi stood at the bow. Although shrouded in mist, the sea breeze on his face helped him sort out his chaotic thoughts.

Before he knew it, the red dragon Virgil appeared behind him and said, "Is your heart in turmoil?"

Luo Yi nodded: "There are some things I haven't figured out!"

"Is it because of the news Prince Eros told you?"

"Yes!"

Virgil the Red Dragon tilted his head slightly and said, "It is normal for different empires to have their own plans and arrangements, and to target each other."

Why do you seem to care so much?

Luo Yi didn't answer immediately. Instead, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper. After a long while, he finally spoke: "To be honest, it's hard for me to describe my thoughts right now."
Furthermore, much of the information is fragmented and difficult to sort out.

But then, very suddenly, an idea popped into my head, an idea that horrified even myself.

Virgil the Red Dragon became interested: "Tell me, shall I hear it?"

Luo Yi opened her mouth to speak, but the words came out as nothing.

"Forget it, it sounds absurd!"

Virgil the Red Dragon laughed: "Absurd? Hahahaha, how many roads have you traveled? How many things have you experienced?"
I've seen far more absurdity than you can imagine!

So, stop talking nonsense, just tell me your thoughts, and I'll give you some advice.

"Then I'll tell you, but don't laugh at me, okay?"

"Speak faster!"

"Don't you think the death of the Imperial Crown Prince is suspicious?"

"What's suspicious about this? Isn't it a sure thing? The coalition forces are definitely behind it... Wait a minute!"
you mean?"

"I always felt that the death of the Imperial Crown Prince was not the work of the Allied Forces, but rather something the Empire had planned for a long time!"

Upon hearing this, even Virgil, the red dragon who considered himself well-informed, widened his eyes in disbelief. He stared at Roy with an expression that seemed to say, "Are you crazy?"
But having come this far, Luo Yi no longer cared. He continued, "So, the Empire murdered the Crown Prince in order to provoke this all-out war."

"I always feel that there is an invisible hand behind the empire, controlling everything."

But why are they doing this? What is their ultimate goal?

"I just can't figure this out!"

Upon hearing this, Virgil the Red Dragon frowned and tried to follow Roy's train of thought for a long time, but still couldn't come up with a solution.

But he didn't hesitate and said directly, "Luo Yi, can I teach you something else?"

"You mean?" "There are so many secrets in this world, far too many for you to keep track of."

Therefore, you must learn to forget and let go.

Even if your guess is true, so what? What does it have to do with you?
The empire is willing to fight amongst itself, willing to kill its own crown prince, so why do you care about him?

"Do you intend to exonerate the crown prince?"

"Heh, I don't have that kind of leisure. The problem is, I can't rest easy until I figure out the Empire's plans!"

Virgil the Red Dragon pressed, "Why?"

This time, Luo Yi didn't rush to answer. He braced himself against the railing, facing the strong wind, and it wasn't until much later that his voice drifted away in the wind.

"Don't you think the Empire is being a little too kind to the Flower Territory?"

"I provide manpower, technology, and assistance in building factories, cities, and railways. I even control arms deals."

Are they being too nice to me?

"But in this world, all love that comes without a reason comes with a hidden price."

What price will I have to pay?

……

It should be said that this unease had been lingering in Luo Yi's heart for a long time.

This unexpected news only exacerbated that anxiety.

It was precisely because of this unease that Luo Yi was unwilling to be deeply bound to the empire, and constantly emphasized his independence and autonomy.

His success in selling arms to the Allied Forces and engaging in underwater trade with the Naga Empire was based on this idea, allowing him to be successful in all directions!

Of course, these are all things that are too early to discuss, and they are things that he certainly cannot solve at this stage.
So, let's put it on hold!

Upon returning to Brussels, Loy attempted to write a letter to Prince Eros and sent it through the Blood Gate.

Over time, Luo Yi also grew to like the letter-based communication method.

Many things that are inconvenient to say face-to-face can be freely expressed in letters.

Moreover, basic communication and clarifying each other's needs are essential before formal negotiations.

Prince Eros didn't put on airs; after receiving the letter, he immediately replied to Loy.

The two sides exchanged messages back and forth, resulting in considerable communication and a greater understanding of each other.

For example, Luo Yi only now realized that there was actually quite a bit of communication between humans and sea creatures, and that the two sides also had trade relations.

However, the trading partners were mostly powerful mage organizations, and the goods traded were mainly magical materials.

Many magical materials from the deep sea are readily available and easily harvested by sea creatures, but they are considered rare treasures by humans!

Some materials on land are commonplace, but for sea creatures, they are simply unavailable without access to them.

Both parties got what they wanted in the transaction and made a fortune.

However, there are not many deeper transactions, such as finished weapons, potions, and daily necessities.

The main issue is the vast difference in environment; some things are not universally applicable.

These are the directions that Luo Yi wants to develop and expand.

For example, marine life doesn't actually like the high-pressure environment of the deep sea, which is a huge burden for them.

Therefore, their cities are protected by massive, permanently activated magical shields to balance the water pressure.

Of course, all of this is based on the endless supply of water in the ocean.

In comparison, the sea race civilization is stronger than humans in large-scale defensive magic arrays and teleportation arrays.

However, the consumption of water is also excessive, and once it reaches land, without energy supply, the effect is greatly reduced.

In addition, Prince Eros showed great interest in magical machinery.

At least two-thirds of the letters were asking this question.

Luo Yi didn't hide anything from him and sent him some basic materials, telling him to study them first and ask questions if he didn't understand anything.

To be honest, the existing magical machines are all human creations. They are fine for terrestrial environments, but he has no idea how they will perform underwater.

So, let's start with some basic knowledge and see if we can do some industrial enlightenment or something.

Finally, after getting to know her better, Luo Yi realized...

Actually, the biggest problem in R'lyeh is not the 'succession struggle'.

Because Alicia, that crazy woman, was just jumping around happily, but she posed no threat whatsoever, and Prince Eros's position was extremely secure.

However, their father, Prince Antirochus, had a somewhat awkward identity.

He is the current Naga Emperor's brother, not his son, and his succession as governor is an exception.

If he dies, the Naga Emperor might just wave his hand and take back the Northeast Province.

At that time, the two siblings had nothing left.

Therefore, the real problem is the 'hereditary succession'!
This is also why Prince Eros values ​​the Roy storyline.

Even if they lose the Northeast province, as long as their business is established, the siblings will have money and resources, and their lives won't be too difficult.

Just as Loy was preparing to engage in formal trade negotiations with the sea tribe, Grand Duke Carlisle gave him another problem.

　Update! Update!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)