Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 474, Section 472: The Magic Mirror's Council (Please Subscribe)
Marquisate of Carlisle, Greystone Castle.

This is a fortress built on a mountain, carved entirely from gray rock. Its area is destined to be small, but it is exceptionally sturdy.

The unique gray stone has an excellent elemental annihilation effect and can provide strong resistance to magic and battle aura.

Given its geographical location, breaching it would be virtually impossible.

The future is uncertain, but since the day the castle was built, it has never been breached.

This is why the Carlisle family's rule over this territory is so secure.

Even if there are times when they show weakness, as long as the castle is still there, the Carlisle family cannot be considered to have fallen.

This is why noble families like to build family castles; their defensive capabilities are truly high.

At this moment, the Marquis Theron Carlisle, the owner of this ancient castle and this vast land, felt as if he were about to shatter.

One of the characteristics of the Carlisle family is that, regardless of what they looked like before, once they become lords, they begin to expand horizontally.

Obese, broad-shouldered, bald, with a ferocious face, he has a habit of smoking cigars, holding one between his short, thick fingers, and occasionally putting it in his mouth to take a puff; he is absolutely intimidating.

But at this moment, facing the Duke Carlisle in the magic mirror, who looked 80% like him and had an even stronger presence, he felt that even the cigar in his mouth had lost its flavor.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally mustered his courage and said, "Your Excellency, I don't think things should be done this way?"

"What? Are you scared?"

Grand Duke Carlisle's voice came from the other end of the magic mirror. As soon as he spoke, he unconsciously tilted his head, feeling that the tone was all too familiar.

Not long ago, an emperor asked him the same question.

Marquis Theron nodded without hesitation: "Afraid! Of course I'm afraid!"

"The Flower Territory of today is not what it used to be; they now possess a magic-powered legion of nearly ten thousand men."

They were all highly trained magic gunners, equipped with the best magic cannons, heavy machine guns, and plenty of bullets and even more shells.

This alone is enough to give me no idea how to play!

"And that doesn't even include the powerful figures they possess—dozens of third-tier transcendents and multiple fourth-tier calamities. Are you sure you're not sending us to our deaths?"

"Grand Duke, Patriarch, Clan Chief..."

After changing the way he addressed her three times, he said again, "Flower Leader, it really isn't like two years ago!"

Grand Duke Carlisle knew he was putting people in a difficult position, so he could only reassure them, "Isn't there good news too?"
"That kid Roy's been poisoned. The Tears of Rhys, the elite poisoning squad dispatched by the Sardinian royal family, should have succeeded."

"Perhaps that kid is already dead, and now Flower Territory is leaderless. Given the enormous interests there, it will only erupt into more serious internal strife."

Marquis Theron pressed on, "You're right about everything. But just one thing: are you sure he's really dead?"

"An illegitimate child is a Templar Knight whom the Holy See is eager to recognize, and he just died so easily, do you believe it?"

"This one……"

Before Da Kai could speak, Marquis Theron immediately interrupted, "If, I mean if, if he were dead, there would still be Klein Raymond."

Even if he is still a baby, as long as he exists, he can unite people's hearts and minds, and he is more than capable of defeating us.

But if the illegitimate child isn't dead, he might unleash a furious rage, and you might just witness that Graystone Fortress isn't invincible!

"So, what exactly are you talking about?"

"I know the challenge has been issued and there's no going back, but what about reinforcements?"
Soldiers, superhumans, natural disasters, weapons, magical weapons, or even knightly orders and magic scrolls—I'll take them all.

I would be even happier if I could have one or two more legends.”

Marquis Theron sighed and said, "At least give me a glimmer of hope for victory."

After so much lamentation, the Marquis de Seron has finally revealed his true intentions.

He knew perfectly well that they were just a 'knife' held in the hands of the person behind the scenes, and had no say at all.

All he could do was try his best to do what this 'knife' was supposed to do.

He thought his performance was convincing and that everything he said was true, so he believed it should have some effect.

Grand Duke Carlisle's next words extinguished all his illusions.

None of what you're saying is true!

Marquis Theron's expression froze, remaining frozen for a long time before his face suddenly fell.

He even knelt directly in front of the magic mirror, trembling: "Master, please save us no matter what."
Even disregarding the benefits we bring to the family, just considering our blood ties, you have to give us a way out!

Grand Duke Carlisle remained silent for a long time, until Marquis Theron was almost collapsing to the ground, when he finally said in a low voice, "You are the blade, but am I not?"

Do you think I still have the power to influence the current situation?

"so what should I do?"

"Give it your all, and maybe there'll be a glimmer of hope, or you might die a glorious death!"
"Don't worry, I'll send people. Things can't be delayed, and I'll do my best to save some people."

With those words spoken, the magic mirror flickered, and Grand Duke Carlisle had truly departed.

Only Marquis Seron remained, completely collapsed to the ground.

The same thing happened to the McKinley and Castro families. The difference was that the Castro family was backed by the Kingdom of Sardinia, and the Marquis of Sain received a series of promises, but they were just promises, empty checks.

Behind the McKinley family was the Slavic Empire, whose children married into the icy lands and established themselves there.

This network of relationships was once a source of pride for the McKinley family, but now it seems they are trapped by it, swept along without any way out.

However, the Tsar was more generous; he had promised a territory that, regardless of success or failure, would belong to the McKinley family.

The problem is that everyone knows that land in the Slavic Empire is worthless.

Are you going to run out into the freezing cold to plant potatoes?

Even a foolish lord wouldn't do that!
Almost simultaneously, the three of them connected online again, discussing countermeasures with worried expressions. It's unclear who started it, but they began to expound on various aspects of traditional Chinese culture.

"These bastards want benefits but won't do it themselves. I just want some help, and they keep making excuses."

Tell me, how shameless must one be to do something like this?

"Hehe, mine is better than yours. It made quite a few promises, like a dedicated trade line and tax exemptions. It was so serious that I almost believed it."

But when it comes to practical matters, they all shirk responsibility faster than the last.

Now I finally understand why they were able to become dominant.
"They're ruthless with their hands, and even more ruthless with their hearts!"

"Compared to you, I seem to be better off. At least I have someone to back me up and is willing to give me more territory."

However, in the far north ice field, I've heard that if you urinate too slowly, it can freeze into an icicle.
I was thinking, what if I went there and my little brother got frozen off?

It was definitely not a funny joke, but it successfully made the other two marquises laugh.

However, only they themselves know how much helplessness and resentment were contained in that laughter.

Even so, they still dared not resist, nor did they have the right to resist.

……

at the same time,

Inside Lilia's mechanical mage tower in the Flower Territory, Loy was also in a secret room, connecting with her two allies.

A magic mirror hovered in mid-air, its frame visibly flowing with magical energy, reflecting off its surface which flickered rapidly before finally splitting into three.
Finally, the figures of Grand Duchess Lloyd, Grand Duchess Afra, and Marquis de Freud were revealed.

Luo Yi didn't look up, but instead looked at the three challenge letters in her hand, reading one after another, carefully reading them with a playful expression.

After watching it twice, Luo Yi finally spoke up: "It's alright. At least it has a 'just cause,' bringing up the conflict between Flower Territory and the Carlisle family instead of just going through the motions!"

"They are, after all, the overlords of the Old World. They can't act like bandits. They have to have some semblance of decency."

Grand Duchess Afra said this, then abruptly changed the subject, saying, "Loy, you shouldn't have faked being poisoned!"

"what do you mean?"

"Poisoning is such a heinous act. You can actually bring it out into the open, use it as an excuse to vent your anger."

Fueled by this rage, you can impose curfews, raid cities, and kill spies and assassins.

But you shouldn't have spread the news of your poisoning, and you definitely shouldn't have avoided showing your face in public!

"You should show yourself in front of everyone and tell everyone that you are fine and have no injuries whatsoever."

Only in this way can you command respect and maintain your business, instead of resorting to tactics like luring the enemy out of hiding and causing unrest.

Luo Yi nodded slowly, then shook her head: "You're right, but I don't want to wait any longer, I want to start a war."

"Since they've been targeted, why not drag them out and give them a good beating?"

Marquis Freud finally spoke: "Theron and the other two are nothing, but behind them are three great empires!"
Even if they are still fighting fiercely, if they spare even a portion of their forces, you won't be able to resist them.

“Luo Yi, I know you are very confident, and your strength has increased dramatically in Flower Territory, but this is a difference in size.”

"Or are you planning to seek help from the Habsburg Empire and completely side with the Empire?"

"I don't intend to do that, but I still want to clash with them!"

Loy's words were calm, which made Old Freud's expression even more unpleasant. Even Grand Duchess Afra rebuked him, saying, "Loy, confidence is a good thing, but arrogance can lead to death!"

Luo Yi grinned and said, "Alright, this war is my own insistence. You don't have to fulfill the alliance or participate."

However, I have only one request!

"what?"

"You can stand by and watch, but I won't tolerate betrayal. Otherwise, don't blame me for turning ruthless!"

As she said this, Luo Yi's expression remained indifferent, but her voice was like the cold wind of the far north, chilling people to the bone.

Old Freud's cheeks puffed up with anger, while Grand Duchess Afra looked as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

In the end, they had no choice but to speak up and make a promise.

"it is good!"

"I agreed."

(End of this chapter)