Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 502: Countdown to Destruction (Please Subscribe)
Although she didn't show it on her face, Grand Duchess Afra was filled with emotion at this moment.

She had her own selfish motives when she found Loy back then and even promoted him to the position of Earl Raymond.

Whether it was to secure a future for his son or to prevent the Raymond family line from ending, it was ultimately about maintaining the balance of power in the Duchy of Normandy.

Two powerful forces vie for supremacy, amidst the clash of swords and the darts of open and covert attacks—how could these duchies possibly get involved?
Maintaining a delicate balance is the way for small, sparsely populated countries to survive.

But who would have thought that in just two or three years, before she could even react, the Flower Territory had become so powerful that she had to look up to it.

They even dared to show their claws to the mainland's hegemon and defeated the combined forces of the three.

Upon hearing the news, she sat there in a daze for an unknown amount of time. In the dead of night, she even began to doubt her past decision.

If, just if...

If only Roy had stayed with the Norman family, if only he had taken control of the Norman territory...
Now, could it be that the powerful family is not the Flower Territory, but the Norman family?

But this thought was quickly suppressed by her reason; it was ultimately impossible, and no amount of regret would change anything.

However, once the balance is broken again and the gap in strength is laid bare, how to get along in the future becomes an unavoidable issue.

The principality is still called Norman now, but what about the future?
If the three marquis families are gone, this land will only have three families left. Can they still live together as equals?

These are the things that these two are most worried about!
Luo Yi was silent for a moment before speaking: "As you can probably tell, I don't actually have much desire to expand my territory, nor have I ever thought about conquering the continent or anything like that."

"That's not up to you!"

Marquis Freud jumped out again, shouting, "Moreover, you just admitted that the reason for the attack was to obtain more resources and raw materials!"

How can we know that in the future, you won't covet our territory because of resources?

Grand Duchess Afra also spoke up: "I believe you don't have that ambition, but what about your subordinates?"

"That's right, you have almost wiped out the traditional knight class, but emerging merchants, former nobles, and rising poor families are also surrounding you, forming a new ruling class."

If the flower industry grows and expands to a certain extent, do you think they would push you forward for their own benefit?
Or perhaps, you'll push your son onto the throne?

These words left Luo Yi speechless. The future was full of uncertainties, and who would believe an empty promise?

After thinking for a long time, Luo Yi finally said, "How about this, I can transfer some of the more advanced technology and benefits to help you take a big step forward in the magic energy industry."

At the same time, we will integrate your industry into the flower-themed area.

"In this way, from an industrial and economic perspective, we are part of a complete industrial chain. If I were to harm you, I would suffer huge losses myself."

Or, if you cut off my supplies, Flower Territory will also suffer a severe blow.

"Words are empty, and covenants cannot bind people's hearts. Only interests can keep us from betraying each other."

Upon hearing this, both Grand Duchess Afra and Marquis Freud's eyes lit up. They looked at each other and saw the immense joy on each other's faces.

To be honest, their biggest goal this time is actually to establish an alliance.

Although the alliance is not trustworthy, that's all they can get!

As for directly turning against the flower-bearer?

Or perhaps they could send troops to help the three marquises stabilize the situation?
This was something they had never even considered.

Just kidding!
What if the Royal Guard drove their magic tanks into their territory?
Those steel monsters are so tough that even the three giants couldn't stop them. Are they just going to run up there and die?
Therefore, a complete breakdown in relations is impossible, but relying on their existing friendship and relationship, striving for a non-aggression pact is the best they can think of.

They just didn't expect that Luo Yi would be willing to give even more.

Compared to a written alliance, a union based on shared interests is certainly more reassuring.

Luo Yi also thought this method was feasible, and besides, it was originally something he was doing, but now he was just giving up some of the benefits.

However, after thinking about it, he unconsciously frowned again: "However, it won't be easy to accomplish this!"

Grand Duchess Afra spoke up directly: "Why?"

Old Freud also spoke up: "It hasn't been that long, and you've already changed your mind?"

Luo Yi said, "It's not that I'm unwilling, but it's not easy for you to make it happen."

The development of Magic Energy Industry is not something that ends when I give you the technology, or even help you build factories and install machinery.

You also need a large number of skilled workers.

“At the very least, they need to be able to learn magic, read and write, and accumulate relevant knowledge, which involves popularizing education, and it’s too troublesome to do.”

"How about we just form an alliance directly?"
At worst, we can ask Tom, the god of justice among the seven gods, to witness for us. With divine punishment before us, I certainly won't disobey, and neither will you."

"This won't do!" Marquis Freud exclaimed.

"Why not?" Luo Yi seemed quite surprised:

"Ahem, the main thing is, the situation is still uncertain, and it involves the Seven Gods, which is not good."

"Yes, yes, that's right. I'm a devout believer in the sun god. To have the seven gods as witnesses—wouldn't that be betraying my faith?"

"It's just giving a testimony, it's not as serious as you say, is it?"

“It’s quite serious, I’m telling you!” Grand Duchess Afra finally spoke up: “Alright, stop teasing him.”

Loy, I admit, what you said about the deep integration of the economy and industry has appealed to us.

As for education reform and talent cultivation, rest assured, we have a strong determination.

Luo Yi replied, "Determination alone is not enough!"

My dear mother, don't underestimate this educational reform. It represents the spread of knowledge, the liberation of thought, the awakening of the serfs, and the end of the policy of keeping the people ignorant.

When ordinary people acquire power and knowledge, they will demand salaries and rights befitting their status.

This goes against the interests of the traditional aristocratic class, and it might very well cause a huge uproar.

"In other words, if you want to truly promote education reform, you are shaking the original ruling order and the foundation of your rule."

My mother, the Marquis of Freud, this is no small matter.

Old Freud paused, then asked, "Is it really that serious?"

"It's more serious than you think. Even in the Habsburg Empire, education reforms were promoted for many years, and only in the last two years have they yielded significant results."

The reason why Hohenzollern III didn't care about promoting the magic industry, and even seemed quite happy about it, was because he clearly knew that...

If any power were to truly embark on this path, the first thing it would face is a backlash from the domestic nobility, potentially resulting in widespread desertion and isolation.

Luo Yi's words were quite serious, but they were the truth. However, what he didn't expect was that Grand Duchess Afra was quite resolute.

“You’re right, but given the situation on the Old World, even the three major powers of the Allied Forces are actively developing the magic energy industry.”

They all do it this way; we don't want to fall behind, so we have no choice.

Marquis Freud nodded in agreement: "And what you just said about being abandoned by everyone can also be described in another way, which is our swift and decisive measures."

If anyone objects, just kill them. Kill them until they're terrified, and once they're all gone, the problem is solved.

Luo Yi laughed: "It doesn't sound good to talk about internal purges. Actually, are there other solutions?"

"what?"

"Since we're all allies now, I can't just leave without sharing some of the benefits with you."

"Aren't you really going to get involved in this war of the nobles started by the three marquises?"

"You actually want us to send troops to attack them?"

"Let me make it clear first: whoever occupies the land owns it, but we can discuss and exchange it to some extent later."

If you agree, then you can prepare to send troops.

As for the specifics of how to proceed, that's up to you.

"Isn't this not good?"

"Then let's just forget about it?"

"No, no, no! What I mean is, we still need to sign a contract or something."

Otherwise, if we encounter each other on the battlefield, I'm afraid that if you unleash that devastating weapon, you could wipe out my entire knightly order.

"That's easy, that's easy!"

……

The mediator was turned by Luo Yi and became the main force of the attack. That's how strange things are in this world.

Moreover, this time, the Norman family and the old Freud family displayed an astonishing mobilization speed that was not typical of feudal dynasties.

Almost immediately after the agreement was finalized, a knightly order set out with a well-trained army and marched into the territories of the three marquises.

Since they were not far apart, and the battle raged fiercely, the two families were naturally on high alert and quickly gathered their forces together.

They absolutely do not want to get involved in the battle for the flowers, much less stand against the three giants of the coalition, but when it comes to protecting their own safety, no one has the right to say anything!

At this point, by sheer chance, it came in handy.

After living together for decades or even centuries, it's impossible to say there's no friction, conflict, or resentment.

Now is the time to settle scores and vent grievances.

The fates of these two families signify that the era of the six great families equally dividing the Normandy was over.

This also signifies that the demise of the three marquis families has entered its countdown!
Of course, even so, the ripples it caused on the Old World were not significant.

To reiterate, the three major families have been abandoned by the entire aristocratic class of the Old Continent, and almost everyone is ignoring their existence.

At this time, the curfew in Brussels had ended, and with the continuous arrival of news of victory, its prosperity and glory reached a new level.

However, there are still some people who are unwilling to accept defeat.

(End of this chapter)