Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 632 Visitors from the Sea
“That’s the situation.” Harvey looked at the group of high-ranking spellcasters from the kingdom present and spread his hands helplessly. “The power of the rules contained in this newborn fragment is both rigid and powerful. I simply cannot fuse it smoothly.”

Dawson was speechless for a long while before slowly saying, "Since Your Majesty already possesses a core that is suspected to be [Control], you should be able to successfully devour [Newborns] who are obviously of a lower sequence and do not possess high-level consciousness! This reversal of priorities... I really can't understand it."

Salas pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I agree with Your Majesty's analysis. The fusion of the fragments of inheritance needs to proceed according to a predetermined sequence, which is itself a concrete manifestation of the rules..."

He then solemnly advised Harvey, “Your Majesty, I believe that the power of the rules brought by the fragments of inheritance not only strengthens the individual spellcaster, but the knowledge contained within can also be directly applied to reality, providing irreplaceable assistance to the growth of the entire race’s strength… Therefore, I think there is no need to risk forcibly merging them. As long as the fragments remain in our hands, we will always find a way to maximize their effectiveness.”

Although Harvey himself didn't say it explicitly, he had overheard and vividly remembered the entire conversation between Harvey and his teacher Calvin in the magic network...

The inherited core, possessing the power of rules, is not something humans can easily control. Blindly devouring it will cause mutations in one's own magical runes. The deeper the fusion, the more fragments are devoured... leading to the infinite expansion of the spiritual anchor, which will eventually reach the limit that an individual can bear...

Therefore, his words were, both overtly and covertly, to advise Harvey not to rush into taking the risky step of fusion and devouring. As the supreme ruler of the United Kingdom and the spiritual leader of this group of spellcasters, acting prudently to protect himself was clearly in everyone's best interest and expectation.

Harvey nodded. “This matter cannot be rushed. I plan to issue a bounty to all forum members as an agent of the Magic Network Forum… to collect as many ancient records and documents related to fragments of inheritance as possible, and try to find traces of the remaining lost fragments from the clues left by history.”

"The Magic Encyclopedia has already included all the documents and books stored in the Alayer Magic Vault. Dawson and I will be responsible for screening and searching them as soon as possible to see if we can find any valuable information."

The legendary mage volunteered to serve as the "scribe," and the other spellcasters naturally didn't dare to be idle either. Duncan quickly stood up and said, "I will contact the independent spellcasters in Blackrock City through the forum to see if they have any intelligence."

“I’m in charge of contacting the dwarves and high elves through the forum…they may have more complete ancient records there,” Magic Shield added, patting his chest.

Compared to the human race, which is often plagued by internal strife and war, the dwarves and elves have maintained a state of internal peace for a long time since migrating to the southern border. Their historical records have been almost completely preserved, with most of the major events from ancient times being well-documented.

After a moment's thought, Asdaren suggested, "Although the Holy City of Goris was destroyed in the war, the remaining moderates who returned to garrison it should have brought back many precious ancient texts. We should order them to make copies of some of them... This will also help us verify the authenticity of a lot of information."

As for the High Wizard Council... this is the most closed and conservative spellcaster organization in the magical world of the Southern Continent. Most of its members are so stubborn and rigid that they are terrifying. The family relationships and conflicts of interest behind them are even more complicated. Harvey has no intention of extending an olive branch to them now. He plans to deal with them when he has more free time.

"Regarding the core fragment research involving [Newborn], I intend to directly entrust it to the research group led by Egno... The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture must provide full cooperation, and if necessary, the New Federation and the Academy of Sciences should also provide timely support..."

Before Harvey could finish giving his instructions, a guard rushed in from outside the meeting room, bowed, and reported, "Your Majesty, the Coral Sea Clan and the Abyss Sea Clan of the Southern Seas have each dispatched a joint delegation... which has now arrived at Grizzly Bear Keep by sea. Chief Administrator Earl Feigen has asked you whether they should be allowed to enter the capital as a diplomatic mission?" "Oh? They've arrived so quickly?" Harvey raised an eyebrow. "They seem quite concerned about their status. I clearly instructed Dean Arturo to invite them to the North in a private capacity, but they've become quite formalistic."

A low laugh emanated from Arturo's metal-cast chest as he slowly explained to Harvey, "Your Majesty, that's just how the sea people are. They like to imitate human etiquette and norms, yet they pride themselves on having an independent cultural heritage... But as long as you can gain their trust, they are generally easy to get along with."

"I've heard that although the sea tribes are weak, most of them are skilled in singing and dancing, and have outstanding talents in architecture, sculpture, music, painting, and artifact appreciation. Almost everyone is a born artist?"

“Especially their architecture and sculptures…” Arturo replied with a smile, “If Your Majesty had the opportunity to visit their sacred coral city, you would surely be amazed by their unparalleled aesthetics and exquisite craftsmanship…”

He didn't seem to be a complete "pretty face" after all. Harvey's original intention was to keep them in Starfire City as much as possible, as he had a great plan to use these distinguished guests from the sea later.

"Let Ash, the Minister of Culture and Propaganda, take charge of receiving them... Treat these distinguished guests who have traveled a long way to the North well, try to meet their requests, and let them stay for a while longer."

……

In the Southern Territory, Grizzly Bear Keep, inside the Chief's office in the City Hall.

Count Fagan put down his alchemical communicator, turned around, and with a broad smile, forced himself to speak gently to the two strangely-looking "distinguished guests" before him: "The capital has approved your request to visit, granting you permission to enter Starfire City as a diplomatic mission..."

He had heard rumors about the sea creatures before and knew that although they had strange appearances, they were actually a race of demi-humans with the same bloodline. However, when he actually met them face to face, he was still a little frightened. The leader of the self-proclaimed Coral Sea Clan had a body shape that was roughly the same as that of a human, but his face was flat with bulging eyes, his cheeks had split gills, and his feet were bare with webbed toes that were completely different from those of ordinary people.

The one who claimed to be the leader of the Abyss Sea Clan... even Count Fagan himself didn't dare to look at him too closely. His upper body was no different from that of the Coral Clan, but his lower body, which was wearing a silk apron... consisted of several huge, thick tentacles that were as slippery as an octopus, leaving a trail of wet, disgusting slime on the floor as he walked.

Earl Fagan swallowed hard, glanced at the clock on the wall, and thoughtfully suggested, "It's getting late. Even if you all head to Raventown immediately, you probably won't make it to the last passenger train that crosses the Divine Ridge Mountains. I have specifically requested His Majesty's permission... to have Grizzly Bear Keep allocate two transport airships to take you there."

Sending them to the capital today, leaving these "sea creatures" at Grizzly Bear Fortress... was something he felt would give him nightmares.

(End of this chapter)