A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 514 Secret Agreement

"Leave the center of power?"

"Yes. The situation in Valuana is out of control." Maxim didn't want to reveal more to the young man. The mutual attacks between the committee and the National Assembly had reached an absurd level, with everyone hoping to use him to put their political enemies to death. Maxim was even forced to sign the death sentence of his former military commissar and friend, Georges Jacques.

Like many commissioners, George was not honest; while seeking benefits for the country, he also plundered his own pockets. Legally, he did not deserve to die, yet George himself sent many conservatives to the guillotine for the same crimes.

Now it's his turn.

Maxim originally wanted to be an impartial arbiter to correct the status quo, but the more he avoided acting arbitrarily and sought advice from those around him, the more people used him to kill others. Over time, the public seemed to regard this "unshakeable figure" as the source of terror and the greatest executioner.

"If I represent terror, then I am willing to end my political career to end terror and get us back on track." As a result, Maxim decided to no longer interfere in the affairs of the committee.

"Is today's negotiation still valid?"

"Yes, I do. Legally, I haven't stepped down yet and can represent the committee. On the other hand, I'm not portrayed as as despicable in the military; on the contrary, I have many supporters. Finally, I'm the only one on the committee who dares to contact the 'enemy.'" Maxim sighed inwardly.

He secretly contacted representatives in the occupied territories, a crime he committed by executing Charles XVI, which constituted treason. But Maxim believed the Republic needed him to step forward now.

Rorschach nodded: "I personally have the utmost respect for you, so we can begin signing the agreement."

Byrne will guarantee that the facilities and order of the occupied territories will not be damaged during the takeover, and that no atrocities committed by the invaders will be carried out. It will take over the production sectors such as factories and mines in the occupied territories, and 20% of the mineral output will be secretly handed over to the Republic of Valois.

Maxim and the other negotiators hadn't expected such favorable terms: "Isn't 20% too much? And how will we transport such a large quantity of supplies?"

"The transportation will be handled by the Magic Guild, with spellcasters providing cover. As for the 20%, it must be stated in advance that a large portion of it will be controlled by the Tower of Stars."

"No, I mean the Empire."

"The Empire has always underestimated our production capacity. Take the steel mill as an example. The Logistics Department currently records our annual output as 2.6 million tons, but that was the data from Kempson Plant 1 a year ago. Today, Bain's actual production capacity is three times that. What limits us is the amount of iron ore we import." Underreporting steel production was a traditional skill of a certain great power before Rorschach's transmigration, and it was something that couldn't be ignored. The sponsorship that was secretly imported into Valuwa was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to underreporting production.

"Wait, you mean, what you're handing over to us isn't raw materials, but rather primary industrial products like steel ingots?" The Valois negotiator accompanying them was dumbfounded. What was the point of negotiating then? He hadn't expected the other side to offer such favorable terms.

"Any objections?"

"No, no. I just can't understand why Byrne is treating us so well."

"It's not some preferential treatment, but a requirement, which is also the final clause of the agreement." Rorschach ignored the confused negotiators and focused his gaze on Maxim: "Valuwa cannot surrender. Even if it costs the last drop of blood of the Valuwa people, we must hold out until at least the end of December this year."

"There is no need to set a timeframe. Whether in the past, present, or future, the Valois will never submit to the Empire!"

Luo Xia inwardly grumbled, but outwardly he still had to show approval: "Okay! There are two final terms:"

"Valuwana was able to hold out until December under the offensive of the Imperial Army's Eastern Front, during which time the National Guard's Western Front was able to achieve major victories."

"Once both conditions are met, Byrne will return all occupied territories to the Republic."

The two sides engaged in meticulous negotiations over the details of the agreement, such as what constitutes a "major victory," whether there were specific figures for the "20%" figure, and the method of delivering the goods.

In the middle of the night, during the intermission, Maxim ate oranges prepared by Bain's side, while his entourage wondered, "Does this mean that Bain will side with us after December?"

Maxim shook his head: "You seriously overlooked what Rorschach said at the beginning. He now represents the main body of the Bain Agreement, as well as the Magic Guild and the Arcane Senate. The point is not the former's attitude towards us, but the latter's attitude towards the Empire is already clear."

Two secret agreements are under negotiation tonight. One in Besan City is almost finalized, while the other, in the majestic Imperial Palace, is not so pleasant.

The chairman of the Imperial Magic Guild looked extremely grim, both because the anti-magic devices in the palace were constantly tormenting the spellcasters' senses, and because of the emperor's refusal to cooperate: "Your Majesty Wilhelm II, are you truly determined to go your own way?"

"Going your own way? I am the nation! It is your guild that is going against the tide!"

"If the bill is truly implemented, it would mean a blanket ban on all spellcasting within the city. Would spellcasters loyal to your country also be treated the same way?"

"This is our country's internal affair, no need for the Chairman to concern himself with it." The Emperor waved his hand impatiently. "And there's no need to mention the 'magic weaver' anymore. My meaning is very clear: only an absolute ban is safe, and most members of the Imperial Council think the same way."

The chairman gave up trying to persuade him and bowed deeply to the emperor, saying, "Well, I regret that we have not reached an agreement."

"Yes, I will not compromise like the late Emperor and Ancestor. The Empire does not need magic guilds that dominate the world, nor does it need uncontrollable spellcasters." Wilhelm II felt as if he had achieved a great victory. At this moment, the Chairman was no different from an ordinary person under the suppression of the device, while he was the one in power, the true ruler. The Emperor raised his head, picked up his scepter, and ordered the guards to rudely escort the Chairman out of the palace.

Once they reached a place free from the influence of the devices, the chairman's expression eased slightly. He quickly wrote a letter, recording his unpleasant conversation with the emperor that night on paper.

Soon, all the elders of the Austrian Court received the report.

Inside the lounge, Rorschach, who had been waiting, stared at the portable communication scroll. When the letter from the Chairman of the Imperial General Council arrived, he opened it, quickly scanned it, and then burned it.

"The negotiations over there have broken down, the results are in, Mr. Maxim, please return to the negotiating table."

The dawn sunlight streamed through the window and shone on the final document. Rorschach did not sign it, but instead drew his own mark with alchemical ink. As the last stroke was completed, a burst of inspiration flowed across the paper.

This was not Bain defecting to Valois, but rather the first death sentence handed down by the Austrian Senate to the Empire.

(End of this chapter)