A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 597 Additional Investment

"Baron, you can certainly help me." William called to the new captain of the guard, "This old gentleman is tired; please ask him to go and rest."

"This old minister can still hold on." The baron was politely ushered out of the palace hall by the new chief of guards.

"Don't insist anymore, I can't hold on any longer." Wilhelm II yawned. "Get me that person." He wanted to call out a name, but gave up after confirming he had forgotten. "That technical officer, come here."

After the technical leader in charge of the anti-magic device's research and deployment was brought before the emperor, the emperor said impatiently, "Are you sure you didn't recommend a mad swindler to me? He's definitely not a proper baron, at least not from the empire."

"Noble titles are insignificant to him." The technical officer didn't see himself as disrespecting the emperor and the group he represented: "Without him, our project wouldn't be what it is today. He is the true father of the anti-magic machine!"

Wilhelm II was greatly surprised, but that was all; he would not "quickly invite the gentleman back" or "treat him as an honored guest."

The emperor simply used two pieces of paper and the button the old man had left behind to demonstrate again: "So, can what he said come true?"

"able!"

"You've reached a conclusion so quickly?"

"Because it was the Baron who said it. In the past, everything the Baron publicly stated was considered wild speculation, but it has all been verified one by one." The tech officer felt there couldn't be a better thing than this—it's not my theory that's wrong, it's your era!

Wilhelm II declined to comment: "Can you achieve that? Do you need him to take charge?"

"Of course not, Your Majesty. The research institute will handle it. That gentleman just needs to point out the direction, and we'll take care of implementation. Theory is theory, and technology is technology." The technical officer merely admired the mysterious baron, not acknowledged him as a father. If His Majesty were to bring the old gentleman back, where would he, as the current head, be placed? Researchers are all very meticulous people; they keep things separate, academic matters are academic, and official matters are official.

The technician hesitated for a moment, then cautiously inquired, "Your Majesty, there are many spellcasters in the research team, and lately they've been quite uneasy, feeling that our Empire is unfriendly to them."

"Tell them that the anti-magic machine is to protect the core area of ​​the empire from being touched by the Mother Goddess. The threat of the evil god is not something I said, nor is it something the empire said; it's something their magic guild has been shouting about. Explain it clearly for me; it's just a protective restriction for all the mages. If they don't adapt, they can leave, and I won't force them to stay."

"I will certainly convey your message." In fact, the technical officer should not have become the leader. It was thanks to William's tendency to distance himself from spellcasters that he was able to stand out from the group of mage researchers.

Most of the mages who remained in the Empire are still enlisted in the army. Most of the ordinary conscripted soldiers have successfully returned home, and Wilhelm II specifically requested the military to keep the mages in the ranks. They now have a very important task—to investigate and deal with the infiltration of the Mother Goddess's power and the disasters caused by the cult in the core area of ​​the Empire (within the Kingdom of Marin).

After dealing with those who did his work, His Majesty the Emperor needed to deal with those who paid him.

That's right. Logically speaking, the emperor's treasury was already quite empty. Even if he only had seven sets of everyday clothes, it was definitely not something the emperor could afford to build an extremely expensive network of anti-magic devices on his own territory simply by saving money.

But to his surprise, he received investment. The mysterious businessman who had been secretly supplying the Empire with transmutation dust and new high-performance explosives finally revealed himself, and Wilhelm II himself was far more interested in him than in the "mysterious baron."

To be honest, it's obvious where this sponsor comes from. Besides Byrne, only Valuwa could provide the above-mentioned supplies.

Sure enough, a man with an extravagant style of dress entered. He introduced himself in a southern accent: "It is an honor to meet you, the great emperor of the empire. I am Baditz de Grievvar, the founder of the Society of 'Reason Above All.'"

"I've always wondered why you, and the people behind you, would help the Empire."

"Because the Society's philosophy is 'rejecting mystery and magic, and prioritizing reason,' you share the same ideals as us. You are not only the supreme leader of the Empire, but also the spiritual leader of our Society."

"In fact, in my homeland, Valois, many insightful people have recognized the dangers of abusing magic. They also see that mages are increasingly dissatisfied with their own domains and desire to interfere with and control us all. Although our power is still weak, we have many supporters; those who manipulate magic and the world are a tiny minority!"

Many people in Valuwa were originally dissatisfied with the mage community, but they realized that the Republic could no longer sever ties with this community, and that the Republic's ability to survive until the Empire was now divided in two was also due to the intervention and support of the magic guilds.

However, discontent still exists, even if it is only in secret. Therefore, the "Rationality Above All" society easily gained many followers and behind-the-scenes supporters. Many National Assembly deputies, even if they do not publicly express their support for them, now consider it fashionable to invite the society's leading figures to their residences for exchanges. At salons, declaring one's membership always causes controversy and attracts attention.

When Wilhelm II ascended the throne, these people were overjoyed. It turned out that there were others in the far north who shared the same ideas and had enough status and power to transform the Kingdom of Marin into a dead magic zone, practically their "earthly divine kingdom." The leader of the society, Baditz, was on a pilgrimage to the Grand Patriarch to pay homage to the Holy Emperor.

He promised to provide the Empire with a large amount of transmutation dust, continue to provide some raw materials, and the latest model of steam engine, all at cost price. He even offered a donation that could be directly converted into goods to be sent into the Empire.

"You can get all of these?" William asked incredulously. "Did your society get them all before?"

"Yes, this demonstrates that our association has broad public support, a wide network, and strong execution capabilities."

"But without exception, they were not made by mages. The better steam engine, as far as I know, was improved by the Alchemy Department of the Tower of Stars; that so-called 'transformation soil' that can be used as fuel was also created by the Magic Guild."

"..." Baditz was speechless for a moment, but he quickly thought of a response: "Middleman, Your Majesty, we will find a middleman to cover up this transaction, secretly, via the sea and Istani, and then into your country, without being hindered by the mages."

The Emperor nodded: "Then I thank you and the society you represent for your selfless assistance, Mr. Griffith. Please rest for a moment; I invite you to tonight's banquet."

"It is my honor, Your Majesty."

After seeing off the second guest, the emperor stroked his chin: "Is the Magic Guild secretly supporting my plan?"

(End of this chapter)