Magic Industrial Age

In Luo Yi's view, the ruling model of the Old Continent couldn't achieve true centralization, even for the royal family, who were merely the largest nobles.

The saying 'The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal' perfectly illustrated this.

The royal family had to rely on the support and assistance of the lesser nobles to do anything.

Their interests were aligned, making it virtually impossible to betray their own class. Even with conflicts, it would at most end with ceding territory, paying reparations, or a ransom.

Afterward, the two noble families would continue to interact and intermarry as if nothing had happened.

In fact, if you carefully considered it, the royal families and major nobles of all the great nations of the Old Continent were all related.

However, when the Hohenzollern family resolutely promoted arcane machinery, everything changed.

They betrayed their own class.

Because the development of arcane machinery inevitably required popular education, opening up the minds of the people, liberating serfs, and exploiting mineral resources.

This was a struggle for resources that you couldn't escape or avoid!

But these resources belonged to the old nobles, and they would certainly not be willing to give them up.

From this perspective, it was understandable that the old nobles formed the Twilight Hermitage in secret, or even openly opposed the royal family.

In terms of pure strength, the royal family was actually at a disadvantage, outnumbered as they were.

However, Hohenzollern III was an extremely resourceful person.

He held the moral high ground and used tactics of division and enticement to win over some nobles to his cause.

Most importantly, arcane machinery was not just castles in the air but a new thing that could truly create huge profits.

With this, he rallied a large group of nobles and rising wealthy merchants, ultimately forming the Royalist Party.

The term 'Royalist Party' was actually a derogatory term given to them by the old nobles, who considered them to be the royal family's lackeys.

But they called themselves the New Nobility!

Thus, the struggle between the new and old nobles began.

Most importantly, their struggle had broken the previous tacit understanding of fighting without causing irreparable damage, and it was no longer possible to end it with a small monetary loss.

Instead, it had reached a point of no return!

Like this time, Baron Marquis had lost, so the entire Marquis family was uprooted.

This included not only Baron Marquis but also various collateral relatives, who were also implicated and had their property confiscated.

Baron Miller Petrovich had indeed pardoned many people, but this did not include the Marquis family's branches.

As for Maruna, although he clearly followed Luo Yi, he still carried the 'Marquis' surname.

Maruna was already lucky because Luo Yi had sensed something was wrong and had first placed his two children in the mage tower.

And he himself was outside the city, practically stationed at the Leitninger Arcane Machinery Factory.

Due to production pressures, the factory did not stop working even during the 'White Terror'.

It was guarded by Ang's Brotherhood and had more than a dozen magic apprentices, providing a deterrent, so no one dared to cause trouble.

But after the 'White Terror' ended, Maruna was targeted when he went out.

Overnight, he went from a wealthy merchant to a wanted criminal, and countless detectives and mercenaries were eager to move!

Fortunately, 19 Lombardy Street was famous in Oakland City, and the underworld regarded it as a dangerous place.

Otherwise, those detectives would have rushed in to arrest him directly.

Even so, you couldn't do anything to them!

Because Maruna's wanted order was registered with the Political Affairs Office, and their enforcement was justified.

After understanding all this, Luo Yi couldn't help but chuckle. It would be an exaggeration to say this was an unprovoked disaster.

Maruna's success in business, and the flourishing state of the Champs-Élysées Arcane Textile Factory, were also related to the Marquis family.

However, Baron Marquis really didn't like him. Otherwise, he could have easily prevented the pirate raid from causing Maruna to lose almost his entire family with a little effort.

Seeing Luo Yi remain silent, Maruna quickly said, "Young Master, you must save me!"

"To be honest, I, Maruna, have weathered many storms. If I failed in business, I would accept it!

But, but now I have to be buried with the Marquis family, I am really unwilling, and even more unwilling!"

Luo Yi waved his hand: "It's not that serious. I'll help you handle this. I've met Baron Miller Petrovich once before."

"It shouldn't be a big problem, but you'll probably have to pay a price!

Perhaps the Champs-Élysées Arcane Textile Factory may not be able to be saved!"

Maruna quickly said, "My life is almost gone, what do I need a factory for!

It's good to lose it, so I can concentrate on following you, Young Master. With the shares you gave me, I won't starve!"

"Um, Young Master Luo Yi, when are you going to help me solve this? I, I don't feel safe walking around like this now?"

Luo Yi turned his head and looked out the window at the bustling crowd. He said, "In that case, let's do it now!"

"Teacher Olivia?"

"Yes?"

"Sweep away the detectives around here. Don't be too harsh, just teach them a lesson.

My home is not a place for anyone to snoop around!"

"Maruna?"

"At your service, Young Master?"

"Prepare the carriage, we'll go meet the new Chief Administrator!"

"Yes, sir!"

…

Strangely enough, just as Luo Yi was about to go out, a person claiming to be a city hall official came to him.

He was there to deliver an invitation, issued by Baron Miller, inviting him to meet him.

This coincidence surprised even Luo Yi.

What surprised him even more was the attitude shown by the government official. He was very polite, more polite than he could have imagined.

He even said that the Baron was too busy, otherwise he would have come in person.

Moreover, as the Chief Administrator, he did not summon Luo Yi but issued a formal invitation.

This kind of respect was something that Earl Dorji would never have given anyone before. Even though Luo Yi was wary in his heart, he still felt happy.

Being respected is vastly different from being ordered around.

However, Luo Yi also knew that there must be a request behind such courtesy.

Therefore, the lower the posture this time, the higher the demand would be.

Of course, even though he thought so, Luo Yi quickly prepared. About ten minutes later, the carriage was ready.

Olivia had also dealt with the detectives, without killing them, but she had indeed scared them enough.

As for Maruna, he acted as the coachman.

Although it was not good to hear about him driving a carriage for someone, sitting in that position, he felt more at ease than ever before.

Because the Chief Administrator's office was completely destroyed, it was naturally impossible to continue working there before it was rebuilt.

Therefore, the current office was actually located in a manor in the wealthy district of the west city.

That place was actually the residence of Earl Dorji Petrovich, but since he spent almost all his time in the Chief Administrator's office and rarely returned here, it seemed very desolate.

But now, it was being used by Miller as a temporary Chief Administrator's office, and almost all government employees were busy here.

It is worth mentioning that Earl Dorji Petrovich was somewhat unscrupulous.

The Chief Administrator's office had accumulated a large amount of data and information, especially certain equity certifications, housing property rights, etc.

Originally, they should have been destroyed in the fire.

But unexpectedly, everything was available in this manor!

This laid a solid foundation for Miller's smooth takeover.

The carriage moved along the street, and the city after the White Terror showed more vitality.

With more people, the carriage moved slower!

Luo Yi was not in a hurry. He looked out the window and saw people coming and going, bustling with activity, very lively.

Of course, this situation changed after entering the Temple District.

There were no traces of the war that had taken place here a few days ago. Even the Sun God Temple had been rebuilt, becoming even taller and more magnificent.

In front of the magnificent and solemn temple, everyone showed some restraint and caution.

Everywhere he looked, whether it was the Church of the Sun God or the Seven Gods Temple, there were long queues.

There were poor people, rich people, people dressed in fancy clothes, and people dressed in rags, but they all showed great piety.

In other words, tens of days ago, the temples fought each other, there was a fourth-order battle, priests and fathers fought, and holy knights and temple guardians fought to the death…

All of this, now, cannot be seen!

They seemed as if nothing had happened, erasing all traces and showing the believers the posture they should have.

Luo Yi saw all this and became thoughtful!

What happened, has already happened, this is undeniable!

However, so far, there is no news about who won or lost between the two fourth-order powerhouses, and who gained the upper hand between the believers of the Seven Gods and the shepherds of the Sun God.

Undoubtedly, although they fought, they seemed to be on another level.

They would not let mortals get involved and would try not to affect mortals as much as possible.

This may be the characteristic of the battle of faith!

After looking around, Luo Yi retracted his gaze, closed his eyes slightly, and warned himself in his heart.

Some things are better not to know or get involved in!

The carriage rumbled and sped up after entering the West City District.

After a moment, it stopped in front of a manor. Luo Yi got out of the carriage and couldn't help but pause.

Because at the entrance of the manor, an elegant blond young man was looking at him with a smile.

"My friend, you're finally here!"

Baron Miller stepped forward enthusiastically and gave Luo Yi a big hug.

Luo Yi's body stiffened, his muscles tensed, but he still reacted and returned the hug.

However, lowering his head, he whispered, "Your Excellency, Baron, you wouldn't be waiting for me here on purpose, would you?"

Baron Miller smiled and said, "Can't I? Doesn't it make you feel important?

Believe me, after today, no matter who sees you in Oakland City, they will have to give way."

"How about it, isn't this greeting good?"

Luo Yi smiled bitterly: "Do you want to hear the truth?"

"Of course, the higher the position, the harder it is to hear the truth."

"The truth is, I have the urge to turn around and run away!"

Thank you Ren Hongyang for the 100 reward, thank you!