Magic Industrial Age

Hochenzollern III seemed to offer two choices, but you couldn't assume he hadn't already made up his mind.

More accurately, it was a kind of invisible test.

Overseeing railway construction within the transportation system, while involving a joint venture model, was undoubtedly a tough and tiring job.

It might require constant travel throughout the empire, dealing with all sorts of people, raising funds, and solving various problems.

Plus, there was an incompatible Minister of Political Affairs above, making it easy to imagine how difficult the days would be.

However, you had to admit, it was a legitimate path!

At its peak, it truly qualified one to enter the cabinet, step into the heart of imperial power, and become a high-ranking official.

The Habsburg Empire was definitely unique in the Old Continent, not only in terms of faith but also in its political system.

The royal family had extremely high requirements for those entering the cabinet.

Unless one was dispatched to be a local chief official or had made significant contributions in certain fields, they were absolutely not qualified to enter the cabinet.

This wasn't a written rule, but an invisible red line that even the royal family couldn't trample on.

Thus, those who could enter the cabinet had real skills, and their past experiences were definitely glorious enough.

In other countries of the Old Continent, such rules didn't exist. There were even cases of the emperor's favorites ascending to the cabinet overnight.

However, when such people suddenly grasped enormous power and faced numerous political affairs, their performance was predictably terrible.

As for the other choice, it was to become a close advisor to the emperor!

Close advisors to the emperor naturally couldn't enter the cabinet, but as long as they were trusted by the emperor, their power was exaggerated.

Even those in high and powerful positions had to curry favor with them. At crucial moments, their casual words might determine your life.

This position was a typical case of low rank but high power, and many people would fawn over you.

Of course, the result of honor and disgrace being tied to one person was that if His Majesty disliked you, then the glory would truly be gone, and you would be nothing!

Miller might not be unaware of these things, but clearly, he also had hesitations in his heart.

However, Loy wasn't in a hurry to reply. Douglas and the others would have to stay for a few more days, and he had plenty of time to ponder.

This friendly chat continued until nearly four o'clock in the afternoon. Just as Douglas was about to say something but hesitated, the mage Mennon came over again.

Even though Mennon had brought all sorts of materials, the positioning, measurement, assembly, placement, and debugging processes were too numerous.

This wasn't something that could be completed in a day or two, but Mennon had to find ways to contact his old friends and then communicate with the imperial ambassador.

So, Douglas was roped in.

Mennon wrote several letters and handed them to Douglas, asking him to go to the nearest imperial embassy and find the court nobleman, Robin Water.

Douglas was somewhat reluctant. He was chatting with Loy and had just prepared to cut to the chase, but now he was being sent out?!

Moreover, it was almost evening, so he was naturally unwilling.

But faced with the old mage's glaring expression, he ultimately had to bite the bullet and agree.

However, the resentful expression on his face as he left was unmatched.

Loy actually knew what he wanted to say, which was nothing more than wanting another research project, a new topic.

Loy did have quite a few, but he hadn't decided what to give, so he didn't say anything.

Not long after Douglas left, the butler Hoover arrived behind him, bowed slightly, and said, "Earl, have all the people gathered?"

"Where are they?"

"In the council hall!"

"Then let's go solve the matters that need to be solved first."

……

Lionheart Manor,

Council Hall.

This place was unique, and didn't match the luxury of the entire Lionheart Manor. Instead, it appeared dark, cold, ancient, and solemn.

At the end of the hall, there was a row of black long tables that looked very old. The chairs behind them were also made of pure ironwood.

Besides the advantages of being sturdy and heavy, they had nothing to do with comfort, grandeur, or luxury.

It could even be said that sitting on them was like sitting on a lump of ice, making people uncomfortable.

Opposite the long table, there were also black long chairs made of ironwood, equally uncomfortable, but divided into two rows, row by row, all the way to the entrance of the conference hall.

These long chairs could easily accommodate dozens or hundreds of people under normal circumstances.

There was no sunlight to shine in here, and no magic crystal lamps were installed. Instead, candles were lit on the surrounding walls.

Overall, this place was ancient, dilapidated, and even a bit barbaric.

But it was here, in the past millennia, that the masters of the Raymond family sat, with vassals and knights below.

Together, they discussed and handled important political affairs, conflicts, and various trivial matters within the earldom.

Millennial families always had some strange rules. For example, this conference hall was inherited from the time the Raymond family started.

From the initial, first-generation Raymond Knight sitting above, with his five followers below.

Until now, it was already the Raymond Earl, and hundreds of vassals and knights.

The ancestors believed that this cold environment could better alert people, make them aware of the difficulties of the past, and make every decision with caution.

Therefore, this place was preserved, and there was also such a place in the ruined Lionheart Castle.

Loy walked in the long corridor, feeling only quiet, deep, able to hear his own breathing and heartbeat, and also able to clear his mind.

As he was about to enter the conference hall, he heard the sound of whispering.

The sound wasn't too loud, as if it was very suppressed, but with more people, the sound became more and more noisy.

When Loy walked into this conference hall, into the dim light, exposed to everyone's view, that noise immediately disappeared completely.

Only the sound of 'rustling' as everyone stood up came.

Loy walked straight to the high platform, sat behind the lonely long table, in the central position.

Olivia and the butler Hoover, one on the left and one on the right, seemed to be guarding him.

He suddenly realized that this place was actually designed with great care, especially the candle arrangement around it, which was very particular.

Sitting here, leaning back, he could hide in the shadows, and no one could see his expression clearly.

But looking down, everyone's expressions were exposed to the light of the candles, and even the slightest expression could not escape his eyes.

Just as Loy sat down, everyone moved.

Some hammered their chests with their fists, and some bowed with their hands on their chests, all saluting Loy.

"Greetings, Earl!"

"Good day, Earl!"

Loy nodded slightly and said, "Sit down, everyone."

There was another 'whooshing' sound, and everyone sat down again.

Loy didn't speak immediately, and everyone's gaze went from calm to nervous, some could suppress their emotions, and some couldn't help but lick their lips.

With Deep Blue, Loy could call out the name, origin, family, and past of each of them.

But at this moment, he saw undisguised anxiety on many people's faces.

Loy could also understand their anxiety, because today would determine their fate and the future path of the earldom.

Of course, Loy didn't play any cat-and-mouse games, nor did he want to test people's hearts.

So, after only a moment of pause, he spoke directly.

He leaned forward, exposing his expression to everyone's gaze.

There wasn't a trace of immaturity on that young face.

Even, paired with a pair of sharp and penetrating eyes, it was enough to make everyone dare not look him in the eye.

After a slight pause, Loy said, "Everyone, you have sworn allegiance to me yesterday. According to the ancient contract, we are the closest of relations."

"Today, I want to solve the most difficult problem in the territory!"

"Magic Mechanicals!"

The last four words seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, echoing in the hall.

Tilting his head slightly, Loy added, "Of course, I want to hear your opinions first?"

"Who is willing to speak first?"

Loy's voice disappeared for a long time, but the entire hall remained absolutely quiet, very quiet.

No one was willing to stand up!

Everyone wasn't stupid. Saying anything at this time might not be right, so naturally, no one was willing to express their opinion easily.

But this was naturally not possible, so Loy began to call names: "Knight Alan Wells, I want to hear you speak first!"

Everyone's eyes converged, and Alan Wells stood up. He was a little nervous, but he was also willing to go all out.

Looking up slightly, he said, "I believe that magic mechanicals are the source of chaos, the greatest challenge to order, and the root cause of Fresh Flower Territory's decline to its current state.

If you ask me, Earl, you should directly abolish them and restore the original system."

"Earl, you are a cultivation genius, and you have also cultivated the [Lion King Title]."

"I believe that as long as you grow up, under your leadership, the Raymond family will surely embark on a new height."

"Magic mechanicals, harmful things, comparable to the demons of the abyss, it is best to stay away from them."

Before Loy could speak, someone couldn't help it.

A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar stood up directly. He said loudly, "Knight Alan Wells, are you slandering Earl Carl Raymond, or are you denying the decision of the former Lion King?"

"If magic mechanicals are really like demons of the abyss, then what is Earl Carl, who decided to introduce magic mechanicals?"

"You..."

Knight Alan Wells's face turned red. Even though the previous Raymond Earl was already dead, such a big hat on his head was too much for him to bear.

Loy waved his hand, indicating that it was okay, and looked at the middle-aged man, squinting slightly, and asked, "If I remember correctly, you are Lord Hick Cruz, an imperial scholar specially hired by my father.

You once studied in the Habsburg Empire, graduated from the Royal Academy, and traveled to most of the empires in the Old Continent."

The middle-aged man couldn't help but be surprised. He bowed slightly and said, "Earl, I was hired by your father specifically to promote magic mechanicals.

If you really want to abolish them, please allow me to leave."

Loy shook his head slightly and asked, "What I'm asking now is your opinion on magic mechanicals.

Knight Alan Wells can state his attitude, and you, Hick Cruz, can also talk about your thoughts."

"Are you willing to listen?"

"I am here to listen to your opinions, scholar Hick Cruz!"

The second update will be revised later, it will be fine in a while!