Magic Industrial Age

Hick Cruz was slender and thin, looking like he could be blown away by a gust of wind.

His attire was also unique, not a gentleman's suit, but a light yellow toga robe, draped along his shoulders, making him appear even more refined and distinctive.

But it was his eyes that were truly unique!

They weren't exactly sharp, nor were they particularly deep, but they held a kind of martyr's steadfastness and dedication.

Meeting Loy's gaze, he felt as if he were seeing the scene of his first meeting with Count Karl Raymond.

The old man sat behind his desk, posing a series of questions and quietly contemplating his answers.

It was after that assessment that he gained Count Karl's trust, rose to become a Baronet, and took charge of promoting arcane machinery and land reform.

Many of the policies in Flower Collar were established by him and the Count.

Therefore, when everyone else considered arcane machinery a scourge, he had to stand up and refute them.

Not only was it the foundation of his position, but also because it was what he lived for.

Taking a slight breath, Hick Cruz tried his best to remain calm, and under everyone's watchful eyes, he stepped out of his seat and stood at the front.

Turning slightly to the side, he faced both the vassals and knights, as well as Loy.

His voice was sonorous and powerful, like metal striking metal: "I know that I haven't been here long, and what I'm promoting is arcane machinery, so everyone dislikes me."

"I didn't care before; now, I care even less!"

"The only thing I care about is the Count's grace in recognizing my talent."

"Thirteen years ago, I graduated from the Royal Academy with insufficient magical aptitude, but I have a sufficiently deep understanding and research of arcane machinery.

I once intended to enter the Empire's administrative system, but because I offended someone, I had to leave.

"For the next thirteen years, I traveled the Old Continent, visiting almost every country, and even tried to persuade those Grand Dukes, Kings, and His Majesty.

But as you all can see, I spent thirteen years accomplishing nothing, almost grinding away my ambition."

"Until the Count summoned me, my views and political opinions were appreciated by the Count, and he fully supported me."

"Although the Count is no longer here, I still hope to do everything I can to allow arcane machinery to take root and sprout in this land, and hope that Flower Collar can seize the opportunity and soar to new heights."

"As long as I can achieve this, I, a lone man, don't care about life or death!"

These words moved everyone somewhat.

Because almost everyone saw sincerity and passion in this seemingly unremarkable middle-aged man.

"Sir Hick Cruz, is this your view on arcane machinery?

Is this the reason why Flower Collar insists on promoting arcane machinery?"

Loy's voice rose several degrees, seemingly dissatisfied, thinking he was digressing, but Hick Cruz slightly raised his head:

"No, I say this just to let everyone know that my heart is the same as yours."

"As for why develop arcane machinery?

This is not my choice, nor is it Karl's, but the choice of the times!"

He looked around, seeming to meet the eyes of every vassal: "Before I came to Flower Collar, I deeply studied the Raymond family's history of success."

"The Raymond family inherited the bloodline of the Lion God, but their ability to get to where they are today relies not on extraordinary strength, but on astonishing vision."

"Many years ago, the ancestors took a fancy to this land and spent huge sums of money to continuously exchange for it, thus becoming the owner of this 3,000 square kilometers of land."

"This is the first choice!"

"During the Age of Exploration, the ancestors valued the benefits of maritime transport, gambled most of their assets, built ports, and produced seagoing ships, thus reaping the benefits of the sea.

Today, every expense you make contains the gains of maritime trade."

"Later, when the Age of Exploration ended, the Raymond family seized the opportunity to develop the perfume business, which became a bestseller in the Old Continent and fascinated countless nobles.

Thus, they gained another round of great development."

"You can think about it, which time was it not the contemporary Raymond Count who seized the opportunity to lead the family to grow, continue, and pass on step by step."

Speaking of this, he paused and said, "Count Karl Raymond has been in power for a full twenty-seven years, and during this process, there have been almost no large-scale wars or man-made disasters."

"This is not because there is no danger, but because all dangers have been eliminated invisibly."

"When Count Karl was still around, besides the Norman Duchess, which of the four Marquises dared to speak loudly in front of him?"

"Who dares to face his old man's authority directly?"

"And when has his decision ever been wrong?"

"Do you think that such a wise and powerful Lion King, why would he, in his old age, make a desperate bet to develop arcane machinery?"

"Is he really senile? Or did he see a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"

Hick Cruz's voice became more and more impassioned, and he said: "If you ask why develop arcane machinery?"

"In fact, there is no need for me to answer, you all know it yourselves."

"Decades ago, the battle between the Habsburg Empire and the Old Continent's overlord, the Bonaparte Empire, was the reason!"

"Now, the situation in the Old Continent, where the Habsburg Empire is almost single-handedly making countless countries in the Old Continent pay attention, even submit, is even more the reason!"

"Arcane machinery is the secret of the Habsburg Empire's strength, and Count Karl Raymond wants to seize this opportunity, which is also the reason."

Speaking of this, he turned to Loy, bowed slightly, and said: "Count, great Lion King, please allow me to petition, for the Raymond family's strength, for the prosperity of Flower Collar, we must seize this opportunity!"

"The tide of arcane machinery will inevitably engulf the entire Old Continent!"

His words seemed to have magic, echoing in the conference hall, and also made these vassals and knights unable to help but fall into contemplation!

It can even be said that these words had a deafening effect.

On the one hand, although Count Karl promoted arcane machinery, he did not discuss it in detail with them, so they did not understand it.

On the other hand, Count Karl's prestige was too high.

Sitting in the Lion Fort for decades, these nobles in front of him almost all grew up watching him.

This one is really like a lion, sheltering the territory for decades, and even not letting much wind and rain invade.

This has built his extremely high prestige!

But such a wise old man, if he insists on carrying out something, does it mean that it is necessary to do it?

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At this moment, even a stubborn element like Knight Alan Wells couldn't help but fall into contemplation.

At this moment, Loy looked at Hick Cruz in front of him, and the joy in his eyes almost burst out.

His cheap old man still left him with good talent.

This one's eloquence is really good, but I don't know how his execution ability is?

However, Loy still didn't let the cold scene continue, but continued to call out: "Are there any other people who want to express their opinions?"

The voice echoed in the hall, but this time, no one spoke again.

Maybe they had ideas before, but after listening to Hick Cruz's speech, they closed their mouths.

Loy called out another person: "Alfonso Zech, my first Grand Knight Commander, what is your opinion?"

The commander of the Lion Knight Order is naturally the successive Raymond Counts, and below that, there are three Grand Knight Commanders, at least all extraordinary combat power.

And the first Grand Knight Commander represents the actual leader of the Lion Knight Order, managing the Knight Order on behalf.

This Alfonso Zech is not only strong in his own strength, but also the son of Iron Knight Phil Zech, and can be said to be the largest military representative of Flower Collar.

And this tall knight directly stood up, without any nonsense, drew out his knight's sword and held it upright in front of him.

"I am the Lion King's claw, Count does not need to care about our thoughts, just point out the direction of the enemy!"

Loy smiled, even though he felt that these words were a bit empty, he was still very happy.

"Then sit down, Baronet Hick Cruz, you go back too, let me talk about my thoughts!"

Loy paused, and when all the vassals were seated, their eyes converged, and their expressions were solemn, he slowly opened his mouth:

"First of all, I do not agree with some of my father's practices, he was too eager for quick success, which led to a sharp rebound."

"Not only external, but also including our internal, leading to heavy family losses."

"Secondly, I studied in the Habsburg Empire for two years, and personally participated in more than ten arcane factories.

This has brought me personal wealth and industry of up to hundreds of thousands of gold Thalers."

"This is not a false statement, this is the truth!"

"Therefore, I think some of Sir Hick Cruz's words are correct, arcane machinery is indeed the next era trend."

"So, the solution I give is to restore the old system first, I will not touch everyone's existing power.

However, arcane machinery must also be promoted, I will let everyone see enough benefits and advantages."

"As for the future, I believe that when the times develop, you, including me, will have the best choice."

After a pause, Loy said again: "This is my final decision!"

"Today, calling everyone here, saying so much, is to let you understand what I will do in the future!"

"This is not a negotiation, but a notice, and also an order!"

"I will promote arcane machinery with the most gentle means possible, but I also need every vassal to be able to seriously execute my orders, without discount!"

"Believe me, in this feast, I will take each of you, everyone who can keep up with my pace, to a height you never dared to imagine before."

"Of course, I am also here to warn everyone with ulterior motives.

You are my vassals, if I find out that you have any acts of betrayal, the consequences will be too heavy for you to bear."

"Today's meeting ends here, the manor has prepared a banquet, everyone can enjoy it to the fullest."

"Let's adjourn the meeting!"

That's right, this meeting carefully prepared by Loy is for this final step, and also to unify the thoughts of the vassals.

The second update is delivered, I will code the third chapter for the additional update, it must be in the second half of the night, everyone can read it tomorrow...