Magic Industrial Age

Chapter 206 204: Imperial Ambassador, Negotiation (Bonus chapter for 20240723158-Aa)

On the Ruhr River,

a large ship sailed swiftly with the wind and current.

Sick Francis stood at the bow, his eyes slightly narrowed, a hint of sorrow lingering on his face.

His heir, Ector Hunt, stood beside him, hesitant to speak several times, but remained silent.

Finally, Sick glanced at him sideways, and said unhappily, "Speak if you have something to say, what's with all the hesitation?"

Ector asked, puzzled, "Captain, why didn't you agree? I think it's actually a good way out."

"You know the situation within the Empire. Since the reform, power has been gradually consolidated, leaving no room for large mercenary groups like us to survive.

The veterans in the group all know this. If we agree, they won't say much."

Sick nodded slightly and said, "I know what you're saying, but Flower Collar has just suffered an attack, and the ancient millennium castle is gone.

Now, a bastard heir has emerged!

I just want to ask, are those people really willing to accept this? If they're not, will they take action?

If those people take action, can Loye escape? Can we escape?"

Turning slightly, Captain Sick faced Ector and said softly, "If I were alone, I would accept a count's invitation without hesitation!

But I have to consider the future of the entire mercenary group, nearly three hundred people, so I have to think more carefully."

"Anyway, the relationship has already been established. Let's go back first. If we really can't stay in the Empire, it won't hurt to put aside my pride and come back for help."

After a pause, he added, "Loye made a very valid point: this era is changing dramatically, and we no longer have the right to remain stagnant."

Saying this, he stared at Ector Hunt and said, "After we go back, I'll find a magic academy for you to attend, okay?"

Ector Hunt was stunned: "Why is this suddenly about me?"

"Your Swift Swordsmanship already has some skill, but swordsmanship alone is not enough. You need to learn meditation, accumulate magic power, and become familiar with gunmanship..."

"In the future, even if we really join Loye's command, we need to have some impressive skills.

Otherwise, why should people think highly of us?"

"Fortunately, we earned a large commission this time and have some surplus. This time when we go back, I'll arrange it for you."

What else could Ector Hunt say? He could only reluctantly reply, "Understood, Teacher!"

…

On the other side,

in the study.

Butler Hoover personally served tea and snacks, bowed slightly, retreated from the study, and closed the door.

At the door, Oliveira shifted slightly, blocking the door.

From now on, no one could enter unless the person inside spoke.

Downstairs, the Iron Knight stood there, gripping his knight's greatsword, his eyes slightly closed, as steady as a mountain.

Beside him, a mage was looking around boredly, his eyes full of curiosity, as if interested in everything.

But the four-ring pentagram on his robe was so conspicuous.

This was actually a fourth-tier Calamity Mage.

Inside the study, by the sofa.

Loye poured two cups of black tea, took one, and pushed it towards the person in front of him, asking, "Do you want to add brown sugar?"

The man didn't speak, leaning back slightly, sinking into the sofa.

He was about fifty years old, with graying temples, but the rest of his hair was black, his face slightly round, and his beard neatly trimmed.

However, his gaze was like that of a hawk, staring straight at people as if trying to poke holes in them.

His complexion was even worse, his head raised slightly, with the arrogance characteristic of the Empire.

Even when facing a powerful earl, he still ignored him, only lowering his head slightly, glancing at the teacup, and then raising his head again.

He did nothing, didn't drink tea, didn't speak, just stared at Loye, as if to put enormous pressure on him.

Loye didn't speak when he saw the other party didn't, he picked up his teacup, his eyes slightly lowered, not making eye contact.

He just drank tea by himself, his eyes even a little dazed, as if lost in thought.

Bang bang bang!

After a long while, the man finally couldn't bear it, he slammed the table with a deafening sound, and spat out harsh words: "Are you Raymonds going too far?"

"We came here to help you develop arcane machinery, but what happened? We've been trapped for months!"

"How should the losses during this period be calculated? How should the food, drink, and labor costs be calculated?

Moreover, you detained imperial personnel, aren't you going to give me an explanation?"

"Or, are you planning to break the contract?"

"If so, that's fine, open a path and we'll leave directly.

As for what happens next, the Empire will naturally send someone to have a good talk with you!"

"I just hope, facing the majesty of the Empire, you can still be as calm as you are now?"

Loye finally looked up, his eyes calm, seemingly completely unconcerned.

His voice remained steady: "The word 'detention' is really too much!"

"No one will deny the majesty and strength of the Habsburg Empire. If you want to leave, no one will stop you!"

"My father, Earl Karl Raymond, wouldn't have when he was alive!

Even less so now that the Raymond family has suffered misfortune and the direct bloodline is almost extinct!"

"So, in the end, it's actually that you don't want to leave!"

Loye finally put down the teacup, the water in the cup was empty, and he refilled it for himself, but didn't pick it up.

He only heard him say again: "You're staying here, isn't it because the Empire hasn't given up yet?"

"What do you mean?"

Loye sighed: "Imperial Ambassador Robin Water, I also came from the Empire.

I studied there for two years, have huge assets, and even have some interaction with Baron Miller, helping him build railways throughout.

So, I also have some understanding of the Empire's politics."

"Actually, in my opinion, this cooperation is indeed a great advantage for Flower Collar. The arcane pool and the omnipotent engine obtained for 500,000 gold Tills are almost equivalent in value.

In addition, the Empire also included the installation and construction of arcane machinery, and personnel training, which is definitely a fair deal, with almost no profit.

But the Empire still did this business!"

What is the reason?

Along with Loye's words, Robin Water couldn't help but sit up straight, he no longer had the previous anger and relaxation, but now showed some solemnity and tension.

Loye continued: "I thought about it for a long, long time, what is the reason?"

"Finally, some answers came to mind!"

"In this Old Continent, the Empire is lonely. The development of arcane machinery has made the Empire extremely powerful, rising to the ranks of continental overlords.

However, whether it's the Bonaparte Empire, or the Tudor Dynasty overseas, whether it's the Kingdom of Sardinia, or the Bourbon Empire, they all have intricate relationships and too many supporters."

"But the great Habsburg Empire doesn't. Arcane machinery has disrupted the ruling order of nobles and knights, and naturally encountered rejection."

"The powerful Empire certainly doesn't care, but facing a pack of wolves alone, there are always times when it's not enough.

So, if I can't find allies, then I'll cultivate them."

"And at this time, my Raymond family came forward, wanting to embark on the path of arcane machinery,

Since then, there has been the Empire's full assistance."

"So, rather than detention, it's more that the Empire is waiting for an opportunity, waiting for the time to continue to implement the established plan!"

"And you, Lord Robin Water, although no one can say anything if you withdraw at this time,

However, if you still want to go further in the Empire's political system, and want the great Emperor to see your ability,

Then you also have to find a way to facilitate this cooperation."

"Am I right?"

In fact, if viewed from this perspective, the help Loye received has a name.

For example, that squad of magic musketeers, sent off openly.

For example, the various materials sent to Baron Miller.

These are all intentional or unintentional help from the Empire, helping Loye make a choice.

At this moment, Lord Robin Water no longer had the previous contempt, let alone anger.

He was silent for a moment, and asked, "Since you know everything in your heart, what are you going to do?"

"Fulfill the contract, or break the contract?"

Loye said without hesitation: "Naturally, I will continue to fulfill the contract, but I hope there will be some changes in the specific content!"

Lord Robin Water immediately said: "That's impossible!

The contract has already been signed, and it's recognized by both countries. Do you think you can change it just because you want to?"

"Lord, I've been confiding in you, can you not be so bureaucratic with me?"

Loye was very speechless: "I'm just a bastard, if it weren't for fate, I wouldn't have inherited this earl position in ten lifetimes."

"My father, Earl Karl Raymond, is gone, just because of this arcane machinery, he was murdered and died without a burial place.

Now, you're actually still asking me to do this?"

"Do you really think I'm lucky? Or that those people don't dare to kill again?"

"So, if the previous path is impassable, we have to find another way, we have to make some changes."

"Moreover, the changes I'm asking for are not to shake your interests, but to make adjustments that are more suitable for me on the existing basis."

If that doesn't work, then I'll simply break the contract, at worst, I'll empty my family's savings to pay the liquidated damages."

"In that case, I can still be an earl and live leisurely for a few more years."

Seeing that Loye had said everything, Robin Water's face couldn't help but twitch.

He suddenly felt that the little guy in his eyes seemed honest, but he had actually calculated everything thoroughly, and was also pressing him step by step.

He also knew that he had to agree even if he didn't want to, so he was so fearless.

He had to admit that this feeling was not good, but reason still suppressed the negative emotions.

Taking a deep breath, he finally said: "Speak, what content do you want to change, I'll see, if possible, I'll help you!"

As soon as these words came out, Loye secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since this person had loosened his mouth, then the matter was more than half done.

Who knew that there would be a double monthly ticket, now it's 1500.

I looked at it for a long time, and felt that I should pay back the readers' rewards first.

Thank you for the reward and support of 20240723158-Aa, thank you!