Magic Industrial Age

Lionheart Manor.

Inside the study.

Butler Hoover handed over the documents in his hand and said, "The ransom received, even without considering those magical items and materials, is as much as 400,000 gold Thalers.

However, it is foreseeable that fewer and fewer people will be willing to pay ransom in the future."

"The rich have already come; the poor naturally cannot afford it. As for the Carlisle family's war reparations?"

"Unless the new Marquis of Carlisle ascends to the title, I'm afraid no one will be qualified to discuss this matter."

"So, the Carlisle family's knights, knight apprentices, and militia will have to stay here for a long time?"

"Yes!"

Loy's eyes shifted slightly, and he made a decision: "These people are excellent laborers; we can't let them idle.

See if there are any tough and tiring jobs and have them take over."

"A group of prisoners of war shouldn't live too comfortably, but they must be paid!"

"Yes, pay them according to how much work they do. Then, if they want to improve their lives, they have to spend money."

Hoover was a little puzzled: "Actually, we can completely avoid paying?"

"No, wages must be paid. Only with payment will there be consumption, which will stimulate their enthusiasm for work.

Only when they focus on work can they bring us more benefits."

"What about the nobles and knights? Do they get the same treatment?"

"Of course! Am I going to indulge them?!

If they insist on talking about noble rights, give them weapons and armor, and find a powerful knight to duel them until they admit defeat."

Loy thought for a moment and added, "Just in time for Christmas and Divine Grace Festival, our own workers will be on vacation, and they'll have to fill in for me."

Butler Hoover asked again, "Master, there's another matter: regarding Christmas and the Divine Grace Festival, should we hold a banquet?"

"Before, when money was flowing like water, I didn't dare to mention it.

But now that the ransom has been recovered and we have money on hand, should we do it the way we used to?"

He paused slightly and added, "The carnival banquet involves the entire Brussels, and preparing it is quite troublesome.

We have to pay attention to security, fire, food, drinks, and all aspects, which will take at least half a month.

So, if we are to hold it, we must start working on it now."

Loy hesitated slightly. He knew that holding such a large-scale party was troublesome.

With more people, things will happen, and it will be even harder to stop when people drink too much.

Moreover, the Brussels city guards usually only handle petty theft, and they simply can't manage the security of such a large bonfire party.

If something goes wrong, it will be very troublesome.

Loy asked, "How was it done in previous years?"

"Earl Karl was very concerned about these things and held large-scale parties almost every year.

I remember him saying that it was an excellent opportunity to unite the people's hearts.

Only when the people of Flowerfield recognize it will this place be the Lion King's territory."

"That makes sense!"

Loy finally made up his mind: "This year, Flowerfield has been very chaotic, and everyone has been living in fear.

Now, it's time to announce the complete stability of the territory with a bonfire party!"

"Alright!"

Butler Hoover agreed and then hesitated, asking, "Master, should the bonfire party be held on Christmas Day or the Divine Grace Festival?"

Loy tilted his head, a little puzzled: "Is there anything to discuss?"

Butler Hoover explained, "This is the Duchy of Norman, not the Habsburg Empire.

We believe in the Lord of Light, not the Seven Gods, so Christmas is far more important than the Divine Grace Festival!"

"Then let's put it on Christmas; we can't make Bishop Virgil Berry uncomfortable."

"Alright, then I'll go down and start making arrangements immediately."

"I'll have Alfonso Zek and Angus help you; be sure to make this Christmas party a success.

As for the required funds, take them from the account yourself; don't save me any money."

"Yes!"

...

Although Flowerfield is not the Habsburg Empire, the desire to celebrate the festival is the same.

In the last ten days of the New Divine Calendar 312, the entire city of Brussels became lively at a visible speed.

The number of various commodities in the market increased, and it became common for families to purchase food for the festival with money.

A joyful atmosphere spread throughout the city almost visibly, which also convinced Loy that his idea was correct.

This Christmas party is indeed necessary!

In addition, there was good news brought by Lilia: the most important magic-powered lathe for processing machinery has been optimized.

Although His Majesty Saint Bartholomew was not forgiving and spoke arrogantly, he really helped when things needed to be done.

He not only helped Lilia complete the iterative update of the magic-powered lathe, simplifying the complex magic control system, but also determined the production process.

This is extremely important because with it comes the standard.

Subsequently, when the machinery factory produces, it will be based on this standard, determining the process requirements and precision of each part.

As soon as this process was determined, Imperial Ambassador Robin Walter, in the name of the Habsburg Empire's military department, issued a production task.

Ten first-generation magic-powered lathes are needed after the New Year, plus professionally trained operators.

These operators are naturally selected from personnel sent by the Empire and must assist Lilia in writing the operating manual.

For this reason, the ten machinist apprentices in the machinery factory even had their holidays canceled, but Loy persuaded them with triple overtime pay; there was absolutely no reluctance.

With money in place, everything is easy for the workers!

Of course, these are not the most important things. The most important thing is that this time, Lilia followed this fourth-order Catastrophe-level mechanical master and saw the most fundamental appearance of magic-powered machinery.

The process of finalizing the production process was actually the process of manufacturing the lathe; this Catastrophe mage personally manufactured two first-generation prototypes.

He used 'Dragon Breath' to melt steel and purify impurities;

Used 'Freeze' to cool down quickly to ensure the quality of the steel;

Then used 'Scorching Ray' to cut and obtain the required main outline.

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As for the stress of the machinery, it was shaken for three days and three nights under the blessing of 'Tremor' to completely eliminate it.

And the details of the carving showed his powerful magical attainments; almost all gears, connecting rods, four-jaw chucks, tailstocks, lead screws, tool holders...

These were all shaped with magic in a nonchalant manner.

Seeing all this, Lilia was greatly shocked and felt incredible.

But in fact, the path of magic-powered machinery that the Habsburg Empire has embarked on is the orthodox one.

And the ideas and methods brought by Loy are the wrong path, the crystallization of another world.

Of course, what is orthodox and what is wrong doesn't really matter; as long as it can be walked through and walked far, it is a good path.

It was also under the guidance of His Majesty Saint Bartholomew that Lilia began to learn these magics, truly coming into contact with the true secrets of magic-powered machinery.

...

Time flew by, and in an instant, it was already December 25th, New Divine Calendar 312.

Christmas Day.

The entire city of Brussels was completely immersed in a sea of joy. Under Lilia's control, dozens of magic crystal lamps hung in mid-air, and soft, bright light illuminated the entire city.

There was also melodious music playing, spreading throughout the city from the Wizard Tower.

Sometimes melodious, sometimes exciting, sometimes cheerful, sometimes ethereal...

This world has not popularized various electrical appliances, and music is not something ordinary people can afford.

At this time, many people were mobilized by the music, singing and dancing happily, and keeping time with the music.

In addition, the Raymond family also set up nine bonfires in the city, which was the greatest possibility for diverting people.

And at each point, a large amount of food, roasted meat, bread, drinks, and thick soup were placed.

The aroma of food aroused everyone's appetite.

However, Loy arranged soldiers from the city guards at each point, as well as knights led by Alfonso Zek, patrolling the streets to maintain order.

It can be said that in order to successfully hold this large Christmas party, the Raymond family really prepared a lot.

Of course, these preparations are also necessary!

Because, before the afternoon, a massive crowd poured into the city of Brussels from all directions.

They danced happily in the music, showing their joy as much as possible.

The only shortcoming was that the Church of the Sun God did not have much movement today.

It is a bit unreasonable for the church not to take some action on the day of celebrating the birth of the Sun God.

But there was no way. Bishop Virgil Berry was not there, and the remaining priests were doing well just to maintain the operation of the entire church.

You still expect them to preside over large-scale prayer ceremonies, or even expect divine grace to descend, which is unrealistic!

In fact, after the Sun God unified the beliefs of the Old Continent, he rarely descended divine grace, seemingly consciously maintaining a lofty posture.

It was not until the rise of the Seven Gods Church that the Sun God Church had almost no power to resist in the Habsburg Empire that it had to descend divine grace to compete for believers.

But that was only in the Habsburg Empire!

Outside the empire, the Sun God Church still maintained its aloofness, and even interfered in secular operations through faith was also common.

Flowerfield only encountered Virgil the Red Dragon as an alien; otherwise, Loy would have a very headache dealing with the church.

As for Lionheart Manor, a grand banquet was also held.

Almost all the nobles received invitations, and if they were willing, they could come here to drink, sing, and dance.

Of course, Loy was not suitable to appear in such a scene; his pressure was too great, which would prevent everyone from having fun.

At this time, the top floor of the Wizard Tower.

Loy stood in front of the window, feeling the oncoming gale, and looking at the city immersed in noise and joy, a sense of satisfaction arose spontaneously.

Lilia walked over, squeezed next to Loy, and stretched her head to look outside.

"What are you looking at?"

"Looking at the lights of thousands of homes!"

Loy smiled and replied, "Actually, I don't like being a lord; it's tiring.

But looking at the lights of thousands of homes and the joy of countless people, I feel that all this hard work is worthwhile!"