Mage? Magic Engineer!

Beyond supporting the civilian sector, Rorschach also planned to construct many other facilities in Pomerania to "bestow his techniques."

In the past, Pomerania had not been very receptive to magical industrial technology, as exemplified by the Collectors. Within the Empire, its native manufacturing industry occupied a level that filled the void between the "strong" and the "weak."

This wasn’t a simple case of being middle-of-the-pack. Rather, it was stuck in a particular ecological niche. Had it not been forcefully disrupted by the mysterious southern power, it would have developed to a point where it could climb no higher, yet could still look down upon a whole swath of agrarian regions.

Take firearm production, for example. If Bayern hadn’t sent over three new die-casting machines and a full set of new blueprints and standards, drastically elevating their manufacturing capabilities, the master craftsmen at the Prague firearms factory would likely have used a production line over a decade old to puzzle out a knockoff that was eighty percent as effective as the Empire’s new standard-issue rifle.

To describe the country’s overall situation—its structural flaws, regional advantages, and so on—one could let a few experts ramble on for ages. But for now, those economics experts can give their mouths a rest. After all, the country was going to be completely reborn in the near future.

In the city of Pearson on Pomerania’s Western Line, the newly stationed regiments had stabilized the situation. Bayern soldiers could be seen everywhere, patrolling the streets with guns in hand.

Due to the distances involved, the unmanned, quadrupedal Mechanical Bodies were not present here. They were simply too far from the command center in the Special Zone, resulting in unbearable latency and frequent connection losses.

However, the Mechanical Bodies’ range of activity would soon be expanding.

At a fortress near Pearson, a tower made entirely of a steel frame was being hastily assembled. The main structure of the tower was erected in just two days; after all, it was made of prefabricated steel components delivered by railway.

Now, workers were installing the Antenna to be mounted on the tower. Once completed, this location would become a new command center covering the northeastern part of the Empire.

A group of youths from Prague were already in training inside the fortress. All of them were at least sixteen years old and possessed some Magic Talent. Their first task was to learn how to use the controllers and understand the orders given by their commanders.

Their training aids were miniature Mechanical Bodies, none of them very large, which they used to conduct virtual battles on sand table models of cities, fields, and mountains.

Pomerania’s nominal new ruler, Pavel, and the "Five-Star Emperor," Valon, inspected the construction at the heart of the fortress, surrounded by Guards.

"I had my reservations at first, but since Lord Rorschach has decided to fully support Pomerania, these deployments are only a matter of course," Valon said with ease.

"Is it really alright for you to hand such advanced weapons over to us? Especially to so many kids who are still wet behind the ears..." ’These activities seem more like entertainment,’ Pavel thought. ’I’m not sure how reliable this is.’

"They only need to familiarize themselves with the controls and learn discipline. The actual combat deployments will be directed by our officers." Valon was unfazed by the scene, which closely resembled an esports competition.

Valon added with a smile, "As for your concern about whether these new operators will be loyal..."

He raised his hand. The youths, completely absorbed by their "remote-controlled toys," didn’t see it, but all the instructors and technicians from the Special Zone noticed the preparatory command he gave.

Valon’s raised hand clenched into a fist.

"Halt—" an instructor translated the hand signal into a verbal command.

Some of the trainees obeyed the command, set down their controllers, and immediately stood at attention. Others, still immersed in the simulated battle, continued to mash buttons and work the joysticks.

But it was futile. All of the small, remote-controlled training models had come to a complete stop, refusing to move an inch.

Valon was reasonably satisfied with the result. "Very good. Continue."

He turned his head to ask Pavel, "Deputy Governor, you see? Do we need to worry?"

Pavel didn’t answer. ’I feel like one of those "remote-controlled toys,"’ he thought. ’And Valon is the one at the controls... No, he’s probably just the controller. That ambitious fiend named Rorschach is the master hand pulling all the strings.’

The Deputy Governor’s melancholy was written all over his face. Valon registered it but gave no reaction, continuing on as if he hadn’t noticed. "However, we still have many shortcomings."

"Oh?" ’I’d really like to know what these devils who can practically call the wind and summon the rain—and their Devil Legion—could possibly be lacking,’ Pavel thought.

"Generals!" Valon shook his head. "The old Bayern army also lacked good generals, and the new legions are even worse off. Although our weapons are advanced, compared to the Empire and Valois, we are severely lacking in exceptional commanders."

"Indeed." Now that Valon put it that way, Pavel had to agree he had a point.

"So, how are you coming along with mending your relationship with your sister?"

’Hm... Are these two topics even related? Do all devils think in such leaps and bounds?’

Valon was completely serious on this matter. "Are you aware that Miss Libus Crook is developing a relationship that goes beyond mere friendship with a young scion of the Dalberg Clan?"

It took Pavel a moment to understand what he was saying. "Ah... Huh? Oh!"

"And that young man, Richard, is an up-and-coming general in the Empire Army. What’s more, and this is the most important part, I have happened to learn through various channels that this young general was the closest of friends with my lord, Rorschach, back in their student days."

Pavel felt like his head was going to explode. "The Dalberg Family... yes, I think there was something about that. A son of the Dalberg Clan was among the founding members of the National Salvation Alliance, but I don’t recall if it was the elder or the younger brother..."

"That’s not important. What’s important is that we lack generals, and this man is a potential recruit. He’s active on the front lines and has an impressive combat record. And you... have locked up his girl." Valon used a crude term from his homeland to refer to her.

He placed both hands on the Deputy Governor’s shoulders, applying pressure. "So, do you understand? Your sister’s situation concerns Lord Rorschach’s good friend, and it concerns whether the Alliance can win over an important general of the Empire."

"I understand!" Pavel said. ’But how am I supposed to mend my relationship with Libus?’ he wondered. ’Should I just have the omnipotent Lord Rorschach kidnap that Richard guy and bring him here?’

In reality, Rorschach hadn’t yet thought of these convoluted schemes. Everything above was Valon’s own "forward-thinking plan." This young former Valois noble, trained by the "strongest Alchemist" and now Rorschach’s die-hard loyalist, didn’t know the classic tale of a general being forced to don the yellow robe of an emperor. If he did, he would have been the first subordinate to go looking for yellow cloth to embroider with a five-clawed golden dragon.

Still, Valon was onto something. Rorschach really was preoccupied with Richard’s situation.

’I made him a promise, but I have no idea where to start,’ Rorschach thought, rubbing his Wooden Mask in frustration. ’Should I write to the Tower of Forest again?’

’Does a body created by Magic have reproductive capabilities... Just thinking about it sounds so perverted and taboo. It’s really hard to ask,’ he mused. ’But for my good buddy, it looks like I’ll have to swallow my pride and risk the embarrassment...’

"Respected Master Alexander, I wish to consult you on a serious academic question. I have a friend (no, really), whose current state of existence is quite unique... (A three-thousand-word explanation followed.)

"On another note, I have obtained a peculiar mask from a descendant of the Elf God. It is said to possess certain unique properties. I suspect it may involve Natural Magic. Would you be interested? I was hoping we could research and discuss it together..."