Mage? Magic Engineer!

"Leave the center of power?"

"Yes. The situation in Valuva has spiraled out of control." Maxim didn’t want to reveal too much to the young man before him. The mutual attacks in the committee and the National Assembly had reached an unbelievable level; everyone wanted to use his hand to condemn their political enemies to death. Maxim had even been forced to sign the death warrant for his friend and former military commissioner, George Jacques.

George, like many commissioners, didn’t have clean hands. While securing benefits for the country, he never forgot to line his own pockets. By law, his crimes weren’t punishable by death, but George himself had sent quite a few members of the Conservative Faction to the Gallows for the very same crimes.

Now, it was his turn.

Originally, Maxim had wanted to be an impartial arbiter who could correct the situation. However, the more he tried to avoid acting arbitrarily and sought the opinions of those around him, the more people used him to have others killed. Over time, the public came to see this "unshakable one" as the source of the terror, the greatest Executioner of all.

"If I represent terror, then I am willing to end my own political career to end that terror and get us back on the right track." As a result, Maxim resolved to no longer involve himself in the committee’s affairs.

"Then are today’s negotiations still valid?"

"They are. Legally, I have not yet stepped down, so I can represent the committee. On the other hand, I haven’t been painted as quite so detestable within the army; on the contrary, I still have many supporters. Finally, I am the only one on the committee who dares to approach the ’enemy.’" Maxim sighed inwardly.

’Going to the occupied territories, secretly meeting with a representative from Bayern... The crime used to execute Charles XVI was treason for colluding with the enemy.’ But Maxim was certain the Republic needed him to step forward now.

Rorschach nodded. "I personally extend my utmost respect to you. In that case, we can begin signing the agreement."

Bayern would guarantee not to destroy the facilities or disrupt order in the occupied territories upon takeover, and to not commit the atrocities of an invader. It would take over management of the production sectors in the occupied territories, such as factories and mines, and twenty percent of the mineral output would be secretly delivered to the Valois Republic.

Maxim and the other negotiators hadn’t expected such generous terms. "Isn’t twenty percent too much? Also, how would we transport such a large volume of resources..."

"The Magic Guild will handle the transportation, with cover from Casters. As for the twenty percent, I must state upfront that a large portion of it will be controlled by the Tower of Stars."

"No, I mean on the Empire’s side..."

"The Empire has always underestimated our production capacity. Take the Steel Factory for example. The logistics department currently records our annual output at 2.6 million tons, but that was the data from Kempson Plant One a year ago. Today, Bayern’s actual capacity is a full eight times that figure. What limits us is the volume of iron ore imports." Falsifying steel production figures was a classic move of a certain great nation from Rorschach’s previous life, one he couldn’t resist trying. The ’sponsorship’ being secretly sent to Valois was just a drop in the bucket from the underreported production.

"Wait, you mean you’ll be transferring not raw materials, but basic industrial goods like steel ingots?" A negotiator accompanying the Valois party was dumbfounded. ’What was there even left to negotiate?’ He hadn’t imagined the other party’s terms would be this good.

"Any objections?"

"None, none... It’s just that I don’t understand why Bayern is treating us so generously..."

"It’s not generous treatment. It comes with a demand, which is also the final clause of the agreement." Rorschach ignored the confused negotiator and fixed his gaze on Maxim. "Valois cannot surrender. Even if it means spilling the last drop of blood of the Valois people, you must hold out until the end of December this year at the very least."

"There’s no need to set a deadline. In the past, present, or future, the Valois people will never bow to the Empire!"

’One shouldn’t speak in such absolutes...’ Rorschach complained internally, but on the surface, he still had to show approval. "Good! There are two final clauses:

"Valuva must hold out against the offensive by the Empire Army’s Eastern Front Army until December, and during this period, the National Guard’s Western Front Army must achieve a major victory.

"Once both conditions are met, Bayern will return all occupied territories to the Republic."

The two sides began a detailed back-and-forth over the agreement’s finer points, such as what constituted a "major victory," whether the "twenty percent" had a specific numerical value, and the methods for delivering the materials.

Around midnight, during a break, Maxim ate an orange provided by the Bayern side. One of his aides was still puzzled. "Does this mean that after December, Bayern will side with us?"

Maxim shook his head. "You’re completely overlooking what Rorschach said at the beginning. He is representing Bayern as the main party to this agreement, but he is also representing the Magic Guild and the Aurora Elder Council. The key isn’t the former’s attitude toward us, but the latter’s attitude toward the Empire, which has now been made clear..."

...

Two secret agreements were being negotiated that night. The one in Beisang City was nearing its final signing, but on the other side, the mood within the majestic Empire Palace was not nearly as pleasant.

The Director-General of the Magic Guild Empire Headquarters wore a grim expression. This was partly because the Forbidden Magic Device in the Imperial Palace was constantly tormenting a Caster’s senses, and partly because of the Emperor’s refusal to cooperate. "Your Majesty William II, must you really insist on having your own way?"

"Have my own way? I am the state! It is your Guild that is going against the tide!"

"If this bill is truly enacted, it will be a blanket ban on all Casting within cities. Are the Casters in your country who are loyal to you to be treated this way as well?"

"This is my country’s internal affair. There’s no need for the Director-General to trouble himself." The Emperor waved his hand impatiently. "And there’s no need to speak of the ’Magic Weaving Device’ again. My meaning is clear: only an absolute ban is safe. Most members of the Empire Council think so as well."

The Director-General gave up trying to persuade him. He bowed deeply to the Emperor. "Then... it is regrettable that we could not reach an agreement."

"Indeed. I will not compromise like my late father or my ancestors. The Empire has no need for a Magic Guild that casts its shadow over the world, and no need for uncontrollable Casters." William II looked as though he had achieved a great victory. At that moment, under the device’s suppression, the Director-General was no different from an ordinary person, while he was the one in power, the true superior. The Emperor raised his Scepter high and ordered the Guards to escort the Director-General unceremoniously from the Imperial Palace.

Once he was somewhere beyond the device’s influence, the Director-General’s expression eased slightly. He quickly wrote a letter, recording the unpleasant conversation he’d had with the Emperor that night on paper.

Soon, all the Aurora Elders had received the report.

In the break room, Rorschach, who had been waiting, stared at a Portable Communication Scroll. When the letter from the Director-General of the Empire Headquarters arrived, he opened it, scanned it hastily, and then burned it to ashes.

"The negotiations over there have broken down. The outcome is set. Please have Mr. Maxim return to the negotiating table."

The light of dawn shone through the window, falling upon the final document. Rorschach did not sign his name. Instead, he used Alchemy Ink to draw his personal mark. As the final stroke was completed, a Spiritual Light instantly flowed across the paper.

This was not Bayern defecting to Valois. It was the Aurora Elder Council’s first death sentence, issued against the Empire.