Mage? Magic Engineer!

Rorschach couldn’t help but remind the visionary, "You have no titles or fiefs, but your surname tells me you are of the Nobility. And I must remind you that the transformation in Valois cost many nobles their heads. The King was no exception."

"You are correct," Pavel said optimistically. "But there is another possibility, isn’t there? The Bayern Kingdom is an excellent model. Its Royal Family was willing to relinquish their power and share it with capable people, regardless of their birth or status.

"The Empire can do the same. Just like in Istani and Bayern, the Monarch’s power can be determined through public consultation, then codified and restricted by law."

Rorschach had thought Pavel was just a naive idealist, but he was surprised when the young man went on to passionately decry the Empire’s current problems:

The upper echelons of the Empire are still controlled by the Nobility, where birth is valued more than ability;

Although there’s a parliament and a general staff, His Majesty the Emperor’s arbitrary decisions still hold significant sway. It is said his command in a recent battle led to disastrous consequences;

Slavery has not been abolished. Many conquered peoples are bound to the farms of minor nobles who earned their titles through military merit. The output of these farms pales in comparison to factories, yet the labor force remains trapped on them;

The system of promotion through military merit has collapsed. With the changing nature of warfare, commoners who go to the battlefield either die meaningless deaths or barely survive in the trenches, and promotion has become exceedingly difficult...

He said that while the Empire had its progressive moments in the past, it could hardly be called exceptional today. The lingering corruption and the negative consequences of past compromises were now dragging the entire nation down.

Each point hit its mark, causing Rorschach to see this nobleman in a new light. "You are absolutely right. However, it’s easy to identify problems, but solving them is always incredibly difficult. How do you plan to bring about this change?"

"Forgive my bluntness, but you are currently just a major in the Empire Army, and you hold no real influence in Pomerania."

Pavel was not discouraged. "Indeed. If this were merely my own wild fantasy, I would never have dared to disturb you, Master. But I am not the only young person with similar experiences who has been influenced by Valois."

"In the past, pioneers within the Empire Army have tried to make a change. But they had no clear blueprint, no meticulous preparations, and they failed to secure the necessary support. They acted blindly out of raw passion, advanced blindly, and put their blind faith in the Emperor."

"Their failure is a lesson for us."

"It is said that Master Rorschach holds sway over many of Bayern’s industries. I have come to see you today on behalf of all the young members of the Nobility who share my aspirations, to formally request your support."

"After our meticulous investigations and repeated discussions, we have concluded that Bayern’s path is the most suitable one for the entire Empire. As members of the Nobility, we have a responsibility to choose a path for our nation in its time of crisis."

’You clearly haven’t seen the mad Prince Otto.’ Rorschach’s expression grew serious. "I only see a naive and fervent young man trying to persuade me. I don’t yet see any possibility of this plan being realized."

"So you’re interested?" Pavel excitedly pulled a silk handkerchief from his coat. It was covered in signatures and bloody handprints.

Rorschach looked at it for a moment, then shook his head. "I’m sorry, I don’t recognize..."

"This is the second son of the Duke of Fortenburg, this is the eldest son of the Chief of the Privy Council’s Family, and this one is..." Unlike the previous rebellion of low-ranking officers, the people gathered this time were all of the Empire’s most noble blood. The glory of their families had flown alongside the Empire’s banner on the continent since time immemorial.

By comparison, a "Duke Reserve" was indeed nothing special among them. Even Rorschach was slightly surprised. "Your organization is..."

"We came up with a simple and powerful name: the National Salvation Alliance!"

’Well now... a quick calculation tells me it is, in fact, December.’

Rorschach nodded repeatedly, causing Pavel’s eyes to light up with hope. However, Rorschach’s next words left the idealistic young man utterly stunned:

"I am merely a Caster; I do not interfere in the politics of the Empire. Whether you continue your journey or return to the army or Pomerania, I must now take my leave."

Rorschach left the reception room and found Andre.

Andre was quite interested in Pavel. "How was your talk with the guest from Pomerania?"

"I shouldn’t have been the one to meet with him... From now on, hand over everything related to Pavel and the National Salvation Alliance to Valon. Give him sufficient resources to follow up."

"We’ll just focus on our own work." According to the schedule, today was the day the large-scale Magic Weaving Device was to be activated.

As the war’s intensity escalated, several factories were being attacked with increasing frequency. If young nobles like Pavel were noticing Rorschach’s accomplishments, then others were surely paying attention as well—including those with malicious intent who might try to sabotage production.

To eliminate the threat of potential sabotage from Casters, Rorschach planned to cover the critical factory zones with the Magic Weaving Device.

Once the Weaver was activated, the ambient Magic Power would first be polarized and transformed into a web of interwoven Magic Strings. To an ordinary Mage, this would be no different from being inside a Forbidden Magic Domain. However, Mages integrated into the Spell Cloud system, along with the factory’s modified Magic Circuits, could switch to Casting by utilizing these Magic Strings, all with the support of the Tree of Law.

It was, in effect, a whitelisting system for Casting.

At the same time, the Weaver’s transformation of the magical environment was also a defense against the intrusion of the Earth Mother Goddess’s power. Although there were currently no signs of Her activity within Bayern, Hercules’s warning still rang in his ears, and this was the primary countermeasure Rorschach could implement.

Of course, such a measure was bound to cause discontent, so Rorschach only deployed it within the confines of the factory, ensuring it wouldn’t affect other areas. At least, for now.

"Three, two, one... Begin polarization..." Andre watched the indicator gauges as Martin, the designated "human initiator" positioned closest to the machine, pressed a button. The massive machine in the foundations beneath the Central Tower began to RUMBLE, and the Domain covering the Steel Factory slowly unfolded.

The process of weaving the Magic Strings caused all Casters present to feel a sense of discomfort. Only when this feeling vanished and they could no longer directly perceive Magic Power was the "polarization" considered complete.

Following their instructions, the Mages and Apprentices at the Steel Factory began to circulate the Magic Power within their bodies in a new way. They attempted to connect with the ambient Magic Power, which had altered its form and distribution, and to communicate with the Tree of Law.

A replica of the Double Serpent Staff—a terminal for the Tree of Law—materialized in Rorschach’s hand. He raised the plain-looking staff, and all the Magic Strings instantly became clear and visible within his [Arcane Vision].

They were everywhere, at first glance resembling a net draped over the space. But on closer inspection, each grid of the net began to overlap, creating what looked like an infinite fractal.

With another wave of his Magic Staff, the Tree of Law, which existed between the corporeal and the ethereal, extended its roots. Using the staff in Rorschach’s hand as an intermediary, it connected to the local Magic Strings, causing them to vibrate in a rhythmic pattern. Under the wielder’s control, all the Magic Arrays inside the factory reactivated.

The dejected "Innocent," Pavel, was riding past the factory on his horse. He suddenly felt a wave of dizziness and witnessed all the lights and noise from the Steel Factory die out, only for everything to resume an instant later.

Pavel simply shook his head at the strange sensation and the commotion, tightened his reins, and rode on. His mind wasn’t on the road, and he nearly collided with an Air Car.

"My apologies... Hm? Sir, you shouldn’t have stopped your car sideways in the middle of the road," Pavel said politely.

To his surprise, a young man emerged from the vehicle. He was handsome, but his expression carried a hint of a treacherous air.

The young man walked up to Pavel’s horse and bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself: I am Valon, someone who may be able to help you and your companions. If you would do me the honor, please accompany me to a more private and secure location where we can speak in detail."