Chapter 622 — Gathering Storm
Blade of Dawn · Page 4 of 4
The grand wall-restoration project Typhon had undertaken was completed ahead of schedule, and Royan had returned to his imperial capital. Seated in the study of the Obsidian Palace, this emperor of great talent and bold vision was carefully examining the intelligence reports his team of advisors had gathered and compiled. These precisely and vividly summarized every key figure in the course of Ansul-Typhon trade, along with certain materials his agents had procured from Ansul only with great difficulty.
"Industrial production has surged, spurred by the war...
"The reason lies in the fact that a great many industries are tied to the military. They have broadly applied magic-mechanical devices to the field of war, and military demand has stimulated their entire industrial system...
"Cecil's homeland appears not to have been drawn into direct warfare. They fight beyond their own borders...
"Cecil has swallowed an astonishing quantity of cotton textiles, yet there is no telling where they put the stuff. All that can be confirmed is that a portion of it goes to battlefield losses...
"The cheap magic-mechanical goods for daily use made by the Cecilans have found tremendous favor within the Empire..."
Royan Augustus set down the documents, a thoughtful look upon his face.
Trade between the Empire and the Cecilans had unfolded with unexpected smoothness, and its momentum was strong.
In the process, the Empire did seem to have reaped the vast benefits it had anticipated. It had exported enormous quantities of cotton textiles, and the textile mills of the Aldenan region had profited greatly thereby. The Empire had also acquired the Cecilans' advanced transportation technology, and recently the Guild of Artificers had made considerable progress in its project to replicate the magic-mechanical vehicle...
Everything seemed to be developing in a good direction.
Yet Royan Augustus faintly sensed a mire—a mire he could not see.
Just then, an attendant's voice came from beyond the door: "Your Majesty, Master Daniel has arrived."
Royan Augustus at once composed his expression. He set the documents aside and cleared his throat:
"Show the master in."
:.