Chapter 454: Chapter 451: Commendation
Maxim’s opening remarks, which made War Committee member George Jacques break out in a cold sweat, were merely an impromptu speech inspired by the mages’ conversation. The two had come in person to meet with everyone from the Tower of Stars, their first objective being to find out what exactly had happened at Kongdi’s Moncado Fortress.
In the past few days, the National Assembly had been diligently investigating what had caused such massive casualties among the National Guard.
They had finally heard an account different from those of the soldiers and regular officers. It turned out that the black miasma filling the sky was Necromancy, that an Evil God was involved later on, and that an Empire Airship had surprisingly been responsible for turning the tide and saving most of the people.
Of course, none of this information could be easily leaked, so the club’s mansion became the ideal place for a clandestine meeting with the mages.
After hearing Kano’s account, Maxim asked cautiously, "So, you’re saying similar incidents won’t happen again in the short term?" This was the primary concern of the two committee members and the National Salvation Committee. They hoped for a definitive yes, that the nightmare of Moncado Fortress would not be repeated.
Hearing this, Kano and the others in their seats all shook their heads. The Great Mage told them a truth that was hard to accept: "For several decades now, the activities of an Evil God known as the Earth Mother Goddess have become increasingly frequent. Both mages and the Church have made great efforts to suppress Her revival. Last year, from the Ferolun Continent to Istani, Her large-scale incursion into reality was thwarted, and we thought Her activities had ended for good..."
"But now it seems that if the intensity of the war continues to escalate, it’s hard to say whether the battlefields will trigger activities related to Her. Death, destruction... even if only symbolic, when such misfortunes become widespread, they will allow Her to draw strength. Then there’s the problem of underground cults getting out of control as the situation worsens..."
After receiving the bad news, Maxim was silent for a moment before asking the Great Mage, "From your description, the Empire has already developed technology to block Divine Power. Can the Tower of Stars or the Magic Guild develop it, so that the Republic can also obtain a defense against the Evil God? If there are difficulties with research, the Committee is willing to provide you with funding."
Snow suddenly put down his wine glass and spoke up. "Mr. Committee Member, there’s no need to write blank checks. You just need to urge the National Assembly and the finance office to settle their outstanding payments as soon as possible."
Since Rorschach left, the number of Collectors in the Alchemy Department had sharply increased to sixteen. Their purpose was the same as the machines under Rorschach; they were all put into production. The various enterprises under the Magic Guild had already been cooperating as much as possible during Valois’s time of crisis.
It was only because the workers were on three rotating shifts and the machines roared day and night that the greatly expanded National Guard could have enough firearms and ammunition, and that the artillery, which Valois relied on most, could be mass-produced and deployed.
The National Salvation Committee’s requisition process was very forceful. They essentially assigned direct quotas to enterprises and then issued special bonds—which were basically IOUs. Of course, the enterprises under the Guild didn’t hold back either, immediately turning around and transferring a portion of these bonds to their raw material suppliers and employees in place of payments and wages.
Perhaps these new slips of paper represented a future economic disaster, but who cared about that now? The priority was to win the war first. Only with victory would those war-related bonds have any value and be redeemable.
Maxim was left speechless by the casual remark from the creditor’s representative. George Jacques, however, immediately interjected, "That matter is not on the agenda for today’s discussion."
The atmosphere suddenly grew a few degrees more awkward. To this day, the relationship between Valois’s helmsmen and the mages was just like this: they were mutually bound together on the same ship of the Republic, yet it was fraught with friction. Both the National Assembly and the media—which snapped at everything like rabid dogs—maintained a tacit understanding:
To carefully avoid discussing the mage community and anything related to Magic.
The Guild and the Mage Towers were the elephants in the room. The only fortunate thing was that the "elephants’" attitude was one of support for the Republic.
Rorschach didn’t know what point there was in Kano having him attend such a private meeting. In any case, since he was here, he was just focused on eating. The authentic Valuva cuisine was simply divine. In terms of culinary techniques and variety, it was worlds better than the repetitive potatoes and sausages.
In truth, the two men, and indeed the entire Committee, had already received the report. Their face-to-face discussion with the Great Mage now was to confirm the details. The conversation also led to their second objective for coming:
To commend the two Casters who risked their lives to delay the Necromancer Master’s Super Tier Magic.
Again, because of their identities, the Committee chose not to give them a public commendation. At the same time, the truth of the incident would be sealed and not disclosed to the public, to avoid complicating the relationship between the general populace and the mages.
The propaganda machine and the National Guard command would only emphasize that "two heroic citizens" had played a key role in thwarting the enemy’s plot.
George Jacques took out two commendation orders. "After extensive inquiries, we have learned that two heroic citizens played a critical role in disrupting the Empire’s evil ritual. Therefore, the Committee will recognize them. Are the two of them present?"
The Great Mage nodded, then used a [Communication Skill] to notify Pascal and Paul, who were outside the door. When the two entered, they were still being supported by a fellow from the Alchemy Department, their bodies wrapped in bandages—clearly, the damage from an Eighth Ring Spell was not something that could be easily fixed with a Healing Spell.
Speaking of which, the pair of fellow apprentices were also somewhat unlucky. If only they had been transferred a little later, they would have had the chance to receive Deryats’s healing. They might not have had to suffer today and could have been healed on the spot.
Although they looked a bit wretched, they were in high spirits. Pascal, seeing old acquaintances from the club for the first time in a while, greeted them naturally.
Although he was also a core member of the Mountain Faction, Pascal’s demeanor was completely different from the other two. He was still young, possessing a youthful clarity... For a role like that, one poster boy was enough for the Mountain Faction.
"So it’s our veteran, ’Apprentice Thor’!" George Jacques said jokingly. "If you were to return to the assembly hall, you’d be a better fit for War Committee member than me. After all, I’ve never been on a battlefield. You, on the other hand, have proven your valor. The people and our Mountain Faction would all welcome a great hero with a tricolor medal."
Pascal responded calmly, "I’m not sure if I’m good at fighting wars, but I’m very sure I’m not good at verbal sparring." It wasn’t so much that he wasn’t good at it, but rather that he detested it.
"A pity..." George Jacques’s expression showed no sign of regret whatsoever.
With all the Casters as witnesses, Maxim read the commendation order aloud and personally pinned the tricolor medals on both men’s chests. After he had pinned Paul’s medal, the Artillery Lieutenant gave a military salute. "Thank you, First Citizen."
Maxim stopped what he was doing and said sternly, "Please do not address me that way. All members of the Republic are equal. The previous distinction between active and passive citizens was a grave error made by the Royalist Faction and the wealthy, and it should be corrected."
"Is that so? I rather think the title is quite good." This was the second time George Jacques had smoothed things over since arriving at the mansion. "I think it’s just the young man’s way of showing respect. No need to be so rigid and make a federal case out of it."
Maxim took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. "Our task is complete. We have other important matters to attend to, so please excuse us." With that, he walked out quickly.
George Jacques, who was more portly than Bicano, did not leave. He unceremoniously pulled out a soft chair and sat down. "See? Citizen Maxim’s greatest strength and weakness are one and the same: he’s so upright and stubborn it’s unbearable." He poured himself a glass of fine wine, savored its aroma, and then fixed his gaze on Rorschach, who had been eating this whole time.
"So, I’ll be the one to discuss what Mr. ’First Citizen’ didn’t want to. A pleasure to meet you, Rorschach Mage from Bayern."
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