Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 386 The storm is coming
For most people, the assassination of Grand Duke Fernando wasn't a particularly significant event. After all, assassinations of high-ranking officials were commonplace in this era. Furthermore, the Sasha Alliance didn't immediately protest to the Principality of Seth, remaining silent instead. The conflict between the old emperor and Grand Duke Fernando was long-standing, and there were even rumors that the old emperor was quite pleased with Grand Duke Fernando's death.

For this reason, some people believe that the old emperor may not actually launch an attack on the Principality of Seth, but at most issue some protests and condemnations on the surface, and the matter may just pass.

However, those who actually had the intelligence knew very well that things were not that simple.

Just days after the assassination of Archduke Fernando, President Francis Lemont personally traveled to the Western European Empire to meet with Emperor Nicholas II. Lemont's visit was not impulsive, as the Western European Empire was currently experiencing political turmoil. Having lasted for three hundred years, the Western European Dynasty was naturally facing the inevitable challenges of a dynastic's decline.

Lemont's visit was to confirm that Nicholas II could still control the domestic situation; otherwise, if war broke out and the Western European Empire was thrown into chaos, Francis would be finished.

However, such political matters were not something Li Wei needed to worry about; on the contrary, he was more concerned with the development of the mystical side in various countries.

The corpses Li Wei brought back also provided the Empire with considerable intelligence. After all, those who could appear at Greenwood Castle that night must all be members of the core secret factions of various countries. As long as they followed the clues, they would surely be able to find some trace of them.

First, there's the shaman who performs the rituals; his identity is relatively easy to ascertain among everyone. According to intelligence, he belongs to a religious organization called the "Black Sanctuary" in the Western Empire of Europe. The leader of this organization is Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin, known as the "Prophet."

According to intelligence from the Western European Empire, this person is quite popular among the Western European nobility and is skilled in prophecy and healing of various intractable diseases.

Because Emperor Nicholas II's heir apparent, Alexei, had suffered from a strange illness since birth and had always been in poor health, when the Empress learned of Rasputin's prophetic reputation, she asked Nicholas II to invite him to the palace. As a result, Rasputin easily cured the strange illness that even the court physicians were helpless against.

In reality, as long as Rasputin remained in the palace, the Crown Prince was lively and healthy, but once he left, the Crown Prince would gradually become thinner. Therefore, Nicholas II and the Empress also greatly admired and respected this prophet, and with their support, the prophet founded a religious organization called the Black Church.

The participants in this religious organization were mainly nobles from the Western European Empire, because they believed that they could receive Rasputin's blessings here, such as longevity and immunity to all diseases.

The wizard who appeared at Green Castle is a core member of the Black Temple. According to intelligence, he was once Rasputin's right-hand man and held him in high esteem. However, he has not appeared in public for several days recently. Rasputin's response was that "he has embarked on a journey of self-cultivation."

Yeah, a charlatan.

Then there were the paladins. They were indeed from the Holy See in Francis, belonging to the Knights of the Radiant Sword, a very famous knightly order in Francis. Of course, their fame mainly lay in helping the people of Francis fight against various mysterious events…

Well, as for who orchestrated those mysterious events... that's another matter entirely.

Incidentally, because the Holy Bishop's organization within Francis was extremely tight, it was very difficult for the Empire's intelligence agencies to infiltrate. Although, on the surface, the Holy Bishop did not interfere in politics, only conducting religious activities among the people, after Francis overthrew the parliament and adopted a democratic parliamentary system, the Holy Bishop's prestige among the people was clearly higher than that of the politicians.

So much so that even the current President Francis has to rely on Francis's Archbishop of the Holy Catholic Church to implement his decrees.

Otherwise, even if they issue orders, there's nothing they can do if the people below don't obey, unless they get the endorsement of the Holy Bishop.

As for why the public is not obeying government orders and is instead holding demonstrations and protests, why is that? Oh dear, it's so hard to guess…

Incidentally, the current Archbishop of Francis is named Richelieu, who is also Francis's Cardinal and Chief Minister. According to clandestine investigations, he also appears to be the Supreme Commander of the Knights of the Radiant Sword. Rumor has it that outside Francis's capital, Floria, he converted a former military fortress into a heretical prison, primarily detaining those who spread heretical religious ideas and evil individuals possessed by demons.

However, some argue that it was actually Richelieu's prison for persecuting dissidents. Anyone who dared to oppose him would be mercilessly branded as a heretic and imprisoned. Even nobles were not spared; even high-ranking officials in Francis's government today tremble with fear before him, lest they utter a single wrong word and be branded a heretic.

This is also why the Queen completely abandoned Francis. On the surface, Francis was still a parliamentary system, but in reality, it was completely controlled by Richelieu in secret.

It's better to let it fight to the death with the Kingdom of Krant, and just watch the show.

Well, speaking of the Kingdom of Krant, it's actually the easiest one to investigate.

The reason is simple: it's not that the Empire's intelligence agency is particularly capable in Krant, but rather that the monster that Levi brought back had its manufacturing date and address clearly written on its steel armor.

Yes, it truly lives up to the meticulous craftsmanship of the Cronte process.

With the address, there's no need to search anymore; just follow the map to find it.

Even so, due to the Krant Kingdom's tight secrecy, the available intelligence was limited, but some information was indeed obtained. According to the investigation, the Krant Kingdom is currently advancing a project called "Recreation," which, simply put, involves synthesizing and cultivating naturally occurring organisms to create entirely new creatures suitable for warfare. This, combined with the Krant Kingdom's steam technology, aims to enhance its combat capabilities.

To be honest, if this were some kind of mystical magic, Li Wei could understand it. But the fact that this thing was created entirely through science was beyond his comprehension. After all, in his own time, he had never heard of any place creating synthetic lifeforms, let alone how they did it.

"So? What's Your Majesty's opinion? Should I go and see if I can steal some secrets?"

To be honest, Levi was really curious about the technology of the Kingdom of Krant. He could understand steam technology, he could understand the difference engine, and he could also understand magic, ghosts, dragons, alien creatures and so on.

But chimeras... you don't even understand DNA, how are chimeras created? It can't really be a cross-species fusion, right? Even Jurassic Park relied on frog DNA to recreate dinosaurs.

Li Wei really wanted to know how the Kingdom of Krant managed to do it.

With Levi's abilities, infiltrating the Kingdom of Krant to steal secrets would be a piece of cake, even easier than 007.

“No, according to Her Majesty’s orders, everyone must be on standby at all times, especially you, Sir Levi. Your importance and that of the Eye of the Sky are beyond question.”

The old butler's voice on the other end of the microphone was steady, but sounded very serious.

"So, a fight is really going to break out?"

"It's hard to say." The old butler wasn't sure either, but it was clear that Her Majesty's order implied a general preparation for war.

“…………………Okay, I understand.”

Li Wei pondered for a moment, realizing he couldn't understand Her Majesty's thoughts either, so he decided to leave it at that for now.

"I do hope they can delay the start of the war. After all, I'm still researching new weapons. It would be great if I could be given a chance."

"Can what you're talking about really be used in war?"

The old butler was of course aware that Li Wei was currently researching missiles and aircraft, although it wasn't actually him conducting the research.

"I hope so, but I'm not sure. Ultimately, it depends on how they perform on the battlefield."

Li Wei wasn't entirely sure, but fortunately, Professor Andrew accepted his invitation and joined the research group studying jet engines. Li Wei didn't understand the technical jargon they used, only that Professor Andrew's involvement had led to improvements in the jet engine—specifically, increased thrust, greater payload capacity, and longer range…

In fact, the first batch of missiles is under construction.

That's right, missiles.

While only guided missiles are considered missiles, Li Wei can indeed guide them—his [Puppet Master] skill has reached LV9, allowing him to manipulate objects freely within a 900-meter range. This means that even rockets that would otherwise fly aimlessly can, under Li Wei's control, follow their targets and curve like a missile.

However, its maximum maneuverability is only 900 meters.

Therefore, Li Wei has decided to have them build a batch first and place it on the airship as an experimental product.

In fact, the Eye in the Sky is currently undergoing renovations here.

Therefore, Li Wei hoped that those guys upstairs could be more level-headed, or at least delay the attack, so that he could finish testing this new weapon before anything else.

Unfortunately, other countries clearly will not fulfill Livy's wish.

Just a few days later, Li Wei saw a message.

The Sasha Alliance issued an ultimatum to the Principality of Seth, outlining ten demands.

First, confiscate all publications that are hostile to Sasha and disrespectful to the royal family.

Second, immediately disband the Death Society (the organization of the assassins who killed Grand Duke Fernando) and other organizations that oppose Sasha.

Third, remove content opposing Sasha from school textbooks and teaching.

Fourth, replace officials in the military and administrative departments who are conducting anti-Sasha propaganda (list provided by the Sasha Alliance).

Fifth, allow the Sasha Alliance to enter the Principality of Seth to suppress subversive activities.

Sixth, with the assistance of the Sasha Alliance government, those who planned and carried out the assassination should be punished by law.

7. Immediately arrest the two key suspects identified in the preliminary investigation.

8. Effectively curb domestic arms smuggling.

9. Immediately explain the hostile remarks made by the officials of the Principality of Seth against the Sasha Alliance.

10. The Principality of Seth must implement the above measures within 72 hours and inform the Sasha Alliance.

After reading the ten conditions, Li Wei silently picked up the walkie-talkie and called the military factory.

"Let's work overtime these next few days to produce the weapons as soon as possible."

"Hey? Do we have to work overtime?"

"Yes, triple pay, three shifts, no stopping."

Li Wei sighed helplessly as he spoke.

Of these clauses, the others are all negotiable, but Articles 5 and 6 are basically pushing the Principality of Seth to its doom. If the Sasha Alliance is allowed to enter Seth to suppress any subversive activities, then the sovereignty of the Principality of Seth will have no meaning. It would be better to surrender and be annexed by the Sasha Alliance.

As things stand, it seems impossible to avoid this war.

(End of this chapter)