The Magic Empire for 20,000 years

Chapter 109 Elian's Business Schemes
"Actually, I had already mastered the blacksmith's skills before I became a mage."

A plain-looking human mage, while maintaining the magic, turned around and explained to the elven envoys:

“My father was a blacksmith, and so was my grandfather. I learned these skills from a young age.”

"On the contrary, becoming a mage was something I never expected."

"Thanks to His Majesty Elion's reforms 10 years ago, a primary magic school was established in Peace Town."

"I studied under a mage teacher who came down from the sky, and I unexpectedly discovered that I had a good magical talent, much better than most of my classmates."

"Later, I learned that mages with outstanding skills could become excellent production mages once they entered the fourth ring realm. So I studied hard and worked towards that goal."

"Finally, after nine years in the Empire, I became a fourth-circle mage and learned the [Divine Craftsmanship] spell, thus obtaining my current position!"

"Of course, while studying magic, I also honed my blacksmithing skills."

The other mages present also turned around and explained their own situations while maintaining the magical ritual.

Everyone's situation is roughly the same.

"It's actually like this..."

Seeing the somewhat surprised looks in the elves' eyes, Elian smiled inwardly.

Yes, this is one of the major advantages that he mentioned for the human kingdom of Eldoron compared to the elven kingdom when he once referred to "the political table".

In Eldoron today, many mages were originally craftsmen in various villages or human settlements before becoming mages.

After learning magic, one can naturally become a professional production mage.

This also means that even if the elves secretly learned the [Divine Craftsmanship] spell, they would not be able to quickly replicate the production capacity of the human kingdom of Eldoron.

Because in the elven kingdom, a mage is a mage, and an armorer is an armorer.

Even from today onward, the elven mages are willing to abandon their old habits, immediately humble themselves, and learn the craftsman's skills.

Given the elves' significantly slower learning speed compared to humans, and their dislike of overly utilitarian magical production culture, it would take at least several decades for a large number of highly skilled production mages to emerge.

Instead of going through all this trouble, why not just trade directly with the human kingdom of Eldoron?
Once trade between the two countries is successful, a division of labor will be formed, with one side providing materials and resources and the other producing products. The Elf Kingdom will then have even less incentive to develop its own production mages.

Why bother building things yourself when humans can build them for them?

It's better to buy than to make!

This is El-Erian's open scheme.

If we wait for ten or twenty years, the Elven Kingdom will become significantly dependent on the supply of goods from the human kingdom of Eldoron.

At that time, no matter how xenophobic and warlike the Sun Elves are, or how much hostility they have towards humans, a race without gods, they will not be able to do anything too outrageous in the face of objective needs.

"So? Eldoron's production mages are quite outstanding, aren't they?"

Elian smiled and addressed the assembled elven envoys:

"Although, because there are too few extraordinary materials in the surrounding areas of the valley, such as magical minerals like mithril and extraordinary natural resources like moon dew flowers and wave pearls, it is not possible to set up a production line for magical items. We can only manufacture conventional items."

"However, the principles and operational approaches to producing magical items and regular items are very similar."

"Creation requires mages to calm down and meticulously manipulate the flow of magic over a long period of time to create a finished product according to pre-set blueprints and parameters. This is very different from the professional skills required for magical combat and academic research."

"Once trade is established between our two countries and there is a sufficient supply of extraordinary materials, we professional production mages in Eldoron can immediately learn the skills to make magical items, such as wands, staffs, potions, crystal balls, magic rings, magic cloaks, magic boots, and so on!"

"At that time, the entire Elf Kingdom will be able to enjoy the benefits of trade!"

The envoys representing the 14 elven families listened to Elian's grand vision, exchanged glances, and began to discuss: "This seems like a promising idea."

"When making magic cloaks and magic boots, because mages themselves are not professional craftsmen and lack the skills of tailors and shoemakers, the actual time required is relatively long, and the quality of the finished product will also be affected to some extent."

"Since the human kingdom of Eldoron has many mages who are also craftsmen and have professional experience in creation, it's perfect that they're in charge of these tasks!"

"Currently, the production of magical items and the forging of weapons and armor in the Elven Kingdom are basically monopolized by a few major Sun Elf families. Once trade is opened, it will inevitably impact their interests. But for our families, trading with the human kingdoms only brings pure benefits..."

"Oh, by the way, many magical items need to be tested for a period of time after they are created. These tests are quite dangerous. But the human kingdom of Eldoron has so many undead, so we can let the undead conduct these dangerous tests! That way, we elves won't have to take the risks."

When the undead were mentioned, about half of the elven emissaries still showed some repulsion:

"Speaking of the undead, as a priest, I still can't accept those zombies and skeletons. Even knowing that they are not contaminated by negative energy, I still reject this kind of blasphemous and evil magic in my heart."

"But, since it is humans who bear the necessary evil in our place anyway, it doesn't matter as long as these evil creations don't set foot in our beautiful elven kingdom and simply stay on human land."

"Our Starflower family also detests the undead. But I believe that as the human kingdom of Eldoron and the elven kingdom become increasingly intertwined, humans will surely realize that necromancy, which creates the undead, is indeed a blasphemous and evil magic, and will gradually reduce its use. The human race has only been exposed to magic for a little over 300 years. In the eyes of our ancient Moon Elf race, they are still just children. We should teach them properly..."

"Based on previous faction reconnaissance results, the King of Humans is a [Lawful Good] character, and signing a contract with him should be trustworthy."

"It seems that as long as nothing goes wrong during the next few weeks of visits, establishing trade relations with the human kingdom of Eldoron is a sure thing!"

"..."

The elven envoys representing the various families chimed in with their own words.

Some elves, while unable to completely eliminate their prejudice against humans, have come to acknowledge human potential and the value of trade with Eldoron.

Some elves, on the other hand, had excited smiles on their faces, as if they could already see the bright future after the two countries started trading!
In particular, Seymour Moon Whisper, the mentor who taught magic to humans, would often praise them.

He also patted several human production mages on the back while they were working, and said a lot of encouraging words to them with a smile:
"Once our two countries establish trade, the goods you manufacture will be exported to the land of the elves."

"Haha, you guys were probably even busier back then than you are now..."

At this moment, only one person in the delegation had a cold expression and a gloomy face.

The sun elf prince Elf's face was grim, his fists clenched slightly, his thoughts churning:

"This is going to be difficult."

"It's not just the moon elves; even the members of the delegation representing other minority elven races want to trade with humans!"

"No, no, if this continues, we won't be able to carry out Father's orders."

"Soon, Father will travel to the Elven Kingdom in his physical body to pay homage to the gods and ancestors, and will refrain from worldly affairs for several years..."

"If Father himself were to leave, even the opposition of the ten great Sun Elf families would not be enough to stop the then-Elf King Antinoia Moon Whisper from establishing trade routes with humans!"

Seeing that the Elven race was really about to establish diplomatic relations with a godless race and was going further and further down the wrong path, Prince Elf couldn't help but glance at Princess Lia beside him.

He wanted to see what the crown prince of the Sun Elf race would say.

Unexpectedly, Princess Lia remained silent, watching the elves representing the various families envision the wonderful future of trade with humans, without uttering a word.

They didn't utter a single word of objection.

Sister, what are you doing? Get up!

Prince Elf was now completely baffled as to what his sister was thinking.

Just then, Elf's gaze froze, and he suddenly remembered:
"Oh right, I almost forgot. We Sun Elves have another secret weapon."

(End of this chapter)