A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 177 Inspecting Your Work, Kid

In mid-April, the beverage factory, supported by supernatural forces, began trial operations. Theoretically, it was a subsidiary of "Hercules," but due to its location spanning two countries with less-than-ideal relations, the Byrne branch opted for relative independence.

For example, the new factory broke away from the Holy Kingdom's practice of naming its products after mythological figures and was renamed "Fanta," which means "pleasure" in the common language. At Rorschach's insistence, the "Fanta" beverage factory also hired two former apprentices from the Arcane Tower who could not graduate, as the initial "Research and Development Department."

If the Holy Kingdom and the Empire ever go to war, "Fonda" will have to produce its own original juice.

Now, Rorschach's funds are almost exhausted. The majority of the cash he obtained by exchanging stocks from Grand Duke Merovic's has been invested in the construction of "Fonda".

In a magical alternate world, the progress of the "Stonemasons Brotherhood" construction team can be "accelerated by spending money," just like in a browser game. However, the price is so attractive that Rorschach himself gets involved and uses the [Stone Shaping] spell, which seems to save him a lot of money.

Currently, Hercules and Bardorom have jointly registered a new company in Bain specifically responsible for the distribution, marketing, and circulation of beverages. Meanwhile, Fonda Beverage Factory, whose cash comes entirely from Rorschach, holds a 73% stake, with the remainder funded by Mr. Pierre.

The glass bottle factory was allocated shares according to the original agreement. However, the guild had split into two factions: those who supported the factory and those who did not. In addition, workshops gradually moved to Lanshte and miraculously began producing colored flat glass.

Due to the exodus of many apprentices and craftsmen, large workshops also shrank dramatically. Some savvy workshop owners began to try giving their craftsmen shares instead of squeezing them out until they were forced to open their own workshops elsewhere.

Some serious incidents occurred during this period, which aroused the apprentices' resentment towards the workshop owner. After the guild leader resigned to take responsibility, no one was even willing to take over the coveted position that was originally meant to be filled through campaigning.

As a sign of this, Luo Xia was delighted to see that the glass guild, which had once been causing trouble, was swept into the dustbin of history in less than a month.

As outsiders, Rorschach and Pierre certainly did not collude with the Bart family's merchant guild to stir up trouble.

"What did the Mining and Metallurgical Association say?"

"Many of their old clients have gone out of business, and now we have the upper hand in the negotiations," Mr. Pierre reported. These past few days he'd practically become the boy's secretary. Newsingen thought for a moment, then reminded him, "The brewing guild hasn't contacted us yet."

"Leave it to Baldorom, I can't possibly handle these trivial matters." With the beverage factory settled and on track, Rorschach stopped being hands-on and left the sales side to the locals.

"Bart is getting married soon, I'm going to Würzburg to check it out."

Rorschach left the drastically changed Landshte and sailed north.

"These newspapers are so idle!" With ten days left until the wedding, the news of the beautiful little princess's upcoming marriage has already appeared in Byrne's gossip newspaper, but as a selling point, the groom's identity has not yet been revealed.

All I know is that they are commoners without noble titles.

Bart is still on duty at the Mage Tower today. His post was inherited from the previous one, and he can see the situation in the whole city.

Her fiancé slammed his fist on the newspaper: "If I become a member of parliament, I'll definitely propose stricter press regulations to shut up all these noisy bastards!"

I don't know which creative editor started a reader's letter section, specifically inviting citizens to guess the groom's identity. If I'm not mistaken, some people have already started guessing.

Some say he was a guard by the princess's side, while others say he was a riding instructor, representing two mainstream views: knight-princess and teacher-student.

"Heh, people in every world love this." Knowing the answer, Rorschach really wanted to participate. Flipping through the newspaper, he saw a large article about GG: "Enjoy Fanta, full of energy! The wondrous nectar from Valuvana!"

Mr. Pierre has always been a marketing master. Although it has not been officially launched yet, tavern waiters are already secretly promoting the "magical drink from the Holy Kingdom" so that they can earn some extra money. In addition, there are oil painting posters on the streets of Munnik, Wirtz and Nurem.

"Hurry, we need to have the stock ready before May 1st!"

Neither Rorschach nor Bart expected that the hype surrounding the wedding was fueled by the businessmen behind them. The Baldorom Merchant Guild personally intervened, blocking any rumors about their young master and then buying articles in the newspapers to report on the little princess's wedding.

All of this was to distribute 100,000 bottles of soft drinks to Munnik and Würzburg on the wedding day, half of which were sponsored free of charge to the royal family and distributed to the citizens, while the other half were distributed to various restaurants and hotels.

Würzburg's layout is more enclosed than Munnik's. Its city walls are concentrated in the east and north, while the south is open to the water network. To be honest, such a layout would make the northern people of the empire feel uneasy: Who are you guarding against?

"Welcome! I've been incredibly busy lately. After finishing my own work, I still have to plan the wedding. Millie is too young; we can't let her make all the decisions." Rorschach took a boat all the way to the foot of the tallest tower in the city, which was Bart's territory.

He timed it perfectly, with Luo Xia going downstairs and then disembarking from the boat.

"Isn't there a royal ceremonial officer?" The two chatted as they went upstairs. The tower of the resident mage was indeed not a qualified magic tower. Rorschach's Arcane Vision had very little magical aura. If he were in the Tower of Stars or the Tower of Arcane Arts, he might be blinded by the light.

"Yes, but this is Millie and my wedding, not a puppet show for our distinguished guests."

"If it were me, I'd probably be happy to be a puppet for a little while."

"You're the type to avoid trouble, but it seems you've gotten into quite a bit of trouble since graduation, which I don't quite understand." Bart didn't dwell on it; he and Rorschach had already reached the top level.

It's less a magic tower and more a watchtower with a lookout function. The tower has six sides, with windows on five sides overlooking the entire city, while one side is completely blocked by wooden windows.

The interior decorations have a personal touch, such as Bart's badge, the resident mage's appointment letter, and so on. There are also the necessary bookshelves and alchemy tables.

But it's merely something that exists, better than nothing.

"We can see the whole city, except in this direction," Barth said, pointing to the closed window. "The former Emperor's palace, Würzburg Palace, now belongs to His Majesty the King, though he doesn't come often. Out of respect for the lord, this window is traditionally not opened during peacetime."

It feels more like a formality.

Bart then beckoned Rorschach over: "Given that Millie and I will be getting married at Würzburg Palace, I can give you a peek from up here."

As Rorschach leaned closer to take a look, Bart continued, "It's touted as the work of Baltazar, the Imperial architect, but you've been to Valuvana now, so you should recognize it, right?"

Among the densely packed houses, Rorschach spotted a garden that occupied a lot of space, with woodland paths, fountains and various sculptures, and at the center of the garden was a beautiful palace.

"If Charles XVI were to visit or be captured here, he would surely feel right at home."

"That's right! Our master architects have taken too much inspiration from the palaces of Valuwana. Now my friend and my family are selling Valuwana drinks together. Is something from the Holy Kingdom really that magical?"

Rorschach closed the window and touched the dusty glass bottle: "Speaking of magic, aren't you a little rusty with spells?"

"I can't do what you do—earn money and study at the same time! Rorschach." Bart made up his mind to say something difficult to say:

"The parliamentary inspectors are coming to Würzburg soon for an assessment! And there are only eight days until the wedding ceremony. You absolutely have to do me a favor!"

感谢书友「迎风流nei」「玉剑仙问」「书友140416232745222」「书友201807110551737」「马家沟」「慕长风」「书友2023042416454901315166」「书友20220822174910394」「法鸡正统在丹麦」「Archier」「电光在指尖跃动」「舅服你12」「日月源澈」「书友2020127202056734」「易川江」「且胜且战」的月票支持！

Thanks to the following readers for their recommendation votes: "The Pattern Observer", "Thirty-Six Pigeons", "Neurotic Handicap", "There's a Bear in the World", "SEERS", "The Missing One", "Whiteboard Cube", and "Energy Master"!

(End of this chapter)