Making the expensive cheap, making the rare widespread, making the unreliable stable and controllable—this was the greatest strength that allowed magic-conducting technology to change the way the entire world functioned in this age.
The elves possessed the Stellar Sanctuary. For thousands of years, that never-falling Sky Fortress had been the greatest guarantee allowing the Silver Empire to stand proudly above other nations. Though the Sanctuary's own deterioration meant its deterrent power was limited to the southern part of the continent, so long as that fortress remained afloat in the sky, most nations of the Loren Continent could only look up at it in awe—regardless of whether the elves themselves "upheld peace and neutrality." This was simply the inevitable result of overwhelming strength.
Under the current international situation, Gawain and his entire governing team had no intention of turning Cecil into a hegemonic empire. Even so, he still hoped to achieve a breakthrough in the empire's air power. The elves' Sky Fortress was an immensely attractive and practical objective. Even setting aside military deterrence, a flying fortress capable of operating at high altitudes for long periods, possessing formidable defenses, and providing reliable support for expeditionary units held enormous significance for one of Gawain's long-term plans:
A counteroffensive against the Wasteland.
There was only one Stellar Sanctuary, and because of its power and maintenance issues, it could not move too far away from the Silver Empire. It was unrealistic to expect it to become the main force in a counteroffensive against the Wasteland. Yet the threat of the Wasteland remained, and the dangerous powers lurking within it grew stronger by the day. Those living around the Wasteland had to find other ways to ensure their own safety. Taking advantage of the unique strengths of magic-conducting technology to attempt the mass production of