Chapter 729

Of course, having mages participate in the actual breeding work still presented some difficulties. For example, Anderson, who was in charge of the breeding program, happened to come from the clergy.

For well-known reasons, relations between the two groups were rather tense. If they were made to interact because of work, there was no telling what trouble might arise.

It would be best to keep them from interacting as part of the process.

Paul instructed the newly established Department of Magic to solve this problem.

It was a small secret department—secret, at least for the time being. Mages and magic were objectively real, and as Paul came to understand them more deeply, he felt that this group was actually quite large. Establishing a dedicated institution to handle related matters was therefore necessary.

Originally, he had intended to put Laddie Setia, the mage he trusted most, in charge of the department, but Miss Mage firmly refused. He had no choice but to have Cecil select the most tight-lipped people from the Department of Intelligence to take charge, while recruiting personnel from among the mage groups that had fled there to serve as their subordinates.

The head of the Department of Magic had to undergo mental examinations by Laddie Setia regularly or at random.

Hansel told Paul about what he had seen and heard in Crystal Radiance of the Royal Capital, including his banquet with King Rodney XVIII. He recounted everything truthfully, from the king's questions about his opinion of Paul to his own replies.

He looked at Paul cautiously, as if trying to determine whether his lord was displeased with what he had told the king. When he saw Paul merely smile and shrug, Hansel breathed a sigh of relief.

"His Majesty will send some young officers to Northwest Bay. He