The Empire's Past

"Mechanical Cathedral? What could they possibly have to discuss?" The prince was clearly taken aback.

"I need some of Mechanical Cathedral's technology."

"Technology? Is there any technology in Mechanical Cathedral that I don't know about? Forgive my bluntness, but it's all junk. Yet they treat it like treasure and guard it with their lives."

The prince's disdain was plain to see.

Theus could barely hold it together. Good lord, you weren't even pretending anymore, were you?

Mechanical Cathedral, formerly the Mechanical Society, was also located within the Empire.

In theory, the Empire was Candlelight Society territory. Part of the reason Mechanical Cathedral could remain here was that it had no Transcendence pathway. In theory, it was closer to an ordinary mortal organization and fundamentally different from the Candlelight Society.

The other reason was its close ties to the imperial family.

The Empire's royal family had only declined over the past few decades, hollowed out by several imperial dukes working together. By now, they even had to choose an heir from the Joan Family.

But before that, they had always been powerful—extremely powerful.

Isabella's ancestors had once tried to rival the Candlelight Society, and the Mechanical Society had been one of the forces they supported. Naturally, it had deep roots with the royal family.

"The Mechanical Society was once glorious too," the prince suddenly said.

"Rhine was built by the Mechanical Society itself, with royal support. They bypassed the Candlelight Society and raised a miracle city from nothing. Back then, the Empire also attempted industrial reform. If everything had gone smoothly, it might well have become the Castel of that era."

Theus's gaze flickered. He remembered the Candlelight Society's grand cathedral. It stood in Rhine.

From the prince's words, the Empire had confronted the Candlelight Society decades ago. But clearly, the