Chapter Summaries

The Magitech Projector inventor, Auguste, Audrey, and Newsbird Megan planned a chain of theaters built around improved projectors and a better viewing experience. Viscount Rost agreed to provide stores in fifty cities for an initial trial, and offered to invest personally.

• Newsbird Megan suggested that theaters could succeed if their screenings offered a better experience than watching Magic Shadows on the Magic Net, and Auguste identified visual effects and atmosphere as key advantages.
• Auguste asked the Magitech Projector inventor about making more refined projectors, and the inventor said there were many possible directions for improvement.
• The inventor proposed that the group invest in new-style theaters, and Newsbird Megan recommended partnering with the Golden Merchants' Guild to place theaters inside its super shopping centers.
• Newsbird Megan contacted Viscount Rost, who promised stores in fifty cities for an initial trial and said he would personally invest in the project.
• Viscount Rost suggested selling snacks and drinks during screenings as additional sources of income.

Viscount Rost decided to fund aspiring entrepreneurs in exchange for a share of their businesses, hoping to help promising ideas grow and spread the Magitech Industry system. After he announced the offer online, a flood of applicants contacted him, but their first proposals made him question whether the plan would work.

• Viscount Rost realized ordinary entrepreneurs lacked access to funding and decided to invest in promising business ideas himself.
• Viscount Rost finalized his plan and helped settle the Magic Shadow Theater project with the Golden Merchants' Guild.
• Viscount Rost posted online that people with skills or business ideas could seek his investment in exchange for shared profits.
• People flocked to Viscount Rost's Private Chat with proposals, and he was overwhelmed by the response.
• Viscount Rost reviewed the first ideas, including a Land Swimming Machine and a copycat business, and began doubting their viability.

Viscount Rost’s investment screening system inspired the Golden Merchants’ Guild and the Church of the Light God to launch similar funding plans. As the Shepherd Pope looked for new uses for the fortune he and his son had amassed, he proposed investing in entrepreneurs too.

• Viscount Rost added a review process for investment proposals, allowing applicants to resubmit after proving their projects could succeed.
• The Dwarf Elf owner of the Golden Merchants’ Guild announced a similar investment program for dream chasers.
• A young archbishop urged the Pope of Light to invest in businesses aligned with the church, and the Pope gave him one-tenth of the church’s accumulated foundation to manage.
• The Shepherd Pope proposed investing in entrepreneurs because stock market manipulation had become harder and he wanted to put their liquid capital to work.

Wool Ryan advised the Shepherd Pope to expand sheep farming with magitech rather than invest in unfamiliar industries. After hearing about the Shepherd Church’s plans, Viscount Rost explained the farms’ costs and capabilities, leaving them to assess a potentially large partnership.

• Wool Ryan argued that the Shepherd Church should invest in livestock-farming techniques and ask the Shepherding God whether better sheep breeds could work in magitech farms.
• The Shepherd Pope decided to contact Viscount Rost about equipment for raising, shearing, milking, and processing sheep.
• Viscount Rost told the Shepherd Pope that his company could adapt magitech farm equipment for sheep and send technicians to inspect potential sites.
• The Shepherd Pope said the Shepherd Church could encourage large-scale sheep farms across the Westlands and parts of the Tiele Chiefdom, offering preferential treatment in areas managed by Technology God Church priests.
• Viscount Rost explained magitech farm costs and efficiency while considering the Shepherd Church a major potential customer.

Viscount Rost arranged for magitech experts to travel to the Dawn Westlands in a Magitech Vehicle convoy while the World Economic News Agency livestreamed the expedition. The broadcast drew a huge audience, and Roger watched, aware that its success could establish Magitech Vehicles as essential to industrialization.

• Viscount Rost sent magitech experts and a convoy of ten Magitech Vehicles and fifteen road-building mages toward the Dawn Westlands.
• The convoy leader explained that the journey would be livestreamed to build anticipation for Magitech Vehicles going on sale, and the experts agreed to travel.
• The World Economic News Agency announced a route from Rost Territory through the Dawn Westlands and Graycastle Empire to Golden City, spanning many types of terrain.
• Nearly a million viewers joined the livestream as Newsbird Megan arranged to follow the original coverage plan and promote the changing scenery along the route.
• Roger watched the broadcast in the Goddess of Magic's Divine Kingdom and considered Magitech Vehicles crucial to industrialization and the progress of magitech reforms.

The convoy departed Rost Territory on its unusually wide, carefully marked roads, while a livestream introduced the Magitech Vehicles and their capabilities. The journey continued smoothly through neighboring territories, and the Graycastle Emperor watched the broadcast from the imperial palace.

• Rost began the convoy’s departure, and livestream viewers discussed the width and lane markings of Rost Territory’s road.
• Rost explained that roads would need to suit the spread of Magitech Vehicles and that the kingdom could build main highways while territories handled their own roads.
• The livestream operator rode in the lead vehicle as the convoy left Rost Territory and demonstrated its steady ride, speed, and features.
• The convoy maintained a smooth pace through neighboring territories that cooperated with Rost Territory and had similar roads.
• The Graycastle Emperor watched the Magic Net broadcast in the imperial palace and contemplated what he saw.

The Gray Fortress Emperor planned a tiered road network across the Graycastle Empire to impress viewers during the convoy’s journey and restore his nation’s prestige. He decided to rush construction with the empire’s mages before the convoy arrived.

• The Gray Fortress Emperor considered building roads like those in Rost Territory and decided to use different road widths according to each region’s needs.
• He planned to choose a border checkpoint with Viscount Rost and build a route from there to the capital, then connect it to the City-State Alliance.
• The Gray Fortress Emperor saw the convoy’s livestream as a chance to show that Graycastle could build roads on a scale Viscount Rost could not match.
• He decided to deploy the Mage Corps, Mage Association, and Royal Mage Consecration Corps to build roads using teams of Low-Order Mages.
• The Gray Fortress Emperor estimated that the work could be completed in time and summoned ministers to arrange the rushed construction.

Wool Ryan realized the Shepherd God Church and Wool Association should promote their specialty products and new-style ranches rather than build trade routes, while Viscount Rost prepared to promote Golden Ear Grain. The chapter left both sides seeking ways to use the Magitech Vehicle convoy’s attention to showcase what they had to offer.

• Wool Ryan and the Shepherd Pope discussed how the Shepherd God Church and Wool Association could not afford to build roads or bridges and had instead invested in new-style ranches.
• Wool Ryan rejected building trade routes, arguing that the guild should promote its distinctive products and show how poor transportation kept them from reaching more people.
• Wool Ryan proposed promoting mutton, sheep milk products, and the new-style ranch plan as the Magitech Vehicle project drew attention.
• Viscount Rost examined the nearly ripe crops and decided to promote Golden Ear Grain alongside Magitech Vehicles.
• Viscount Rost’s Golden Ear Grain, cultivated on a large scale in the Southlands, approached its first harvest.

Golden Ear Grain faced cautious farmers and nobles, so Viscount Rost planned a public campaign alongside the launch of Magitech Vehicles. Meanwhile, the Wild Mage and Mage Apprentice returned to Rost Territory and discovered that their laboratory seemed to be a projection.

• Viscount Rost planned to promote Golden Ear Grain by first showing its success in the Southlands and coordinating the campaign with Magitech Vehicle sales.
• The livestream convoy attracted millions of viewers as it traveled through the Southlands.
• The Wild Mage and Mage Apprentice returned after helping stabilize Foster Iron Mine, where magitech equipment and blast furnaces enabled large-scale mining and steel production.
• The Wild Mage and Mage Apprentice discussed whether their colleagues had started unreported projects while they were away.
• Mage Apprentice passed straight through the laboratory door, and the Wild Mage concluded that their surroundings were an illusion or projection.

Apprentice and Wild Mage discovered the inventor’s realistic Holographic Projector, and Wild Mage proposed using it for Magic Net broadcasts and advertisements. After the projector was shut off, Wild Mage saw the laboratory’s explosion damage and demanded to know what had happened and whether Viscount Rost knew.

• Apprentice and Wild Mage examined the projection and realized it was a Holographic Projector transmitting images through the Magic Net.
• Wild Mage proposed placing projectors in city squares for live broadcasts and Magitech Vehicle advertisements.
• The inventor explained that he had accidentally created the three-dimensional projector while improving devices for the new theater, and planned to leave its commercialization to the Invention Management Association.
• The inventor admitted that the laboratory had suffered four small explosions, prompting Wild Mage to make him shut down the projection.
• Wild Mage saw that part of the laboratory had collapsed and burned black, then demanded to know what the inventor had done and whether Viscount Rost knew.

After a Magitech experiment destroyed the laboratory, the Wild Mage learned the chariot-mounted High-Tier Magic cannon was a rushed response to the coming Bitter Moon offensive. The Apprentice proposed enlarging the armor into a piloted, humanoid machine that could carry the cannon, leaving the researchers to consider his radical alternative.

• The inventor of the projector explained that the experiment had produced a chariot capable of firing High-Tier Magic, though its size and limited firing capacity made it unsuitable as ordinary armor.
• The Wild Mage scolded the researchers for risking lives and valuable projects, while the Apprentice advised them to test dangerous weapons in remote places.
• The Wild Mage revealed that the Tech Battle Priests planned to attack White Walkers north of Watcher's Wall during the coming Bitter Moon, giving the researchers fewer than a hundred days to prepare equipment.
• The Apprentice argued that the researchers should stop trying to shrink the cannon and instead enlarge the armor into a machine that people could pilot.
• The Apprentice connected the explosion to the researchers' attempt to compress mana so ordinary armor could power the cannon, and the inventor objected that the idea was impractical.

Apprentice convinced Rost Territory Group Company’s researchers how to power and control a gigantic mech, and they received blueprints for a basic model. Meanwhile, the livestream convoy entered the Westlands, where Wool Ryan considered welcoming it on a livestream.

• Apprentice explained how Self-Charging Magic Arrays and Energy-Storage Runes could power gigantic armor, leaving the researchers excited about the design.
• The researchers at Rost Territory Group Company devoted themselves to building a mech, and Roger arranged for the Technology God to grant them blueprints for a basic model.
• The livestream convoy traveled into the Westlands over rough roads, while viewers discussed its performance and the need for improved roads.
• Wool Ryan watched the livestream and asked his father whether he should livestream himself welcoming the convoy at the city gate.

Wool Ryan streamed himself waiting at the Westlands city gate for the Rost Convoy, introducing the approaching vehicles to his viewers and hinting at a project that could address the city’s poverty. The convoy arrived, and its representative approached Wool Ryan as both sides broadcast the meeting.

• The Shepherd Pope let Wool Ryan decide how to welcome the Rost Convoy and handle the livestream.
• Wool Ryan started streaming and explained that he and the convoy were working together, drawing excited viewers curious about the vehicles and their project.
• As Wool Ryan traveled from the wealthy core district toward the gate, viewers saw the city’s worsening poverty and squalor, while he withheld comment because the stream’s purpose was to address the problems at their root.
• Wool Ryan reached the gate and estimated the convoy would arrive in five or six minutes, prompting viewers to spread the word and join the streams.
• The Rost Convoy appeared on Wool Ryan’s stream and stopped at the gate, where both sides livestreamed each other.
• A representative of the Rost Convoy walked up to Wool Ryan and introduced himself.

Wool Ryan welcomed Rost Territory’s convoy and learned about the Magitech Vehicles while the convoy traveled to Shepherd Cathedral. There, the Shepherd Pope revealed that the cooperation concerned a Magitech Industrial Farming Base, leaving the livestream viewers wondering what it was.

• A Rost Territory magitech expert said he had come to cooperate with the Shepherd God Church, prompting Wool Ryan and the livestream viewers to consider possible projects.
• Wool Ryan invited the convoy to a banquet and joined its members for a ride in a Magitech Vehicle.
• The convoy leader explained how a Levitation Rune kept the vehicle’s seats steady, and Wool Ryan praised the vehicle’s features for the livestream.
• The convoy drove through the city to Shepherd Cathedral, drawing curious crowds along the way.
• The Shepherd Pope welcomed the convoy and mentioned the Magitech Industrial Farming Base, leaving the livestream viewers puzzled about the project.

Wool Ryan explained how the Shepherd Church hoped to use magitech farming and food preservation to expand sheep-product production and distribution. Watching the livestream, Viscount Rost saw a promising opportunity and considered having the Wild Mages test ways to preserve and transport food.

• Wool Ryan confirmed that the Shepherd Church's proposed Magitech Industrial Farming Base would resemble Westlands Development Company's breeding project and outlined plans to increase and distribute sheep products.
• Wool Ryan told viewers that traditional herding methods would remain in use and that breeding methods should suit local conditions.
• Viewers asked about food spoilage, preservation, and how large-scale sheep farming would be supplied, while Wool Ryan redirected their attention to the banquet.
• Viscount Rost watched the livestream and realized that magitech food preservation could make it feasible to sell food across the continent.
• Viscount Rost considered transporting durable products, building low-temperature storage devices, and processing food with magitech, then wondered whether to have the Wild Mages test his ideas.

Viscount Rost recognized that better food storage, transport, and processing could expand food supplies, while Rost Territory’s experts discussed plans for automated sheep farms with the Shepherd Pope. The Shepherd Church offered its expertise, and the Pope was stunned by the proposed system’s capabilities.

• Viscount Rost realized that food storage and transportation devices, along with food processing, could reduce shortages and price swings as the population grew.
• The Shepherd Church’s banquet showcased mutton and sheep-milk products to livestream viewers and ended at dusk.
• After the banquet, the Shepherd Pope offered the Rost Territory experts experienced shepherds and technical books to support their work.
• The livestock farm project leader explained that the planned sheep farm would automate cleaning and feeding, collect wool and milk, and detect disease.
• The project leader added that Rost Territory planned to grow forage grass near the farm, leaving the Shepherd Pope astonished.

The Shepherd Pope learned how Rost Territory’s planting and harvesting methods could greatly expand sheep farming, and he offered the Shepherd Church’s grasslands for experiments. Viscount Rost then discovered that household and warehouse Frozen Magitech Devices were already in production, though transporting them remained unsolved.

• Magitech experts explained to the Shepherd Pope how specialized forage grass, automated irrigation, and harvesting machines could increase production while reducing labor.
• The Shepherd Pope approved testing the methods for sheep and offered the Shepherd Church’s grasslands for the work.
• Viscount Rost contacted the Wild Mage and described his ideas for preserving food.
• The Wild Mage revealed that household and warehouse Frozen Magitech Devices had already been tested, entered production, and reached about half the households in the territory.
• The Wild Mage said transporting the devices remained a challenge because insulation runes would affect vehicle size and range.

Viscount Rost and the Wild Mage discussed ways to preserve food and asked the Technology God Church researchers for ideas. Researchers suggested heat, fermentation, drying, and excluding air, and the Wild Mage proposed testing an airless sealed bag made from tire material.

• Viscount Rost and the Wild Mage agreed to seek ideas from the Technology God Church researchers' Group Chat about processing food to make it last longer.
• A researcher proposed that boiling, fermenting, drying, and processing milk into products could extend food's shelf life.
• Another researcher reported that food stored in a space isolated from outside air stayed fresh for months.
• The Wild Mage suggested making a bag from the material used for Magitech Vehicle tires, removing the air with a Magitech Device, and sealing it to test whether air caused food to spoil.

Viscount Rost proposed a research institution to develop better food-preservation methods, and many Technology God Church researchers joined after recognizing the commercial opportunity. The Magitech Vehicle convoy then set off on the wilderness-crossing second stage of its journey, promising viewers a route through Orc lands and grasslands.

• Viscount Rost explained food-loss figures and proposed experimenting with preservation methods, prompting Technology God Church researchers to sign up for the institution.
• The Magitech Vehicle convoy prepared to leave the Dawn Kingdom's Westlands main city and travel along the border toward the Southlands and Graycastle Empire.
• The Shepherd Pope offered each convoy member a sheep when they next visited, while the convoy leader joked that a successful crossing might lead to a journey around the continent.
• The convoy departed as viewers debated whether the vehicles could cross wilderness and whether Orcs might threaten them.
• The convoy leader revealed that the route followed the former heartland of the Tiele Chiefdom, where viewers would see many Orcs and vast grasslands.

The convoy’s route revealed that it would pass through the former Tiele Chiefdom, now controlled by the Dawn Kingdom, prompting viewers to discuss the Orcs and the territory. Newsbird Megan planned to use the livestream’s audience to build fear and then surprise them with the region’s transformation under the Technology God Church.

• The livestream revealed that the convoy would travel through the former Tiele Chiefdom territory seized by Countess Lucina Herick, and viewers debated the Orcs and the region’s future.
• Viewers learned that Orcs had long raided Human settlements, while nobles considered whether Dawn Kingdom control could protect them from future invasions.
• At the World Economic News Agency in Rost Territory, an editor-in-chief questioned the exaggerated claims about the Tiele Chiefdom.
• Newsbird Megan explained that the public discussion benefited Rost Territory, the Technology God Church, and the Agency by drawing attention to the region.
• Newsbird Megan planned to make viewers expect a savage land, then show them the renewed Orc settlement and civilized community after the convoy crossed Eagle's Nest Canyon.