— A correction: in Chapter 44, "Preparations," I wrote the wrong name for
Also, profession levels have been updated in the supplementary materials.
Three chapters today to make up for missed updates~
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In the Flame District on the southwestern corner of Arligen, within a villa boasting a vibrant and beautiful garden.
Two maids set down white-glazed porcelain teacups with blue patterns before the elves seated on the sofa. Even with their strict training, they couldn't help sneaking glances at the two elves—they were simply too beautiful, and those long, pointed ears twitching with a strange charm.
At the far end of the living room, apprentices like Anneke,
"That's the situation, Mr. Evans. I wonder what you think?" Ailerstine described what they had witnessed at the alchemical workshop with a touch of exaggeration, her gaze on Lucian tinged with hope.
Though they held high standing as members of the Sun Elf Royal Court, this was only their second time leaving the Strup Forest, and the last time Elder
Exirion also regarded Lucian earnestly: "Mr. Evans, after nearly three weeks together, I believe you are a kind person who loves nature. It's simply that, being of a different race, your stance naturally leans toward humanity's side. But on this matter, I think you understand—if nature is damaged too severely, those fish floating belly-up in the stream are what awaits your human race in the future. You are not a short-sighted Archanist. I hope you'll use your influence to persuade the Mage Parliament to halt similar alchemical workshops and return a clean, beautiful natural world to all races."
Lucian lifted his white-glazed blue-patterned porcelain cup, took a sip, and said slowly: "First, I must state that similar alchemical workshops cannot be shut down."
"You—" Ailerstine and Exirion's disappointment was plain on their faces.
Gesturing for the two elves to calm down, Lucian continued: "Without the assistance of these alchemical substances, the vast majority of humanity might not even be able to feed themselves. Even if they suffer nature's retaliation, the consequences would likely claim them through poverty long before they appeared. So we cannot halt these workshops, nor can we stop humanity's progress. And as humanity develops, that is enormously beneficial to mages below the Legendary rank who need wealth. Whether I stand with humanity or with the mages, I must uphold this fundamental principle."
"Of course, we must also acknowledge the problem—damage to nature will ultimately rebound upon us. But we cannot blow the issue out of proportion, nor can we shut down every alchemical workshop simply because it carries aftereffects. Discussion must be limited to the problem itself. Since these workshops damage nature, then we should design and install new Magic Circles to treat the pollutants they produce, breaking them down so that the damage to nature falls within what it can recover from—just like the activities of any other living creature." Lucian once again forestalled Ailerstine and Exirion from speaking; they were already growing angry.
Honestly, handling pollution in the Arcane world was far easier than on Earth. Whether it was the Legendary spell "Elemental Decomposition," the seventh-rank spell "Elemental Vortex," or his own unique third-rank spell "Elemental Order," setting any of them up as a permanent Magic Circle would perfectly achieve the goal of eliminating pollution.
Moreover, both the "Elemental Decomposition" and "Elemental Order" Magic Circles could recover pure elements as experimental materials—after all, common alchemical substances that could be mass-produced would be far less difficult to decompose than magical items. The problem lay in cost, and in Lucian's unwillingness to reveal his unique spell so soon. He would need to combine Elemental Vortex and Elemental Order to redesign a fourth- or fifth-rank Magic Circle.
Hearing Lucian's latter remarks, Ailerstine's anger gradually subsided, and a lovely smile of relief appeared on her face: "Mr. Evans, you truly do possess a noble character. Just now, having witnessed the alchemical workshop firsthand, we were so disappointed and angry that our demands were too absolute and unrealistic. As long as you can add Magic Circles to prevent damage to nature, I believe the Elven Royal Court and the Council of Druid Elders will be willing to cooperate more extensively with the Mage Parliament in the future."
Having come to human society twice in succession, Ailerstine and Exirion had matured considerably in handling affairs. They had learned to yield and compromise, no longer as extreme as before, unconsciously drifting toward the natural balance faction. Of course, this was built upon the foundation that the mages had verified the grandeur of nature, greatly increasing the goodwill of the druids and most of the elves.
"Your Highness, Your Highness—it isn't that simple. Similar alchemical workshops will inevitably multiply rapidly in the future. We cannot wait for each workshop to be built before adding Magic Circles, and the vast majority of workshop owners will certainly be unwilling to heed my advice if it means increasing their costs. In that case, the damage to nature will be unstoppable. That is why I hope the Mage Parliament and the Holme Royal Family will each enact legislation that mandates the installation of purification Magic Circles from the outset."
Lucian laid out his own plan. He had no interest in his home becoming uninhabitable. As for Arthur's side, it was relatively simple—giving up part of his share of the profits should suffice. The real difficulty lay in making it regulation.
Exirion shot to his feet, his golden hair swaying, and said with some agitation: "Mr. Evans, we did not misjudge you! You truly are a good person—a true friend to nature, to the elves, and to the druids! Your thinking is far more thorough than ours!"
"Mr. Evans, we leave this matter in your hands. We hope you'll use your influence. If there is anything we need to do on our end, we will have the Elven Royal Court and the Council of Druid Elders apply pressure." Ailerstine was equally moved; her goodwill toward Lucian had increased yet again. It was rare to encounter a non-druid human who placed such importance on protecting nature. Mr. Evans truly was a friend worth cultivating over the long term. "If the matter succeeds, we..."
Ailerstine seemed about to make some promise, but it appeared to be something of great significance that she was not authorized to decide on her own, so she left the sentence unfinished.
Lucian set down his teacup and picked up his black top hat: "Let us go visit the members of the Affairs Committee at once."
The Mage Parliament's Supreme Council oversaw three major committees: the Archanist Review Committee, which handled paper evaluations, Arcane assessments, merit point rewards, journal qualifications, and similar matters. It was the authority on all things Arcane, composed of fifty-two members, and was the most respected among the three committees—and in the eyes of mages, its members held the most prestigious and leisurely positions of all.