Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 328: Alex, the Student of Politics

CH328 Alex, the Student of Politics

***

Eleanor shook her head as Zora’s laughter faded.

Still, she answered Alex’s earlier question.

”The Alchemy, Forgesmith, and Runesmith Associations existed long before the Craftsman Association,” she revealed. ”The latter was founded by other artisans who felt undervalued by those three. They gained the backing of several Empires and organisations that wanted to curb the overwhelming influence the three Associations once held.”

”When the Craftsman Association was established, the three older Associations were nominally placed under its authority — which is why most people, including you, apparently — believe it governs them. In practice, though, the three are essentially independent.”

Alex smirked. ”Let me guess — only the higher-ups know that. To the average citizen, it looks like the three Associations are just branches of the Craftsman Association. That image keeps their public influence in check, while the ruling powers get what they want: a balance of control without having to create another rival power to suppress them. Meanwhile, the three Associations retain their autonomy by ceding just enough influence to keep everyone satisfied.”

”Pretty much,” Eleanor admitted with a nod.

Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

’That’s eerily similar to an anti-monopoly strategy,’ he mused. ’The ruling powers of this world maintain tighter control than it first appears. I expected something like this, but maybe it’s even worse than I thought. Should I ease off on pushing the Palace’s expansion... and instead create another organisation — a shadow subsidiary positioned as a rival?’

Seeing Alex lapse into deep contemplation, the two women exchanged a glance. Zora gave Eleanor a subtle nod, signalling her to leave him be for now.

’Branding... corporate restructuring... the evolution into a conglomerate,’ Alex mused silently. ’I’ll have to draw on whatever business and corporate experience I can still recall from my past life — no matter how limited. If I want to keep my edge, I can’t stagnate.’

’Good thing I’ll be heading to another plane soon. Hopefully, it’s suitable for experimentation. Any business venture there will be expendable... but my holdings here are a different story.’

Alex’s eyes refocused as his thoughts settled.

He turned his attention back to the formation’s display, studying the other VIP boxes, scanning for anything he might have missed.

”The representatives of the Salvatore Grand Duchy are in the Imperial box, while the Machholt and Lichter Grand Duchies are seated together?” Alex frowned. ”Is there an alliance I’m unaware of?””Of course the Salvatorres’ representative is seated with the Imperial delegation,” Eleanor replied matter-of-factly. ”He’s a close retainer of the Emperor and a staunch supporter of the First Prince. The First Prince’s mother — the First Empress — is the sister of the current Grand Duke of Salvatorres.”

”The Salvatorres are essentially the First Prince’s people. Everyone in that box is. Why do you think Prince Caesar isn’t seated there, but with the Order of Valour instead? How can you not know this?” she asked, arching a brow at him.

Zora sighed, rubbing Alex’s head as though pacifying a child. ”His only interests until now have always been in Rune research. We’ve got a lot of work to do if we’re going to make him a competent lord.”

Alex gave her a sharp side-glare, but that only made her laugh. Still, she withdrew her hand.

”Can you please open his eyes to the world of politics?” Zora said to Eleanor with a faint smile. ”It’s more your domain than mine.”

The Imperial Princess nodded.

”The Machholt and Lichter families are working together to increase the Empire’s— or rather, their— control over the Mage Association,” Eleanor explained. ”Up until now, the major power within the Arun Continent’s Mage Association Council has largely been the Elves and citizens of the Elarion Empire.

”The Lichters are the Empire’s wands — famed for producing high-ranking mages — just as the Salvatorres are its sword, spear and shield, producing powerful warriors. The Lichters allied with the Machholts to shift that balance in the Empire’s favour... or so they claim. Everyone knows it’s really for their own ambitions. The Lichters’ goal isn’t merely to be the strongest mage House in the Empire, but the strongest in the world.”

Alex nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful.

Without rebelling against House Ludevicus, the clearest path forward for the Lichters was indeed to dominate the global stage through the Mage Association.

Still, one thing didn’t quite add up.

”Why would the Lichters partner with the Machholts? Are the Machholts the top Warlock family in the Empire or something? What do they gain from this?” he asked.

Zora chuckled softly. ”The strongest Warlock House in the Empire is officially House Ludevicus,” she reminded him. ”Do you think all those centuries of selective bloodline breeding — their grand eugenics project — were for nothing?”

Zora glanced cautiously at Eleanor, but to her relief, the princess showed no visible discomfort at the mention of the Imperial Clan’s long-standing eugenics project.

Instead, Eleanor calmly continued answering Alex’s question.

”The Machholts are the political heavyweights of the Empire,” she began. ”If there’s anyone who can outscheme even the Imperial Clan, it’s them. They quietly hold the reins of much of the Empire’s administrative and political structure — not directly, but through layers of alliances, patronage, and well-placed marriages.

”While the Lichters are powerful mages, even they acknowledge their weakness in matters of politics and administration. And in a continent-wide organisation like the Mage Association, where influence is woven through bureaucracy and negotiation, a strong grasp of those two is indispensable. That’s where the Machholts come in.”

”So the Lichters provide magical expertise, and the Machholts supply political cunning?” Alex summarised.

Eleanor nodded.

”I see...” Alex murmured thoughtfully.

”As for what the Machholts gain from this...” Eleanor’s gaze shifted to Zora. ”Sister, that’s your field.”

Zora inclined her head. ”What the Machholts want is simple — resources,” she said. ”It’s also why the Empire allows the two duchies to act so freely, even though it’s obvious to a three-year-old that they’re serving their own interests first.

”No matter how much they accumulate, the lion’s share will still flow into the Empire — into the dominion of House Ludevicus. To the Imperial Sun, it doesn’t matter whether the wealth rests in his right hand or his left. What matters is that it remains in his grasp. The actions of both Houses merely help secure that.”

”What kind of resources are we talking about?” Alex asked, his tone sharpening.

”The Continental Mage Association,” Zora explained, ”besides overseeing every mage tower on the continent under agreed parameters, also handles the harvest and distribution of extremely rare magical resources — especially those that don’t fall within any one nation’s borders, lie between multiple nations, or are too potent and vital to be monopolised by a single power.

”In short, any magical resource that could trigger inter-national conflict is placed under the Association’s control, to be distributed according to clear, pre-established parameters.”

”In other words,” Alex concluded, ”the Association serves as the Empires’ buffer — managing volatile resources under the guise of neutrality.”2

”Exactly.” Zora confirmed with a nod.

***