343: 274. I wonder this was what Dwayne meant.

274. I wonder this was what Dwayne meant.

Taylor continued and explained, "Part of the funds and various other resources like results of various experimentation for their research was also provided by Hope Institute. So we have decided to keep a 20% patent fee from them. While their company can keep the other 80%. We have also offered them to be professors at the newly started Sky Imperial Institute and Academy which they have unexpectedly accepted."2

Taylor continued with a severe expression, "We were quite concerned as we thought that they wouldn't want to work for Institute after acquiring good enough money and fame and also due to us keeping a 20% cut for the resources invested in them."

John nodded and spoke, "Surprising indeed but I can understand why they accepted it. I guess their experiences have matured them a lot and hence this decision. If they were young I am sure they would have burned this money and also their time in the new research projects."

Taylor nodded and explained the process of the new research, "As far as their study on the newly developed generators is concerned, they used thermal coal energy generators as the base for making new energy generators."

John nodded and understood, "No wonder the success rate on the new type of generators, very well, keep your tabs on them and collaborate with their company from now onwards."

"Any new reports from Aelius?"

Taylor took out a letter and spoke, "It looks like they have already taken action against Radiant Church but used us and this war as a shield. From now on Aelius will be charging taxes on all sorts of donations after an institution crosses a certain threshold. As far as news related to Princess Sally. Plato and his majesty Lionheart have already acted and mobilized the Imperial guards of the vice-captain to protect concubine Anna in her estate so as to prevent any mishaps. And it seems that Aelius has also agreed to let us invest in sectors unrelated to national security. From this, the Central ministry has proposed a plan to buy real estate that has deposits of Oil and Gas in Aelius and exploit it first."

Quill and John laughed at the same time when they heard this news, John spoke, "It looks like Plato really knows how to balance out things. But he won't know what he will lose out in this case. Ok, we will agree to his conditions but make sure that we buy a good amount of low-grade mana crystal mines, places with vast deposits of Oil and Gas."

Quill too smiled and spoke, "Yes, I will plan out the details of this deal so that they don't regret it in the future."

Taylor took the letter from Quill and understood what happened and why Aelius had a sudden change of heart.

Taylor too nodded and spoke, "Indeed, we can simply muddy the waters over there in the current scenario."

Taylor then handed in another report and spoke, "As far as developments concerning Golden Spring city is concerned, we have completed the inner city and also laid the railway tracks connecting all the 11 cities for now. 7 settlements, and 3 urban cities i.e. North frontier city, Golden Spring city and The winter city. Now we are expecting a lot of investments from private entities as well since the most important infrastructure i.e. Roads and Railways have connected the cities. We are also mandatorily implementing electrification in all 11 cities. So it will be quite a sight for people moving from nearby villages to cities. Of course, we are not deliberately neglecting villages. Just that centralizing from cities first for higher taxes and then moving to villages."

John agreed and spoke, "No need to worry, it is right to focus on money-generating investments first and then on other aspects. Money generated from cities will speed up the development of surrounding areas so we are moving in the right direction."

Taylor continued his report, "Just yesterday, We have also made contact with the Amon family on an island owned by them in the northern seas. Although it wasn't Rorith republic we are moving cautiously so as not to provoke them. Our fleet did trade some of our specialties with them on their island in the Northern seas. As far as we know, there are many Islands nearby that are owned by different devil families. Later on, Our fleet was escorted by them up to a certain point under their flags so that we aren't recognized."

"However, There is one peculiar thing that our researchers noticed during our trade with them."

John squinted his eyebrows and asked, "Ohh, and what was it that even our researchers were interested in?"

Taylor took out a report and spoke, "Here is the report, It looks like there is a difference in the quality of grains produced in Sky and the ones produced in Rorith. The ones produced in Rorith are of higher quality to nurture magicians. Our researchers hypothesize that grains of Rorith have a higher content of mana due to the environment of Rorith. This may also explain why Devils of Rorith have a higher mana content compared to Devils born and bred in Aelius. But there is a difference in our grains as well. Our hybrid grains have higher nutritious value as compared to ones from Aelius, Bryndyll, Fire-abyss and also from Rorith. We only lack due to Mana content but Grains from Aurora can match the grains of Fire-abyss in terms of Mana content."

John was quite surprised as he heard Taylor and spoke, "It is quite a striking discovery if we consider a long-term point of view for nurturing high-end troops for our nation."

Taylor shook his head and spoke, "Your majesty, It was only thanks to you that we were able to find it as we had enough funds to mobilize researchers in the agricultural field and observe differences, or else it might have taken a few years already to notice this anomaly."

John smiled and then continued, "What if we made a controlled environment that has high mana content to grow premium grains for our armies? And What if the same environment is applied to elite schools running solely on meritocracy? No, we can't move in rashly when it comes to kids. We would need some results. At least we can start feeding grains as they are good for the body."

John then thought, 'I wonder this was what Dwayne meant when he spoke to focus on agricultural research. Now, this is quite a gift. It seems my investment was worth it. I guess I need to be careful of both Charlie and Hector in this case since he warned me indirectly. I also need to speed up the defense of this country as he has warned of a big disaster that may strike us and benefit our enemies. Very well, I will focus on defense more from now on.' 

"Okay, I have decided, we will mobilize more funds for mana grain research. I too will start research personally to modify and improve the current quality of crops for the usage of our army and intelligence."

Taylor was quite surprised at this development and nodded as he noted down the comments of John. He thought, 

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