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"Yes, a clockmaker. What\'s wrong? Is there something I should know?" Envy asked, confused but with a worried tone.

"Can they..." Daniel began, trying to find the right words. "Like... create artifacts or magic machines that automatically produce something without energy or with very little input, in a way that seems impossible?" he asked.

"Not that I know of... Besides, the Beaumonts are a very secretive bunch. They even decided not to receive any resource support from the Hightower for their research and would rather pay an associate membership fee than have a seat on the council, all to minimize their connection with the Hightower and avoid sharing their research," Envy explained.

Hearing this, Daniel grew solemn. One of the magic guilds in the lore of "The Rule of Back Street" card game was the enigmatic clockmaker guild, the origin of the "Clockmaster" profession card. Their artifact craft was a different approach than the Atlanteans.

If Atlantean artifacts were like space-age sci-fi weapons, then the Clockmaster\'s artifacts were mysterious anomalies that harnessed the river of time and the phenomenon of timing to drive clockwork gears indefinitely and produce energy within themselves.

It could be said that the craft of the Clockmaster was even more mysterious than the Atlantean artifacts, whose theories were somewhat similar to current scientific approaches.

Their enigmatic nature surpassed even the "Whispering Hall" and the "Reaper Gate" guilds, which operated as information brokers and assassins, respectively.

Envy had said that these people kept to themselves. It was possible they didn\'t want their research and clockwork craft to fall into the Hightower\'s hands. Her statement that any conflict with them always ended in the death of their adversary meant they were quite powerful. If these people were to discover that the knowledge of their craft was known to him, they might...

"What\'s wrong? Are you sick?" Envy asked worriedly, touching Daniel\'s forehead with her own.

This startled Daniel a little, while little Sylvana, who was watching, giggled with sparkling eyes.

"Ohhhh, Papa and Mama Envy flirting," she commented, causing Envy to quickly retreat and fake a cough to dispel the awkwardness.

"Sweetie, come..." Envy said, picking up Sylvana, "let\'s go home. Mama Envy will make a nice dinner for you. What would you like to eat?" she asked the giddy Sylvana, who was excited by the offer and already thinking about the menu.

"Oh, c\'mon, stop thinking too much. Those shut-ins won\'t cause any problems for you," Envy said to Daniel, who was caught in a wave of paranoia as he considered the possible scenarios.

"*Sigh* Okay, if you say so," Daniel replied with a tired smile as he stood up and followed Envy and Sylvana back to his home.

— Meanwhile - ??? —

The Seraphine Isles, a breathtakingly beautiful archipelago, is tragically marred by its oppressive regime. The largest island, Seraphine, is home to the capital city, Nueva Lisboa, a once vibrant metropolis now suffocating under the iron fist of the long-ruling Junta.

Supreme Ruler Juan Carlos de Almeida leads the Junta, prioritizing his power and personal interests over the well-being of the people. His regime has transformed the Seraphine Isles into a secluded and isolated nation, investing heavily in the military and living off the support of the Qing Empire as their loyal ally.

The Seraphine Isles could be considered a proxy of the Qing Empire in Southeast Asia, being the only country that joined them in the Anti-Unification War. The islands lack substantial natural resources, with most lying untapped beneath the sea due to insufficient extraction technology.

The nation\'s only saving grace is its stunning coastlines, boasting pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, a stark contrast to the regime\'s oppressive nature. However, tourism is hindered by stringent permit requirements, limiting access to this natural beauty.

Furthermore, the Seraphine Isles has become a haven for high-profile criminals due to the country\'s refusal to sign extradition treaties with any nation other than their overlord, the Qing Empire. This disregard for international cooperation has cemented the islands\' reputation as a sanctuary for fugitives.

Inside the Supreme Ruler\'s Mansion, Juan Carlos de Almeida stood amicably conversing with a man in a black formal suit, a diplomat from the Qing Dynasty. The diplomat had arrived discreetly for this clandestine meeting.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Carlos," the diplomat, Mr. Li, offered with a friendly smile. "We have a proposal for you that I believe you\'ll find quite interesting."

"Thank you, Mr. Li," Juan Carlos replied, returning the smile before taking a seat opposite him. "What is the proposal?" he inquired, taking a sip of brandy from his glass.

"Are you interested in Astral Corporation\'s technology?" Mr. Li inquired.

"Oh, Mr. Li," Juan Carlos chuckled, "who wouldn\'t be? The problem is, they don\'t share their knowledge, and their technology is advanced enough to have helped the US win against the Confederation. I once considered seizing it by force, but after the incident with the Confederation, I wouldn\'t dare."

"What if I told you there was a way to acquire their technology, and perhaps even the entire corporation?" Mr. Li tantalizingly offered. Juan Carlos was immediately intrigued.

"Are you certain, Mr. Li? About the possibility?" he pressed, already hooked.

"Quite certain," Mr. Li affirmed. "You\'re aware of the close relationship between our Qing Dynasty and your country. All you need to do is mobilize your army and seize control of the Tessia Kingdom. You must gain complete control without dispute, then consolidate your power as swiftly as possible. We will support you with both weapons and manpower."

"Manpower? Mr. Li... You mean..."

"Yes, I\'m talking about mercenaries," Mr. Li confirmed. "If Astral Corp can send mercenaries to assist the US, why can\'t we send ours to help you? However, that will only happen if we\'re certain you can\'t manage it alone. You must also be aware that sending mercenaries wouldn\'t reflect well on us. Be prepared for some renegotiation once you\'ve gained access to Astral Corp\'s technology."

"Okay," Juan Carlos acknowledged, "after I gain complete control of the Tessia Kingdom, what\'s next? I can\'t just waltz into Sector Alpha City and demand the right to rule. Fighting Astral Corp would be a bloodbath."

Mr. Li explained, "We will locate the remaining members of the royal family and transfer the right of succession to you. Then, you can act a little shamelessly and cancel the purchase of Sector Alpha City from Astral Corporation. Do everything in your power to escalate this matter to the UN. From there, we will assist you."

"Will... Will it work, Mr. Li?" Juan Carlos stammered, "I\'m not doubting you, but... I mean... We don\'t have enough money to reimburse Astral Tech for the cost they incurred for the Tessia Royal Family. Even with your support, we would become a laughingstock."

Juan Carlos longed for Astral Corp\'s technology, but he valued maintaining his power and living like a king within his own country above all else. If faced with the choice between acquiring the technology or preserving the status quo, he would choose the latter without hesitation. Were it not for the diplomat\'s affiliation with the Qing Empire, Juan Carlos would have already deported him.

"It will work, Mr. Carlos," Mr. Li reassured him. "Remember who the major players in the UN are. We hold the most prominence and influence."

However, Juan Carlos remained hesitant, unwilling to risk his position.

"You seem unconvinced," Mr. Li observed. "Listen, Mr. Carlos, Astral Corp has taken in hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Tessia Kingdom. You know how those royalty loyalists are; they will revolt the moment you have the official succession from the last remaining royal. They will try to cause trouble.

"When Astral Corp attempts to push back against those people, you simply destabilize the border between your territories. We, the UN, can then use that as a pretext to prevent them from sending the refugees back, claiming the situation is still unstable. If they dare to send them back, let some refugees die, and we will have sufficient reason to intervene or impose sanctions.

Remember, Sector Alpha City doesn\'t produce its own food; it relies entirely on imports. A week of sanctions would bring them to their knees!"

Reassured by Mr. Li\'s words, Juan Carlos finally agreed. "Okay, Mr. Li. I\'ll do as you suggest."

Mr. Li smiled and nodded in satisfaction, pleased with the fruitful negotiation. After securing Juan Carlos\'s agreement, he proceeded to discuss the benefits and compensation the Qing Dynasty would provide to the Seraphine Isles.

Unbeknownst to them, a shadow swirled in the corner of the room before vanishing into the darkness.