Sir Ude's death was not a matter of chance, rather it was brought about by a series of magic experimentation.
As the saying goes ' too much of everything is bad ' Maximilian had over healed the heart causing the cartilage to turn into bone thereby reducing its elasticity, eventually causing a cardiac arrest.
And no matter who it was , a cardiac arrest was the most agonizing way to die most time people who survived cardiac arrests are no longer able to live like before, they become confined to one set of rules.
That day nine knights bent the knee to Maximilian and pledged loyalty to Scorpia. They folded up their blue cloaks, a symbol of house Caligula and handed it over to the other knights who were now on their way back to the Western capital.
Three of the now loyal knights were quickly inducted into the militia, sir Kyle was given rank of captain, the highest ranks in the militia at the moment. The two others were given rank of lieutenant.
The captains insignia was two steel stars pinned onto his uniform shoulder while the lieutenants had one steel star.
Their job was to maintain discipline and ensure that the soldiers were following their training properly.
The other six were divided into two groups,the internal security bureau (ISB) and department of external affairs (DEA).
The ISBs objective was to make sure that nothing threatened the stability of the town, they were like homeland security, FBI and the defense intelligence agency ( DIA ) combined.
They would be incharge of the police when it will be created and will be incharge of internal security.
The DEA would be more like the CIA and M16, their office would handle everything from assigning diplomats, external sabotage and assassinations. They would also eliminate any external threats before it encroached on its border.
Maximilian was taking all precautions to protect himself and luckily from his past life , he had copied every playbook in the intelligence community.
Five days later everything was set watch towers and patrols have been set up, there was peace and stability in the territory.
There was no significant changes to crop production but when it came to the rearing of animals like chickens, sheep and rabbits there was a boom.
Poor families could now feed on rabbits much more frequently, eggs were abundant and it seemed that soon a wool industry would be established.
But Max wasn't comfortable yet so he called for the blacksmiths under his employ.
They were waiting for him in the great hall and soon Max walked in carrying large amounts of folded parchment.
" Greetings Lord Scorpia. " They all greeted
Max carefully placed the parchment on a table.
" Welcome gentlemen, I'm sure the work isn't too hard ."
" Not at all sir. "
" We all enjoy hard work." They all replied, why wouldn't they enjoy hardwork when the money was so good.
" In that case I would like for these to be constructed. " Max said as he spread the blueprints for a steam engine and distilling equipment.
" What does it do my Lord? "
Max smiled before replying, " This is a step into the future." He pointed at the steam engine.
"This here can pump water for watering crops, there would be no need to use wells or go to the river to fetch water. It can help out in the forges by pumping air into the furnace and even pounding impurities out of metals.
As long as there is work to do with just a minor modification it will perform the task. "
The blacksmiths were too stunned to speak then he pointed to the distilling equipment.
" This however would be used to purify water and make alcohol.
It is important that all measurements should be followed, failure to do that will make the equipment useless."
...
The city of Caligula, named after house Caligula and the location of the western ducal palace.
Duke Alexander found it hard to believe that his bastard killed a knight just from touching him.
It was impossible for a healer to use offensive magic.
He also couldn't understand how Maximilian was able to convince nine knights to swear loyalty to him.
He thought that maybe he underestimated the boy and treat him harshly.
He gripped a katana that was smuggled from Valum and poured in magic before slashing at his armour that was placed standing in the corner of the office.
His eyes widened at the deep gash that appeared on his armor, his armor was made out of an adamantine alloy, it was supposed to be impervious to regular weapons.
This was a very dangerous weapon, it could never be allowed to fall into the hands of his enemies, not that Maximilian was going to be giving it to them either .
Two weeks later the steam engine prototype was created, all the blacksmiths who worked on the project couldn't contain their pride as they patted each other on the back for their achievement.
Max was with them as they stress tested it through different scenarios and it withstood them all .
With that a factory dedicated to the production of steam engines was constructed outside the town to prevent pollution .
The production would employ an assembly line basis to reduce production time .
The distillation equipment had also been produced and within the week the Scorpia brewery would begin the production of alcoholic beverages.
Because of the population shortage and lack of mechanized farming Max had to employ women , something that was hardly ever done and to make it more attractive he passed laws that allowed women to work in any field of their choice as long as they could do the job properly.
There was total equality in the workplace and skill and ability were also judged the same regardless of gender.
This was his brand of feminism, a society where women could make a choice for them selves and still be held accountable for their actions.
There was no room for preferential treatment, it was an offense that carried a sentence of six months of hard labor.