I, transformed into a vampire girl, sparked the Industrial Revolution.

Chapter 8 Autumn Breeze Under the Moon

Perhaps the winds of reform were blowing too strong; in any case, the Red Collars quickly entered the world of yellow and red. The training of the First Battle Corps was very effective, and the water-powered factory was producing all kinds of simple industrial products.

"So, Your Highness Alice, what you mean is..."

“There are plenty of resources in Hongling and the north, and it was difficult for you to get involved in those areas in the past, wasn’t it?”

Dara Butt, the senior executive of the Dara Merchant Guild, sat in front of Alice. Merchants have a keen sense of smell; even though Red Ridge had lost its rule over the entire Demon World, the divided kingdoms were still profitable.

“That’s right, Your Highness Alice—as the largest merchant guild in the entire Demon Realm, we—”

“I know you’ve been eyeing these minerals for a long time, Mr. Dara Butt. I even know you’ve been illegally mining several mines.”

While Alicia was busy gathering her remaining forces and had no time to manage the rear, these merchants swarmed in, ready to seize these valuable assets for themselves. Now, seeing that they were gradually stabilizing, they shamelessly clung to her again.

Dara Butt looked uneasily at the white-haired loli who was less than his shoulder height. Vampires, vampires, whatever the name, they were the strongest beings in the demon world, a monstrous race whose strength could not be judged by their appearance.

"Ah, Mr. Dara Butt, heir to the Dara Chamber of Commerce, your father sent you here, I'm afraid he has some proposal, otherwise, it's a complete murder."

Dara swallowed hard, then took out a document. Alice took the parchment and examined it carefully.

After a long pause, she simply put down the paper and looked at Dara Butt with disdain.

So they're just bullying people?

“Mr. Dara Butt, I’m not stupid. We’ve only lost a battle, but we haven’t lost our brains.”

"This is... my father's suggestion."

"Alright, let me correct you: mineral resources belong to the royal family, which means they belong to the country. The maximum penalty for your illegal mining is—"

Alice made a throat-slitting gesture.

“I have a suggestion. You want to open those mines? Of course, we can. We’ll form a limited liability company. We’ll provide the minerals and take 51% of the shares, and you’ll take 49%. The rest of the terms are here. Take them back and discuss them with your kind old man. Then, either you agree or you get out.”

Alice was too lazy to talk to these people. She threw down a project proposal and told them to get lost. Collaborative development was certainly possible. Hongling was currently lacking in business talent and funds, but it had plenty of natural resources.

But buying it for free? Impossible.

In a joint venture, Alice owns 51 percent of the shares, the Chamber of Commerce owns 49 percent, and the government still holds the dominant position.

"I'm giving you three days. If you don't agree, don't say I didn't warn you."

There is still much to be done this autumn and winter. Before winter arrives, Red Ridge must enter a state of war preparedness. The autumn and winter off-season is when the traditional lords have the greatest war potential.

Three days passed quickly, and finally, the Far North Mineral Development Company was established. According to the agreement, Alice could obtain mineral resources at a low price, while the Chamber of Commerce would be responsible for mining.

Dara Boots signed his name with a dip pen, then looked at Alice and leaned down to whisper something.

"Your Highness Alice, in return, I have some news for you: the nearby Lord Grant and Lord Kurt are preparing to join forces to attack you..."

Alice knew this day would come. A usurper ascended to the throne, power was unstable, and the way to gain legitimacy was naturally to kill other people who had legitimacy.

Lord Grant and Lord Kurt, ordinary lords of the border territories, were already in his files long ago, before Alice was even Alice.

Grant, a military nobleman and leader in the demon world, governs his army in a Spartan style, encouraging his subordinates to duel, with the winner taking everything from the loser.

Lord Kut, a weak and cunning opportunist, once considered whether to start by destroying the unity of the demon world through him.

"Ah, Mr. Dara Butt, now that you already know, how could I not know?"

Alice signed her name with a dip pen, marking the establishment of the first limited liability company in this other world.

"Two lords dare to defy me? Heh~"

Alice just smiled, but Dara Butt was puzzled because, according to the Merchant Guild, even though Red Ridge was currently recruiting troops on a large scale, their army was smaller than that of any single lord, let alone two lords.

"Let's make a bet. I can beat them with this small force."

Dara Boot looked at Alice, whose resolute expression made it seem as if the matter had already occurred.

“If you can really do that, then the Dara Merchant Guild will be a great help to you. To be honest, we want the fixed assets and two trading ships that those two lords have seized from us.”

"I will do it, but as for those things, it depends on the Chamber of Commerce's sincerity."

Large quantities of ore obtained from the Far North Mineral Development Company were put into the smelter. Alice revamped the ore smelting process, adopting blast furnaces and blowers to improve the intensity of the smelting.

With a mine in hand and some spare money, Alice was naturally not in a hurry. As usual, she sat on a high place in the training ground outside Trian, quietly drinking hot coffee and observing the soldiers below.

The new military regulations have given the soldiers who have been trained to look somewhat professional, but they still lack the most important element—killing intent and spirit.

Spirit, a spirit that unites millions of people.

"Your Highness, this is what you are looking for: our history."

Alice took the book from Ange and carefully flipped through it, taking in the past and present of the demon race in one afternoon.

Long, long ago, there were not many barriers between all races, whether they were demons, humans, or vampires. This continent once had a glorious past, and in the ancient city-state era, wise men, philosophers, and mathematicians emerged in great numbers.

Ancient records describe a vast, multi-ethnic nation called "Aimelansi." This vast nation was composed of various races, with demons, elves, and humans being the most powerful forces at the time. United, these three races represented the colors red, white, and blue, and the nation was thus known as the "Three-Colored Nation."

But later, the gods tore apart this vast and brilliant civilization, ultimately leading to the current situation. The elves went far to the East and established a brilliant Eastern civilization, while humans formed churches and became enemies of the demons.

"I see."

Alice closed the book. Recording the past was considered blasphemous by humans, and now she knew why.

She picked up her pen and wrote down a noun: the civilizations of the past created a brilliant light, and now, she also needs that light.

The pen tip lifted, and a string of nouns appeared in front of Anjie, who was standing to the side. She glanced at it curiously.

"Renaissance."