Grand Opening

More than two hours passed, and the two still felt they hadn't had enough, but Felina had teaching duties in the afternoon, so they had to stop their intimacy and simply held each other.

Felina rested her head on Lizer's chest, then suddenly looked up to remind him:

"The day after tomorrow your factory is set to open, and you still haven't decided on a name."

Only then did Lizer realize...

He really had been busy non-stop lately:

The equipment from Gele City would be installed by tomorrow, the blacksmith apprentices and workers recruited by his father Patiff had already entered the factory, and the day after tomorrow was indeed the opening day.

Unfortunately, he truly had no talent for naming things. After thinking for a moment, he said helplessly:

"How about we just call it Felina Machinery Manufacturing Factory?"

Felina couldn't help but let out a delicate laugh:

"Pfft! No way, that's too casual of a name. Why use my name?

Why not call it Lizer Machinery Manufacturing Factory?"

Lizer raised an eyebrow:

"I can't be bothered to think anymore. That name will do!"

Two days later...

When the eight large characters "Lizer Machinery Manufacturing Factory" were hung above the factory gate, Lizer finally experienced a wave of intense embarrassment.

Wouldn't all the little magic donkeys and three-wheelers people ride in the future have to be branded "Lizer Brand"?

Meeting someone on the street, they'd ask: "Did you ride your Lizer today?"

This... this...

How utterly mortifying!

The establishment of Lizer Machinery Manufacturing Factory was absolutely a major event in Greymist Mountain Town.

It was the first time since the town's founding that a factory of such scale had been completed.

Moreover, it was built under the lead of the town's most familiar figure, the old blacksmith Patiff, and you could even receive candy for attending the opening ceremony.

Consequently, the crowd that came to witness the ceremony stretched all the way to the entrance of the neighboring academy.

However, only a few of the town's truly powerful figures knew that the real owner of this machinery factory was a 19-year-old student from the low-level witchcraft academy.

Even fewer could have imagined that the factory had already secured several large orders before even opening its doors.

The town mayor, the police chief, Slav from the Land Bureau, along with heads from the Planning Bureau and Commerce Bureau, all came to cut the ribbon and offer congratulations.

As Patiff shouted through the loudspeaker:

"May operations be prosperous!"

The roar of machinery immediately sounded from within the factory, and the onlookers slowly dispersed under the guidance of the patrolling police.

After Slav and the people from the Planning and Commerce Bureaus said their goodbyes, Flari, the mayor of Greymist Mountain Town, and Mara, the police chief.

These two most powerful figures in the town, however, stayed behind, as if specifically waiting until the end.

Sure enough, seeing that no one else was around, Flari approached with Mara, beaming as he said:

"Congratulations on the successful opening of your machinery factory, Sir Lizer!

This is the largest factory since the founding of Greymist Mountain Town. You have performed a great service for your hometown, and I thank you on behalf of the entire town!"

Lizer responded with a smile:

"In the future here in Greymist Mountain Town, I will have to rely on Mayor Flari and Chief Mara for your support and consideration."

Flari and Mara exchanged a glance. Flari cleared his throat and said:

"Ahem...

Given the scale of your enterprise, Sir, our little town may not be of much help.

However, a few days ago, Viscount Weissman specifically sent a message to the town government. Upon hearing of your achievements, he was greatly pleased and said he must meet you when the opportunity arises.

You see, if you could pledge your loyalty to Viscount Weissman and gain his lordship's patronage, the machinery factory would surely have smooth sailing!"

Lizer's eyes narrowed slightly...

His factory had attracted Weissman's attention the moment it opened; the other party's control was alarmingly strong!

Moreover, these two men before him were clearly Weissman's people.

Unfortunately for them, they didn't know that even Weissman himself was unaware that Lizer already knew the secret of his family's treason and defection to the enemy; nor did he know if these two were aware of Weissman's traitorous actions.

He naturally couldn't possibly side with Weissman, and could only respond vaguely:

"I never imagined my humble little factory would reach the ears of the Viscount. I am truly flattered.

However, this factory is only to fulfill orders for the academy and friends, so I'm afraid it won't operate for very long.

Besides, I'm still young and need to focus on getting into a higher witchcraft academy. Matters of loyalty should wait until after graduation from the advanced institute."

This was a clear refusal.

Flari didn't press further, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then left with Mara.

Throughout the entire exchange, Mara had hardly spoken apart from offering congratulations, seeming even more formidable than Flari, and he was also a mid-level witchcraft apprentice.

After the two left, Gloria and Felina, who had been hiding in the distance, approached and asked curiously:

"What did the mayor want with you?"

Lizer sighed:

"Gloria, you need to be careful.

The mayor and the police chief are both Viscount Weissman's men. Just now, they were here on behalf of the Viscount to persuade me to pledge loyalty. I refused."

Felina worriedly asked:

"Will refusing them invite trouble?"

Lizer smiled:

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Gloria, however, frowned deeply:

"Trouble never comes singly..."

Seeing them look at her, she lowered her voice and said:

"A message came from the City Police Bureau. Someone filed a complaint accusing me of framing a colleague, causing Wilson's death with fabricated charges. I'm to be suspended pending an investigation. The investigation team arrives tomorrow."

This was undoubtedly exploiting Gloria's weak point.

Wilson deserved to die a thousand deaths, but Gloria couldn't reveal the truth, leaving her helpless and anxious.

She was originally the deputy chief and a witchcraft apprentice. Wilson had no family. If no one had complained, the matter might have been quietly dropped.

"It's definitely the forces behind Wilson striking back, trying to figure out how much we really know.

This is practically a checkmate situation!"

Lizer also felt a headache coming on.

Felina thought for a moment and said:

"We can't reveal the Rice matter for now. But could we reopen Bobby's old case, find evidence to solidify Wilson's crimes?"

Lizer shook his head:

"That would directly expose us under Weissman's nose. He would conclude that we know about his treason, making things even more dangerous."

He then asked Gloria:

"Could you ask Sven from the Internal Affairs Department to step in and suppress this?"

Gloria sighed:

"I discussed it with my senior brother. If there's really no other way, we might have to.

But he deduced that doing so would most likely expose Rice very quickly.

Once Rice is exposed, Sven and we would have to bear the responsibility for the failed plan, even to the point of..."

Lizer understood Sven's deeper concern:

The responsibility was secondary. Once Rice was exposed, Weissman and the Fedin Federation would immediately realize their treasonous plot was leaked. This could directly lead to a rupture between the Duchy and Weissman, causing the entire situation to collapse.

In comparison, reopening Bobby's old case would mean only the three of them would bear the retaliation.

Lizer fell into deep thought:

How exactly could they break this deadlock?