Yes. I can't expect Hilda to be on call to perform her spell forever.

[So, as reluctant as he is to create a situation where the Free Cities might be able to reproduce his work, it is an inevitability. All he can do is safeguard things as best he can. He hopes the human casualty it prevents will be worth it, but he won't begrudge anyone their concerns.]

The mines, primarily. But there are dangerous experiments going on at the Academy as well. The automaton can handle toxic materials, operate in dangerous environments...aspirational, perhaps, but achievable. With time.

[Time that he has now, as well as significant clout.]