Chapter 129

Chapter 129

#129. The Game Changer of the Northern Region

Currently, in the Empire, the person with the most money under their name was Bishop Entaire.

If his wealth were directly converted into power, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was as strong as the Emperor himself.

“Hohohoho…”

Entaire chuckled mischievously while fiddling with a bundle of Rensha notes.

Since Bishop Company began heavily utilizing Rensha notes, they quickly spread throughout the Empire and Badenheim, featuring Ariana’s face.

Though the Empire hastily issued its own currency, due to poor quality and insufficient quantity, it couldn’t rival the widespread use of Rensha notes.

‘Things are going pretty well these days.’

Excluding the issues with Havana and the Emperor, everything was going smoothly for Entaire.

Most recently, the pressing matter that had been troubling Entaire resolved itself rather anticlimactically.

‘Thankfully, purchasing magic stones from the Northern Region using Imperial notes turned out to be easier than expected.’

It was a task the Emperor had personally commanded him to do, so it was quite stressful. But much to his relief, both Lenslet and Arad Group readily agreed to accept Imperial notes.

‘Wasn’t there a large-scale invasion in the North? That must be why they readily agreed.’

The heavens and the continent’s situation seemed to be on his side.

‘But still, I’m disappointed. The industrialization of the Emperor and the Modernists is happening faster than I anticipated. Did I make a mistake by gifting them the steam engine?’

That said, his mood wasn’t entirely cloudless.

‘Maybe… If I hadn’t gifted it, they would’ve forcibly taken it anyway. I should be satisfied that I bought some time and widened the gap.’

The rapid industrialization of the Emperor and the Modernists was grating on his nerves, even though he had expected it.

‘Initially, this was also intended to divert the Empire’s and the Royal Family’s attention away from the North and me.’

He tried to dismiss it with mental victory.

‘A new balance of power is needed.’

And Entaire did have something else prepared.

‘If this goes well, it’ll benefit the North and Arad, as well as me and Bishop Company…’

Knock knock knock

The knocking interrupted Entaire’s thoughts.

“Who’s there?”

“Phil.”

The knocker was Phil, a disguised mercenary who was actually the former Mercenary King Carpe.

“Oh! Come in!”

Remembering the task he’d assigned to Carpe, Entaire greeted her warmly.

“Did you deliver the message properly?”

As soon as he saw Phil-disguised Carpe, Entaire asked about the errand.

Carpe simply nodded in response.

“Good job, good job. Here, this is your payment. Go treat yourself and the mercenaries to something nice.”

With a smile, Entaire pulled out several golden notes from his wallet and handed them to Carpe.

“…”

Carpe silently pocketed the notes and looked at Entaire with an expression of lingering doubt.

“Why?”

Having noticed her gaze, Entaire tilted his head and asked.

“Not that, but… Are you sure it’s okay to distribute the steam engine designs in Badenheim?”

So this was the errand she just completed.

“Of course.”

“Um…? Was this agreed upon with Lenslet?”

“It wasn’t discussed.”

“What?!?”

“But there’s no need to explicitly say anything.”

“What does that even mean…?”

“Entaire and I, we’re natural-born merchants. We understand each other without words.”

Recalling the compliment (?) he’d heard from Arad back in High Castle, Entaire proudly responded.

Back then, he gave two steam engines to Arad without saying anything, and not only was it understood, but he even received praise for it. It made him feel smug.

“???”

Meanwhile, Carpe frowned, clearly confused.

“Recently, public sentiment towards the royal family has become overly positive due to the great victory at the wall, despite all the media manipulation.”

Seeing Carpe’s confusion, Entaire briefly explained.

“We need to prepare for the possibility that the Emperor, riding on public support, might make reckless moves.”

“How?”

“The enemy of our enemy is our friend.”

“You’re planning to involve Badenheim?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you even an imperial citizen?”

Carpe gave him an exasperated look.

“I didn’t abandon the Empire. The Empire, or more specifically, the Emperor abandoned me first.”

Still smiling brightly, Entaire continued.

“When steam engines enter the Kingdom Alliance and factories are established, sales on the kingdom side will skyrocket.”

“…”

“All the machines we’ve leaked are designed to only run on parts and raw materials exclusively available in Lenslet.”

This benefits the North, which sells various raw materials and parts like magic stones and coal.

And it’s advantageous for me too since I can profit from intermediary trade between the North, the alliance, and the Empire.

“But why aren’t you reporting this to the North?”

After hearing Entaire’s explanation, Carpe tilted her head in confusion.

“I’ll tell them when I visit High Castle later.”

“Don’t we have carrier pigeons?”

“They can’t reach the cold High Castle.”

“Can’t you borrow a winter hawk?”

“Hmmph! Winter hawks are dangerous too. This kind of thing shouldn’t leave any records.”

“But isn’t magic communication used nowadays to send messages?”

“Magic communication isn’t reliable either. You never know when the Mage Tower might be eavesdropping.”

“Or maybe we could send one of our people to High Castle?”

“I’m planning to visit High Castle in person during winter anyway. I’ll tell them then.”

“Umm…?”

After hearing Entaire’s explanation, Carpe looked skeptical but didn’t press the issue further.

‘Kukukukuku…’;

Regardless of whether Carpe understood, Entaire simply smiled with desire-filled eyes.

“Our Bishop Company possesses the widest and most intricate distribution network and information network in the Empire. And we’ve established significant lines within the Kingdom Alliance as well.”

Entaire knew the value of Bishop Company well.

‘When the Industrial Revolution begins in the Kingdom Alliance! Our Bishop Company can become an unprecedented transnational corporation spanning the entire Arcadia Continent, surpassing even the Empire!’

In essence, the company becomes a nation. Perhaps even like the Republic of Feise, a nation of merchants.

No, it might even become the first company to reign above nations.

‘If that happens, I can replace the Emperor at will! And control sword masters like slaves too!’

And thus achieve true revenge!

Woohoo!

Just thinking about it made Entaire’s dopamine surge.

“Tch… How did I end up working for such a perverted guy…?”

Only Kaarpe watching live from the side frowned.

* * *

The Jin Viscountcy of the Republic of Lenslet.

Year 4571 of Holy Power Summer.

“Happy Birthday, President Jin!”

“Happy birthday to you all too!”

This summer’s first birthday party was held.

The location was different from usual. Instead of the workshop headquarters in High City, it was held on my estate.

“Did you guys avoid doing something like a forced collection for my birthday present?”

“Yes, we did not.”

“Come to think of it, being the richest person on the continent makes receiving gifts seem strange.”

And this summer, I was also included among the birthday celebrants.

“Well done. I’ll just receive the heartfelt wishes of our employees. Besides, my birthday gift can just be purchased from the company budget.”

Hahahahaha!

Warm laughter echoed through the temporary headquarters building of the Arad Shipyard.

“Today’s birthday party celebrants only work until lunch and then go home!”

Yayyyyyy!!

President, you’re the best!

“And let the same be known to the High City headquarters and other branches.”

“I’ll immediately send the message via magic communication.”

“Alright! Cheers!”

By the way, not all Arad Group employees are gathered here for the birthday party.

Right now, summer birthday parties are likely in full swing across the entire principality, including the High City headquarters.

Thus, the joyful birthday party cum lunch gathering came to an end.

Summer birthday celebrants took paid half-days off, and employees whose birthdays weren’t today returned to work.

The once lively party venue became quiet.

From the corner of the staff cafeteria where the party was held, sounds of cleaning up could be heard.

“President.”

At that moment, Mary, who hadn’t left yet, called out to me.

“Ah, Mary. What brings you here? For reference, your birthday is in winter, so leaving early isn’t allowed.”

I treated her as casually as possible.

Ever since learning that she was Princess Run Lenslet of the Republic of Lenslet, every word and action felt nerve-wracking.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard news from High City lately. Have you communicated with them since coming here?”

“The High City headquarters is well managed by Manager Te.”

“…”

‘You’re talking about the Republic of Lenslet, not the company. Is it alright for a monarch, especially one with physical limitations, to wander around like this? Even with Valkyrie here…!’

…These words almost slipped out but were swallowed back down.

Isabel, Valkyrie, and Sun, who have served this precious crown prince until now, seemed even more remarkable.

“Anyway, uh… Happy Birthday.”

Unaware of my thoughts, Mary (Ariana) offered the congratulatory greeting she’d heard all morning.

“Thank you.”

“And here’s your birthday present. It’s something prepared by me and Her Majesty.”

She pulled something out from a spatial case wrapped in a bag, claiming it was a gift.

“Hehe… I said not to prepare something like that.”

While outwardly saying this, I was secretly excited.

It was a present prepared by Her Majesty herself.

Especially since this was the first time I’ve received a birthday present prepared since last year.

If I weren’t excited, that would be strange.

“This is…!”

Mary & Ariana’s present fully met my expectations by 120%.

What she presented was a fist-sized magical stone with a fascinating color.

It was transparent like a diamond, but it shimmered like an aurora.

“Ether…!”

In this world, Ether refers to magical stones that contain all attributes of mana.

Its natural formation is nearly impossible, and it occasionally appears in the world just as legends start fading away.

In gaming terms, it’s akin to legendary or mythic-grade material gear.

“To find such a large ‘natural’ Ether…!”

My eyes glazed over at the sight of the legendary magical stone presented by Mary.

“…? Does ‘natural’ imply that it can also be artificially created?”

Hearing my murmured words absentmindedly, Mary’s eyes widened in surprise.

“A magic circuit would make it possible.”

“Ah… I see.”

Mary’s eyebrows drooped.

She thought she had prepared a meaningful gift, but realizing it might be common in the future, she looked disheartened.

“But a natural Ether is more valuable than an artificial one. It’s also far more effective.”

I added this to ensure she didn’t get too disheartened.

“Really lucky. Discovering a natural Ether of this size is considered a good omen for the nation.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Very much so. Truly, thank you!”

“Thank you!”

Ariana wearing Mary’s face became happier than me upon seeing my genuine joy.

Hem hem!

Then she cleared her throat quietly and reverted to a stoic expression.

“I should probably send a magic communication to Her Majesty soon. I can’t just sit idly after receiving such a grand gift.”

Seeing her, a playful urge arose within me.

Thinking about it, I hadn’t communicated with Ariana via magic since Mary arrived.

Because the Ariana in High City would be Isabelle’s hologram. The real Ariana is currently in front of me, disguised as Mary.

“I, I’ll convey it on behalf of you! Her Majesty has been very busy lately and doesn’t have time for magic communication.”

“Umm…?”

“Because, there’s post-war reconstruction to handle, and we need to keep tabs on the Empire’s movements.”

Mary’s desperate attempt to dissuade me was adorable.

“Is that so? Can’t be helped then.”

Satisfied with her reaction, I decided to stop the joke here.

“By the way, Mary, when will you return to High City?”

“Do you want me to leave soon?”

Her expression stiffened at my question.

“Just curious. I was just asking out of curiosity.”

Even though I wanted to say yes right away, I restrained myself.

“I’ll return by autumn. I need to prepare for Her Majesty’s birthday.”

It was heartwarming to see her talk about preparing for her own birthday.

“President should also visit High City around autumn, right? We can go together then.”

“That’s what I’ll do. As much as the work here is important, I can’t stay here all year long.”

Saying this, I glanced at Mary.

‘She still seems a bit upset.’

The incident at the Demon Den earlier this year caused quite a stir in High City.

Upon hearing the report, Ariana ordered me to return to High City immediately, but I refused.

Instead, I went straight to the Jin Viscountcy and set up the Arad Shipyard.

I’m just as stubborn as her.

Once I get immersed in research or production projects, nothing else registers.

‘I heard her reaction at that time was serious.’

The problem was that my actions seemed to have caused misunderstanding and emotional hurt to Ariana.

‘This is troublesome.’

Watching Mary, I broke out in cold sweat internally.

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