Chapter 41

Chapter 41

#41. Grand Opening (1)

The Imperial Palace, the heart of the Goite Empire, was filled only with a cold silence.

“You initially claimed that you could drastically reduce the harvest of weeds from the Northern Region, which are crucial ingredients for Arad Salt.”

The silence was broken by the voice of Crown Prince Khanbraman.

“You also confidently declared that you’d devastate the farmlands of the North and shatter the morale of its people.”

The Crown Prince continued.

“But what’s the result now?”

Even as the Crown Prince pressed on, the surrounding area remained cloaked in an icy stillness.

“Do you know how much gold has been spent on this matter?”

Honestly, compared to the scale of the operation, the amount of gold wasn’t excessively high.

But Chancellor Karaso and Astral, the head of Sigma, dared not voice this fact aloud.

“Moreover, Master Yulkaneis of the Mage Tower even paused his research to lend a hand.”

Yeah, in a way, the most significant resource the empire invested in this affair might’ve been Master Yulkaneis’ labor.

Of course, neither Chancellor Karaso nor Astral, the head of Sigma, uttered a single word about this either.

“Is that all? Our Sigma head, Astral, why don’t you explain?”

“Uh…?”

“You personally went all the way to the North wearing that ridiculous mask, didn’t you?”

“…Yes! That is true, Your Highness.”

Astral broke into a cold sweat as his name was directly mentioned, and his knees began to tremble.

“Essentially, it was a project where all the core assets of the empire were fully committed. So how… how could the situation worsen instead of improving before anything happened?”

Sure enough, Khanbraman’s cold, burning gaze had already locked onto Astral.

“That… It’s because of something entirely unexpected called Mary’s Blessing…”

“Mary’s Blessing? How could such fertilizer be created overnight? And just through prayer?”

“It’s definitely fraud! Absolutely not caused by prayer!”

In response to the Crown Prince’s words, Astral, the head of Sigma, quickly shouted.

“Fraud, huh? Are you sure about that?”

“Yes. The fertilizer we barely managed to acquire contained no trace of divine power.”

“Then why! Why the heck are crops growing lushly on land that’s completely drained of mana?!”

“And what about the Lenslet Order? Why did a singular religion suddenly emerge in the North, a place where it absolutely shouldn’t have?”

Finally, what had to burst, burst.

All the frustration and anger the Crown Prince had been holding back erupted at once—like a volcano.

“Hmph… I… right now… am suspicious.”

After his outburst, the slightly calmer voice of the Crown Prince resonated across the grand hall.

“Suspicious.”

With those words, he gestured with his hand.

Thud thud thud thud

Then, the court encyclopedist and royal knights who had been waiting dragged the trembling Astral away from his seat.

“Your Highness! This is unjust! Unjust! I gave my best effort!”

The desperate plea of the former head of Sigma echoed and gradually faded away.

“The position of Sigma leader will temporarily be taken over by Roji, the court encyclopedist.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When Roji, who had dragged Astral away, returned to the grand hall, Khanbraman briefly commanded him.

“And perhaps it would be wise to leave Astral’s family alone for now?”

“I thank Your Highness for your great mercy.”

Truthfully, Khanbraman knew within himself.

Astral was innocent regarding the failure of this mission.

But politics sometimes requires examples and cutting off loose ends.

The purge of Astral would send different messages inside and outside the empire.

It would serve as a good example internally and as cutting off loose ends externally.

And the external target was, of course, the North. Just in case they sent an envoy to question this again, he played his move preemptively.

‘How did the empire end up being so cautious? If Father, who rests now, saw this, He would’ve slapped me.’

To Khanbraman, this absurd situation felt like a dream.

An empire with population, territory, economy, technology, magic—all hundreds, thousands of times superior—couldn’t handle a mere border dukedom and ended up tiptoeing around.

Of course, if a third party saw this, they’d probably shake their heads and mutter about karma.

The meeting in the grand hall resumed shortly after.

As if the incident moments ago had been completely forgotten.

“So, is it Arad again?”

“It’s highly likely, Your Highness.”

The topic of the following discussion was, unsurprisingly, Professor Arad, a man.

A mysterious genius who suddenly appeared in the North like a comet one day.

An unparalleled figure who rose from commoner status to above a baron in the blink of an eye.

Above all, someone whose origin and limits of knowledge and talent remain completely unknowable.

“What exactly is he? Is he really a secret weapon created by the Lenslet Order?”

“I don’t think he’s a secret weapon made by the Lenslet Order,” replied Roji, who had just become the head of Sigma, answering the Crown Prince’s curiosity.

“Then?”

“A low-level adventurer who accidentally discovered the new Golden Age Dungeon. That’s our estimate.”

“Hmm… In that case, could we recruit this Arad fellow?”

“With deepest respect, it’s difficult to approach him now. Due to this incident, all northern nobles who were secretly cooperating with us have been purged. Both the High City and all intelligence networks in the North have been shattered.”

“Are there no imperial merchants or adventurers wandering around the North? Perhaps some disguised Sigma operatives?”

“They’re not moving freely either due to recent events. Currently, it’s hard for any imperial citizen to operate within the North.”

“How about Haven?”

“The city of Haven is also tense right now. It seems almost all imperial citizens are under surveillance.”

At Roji’s words, the Crown Prince was momentarily tempted to issue an order to exterminate Astral’s entire family.

“It’ll take time until things settle down.”

“With deepest respect, Your Highness.”

Khanbraman, barely suppressing his impatience, asked,

“If we could somehow make contact with him, could we recruit him?”

“It’s unlikely.”

“Why?”

“In my view, Lord Arad is helping the North for some other purpose.”

“So if we help fulfill that purpose, it should work, right?”

“If that were possible, he would’ve been active in the empire rather than the North. Or perhaps… he might even hate our empire.”

“Hmm…”

Roji’s speculation held considerable weight.

There are two reasons why Arad remains in that barren and uninteresting North.

Either there’s something he can only achieve with the cooperation of the North, or for some reason, he harbors resentment against the empire.

“Find a way to contact him as much as possible for now.”

Khanbraman clearly coveted Arad as much as the North.

“Understood. But if he ultimately refuses, what shall we do?”

“It’s better to destroy what we can’t possess. Is that possible?”

“Even now, with some strain, it’s feasible.”

However, what was worse was if Arad teamed up with the Lenslet Order to interfere with his own affairs.

“Excuse me… Your Highness?”

Just then, Chancellor Karaso cautiously spoke up to Khanbraman, who had just decided on a response to Arad.

“Master Yulkaneis is showing great interest in Arad Jin.”

Following the chancellor’s suggestion that they consult with the Mage Tower master whether to kill or spare Arad, the Crown Prince nodded without showing any displeasure.

“Yeah, it would be stranger if he weren’t interested.”

Unlike others, the sole 8th Circle Great Magician Yulkaneis of the continent certainly has the qualification to do so.

Only, it was somewhat disappointing that he conveyed this opinion indirectly through the chancellor instead of coming directly.

Of course, knowing that Yulkaneis was always busy with research, Khanbraman understood well enough.

Didn’t he bother Yulkaneis quite a bit recently while making the Black Stone?

‘I need to seek Master Yulkaneis’ opinion regarding recruiting Arad Jin.’

Just as the Crown Prince thought this and was about to continue the meeting,

“Your Highness! Archbishop Theresa requests an urgent audience.”

The voice of the royal knight announcing the urgent audience at the entrance of the grand hall rang out.

“Tch… Of course, it’s about the Lenslet Order in the North. Let her enter.”

Faced with the predictable visit of an unwelcome guest, Khanbraman couldn’t help but click his tongue.

* * *

The grand opening ceremony of the Arad Company, formally known as the Arad Company, took place.

Originally, it was supposed to happen a month ago, but due to various incidents in between, it got postponed.

Initially, there was a thought of skipping it altogether, but due to everyone’s encouragement, a modest opening ceremony was finally held.

“Please continue to look after us, Sir Arad.”

“If you ever need magical or alchemical materials, just let me know, Mr. Jin.”

“If anyone starts trouble, call me immediately. I’ll eliminate them on the spot using my authority as an enforcer.”

Those attending the opening ceremony were all dignitaries.

From the Chief Administrator Haytai to the Grand Witch Isabel and Sir Valkyrie of Frost Haven.

“Is this what you call chicken food?!”

“Whoa… insane! Totally insane!”

“I’m so glad I came to the opening ceremony!”

Also present were Knights Eopte and Karot of Frost Haven, currently off-duty due to shift changes, along with Sir Roji.

“Hem hem! Although the ceremony is late, congratulations. Sa… cough! Sir Arad.”

And most importantly, Lady Ariana, the highest and most noble figure in the North, graced this occasion with her presence.

“Um, um… Is there anything you need? Like, a wish…?”

She asked me if there was anything I needed.

“I’m already fully satisfied, Your Highness. If I need anything later, I’ll compile it and request an audience.”

Knowing too well that constantly asking for favors every time I see her wouldn’t be appropriate, I simply expressed my gratitude politely.

No matter how considerate she may seem, a businessman must discern whether a question is formal or genuine.

“Is that so? …I see.”

For some reason, the Duchess seemed slightly disheartened by my reaction, but frankly, I wasn’t concerned about that right now.

‘Mary isn’t working today? Not showing up on a day like today is going too far.’

Because the first employee of Arad Company, who I’ve grown accustomed to seeing, was nowhere to be seen.

“Your Highness, is there something wrong with Lady Mary?”

“Eh…? Mary?”

“No matter what her main job is, it’s strange that she wouldn’t attend an event like this.”

“That’s… Well…”

Eventually, I directly confronted Ariana with my grievances.

* * *

What I just said to Ariana could be considered reckless behavior.

After all, it was directed at none other than the supreme ruler of this land, the Duchess of the Northern Region.

But I had confidence in my grounds.

Although this act was extremely rude, considering the accomplishments I’ve established thus far, I believed I had the right to say this much.

“That’s… Well…”

Instead of getting angry, she merely looked flustered.

“Oho ho ho ho! Sorry, Sir Arad.”

Then, a response to my protest came not from Ariana’s side but from another direction.

“Hem hem! Lady Mary has some family issues lately, so…”

“Yeah! Hem hem! I’ll tell her to come by late this afternoon.”

Isabel, Haytai, and Sir Valkyrie interjected in the conversation.

That these esteemed figures reacted so promptly regarding Mary only reinforced my suspicions about her background.

“What exactly is she doing?”

“That’s… personal matters, so it’s hard to say… Anyway, I’ll make sure she comes by late this afternoon.”

Since it was labeled as personal matters, it was probably related to Mary’s identity. Maybe even something involving her biological mother.

“Hmm… Understood.”

No matter how precious my employee might be…

I didn’t want to fall out of favor with the shadows of Frost Haven, the Coven, and the Duchy.

So, despite my reluctance, I had no choice but to nod in agreement with the compromise they offered.