Chapter 72

Chapter 72

#72. The Plague of the North (1)

When I personally brewed tea in my handmade celadon teapot and served it, Gard and Entaire’s expressions softened as they drank.

Their obsession with the magic stones embedded in the ceiling seemed to have faded.

“Wow…! Is this tea really brewed by our Lord Jin himself?”

“Not only that, isn’t this celadon pot crafted by Director Jin himself? This trip was worth it. Hahaha!”

They kept savoring the taste of the tea I brewed and exclaiming in amazement.

“Whoa…! It’s hard to believe this is the same tea. How can it have such a deep flavor? I’ll never forget this when I return to the trading company.”

“He’s not called the greatest chef of the north and the creator of Arad Salt for nothing.”

Thanks to that, the awkward atmosphere from just a moment ago had eased significantly.

“This color looks so much like real skin. Should I touch it?”

“Is it made by grinding up real human skin or something?”

“You shouldn’t touch that!”

“Why are you being so uptight? Just sell it already!”

“It’s a non-sale item, a non-sale item!”

“What? What is this? Is there some kind of magic on it?”

Meanwhile, outside the office, the light-hearted banter between Carpe and the mercenaries, along with Theo trying to mediate, could still be heard.

“To think we’d get to drink tea from the southernmost kingdom all the way up here in the north. This is quite an experience.”

Ignoring the voices outside the door, Entaire continued the conversation.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I only bring this out when truly important guests visit.”

“To receive such treatment from Lord Jin feels truly honorable. Hahaha!”

It’s proper etiquette to start with casual chatter before getting down to business. Of course, in the pragmatic north, jumping straight into matters at hand is also acceptable, but since Entaire is an imperial citizen, things naturally progressed this way.

“Isn’t Hayas tea one of the products exclusive to Scania, one of the island kingdoms in the Kingdom Alliance?”

Since neither I nor anyone else were particularly pressed for time or busy, I decided to join in on this less northern style of conversation.

“By the way, Hayas tea was already expensive, but it seems to have gotten even pricier recently.”

As we sipped the Hayas tea, a specialty of Scania, the southernmost kingdom in the Kingdom Alliance, we began our conversation.

“Has Badenheim been causing a lot of trouble for the empire lately?”

My gaze remained fixed on Entaire.

This is because Bishop Company, which conducts trade across the continent, knows more about Kingdom Alliance affairs than Gard does.

‘Saving Ariana has completely altered the flow of the original history.’

The butterfly effect originating from the north has influenced the entire continent.

With the exception of certain characters’ fates, natural disasters, and the timing of technological advancements, there’s hardly anything left that can rely on the original timeline.

Therefore, I must periodically assess the situation of the empire and the continent.

“Yes. Although there hasn’t been a full-scale war yet, intense skirmishes are happening almost daily along the western border of the empire.”

Entaire couldn’t hide his smile as he thought of his wife who was suffering on the western front.

“The Kingdom Alliance seems to be overextending itself. What could be the reason? Even though the emperor is ill, it seems excessive. And Prince Khanbraman isn’t doing poorly as regent either.”

At the mention of Khanbraman from my lips, Entaire’s eyebrows slightly furrowed before quickly returning to normal.

“It’s probably due to the Northern Duchy.”

“The north? Do you mean it’s because of us?”

“Yes. The Kingdom Alliance is restraining the empire from taking over the north.”

Even though the empire and the Kingdom Alliance are adversarial, they don’t block trade between merchants. In fact, they can’t.

To begin with, most of the nobility, royalty, and imperial family in Arcadia are interconnected through strategic marriages.

While fighting on one side, they continue their exchanges on the other. Neither the Pope of the Theocratic Church, the emperor, nor the archbishop of the Imperial Sect can stop it.

“Lately, Renslet’s influence is stronger within the Kingdom Alliance than in the empire.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, definitely. At parties or banquets held in Badenheim, if there’s no Arad salt or celadon, one isn’t considered a true noble.”

Hearing this made me yearn to establish direct trade with the Kingdom Alliance sooner.

“If the capital of the alliance, Badenheim, is as prosperous as the empire’s capital, then Renslet gaining attention there is akin to being recognized across Arcadia.”

In other words, products from the north are flowing into the kingdoms through the empire.

Just as Eastern spices and silk once reached the north, now tea from the distant south is here in my office.

“The kingdoms within the alliance desperately want to prevent the imperial household from monopolizing northern celadon, fertilizer, and Arad salt.”

The strategy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” which I mentioned during a high-level meeting in the High City, seems to be working perfectly.

‘If we can further develop direct trade routes with the Kingdom Alliance…’

I strongly feel the need to establish direct communication and trade routes with kingdoms friendly to the north.

It’s frustrating to be unable to do anything blocked by the massive empire.

‘If we can directly connect with the kingdoms, we can much more easily curb the empire’s growth.’

In the original history, the empire reaches its peak under Emperor Khanbraman of the Age of Light.

After effortlessly annexing the north, the empire centralizes using advanced magical engineering, suppressing both the aristocracy and the sects, eventually subjugating the Kingdom Alliance.

Laying the foundation, the empire solidifies its power under Emperor Julian the Benevolent, Khanbraman’s son, establishing the Thousand-Year Empire.

‘The current state of the north compared to the original history is overwhelmingly better. But… it’s still insufficient, very unstable.’

My gaze drifted towards the map hanging in the office.

Not only did it show the whole of Arcadia, but there was also a detailed map of the north.

My eyes focused on the northwest coast of the north, specifically the Jin Viscountcy.

‘Using the greenhouse farm’s barrier magic to create an unfrozen port. This will definitely be achieved within a few years.’

Plans for direct connections with the Kingdom Alliance were already laid out during the investiture ceremony.

However, spreading the greenhouse barriers across the Ice Sea to reach the warmer southern waters would require unimaginable costs.

We’d also need to deal with monsters and barbarian tribes living in the frozen seas.

“If the empire seriously tries to swallow up the north, the Kingdom Alliance will launch a major offensive. Not small skirmishes like now, but an actual full-scale war.”

While I was reminiscing about the original history while glancing at the map, Entaire’s voice continued.

“Really?”

“Yes, people in the north might not realize it, but currently in the Arcadia continent, Renslet is the most watched region.”

“Our north receiving such recognition makes me happy, but it also makes me uneasy.”

“That’s correct, Lord Jin.”

Upon sensing my unease, Duke Gard sitting opposite reacted as if he’d been waiting for it.

“The empire, specifically the royal household, is acting suspiciously.”

He had once again led a diplomatic mission to the imperial palace.

Being the head of Rune Trading Company, which serves as the imperial trading house, naturally allowed him to conduct business while traveling to and from the capital.

“Did you see anything unusual this time in the capital?”

At Gard’s words, I asked earnestly with a serious look.

“There’s no special information.”

Gard shook his head and continued.

“The palace was quiet and peaceful. That’s what made it scary.”

Judging from this, the main topic of our discussion started now.

“Not just the royal family, but the imperial sect is also unusually quiet. Those fanatics who should be screaming about heresy regarding the Renslet religion in the north…”

“Neither the royal family, the sect, nor the Mage Tower is reacting strangely to the prosthetic limbs and hands business in the north. Even if done discreetly, there’s no way they wouldn’t know.”

Following Gard, Entaire added.

“!!”

Upon hearing those words, I became even more serious.

“…”

Standing beside me, listening to the conversation, Mary’s expression stiffened.

* * *

The whole world wants northern celadon.

“What a beautiful color like this exists in the world!”

“It’s prettier than white porcelain.”

“Surprisingly, it matches our Arcadian aesthetic!”

“My goodness! It didn’t break even after dropping it!”

Regardless of whether they were royalty, nobility, merchants, or commoners,

everyone went crazy over the sudden appearance of celadon.

“Hey, what exactly did you do to your fields to make them grow so lush?”

“I’m amazed myself. It’s called Mary’s Blessing fertilizer… Incredible.”

“Mary’s Blessing? Where can I get it?”

“Bishop Company sells it.”

“Hold on, isn’t Bishop Company the only company trading with the Northern Duke?”

“Yeah.”

Not only celadon, but Mary’s Blessing also deeply penetrated every corner of the empires and kingdoms.

A fertilizer that allows farming even in harsh lands was introduced into warm climates.

“Northern celadon! More northern celadon!”

“Mary’s Blessing! Please give me Mary’s Blessing! If I don’t buy it now, my wheat harvest next spring is ruined!”

“Goodness… Did the north make this too!? First the Arad salt, what exactly is going on in the north?”

The name of Northern Renslet spread firmly across all of Arcadia.

It became a significant geographical concept rivaling the eastern continent.

“Is this… art from the north?”

“Beautiful! The Duchess of the North must be a stunning woman!”

“Now I understand why the emperor and crown prince were so desperate to propose!”

“How do they achieve these colors? What pigments are they using?”

“Look at these strong lines and expressions!”

“Who said northerners are barbarians? Can anyone still say that after seeing this?”

Moreover, portraits from the north swept through the social circles of both the empire and the kingdoms, brought by Bishop Company merchants and nobles who visited the north for prosthetic limbs or hands.

“Hey, why are those belt pouches suddenly everywhere?”

“Are they northern-style pouches?”

“Northern-style? Made in the north?”

“Don’t you know? They’re the famous pouch always carried by the Duchess of the North herself.”

Alongside this, bags that Ariana always wore on her waist also spread among adventurers, mercenaries, and knights.

Thus, the north achieved a great cultural image transformation, not just financially.

Northern Romantic Art

Northern Heroic Art

Northern Impressionist Art

The continental art community added these new categories.

“This? It’s the Duchess of the North expressed in the Northern Impressionist style.”

“Recognizing it right away makes me happy. Yes, I splurged on this purchase.”

“I also bought one last week at an auction in the Romantic style. It’s hanging in my villa now.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, will you come visit sometime?”

“Right away.”

Like how the Mona Lisa painting was used as interior decoration on Earth,

portraits of the Duchess of the North became trendy decorations across the continent.

“Aah! If only I had colors like that!”

“Northern art is clearly advanced! But surely we can achieve the same level!”

“We need northern paints!”

Many continental painters tried to emulate northern art but failed due to differences in pigments and tools.

“Selling northern-made paint sets!”

“If you want to paint like northern art, this is a must-buy! The starting bid is one gold coin.”

Then, through Bishop Company, northern paints, brushes, and canvases began to be sold.

“I’ll sponsor you.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

“In return, paint portraits of me and my family. In the Northern Heroic style.”

Nobles sponsored poor painters en masse.

They were obsessed with having their own portraits and figure paintings done in the northern style.

This was something the imperial court absolutely didn’t want to happen.

Of course, the imperial court couldn’t sit idly by and let it happen.

But militarily or economically countering it was difficult.

The continent was already addicted to Arad Salt, northern celadon, and Mary’s Blessing.

If the empire rashly interfered with the north, not only the Kingdom Alliance but also the nobles within the empire wouldn’t stay silent.

The patience of the nobles had run out long ago due to peasant emancipation and expansion of the imperial-controlled territories.

* * *

At the border between the empire and the north.

On the outer edge of the northern Magic Realm.

A group of people gathered secretly.

“Are we all here?”

“Looks like it.”

“Was anyone following you?”

“Not as good as before, but I was once the leader of Sigma.”

“You certainly were.”

“…”

“Activate the barrier.”

Even though the Magic Realm belongs to the north, there was still a border with the empire.

Currently, they were meeting in a blind spot where Frost Haven’s surveillance couldn’t reach.

Pfft Pfft Pfft

Still, precautions were taken, and various barriers were activated around the area.

“So, what brings such esteemed figures from the empire and the sect to such a humble place?”

Dressed in dark mage robes, hooded, with a chilling voice, lifeless murky eyes, and skin almost gray in color,

mages from the Demon Den greeted the visitors from the empire.

“It’s about what you’ve been thinking about.”

In response, a woman dressed in a white silk robe spoke.

Her face was covered by a hood, but her aura felt more like a priest than a magician or adventurer.

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