ushernet Chapter 129
Chapter 129
129. The Northern Game Changer
Currently, the individual holding the most wealth in the Empire was Entir Bishop.
If his money were directly converted into power, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was as influential as the Emperor himself.
“Ehehehe...”@@@@
Entir chuckled to himself, running his fingers through bundles of Lenhua.
With the Bishop Company promoting the use of Lenhua, the currency bearing Arina’s portrait had quickly spread across the Empire and even into Bardenheim.
Though the Empire had hastily issued its own paper currency, the quality and supply were insufficient to match the widespread acceptance of Lenhua.
‘These days, everything is going my way.’
Aside from issues with Havana and the Emperor, Entir’s plans were progressing smoothly.
Recently, one of his most pressing problems had been resolved unexpectedly easily.
‘It’s a relief that the issue of using Imperial currency to purchase Northern Magic Stones was settled so effortlessly.’
It had been a direct order from the Emperor, causing Entir significant stress, but Renslet and the Arad Group had surprisingly agreed to accept the Empire’s currency without much fuss.
‘They mentioned that the North recently faced a large-scale invasion. That must be why they agreed so readily.’
The heavens—or rather, the shifting dynamics of the continent—seemed to be favoring him.
‘Still, it’s frustrating. The Emperor and the Reformist faction are industrializing much faster than I anticipated. Maybe I shouldn’t have gifted them the steam engine.’
Yet his mood wasn’t entirely sour.
‘Then again, if I hadn’t, they’d have taken it by force. At least I bought some time and widened the gap.’
Even though he’d prepared himself for the Empire’s rapid industrialization, it still irked him.
‘After all, part of the plan was to keep the Imperial Household’s attention away from the North—and from me.’
He tried to dismiss his frustration, convincing himself it was all part of the strategy.
‘A new balance of power is needed.’
And for that, Entir had been preparing something of his own.
‘If this works, it’ll benefit both the North and Arad, as well as me and the Bishop Company...’
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Phil.”
The visitor was Carpe, disguised as a mercenary named Phil, who had once been the Mercenary Queen.
“Ah! Come in!”
Remembering the task he’d assigned her, Entir greeted her warmly.
“Did you deliver the message?”
He immediately got to the point as soon as he saw Carpe in her disguise. She nodded silently in response.
“Well done, well done. Here’s a little something for your trouble. Buy some good food for your mercenary friends.”
With a grin, Entir pulled out a few golden bills from his wallet and handed them to Carpe.
“...”
Carpe silently pocketed the money, her expression still full of unanswered questions, and stared at Entir.
“What?”
Noticing her gaze, Entir tilted his head curiously.
“I mean, the steam engine designs... Are you sure about distributing them in Bardenheim?”
That seemed to be the errand she had just completed.
“Of course.”
“Hmm... Are you certain Renslet is okay with this?”
“They don’t know.”
“What?!”
“But they don’t need to.”
“And why’s that...?”
“Arad Jin and I are natural-born merchants. We don’t need to speak to understand each other.”
Entir spoke proudly, recalling the compliment he once received from Arad at the High Tower.
Even back then, he had handed over two steam engines to the Emperor without consulting Arad—and instead of reproach, Arad had praised him.
The memory left him feeling rather pleased with himself.
“??”
Carpe furrowed her brow, clearly unconvinced.
“The Imperial Household’s popularity has skyrocketed after the recent victory at the Wall. Even with the media tricks we’ve pulled.”
Entir offered a simple explanation to the puzzled Carpe.
“We need to prepare for the possibility of the Emperor taking extreme measures.”
“And how do we do that?”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
“You plan to bring in Bardenheim?”
“Exactly.”
“Are you sure you’re an Imperial citizen?”
Carpe looked at him with an exasperated expression.
“I didn’t abandon the Empire. The Empire—or rather, the Emperor—abandoned me first.”
Entir replied with a bright smile, continuing confidently:
“When steam engines and factories make their way to the United Kingdom, their revenue will skyrocket.”
“...”
"Thank you."
"And here’s a birthday gift. It’s from me and Her Highness."
With that, she retrieved something from a dimensional bag enclosed in a protective case.
"I told you, no need to prepare anything..."
While saying that outwardly, I couldn’t help but feel anticipation bubbling inside.
A gift personally prepared by Her Highness?
Not just any gift, but one they had likely been planning since last year, specifically for my birthday?
How could I not be curious?
"This is an incredibly rare Magic Stone we were fortunate enough to acquire."
"This is...!"
The gift Mary—or rather, Arina—prepared exceeded my expectations by 120%.
It was a Magic Stone about half the size of a fist, with an astonishingly unique appearance.
Though transparent like a diamond, it shimmered with a rainbow-like aurora.
“Ether...!”
In this world, Ether referred to a Magic Stone containing all elemental mana.
Its natural occurrence was almost impossible, only appearing once in an era, enough to be regarded as legendary.
In gaming terms, it was a legendary or mythical-grade material.
“A ‘natural’ Ether of this size...!”
Seeing the legendary Magic Stone, my eyes glazed over in awe.
“...Natural? Does that mean it can be made artificially?”
Mary’s eyes widened in surprise at my murmured words.
“With a magic engine, it’s possible.”
“Ah... I see.”
Mary’s eyebrows drooped.
She had thought she had prepared a meaningful gift, but realizing it might become commonplace in the future dampened her spirits.
“But natural Ether is far more valuable than the artificial kind. Its effects are vastly superior, too.”
I quickly added, ensuring she wouldn’t feel disheartened.
“Finding a natural Ether of this size is an extraordinary fortune. It’s a blessing for an entire nation.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it. Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome!”
Mary’s face—Arina’s face—lit up with joy. Seeing my genuine gratitude seemed to make her even happier than I was.
Hem, hem!
After a brief cough, she tried to mask her emotions with a neutral expression.
“I’ll need to send a magical communication to Her Highness later. I can’t just stay silent after receiving such a magnificent gift.”
At her reaction, I couldn’t help but feel mischievous.
Come to think of it, Mary hadn’t sent any magical communications to Arina since arriving here.
That made sense, considering the Arina in the High Tower was likely an illusion crafted by Isabelle, while the real Arina was right here in front of me as Mary.
“I-I’ll handle it! Her Highness has been very busy lately and doesn’t have time for magical communications!”
“Hmm...?”
“Well, there’s post-war reconstruction, and she’s constantly monitoring the Empire’s movements...”
Mary’s flustered attempt to dissuade me was adorable.
“Is that so? I suppose it can’t be helped then.”
Satisfied with her reaction, I decided to drop the joke.
“But Mary, when will you return to the High Tower?”
“...Do you want me to leave soon?”
Her expression hardened immediately at my question.
“I was just curious, that’s all.”
Though I wanted to say “Yes, I’d prefer it,” I held back.
“I’ll be going back in the fall. I need to prepare for Her Highness’s birthday.”
The sight of her calmly mentioning preparations for her own birthday tugged at my heartstrings.
“You’ll need to visit the High Tower around that time as well, won’t you? We can go together.”
“Indeed. As important as the work here is, I can’t stay here all year.”
I said this while cautiously gauging her mood.
‘She doesn’t seem completely over it yet.’
At the start of the year, the events at the Devil’s Den had thrown the High Tower into chaos.
Arina had reportedly ordered me to return to the High Tower immediately upon hearing the news.
But I had refused.
Instead, I went straight to my estate in Count Jin’s territory and set up the Arad Shipyard.
Stubbornness ran deep in both of us, and I was no less obstinate than she was.
Especially when it came to research or manufacturing, once I became engrossed, I couldn’t focus on anything else.
‘From what I’ve heard, Arina’s reaction back then was pretty severe.’
The problem was that my actions seemed to have hurt and confused her.
‘What a mess.’
Looking at Mary, I broke into a cold sweat internally.