Chapter 100.2

Then suddenly,

“Marriage! Heir! Return!”

Like a flash of lightning, the forgotten thought came rushing back.

***

The Imperial Palace, Ragoit.

As always, the middle-aged yet charismatic Emperor Canbraman sat on the golden throne of the Solar Palace.

The only difference today was that his hands held a peculiar object from the North.

Click.

The Emperor pressed the red button on the Bluetooth shower system.

Whoosh.

Warm water poured out in a heavy stream, like rainfall.

Click.

This time, he pressed the blue button.

The warm water immediately turned cold.

“Amusing.”

The Emperor muttered to himself as he turned off the shower.

Maids standing by quickly wiped away the water with dry clothes.

Without sparing them a glance, Canbraman directed his attention to another bag in his hand.

Both the shower device and the bag bore the same Golden Carriage logo and the word Arad.

In the corner, the words “Made in Renslet” were subtly etched, a detail that inexplicably grated on the Emperor’s nerves.

Both items had become immensely popular among the Empire’s wealthy elite.

“Can’t we make something like this ourselves?”

As he placed the shower device into his subspace bag, the Emperor posed the question.

“We can, Your Majesty,” replied the mages of the Golden Tower, who presented him with their creation.

It was a much more luxurious version of the Bluetooth shower and subspace bag, adorned with gold, silver, and gemstones.

“Hm…”

Handing the original Arad bag to a maid, the Emperor examined the Golden Tower’s creation.

Click. Whoosh.

Just like the Arad version, the device sprayed warm and cold water when he tested it.

“This will do. We’ll produce these in bulk and sell them.”

The Emperor nodded with satisfaction.

“Well…”

But the mages looked troubled, their expressions uneasy.

“Is there a problem?”

The Emperor’s previously pleased demeanor turned icy.

“We can’t produce large quantities at prices comparable to the North’s products.”

“That’s understandable. Ours are far more luxurious and high-end.”

The Emperor regarded the subspace bag and shower device before him.

The Northern products were visually appealing, but the Golden Tower’s creations were works of art.

“…”

Despite the Emperor’s apparent understanding, the mages’ expressions didn’t improve.

“Is there something else?”

Sensing their hesitation, the Emperor pressed further.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The real issue lies in the time and effort required to produce these items.”

“…”

“We lack the capacity to produce them as quickly or in such large quantities as the North can.”

“But the North managed it. Are you saying the mages of the Golden Tower are inferior to the witches of the North?”

“Not exactly, but…”

The mages squirmed under the Emperor’s gaze, aware that their words could influence the future standing of Imperial mages.

“Your Majesty,”

Ricard, the Emperor’s trusted aide and head of the Sigma Order, stepped in, speaking in a low but clear voice that all could hear.

“In the North, witches can be exploited to a degree that would be unthinkable here.”

“?!”

The Emperor’s gaze shifted sharply toward the mages, making them shudder.

“Unlike the Empire, where mages are highly valued and can leave at the slightest dissatisfaction, the North’s witches have no such leverage. They don’t have many alternatives.”

Had Arad been present, he would have fiercely protested, citing the high wages of the witches.

“I see…”

The Emperor’s gaze at the mages grew increasingly complex.

“And one more thing, Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“The North’s magical devices are protected by highly sophisticated security enchantments.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Security enchantments?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. These enchantments render the mana circuits unreadable. Attempting to analyze them will render the devices inoperative.”

“Is such extreme protection necessary? Surely we could create similar enchantments at some cost.”

“Perhaps. But beyond exploiting their witches, the North seems to possess unique know-how for implementing these enchantments efficiently.”

Canbraman trusted Ricard’s detailed report far more than the reassurances of the mages before him.

“What does Duke Yulkanes say? Surely he has examined these security enchantments.”

The Emperor’s gaze returned to the mages as he asked.

“He concluded that it is fundamentally impossible to bypass them.”

“Impossible?”

Canbraman’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Yes, and he also…”

“Go on.”

“He requested increased funding for mana engine research.”

“…”

The Emperor’s patience finally snapped.

“No matter how skilled an eighth-circle tower master is, this is unacceptable.”

“Y-Your Majesty…”

The mages and even Ricard flinched at the Emperor’s sudden change in tone.

“How much support have I already provided? How many indulgences have I granted your arrogance?”

“…”

“And where is the gratitude for that leniency?”

The Emperor’s irritation and disappointment rendered the mages speechless.

“There will be no further funding for mana engine research! If they must research something, let it be steam engines instead!”

“Y-Your Majesty! Mana engines cannot be compared to mere steam engines!”

One brave mage risked his life to object.

“But there’s no functional mana engine yet, is there? Meanwhile, steam engines are already demonstrating their capabilities across the North and even within the Empire.”

The Emperor dismissed the mage’s words with icy disdain.

“I’ve been imagining what could be done if these steam engines were mounted on ships or carriages.”

His eyes gleamed with ambition as he spoke of steam engines.

“Even I, with no expertise in magic, can envision such possibilities. Surely you, the brightest minds, can come up with far better ideas.”

“…”

“The Golden Tower will devote its full resources to researching steam engines.”

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