As the sun began to set, the tour finally concluded.

"Not only are you selling these machines, but you’re also sharing various trade secrets with us! Mr. Jin, I will ensure that Bishop Company repays your trust in full," Entir said enthusiastically.

In the warm atmosphere, the contracts and negotiations were finalized as swiftly as roasting beans in a flash of lightning.

The terms were heavily skewed in our favor, but Entir and the executives of Bishop Company, fearful that I might change my mind, hastily signed without much hesitation.

"Yes, I’m placing my trust solely in Bishop Company."

"Leave it to us. With the four great inventions you’ve entrusted to us, we’ll stir up as much commotion in the Empire as possible," Entir replied, shaking my hand firmly.

The Next Morning

After completing the contracts, Entir departed early with the Red Wolf escort, heading straight for the capital. The coronation date was uncomfortably close, and there was little time to waste.

"Boss," Mary called.

"What is it, Mary?"

"The Grand Duchess has summoned you urgently."

"Is that so? Let’s go."

"She requested that you come alone, sir."

"?"

Not long after Entir’s departure, I was summoned to the Palace of Glory.

At the Palace of Glory

"Arad Jin, Earl of the North," the voice echoed.

"Yes, Your Grace," I replied.

I found myself standing before the pure white throne once more.

On either side stood the High Citadel’s ministers, high-ranking knights, and mages.

It was a formal royal assembly.

***

"“I heard you sold the steam engine, the spinning machine, and the weaving machine to Entir Bishop.”

“Also included the sewing machine.”

“And the payment?”

“Bishop Company’s finances were tight, so we agreed to a royalty arrangement.”

“Royalty?”

“Yes, we will receive a percentage of the revenue generated by those machines. In the long run, it will yield a much higher profit.”

The Duchess Arina of the Northern Grand Duchy rarely interfered with my plans.

But this time was different.

The so-called Four Miraculous Machines—the steam engine, spinning machine, weaving machine, and sewing machine—were undeniably valuable.

Even though they didn’t involve arcane engineering, the precision of their mechanical engineering couldn’t be ignored.

“Isn’t it dangerous to empower Entir Bishop too much? What if the Empire steals those facilities?”

So, when Arina heard about the deal with Entir, she couldn’t just stand by.

“Of all of them, the steam engine is especially dangerous. Just as we plan to use it secretly for Northern ironworks and weapon production, there’s no reason the Empire wouldn’t do the same.”

She must have wanted to hear my reasoning behind this decision.

‘And not just from me, but with the nobles of the council present.’

The expressions of the nobles gathered in the audience hall were slightly stiff.

Even Isabel, the Grand Witch of Spring, who had been secluded recently to consolidate the witches’ magic, showed up.

‘So they want me to explain and persuade them in person? How considerate of them.’

It became clear why they summoned me to the council instead of merely sending inquiries through Mary or letters.

They were giving me the opportunity to clarify my intentions face-to-face. Once doubt or suspicion takes root, it’s hard to eliminate.

“The more widespread the spinning machine, weaving machine, and sewing machine become, the better. The same goes for the steam engine.”

“Go on.”

“Steam engines consume large amounts of coal and low-grade mana stones. This benefits the Northern Duchy’s abundant mineral resources.”

“That alone isn’t enough.”

“Porcelain and Arad Salt are the limits of what the Empire will tolerate. And by ‘Empire,’ I don’t mean the Imperial Family but the entirety of the Ragnoite Empire.”

“……!”

“If we monopolize the steam engine, the Imperial Family, the Nobles’ Council, the Church, merchant guilds, and trade unions will all unite against the North. They would see the Northern Duchy as a common enemy and consolidate.”

“Hmm……”

I expanded on the explanation I gave to Entir yesterday, adding further details.

I avoided delving into my ideas of merging arcane engineering with steampunk; they wouldn’t understand that now anyway.

“Besides, with the workforce, capital, and geographic constraints of the North, monopolizing those machines isn’t feasible.”

I continued my explanation.

“As I reported earlier, Arad Company has contracted to receive 30% of the revenue generated by the four machines from Bishop Company for five years.”

Economies of scale would come into play from now on.

Porcelain could be monopolized, but clothing and textiles were another matter entirely.

The North lacked the capacity to dominate the continent’s clothing market.

“This will bring immense wealth to the North, far surpassing the profits from porcelain or Arad Salt.”

“If the revenue is based on sales, what if they falsify their reports?”

“They won’t. Entir values trust above all else. He knows this deal is a test.”

“A test?”

“Yes. If he proves trustworthy, he will continue receiving access to our latest machines and technologies.”

“Hmm... But won’t the machines at Bishop Company be at risk of theft? Or could the Emperor simply seize them?”

Arina still had lingering doubts.

“Even if the Emperor gains possession of the steam engine and spinning machines, it doesn’t matter. In fact, it’s better that way.”

“Why?”

“The Empire’s industrialization will help stabilize prices.”

“……?”

What I hoped for was a role similar to China’s on Earth—an industrial powerhouse that kept global prices low while serving as a massive consumer market.

Renslet, with its small population, could never fulfill that role.

‘And this version of China is already fractured internally? Lucky… ahem.’

When I looked around the council chamber, everyone’s expressions were still stiff.

‘They’re not convinced.’

The issue was that my reasoning didn’t resonate with the people of this era.

So, I took a slightly different approach.

“For now, the Imperial faction won’t be able to utilize these machines. That’s because the Empire’s craftsmen and guilds fund the Imperial Family.”

“They could issue a royal decree to ban factory operations.”

“They won’t. Such a move would incite fierce resistance from the Nobles’ Council and the Church, who would see themselves losing massive profits. The Empire would be forced to face civil war.”

Nothing provokes anger more than giving and then taking away.

“A civil war in the Empire…”

“Yes, the Empire has enemies both externally and internally. Ah! Correction—it’s not the Empire but the Imperial Family.”

The Nobles’ Council and the Church lost significant power after the abolition of serfdom.

Recently, they were regaining that lost power through partnerships with Bishop Company. If the Imperial Family were to ban this development, even they wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

“Still, the fact that our technologies could soon be replicated in the Empire is concerning.”

“They will eventually produce similar machines. But by then, the market will already be dominated by the North and Bishop Company.”

The Northern domestic market had its limits. Exporting to the Empire was inevitable.

The larger the Empire’s market grew, the larger the North’s slice of the pie would become.

Thus, for the sake of market expansion, the Empire needed its half-baked industrial revolution and mutated steampunk to succeed.

“Even so… seeing the Empire’s economy and industry grow because of those four machines doesn’t sit right.”

“That’s precisely the point, Your Grace.”

“What?”

“The growth of the Empire’s power won’t solely benefit the Imperial Family and Bishop Company.”

I continued.

“Nothing drives division like greed, Your Grace.”

The Northern Duchy couldn’t afford to be the sole target of their greed.

‘Spreading the focus of aggression. That’s what matters most now.’

Redirecting their desires inward to the Empire itself.

The most effective way to provoke this greed was through the machines shared with Entir.

“The steam engine, spinning machine, weaving machine, and sewing machine are plagues. They will bring division and polarization to the Empire.”

“……?”

Arina’s expression grew curious at my mention of a “plague.”

“Do you mean a plague like republicanism, as you mentioned before? Like the Feze Republic of the United Kingdoms?”

“If Entir Bishop grows properly, the merchants’ power in the Empire will surpass even that of Feze.”

To weaken and divide the Empire, it needed to grow first.

‘After all, the saying goes that democracy starts at a GDP of $10,000.’

The Empire would grow, but this growth would sow division and conflict, much like an economically powerful yet fractured country on Earth.

“Hmm…”

With that explanation, Arina seemed to lean toward agreement.

“It’s risky, but it does seem like the best course.”

“Count Arad Jin makes a compelling case.”

The council members echoed similar sentiments.

“I trust Lord Arad. But I can’t shake the worry. What happens if the tiger disappears and the wolves take over?”

Even then, she couldn’t entirely let go of her concerns.

“Rest assured, Your Grace. Before that happens, we will foster other factions to balance them out.”

“Other factions?”

“The Nobles’ Council, the United Kingdoms, the Golden Tower. And let’s not forget the soon-to-be-crowned Emperor.”

“……I’d rather see the Imperial Church grow than rely on the Emperor.”

When I mentioned the Emperor, Arina visibly frowned.

“Then what about Julian, the new Crown Prince of the Empire?”

“Hmm... Julian?”

At the mention of Julian, her frown softened.

‘If we’re talking about dangers, Julian might be even more dangerous than Canbraman.’

Thinking of Julian, I recalled his reputation from the original timeline.

He was known as Julian the Compassionate, an excellent ruler with shrewd political skills.

For now, however, the prevalent perception was that he was weak-hearted, which even led Arina to lower her guard.

If Entir’s steampunk innovations surged forward, Julian would be an ideal candidate to maintain balance among the Imperial factions."

***

"“After the late Emperor Soled’s funeral last year, winter arrived.

Holding a coronation in winter was deemed inappropriate, so the time since then was spent commemorating the long-reigning Emperor’s spirit.

Now that spring had returned and the weather was warming up, the Imperial Palace was busy preparing for the coronation.

Countless delegations from across the continent flocked to the capital.

During this period, wars were temporarily halted, and even grudges were set aside.

This was no different for the delegation from the North.

“Couldn’t the northern sorcerers and witches spread a powerful plague across the Empire?”

“Stop speaking nonsense.”

Garde, the head of the Rune Merchant Guild and representative of the Northern delegation, frowned as he glared at the source of the remark.

“Phil! This is the Imperial Palace. Please watch your words.”

Entir Bishop, president of Bishop Company, quickly rebuked the speaker.

The person addressed as Phil was actually the Northern mercenary king, Carpe, in disguise.

Far from being discouraged by their stern words, she simply shrugged her shoulders.

“Hahaha… My apologies, Lord Garde. I, Entir Bishop, extend my apologies on her behalf.”

“Hmm, it’s fine. Fortunately, the soundproofing magic artifact is working properly.”

“Oh? Then we can say whatever we want, right?”

“And what if you slip up elsewhere?!”

“Just be careful, that’s all! Careful! So, why don’t we do it? The plague, I mean.”

Carpe’s curiosity remained unabated as she persistently asked her question.

“I’m just so appalled by what the Empire does. Pretending to be pure and noble on the surface, yet colluding with dark sorcerers and spreading plagues! And then they have the audacity to look down on us Northerners, calling us plague-ridden?!”

It seemed she was deeply offended by the covert discrimination she’d experienced from the Imperials during her time in the palace.

“The North has only recently succeeded in transitioning its perception from the Witch Society to the Renslet Magical Society and from ancestral spirits to the Renslet Church. Spreading a plague now? Do we want to be branded as enemies of the continent?”

Garde explained the impossibility of a plague-based revenge to Carpe.

“If anything, we should be worried about the Empire deliberately spreading a plague within its own borders as a false flag operation.”

Entir Bishop added his perspective.

“And the Empire has plenty of mages and priests. Even if we managed to spread it, they’d neutralize it quickly.”

“Damn those Imperial bastards! I can’t stand them! Oh, but our employer and Red Wolf are exceptions. I’ll recognize them as honorary Northerners.”

“Ugh…”

After much effort, Garde and Entir finally managed to calm Carpe down, exchanging small sighs of relief as they glanced at each other.

Shifting their focus, they turned their attention to another topic.

“By the way, why did the Imperial Family summon us here? Lord Entir, do you know?”

“I haven’t been told the specifics either. But for them to call us here and make us wait like this, it must be someone of significant status.”

Currently, Entir and Garde were waiting for someone in the Imperial Palace’s reception room.

Their only companion was Carpe, disguised as Phil, brought along under the pretext of being an escort.

‘Doom? Havana? Or perhaps someone from the United Kingdoms’ delegation?’

‘Could it be the Emperor? Or maybe Archbishop Theresia? Perhaps the Golden Tower Lord, Yulcaness?’

Since the coronation had drawn even the most reclusive and powerful figures to the palace, the list of potential summoners was long.

The three of them stared at the untouched tea and refreshments before them, each lost in thought.

‘The Imperial Family still uses white porcelain.’

‘Is this a matter of pride, refusing to use Northern celadon? Or are they flaunting their wealth by using fragile white porcelain?’

‘Why aren’t they touching the tea or snacks? Could it be poisoned or laced with a truth serum? Should I just eat it and risk being poisoned?’

How much time had passed?

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Imperial knights, palace attendants, and maids poured into the room.

Whether they intended to startle them or simply forgot to announce the arrival of their guest was unclear.

“Ah… Ah, greetings. I am… Julian.”

In the midst of the commotion, a voice emerged, belonging to the one who had orchestrated this meeting.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“We pay our respects to Julian La Goite, Crown Prince of the Empire.”

Julian La Goite, newly crowned as the Empire’s Crown Prince, appeared with a shy demeanor."