IFLDMHF | Chapter 145

Episode 145

The Tower Master?

Everyone was astonished at the appearance of the Tower Master, known for being as difficult to see as he was eccentric.

“The Tower Master?”

Even the Emperor was so stunned he forgot what he was about to say and abruptly rose from his seat.

A man in a black suit was confidently walking toward him.

It was truly unprecedented—the Tower Master, who had never once attended such a banquet, had appeared.

Realizing this sent chills down the Emperor’s spine.

— Do I look like I have nothing better to do? Why do you keep telling me to come and go? Want to use the Tower’s mages? Then pay up. Too expensive? You think charging ten times more than the average noble is unfair? That’s my call!

Though the Tower was an independent organization, virtually a tiny nation without territory, the current Tower Master’s arrogance went beyond the pale.

The Emperor, born into royalty and having lived with considerable impunity until now, had never met someone as rude and obstinate as the Tower Master.

Constantly whining about money, always trying to dump costs on others—anyone would think he was more of a swindler than a mage.

Of course, other nobles also seemed obsessed with money, but this man especially looked like he had a personal grudge against the Imperial Family, always trying to rip them off.

If he were anyone else—if he were even a king from another kingdom—the Emperor would’ve had Kaiden deal with him long ago.

But the Tower was not something one could mess with recklessly.

The Emperor could always fabricate justifications as he had before, but he couldn’t be certain he could truly subjugate the Tower like other kingdoms had.

Ignoring them wasn’t an option either.

If the trade of magic items and mana stones, including mana carriages, was cut off, the Empire would suffer more than the Tower.

Why is that wretched man even here…?

One of the reasons the Emperor had endured the Tower Master’s insolence was because he rarely appeared at public events.

— A banquet? Why should I go to some tedious gathering that doesn’t even pay? If you pay me to attend, maybe I’ll consider it!

That was his response when the Emperor had invited him to a past birthday banquet out of courtesy.

Even recalling it now, the man seemed utterly crazed about money.

So why had such a person suddenly shown up in the Grand Hall today?

Knowing he’d act high-handed again, the Emperor tensed at the thought of being humiliated in front of the gathered nobles.

The only glimmer of hope was that the Tower Master, who always entered the audience hall with a sullen face and a slouch, actually looked a bit different today.

I thought he was a brute with no manners…

Was he actually trying to maintain appearances in front of others?

Feeling somewhat reassured, the Emperor prepared to receive his greeting and put on a bright expression.

He figured that if he took the initiative and acted friendly, he could brush off the Tower Master’s rudeness as something between close acquaintances.

He even raised a hand and greeted warmly—

“Tower Master…”

“Duchess!”

The Tower Master walked right up to the Emperor—then stopped directly in front of Evgenia.

And, completely ignoring the Emperor, he asked,

“That contract you sent me—was it real? Are you seriously entrusting the Tower with all rights to mine and sell the mana stone mine?”

Evgenia, casting a brief glance at the frozen Emperor, replied gently,

“Yes, that’s correct.”

***

Finally, my shield has arrived!

He was about due to arrive, and I’d been waiting.

Of course, I never doubted he’d come.

The contract terms I offered were far too enticing for the money-obsessed Tower Master to refuse.

“Seriously? For real? Did you maybe write the percentage wrong…?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Wow, it’s real? But why?”

“Well, up until now, mana stones have only ever been sold by the Tower. Doesn’t it make sense to entrust it to the experts?”

“Sure, for mining and management. But the sales could go through another channel, right?”

The Tower Master spoke as if he knew something.

I suddenly recalled the secret chamber connecting to my dressing room, filled with all sorts of magical tools.

I paused briefly but answered as if nothing was wrong.

“Of course, I could sell them through the Basilian firm. It may be their first time handling mana stones, but they’ve already built solid distribution channels.”

“Then why?”

“My father already gave me a generous dowry and wedding gifts. I didn’t want to burden him more.”

But that wasn’t the only reason.

Some nobles might avoid dealing with the Rudion duchy’s mana stones, fearing the Emperor’s disapproval.

And if the Basilian duchy got involved in business too, they’d be seen as fully aligned with Rudion—putting themselves on the Emperor’s bad side.

But if I entrust it to the Tower, that won’t happen.

No one who’s tasted the convenience of mana tools and stones would be willing to give them up.

The Emperor was no exception. No matter how much he hated Rudion, he’d have to maintain trade with the Tower.

And he’d be tormented watching the profits from mana stone sales—money he partially funded—flow into Rudion’s coffers.

The thought alone made me smile, and this time I couldn’t hold back the twitch of my lips.

So, with a bright grin, I continued speaking.

“Of course, I also chose the Tower because I’ll need your help with many things. You’ve checked all the contract terms I sent, right?”

Before coming to the capital, Euclid finally agreed to develop northern cities and renovate the roads.

With the help of magical tools and mages, it would be expensive, but far more efficient and faster.

We’ve got the mana stone mine now, and I’ll find ways to earn more, so no worries.

As I recalled the contract I’d worked out with Euclid, the Tower Master looked positively ecstatic.

“Of course! And you’ll be giving us extra bonuses too, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s sign right now! If you do, I’ll send the mages to Rudion duchy immediately!”

“That’s great. But since we’re in the middle of a banquet, how about signing the contract tomorrow?”

“What are you talking about? If you want to sign now, must we really…?”

“Ha ha! You’re in quite the rush. Did you come all the way here because you were so eager to sign? Well, it is a hard deal to pass up.”

Worried he might realize I’d only planned this to drag him to the banquet, I quickly cut him off.

Perhaps not entirely oblivious, the Tower Master blinked, glanced at the Emperor, and then burst into laughter.

“Of course! It’s the best deal I’ve ever seen. Makes the money I gave as a wedding gift totally worth it!”

Wow! He must really be in a good mood.

To call the money-loaded mana carriage a wedding gift—this was a windfall!

I’d been feeling awkward about it, but now I’d hit the jackpot.

“Ahem.”

Just as I was reveling in my inner triumph, the Emperor, who’d been waiting for a chance to speak, finally cleared his throat.

He stared at the Tower Master as if urging him to greet first, but the Tower Master only raised his chin stiffly.

Unable to bear it any longer, the Emperor snapped.

“Tower Master, did you have ties with the Rudion duchy?”

“Ties? Of course. The Duke of Rudion and I are the closest of friends.”

The Tower Master’s answer shocked all the nobles at the banquet.

Of course, I was surprised too—not because of the content…

He really used informal speech with the Emperor…

He casually spoke that way with the Duke of Basilian, so I had a feeling, but still—I may have called in someone even more explosive than I thought.

But the Emperor’s reaction was unexpected.

“What? You… were friends?”

Given how conscious he was of appearances, I thought he’d explode on the spot, but he seemed more shaken by the idea that the Tower Master and Euclid were friends.

“I told you! Didn’t you hear earlier? I gave an entire month’s Tower income as a wedding gift because we’re that close!”

Hmm. So it really was a month’s worth of Tower revenue, just as Delano guessed.

And the Tower Master was definitely the type to brag like that.

Meanwhile, the Emperor’s expression turned ashen upon hearing just how close Euclid and the Tower Master were—so much so, he looked like he’d just had a realization.

But only for a moment.

“That contract you mentioned earlier—what was that about? Don’t tell me a mana stone mine was discovered in the Rudion duchy?”

Even though he’d heard the whole conversation, the Emperor desperately denied the possibility, hoping that at least that part wasn’t true.

“Why wouldn’t it be, Your Majesty,”

I stepped forward, a thrill running through me.

“It seems Your Majesty’s compassion for the barren North has moved the heavens. A mana stone mine has indeed been discovered in the Ludion duchy.”

“Th-that… that can’t be.”

“Oh, and that’s not all. The weather in the North has recently become much warmer and more stable. Agriculture is thriving, and we’re beginning urban development in cooperation with the Tower.”

So, the old North is no more.

“Y-Your Majesty!”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the Emperor staggered.