I continued.


    “Nothing divides people like greed, Your Highness.”


    Letting their greed focus solely on the North would tear it apart.


    “Dispersing their attention is the most important thing right now.”


    Redirecting the Empire’s greed inward was critical. At present, the tools I’d handed over to Entir were the most effective means to provoke such desires.


    “Steam engines, looms, spinning machines, and sewing machines are like a gue—a kind of epidemic that will spark division and prization within the Empire.”


    “…?”


    At the mention of the word “gue,” Arina’s expression turned curious.


    “gue? Do you mean something akin to republicanism, as you mentioned before? Like the Republic of Feje in the Union of Kingdoms?”“If Entir Bishop grows properly, the Empire could see the rise of amoner ss even more powerful than the Republic of Feje, a nation of merchants.”


    To fracture and weaken the Empire, some level of economic and social growth was necessary.


    “They say democracy starts at $10,000 GDP per capita for a reason.”


    The Empire would grow—but a growing Empire would also divide, much like a certain nation on Earth that became an economic powerhouse but sumbed to prization and conflict.


    “Hmm…”


    Having exined this much, Arina seemed to mostly agree.


    “It’s risky, but it seems like the best option.”


    “Count Arad Jin’s words have merit,” some of the surrounding advisors chimed in.


    “I trust Count Jin. But I’m still uneasy. I can’t shake the saying: ‘When the tiger is gone, the wolves wille.’”


    Even so, Arina wasn’t entirely at ease. She couldn’t let go of the concern that a grown Entir and empowered imperial merchants might one day devour the Imperial Family and even threaten the North.


    “You needn’t worry, Your Highness. Before he bes a ruler of the Empire, we’ll foster another power to counterbnce him.”


    “Another power?”


    “The House of Nobles, the Union of Kingdoms, the Golden Tower… or even the soon-to-be-crowned Emperor.”


    “…I’d prefer strengthening the Imperial Church instead.”


    When I mentioned the Emperor, Arina visibly frowned.


    “Then how about the new Imperial Crown Prince, Julian?”


    “Hmm… Julian, you say?”


    At the mention of Julian, Arina’s frown softened.


    “Julian might be more dangerous than Canbraman in the long run.”


    Recalling Julian’s role in the original timeline, I thought of the so-called “Compassionate Julian.”


    He was an exceptional Emperor, renowned for his benevolence, but beneath that exteriory a shrewd political mind far more adept than his father’s.


    For now, however, public opinionrgely regarded him as weak, which exined Arina’s rtive ease.


    In any case, if Entir’s steampunk revolution gained momentum, Julian would be the perfect imperial figure to maintain bnce.


    ***


    Last year, after the funeral of thete Emperor Soled, winter hade.


    It wasn’t fitting to hold a coronation in winter, so the Empire had spent the intervening monthsmemorating the long-reigning Emperor’s legacy.


    Now, with spring’s arrival, the Imperial Pce was abuzz with coronation preparations.


    Countless envoys from across the continent flocked to the capital.


    During this time, even wars were paused, and grudges were set aside temporarily.


    The same was true for the envoys from the North.


    “Couldn’t the witches and sorcerers of the North spread a devastating gue across the Empire?”


    “Don’t be ridiculous.”


    Gard, the head of the Rune Merchant Group and leader of the Northern envoys, scowled and red at the speaker.


    “Phil! This is the Imperial Pce. Watch what you say!”


    Even Entir Bishop, president of Bishop Company, quickly reprimanded her.


    Phil, the Northern mercenary’s real identity, was none other than the Mercenary Queen Carpe.


    Far from being cowed by their scolding, she merely shrugged her shoulders.


    “Haha… My apologies, Lord Gard. I, Entir Bishop, apologize on her behalf.”


    “Hmph. It’s fine. Fortunately, the soundproofing magic device was working perfectly.”


    “What? Then it’s safe to say whatever we want, isn’t it?”


    “What if you slip up somewhere else?!”


    “Just be careful, alright? Anyway, why not? Why not spread a gue?”


    Carpe asked persistently, her curiosity unabated.


    “Because what the Empire’s doing is utterly outrageous. They act all noble and clean on the surface, yet they collude with dark mages to spread gues in secret! Then they have the audacity to scorn us Northerners as gue carriers!”N?v(el)B\\jnn


    She was visibly enraged, likely due to the subtle discrimination she had faced from the Empire’s people during their time in the Imperial Pce.


    “Recently, the North has seeded in shifting perceptions—from the Witch Council to the Renslet Magic Association, and from ancestor spirits to the Renslet Church. Spreading a gue now would make us the continent’s public enemy.”


    Gard exined why revenge through gue was not an option.


    “We should instead be wary of the Empire staging a self-inflicted gue to frame us.”


    Entir Bishop chimed in.


    “Besides, the Empire has many mages and priests. Even if we spread something, it would be quickly neutralized.”


    “Those damned imperials! They disgust me! Oh, but our employer and Redwolf are exceptions. I’ll recognize them as honorary Northerners.”


    “Good grief…”


    After much effort to calm Carpe down, Gard and Entir exchanged weary sighs.


    They looked around and changed the subject.


    “By the way, why do you think the Imperial Family summoned us here? Do you know, Lord Entir?”


    “I wasn’t told the details. But if they’re making us wait like this, it must be someone important.”


    Entir and Bishop Company were waiting in the pce’s guestroom for someone. Their only escort was Carpe, disguised as a mere attendant.


    “Doom? Havana? Or could it be an envoy from the Union of Kingdoms?”


    “Maybe the Emperor summoned us? Or Archbishop Teresia? It could even be Yulkanes of the Golden Tower.”


    The coronation had gathered even the most reclusive and significant figures, making it difficult to guess who they were waiting for.


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


    “They’re still using white porcin here.”


    “Is it a matter of pride, refusing to use Northern ceramics? Or are they unting their wealth with the fragility of white porcin?”


    “Why hasn’t anyone touched the tea or snacks? Could they be poisoned orced with truth serum? Should I just eat it and deal with the consequences?”


    After an indeterminate wait, the door burst open.


    Imperial knights, pce attendants, and maids entered in a flurry.


    Whether they intended to startle the guests or had simply forgotten to announce the visitor, no formal heralding urred.


    “Ah… H-hello? I’m… Julian.”


    Amidst themotion, the voice of the one who had called this meeting emerged.


    “Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”


    “We greet Your Highness Julian Ra Goite.”


    Julian Ra Goite, newly appointed Crown Prince of the Empire, appeared with a bashful demeanor.