Chapter 129.2
“The reason the Magic Tools Association’s products sell so well is because they’re certified, isn’t it? Then why not attach the Mage Tower’s emblem instead, to signify that the Mage Tower has verified them? In exchange for borrowing the emblem, a fixed percentage of the sales could be paid.”
“And can you guarantee that the emblem wouldn’t be misused?”
“The mages of the Mage Tower are scholars more than merchants. They would thoroughly inspect any magic tools sold under their emblem.”
Rigid scholars were famously bad at chasing profit. That was precisely why the artificers worried whether the mages would ever accept Benjamin’s proposal.
“Then what about the risk that the Magic Tools Association’s products won’t sell as well?”
“The Mage Tower has accumulated trust over its long history. But the Magic Tools Association also has credibility as artificers. Rather than competing head-on, it would be better to focus on products the Association doesn’t make.”
And even if their products overlapped, what of it? Competition, after all, was the foundation of progress.
“Do you believe the Mage Tower wouldn’t eventually become corrupted like the Magic Tools Association?”
Benjamin seemed oddly eager to question Grace, who hadn’t even had time to prepare.
She found it strange but answered diligently.
“If the Mage Tower’s magic tools start selling well, I think other groups will begin producing magic tools too, using different emblems. Once it’s no longer unique, monopolization becomes impossible.”
“Hm…”
Benjamin pondered briefly, then smiled.
“In that case, a third emblem might as well belong to Marquisate Charles. They have the capital to manage magic stones.”
“Your Grace, you say that as if this were already planned.”
“Hardly. It’s just that whenever too many mages are deployed to subjugation forces, the monsters somehow grow stronger the following year. I’ve never been fond of that.”
‘Did he never intend to deploy them in the first place?’
The ease with which he accepted her idea made Grace suspicious.
‘No… surely not.’
There was no way he’d gamble on such a reckless plan without knowing what she would suggest. Grace shook her head faintly.
“The Magic Tools Association will likely see poor performance for the next two years. An imperial audit is coming, and I plan to halt investments everywhere except the Gate during that period.”
“Is… is that really acceptable?”
“It may even last longer. To be honest, I’m considering appointing a separate team of artificers solely to manage Gate-related magic tools.”
Although most Gate profits flowed directly into Duchy Felton, the remaining revenue was still substantial.
‘But considering the Association’s scale, that probably won’t satisfy them.’
Grace recalled the Association’s garish, ostentatious interior.
“Withdrawing Gate investments would cause trouble both inside and outside the Empire.”
“Yes… that’s true.”
Grace agreed. Andrew then asked carefully.
“Even so, Your Grace, Madam’s proposal sounds promising, but will the Mage Tower truly accept it? They despise artificers.”
“They’ll refuse at first. But eventually, they’ll accept. What they truly dislike is the artificers themselves.”
“…Ah!”
The reason mages disliked magic tool artificers was simple: despite being inferior in mana, artificers had become a celebrated profession. There was resentment, an inferiority complex of sorts.
Yet mages making magic tools themselves would wound their pride, and recruiting personnel for such work felt beneath their status. On top of that, there was the rigid belief that magic tools were exclusively the Association’s domain.
“The responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the Association. Duchy Felton will step in and secure contracts as favorable as possible on your behalf.”
“Th-thank you!”
For the first time, hope lit up the artificers’s eyes.
Andrew approached Grace hesitantly.
“Madam, thank you for accepting my one-sided request. As promised, I’ll now tell you what I mentioned before.”
“What you mentioned?”
Benjamin looked back and forth between Grace and Andrew, puzzled. Grace briefly wondered how to hide this—but then decided against it.
‘No. He should hear it too.’
She couldn’t keep hiding things forever, and secrecy would only cause more worry. There was no real reason to hide this, anyway.
‘I just need to keep the parts about medicine and furniture to myself.’
Yes. That would be enough.
Nodding to herself, Grace spoke.
“Actually… Andrew said he knows why the orphanage director targeted me.”
“Oh? So that was the leverage you came to bargain with?”
Benjamin smiled brightly, but anyone could see his mood had darkened.
“N-No! It’s fine, Your Grace! I’m really fine!”
“…I—haah. No. Yes.”
“So… I thought it’d be good if you listened too. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I wasn’t in any state to hear it then.”
Benjamin replied, his tone softening immediately after Grace’s apology. He nodded once, then added,
“I’d like to hear it as well.”
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