Soaring Prices of Magic Tools
After staying at Margrave Belmont’s estate for a week, an envoy from the Bardhain Empire visited the estate.
The neighboring lords from the Bardhain Empire, close to the Margrave’s territory, were to attend the post-war negotiations in place of Count Berendorf.
Due to the presence of the captured Sevent Prince Adolf, the negotiations went smoothly, and the discussions regarding the ransom for the captured soldiers and war damages proceeded exactly as the Margrave had hoped.
As a result of the negotiations, the Seventh Prince Adolf and Count Berendorf were released.
After witnessing their escort from the Fief Capital to the border, the three of us—myself, Brother Adel, and Sister Emilia began our journey back to the Royal Capital.
Brother Adel, who was sitting in front of us, bowed his head to me and Sister Emilia.
“Sister Emilia, Ian, I apologize. After seeing the Seventh Prince Adolf, I had reflected on my actions. If we had lost the battle, I would have been in the Seventh Prince Adolf’s position, causing trouble for the Royal family.”
“As long as you understand.”
“I’ve learned from this incident. I was swayed by the words of the Margrave and the Knight Commander, arrogantly seeking the throne. I realize now that I don’t have the skill to ascend to the throne. From now on, I will support Brother Roland.”
Brother Adel must have seen himself reflected in Seventh Prince Adolf.
Regardless of coincidence, it’s good that Brother Adel’s ambition for the throne has cooled down.
A week after leaving Margrave Belmont’s territory, we arrived back in the Royal Capital.
Brother Adel had a conversation with Brother Roland, the prime minister, and they reconciled.
However, rumors spread within the Royal Castle about Brother Adel’s exploits in the border battle, so the faction pushing for Brother Adel to ascend to the throne were still pushing on.
Brother Adel shut them down, silencing the enthusiastic nobles, but it seems they haven’t given up entirely.
A week after returning to the Royal Castle, while I was leisurely reading a book in my room, Brother Roland burst in through the door.
“I’m so done with being the regent!”
“What happened this time?”
“Lately, the prices of magic tools coming in from the Elfast Magic Kingdom have been skyrocketing. Taking advantage of this, a major trading company has been hoarding inventory and refusing to sell. If this continues, magic tools within the kingdom will become scarce, and the common people will suffer. Just when we resolved the issue with the Bardhain Empire, now this—it’s so frustrating!”
I gently stroked Brother Roland’s hair as he laid on my knees, pouring out his complaints.
The Elfast Magic Kingdom, as the name suggests, is an advanced nation in magic and magic tools.
The Kingdom of Critonia lacks magic technology to compete with the Elfast Magic Kingdom.
Therefore, many of the magic tools are being imported from the Elfast Magic Kingdom.
Imported magic items range from magic lamps used in the Capital’s streetlights to essential items for adventurers and merchants like magic bags.
If the quantity of these magic tools decreases, it will become difficult for them to circulate at low prices, causing trouble for the common people.
However, even if the castle were to communicate with the major trading companies, they wouldn’t necessarily comply obediently.
I understand why Brother Roland feels the need to vent.
After venting for about thirty minutes, he seemed to calm down, returning to a composed expression.
“Ian, thank you for always listening to my complaints.”
“That’s fine, but do you have any plans?”
“Probably, since the soaring prices of magic tools this time seem like harassment from the Elfast Magic Kingdom, persuading the major trading companies is the only option for now. If time passes, the prices of magic tools will likely stabilize, and considering the past behavior of the Elfast Magic Kingdom, the soaring prices won’t last forever.”
Critonia is sandwiched between the powerful nations of the Bardhain Empire and the Elfast Magic Kingdom, often subjected to harassment from both.
Although Critonia, rich in grain products, is a desired territory for both nations, they avoid direct conflict, so a full-scale invasion of Critonia is unlikely.
However, they frequently scheme to demonstrate their power as strong nations.
This is partly because Critonia is weaker than both nations.
With that in mind, I took a deep breath and looked at Brother Roland.
“I think the soaring prices will settle over time. Persuading the major trading companies might minimize the damage to the common people. But relying indefinitely on magic tools imported from other countries might not be sustainable.”
“On the other hand, our kingdom’s magic technology cannot rival that of the Elfast Magic Kingdom. Analyzing complex magic arrays requires specialized magicians. We don’t have anyone in our kingdom with such skills.”
Magic tools operate using the energy of magic stones through magic arrays.
The more complex the magic array, the higher the functionality of the magic tools.
It would take years to train magicians to analyze and create complex magic arrays.
Starting now to train magicians would be too late.
Then, perhaps a different approach…
How about creating machines like those in Japan?
That way, it might become a means to counter the Elfast Magic Kingdom.