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Crown Prince Wishes to Retire

41. War with the Magic Tower

With the Emperor’s return, the war against the Magic Tower began.

The first to move was the Inspection Department.

They presented the evidence they had been gathering and started investigating all the merchants who were dealing with the Mages. Of course, the merchants weren’t fools and didn’t just roll over.

Having already recruited adept legal minds, they resisted as much as they could to buy time.

They believed that the Magic Tower would take care of it if they held out.

“If this is the case, then it’s a deal with the Magic Tower. You should go see them first…”

“I have discovered evidence that this merchant group has been trading with foreign nations.”

As I presented the evidence, the merchant leader responded with a smirk.

“Here… is a request from the Magic Tower. We only traded at their request.”

“The Mages from the Magic Tower will also be summoned.”

“No, we are innocent!”

“The evidence gathered by the Inspection Department includes your charges as well. If you resist any longer, I will drag you away by force.”

The Inspection Department showed no signs of budging in the face of the great merchant federation representative and began seizing the merchant’s goods.

“Wha… Hey now!”

“Take him away. If he resists, knock him out to take him!”

“Yes!”

As they tried to forcibly drag him away, the merchant leader seemed reluctant and was taken without resistance.

Seeing this, others also stopped resisting and were led away by the Inspection Department.

Then, the Magic Tower began to move.

—

“Your Majesty, the Central Magic Tower has reported difficulties in supplying Magic Cannons due to merchant issues.”

“Let it be.”

In response to the Attendant Hall’s report, Kariel replied nonchalantly.

As expected, the Magic Tower was trying to play hardball by taking the war hostage, but it didn’t matter.

“Tell the Minister of Military to set a deadline, and if they can’t deliver by then, cut off trade. Also, collect compensation.”

“Yes.”

As the Attendant departed for the military with the command, it wasn’t long before the Minister of Military sent an official letter directly to the Central Magic Tower.

The Magic Tower responded more sharply.

“Your Majesty!”

This time, the Minister of Finance came personally to Kariel.

“This…”

Kariel chuckled as he read the letter sent from the Magic Tower.

“They claim there’s a problem with the production of large magical devices? They’re asking for an investigation but want to be let go for now?”

“That’s correct.”

“Let it be.”

Once again, Kariel ignored the Magic Tower’s demands.

“Should you refuse, we will cease deliveries from this month immediately.”

“Does it matter?”

The Minister of Finance smiled bitterly in response to the Emperor’s question.

“The moment you stop delivering, we will freeze the funds.”

“Yes!”

The Minister of Finance bowed his head and presented yet another report.

“This is a means to pressure the Magic Tower along with the fund freeze.”

“You’re planning to rob all merchant groups connected to the Tower?”

“Yes. Additionally, I plan to buy out all entities associated with the Magic Tower using those funds.”

As Kariel looked at the Minister of Finance, impressed, the latter shyly lowered his head.

The thought was to isolate the Magic Tower completely by buying everything connected to it, rather than merely blocking funds and complicating resources supplied to the Tower.

“Is the legal review complete?”

“It’s done. The fault lies with the Magic Tower, so we have sufficient justification.”

With confidence, the Minister of Finance spoke, and Kariel nodded with a smile.

“Good. I’ll support you as much as possible, so proceed. If it gets stuck, my name can be used.”

With those words from Kariel, the Minister of Finance smiled and hurriedly exited.

And shortly after, the Ministry of Finance sent the Magic Tower an ultimatum.

As they announced the freeze on funds, soon most citizens of the Empire became aware of the conflict between the Magic Tower and the Imperial Family.

As the Emperor rose from his sickbed, a war with the Magic Tower broke out, prompting the nobles to begin aiding him.

While rumors swirled that Kariel was bedridden, he quickly expanded his power by swallowing up the territories of the nobles.

Thus, the nobles felt they needed to reclaim this.

Of course, if it was simply that, the Noble Assembly wouldn’t have unanimously supported the matter.

There were reasons why they stepped up this way.

“If you actively assist me, I won’t take back what was stolen from the Magic Tower.”

In secret, Kariel invited the major nobles of the Noble Assembly and made his proposal.

This single statement led to an immediate unanimous vote in favor of legalizing all actions against the Magic Tower the next day at the Noble Assembly.

No matter how strong the Magic Tower was, it couldn’t possibly withstand the combined attack of the Imperial Family, bureaucrats, and nobles.

Naturally, the Magic Tower wasn’t foolish and had somewhat anticipated this worst-case scenario.

“Your Majesty, the local nobles are petitioning. They say the raw materials meant for the Magic Tower are piling up and becoming unmanageable.”

“The northern merchants have sent a collective message. They too are experiencing issues regarding the sale of raw materials.”

“This one is from the central region’s merchants. Workshops associated with the Magic Tower are collectively protesting.”

Officials from the Ministry of Finance came together, presenting petitions and complaints from those linked to the Magic Tower.

Despite Kariel wielding strong authority as the Emperor, he could not simply ignore these voices.

Even if several attempts were made to proceed forcibly, he would still have to consider their words to some extent.

The war with the Magic Tower was not one that could be wrapped up quickly.

Thus, they intentionally baited the Magic Tower to cross the line while quietly building a case.

“It’s time.”

“It seems so.”

The Chancellor, who had entered alongside the Ministry of Finance officials, bowed his head as he spoke.

It wasn’t perfect yet, but it had entered a stage where it could be unveiled.

“Have the officials completed their preparations?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Let’s reveal the secret plan immediately.”

“Yes!”

At Kariel’s command, they began the official release of the secret plan.

The first step was responding to the petitions and complaints from the Ministry of Finance.

“The Magic Department? What is this?”

“Right? Did the Magic Department get newly established? I haven’t heard anything about that!”

Some merchants furrowed their brows as they read the letter from the Ministry of Finance.

「For matters related to this, please address them to the ‘Magic Department’ going forward.」

As the Ministry of Finance announced that all Magic Tower-related issues would be transferred en masse to the new Magic Department, everyone’s curiosity shifted to this newly established entity.

While everyone wondered about the Magic Department, Kariel personally convened a Grand Council Meeting.

This was the first Grand Council Meeting held since it was rumored he had collapsed from overwork.

In attendance at the Grand Council Meeting, where all High Nobles were present, Kariel officially announced:

“I have established the Magic Department under the central government. This necessity arose from the need for an agency to curb the Magic Tower.”

Upon hearing Kariel’s words, all the nobles bowed their heads.

“A body is to be created to manage the Magic Tower, which has been arrogant enough to take for granted the freedoms and rights they enjoy! Moreover, it has become clear that the magical engineering that has previously relied solely on the Tower must also be developed across various locations.”

As soon as these words concluded, light filled the massive Image Sphere, showcasing Kariel’s plans.

“I will create the Technical Department alongside the Magic Department and lift all restrictions concerning workshops. Furthermore, all previous restrictions on alchemy, which had been viewed as suspicious, will also be lifted. Those dissatisfied with this should step forward.”

Faced with Kariel’s inquiry, the nobles silently bowed their heads.

They all understood that this move was a means to pressure the Magic Tower, earning unanimous agreement.

“Additionally! All restrictions imposed on magic families associated with Mages will be lifted as of today. I will also establish a magic organization directly under the Imperial Family, naming it the ‘Royal Magic Tower.’”

As soon as Kariel finished speaking, the interior of the building located within the Imperial Palace was revealed through the Image Sphere.

There, numerous magical tools were visible along with figures in robes bustling about.

There were alchemists and specialists devoted purely to magical engineering.

Plus, as they delved deeper, they encountered workshops.

Craftsmen were seen collaborating with the magical engineers, evidently working on something.

As if they had been waiting for this day, the Royal Magic Tower was already busy researching and creating numerous things.

This indicated not merely a plan to control the Magic Tower, but also a willingness to replace it outright if necessary.

“Moreover, nobles wishing to establish their own Towers should formally petition the ‘Noble Assembly.’ After due review, if they meet the required criteria, it shall be permitted.”

Kariel clarified that one must meet certain requirements to bypass the review.

Firstly, they needed a certain number of Mages, and sufficient funds or technology to sustain a Tower.

If they surpassed these benchmarks, they would be reviewed by the Noble Assembly, and subsequently, undergo a secondary review by the Magic Department before the final approval of the Emperor.

While complex, most critical matters occurring at the current institutions followed this approach, so fundamentally, little had changed.

The vital point was that the previous restrictions placed on the nobles had now been lifted.

“Is there anyone dissatisfied with this?”

“No, Your Majesty! Please proceed as you desire!”

Naturally, the Imperial officials had no objections, and the nobles all bowed their heads in agreement.

Having lifted the constraints placed on the nobles, there was no room for dissent.

—

As soon as the Grand Council Meeting concluded, news of the developments spread throughout the capital.

“The Magic Department really has been established?”

“Moreover, the Royal Magic Tower has emerged. It seems the facilities are quite impressive!”

Empire citizens marveled at the massive Image Sphere installed in the square, showcasing the Royal Magic Tower.

The well-equipped workshops and unfamiliar apparatus, along with numerous Mages engaged in research, made it clear that something grand had come into existence.

The nobles too were equally excited.

“All restrictions placed on the nobility have vanished.”

“Indeed.”

As the old nobles expressed disbelief at the announcement, a friend next to him nodded with a smile.

Both had originated from commoner backgrounds before ascending to nobility.

However, upon becoming nobles, they found themselves countering the Magic Tower’s influence, facing only two options: live a stable life as a noble or join the Tower.

With military assistance, one had become a combat Mage, leaving no choice but to become a noble.

At least the old noble had managed to attain nobility.

His friend, lacking in talent, had been unable to enter the Tower nor become a noble.

Due to his friendship with the noble Mage, he had been excluded from acceptance into the Tower.

Wanting to help his friend by any means, he had been constrained without proper avenues of assistance. This announcement was a welcome twist for the old noble who had experienced such times.

“Now you can attempt again!”

“Me? At this age?”

“I’ll help you!”

As he beamed at his friend’s cheerful remark, the old noble smiled back.

While having become a noble, his friend’s suggestion led the elderly noble to gaze at the massive Image Sphere set up in the square.

“The Royal Magic Tower…”

Muttering the newly established Royal Magic Tower, the elderly noble’s eyes sparkled for the first time in years.

His once-dormant eyes glimmered with delight, rekindling memories of the dreams he had as a child.

“By the way, do you think the nobles will be accepted into the Royal Magic Tower?”

The old noble, murmuring as he walked alongside his friend, began seeking a way to gain entry into the Royal Magic Tower.

 

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