Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Industrial Revolution (9)
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I headed to the reception room where Pretina was waiting.
Biena, walking beside me, had a slightly reluctant look on her face.
"The Duke doesn't mind much, but I'm a little worried about Lady Pretina."
At Biena's words, I instinctively scanned for magic power.
"Is it okay to say that here?"
"...I'm sorry. That was a slip."
She apologized immediately, but it felt like she was directing it more at the walls of the mansion than at me.
I subtly pointed with my finger, and she caught on right away.
Fortunately, nothing was amiss, and we arrived at the reception room safely.
"Biena, just in case, you stay here."
"Understood. Then, have a pleasant time."
I left Biena outside and went in.
As soon as I entered, I saw Pretina's profile, and she looked oddly angry.
What? Did I do something wrong?
"Pretina?"
"Oh, you're here? You sure took your time."
"Sorry. The talk dragged on a bit."
The conversation with the Duke hadn't taken that long.
She was probably just bored waiting, or maybe she'd been here even before I was supposed to arrive.
Still, it was surprising how docile Pretina was being.
I sat down across from her, and she offered me tea and cookies.
"These are something you can only taste in House Apontuna. Be grateful."
"Haha, sure."
The tea was definitely different from anywhere else.
The aroma was rich, but not overpowering.
You could instantly tell it was top-grade.
The cookies were the same.
They just weren't to my taste, so I didn't eat much.
After enjoying the refreshments for a bit, I glanced at Pretina sipping her tea leisurely.
She drank it with such grace and poise that my eyes were drawn to her.
She's a beauty if she just keeps quiet, but the moment she opens her mouth, it's all House Apontuna this and that.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Huh? Oh, just wondering why you wanted to see me."
I flinched, thinking I'd been caught.
She gave me a strange look because of it, but thankfully let it slide without saying anything.
Pretina set down her teacup and smiled faintly.
"You haven't been writing lately, have you?"
"Yeah. My attention's been elsewhere."
Ever since I got the grimoire, I've been more drawn to that side of things.
I wondered if it was because of the grimoire, but no harm done anyway.
Besides, writers who churn out books one after another like me aren't common.
It might be normal in modern Earth, but not here.
Lots of people publish one book and never write again until they die.
So, skipping a few books shouldn't be a problem, right?
She gave me a look like that, and Pretina's expression turned subtle.
"Well, you were always the unusual one."
What? Was that a disappointed look?
Pretina, disappointed?
I was a bit shocked at the unbelievable sight.
My mouth dropped open unwittingly, and her brow furrowed sharply.
"What's so funny?"
She seemed to think I was mocking her or having weird thoughts.
I apologized quickly.
"No, not at all. Ahem, sorry."
Whew, scary.
The moment her brow furrowed, the room temperature felt like it dropped ten degrees.
Thankfully, she accepted the apology, and her expression softened a bit, but she was still intimidating.
Before things could get worse, I changed the subject.
"Ahem, I've been working on something lately."
"I know. You improved the steel industry and even made trucks, right?"
"...Sometimes I seriously doubt House Apontuna's intelligence network. How the hell do you find out?"
No way they have spies in every noble house, right?
Pretina brushed it off, telling me not to think weird things.
After that, we chatted about recent events.
How it was making the trucks, what it was like advancing the steel industry, and so on.
She seemed interested in some of my stories and bored with others.
I heard about her recent life too, but disappointingly, it wasn't very entertaining.
Just social circle gossip and work talk.
Still, I managed to end the conversation without showing it.
"That was a nice break. Hope we can do this again sometime."
"Not really for me, ahem. Glad you enjoyed it, though."
Okay, the words slipped out, but no need to glare like that.
I felt a little hurt, but it was my fault anyway.
As I stood up, Pretina did the same.
Due to our height difference, I ended up looking down at her, and I noticed something I hadn't seen before.
"That hair ornament is interesting."
"You only just noticed?"
"Couldn't see it while we were sitting. Anyway, it's pretty."
It was a flashy accessory that matched her glamorous looks.
At my words, she swiftly opened a fan she'd pulled out from somewhere and covered her mouth.
"Hmph, you have an eye for things."
If I didn't, wouldn't that be a problem too?
I kept that thought to myself and just smiled.
She stared at me quietly for a moment before asking,
"When's your next book coming out?"
"Hmm, probably a few months. Got other stuff going on."
"...I see. Try to publish it as soon as possible. House Apontuna is watching."
That sounded like a real threat.
I shuddered and hurried out of the reception room like I was fleeing.
"See you next time."
"Yeah, take care."
She let me go coolly, as expected.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Not long after returning home, I headed back to the ducal residence.
This time, we started our private discussion—or rather, talks about installing the mana network—in the study.
The topic was simple, but the details weren't.
"First off, the nobles will push back hard. So, it's tough to proceed officially right away."
"I'm aware of that. That's why I have one idea."
Install the mana network in Rerangbur first.
Then prove its benefits and refine it to cut costs—wouldn't other territories accept it then?
The Duke pondered my words for a moment before shaking his head.
"It sounds ideal on paper. But those who opposed once won't change their minds just seeing that. Unless they spread baseless rumors, that is."
"What if we send spies—ahem, promoters—to their territories?"
Almost slipped there.
Even in the Duke's study, saying that to his face wasn't great.
Thankfully, he pretended not to hear.
Whether it was out of courtesy or something else, I didn't know.
"That would be the same. A few might bite at first, but it won't work after that. In noble society, information is power."
As expected.
Nobles aren't idiots, after all.
They might get swept up in greed, but not when it comes to this.
That's how they manage territories and pass them down generations.
Of course, some real idiots do ruin everything.
"We're not targeting those types."
"Exactly. Still, not a bad idea. Now, let me share mine."
This time, the Duke proposed his own plan.
It was dirtier than what I'd thought of.
"There are five people obstructing the mana network installation. I plan to set it up in their territories."
"Five people?"
"Yes. Marquis Bolen Met, Count Geson Ferangman, Count Rugun Morun, and the other two are viscounts. All have their own territories."
Fewer than I'd expected.
I thought at least seven, but only five.
Nobles aren't infinite in number, obviously.
Thinking of Earth, where a handful lead the world, it makes sense.
So, just deal with those five?
As I was about to suggest more ideas, the Duke cut in.
"By the way, Phillips Haita—he was one of the key figures originally."
"Pardon? Him too?"
Phillips Haita—who was he again?
One of the nobles who tried to sink me at the council, in league with the black mage, right?
Should I call this fortunate?
Coincidence, but we'd already cleaned out one opponent in advance.
I inwardly sighed in relief and returned to the main topic.
"If we install the mana network, they'll definitely interfere. What do we do about that?"
"That's the point."
That's the goal?
The Duke had deliberately not told me, letting me figure it out myself.
Just say it outright.
A bit annoyed, but I thought it over.
Sipping tea briefly, the answer came quickly.
"You mean bait?"
"Exactly. If we try installing it, all eyes will be on that. In the meantime, I'll persuade the Emperor."
Bringing in the Emperor, huh.
I figured he'd just gather nobles for a council vote.
Well, imperial decree does carry the most weight.
Of course, with anti-emperor factions, it's not absolute.
Still, the Emperor has a duty to protect and represent all nobles, so they have to comply.
One concern, though.
"Won't the nobles see through it?"
"They probably will. But it's the surest way. Can't just kill them, can we?"
Whoa, casually dropping something so brutal?
My bewilderment showed on my face.
I hid it quickly, but the Duke didn't miss it.
"Don't worry. You think I'd actually do that?"
"Haha, right?"
"Of course. Though I have no intention of letting the installation go smoothly."
What on earth is he planning?
Curious as hell, but I had a feeling knowing would ruin my sleep.
Even if it wouldn't really.
"Alright, let's work out the details. Here are maps of each territory."
"From the start?"
"What do you think?"
He spread out the maps right away—not casual at all.
Just a hunch, but it felt like he'd prepared them before I arrived.
No proof, just suspicion, so I let it go.
Even if I knew, what could I do?
And so, I discussed the plan with the Duke.