Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Industrial Revolution (10)
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I wonder if this will really work out?
It was the early hours of dawn, when everyone was either fast asleep or just starting to wake.
I was hurrying toward the imperial palace.
For today's regular council meeting.
The regular meetings held within the imperial palace allowed outsiders to raise agenda items if recommended by a participant.
In other words, with the Duke's recommendation, I could raise one too.
The reason was obvious: to propose the mana network project and persuade the Emperor.
The Duke had said the Emperor viewed me favorably, so it shouldn't be a problem.
If worst came to worst, he could persuade him as Duke.
"The problem is the nobles."
No matter how great the Emperor's power, ignoring the nobles was out of the question.
Even if his authority was immense, he was ultimately just the head of one faction.
Not an absolute god, merely human.
Of course, there were beings like the Absolute Katiranya had once mentioned.
Transcenders or ascendants, things like that.
But honestly, I'd never met any.
Even aside from that, I'd never felt any overwhelming presence from the Emperor.
"Anyway, let's focus on this."
I strode confidently through the doors into the council chamber.
Inside, the Emperor sat at the head of the table amid various nobles.
Whatever the Emperor's true nature, whatever the nobles thought, I had one job.
To persuade the Emperor—that was my task.
**
A few days before Edn attended the meeting, a covert operation began in Marquis Bolen Met's territory.
It was an operation to install the mana network, aimed at disrupting the Marquis.
Roughly thirty people had gathered in one spot, awaiting the right moment.
"Everyone ready?"
"Yes. As long as we don't get caught—"
During the final checks, someone reached their location.
A guard on night patrol, heading back.
A chance encounter, but bad timing for those about to start the operation.
"Grab him!"
Two men dashed out at the whispered shout.
The guard spun around to yell, but...
Ye, guk!"
"Got him! Tie him up quick."
"Stay still!"
Fortune favored them, unfortunately for the guard.
He hit the ground in seconds and was bound, staring at them in terror.
His mouth gagged, he was dragged to a secluded corner.
Terror for the guard, relief for them.
The leader steadied himself and said,
"A little hiccup, but let's begin."
"Yes. Move the materials first, fast!"
And so the construction team of about thirty moved with disciplined precision.
They swiftly unloaded materials and began work on the pre-surveyed plot.
Digging foundations, erecting poles, installing mana-processing devices on top.
"Done. On to the next spot!"
They had successfully installed the first mana network component—a utility pole.
They hurried to the next site to set up the second.
But the mana network installation didn't end there.
Another team was hard at work outside the territory.
"Transmission tower, right? Mana transmission tower?"
"Mana transmission tower. Hurry up and build it. Even the lazy mages are pushing hard."
The mana network wasn't complete with just utility poles.
It needed to carry mana over long distances from the power plants.
Fortunately, they had secured plenty of resources for the mana transmission towers.
So they were linking them through the territories of key opposition nobles.
The issue? Shooting mana over vast distances made construction extremely difficult.
"Whew. Think we can pull this off?"
"Eh, even if we don't finish on time, it'll be fine."
"No. We need at least one done."
"Right. Then let's get to work."
Fortunately, they managed to complete one mana transmission tower near Marquis Bolen Met's territory.
At that moment, a group approached them.
Someone spotted them first and alerted the foreman.
Peering over, he saw the group too.
"Heh, we only got one done."
It was the Marquis's cavalry, bearing his banner.
The foreman clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Looks like the team inside got caught early. With cavalry here, they might've lost."
"What? Then what do we do?"
"What else? Hunker down."
They spotted the Marquis's cavalry around lunchtime.
Having worked ahead of the infiltrators, it aligned closely with Edn and the Duke's predictions.
In other words, things were going according to plan.
"Just hope they don't get caught."
"Worry more about the ones inside than us."
"True."
The mana transmission tower team finally faced off against the Marquis's cavalry.
Thankfully, the Marquis wasn't there, but the cavalry captain was.
"Hear me! You're threatening the territory! Withdraw now, or face the Marquis's wrath!"
"Sorry, can't do that! We're just hired hands!"
The cavalry captain glared at the foreman, but he was powerless.
The Marquis had ordered suppression, but the team was atop the tower.
They could topple it, but risked injuring their own cavalry.
"What now, boss?"
"What else? Hold out till they come down. Our supplies aren't infinite."
Unlike the construction team, the resupplied cavalry was perfect for a siege.
Of course, the losses fell on the cavalry—or rather, the Marquis.
Contrary to the transmission tower team's worries, the utility pole team evaded capture.
"Urk! They really trying to kill me?!"
"Nah. I missed on purpose."
A few were caught, regrettably, but many still fled.
Amid the chaos, a bizarre scene of some installing poles.
The Marquis watched them, seething with rage.
"Why the hell can't you catch them yet?!"
"Sorry! They're too nimble; it's tough."
The Marquis slammed his desk at the report.
His face flushed red-purple, he spat fury.
"Damn it! What do I tell His Majesty?! 'Can't attend due to sudden thugs'?!"
"S-sorry! We'll do our—"
"Get out! No pay till they're caught!"
"Eek!"
The guard captain's deputy, reporting in his stead, got his pay docked for nothing.
Cursing the captain inwardly, he hurried off to relay the news.
The Marquis's anger lingered, fists clenched.
He summoned his shadow unit to investigate.
"To headquarters."
While the Marquis probed the culprits, similar incidents struck other territories.
Count Geson Perangman, Count Lugen Morun, and two viscounts besides.
Simultaneous sabotage—not quite terrorism—kept five nobles away.
**
Entering the imperial palace council chamber, Edn first paid respects to the Emperor.
He took his seat among the Duke's faction, tense.
The Emperor scanned the room and nodded.
"Regrettably, some couldn't join us. But we can't cancel the regular meeting, so proceed without them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
No objections; the Emperor nodded, satisfied.
"Let's begin."
The meeting started at the Emperor's word.
They handled unresolved items from before first.
Quick ones passed swiftly—ones deferred for lack of data.
Others stemmed from disagreements or new proposals.
Each dragged on, sometimes erupting in shouts.
Naturally, I grew anxious.
At this rate, I might not even get to speak!
The sabotage against key opponents was just a time-buy.
Still, I tried to stay calm.
That effort paid off—the awaited agenda came from the Emperor.
"Let me see. Hm, next is the agenda from Duke Apontuna and Rerangbur. Mana network, eh?"
"Yes, we raised it feeling the need."
The Emperor stared at me, pondering briefly.
He wouldn't reject it unheard, right?
Tension rose again.
As cold sweat beaded on my clenched fists, the Emperor spoke.
"Very well. Speak."
"Thank you. Details from Edn Rerangbur here."
Phew, finally!
A small breath, then I headed where the Emperor and all nobles could see.
The chamber wasn't a table talk room.
Like a banquet hall, vast with chairs arranged for speeches.
Similar to the inquisition that once pursued the black mage.
Standing at center, I called out loudly.
"Edn Rerangbur, at your service."
Bowing, I spoke firmly, no tremor.
"From this moment, you will change the Empire's fate."
Murmurs rippled at my opener.
Unyielding, I smiled.
"Will you not board this ship with me?"
In such gatherings, unwavering confidence was key.
Even if mere bravado.