The Second Prince's Rebuke After the Vanguard License (5)
**Adrian Lawrence, Duke, Receives Royal Approval for Vanguard Force Equipment Production and Distribution!**
**With This, Lheinhatz Kingdom Gains Its Fourth Vanguard Maker!**
**Currently, only three places produce Vanguard Force equipment: the Royal Magic Tower, the Energyheim Duchy, and the Lheinhatz Duchy.**
**The new duke boldly entering the Vanguard Force equipment production market once owned exclusively by the royal family and the two great duchies.**
**The Lawrence Duchy, once deemed lacking in foundation, is rapidly transforming into a munitions production base.**
**The Lawrence Magic Tower, formed by merging five companies—Kalt Steel, Laella Steel Mill, Zenis Artifact, Konya Tower, and Patnik Mana—has seen its stock surge on news of Vanguard equipment production. Consecutive limit-up records.**
**The Lawrence Magic Tower, evaluated as having its market cap inflated by 10 trillion in bubbles, has doubled in market value within a week. Considering the minimum 50 trillion market cap of domestic magic towers producing Vanguard equipment, its growth potential remains high.**
As expected, after the audience with the king, I heard a scathing lecture from the second prince.
“Why didn’t you report this important matter to me?”
“I can’t understand what you’re thinking.”
He was not nearly as aggressive as I had feared, thanks to the bribe I had slipped him.
In response to his indignant follow-up, I explained that I had no choice but to keep the security tight until completion, and that I had rushed to the king the moment I finished because my nerves were on edge.
When I apologized for the lapse in attention, the second prince finally stopped pressuring me.
If we produced Vanguard equipment in-house, my value within his faction would only rise.
He must have known there was no point in blushing.
Eventually, after delivering one final warning to behave himself, the second prince left, and from that point onward everything proceeded smoothly.
‘Enough of belittling me as a mere new duke.’
Among the dukes, I am the only one producing Vanguard equipment.
In the political circles, voices warning of a new power’s rise are growing louder.
While the kingdom’s politics is divided between the crown prince faction and the second prince faction, there are minor forces within each side upon closer inspection.
We must restrain me for suddenly charging ahead, but we have grown too quickly to restrain and are now a mad dog that bites anyone who tries to touch us.
So no one dares to move carelessly.
Among the second prince faction’s nobles, the number one is the Annerheim Duchy, Luke’s maternal house.
The number two position is held by Marquis Vincent of Lheinhatz and Marquis Hamilton, Auditor General, yet my name has appeared in relation to this Vanguard equipment license more than either of theirs.
In fact, within the second prince faction, several nobles call me a superior version of the two of them.
No more lukewarm title of “new duke” suits me anymore.
I am the Lawrence Duchy of Lheinhatz Kingdom in name and reality, a person the kingdom already marks as the third duke in the making.
“Public interest in Duke Lawrence and the Lawrence Magic Tower is constant. How do you feel about this?”
“I am grateful. I will produce products that meet this overwhelming attention.”
“Your confidence is admirable. May I introduce the Lawrence Magic Tower’s Vanguard-exclusive equipment, Panzer 1.0?”
I am currently conducting an interview for our kingdom’s largest news channel, Daily Lheinhatz, to promote Lawrence Magic Tower’s Vanguard equipment.
I am appearing live on air for the nation, and as someone who has become accustomed to broadcasting, I am speaking calmly without any real tension.
In response to the host’s question, I clap my hands—much like summoning a waiter—and call upon my soul’s companion, Arsia.
Since the topic is significant, we chose a national hero and beautiful knight as the model.
“Oh… Haha, it’s Lord Klein’s surprise appearance.”
The news atmosphere brightens at Arsia’s entrance.
Although the words feel awkward coming from me, neither my appearance nor Arsia’s can be compared to any celebrity; the screen shows them beautifully.
“Panzer 1.0 guarantees excellent portability. That is why it is perfect for infiltrating enemy lines in secret, and even when worn during duties, the knights experience far less fatigue.”
As I spoke, I took a Force Armor from the display and had Arsia put it on.
“The design protects only the chest and back, with open side plates for extreme ease of wear. The armor itself is also compact and thin.”
“Oh, indeed it is.”
“And when fully equipped in this state, it becomes this form.”
Following my instructions, Arsia infused the equipment with aura. In an instant, the armor transformed into a full-body gauntlet suit.
The moment the king and even the second prince showed genuine interest in the fluid design, murmurs of admiration echoed everywhere.
“The gauntlets are coated with a matte finish that does not reflect light. Colors can be customized to your request, and individual designs can be incorporated as needed.”
“Oh my, it doesn’t look like weaponry at all. It has a stylish feel.”
“It used to look too plain to be called weapons. If we add representative designs and colors for each component, I believe it will look quite splendid.”
The host nodded at my words.
But the important thing is not the design.
Design in the battlefield offers no tactical advantage whatsoever.
“Since this is the first time we are producing Force equipment, the output is 95.5% of the Royal Magic Tower’s latest models—slightly lower.”
“For a first-generation product from the Lawrence Magic Tower, that is more than sufficient, is it not?”
“But a one or two percent difference in the battlefield can determine survival. We cannot ignore it.”
“You are being honest.”
“Therefore, I focused on combat convenience to compensate for the slightly lower output.”
I looked at Arsia. She immediately began stretching, then twisted her body like a gymnast and performed a backflip.
The Force Armor responded perfectly to her unique flexibility.
“Huh? This isn’t made of metal? How is it so flexible?”
“This is the core technology that covers the output shortfall. With Panzer 1.0 equipped, a knight can reproduce swordsmanship at 90% or higher. Battle-hardened Vanguard operators will understand. Force Armor is ultimately armor; it drastically reduces mobility.”
Output may be lower, but that is irrelevant.
Panzer 1.0 still has enough demand because of this flexibility alone.
During the demonstration in front of the king, I had said that the fit is extremely comfortable.
The king should have paid close attention then.
In real combat, output of Force equipment is crucial, but mobility is equally important.
Mobility is not merely riding a hoverboard and charging quickly; it also includes instantaneous evasion.
“High output excels in long-range combat. That is acknowledged. But in close combat, output is not everything.”
As I spoke, I released a file that had been prepared in advance with the production team.
The news desk immediately ran the video.
The footage showed a battle between two Vanguards: one wearing the latest equipment from the Royal Magic Tower, the other Panzer 1.0.
To cut to the chase, in long-range combat, the Royal Magic Tower’s equipment won all three matches.
In close combat, however, Panzer 1.0’s spectacular movements based on superior mobility won all three.
What I wanted to advertise was clear.
“So, is Panzer 1.0 made specifically for close combat?”
“It has slightly lower output, but that does not mean it has issues with long-range attacks. The core is that it outperforms other equipment in close combat.”
Force equipment specialized for close combat.
For units that primarily rely on ambushes and charges, there is no choice.
Although recent wars are long-range heavy, I was not worried.
Our kingdom already has four Vanguard production companies, including mine.
To break into the existing market, we needed something unique.
“Because the creator is a young researcher, the equipment has a unique flair.”
“Indeed? And the price is very reasonable.”
“With such flashy performance, I would have expected it to be expensive.”
As previously mentioned, Panzer 1.0 is only slightly inferior to existing products in raw output.
Nevertheless, the host reacted as though the performance is outstanding.
This is the general public’s comprehensive evaluation of Panzer 1.0.
“We will sell it at a 4–5% discount compared to the Force equipment currently in the market.”
“Oh! That is such a welcome message for consumers.”
If the king watches this broadcast, he will probably pinch the bridge of his nose and mutter that he made a mistake.
The broadcast ended successfully with the host’s enthusiastic response, the admiration spilling from all sides, and the final demonstration of Arsia wielding swordsmanship in Panzer 1.0.
“G-Gah… Your Highness!”
The reaction was faster and more immediate than I expected.
“Purchase inquiries for Panzer 1.0 are nonstop! We have received reservations for 300 units in just one day!”
‘300 units may seem like too few,’ but the word “merely” is inappropriate here.
No, it is not.
After all, a full set of Vanguard Force equipment costs as much as 50 billion.
The success of Panzer 1.0 has illuminated the Lawrence Magic Tower’s stock price once again, and the equipment is now available to purchase after a few months of waiting.
Despite this popularity, I did not raise the price and have become a complete ecosystem disruptor.
* * *
For one month, the primary selection contest for the Holy Maiden continues.
One candidate has been branded a heretic and eliminated, two others have been exposed for clumsy media plays, leaving only 12 genuine candidates.
The top five are so outstanding that it is openly rumored one of them will be the next Holy Maiden.
The current leader with the best performance in the first round is the High Elf Grace.
The contest theme is mercenary activities, and she has dedicated herself completely to that, raising her party from B-rank to A-rank in just one week.
Next is Ebril, who has shown outstanding results with the protection and divine power of the magicians.
Following closely are Esther and Evelyn, daughters of the Riberdale Duke and the Esther Francis Duchy, respectively, who have matched the same level of achievement.
However, as previously noted, the current top five are drawing the public’s attention.
The final candidate, who until recently was not receiving much interest but has suddenly risen, is none other than Sia Lin, princess of the Roberto Kingdom on the Triton Continent.
Although the Roberto Kingdom is a strong Eastern nation, it is still far below Lheinhatz in power.
But because it is one of the small nations on the Triton Continent that claims the title of underdog, it has continental support and cannot be dismissed outright.
So I have been keeping a close watch on her, but I never imagined she would charge up like this.
It is all because of the Prius Republic.
If the candidate had been humiliated and quietly withdrawn, it would be one thing, but the republic has actively supported Sia Lin while claiming to support the harmonious Triton Continent, turning an expected four-way race into an unexpected five-way one.
Well, as a republic government, they had no choice.
The republic is in complete internal and external chaos right now, so they need a target to divert attention.
But no matter how I look at it, it is useless.
Whether because of the revolutionaries or the Brigham Empire, the republic is destined to sink.
When that happens, Sia Lin will fall like a thread that has been cut.
‘In fact, popularity is overwhelming even without comparing skills.’
After the abduction incident, Ebril—who already had plenty of popularity—has received even more sympathy, so in terms of public favorability, she has no rivals.
Her viewership rating is double that of the second-place High Elf Grace.
She is not being selected as the Holy Maiden solely because of her popularity in the first round, but she is performing extremely well, so there is no need for worry.
Thanks to this, I have gained some psychological breathing room these days and can worry about other things.
The duchy is stable, the magic tower is doing well, Ebril is fine, and I can finally spend more time playing the game.
My level is still in the 220s, but I am steadily advancing forward.
Having finally relaxed the tension, I am spending each day meaningfully—when…
“Please wait here for a moment.”
A special meeting with a mysterious figure has been decided, so I had to raise the tension once more.
It is the captain of the secret organization Blue Moon.