The North’s Plan
by Afuhfuihgs
Delivering the memories to the Prahks and explaining our plan was easy. It was something I’d already repeated several times. After the long explanation, Illerd said,
“So, Ilia getting Fenrir was thanks to your help, huh.”
Come to think of it, Ilia did get Fenrir. She got it a year earlier than planned because I deliberately sold information about Fenrir to Modist. At the time, I thought of it as hitting two birds with one stone, but it seems giving his daughter a big help earned me some brownie points with the father.
At Illerd’s words, Illaid poked my arm with his elbow and squinted one eye.
“I knew you were a special one because of the lighthouse incident, but I didn’t know it was to this extent. You created this world, so aren’t you practically a god?”
Seeing Illaid looking so happy, I could relax and smile too.
“It’s just a copy, though. And there are actual gods out there too.”
“Hehe, that’s true. Still, it’s a fact that the Prahks have been getting a lot of help from you without even knowing it. Now that we know, we have to repay the debt. Helping you is also helping to save the world.”
With that, Illaid turned his head and said to Illerd.
“Instead of a granddaughter who doesn’t even show her face during vacation, we need a present for our lacking liege right away.”
Understanding the meaning, Illerd immediately replied.
“I’ll have them bring a mystical medicine from the warehouse.”
At Illerd’s reply, I made a surprised expression, and Illaid poked my arm again with his elbow. I know it’s a sign of friendliness, but it hurt like I was going to get a bruise on my arm.
“Why are you so surprised by this? The Prahks are the best family in the North. They have to keep at least some mystical medicine in the warehouse.”
“…Thank you. I needed a mystical medicine.”
I didn’t even expect them to give me a mystical medicine so casually, so I thanked them with a dazed expression. Illaid waved his hand dismissively, as if it was nothing.
“I know. Even though you have the knowledge to reach the realm of a Transcender in your head right now, your body can’t keep up, so you can’t fully absorb everything. You must be getting impatient.”
Illaid’s words were accurate. I couldn’t keep up with Ross’s body, which had reached the realm of a Transcender with not only magic power but also the spear. It wasn’t that my efforts so far were lacking. The difference in innate ability was just too great.
What you get from a Quantum Jump is the experience and knowledge that fills your brain, not the growth of your body. A mystical medicine was essential to fill that gap.
“Don’t be impatient. If your calculations are correct, you still have plenty of time to grow, don’t you? As a Transcender senior, let me tell you, you’ll be able to fully make the knowledge you gained from the Quantum Jump your own within half a year without the help of a mystical medicine.”
With that, Illaid added in a small voice, as if muttering to himself.
“But mystical medicine is the best. There’s a reason why everyone’s throwing money at it. If you get the chance, eat as much as you can.”
I chuckled at Illaid’s jest and nodded. Illerd, who had been watching the conversation, said.
“If there’s anything else you want, I’ll give it to you without holding back. Feel free to tell me anytime.”
I thanked Illerd for his words. For now, the mystical medicine was enough.
My initial goal was to accept the Prahks as allies, so this is satisfactory enough. Then it’s time to get back to the main topic.
“What are your thoughts on investing in Mana Stone Bombs?”
At my question, Illerd stroked his chin and replied.
“How about building an alchemy workshop in the North that can mass-produce Mana Stone Bombs? I can make a decent workshop within a week.”
Before Illerd could finish speaking, Raelan, who had been silent until now, interjected.
“It would be better to manufacture the Mana Stone Bombs in the capital’s workshop and ship the finished products to the North.”
Once Illerd became an ally, Raelan naturally lowered his honorifics. And Illerd doesn’t seem to mind that point in particular.
Still, I was more comfortable with honorifics. There’s an age difference, and even if I’m the liege, they’re stronger than me.
“Is there really a need to make it in the capital? Even if we use the portal, the time it takes for delivery can’t be ignored. If we set up a workshop in the North, the supply would be more convenient.”
Raelan tilted his head slightly at Illerd’s words and twisted one corner of his mouth as he looked at me. I felt like Raelan was sending me some kind of signal.
As Illerd said, building a workshop in the North would not only shorten the time but also guarantee safety. There’s no way Raelan wouldn’t know that fact. So why did he insist on building it in the capital? After pondering Raelan’s intentions for a moment, I soon realized what he meant.
Raelan was planning to keep the mixing method for making Mana Stone Bombs a secret.
Kane is a student, so if the alchemy workshop is in the North, he will inevitably have to share the mixing method. But if the workshop is in the capital, there will be no need to share the mixing method.
Considering the value of Mana Stone Bombs, protecting the mixing method was a natural thing, but the Prahks are now our allies who are trying to save the world with us. Is there really a need to be wary?
In an instant, the setting of the character Raelan and the conversations we had had until now flashed through my mind. I think I know what Raelan is aiming for. So, that’s why. If Raelan is seeing that far, I, who leads everyone, can’t back down.
“I agree with Raelan too.”
At my words, Illerd asked with an interesting look.
“Is there a valid reason? I mean, why do we have to build a workshop in the capital?”
I can’t tell the truth to the Prahks, who have just become allies, and lose their trust. So it’s time to make the most of my enemy’s strengths.
“I have no intention of forcing only the sacrifice of my allies in the noble journey to save the world. Of course, I’m going to give a huge benefit to the united North.”
Illerd, who exchanged glances with Illaid with an interesting expression, asked.
“What benefit?”
“Just like I promised in the East, I will install improved portals in the North and add several more direct portal stations to the capital.”
The North had the fewest portals on the continent. If improved portals are commercialized, the North’s inconvenient transportation will also be resolved.
“I will invest the most in improved portals in the North. If it’s an improved portal that can be installed on any terrain regardless of environmental constraints, it will be of great help in defending the barrier. The more portals there are, the better the lives of the people in the North will be several times over.”
What the North needs most right now is portals, not Mana Stone Bombs. Even without Mana Stone Bombs, the North had enough soldiers and knights to defend the barrier, and there were many talented people. There are substitutes.
But portals were different. Portals were strictly managed by the Imperial Family, and there were no substitutes. The North has the fewest portals on the continent. The North was the most fiercely resistant when the continent was unified, and the Imperial Family, realizing how strong their unity was, deliberately set a policy to minimize the number of portals in order to keep the North’s power in check.
That’s why portals have been a problem in the North for the longest time. The North is famous for having more inconvenient transportation than anywhere else. In a place where blizzards can strike at any time, portals that allow free movement from city to city can save the lives of Northerners, save cities, and literally tie the entire North together.
Whether my prediction was correct or not, Illaid, the former head of the Prahks, was genuinely pleased that his long-standing concerns had been resolved.
“Yes, the lack of portal stations has been a big problem for the development of the North. Villages far from the city are disappearing more and more because transportation is inconvenient. If you solve that, it will be a really big help to the North.”
Unlike Illaid, Illerd did not easily fall for the sweet temptation of improved portals. Seeing the look in his eyes that didn’t forget the main point, I naturally brought up the next topic.
“That’s why I’m not setting up a workshop directly in the North. I’m going to keep everything about Mana Stone Bombs strictly our secret. I have no intention of disclosing it to others.”
“…Are you saying that Mana Stone Bombs should only be used in the North?”
“For now. If we keep things about Mana Stones a secret, no one will look at recruiting troops with suspicious eyes under the pretext of protecting the barrier.”
At my words, Illerd asked with a strange look.
“Is there a reason to gather troops? Mana Stone Bombs alone should be enough to protect the barrier.”
“If there are more portals in the North, we can quickly send reinforcements when problems arise in the East. In the future, if the North and the East join forces to stop the demons coming from the eastern border, we can buy Roel time to persuade the Demon King with minimal damage. I think it’s a good idea to prepare for that from now on.”
Illerd clapped his hands in admiration.
“Amazing. To think you were thinking that far ahead.”
This is, as Bella said, a plan that yields multiple results with one plan.
“Those who realize the value of Mana Stone Bombs will surely aim for the mixing method. With the protection of Modist, the world’s best information guild, we can safely protect the mixing method of Mana Stone Bombs.”
Illerd, who knows the value of Mana Stone Bombs, nodded as if he understood.
“Safety will be guaranteed. Then how are you going to handle the delivery?”
“With the help of Modist, I plan to set up a secret workshop in the capital and send the Mana Stone Bombs made there directly to the Prahks. In addition, we can install several improved portals heading to the barrier in the Prahks, which will solve the problem of time.”
When there was nothing more to argue about, Illerd nodded. He vaguely noticed that there was another intention, but since he was already an ally, he chose to benefit the North rather than fight over the location of the alchemy workshop.
Of course, I said that because I expected Illerd to make a choice that would benefit the North, based on the way he acted before he regained his memories.
I smiled with satisfaction at the way things were going and said.
“I’ve entrusted everything about the contract to Estelle, so take this opportunity to stop by Modist and talk to them. It will definitely be a great help in other things as well.”
“Good. I wanted to have a direct conversation with them. Modist sold us information about spiritual beings at a very high price. And they divided it up several times.”
I turned my gaze away, pretending not to see Illerd’s hideous smile.
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