I Became the Master of the Empress

205 – 209

“The first production is starting now?”

Maximilian, visiting the grand office after a long time, asks with a bright smile.

“Yes! The fertilizer factory is finally complete, and it’s almost ready to operate.”

At last, the fruits of a long-term investment are about to be reaped.

Honestly, I expected it to take another five years at least. Fortunately, it’s been completed much sooner.

“So, how much can we produce in a day? According to the last report, we can do 10 tons, right?”

At my question, Maximilian’s face turns awkward.

“I expect about one ton for this year.”

“One ton?”

I feel a profound disappointment compared to the initial report, which stated that we could produce about 10 tons daily.

“Isn’t that too much of a reduction all of a sudden?”

“But that’s because… it’s a bit too much for the researchers to produce 10 tons right from the start, considering we’re still in the research phase for mass production…”

Maximilian trails off.

There’s no helping it. I should rather be thankful that we can produce fertilizer at all.

It would have been quite upsetting if this large-scale experiment had failed, so I change my thoughts to be grateful for its success.

“Well, then, it can’t be helped. How are the other investments besides the fertilizer industry?”

I ask about the situation regarding other parts, as the results of the current technology development investment fund are gradually emerging.

“There’s been quite some progress with the freezing magic. But we’re still short on magic stones. To achieve proper commercial viability, the price of mana crystals needs to drop significantly.”

Mana crystals are a new technology that extracts mana from magic stones and stores it in crystals.

Since it’s not yet commercialized, producing mana crystals requires a substantial amount of money.

“Is that so? I see.”

At least, thankfully, making mana crystals is not as difficult as producing fertilizer.

“In addition, we are researching how to commercially utilize the mana circuits developed during the fertilizer research process… but progress has been slow.”

There are quite a few technologies developed while advancing the necessary techniques for fertilizer production.

Technologies to maintain high temperature and pressure, low-temperature cooling techniques, and even metallurgy that withstands high temperatures and pressures.

However, this place has not yet reached the era of the Industrial Revolution.

It’s not like I’m going to start an Industrial Revolution right away, and the rest is up to those who remain.

“Let’s take the rest slowly. For now, manage the investment funds focusing on technologies with commercial value.”

We’ve been investing in the future for a while now, but there isn’t much capacity left to infuse into the technology investment funds.

The Empire and the Pieta Trading Company have mainly managed the funds so far, but it’s becoming overwhelming.

Even though Nicaea, which we gained from winning the civil war, currently needs stability, and Theodora holds the well-funded Epirus and Egypt.

In other words, the money I have is almost running out.

Of course, if there was time, I would somehow secure the resources, but now I need to focus on dealing with the demon worshippers, and there’s little leeway to prepare the resources.

The rest will take care of itself. That’s the fate of this other world.

After all, I’ve already changed a lot by intervening, so the rest is up to those who remain.

“Ah… Are you cutting off the support now?”

Maximilian’s expression isn’t very good.

It must be regrettable.

“Yeah. Unlimited investment is no longer possible.”

We’ve invested a lot in the growth of the Empire, but the results haven’t been great compared to that.

Well, there’s nothing we can do about it.

The situation will change once the fertilizer starts selling well, but it’s probably going to be difficult to make significant profits until next year.

“Everyone will think it’s a pity.”

-Snicker.

“There’s nothing we can do. Money isn’t infinite, is it?”

At my words, Maximilian smiled and nodded.

“Still, it’s a relief that the fertilizer business succeeded. When I first saw that project, it seemed too preposterous. I thought His Grace the Archduke had lost his mind?”

“I was worried it might fail, too.”

I’m glad it didn’t fail and yielded results.

“Anyway, it’s going to be difficult to make additional investments for a while, so try to last with the remaining budget until the end of this year.”

Maximilian nods at my words.

A few days later.

I’m waiting for Amon, having parked the carriage in an alley of Roman.

Feeling a bit nervous.

The techniques used by the demon worshippers are not widely known.

Especially since the Papacy is desperate to keep them hidden, and the demon worshippers move so secretly.

But if the common tales are to be believed, they can curse and brainwash, so it would be a lie to say I’m not afraid.

Magic that uses demonic energy obtained by sacrificing or corrupting humans is different from ordinary magic and common sense.

But I have Sena nearby, just in case.

If anything strange happens, Sena and Karl have agreed to step in.

Trying to calm myself while waiting for Amon.

-Knock knock.

At the sound of knocking from outside, I clear my throat and say,

“Come in.”

-Creak.

The carriage door opens, and Amon, whom I saw before, glances at me from outside before entering.

“Your Grace, it’s our first meeting.”

“Yes. Are you Amon?”

Pretending to see him for the first time, I speak, and he nods in response.

“Indeed. I am Amon. What is the matter you wished to see me about?”

It’s been quite some time since someone has been so arrogantly in front of me.

“Well, it’s to help you and to get what I want.”

“What you want… What you want… We can do more than the narrow-minded elves. Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want, and I’ll convey it to him.”

At those words, I ponder.

That ‘him’ must be Locust, right?

Should I pretend to know or not?

If I pretend to know, would that raise his guard?

Hmm… If Amon isn’t a fool, he’d know that I know about Locust?

If I pretend to know here, it won’t raise his guard, but it leaves me with a dilemma every moment I face Amon.

If I miss this chance, it’s really the end.

For now, let’s pretend I don’t know.

With that thought, I look at Amon and say,

“I desire the Grand Duchy’s safety and immortality. These two things.”

Amon nods as if he expected my words.

“Oh? You desire immortality?”

“You speak as if you knew beforehand.”

Amon smiles slyly and says,

“Well, everyone who has everything in this world still wants to avoid death. Isn’t that the hope of all those in power?”

To Amon’s words, I add firmly,

“I wish to avoid death, but not as a half-life like a lich or a death knight. I want to exist with free will.”

-A flinch.

At my words, Amon falls into thought for a moment.

“It may not be impossible. But what will the Grand Duke give us in return?”

This is where I must hook him well.

“Firstly, a pure emperor.”

At my words, Amon looks bewildered.

“Isn’t the emperor already married? How can you say pure?”

With an incredulous expression, Amon hears me say,

“I’ve never laid a finger on the emperor’s body, thinking such a day might come.”

It’s not just a hair’s breadth; we do kiss a lot. Especially when clinging around the time of her period, it feels like soothing…

With that thought, I reveal my second card.

“And secondly, the treasures to make the Demon King’s coffin. If we sacrifice everyone living in Roman, the Demon King will surely awaken.”

Just as it happened in the original work.

“Oh… This plan sounds familiar. Perhaps it’s a family trait?”

It must be similar to Balor’s plan.

To be precise, it’s the same as Balor’s plan after his successful rebellion.

“No. I just knew of Balor’s plan.”

“Hmm… Then why seek me out only now? Could there have been another reason?”

Amon grins annoyingly. To him, I respond with a smile.

“That’s because I didn’t know if you were a seed worth trusting.”

“So now you’ve come to trust?”

Our eyes meet.

“What else can I do but check? After all, you can’t resurrect the Demon King without me. At best, you’ll just go into hibernation. Maybe it won’t be possible until after a hundred years?”

Amon remains expressionless at my words. I continue speaking to him.

“Show me trust first, then I’ll show you trust in return.”

To my words, Amon stretches his legs out on the sofa across from me, seemingly at ease.

“What kind of trust are you talking about? Isn’t sparing your life right now enough?”

“Well? Then maybe you’ll be killed by the Locust too?”

I subtly reveal my information, showing trust.

“Indeed… It was you? The one who prepared the holy water in the fields.”

Amon shows his teeth, and I gesture to him to calm down.

“Whoa, whoa… I’m just trying to raise my own price here.”

“It’s fine. If you really want to join us, there’s no big problem. But I’m not sure if He will accept you.”

I feel puzzled at his words.

“I’m offering help, and you talk about acceptance? That’s strange.”

“Huh? Acceptance?”

“Didn’t you kill many of His children in Egypt last time? He’s been brooding over which human could have done such a thing.”

I feel a bit taken aback at his words.

“What?”

“First, I’ll speak well of you to Him, but don’t be too optimistic.”

With that, Amon rises from the carriage.

I say to him.

“It’s settled then. I’ll contact you through Karl soon. Get a response from the Locust.”

“Yes, I will.”

With that, Amon grabs the carriage door handle and continues.

“But tell me, how will you prove the Emperor’s purity?”

“If you can’t trust me, why not prove it with the Orb of Purity?”

“No. Your words are probably right. I’ll convey that first. And next time, I don’t want to feel any divine power, whether it’s from a mana school priest or whatever. Don’t bring her along.”

With those words, Amon steps down from the carriage.