Raising the Northern Grand Duchy as a Max-Level All-Master

Fire and Water (2)

“There they are! That’s the Renslet delegation!”

“And next to them is Bishop, the leader of the Bishop Company!”

“The Bishop Company—doesn’t that mean he monopolizes all the goods of the Northern Grand Duchy and is the Empire’s top merchant?”

The political and intelligence trends revealed through espionage and diplomacy were clearly reflected in the banquet hall.

When the Northern delegation and Bishop Company leader appeared, all eyes naturally turned toward them.

“Hmph! They’re just Northerners, after all.”

“Birds of a feather flock together. It seems those from the remote borders understand each other well.”

The scornful gazes directed at them for being Northerners came exclusively from the most stagnant and insular faction of Imperial aristocracy. These nobles couldn’t hide their displeasure at the shift in the banquet’s focus.

“Hmm? And who is that in the center?”

“That’s the crown prince, His Highness Julian.”

If there was any solace to be found, it was that Crown Prince Julian was personally guiding the Northern delegation and the Bishop leader. This allowed the Imperial family to save a bit of face.

And, of course, the emperor could not overlook the sight of Julian and the delegation together.

“Your Majesty, the crown prince was just seen discussing the following topics with the Northern delegation…”

It was only natural that the conversation Julian had with the Northerners was promptly reported to Canbraman.

“…That fool is meddling unnecessarily.”

Already irritated by recent events involving the North, the emperor furrowed his brows in open displeasure.

“What action shall we take?”

“Leave it for now. It’s rare for that timid boy to show any initiative. As long as it doesn’t harm the Empire, observing him might not be such a bad idea.”

Despite his son’s actions directly opposing his own policies, Canbraman decided to watch for the time being. He had more pressing matters to attend to.

“The ruler of Arcadia, the center of the human continent, the sovereign of the radiant Ra Goit Empire, His Majesty Emperor Canbraman Ra Goit, will now receive audiences from the emissaries of various kingdoms and regions.”

Numerous banquets had been held in and around the Imperial Palace, but this particular banquet was hosted and attended personally by the emperor.

It was, in fact, the final official banquet before the coronation.

For this reason, all delegations were gathered in one place, granted the opportunity to formally meet the emperor.

“The order of the audience will be determined randomly. As this is in accordance with the will of the divine, no house, clergy, or kingdom shall question it.”

Ricard, the Imperial Champion and head of Sigma, proclaimed in a voice amplified by mana.

“Now, let us draw the first name!”

Ricard reached into a prepared box and pulled out a slip of paper.

The entire room held its breath as they watched his movements.

“First… Hmm… The Northern Grand Duchy of Renslet!”

Ricard read the name aloud, feeling as though fate was playing some strange joke on him.

With his declaration, all eyes turned to the Northern delegation.

The emperor, seated on the golden throne.

Marchioness Havana, standing at his left.

Grand Duke Doom, standing at his right.

Yulkanes, the head of the Golden Tower, quietly reading a spellbook in a corner.

Cardinal and Inquisitor Longos from the Holy See.

Archbishop Teresia, locked in a silent standoff with Cardinal Longos.

And Crown Prince Julian, standing just before the Northern delegation.

All eyes focused on the Northerners.

“Ahem!”

Gard, who had never before been the subject of such attention, cleared his throat as he strode confidently toward the golden throne.

“We from Renslet congratulate the birth of a new sun in the name of the snowy plains. Long live the Emperor.”

Despite the ongoing cold war—nearly a full-blown one—between the Imperial family and Renslet, they exchanged calm, composed gazes.

“I heard an epidemic recently broke out in the North,” Canbraman said, breaking the silence.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, it was resolved swiftly,” Gard replied, forcing himself and the delegation to remain composed.

“The Archbishop’s efforts also granted the North its own sacred power. Even the witches have been liberated from their long-standing restrictions, joining the magical community with dignity.”

Of course, true to their Northern nature, they didn’t let the opportunity for barbed diplomacy pass.

“All of this, of course, is thanks to Your Majesty’s undeniable benevolence.”

Gard alternated his gaze between the emperor and the archbishop.

“…”

The emperor said nothing in response.

“How dare you…”

The archbishop, however, glared daggers, his anger visibly flaring.

‘Perhaps I should’ve followed the archbishop’s suggestion and released the plague along the delegation’s route.’

Canbraman scrutinized the brazen Renslet envoys, finding their arrogance infuriating. 

It was as if they still saw him as the regent prince from his earlier days.

‘No.’

He shook his head inwardly. Spreading a plague within the Empire and pinning the blame on the North would be cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.

‘Trying to paint the North as evil would also tarnish my reputation as an ineffectual and unlucky emperor.’

His gaze shifted to the archbishop across the hall.

‘And that’s exactly what the clergy and the archbishop would want.’

If a plague broke out immediately after the new emperor’s coronation and the clergy resolved it, it would only worsen the North’s reputation while diminishing the emperor’s authority and boosting the church’s influence.

‘I shouldn’t have halted the relief troops.’

Canbraman deeply regretted his earlier decision. He had never imagined that the plague he unleashed on the North would fizzle out so anticlimactically.

‘Sacred power in the North… Witches no longer being witches… What have we done?’

Though the North had suffered from the epidemic, it had gained permanent benefits far exceeding its losses.

In contrast, the Empire had gained nothing and suffered significant losses.

Communication with Astra and the Sigma detachments had been cut off.

The warlocks in the Demon’s Den had gone silent, likely suffering catastrophic failures.

‘Arad… Arad Jin.’

Once again, Arad had been at the center of it all.

The man now known as the Sorcerer of the North.

Tsk.

Clicking his tongue internally, Canbraman shifted his gaze away from the archbishop.

“I am glad to hear the plague was resolved. But surely you could use further assistance? Perhaps a relief force?”

“That will not be necessary, Your Majesty. The North would be more than content to receive only the pure and boundless heart of Your Majesty, as eternal as the Empire’s glaciers.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. We fear that should a relief force arrive, we might be unable to properly host them due to the North’s harsh conditions.”

Without hesitation, Gard flatly refused the emperor’s offer.

If the Empire sent troops to the North, they would not return unscathed—a subtle warning woven into Gard’s response.

“If Your Majesty truly wishes to aid the North, monetary aid would be greatly appreciated instead.”

“…Very well.”