NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 62.1
The Mirror Therapy Project (3)
The main roads of the North were regularly patrolled by soldiers and knights.
According to rumors, high-ranking knights, known as “Enforcers,” also carried out covert patrols.
“So, how do you feel after taking a look around our North?”
“To be honest, I’m surprised.”
When the elderly knight Balzac asked, Entir responded truthfully.
“Was it always like this?”
Entir was a grand merchant and a noble of the Empire.
But in front of the “Frostblade” Balzac, he maintained a respectful tone.
“It wasn’t like this before.”
“Then when did it change?”
“Less than a year ago.”
Balzac gestured toward the main road outside the city.
The people they encountered on the road were mostly low-level adventurers or ordinary commoners.
In the Empire, such people were considered the most dangerous. At any moment, they could turn into bandits or robbers.
“Is it because of Arad Salt?”
“Close enough.”
But in the North, that wasn’t the case.
Everyone was too preoccupied with gathering weeds.
Rather than risking their lives in bloody fights, it was far more profitable for the destitute to collect the weeds used in Arad Salt production.
“But even with everyone gathering weeds, there are no disputes? Usually, that would lead to fights over territory and monopolies.”
“Those kinds of idiots get their heads cut off without exception. Besides, the North has plenty of land but few people, so there’s no need for such stupidity.”
“Ah, I see…”
“The knights and soldiers of the North don’t bother with people. They just patrol outside the cities and villages, thoroughly hunting monsters and wild beasts.”
“It’s more organized than I expected.”
Entir crossed the North like a tourist, and Balzac acted as his guide.
After 15 days of travel, the two finally arrived at Renslet’s main fortress, the High Tower.
“There it is, the High Tower. By the way, do you see those large, wide buildings on the outskirts? That’s the factory complex operated by the Arad Company.”
“So that’s where…?”
“That’s where the famous Northern Porcelain is produced. It looks like they’ve built even more since I last left.”
With a blank expression, Entir gazed at the massive buildings near the High Tower.
His eyes were fixed on the vast factory complex on the outskirts of the fortress.
Even for a grand merchant like him, it was the first time he’d seen such enormous production facilities.
“Where would you like to go first? Would you like to pay your respects to Her Highness the Grand Duchess in the High Tower? Or would you prefer to visit the factory complex first?”
“I’d like to see the Arad Company first.”
Entir hesitated slightly, worrying that his decision might be seen as rude.
Normally, when visiting a noble’s domain, one would first pay respects to the ruling lord.
“Follow me. It’s payday, so they’ll only be working a half-day this morning. We can even have lunch there — it’s free for us.”
Balzac accepted the request without hesitation.
“Payday…? Half-day work…? Free meals…?”
Entir repeated the unfamiliar terms like a mantra, finding them strange and intriguing.
On their way to the Arad Company’s factory complex, Balzac’s thoughts wandered.
‘So Count Jin’s words were true. I still can’t believe it.’
Even though Entir was an Imperial noble, Balzac found it impossible to hate him.
In fact, he felt a growing sense of pity.
‘His wife has been cheating on him for years, and to make matters worse, all of their children are actually cuckoos… and the lover is the Crown Prince, of all people. Knowing this, he still can’t do anything because his wife is a Swordmaster…’
Balzac imagined himself in Entir’s position.
‘Urgh…’
Just thinking about it made him feel sick and dizzy.
“Come to think of it, Sir Balzac.”
At that moment, Entir called out to him.
“Speak.”
“Did you deal with those tailing me? The ones following me from behind.”
“Of course. There were four of them. The Frost Knights took care of them before they could send any carrier pigeons. Their bodies are probably being digested in some monster’s belly by now.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Entir clenched his teeth as he expressed his gratitude.
“To my shame, I had no idea. I didn’t realize I was being watched this whole time.”
It was only recently that Entir learned he had been under surveillance for a long time.
Fortunately, Eote and Carrot from the Frost Knights detected the spies and swiftly took care of them.
“Our knights said they were no ordinary operatives. It’s understandable that you didn’t notice them. Honestly, it’s a shame we couldn’t capture them alive — their skills were too good for that. I should have gone myself.”
Balzac’s tone was tinged with regret. Capturing someone alive is much harder than killing them, especially when the enemy is highly skilled.
“That couldn’t be helped.”
“Do you have any idea who’s behind it?”
“Most likely my wife.”
“Tch…”
‘At this point, if he started a rebellion, I’d understand.’
Balzac now trusted Entir.
Arad’s words echoed in his mind: “Don’t trust people, trust the situation.”
At this moment, those words felt more meaningful than ever.
‘How did Sir Arad know all this?’
When Arad first suggested recruiting Entir, everyone was skeptical.
Entir was the husband of Havana, the Marchioness of the Empire.
Havana and Entir were also leading figures of the Modernist Faction in the Empire.
Recruit him? That made no sense.
But Arad had said,
“I guarantee that right now, Entir despises the Imperial family more than anyone on the continent.”
“So you’re saying that Marchioness Havana and Crown Prince Canbraman are… having an affair? And all the children are cuckoos?!”
“That’s right.”
“Unbelievable. Why would a Swordmaster of all people…”
“That’s exactly what Entir thought, and that’s why he got stabbed in the back.”
At the time, no one believed Arad.
“Regardless, could you bring him to the North? There’s something I want to try with him.”
“Even the Frost Knights can’t move freely in the Empire. Especially not in the southern lands ruled by Marchioness Havana.”
“There’s no need to travel south. We’ll lure him here instead.”
“Why would he leave the warmth of Havana’s estate to come to the North?”
“Because the Arad Company is about to launch a revolutionary new product. For a merchant like him, that’s reason enough to come, regardless of his personal problems.”
“…Alright, I’ll contact the Bishop Trading Company in the mid-northern region of the Empire to make the arrangements.”
Everyone thought it was a long shot, but they decided to trust Arad’s plan.
After all, this was Arad, and his words always held weight.
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