The banquet turned out to be a rousing success for Veralt and Kai, a night to be remembered by all— except the nobles who found themselves empty-handed. The city thrived with the influx of aristocrats and their entourages, enjoying the spike in business from inns, markets, and artisans.

Commoners cheered in the streets, their voices echoing his name as his new title was conferred without a hitch. The strength he projected that night, backed by the fervent support of the people, solidified his new role.

But the nobles? They failed to secure his loyalty. For all their smooth words and thinly veiled promises, not one of them managed to get Kai into their faction. Yet, the thought of abandoning their goals never crossed their minds.

The very next morning, Kai faced requests of an endless stream of meetings, each noble wielding the same excuse— discussing the city’s new mana cannons.

It was a transparent ploy to draw closer to him, but Kai had anticipated their strategy. Rather than endure tiresome one-on-one discussions, he flipped the game on them. He arranged a public demonstration of the mana cannons atop Veralt’s city walls. Balen had already ensured one prototype was ready, even though the regressed versions were still undergoing final adjustments.

As the evening started to stroll in, Kai led the nobles to the walls. He gestured to the large boulders stationed outside the city gates, a suitable target for the demonstration.

With a sharp nod, he signalled Balen, who adjusted the cannon’s mechanisms with the precision of a master craftsman. A moment later, a bright beam lanced from the cannon, striking a boulder dead centre. The rock shattered into a shower of debris, leaving the nobles slack-jawed, their expressions more dramatic than Kai had expected.

Rumours of the cannons had spread through the noble circles, but seeing the devastating weapon in action was a different experience altogether. Murmurs rose among the crowd, quickly escalating into an excited clamour. Requests flooded in like a wave— one noble wanted a dozen for his estate’s defence, another began shouting bids on the spot. They were ready to empty their coffers.

That eagerness stumbled only when Kai named his price— seven thousand gold coins for a single mana cannon. The bidding war paused, and the nobles looked at him as though he had just asked them to hand over their entire estates.

In a second, they all started whispering— scepticism evident in their faces, their earlier enthusiasm dampened by the hefty price tag. But the awe lingered in their eyes; they knew the weapon’s value even if they hesitated.

Regardless, Kai found himself surrounded by a small knot of nobles, led by Marcus, and Lady Seraphine. They flanked him like wolves, each dressed in the colours of their respective allies— the third and second princes. Their eyes gleamed with the promise of deals and alliances, as they subtly pressed Kai for favourable terms.

Nearby, a second group had gathered, led by Brinth Ashford who was more interested in the mana beams rather than negotiations. He and his peers clustered around the cannon, their eyes wide as they watched Balen and his blacksmiths adjust the workings of the prototype. To them, it was witnessing something they hadn’t seen before.

The Duke’s son, Brinth had evidently placed his faith in Lady Seraphine, handing her the authority to negotiate for the rights to the cannons. She seemed to have taken that responsibility seriously.

Well, Kai knew what they wanted. He also knew how to make them pay dearly for it.

Marcus stepped forward. “Lord Arzan, that’s too much. I could invest in a Mage for far less than seven thousand gold coins.” His voice held a hint of frustration, as if trying to reason with a stubborn child.

Lady Seraphine, sidled closer, her smile as sweet as honey. “Indeed, Lord Arzan, the price is rather steep. Why not reconsider? We are more than willing to agree if you could just reconsider the price. And you know Lord Arzan, the cannons require Atheum. They’re not easy to find.”

Kai looked at Marcus. “A second circle Mage might be cheaper, but you are getting a better deal here,” he replied, his tone firm but patient. “This is a machine— one that doesn’t need food, rest, or other resources besides Atheum. Mages are people. They need constant training, upkeep, and resources. And, most importantly, they have wills of their own.”

He gestured to the mana cannon, the sleek barrel glinting in the sunlight. “These machines would be yours to control. They’re ready when you need them, without the worry of loyalty or upkeep. And it’s just seven thousand gold coins for one.” His eyes shifted to Seraphine, catching her gaze. “And you, Lady Seraphine, have a mine. Atheum won’t be an issue for you.”

Seraphine’s smile twitched at the corners, a hint of frustration slipping through her charm. She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper, leaning in just enough to invade Kai’s space. “Even so, why not lower the price, Lord Arzan? Make it more… enticing offer.”

Kai’s expression didn’t waver. “These mana cannons are state-of-the-art equipment. That’s a term for being the most advanced. No other kingdom possesses anything like them. Whoever buys these first will hold a unique advantage. And believe me, Archine Tower will try to get their hands on them once they realise these mana cannons might put a dent on their superiority. It might be wise to secure your share before they do.”

He let that thought hang in the air, watching the gears turn behind their eyes. Marcus’s jaw tightened as he glanced back at the cannons, the sound of another beam ripping through a boulder echoing behind them. The rock exploded in a burst of shattered stone, fragments flying through the air. The display left no room for doubt about the cannons’ power.

Even if they were regressed versions, being able to have offensive strength equivalent to second circle spells was no small thing.

Marcus finally broke the silence, his tone reluctant but resolute. “Fine. I’ll take five.”

Lady Seraphine’s eyes flashed as she shot him a competitive glance. “Then I’ll take six,” she countered, her voice smooth but edged with challenge.

Before their silent standoff could escalate, Kai raised a hand, stepping between them. A small, almost apologetic smile curled his lips. “I’m sorry, but you both can’t take more than three each. We have to ensure a fair distribution for everyone interested— at least, for now.”

Both nobles stiffened, their glares snapping away from each other to rest on Kai. Yet behind their irritation was a glimmer of understanding. He had the upper hand, and they all knew it.

Marcus frowned, his brows drawing together as he glanced at Seraphine before addressing Kai. “And why is that, Lord Arzan? Why limit us to just three?”

Kai’s smile didn’t falter as he folded his arms, his voice steady as he explained, “First, it’s difficult to produce them in large quantities. These cannons aren’t like regular weapons. The parts are complex, and even with my blacksmith Balen’s skill, manufacturing more in a short time simply isn’t possible. Secondly, I’ve decided that every noble house can only own three at most. This is to maintain balance— no single house should have too much firepower over another.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Both nobles bristled at his words. Seraphine’s polished demeanour slipped as she pressed, “But surely exceptions can be made, Lord Arzan. A few extra would hardly tip the scales.”

Marcus leaned in, his voice carrying a hard edge. “You speak of balance, but do you truly wish to remain neutral, Lord Arzan?” His eyes bored into Kai, testing for any sign of weakness.

Seraphine, caught off guard by Marcus’s bluntness, hesitated for a moment before stepping in. “Indeed, if you join our faction, I can personally ensure the prince rewards you handsomely. Positions, resources— anything you need.”

Kai shook his head firmly, meeting their gazes with unwavering resolve. He clutched his hands in front of him. “I’m sorry, but I’ve made my decision. I intend to stay neutral, and that won’t change. No amount of rewards or promises will sway me.”

For a moment, the air was thick with tension as both nobles measured Kai’s determination. Seeing no hint of deception in his eyes, Seraphine tilted her head, her voice a touch more resigned. “Is there truly nothing that could change your mind?”

“There isn’t,” Kai replied, his voice calm but resolute. “But I give you my word— if I’m not joining one prince, I won’t join any other. I only wish to serve as a balancing factor between the factions. It’s better for Veralt, and better for me.”

Marcus and Seraphine exchanged a long, silent look before finally nodding in reluctant agreement. Marcus was the first to speak, though his tone was tinged with lingering doubt. “Very well. We’ll accept your neutrality, but ensure the cannons are delivered to us as soon as possible.”

“They’ll be ready within two months,” Kai assured them. “You can rest easy.”

Both nobles nodded, though a glimmer of scepticism lingered in their eyes. As they turned away, Kai watched them go, followed by Brinth and his people keeping their expression carefully neutral. Yet, he knew their thoughts were already turning to other possibilities— like trying to reverse-engineer the mana cannons for their own use. They likely saw this as a temporary concession, confident they could extract more value later.

Unfortunately for them, they were in for a harsh surprise.

***

After the exhausting negotiations with the nobles, Kai’s thoughts turned to his next priority: Verdis. He needed to solidify his claim over the city and ensure that it didn’t become a breeding ground for dissent. Francis had already warned him about rumblings of unrest among the local powers— factions unhappy with his appointment as their new lord. Yet, time hadn’t allowed him to dive into the full details, leaving the situation as a brewing storm in the back of his mind.

But there was another matter that needed addressing first, one that had lingered like a shadow behind his recent successes: the Archine Tower Mages.

The remnants of the Archine Tower had stayed in the city after the beast wave, most of them now half-committed to him, impressed by his displays of power and the new-age spell formulas he had introduced. Yet, among these potential allies lurked a spy— someone who still reported back to Archine, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Kai had only managed to identify one so far—Roran Brightholm— but there was every chance that others existed, hidden in the ranks. Today, he planned to put an end to that uncertainty.

He called for a meeting, instructing Roran to join a scouting mission in the nearby forest with his scouts.

With the known spy safely away, the rest of the Archine Tower Mages gathered in the meeting room. The air inside was thick with tension as they took their seats, their expressions ranging from nervous to hopeful. Among them were familiar faces— Klan, Jacks and Cansor, who had survived the beast wave and now bore scars of both body and mind.

They sat in uneasy silence, waiting for Kai to speak, stealing glances at one another as if searching for answers in each other’s faces. The wooden table in the center of the room creaked as some shifted their weight.

Kai’s gaze swept across them, assessing their apprehension, before he finally spoke, his voice steady and commanding. “I’ve heard that many of you wish to remain here,” he began, letting his words settle over the room like a heavy fog. Several Mages nodded quickly, a few even speaking up.

“We have seen your powers, Lord Arzan,” one of the Mages, Lira said, her voice wavering but earnest. She was a short, stout woman with green hair. “And the new spell formulas… the efficiency they bring. We want to apprentice under you, or at the very least, stay here and learn as juniors.

Others murmured their agreement, some with excitement, others with cautious optimism. Kai nodded slowly, absorbing their words. “That aligns with my plans,” he said, allowing a small, measured smile to slip through. “I intend to establish a new Mage Tower here in Veralt.”

A ripple of surprise ran through the gathered Mages, and low murmurs filled the room as they exchanged glances. He could see the curiosity and ambition lighting up in their eyes, and he let them speculate for a moment before continuing. “It will be called the Sorcerer’s Tower,” he announced, “and its focus will be on researching dead mana, creating combat Mages, and—eventually—surpassing the Archine Tower itself. I obviously will act as its Tower Master alongside ruling the territory.”

Klan raised a hand and spoke up, his tone as wary as his expression. “But won’t that directly challenge the Archine Tower? They’ve crushed similar attempts before. They won’t stand by while you build a rival power here.”

Kai leaned forward, resting his hands on the table, his eyes locking onto Klan’s. “The Archine Tower already doesn’t like me, Klan. You all know that. They see me as a threat ever since I killed Actra in self defence.”

He let his words hang in the air for a moment, then continued, his tone sharper. “But this isn’t new. Nobles are permitted to have their own Mage towers or academies. There’s even a small one in Duke Blackwood’s territory, though it’s never been allowed to rise beyond a certain point. The Archine Tower always ensured it remained under their thumb, keeping its ambitions in check.”

Kai’s gaze swept across the room, taking in the expressions of the Mages—some tense, others contemplative. “But I don’t plan to follow that pattern. The Sorcerer’s Tower will not be just another subordinate institution. It will be independent, free to research, train, and innovate without interference from Archine’s Mages.”

The room fell silent as his conviction settled over them. He could see the wheels turning in their minds, their doubts and hopes warring with each other. They were not blind to the risks, but they also knew that Kai had already defied expectations more than once.

Klan nodded slowly, and Lira’s eyes shone with a spark of new possibilities.

Kai watched the sparks of excitement ignite in their eyes, then raised a hand to bring the murmurs to a stop. “The Sorcerer’s Tower will be well-funded,” he assured them, his voice calm yet commanding, “and we will use those resources to start your battle training immediately. If you join me, I can guarantee that every Mage here will reach the third circle within the next few years.”

His words landed like a thunderclap. The room erupted with shocked exclamations and murmured excitement, the Mages turning to one another with wide eyes and hopeful smiles. Reaching the third circle was no small promise— especially for those who had stagnated under the rigid structure of the Archine Tower.

“However, there is one condition before we proceed.”

The room fell silent, the Mages leaning forward with anticipation. “What condition?” Cansor asked, speaking for everyone.

Kai locked eyes with him, his tone unyielding. “A mana oath. Each of you will swear an oath of loyalty to me personally. It will ensure that none of you are working for anyone else. If you attempt to deceive me or break the oath… it will kill you.”

The declaration hit the room like a splash of cold water. The hopeful murmurs died instantly, replaced with a tense silence. Faces that had been glowing with optimism moments ago turned wary, the Mages weighing the risks.

Kai crossed his arms, his expression unyielding as he watched their reactions. He didn’t say more, letting the weight of the oath settle into their minds. He understood the gamble they faced— betray their previous loyalties and risk their lives for the promise of power, or reject the oath and remain stagnant under the shadow of Archine.

In his mind, thoughts churned as he observed each Mage’s response.

Let’s see what they’ll do now, he mused silently. If I’m right, there’s at least one more spy among them. But who? His gaze swept over the gathered faces, searching for signs of hesitation, fear, or a guilty conscience. The spy— if there was another— would hesitate, might even refuse the oath outright. And when they did, Kai would be ready.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep