The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player - Chapter 175
Episode 175
“Then please take care of me.”
Click.
The last interview subject left, closing the door.
Raoul rubbed his slightly sore head with his hand and looked down at the documents in front of him.
FFECD F….
Final grade based on direct interviews with tower owners and review of financial status and feasibility of acquisition.
Raoul couldn’t help but sigh.
‘I couldn’t believe it, but it was me.’
Even though I knew that there was no way I could get my hands on a healthy and decent property that easily, I couldn’t hide my disappointment.
There was no way the existing powers would have left such valuable people alone in the first place.
But I wasn’t completely disappointed.
Apparently, magic towers are the exclusive property of wizards, and there are many places with a long history.
Originally, it would have made no sense for it to be put up for sale like this.
‘Why don’t you start with your bare hands?’
Still, there were not all places that were a complete mess.
At least two places seemed able to return to normal function if appropriate investment and staffing were made.
Granek Magic Tower and Jaydo Magic Tower.
These were magic towers that received a grade of C and still had key personnel remaining.
Although it lacks its own technological capabilities, it has experience producing various magic items and even ‘power armor’ by purchasing licenses or subcontracting.
At least having the technical skills to produce and assemble power armor was enough for Raoul.
‘Because we had no intention of producing our own power armor from the beginning.’
In any case, results were bound to come out if talented people were secured and sufficient funds and time were provided to the research team.
The only difference is whether the timing is sooner or later.
“Bernard. Let’s have another meeting with these two magic tower owners and begin the acquisition process. “I will go to the association.”
“All right. But is it really okay? No matter how you look at it, this is…” This
would probably be a waste of money.
If Bernard, who usually followed Raoul’s instructions without saying anything, is worried, you can see how problematic this case is.
In fact, with the cost of acquiring the two magic towers and the costs to be invested for normalization in the future, it may be possible to arm an entire knighthood with power armor.
However, in Raoul’s opinion, producing power armor in-house was not an option but a necessity.
‘If war breaks out in the near future, securing power armor could be a real challenge.’
It’s not a joke, it won’t be long before you won’t be able to get power armor no matter how much money you have.
If the continent becomes embroiled in war in earnest, not only will demand increase, but power armor production will also plummet.
Since the keyword that would determine the victory or defeat of the war was power armor, it was natural to target the facilities that produced it.
Not only the facilities, but also the loss of skilled wizards during the war contributed to the decline in production.
‘In any case, if the leadership is stupid, even a winnable war is bound to be lost.’
In a previous life, the leadership of the Kingdom of Leslie forcibly mobilized wizards from each magic tower to make up for the lack of power.
And the desk-biting wizards who had never stood on a battlefield in their lives were killed without even being able to use magic properly.
‘Each person has their own use, but since we ignored it, it is a natural result.’
Although Raoul does not belong to the Kingdom of Leslie, he intended to prevent such a tragedy as much as possible in this life.
If the same situation repeats itself, we plan to at least steal as many talented research wizards and production wizards out of the kingdom as possible.
Building our own magic tower was also part of the groundwork for that plan.
Of course, the biggest goal was to reliably procure as much power armor as possible.
Raoul visited the Wizards’ Association again with a slightly bitter heart.
Director Dario looked at his expression and smiled bitterly.
“It seems like there wasn’t a place you liked more than you thought.”
He already knew this would happen.
The moment truly useful magic towers looked like they were going bankrupt, they negotiated with the powers that be and came under their command, or the magic towers were liquidated early on.
Most of the places that are still holding on are places where the tower owners have not been able to let go of their regrets or have no choice but to remain.
“But two places seemed to be okay. “I am willing to take over Granek Mage Tower and Jaydo Mage Tower, so I hope the association will mediate.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. I also have some knowledge of those two places. “You made a good decision.”
That’s what he said, but Director Dario was hesitant.
Still, I somehow felt sorry for the young nobleman who had come with high expectations.
Perhaps that’s why I ended up sharing information that I originally had no intention of saying.
“…Actually, there is one property for sale that Viscount Raoul has not yet looked at.”
“Is that so? I thought I had looked at all the known places. “Where is that place?”
“It’s not a very famous place. Perry is also known as Magic Tower and has a long history, but it is not well known to the public. Still, within the kingdom…”
Chief Dario continued to explain something, but Raoul was no longer hearing it properly.
‘Perry is also a magic tower…? Could it be that Perry I know?’
There are currently five power armor brands representing Connect Continent.
They were Leopard, Cornelius, Salvatore, Duren, and Axel.
However, at the time Bae Do-hyun lost his life in his past life, the ranking of power armor brands was very different from now.
And the company and magic tower that was at the forefront of the new brand was [Perido].
Raoul calmed his trembling heart for a moment and took a deep breath.
‘calm down. It could be a magic tower with the same name, and I don’t know if the current Perido will achieve the same results as his previous life.’
But for some reason, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.
“When can I see you? “Is it really for sale?”
Director Dario said with a slightly troubled expression after seeing Raoul’s changed attitude.
“But actually, there is a problem. The tower owner is showing his will to never hand over the tower, and there are many internal problems. And above all, it is a magic tower that the great powers of the kingdom are keeping their eyes on. Besides…”
Director Dario listed the problems of the Perio Magic Tower one after another.
Even at first glance, I could see why the place wasn’t known for sale.
But Raoul spoke firmly.
“Please arrange a seat with the magic tower lord. “I want to check it out myself.”
If that place is really the Ferido Magic Tower that Raoul remembers.
And if you can find something that could be the beginning of ‘that technology’.
Raoul decided to take over Perido Magic Tower unconditionally, even if it meant changing his policy toward the Kingdom of Leslie, which was to just dip his toe in and then leave.
‘You can’t miss this. Even if it involves direct conflict with the prominent families of the Kingdom of Leslie, we must make it happen!’
Raoul’s eyes filled with the will to fight.
* * *
Grumble.
In front of a fiercely burning fireplace.
An old man with his knees lightly covered with a blanket was sitting in an old-looking armchair, staring blankly at the flames.
It was difficult to find a special expression on the old man’s face, but looking at the wrinkles between his eyebrows that occasionally twitched, it seemed that he was not in a very comfortable state.
“ha.”
A deep sigh escaped the old man’s mouth.
‘What on earth should I do with this?’
It’s not big, but I never thought that the magic tower that had been passed down for hundreds of years would be on the verge of bankruptcy in my own generation.
The old man’s identity was none other than Perido, the owner of the Perido Magic Tower.
Historically, the magic tower owner who inherited the tower also inherited the name ‘Perido’, so he was also called Perido.
However, if one made a mistake, the name Perido might disappear from history.
And that was due to his own wrong judgment.
Perido Matapju stared blankly at the flames and fell into the illusion of himself burning in the flames.
Perry, whose specialty is fire-type magic, is also a magic tower, so looking at the flames and organizing his thoughts was a habit he maintained for over 70 years.
But today, even those old routines didn’t seem to be able to organize his frustrating thoughts.
And something else happened to disturb him.
“Excuse me, tower owner. “Droizen has come again.”
Grumble!
As if representing the tower owner’s thoughts, the flames in the fireplace exploded, escaping from the stove and rising toward the ceiling.
Jump up.
However, the moment Perido stood up, the flames disappeared in an instant, as if it had been an illusion, and his expression looked as cold as ice.
“Didn’t I tell you not to add the word ‘nim’ to that bastard? “He no longer belongs to our Magic Tower!”
“I’m sorry.”
The wizard who delivered the news bowed his head.
Before we knew it, Perido Magic Tower lord was no longer a helpless old man in front of the fireplace, but a proud 6th circle master and owner of the tower.
“joy. “Let’s take a look and see what kind of bullshit I came here to say today.”
As he walked with great strides, a small magic circle appeared under his feet, and at some point, his image appeared into the air.
Slurp.
A middle-aged man bowed his head towards the Perido Magic Tower owner, who appeared so naturally through the air.
“Are you here, Master?”
“Who is your teacher, you ungrateful bastard?”
Thick swear words poured out of Perido’s mouth, but the middle-aged man’s expression did not change one bit.
When Perido closed his mouth, probably tired of seeing no reaction at all, the middle-aged man opened his mouth.
“Now stop being stubborn and follow the trend. “If you are willing to negotiate now, I will get you on the best terms possible.”
“There is no work, you crazy bitch. Even if dirt gets in my eyes, this ferry and the Magic Tower will not fall into your hands or their hands!”
The middle-aged man, Droyzen, clicked his tongue and spoke again to his former teacher.
“The more stubborn you are, the more unhappy the members of the Magic Tower will become. Are you planning to ruin their future because of your useless pride?”
“What! dare! How dare you mention who you are! “You poor bastard!”
Perry, who could not hold back his anger, also burst into flames from the magic tower’s body.
As if he were fire incarnate, he stretched out his hand and tried to grab Droyzen’s collar.
“Stop it, Top Owner.”
“If you extend your hand even a little further, we will consider it as a declaration of war against us [Skyler Magic Tower].”
Before he knew it, the two knights who blocked Droizen’s path threatened him.
What they are wearing is power armor with a lightning pattern engraved on it.
It was a customized power armor given only to armor users belonging to the Skyler Magic Tower.
Skyler Magic Tower.
It was a magic tower owned by Count Schuyler of the Kingdom of Leslie and one of the three major powers of the kingdom.
Although it was not as good as Leopard Company or Cornelius Company, Skyler Company, which was founded mainly by Skyler Magic Tower, was also one of the top 10 power armor manufacturers on the Connect Continent.
Of course, even if that were the case, two armor users wouldn’t really be able to stop Perido Topju, but Topju soon put an end to the fire that had started.
No matter how great a wizard he was and even if Peri and the Magic Tower were places with a long history, he could not stand against the Schuyler family.
But that didn’t mean his anger disappeared.
His burning eyes were glaring at Droyzen as if he were going to burn him down.
‘Droizen you abominable bastard!’
The culprit behind all this was Droysen, his best disciple.
* * *
A medium-sized magic tower consisting of 50 wizards, 10 knights, and 20 technicians.
Perido Magic Tower was a solid place with the technology to produce even B-grade power armor.
The pagoda owners, who insisted on being single for generations, raised their students like their own children and passed the pagoda on to the most talented among them.
And the next generation of wizards, who had grown up like brothers, took in disciples and raised them like their own children, and the Perido Magic Tower was literally like a family.
The management of the tower was carried out by Droyzen, the best disciple, on behalf of the aging tower owner, and perhaps because of his talent, he ran the tower well without any problems.
But about a year ago.
Things began to go awry little by little for Perry as the magic tower master discovered a new technology related to power armor.
The gate incident and the invasion of the palace presented both a crisis and an opportunity to several magic towers.
Naturally, the young Droizen insisted on active investment and aggressive market targeting for the development of the tower, and Perry, who had already entrusted the operation of the tower, obediently followed his opinion.
But it was a trap.
Droyzen used the trust of the owner of the tower to trick him into lending money to a very evil usury company, and betrayed the tower by handing over finished products at low prices or cutting off business lines by deliberately causing problems.
By the time Perry and the top owner noticed the fact, it was already too late.
Ma Tower was crushed by a huge amount of debt, and the usury company’s bonds were taken over by Skyler Ma Tower.
And when he found Droizen, he was already a member of Skyler Magic Tower.
(Continued in the next part)