The new tax bureau not only provides Lilith with a stable source of funds but also grants her the most important power, which is the complete authority to appoint personnel.
This means that Lilith can promote more associates like Nora into this new tax bureau. Whether they are nobles loyal to Lilith or young, powerless small nobles, they all fall within Lilith’s sphere of influence.
This is even an institution independent of both the New Party and the Old Party, one that completely belongs to the Queen’s power.
Although these nobles feel envious, they also know it will be very difficult for them to join this institution unless they pay a significant price to express their loyalty to the Queen.
Just hearing about these two treaties has already made some nobles start to gasp; each treaty seems more consequential than the last.
As order in the venue finally resumes, Nora turns to the next page. Nora is unaware that when she flips to the next page, the hearts of these nobles are almost bursting out of their chests, fearing what heavyweight information might come next.
Fortunately, the next treaties are quite normal, involving trade cooperation and exchanges. Although still quite outrageous, and the benefits ultimately go to Lilith, at least they are not as absurd as the first two.
Next comes the construction of the obelisk. Upon hearing about this magical power-supplying magic tower, those in the Magic Association of the royal capital, who had been uninterested in politics, widened their eyes in disbelief, repeatedly confirming with Nora about the power-supplying method of this magic tower.
Although Nora is also a professional, she has long since stopped engaging in such academic research and can only say that if there are questions, they should be directed to the Northern Border.
This obelisk is not cheap. Considering that the royal capital cannot possibly produce so much cash, the Northern Border allows the royal capital to borrow on credit. From the signing of this treaty onward, the royal capital will not only pay the remaining cash but also owe a substantial sum to the Northern Border, which may take decades to repay.
In the face of this result, some are pleased while others are worried.
Although they managed to acquire an obelisk, this debt could very well become a reason for the Northern Border to exert control over the royal capital in the future. Debt can be considered one of the best excuses for small and medium-sized countries to go to war; history has shown that many nations have gone to war over debt.
Economic sanctions, political isolation, and military invasions due to debt are not rare. If their strength is insufficient, they may ultimately have to cede land to repay debts, so many suspect that the Northern Border governor has set a trap.
But if the obelisk truly has the magical functions stated in the treaty…
Moreover, what it brings is not just an isolated obelisk but also many related industries and production lines. Not to mention that, after obtaining the obelisk, many goods from the Northern Border can now be used around the royal capital, including those production equipment that were previously not tradable. For example, potions from the Northern Border will be available for the royal capital to attempt production in the future, along with mining equipment and numerous industrial chains.
This is not just an obelisk; the process of making the obelisk will also create a large number of jobs for the royal capital.
Most nobles support the construction of the obelisk. As long as construction begins, even if it is not completed, the royal capital will reestablish its leadership position in the central region, making it so that no petty threats will dare to act recklessly.
Even if there is a trap, one can trust in the wisdom of future generations; after all, it is best to enjoy it first.
However, the Augustinians frowned. It’s not that the obelisk is bad, but rather that the deposit alone has already drained all the remaining funds from the royal capital.
Strictly speaking, the small treasury managed by Lilith is overseen by Lilith and the Augustinians together, but this time Lilith did not communicate with the Augustinians.
In the eyes of the Augustinians, the funds from the royal reforms were considered their own money, yet these funds were directly thrown away by Lilith and given to the Northern Border. However, regarding taxation on Northern Border merchants, the Augustinians barely received any benefits.
Although they know this is two different matters, the Augustinians feel very displeased. Why should they pay while the benefits all go to Lilith?
“Your Highness Cliff, why is all of the Northern Border’s tax revenue collected by Her Majesty the Queen, yet the debt must be borne by the kingdom collectively?”
At the meeting, the Augustinians seated separately began to stir restlessly.
“Yes, Your Highness Cliff, Your Highness Claire, is this obelisk truly that magical? It seems like a conspiracy from the Northern Border; we must oppose it!”
Claire was a bit dazed by the series of assaults from the Northern Border. Seeing that his usually strong-willed sister was also hesitant, Cliff stood up and said, “From the kingdom’s perspective, this obelisk must be constructed. Do you remember the cutting weapons Sir Judith demonstrated earlier?”
The Augustinians nodded.
“According to the Chancellor, these cutting weapons need to be energized by the obelisk. Many future weapons from the Northern Border will rely on this obelisk. Tell me, should these weapons be taken to the royal capital for energizing, or should they be sent to the Northern Border?”
Cold sweat dripped from the Augustinians; sending them to the Northern Border for energization would likely incur another huge expense. In the end, the outcome would still be similar, and once the Northern Border establishes any ties with the southwestern border, the royal capital would be doomed.
Choosing to construct the obelisk not only brings numerous benefits and stimulates economic prosperity but also enhances control over the southwestern border through weapon energization.
Although Cliff is timid, he was once educated as an heir and immediately recognized that the obelisk needs to be built, whether they want to or not.
In contemplating the issue of the obelisk, Cliff saw further than Claire.
“Set aside any thoughts you have in your heads. Even if we oppose it, the governor of the Northern Border will only make our situation more difficult. We may as well just pay up.”
The tax revenue from Northern Border merchants is enticing, but the sources of income for the royal capital are not limited to this one stream. Even when they couldn’t tax Northern Border merchants before, the royal capital managed to operate, right? With the obelisk, other forms of income will increase indirectly; it’s just that the Augustinians have been blinded by the previous treaties.
Cliff sighed deeply, uncertain whether these changes are good or bad for the royal capital. Next, he glanced at his sister Claire, who was deep in thought. To be honest, Cliff was somewhat confused about what Claire was thinking. He wanted to advise her but didn’t know how to start. Compared to this sister, who was full of motivation and very assertive, Cliff felt unable to hold his head high in her presence.
After the meeting ended, many nobles were still dazed, their spirits somewhat bewildered as they left the palace. Everyone knew that the royal capital was about to undergo a transformation; Her Majesty the Queen returned from the Northern Border with immense power, and from now on, everyone would have to bow at the Queen’s feet.
But this must not be a bad thing. After all, Her Majesty the Queen truly brought many benefits. The pie has grown several times over. Those who previously had some thoughts quickly retracted their inner musings.
Soon, Nora truly followed Lilith’s orders and spread these treaties, even sending dedicated personnel to read and explain them to the people of the royal capital.
Unexpectedly, those rumors from before were mostly true for the people of the royal capital, who were now able to partake in the bounty. The Northern Border and the royal capital genuinely began to cooperate; the Northern Border would bring a series of investments and job opportunities to the royal capital, and they were soon to build a towering obelisk magic tower, truly set to rewrite their glory.
The more complex matters were beyond the common folk’s understanding; they only knew that these came from Her Majesty the Queen and Lady Saintess, and that the previous rumors were indeed genuine. Suddenly, the entire royal capital echoed with praises for Lilith, whose prestige far surpassed that of the Augustinian royal family.
Upon hearing these accolades, the Old Pope in the prayer room scratched his head in confusion.
Could the rumors actually be true?
