Florian Empire, Imperial Capital.
A massive convoy arrived from the north. It was not the Noble Allied Army transporting resources south within the Empire, but a merchant convoy from the Northlands. Even the oxen pulling its carts were sturdier than those in the South, while the flatbed wagons and even more luxurious carriages they pulled were larger than those of other merchant guilds. It had even caused traffic paralysis at several northern gates.
Many people were watching this merchant guild convoy. What they cared about were the profits of the war Baron Ryan had mentioned.
For several days in a row, the Northern Territory Merchant Guild sold goods from that forest. The largest quantity, naturally, was timber.
Much of the timber was precious, and the nobles of the Imperial Capital never lacked money, so it sold quickly.
But what truly elevated the status of this timber was the Mage Academy.
The Mages of the Mage Academy carefully selected a great deal of timber from the Western Forest Sea and requested that the next shipment contain living trees. Once the people from the Northern Territory Merchant Guild heard how much living trees were worth, they naturally had no objections.
Then, the Mage Academy's actions drew the attention of the Mage Association.
What followed was a scramble between the Mages of the Mage Academy and the people from the Mage Association.
At that point, it was merely a spectacle. What truly concerned the nobles was that all the timber being fought over was ultimately purchased by the Rodriguez Family.
"Timber grown by Elves can nourish the soul."
"Almost all wood possesses this power, and the varieties that specialize in it are astonishingly effective."
The nobles did not understand, so they asked the Mages and received an answer.
"That Grand Duke is an