After Fiat and the others left, Landen soon encountered his true opponent: Frank Douglas, the familiar secretary from the Imperial Capital Finance Department and a Legend Law Mage. He came to visit Landen with a group of Archmages from the department, and the moment they met, he spoke rather bluntly:
"Duke Landen, His Majesty the God Emperor will determine the status of your territory in his address at the end of the month. Without question, only by keeping your stance highly aligned with the Empire can your territory gain greater independence."
Landen eyed the Legend skeptically. "Sir Frank? If every policy within my territory must match the Empire's, then why shouldn't I simply merge my territory directly into the Empire?"
The Legend had not expected his very first words to be thrown back in his face, and hurriedly explained, "Uh... I mean that you should stand from the perspective of the Empire as a whole, and profoundly understand His Majesty's requirements from the angles of magic and philosophy—for instance, the Empire's and the imperial family's thirst for funds."
At such brazen words, Landen asked irritably, "Is that why you used my name as a banner to push through those Magic Furnace Vouchers?"
"My lord!" the Legend hastily said. "Magic Furnace Vouchers are imperative. In the future, the Empire's demand for magic furnaces will only grow greater and greater. A single new magic furnace can bring millions in new currency. The Gold Coins brought by hundreds of magic furnaces would exceed the total Gold Coins currently in existence in the Empire. Can you accept every family and institution producing Gold Coins on their own?"
Frank spoke entirely for the Empire, yet his position did not hold water at all. Landen smiled and said:
"Sir Frank, to be honest, I am indeed