Kronos had proposed this condition. The Argel Family was wealthy, but its business was confined to the Northern Continent. Ships were not easy to buy, and maritime trade was no easy undertaking either.
Without good relations with the Royal Shipyard, they could only buy ships from private shipyards, where the risk of problems was considerably higher. A single storm might tear a ship apart. Without good relations with the navy, they could expect their shipping routes to be blocked.
In the end, everything came back to one word: nobility. But since they were stepping into the spotlight now, that no longer mattered. They certainly could not abandon the profits to be made at sea. Besides, there were plenty of wonderful things out there, and Kronos very much wanted to see them.
"If that is all, then I can only say I look forward to working with you." This really was a trivial matter for Earl Hall, so he smiled and extended his right hand.
Kronos did not hesitate either. He reached out and shook Earl Hall's hand.
News of their partnership spread before evening. It was not just the Argel Family releasing information; Earl Hall was doing the same.
Every interest group needed plenty of favorable news to hold it together. If they could get a share of this ironclad project, the factory owners and bankers in the New Party could make a fortune, which would naturally secure their political allegiance.
Duke Negan could hardly have remained unaware of the news. When it reached him, he was discussing another matter-the repeal of the Corn Laws-with the current prime minister, Aguesid Negan, who was also his younger brother.
This would deal an enormous blow to the Conservatives among the nobles, because the Corn Laws had been established specifically to protect sales of domestically produced grain.
Once they were repealed, vast quantities of cheap grain from places such as Masik and Lenburg would flood into Loen, leaving the Loen Kingdom's grain struggling to find buyers.
The Conservative Party's nobles, who owned vast tracts of farmland, would face bankruptcy. Countless farmers would lose their jobs and pour into the cities, giving factory owners an abundant supply of cheap labor.
At first glance, repealing the Corn Laws offered the New Party many benefits. Everyone assumed the proposal must have come from them, but an investigation revealed that the member of parliament who had introduced it actually belonged to the Royal Family's faction.
After learning this, Duke Negan had not made it public. Instead, he had hurriedly summoned his younger brother to discuss the matter. His son, Philip Negan, was also listening in.
During their discussion, Duke Negan's secretary, Lockhard Siakam, entered and handed him a sheet of paper.
Duke Negan glanced at it, then laughed. "I told you that move would accomplish nothing and only earn us resentment. Now their warning has arrived."
As he spoke, he passed the paper to Aguesid. It contained a complete account of Kronos's movements and partnerships over the past two days, ending with the line, "Marquis Argyle may be approaching the Levett Family."
In fact, the prime minister had decided on all the measures taken regarding Kronos. Duke Negan had offered no opinion, and they had gone ahead without a hitch.
"Aguesid, you've been a little too hasty. Business is no simpler than politics. The Argel Family has held its ground in business for all these years. At most, they lack a little political instinct. How could they possibly lack the means to maneuver? You underestimated them."
Indeed, the speed at which the New Party was growing had made the prime minister anxious. His urgent desire to find an ally had led him to make a foolish move.
Duke Negan naturally knew this, but he also knew the Argel Family would never choose a side. He might as well use this incident to teach Aguesid a lesson. It would only mean conceding some benefits to the Argel Family.
"Then what should we do now?" Realizing he had made a foolish move, the prime minister took the initiative to seek his elder brother's advice.
"Philip, go stay at the Navy Base on Rubber Island for a few days, starting tomorrow. Kronos will come looking for you. Build a good relationship with him." Duke Negan had understood Marquis Argyle's intentions in an instant. He truly lived up to his position as leader of the Conservative Party.
"All right, Father."
Afterward, the three resumed their analysis of the Royal Family's intentions as before.
The next morning, another piece of news about the Argel Family spread: Marquis Argyle had reached an agreement with Earl Levett, and large quantities of grain were being shipped into Midseashire.
The entire aristocratic circle erupted. The Argel Family, which had barely made any news for centuries, had suddenly acted, partnering with a major noble from each of the two parties at once. It was a considerable move.
While everyone was speculating about the political implications of these two partnerships, another piece of news emerged: "With the Negan family's backing, Marquis Argyle's heir, Krono Nois Argyle, will soon become technical adviser to the ironclad project and receive the rank of navy major."
The timing of this news was clever. It had clearly been released by the Negan family. Although it drew even more attention to the Argel Family, once people had discussed it, the matter would pass.
Had they released it a couple of days later, it would have been much more uncomfortable for the Argel Family.
Is this a gesture of goodwill? Duke Negan's attitude seems rather nuanced, Kronos thought.
This incident had more or less drawn to a close. Its lingering effects were not something Kronos needed to consider. What he needed to think about now was how to digest his potion.
A Melee Scholar clearly needed to fight, but places to fight were hardly difficult to find. Backlund had plenty of clubs, including fighting clubs, where he could spar while keeping himself safe.
But Kronos had never visited such places and did not know where to find them, so he would have to ask someone. His four years living in Backlund had apparently amounted to nothing.
He went through the people he knew, only to discover that he seemingly had very few acquaintances. Kronos smiled bitterly. As the wealthy heir to a marquis, he actually knew hardly anyone in the vast city of Backlund.
Just then, another visitor arrived at the door. Rather than a noble in formal attire, it was an officer dressed in a dark blue naval uniform.
The villa's butler led the officer to Kronos, who was just about to ask what had brought him there.
The officer crisply saluted. "Greetings, Major Kronos. I am Angelo, an administrative secretary with the Royal Navy Affairs Department. I am here to notify you that you are to report to the Royal Navy Base by three tomorrow afternoon. Your commissioning ceremony will be held there."
Angelo's salute left Kronos flustered. A nod did not seem appropriate, nor did offering a handshake. In the end, he could only awkwardly return a rather imperfect military salute.
"Understood. I will certainly arrive on time."
The naval officer, Angelo, was brisk and decisive. After hearing Kronos's answer, he turned to leave.
Suddenly, Kronos realized he could ask this officer about fighting clubs. Was this not precisely his area of expertise?
"Mr. Angelo, there is something I would like to ask you." Kronos called out to stop him.
Angelo stopped and turned around. He said nothing, but was clearly waiting for Kronos's question.
"I would like to find a relatively safe fighting club, but I do not know many people, so I have no idea which ones are good. Do you have any recommendations?"
Angelo looked at Kronos as though he were an idiot. He stared straight at him until Kronos began to feel uncomfortable, then finally spoke.
"The best shooting and fighting club in the entire Loen Kingdom is the Navy Club, and you are a navy major."
Those words made Kronos understand the look Angelo had just given him, but he still asked another question. "I have not received my commission yet. Can I go to the Navy Club now?"
Angelo did not stop or turn back. He merely said, "No."
The Navy Club really was the best choice. As a club for military personnel, it naturally had the most professional facilities. The navy was also known as the nobility's private preserve, making the Navy Club the undisputed best. He simply could not go today; he would have to wait until after tomorrow's commissioning ceremony.
But Angelo's visit had given Kronos a new idea. Soldiers naturally had the greatest need to learn hand-to-hand combat and practical fighting, so the Royal Navy Base was an excellent choice too.
All he needed was a few skilled fighters to practice with. He believed the noble officers there would do him that favor. It would be even better if Philip Negan were there. Continuing to improve his relationship with Philip was already part of the plan, so he could take care of both at once.
Kronos acted at once, telling the butler to prepare a carriage. He had to go tomorrow anyway. Arriving a day early would hardly be a problem, and they were not going to turn him away.
After all, there were no cars or high-speed trains in that era, and the steam railway did not reach Pritz Harbor. Whenever Kronos went there each week, he traveled by carriage, spending several hours on the road.
Given his departure time today, he would probably reach the Royal Navy Base just in time for dinner. He could even get a free meal out of it. A perfect itinerary.
In the end, things went exactly as Kronos had estimated. It was almost five when the Navy Base's gates came into view, and Philip was standing at the entrance with several people to welcome him.
"How did you know I had arrived?" That was the first thing Kronos asked after stepping out of the carriage.
"With a project this important, there are concealed sentry posts all around the Navy Base. As soon as you approached, word reached me."
That was indeed something Kronos had failed to consider. Observation was a Mystery Pryer's most important skill, and this showed just how lax he had been.
As he thought about this, Kronos activated his Eyes of Mystery Prying. With a glance down the road he had taken, he spotted at least three Beyonders and five ordinary soldiers.
He had not used the Eye of Time because its range was too short to let him survey the entire road.
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