The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

In addition to providing Lilith with a stable source of funding, this new tax bureau has one crucial power: the promotion of talent is entirely at Lilith's discretion.

This means that Lilith can promote more of her own people, like Nora, to join the new tax bureau. Whether they are nobles who have a good impression of Lilith or young, powerless minor nobles, they are all within Lilith's sphere of influence.

This was even an institution independent of the New Party and the Old Party, a sphere of influence entirely belonging to the Queen.

These nobles, though envious, knew it would be difficult for them to join the organization unless they paid a sufficient price to prove their loyalty to the Queen.

Just hearing about these two treaties was enough to make some nobles gasp for breath; each treaty was more significant than the last.

Seeing that order had finally been restored, Nora turned to the next page. Little did Nora know that as he turned the page, the hearts of these nobles were pounding, fearing that some heavyweight information was about to be revealed.

Fortunately, the subsequent treaties were all normal trade cooperation and exchanges. Although they were still outrageous and Lilith was the ultimate beneficiary, they were at least not as absurd as the first two treaties.

Next came the construction of the obelisk. Upon hearing about this magical energy tower, the Royal Capital Magic Association, which had never cared about politics, widened its eyes and repeatedly confirmed with Nora the power supply method of the magic tower.

Although Nora is also a professional, she has long since stopped doing academic research and can only say that if there are any problems, she should contact the North herself.

This obelisk is not cheap. Considering that the capital city could not possibly come up with that much cash, the North allowed the capital city to pay on credit. From the moment this treaty was signed, the capital city not only paid its remaining cash, but also owed the North a large sum of money, which would take decades to repay even at the fastest pace.

Some people are happy about this result, while others are worried.

Although they essentially got an obelisk for free, this debt could very well become the reason for the North to control the capital in the future. Debt can be considered the perfect excuse for war between some small and medium-sized countries; historically, there are quite a few countries that went to war because of debt.

Economic sanctions, political isolation, and military invasions caused by debt are commonplace. If one's strength is insufficient, one may even have to cede territory to pay off debts. Therefore, many people suspect that this governor of the North has set a trap.

But if the obelisk really does possess the magical powers described in the treaty...

Moreover, this brings not only an isolated obelisk, but also many related industries and production lines. For one thing, with the obelisk, many goods from the North can be used around the capital, including production equipment that was originally not tradable, such as the potions from the North, which the capital can now try to make themselves, as well as mining equipment and many other industrial chains.

This is not just an obelisk; its creation will also create a large number of jobs in the capital.

Most nobles supported the construction of the obelisk. As long as construction began, even if it was not completed, the capital would re-establish its leading position in the central region, and all the petty villains would not dare to make any rash moves for the time being.

Even if there are any traps, we can trust the wisdom of future generations and enjoy the experience first.

However, the Augustins all frowned. It wasn't that the obelisk was bad, but that the deposit alone had already spent all the remaining money in the capital.

Strictly speaking, Lilith's secret stash was jointly managed by Lilith and the Augustines, but this time Lilith did not consult with the Augustines.

The money generated by the reforms in the capital was considered by the Augustins to be their own money, but Lilith simply threw it away to the North. However, the Augustins did not benefit at all from the taxes previously levied on Northern merchants.

Although they knew these were two different things, the Augustins were still very unhappy. Why should they pay for everything while Lilith gets all the benefits?

"Your Highness Cliff, why is it that Her Majesty the Queen collects all the taxes from the North, while the Kingdom is required to share the debt?"

The Augustins, who were sitting alone at the meeting, began to get restless.

“Yes, Your Highness Cliff, Your Highness Claire, is this obelisk really that magical? I think it's a conspiracy from the North, and we must oppose it!”

Claire was somewhat bewildered by the series of blows from the North. Seeing that even his usually very opinionated sister was hesitant, Cliff stood up and said, "From the Kingdom's perspective, this obelisk must be built. Do you remember the melting and cutting weapon that Ser Judith demonstrated before?"

Augustine nodded.

"According to His Excellency the Prime Minister, these molten weapons need to be charged at the obelisk. Many weapons in the Northern Territory will require this obelisk. Do you think it's better to charge these weapons in the capital or send them to the Northern Territory?"

The Augustins were sweating bullets. Sending them to the North to recharge would likely be another huge expense, and in the end, the outcome would be pretty much the same. Moreover, once the North and the Southwest border got involved in any way, the capital would be doomed.

The choice to build an obelisk would not only bring many benefits and boost economic prosperity, but also enhance control over the southwestern border by recharging weapons.

Although Cliff was cowardly, he had been educated as the heir and could tell at a glance that the obelisk was something you had to build whether you wanted to or not.

In his thinking on the obelisk problem, Clive's insights were even more profound than Claire's.

"Forget about those ideas in your heads. Even if we object, the governor of the North will only make our lives more miserable. Just hand over the money obediently."

The taxes levied on Northern merchants are tempting, but the capital's revenue isn't solely derived from this source. Could the capital have functioned before taxes on Northern merchants were levied? With the obelisk, other sources of income will indirectly increase; it's just that these Augustines have been blinded by the previous treaties.

Cliff sighed again, unsure whether these changes were good or bad for the capital. Then, he glanced at his sister Claire, who was deep in thought. To be honest, Cliff understood what Claire was thinking and wanted to offer her some advice, but he couldn't find the words. Compared to his sister, who was full of energy and very assertive, Cliff felt somewhat inferior.

After the meeting ended, many nobles were still in a daze, their minds still reeling as they left the palace. Everyone knew that the kingdom was about to change. Her Majesty the Queen had returned from the North with unparalleled power, and from now on, everyone would have to grovel at her feet.

But this may not be a bad thing, because Her Majesty the Queen has indeed brought many benefits. The pie is several times bigger than before, and those who had some ideas before have put away their ulterior motives.

Following Lilith's orders, Nora disseminated these treaties and even assigned special personnel to read and explain them to the people of the capital.

Unexpectedly, most of the rumors actually came true for the people of the capital. The North and the capital have indeed begun cooperation, with the North bringing a series of investments and job opportunities to the capital. The capital is also about to build a towering obelisk magic tower, truly aiming to rebuild its glory.

The common people couldn't understand anything too complicated. They only knew that these things were brought by Her Majesty the Queen and the Holy Maiden, and that the previous rumors were true. For a time, the entire capital was filled with songs praising Lilith, and Lilith's prestige even far surpassed that of the Augustine royal family.

Upon hearing this voice, the old pope scratched his head in confusion in the prayer room.

The rumor was actually true?