Chapter 117: A Capital Conglomerate Rich Enough to Rival a Nation

If the Red Queen had indeed killed Francesco and remained her enemy, Delphinia would have every reason to fear her and desire her death. Louis suspected the Red Queen was a high-ranking official within the Ministry of Magic. Should the Muggles lose and the Parliament Building fall under wizard control, the Red Queen would likely be the one tasked with administering the Kingdom of Solondo. If that were the case, then defeating the Ministry of Magic within the Parliament Building after the Muggles' loss—thereby recouping some losses—would be a profitable endeavor.

Yet, according to the prophecy in the storybook, this event would inevitably trigger a war between Muggles and wizards. Delphinia must certainly have made preparations, likely having already struck deals with certain allies. She wanted to tear everything down and start anew, to return everything to its primeval state, and to see her mother, Francesco, become the Moon Goddess of three thousand years ago. If that happened, everything Anthony had done would be in vain.

Louis, however, needed the Muggles to win so the King could win his wager. The King’s wager was as follows: wizards would be stationed in the Royal Court, and Muggle nobles would be permitted to enter various academies. This might not necessarily satisfy the King, for the court wizards sent by the Ministry might not be the proper, traditional wizards he imagined—or, worse, the Ministry might simply plant a group of wizards hostile to the King, causing him endless headaches. Furthermore, the nobles might not learn much in the academies; the "Foxes"—the second-generation officials of the Ministry—would have plenty of ways to make life miserable for these Muggle students. They might even be brainwashed.

For the Ministry of Magic, allowing Muggles into the academies was an intolerable disgrace. Therefore, the matter would eventually have to be settled by mutual compromise at the negotiating table—a possibility the King surely anticipated. This was the moment for the Belive family and the new Magisterial Council Senator, "Boll," the Chief of the Grand Magic Prison, to exert their influence. Under their mediation, both sides would reach a satisfactory outcome.

On the King's side, he could have his daughter select individuals to serve as court wizards—this was the prize for the Muggle victory. The King would be pleased, as his goal would be met, and Osicris’s status would rise. The King would then concede on the issue of noble enrollment—a fallback position. To him, this mattered little; he would prefer that only those in the Royal Court wielded magic. The Ministry would also be satisfied with this result. Additionally, the Kingdom would allow the Ministry to establish a small branch in London and station agents within the Magicians' Association to assist the Kingdom of Solondo with various mystical issues—a "lite" version of the prize for a wizard victory. Both the Ministry and the Kingdom would be content. Louis, too, would be satisfied.

Look, these were all the rewards for A + B. Louis was pushing the trajectory of events according to the storybook’s prophecy; since the book foretold this possibility, it meant the outcome was achievable. Louis glanced at the rewards for A and B.

[Who could have imagined that in this gamble, the one who most wanted the Muggles to lose was the Witch Queen... but if the Muggles win, perhaps the King will be happy—and the Witch Queen (Delphinia) will have no choice but to be happy as well.]

[You decide...]

[A. Success Rewards:
1. Random Attribute +15 (Note: This time it involves the fate lines of all three wishers)
2. Court Wizard Position, Court Scholar Position *1
3. Imperial Tutor *1 (Who knows what they would rather teach...)
4. Lunar Templar Reputation +1000
5. Great Inventor "Mr. Lant" Reputation +MAX
6. Destroyer "Son of Lant" Driver’s License *1]

[B. Success Rewards:
1. Random Attribute +15 (Note: This time it involves the fate lines of all three wishers)
2. Ministry of Magic Department of Mysteries Branch Chief *1
3. The Red Queen's Admiration *1
4. Queen of Hearts Family Reputation +1000
5. Goron Clan Worship +MAX
6. True Dragon's Attention]

Thus, the Muggles had to win this time. However, Louis did not intend to show his hand to Archie—otherwise, the man wouldn't put in the effort later. Moreover, Louis planned to use this situation to help Crowley resolve his fleet issues; Crowley’s own labor wasn't enough, and he needed to find some support for him. As for the fleet, it would also be of great help to Osicris.

"Archie, I am a wizard. And a Ministry of Magic agent at that," Louis said, wiping his mouth with a napkin while looking at Archie. "This Gundam is already hard enough to deal with—you know, I’m not just facing it, and if I enter the fray as a Muggle, I can't use magic—I might get hammered to death. Besides, whether I win or lose, I’ll become a public enemy to the wizards."

"I don't think the dragon-slayer 'Gundam' is necessarily unbeatable ('Eh?')—ahem, I mean, this is easy to solve," Archie Belive said. "I will find you a real big gun to deal with that two-headed Goron—it’s called the 'Son of Lant.' You pilot that, and this time, it’s absolutely guaranteed!"

At this, Archie cautiously glanced around. "The War God's Hammer is the biggest investor in the 'Lant Project'! Without the magic crystal technology and the secret support of the Yordle wizards, this thing wouldn't even move!"

Louis couldn't help but blink—these damned goblins would break any law for money!

"So don't worry, the Son of Lant is absolutely reliable. You'll have no problem smashing that Goron. If you win, once the technology matures, I'll buy one for you to play with!"

Louis grew interested at this. But what did "once the technology matures" mean? Was the technology not mature now? Louis suddenly looked at Archie with a certain gaze—*You aren't trying to scam me, are you?*

Before Louis could ask, Archie continued.

"As for your identity, you are Princess Osicris's 'Knight'—you can be. And regarding this matter, I have a way to make a segment of the wizards support you."

Archie outlined his preparations—they were basically what Louis had expected; he intended to maneuver behind the scenes. Many wizards opposed the Ministry of Magic occupying the Parliament Building. In the Magisterial Council's referendum, the motion failed by only a few votes.

"Furthermore, there is a true bigwig who hopes the Muggles win—I won't disclose more, but anyway, if the Muggles truly win, the Witch Queen will be 'happy' and will have no choice but to wholeheartedly back you." Archie Belive gave Louis a meaningful look.

After hearing this, Louis’s expression turned peculiar—could Empress Francesco actually still be alive? And was Delphinia merely her spokesperson?

"You won't have any worries, Louis," Archie said. "We are tied together in this! If I weren't certain, how would I dare find a wizard to support the Muggles? The 'Four Queens' and 'Four Dukes' would kill me!"

"Archie, what kind of bet did you make with the Witch Queen that made you so reckless?" Louis raised an eyebrow, looking into Archie’s eyes.

In an instant, many of Archie’s thoughts were silently overheard by Louis.

[As if that needs asking? My shipping permits for the Kingdom of Solondo are all held by the Witch Queen! If I lose! My entire maritime trade fleet and smuggling syndicate! I'd have to work for the Witch Queen for free for three years!]

[This is my lifeline!]

[Never mind three years, even one year is worth millions of pounds!]

[And that's not even the most critical part—my business partners! The Black Dragon clan might run out of food!]

[The Witch Queen is very close with the Black Dragons now; if my shipping permits stay in her hands, all my Black Dragon clients will run off to her side...]

After hearing Archie's inner thoughts, Louis nearly choked. So, this entire fleet could earn back several of Crowley's castles in just one year? And this was just Archie’s personal business. You lot really were wealthier than the state!

There were nineteen capable people in the Belive family! Although many were media moguls like Wallace—not specifically responsible for money-grubbing—the sectors managed by certain family members showed annual deficits. This simply proved that the Belive family was intentionally subsidizing those industries to increase their influence. It also showed that the Belive family's capital group had become a behemoth spanning all sectors. They were even doing business with the Dragon clans. No wonder the Witch Queen had her eyes on them; they were super-fat sheep!