Chapter 81: Cultural Victory

The dissatisfaction in the Cornel Kingdom had been building for quite some time.

Even when the other nations of the continent embraced the Empire's culture and interactions thrived, the Cornel Kingdom maintained a lukewarm attitude towards exchanges with the Empire.

Even though it has been nearly five years since processed foods were introduced by the White Tower, the citizens of the Cornel Kingdom have hardly felt that enthusiasm.

If that were all, it would be one thing, but the Cornel Kingdom has clearly delineated social classes through food.

Farmers could only eat dark rye or barley bread made from coarse grains, while the soft white bread was reserved for the nobility or upper class.

In the Cornel Kingdom, food was not merely something to satisfy hunger; it was a symbol of 'class.'

The emergence of processed foods had widened the gap between these classes even further.

The Cornel Kingdom showed a lukewarm response to importing processed foods, but the upper class enjoyed the processed foods obtained from other countries and did not share them with the common people.

That period lasted a full five years. Even a poor harvest occurred, causing the supply of bread, a staple for the common people, to plummet, and the price of bread skyrocketed.

During that time when silent grievances were piling up, the savior that appeared was none other than Nuclear Fire Chicken Noodles.

To the starving common people, Nuclear Fire Chicken Noodles was not just food; It was life and a source of joy.

And that was just the beginning.

Various processed foods such as Lilith's milk, cheese, and cola were dropped across the kingdom like "bombs."

It was the 'Processed Food Drop Operation' planned by the Second Princess Christina.

It was consumed eagerly, making the kingdom's citizens enthusiastic about the Empire.

"The White Tower is a god."

"The Empire is indeed paradise...!"

A social atmosphere has formed where common people yearn for the Empire.

Feeling a sense of crisis, the leadership of the Cornel Kingdom completely severed ties with the Empire.

In the past, there would have been some backlash, but it would have been brief and then over.

However, there was a significant aspect that the Cornel Kingdom had greatly overlooked.

"Are you trying to block our guild right now?"

"If you don't want to see the supply of magic stones to the capital cut off, open the door immediately!"

It was the emergence of the 'capitalist.'

With the emergence of the Vikings, maritime trade became active, leading to the accumulation of wealth by certain individuals.

The power of the capitalists was not something that could be easily ignored, even by a kingdom.

Moreover, the provocateurs sent by the Empire stirred up the atmosphere.

"Give us Nuclear Fire Chicken Noodles!"

"An incompetent prime minister should step down!"

Meanwhile, the soldiers who were supposed to suppress the protests were instead seen participating in them.

"Block what?!"

"Ugh, it's disgusting!"

The grievances against the kingdom that had been building up for years erupted due to the poor harvest and processed foods.

─Everyone, please calm down! The severance with the Empire is temporary...!

"Shut up and come down!"

"Do you think words are everything?"

"The Prime Minister himself ordered you to come out!"

In the end, the kingdom backed down less than three months after declaring a break with the Empire.

[We inform you that Marquis Aindel has stepped down from the position of Prime Minister as of today, and the vacant position will be temporarily filled by citizen representatives in turns.]

An unprecedented situation has occurred where the Prime Minister, who advocated for the severance of diplomatic relations, took responsibility and resigned.

It was the moment when the anti-imperialist Cornel Kingdom suddenly turned pro-imperialist overnight.

*

The Cornel Kingdom has opened its doors!

[Marquis Aindel has been ousted!]

The results of the protests in the Cornel Kingdom spread like wildfire across the entire continent.

The kingdoms that had been closely monitoring the situation viewed this incident seriously.

The rebellion by the people was an issue, but all countries came to realize the terrifying nature of processed foods underlying it.

No wonder, the Empire captured the Cornel Kingdom without shedding a drop of blood.

It was the First cultural invasion that took place in another world.

And.

"I heard that the Prohibition Act enacted by the Ministry of Magic had no real effect, and that it was led by the Twelve Towers and the autonomous lords of each region."

The Emperor cannot help but lament this situation.

"We also deeply empathize with the suffering of my country's people. Therefore, we have decided to take decisive action."

"By the authority of the Emperor, we will revoke all the prohibition laws enacted by the autonomous lords in each region."

The Emperor of the Empire, who was closely monitoring the protests in the Cornel Kingdom, swiftly repealed the prohibition law and moved to win the hearts of the peoples.

"Muahaha! Finally, I can drink alcohol!"

"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Wow!"

The citizens of the Empire, who were aware that the autonomous lords had exercised their authority to unilaterally enforce Prohibition, praised the Emperor's decision.

This had an effect comparable to the events in the Cornel Kingdom, increasing support for the Emperor.

[The useless Ministry of Magic that only eats up taxes is not needed by the Empire!]

[Is the Ministry of Magic an imperial institution, or is it a subordinate organization of the Twelve Towers?]

Along with the repeal of Prohibition, criticism poured in against the Ministry of Magic, which had supported it.

The issue has arisen that the wizards of the Twelve Towers have taken control of the Ministry of Magic.

As a result, a major reshuffle occurred in the Ministry of Magic.

The wizards from the Tower of Twelve were expelled from the Ministry of Magic or were relegated to menial positions in disgrace.

"The Emperor has shifted all the responsibility of the Prohibition Law onto us."

"Is he really moving this fast?"

"Wasn't he the one pushing us when it was convenient and now pretending not to know?"

The masters of the Twelve Towers were bewildered by the Emperor's swift change of stance, faster than anyone else.

The Emperor, who had been tacitly allowing the Prohibition law as a card to pressure the church, shifted all the blame onto the Twelve Towers and then distanced himself when the situation turned unfavorable.

The tower lords felt utterly betrayed by the Emperor's attitude, who took the lead in criticizing the Twelve Towers.

"We need to respond immediately! Are you just going to stand by and watch the White Tower's monopoly?"

"What can we do? The royal family, the public sentiment, and the military are all criticizing us."

The tower master form the Red Tower, who had started to speak, closed his mouth.

In the Empire, the Emperor's word was law.

"Master! The Magic Tower is under inspection due to the Ministry of Magic!"

"We're in big trouble! The dwarves who were making the magical tools have unilaterally informed us that they are quitting!"

"Tower Master, it's a disaster! At the Ministry of Finance...!"

Bad news came flying in from all directions.

"...It's over."

The Red Tower Master's despondent words represented everyone's feelings.

*

The countries of the continent, taking the Cornel Kingdom as a cautionary tale, began to show interest in processed foods.

They too have come to realize the dangers of cultural invasion.

Several changes have occurred, such as the training of alchemists and the establishment of the Processed Foods Department.

In the meantime, there were also movements to invite me.

[Kalunte kingdom] [Estelle Dominion] [Ivory Tower]...

Just hearing the names, love calls poured in from major countries and organizations.

"It seems like you're quite popular."

"It appears so."

I nodded in agreement to the Second Princess's words without denying them.

Just looking at the conditions they set, my jaw dropped.

There were places that promised the position of court wizard and even offered to build a magic tower named after me.

"Looks like you don't plan on going, huh?"

"Our magic tower is the most comfortable."

I replied to the Second Princess while moving a chess piece.

No matter how good the conditions were, the White Tower was the most comfortable for me.

I had no intention of leaving my Magic Tower family behind and going anywhere.

"Even if I make a suggestion, will you refuse it?"

"I'm sorry."

"That's fine. I had no intention of proposing."

The Second Princess pouted her lips with a sulky expression.

"Having someone by your side who can't even play chess properly is just boring."

"Your Highness is doing well."

I thought I was pretty good at chess, but I couldn't even hold a candle to the Second Princess.

Her skills were at a level that was stagnant water.

"We decided to cooperate with the monster subjugation in Cornel."

"That's great."

"It's all thanks to your scheme."

The Second Princess, having said that, looked at me and spoke.

"If you want something, just say it."

"Could you please support our tower?"

"Is that all there is to it?"

"Yes, I think we might be short on funds if we invest in Cornel."

"You're a man with small ambitions."

The Second Princess grumbled as if it were boring.

It wasn't the first time she had reacted like that.

The Second Princess, who had been with me for three months during the operation of dropping processed foods into Cornel, always reacted with indifference.

So, I became curious.

"What should I say to impress you?"

"Maybe you should ask for the South, or claim me for marriage, or at least demand to become a royal wizard."

"...."

I looked at the Second Princess with a dumbfounded expression as she casually spat out words. Because they were all unexpected bombshells.

"Will you actually listen if I say something?"

"From what I've seen, you might be able to get a response."

"...."

"Now it's finally getting interesting."

The Second Princess smiled, raising her lips at my dazed expression.

I turned the conversation around with a bitter smile.

"By the way, you don't eat Nuclear Fire Chicken Noodles, do you?"

"I have a refined taste."

While speaking, the Second Princess elegantly poured herself some black tea.

Like that behavior, the Second Princess was elegant in every way.

I doubted whether she and the First Princess, who's obsessed with stimulating flavors, were really related.

"So, what are you planning to make next?"

"I'm thinking about distributing coffee."

"Coffee?"

"Yes."

I nodded while watching the Second Princess drink her black tea.

"You will surely like it as well Your Highness."