The disappearance of the royal investigator had changed the atmosphere in the capital.
Rumours spread through the ministries, merchant houses and noble residences.
Some claimed Baron Reinhardt had ordered the disappearance. Others believed Minister Malrec was involved.
A few even suggested that the King was deliberately allowing the investigation to continue only to identify his political enemies.
Nobody knew the truth.
But everyone was choosing sides.
At the Royal Academy, Professor Aldric received a letter from Duke Cedric Ashbourne.
He read it twice before handing it to Adrian.
“What does he want?” Adrian asked.
“He wants to meet you.”
Adrian opened the letter.
The duke had requested a private meeting at his residence that evening.
They arrived shortly after sunset.
Duke Cedric welcomed them into a large study.
“Mr Vale, I hope you understand why I asked you here.”
“Something tells me it isn’t about business.”
The duke chuckled.
“Unfortunately, no.”
He poured himself a glass of wine.
“The kingdom is divided into two groups. One believes the Crown must control every important industry. The other believes private enterprises should be allowed to develop independently.”
“And you’re in the second group?”
“I believe the kingdom needs strong industries. Whether they belong to the Crown or private individuals is less important than whether they function properly.”
Adrian nodded.
“Then we agree on something.”
Cedric leaned forward.
“Malrec has been gathering support among several ministers. He believes your ideas threaten the traditional balance of power.”
“How can a soap manufacturer threaten the balance of power?”
The duke smiled.
“You’re no longer just a soap manufacturer.”
He began listing Adrian’s achievements.
Soap production.
Candles.
Newspaper printing.
Industrial organisation.
Mechanical power.
The beginnings of a new manufacturing system.
“Your greatest invention isn’t any single product,” Cedric explained. “It’s the idea that production can be organised, expanded and improved without depending entirely on noble estates.”
Adrian remained silent.
“That is what frightens them.”
The duke stood and walked toward the window.
“The kingdom is approaching a political crisis. Choose your allies carefully.”
Adrian looked at him.
“And what do you recommend?”
“Build relationships, but never surrender your independence to anyone.”
For the first time that evening, Adrian felt he was speaking to someone who understood his ambitions.
CHAPTER 78: THE ROYAL DECREE
Three days later, the King summoned the senior nobles, ministers and representatives of the Royal Academy.
Adrian was also instructed to attend.
The royal hall was crowded.
Minister Malrec stood beside the throne, looking unusually confident.
King Edward III entered and raised his hand.
Silence immediately fell.
“Recent investigations have uncovered irregularities in the administration of industrial development funds.”
The nobles exchanged glances.
The King continued.
“Several officials have been instructed to provide records and explanations. Until the investigation is complete, all new industrial projects involving royal funds will require direct approval from the Crown.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
That was not what he expected.
The King turned toward him.
“Mr Vale, your work has demonstrated considerable potential. The Crown intends to establish a Royal Industrial Development Programme.”
Adrian waited.
“The programme will support the construction of factories, transportation systems and mechanical workshops throughout the kingdom.”
It sounded promising.
Then the King added:
“All inventions developed through this programme shall be registered with the Royal Industrial Office, which will retain authority over their distribution and application.”
Adrian understood immediately.
The King was creating a system that could gradually place every important invention under royal control.
A nobleman near the front raised his hand.
“Your Majesty, what of independent inventors?”
“They may continue their work, provided they comply with the new registration requirements.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, may I ask a question?”
The King nodded.
“Go ahead.”
“If an inventor develops a machine using his own resources, without royal funding, does the Crown automatically gain authority over it?”
Malrec answered before the King could.
“Any invention that significantly affects the kingdom’s security or economic stability must be subject to royal oversight.”
Adrian looked at him.
“That wasn’t my question.”
A few nobles shifted uncomfortably.
The King raised his hand.
Adrian nodded.
It was a partial victory.
But the decree had left plenty of room for interpretation.
As the meeting ended, Malrec approached him.
“Be careful, Mr Vale. The kingdom is changing.”
Adrian looked at him calmly.
“Then perhaps its laws should change with it.”
Malrec smiled without warmth.
“Perhaps.”
CHAPTER 79: ENEMIES WITHIN THE PALACE
The following morning, Adrian discovered that his access to several Academy research facilities had been suspended.
He immediately visited Master Roland.
“Why was my research access cancelled?”
Roland looked uncomfortable.
“The order came from the Royal Industrial Office.”
“Who authorised it?”
“Minister Malrec’s department.”
Adrian placed the suspension notice on the desk.
“I thought the King approved independent research.”
“He did.”
“Then why am I being blocked?”
Roland sighed.
“Because the decree gives the office authority to review projects considered strategically important.”
Adrian stared at him.
“That sounds like a convenient way to control everything.”
“Unfortunately, it may become one.”
Aldric entered the room.
“I have something else to show you.”
He placed a report on the desk.
It contained a list of Academy personnel who had recently received payments from outside organisations.
One name stood out.
Victor.
The assistant who had stolen Adrian’s preliminary steam-engine drawings.
“He was never dismissed,” Aldric explained. “He simply stopped reporting for work.”
“Have you found him?”
“No. But we discovered that he received money through an intermediary connected to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”
Adrian examined the report.
“Does that prove Malrec ordered the theft?”
“No. But it establishes a connection worth investigating.”
Aldric lowered his voice.
“There’s something else. Someone requested copies of your mechanical engineering notes last week.”
“Who?”
“An official from the Royal Industrial Office.”
“Did you give them anything?”
“Absolutely not.”
Adrian leaned back.
The Crown was beginning to behave exactly like the Baron.
It wanted the results of his work without respecting his independence.
He stood.
“Professor, I think it’s time we reduce how much information we keep inside the Academy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Separate the research. Keep the important designs somewhere else. No single institution should hold everything.”
Aldric nodded slowly.
“That would be sensible.”
Adrian looked at the list again.
The enemy wasn’t simply outside the palace.
Some of them were already working inside it.
CHAPTER 80: THE CROWN’S GREED
King Edward III received Adrian privately that afternoon.
Unlike their previous meeting, the atmosphere was less friendly.
“I hear you are dissatisfied with the new industrial regulations.”
“I am concerned about them, Your Majesty.”
“Why?”
“Because they create uncertainty for independent inventors.”
The King folded his hands.
“Do you believe I intend to steal your inventions?”
Adrian considered his answer.
“I believe the Crown wants access to everything that might strengthen the kingdom.”
“Is that unreasonable?”
“Not necessarily. But access and ownership are different things.”
The King studied him.
“Suppose another kingdom develops a weapon capable of destroying our armies. Would you still insist that the inventor’s rights come first?”
“No. National defence is a special circumstance. But that doesn’t mean every invention should automatically belong to the Crown.”
The King stood.
“You speak as though you understand the responsibilities of ruling a kingdom.”
“I understand the responsibilities of owning something I created.”
For a moment, the room became silent.
King Edward walked toward a large map of Eldoria.
“Your inventions could transform this kingdom. Better machinery, improved transportation, stronger agricultural production. You could help us become the most powerful nation on the continent.”
“And allow every merchant to develop technologies that may eventually be used against me?”
Adrian shook his head.
“Your Majesty, if every successful inventor fears confiscation, they will hide their work, leave the kingdom or refuse to develop anything important.”
The King turned.
“Are you threatening to leave?”
“No. I’m explaining what happens when people have no reason to trust the government.”
The King returned to his chair.
“I will consider your position.”
Adrian bowed.
As he was leaving, the King spoke again.
“Mr Vale.”
He stopped.
“Do not mistake my patience for weakness.”
Adrian looked back.
“And do not mistake my cooperation for surrender, Your Majesty.”
He left the royal chamber.
Outside, he found Commander Ward waiting.
“That sounded unpleasant,” Ward remarked.
“It was educational.”
The commander looked around before speaking.
“Something is happening. The Royal Industrial Office has requested an inventory of every facility connected to your name.”
Adrian frowned.
“Why?”
Ward lowered his voice.
“I suspect they’re preparing something.”
CHAPTER 81: THE CONFISCATION ORDER
The order arrived shortly before midnight.
It was delivered to the Royal Academy under the seal of the Royal Industrial Office.
Professor Aldric read it first.
Then he handed it to Adrian.
ROYAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY DIRECTIVE
All facilities, machinery, technical documents and commercial assets belonging to Adrian Vale are to be placed under temporary Crown supervision pending a review of their strategic importance.
The order authorised officials to secure his facilities, inspect his records and prevent the transfer of selected equipment outside the kingdom.
Adrian read it silently.
“They’re doing it again.”
Aldric looked troubled.
“The order is supposedly temporary.”
“That’s what they said when the Baron took my factory.”
“Can we challenge it?”
“Yes. But we need to act before they reach everything.”
Adrian immediately called for Sarah’s latest report from Westbrook.
The letter arrived through a courier several hours later.
Sarah had written that the Baron was still controlling the original factory. The remaining workers were struggling to maintain production, and several had been dismissed.
Thomas was still in Westbrook, helping Gareth protect the surviving records.
Elena had also sent a warning.
Several officials had visited the Voss warehouses, asking about Adrian’s commercial arrangements.
Adrian placed the letters on the table.
His businesses were being surrounded from every direction.
Then Commander Ward entered.
“I have seen the order.”
“Can you stop it?”
Ward shook his head.
“Not without direct intervention from the King. And I don’t believe that will happen.”
Adrian looked at the commander.
“Then I need time.”
“For what?”
“To protect what remains.”
Ward studied him.
“You have until tomorrow morning before the first inspection team leaves the capital.”
Adrian immediately began writing instructions.
Sarah would secure the financial records.
Gareth would protect the remaining equipment and documents.
Elena would move valuable commercial records to a location outside the western territories.
The Academy would keep only the research materials necessary for ongoing projects.
Adrian paused.
There was one more thing.
He opened the system interface.
[Emergency Quest: Preserve Industrial Independence]
Objectives:
Protect critical technical knowledge.
Prevent the destruction of independent commercial networks.
Establish a secure production base outside hostile jurisdiction.
Failure Penalty: Severe loss of industrial assets and influence.
Adrian closed the interface.
He had spent months trying to convince powerful people that his inventions could benefit the kingdom.
Now the kingdom was preparing to take everything.
He looked at Aldric.
“Professor, I think it’s time we stop asking permission.”
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
“What are you planning?”
Adrian looked toward the window.
“Something the Crown cannot confiscate so easily.”
Outside, the capital slept peacefully.
But by morning, soldiers would be marching toward his factories.
And this time, Adrian intended to be ready.