Upon returning to his room with Mathew's detailed report, Arthur sat at his desk and began reading. According to Mathew's findings, Aragon's economy remained heavily reliant on agriculture. Although trade played an important role, it did not change the fundamental nature of the country's economy. Additionally, the lack of proper infrastructure in many cities and the presence of internal customs duties within the kingdom significantly hindered domestic commerce, making trade more expensive and inefficient. Furthermore, Mathew's observations highlighted the strong presence of feudalism in Aragon. The existence of numerous lords, each wielding control over their own military forces and judicial systems, indicated that central authority was weak. His report also noted deep political divisions within the country, further complicating its governance.
As Arthur absorbed the details of Aragon's political and economic landscape, he became increasingly convinced that the temporary stability achieved through the recent negotiations would not last. The rapid growth of Pendralis's trade meant that greed—both from Aragon and even the Fasi Kingdom—would eventually lead to another breakdown in relations. It was only a matter of time before tensions resurfaced. After careful consideration, Arthur concluded that the only viable course of action was to prepare for the possibility of war. Intelligence agents had already been dispatched to monitor the military and political developments in both Aragon and the Fasi Kingdom. With these measures in place, Arthur decided there was no need to dwell further on the issue for now. That evening, he ate his dinner in his room, and due to the exhaustion of the day, he soon retired to bed.
Over the next month, Arthur focused his efforts on two major areas: accelerating the military modernization process and working alongside William to perfect the designs for the sextant and the H4 marine chronometer. Because the sextant was relatively simple in design, only a few minor modifications were needed to make it suitable for mass production. Once the adjustments were finalized, construction began on a dedicated factory for its manufacturing. However, the H4 chronometer posed a greater challenge. Composed of numerous small, intricate moving parts, it required extreme precision to meet Arthur's durability and size standards. Arthur and William spent an entire month refining its prototype, ensuring that it could function accurately even in the harsh conditions of naval travel. After extensive testing, the devices were successfully validated, paving the way for large-scale adoption by both the navy and the army.
Meanwhile, trade in the White Sea resumed following the agreement with Aragon. Pendralis-flagged merchant ships once again began passing through the Maraz Strait, taking advantage of the lowered taxes and increased security measures. With both the military reforms and the production of the navigational instruments underway, Arthur decided to take a well-deserved day off to rest. For the first time in weeks, Arthur allowed himself to sleep in, not bothering to wake early for his usual morning exercise. When he finally awoke, he skipped his workout routine and instead instructed a waiting servant to bring his breakfast to his room.
As he enjoyed his meal, he reached for the Pendralis Daily, a newspaper that had become a part of his morning routine. The front page featured an article discussing the rapid economic transformation of the country in recent years. The piece highlighted the emergence of new industries and the immense wealth that had followed. However, it also noted that this prosperity had drawn the attention of envious rivals, particularly Aragon. The article focused on the excessive taxes Aragon had imposed on Pendralis merchants, framing it as a direct consequence of Pendralis's growing economic power. While the recent diplomatic efforts had led to reduced tariffs and a decline in pirate attacks, the article pointed out that profit margins remained lower than before.
Arthur had already seen numerous reports and articles on this issue. The combination of government briefings and media coverage made it clear that public sentiment toward Aragon was one of deep resentment. The fact that the topic continued to dominate headlines suggested that it was still a highly sensitive issue among the people. As Arthur continued reading, he noticed an increasing number of advertisements from businesses across various industries. The sheer volume of these ads brought a small smile to his face—clear evidence of a thriving and competitive economy. Once he finished his breakfast, Arthur turned his attention to the latest economic report from the national statistics bureau. He was particularly struck by the figures concerning the steel industry. The rising demand from both the military and the civilian sector had led to the construction of dozens of steel mills across the country. According to the report, national steel production had surpassed half a million tons, while raw iron production had already reached several million tons.
Additionally, coal production had skyrocketed, reflecting the nation's rapid industrial expansion. Arthur felt a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing that the policies implemented over the past few years were now yielding tangible results. Just as Arthur finished reading, a knock came at his door. "You may enter," he said. A servant stepped inside, offering a respectful bow. "Your Highness, the King requests your presence in the throne room." Arthur immediately suspected that the summons was related to the exploration fleets, now that the navigational instruments were ready for production. He changed into more formal attire and made his way to the throne room.
Upon entering, he was surprised to find his mother, Queen Eleanor, seated alongside his father. Realizing that the meeting was not about the exploration project, he greeted them both and took a seat at the table. Queen Eleanor smiled warmly. "Arthur, please join us," she said, gesturing toward a chair. Once Arthur was seated, he listened with curiosity as King Cedric began to speak. "Arthur, over the past few years, your inventions and the reforms you have proposed have reshaped this nation. The economic growth we are experiencing is a direct result of your efforts, and your contributions have earned you great respect—not only among the common people but also among the nobility. To honor your achievements, I have decided to host a grand ball in your name."
Arthur listened intently as his father continued. "You are no longer a child. You have become a man, and your accomplishments have placed you in the spotlight. This ball will be an opportunity for you to establish connections with the most powerful nobles and wealthy entrepreneurs in the kingdom. As my heir, it is time for you to start building these relationships." Before Arthur could respond, his mother added, "The ball will also be attended by the daughters of influential and wealthy families. It is time for you to start considering a suitable match. Marriage is not just a personal matter—it is also a political alliance. Strengthening ties with a powerful family through marriage could greatly benefit you in the future."
Arthur immediately replied, "I believe I am still too young to consider marriage. I would prefer to delay this matter for at least a few more years." King Cedric nodded. "There is no rush, but you must understand that marriage is more than just a union between two individuals. It is also a partnership between families. Marrying into a powerful family will give you significant political leverage in the years to come." Arthur understood that among the nobility, marriage was rarely about love—it was a tool for consolidating power. He knew he would have little choice in the matter, but he intended to postpone it for as long as possible.
"When will the ball take place?" he asked. "One week from now," his father answered. "Invitations have already been sent to nobles and elites from across the kingdom." Arthur raised an eyebrow. "That's rather soon." King Cedric chuckled. "Thanks to our railway network, travel is no longer an issue. Even those from the farthest regions of the kingdom can arrive in just a few days." Arthur smirked at his father's response. The efficiency of the railway system was yet another testament to how much the nation had changed. After discussing the details of the event for a while longer, Arthur returned to his chambers, deciding to spend the rest of his day off in relaxation.