The vast Empire naturally doesn't lack Magic Crystal Mines, owing to Hudson, that major consumer of Crystal Stones.
Half of the Alpha Empire's Magic Crystal Stone production has been bought back by Hudson.
Over eighty percent of the international Magic Crystal Stone trade has ended up in Hudson's pockets.
This has caused outsiders to think the Alpha Empire is a poor Crystal country, forced to import large quantities of Magic Crystal Stones every year.
The prices haven't been driven sky-high because Hudson forcibly ties in Magic Potions with various parties in the trade.
Raising prices is meaningless; no matter how high the Magic Crystal Stone prices go, not even one less Crystal is needed to purchase Potions.
The buy-in but no sell-out directly impacts the Empire Government's reserves of Magic Crystal Stones.
When Magic Crystal Stones are stored, everyone just wants to exchange them for Potions that enhance power levels.
