Chapter 143
Chapter 143
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: What is Your Identity?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah....."
The royal castle of the Habis Kingdom, which had weathered a stormy year last year.
Princess Rosiatte, acting as regent for the king, trembled as she received a golden letter stamped clearly with the black wyvern emblem.
A letter that had just arrived from the Bazran imperial palace, stamped with the emperor's jade seal.
It was a polite invitation to attend the new emperor's first birthday banquet in the season of Lord Romero's return.
Along with a note expressing considerable regret for not attending the previous emperor's coronation.
'What should I do about this?'
She had finally caught her breath after a truly chaotic year, only for the mad dog to come calling.
The reason for the conquest of the Krantz Kingdom, as ascertained by the kingdom's intelligence department.
The foolish emperor who had overnight destroyed a kingdom treated as an ally by nitpicking on some pretext to avenge a humiliation from over a decade ago.
Now, he was issuing a warning toward the Habis Kingdom.
Rosiatte had been unable to attend Poltbiran's coronation due to the kingdom's handling of a rebellion at the time.
If she didn't attend this time, she couldn't guarantee what fate would befall the kingdom.
But she hesitated to attend as well.
Rosiatte knew full well the sticky, lustful intent that deranged emperor had directed toward her.
"Haa....."
A sigh escaped her lips.
Lord Romero's moon was not far off now.
She had to decide within days and set out, or it would be too late.
"Kaiser... what should I do?"
When danger loomed, one person's image naturally came to mind.
She suddenly longed to see Kaiser, who always lived boldly and fearlessly.
She missed him, but couldn't see him—even in her dreams, he visited only occasionally, tormenting her.
The emperor's invitation slipped from Rosiatte's hand and fluttered to the floor.
She wanted to refuse with all her heart, but the kingdom weighed on her.
The Habis Kingdom was like a newborn child.
She couldn't bear to abandon it.
She couldn't let the kingdom, which had endured centuries of humiliation, end in her generation.
"I'm sorry. I must borrow your wisdom once again."
Rosiatte made her decision.
She resolved to seek out Kaiser in person.
The kingdom was important, but as a woman, her heart was equally vital.
Count Kaiser de Neruman.
To Rosiatte, he was a precious gift from the gods that nothing could replace.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"I wonder what nitpick they'll grab onto this time."
"Our kingdom's become a nuisance now too. With the Krantz Kingdom fallen, we share a border with Bazran....."
"We've rested easy enough until now. We could just send envoys and gifts without worrying about the empire."
"Tch, true enough. It feels like days like this, casually drinking with you, are numbered."
At the foothills of the Kobion Mountains, which spanned the Kerper Kingdom and the Tobe Kingdom.
In the watchtower of an old fortress built during a past territorial war between the two kingdoms but now abandoned, two men were downing strong liquor from rough wooden cups.
The two who had become friends after meeting on the battlefield.
The man called Galpoise, known as the Tobe Kingdom's bag of tricks, with his striking golden gray hair and beard.
He was of modest height, with deep blue eyes reminiscent of a serene lake.
Across from him sat a man with fiery red hair and a red beard, gulping liquor from a large wooden cup.
Duke Hardaim, the fierce general called the Red Dragon of the Battlefield, guardian of the Kerper Kingdom.
Over two meters tall, he unusually wielded a spear for a knight.
The two had been friends for thirty years already.
No one knew that the decisive reason the kingdoms, once spilling blood over border issues, had reconciled was because these two had admired each other upon meeting.
Heroes recognize heroes.
The two men who crossed paths on the battlefield soon recognized each other's prowess, lowered their weapons, and had maintained their friendship for thirty years since.
With an unspoken agreement to preserve peace between their kingdoms until the day they died.
Every year, the two dukes set a date to gather in this ruined fortress and share drinks through the night.
From kingdom affairs to the lascivious tales of noble ladies—stories they couldn't share with others, they exchanged over drinks in the name of friendship.
But today's mood was heavy.
The two kingdoms were on high alert because of the new emperor called the mad dog of the Bazran Empire.
The Kerper Kingdom, bordering the empire, and the Tobe Kingdom, now sharing a border due to the fall of Krantz.
An invisible state of emergency hung over them, and the two dukes, who held key decision-making power in their kingdoms, knew they wouldn't have the leisure to share drinks like this for a while.
Friendship mattered, but as knights, they never neglected their duty to safeguard their nations.
"This time, the Tobe Kingdom needs to prepare thoroughly too. That young pup's got so much greed—who knows what'll happen if we indulge him; the kingdom might get uprooted."
As Duke Hardaim shook his head and spoke of the mad emperor's greed, Duke Galpoise wore a bitter expression.
"That's why there's so much talk about it. That crazy bastard ordered the envoy to include Princess Audrienne too. Horny mutt....."
Duke Galpoise, usually called the sage of the Tobe Kingdom.
He spat cheap curses like a mercenary and gulped down his drink.
"Puhahaha! That guy's madness is top-notch."
Duke Hardaim burst into wild laughter.
But unlike his laughter, lightning-like fury flashed in his eyes.
"I hear most of Krantz's nobles surrendered too. They couldn't even mount a proper resistance because the prince fled to Ibats Island with the Sky Knights..... Though it seems the late King Bekadrian prepared something....."
"Galpoise."
".....?"
Galpoise looked up at Duke Hardaim's call.
"You know full well, so why ask."
Whoosh.
Duke Hardaim tossed an empty liquor bottle far away.
"Haha, you knew too, huh."
Duke Galpoise let out a hearty laugh at Duke Hardaim's meaningful words.
Once enemies, but friends for thirty years.
They could read each other's minds with a glance.
"When did the empire become an empire? Bazran started as a small kingdom too. And now, with its fortunes waning and a mad emperor on the throne—this is heaven's gift of opportunity, isn't it?"
"Heh..... Right, heaven's gift is an opportunity."
"After sorting out the Bazran Empire, the Kerper Kingdom will turn a blind eye to the Tobe Kingdom seizing its southern territories. Even if your kingdom's old rival, Onsk Kingdom, falls, we won't lift a finger to help."
"Haha, confident, are you? The current Kerper queen is an Onsk princess, you know."
The continental nations that had been quiet for decades.
All had been stockpiling strength, waiting for the continent to stir.
And now, the board for a storm of blood was being set.
"Get in touch with Prince Byons who fled to Ibats Island. I'll handle the Andine and Kubiran Kingdoms."
"Got it. Our kingdom's preparing too. If need be, I'll lend a hand."
"Hahaha. Thanks, friend!"
The storm of war sweeping over the Kalian Continent was, after all, something humans created.
Here, another plot and plan was completed, ready for execution.
Above the runner is the flyer, and aiming arrows at that flyer.
The world was such a ridiculous playground for scoundrels.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"They can even make glass like this. Kaiser, what exactly are you?"
As usual, I abruptly presented the glass manufacturing blueprint, and Dwarf chieftain Kasias looked up from it to question my identity.
A grin.
Instead of answering, I smiled.
Truth be told, how would a mere Korean office drone like me know such detailed processes?
But my mind held infinite knowledge of magic and modern science I didn't even know I had.
The ignorant magic knowledge transfer from my thug master, not Gandalf but Gandalf.
Just thanks.
"Please make crucibles that can hold the molten glass. With your clan's skills, you can do it in a few days, right?"
"Leave it to me. We can make crucibles hot enough to melt glass in no time."
'Dwarves can make glass too? Why so confident?'
Dwarves, the jacks-of-all-trades in smithing and crafts.
"By any chance, can dwarves make glass too?"
"Of course! Back in the magic era, mages scrambled to buy glass made by our ancestors. You might not know, but the hardest part of glassmaking is minimizing bubbles. Also crucial is withstanding winter cold and summer heat, or tempering at high heat to prevent shattering on breakage."
"....."
'Whoa, it's not just knowledge.'
Once again, I marveled at the dwarves' versatile skills.
"But I didn't know it was made this way. With your blueprint, it seems we can melt all materials together and pour. Mass production in short time....."
Kasias even gauged mass production from the blueprint alone.
He stared admiringly at it, pork belly bribe wedged between his knees.
'Yeah, go for top-grade tempered glass while we're at it!'
I planned magical treatment anyway, but starting with tempered glass would be ideal.
"Mass production of tempered glass would be tough, right?"
A slight jab at his pride.
"What nonsense! Tempered, colored—don't worry. We'll make every type you want. There's already mineral recipes for glass processes. Trust me."
'Heh. Of course I trust you, and trust again.'
Where else to find such treasures?
"As expected of the chieftain! I truly admire you!"
I parroted Derbal's line to him.
"Ahem. This is nothing....."
The chieftain cleared his throat, pleased by the praise.
'In a few days, I have to return the Rabiter soldiers. And Crisia will come too.'
My mind was preoccupied.
Leaving the still unstable territory for an unknown-length journey weighed on me.
But no choice.
The mansion masquerading as a castle was gradually taking shape, and magic stones were depleted.
'The Rabiters won't reattack right away. The problem is Bazran's mad dog bastard.....'
Something felt off about Poltbiran.
A madness-soaked guy wouldn't leave siblings who threatened his throne alone.
Better guard against a backstab in sleep.
I wanted to quietly fly over and bury him deep underground.
"But is something happening in the territory?"
While lost in thought, the chieftain asked about the territory.
"What do you....."
"No, but why use so many minerals? We've used decades' worth in under a year. Mithril we get from elves, but we'll have to migrate for iron ore."
No words.
Even I saw we'd used an insane amount.
But who am I?
I already had countermeasures.
"So I've prepared a solution."
"Solution?"
The dwarf elder blinked his big eyes at "solution."
"I'm building a city for dwarves to live in."
"A—a city for us?"
"Yes. There's that old dwarf village site on the flatland outside the cave, right? We'll build magic forges, modern large forges and smithies, and a beer warehouse there."
"Ooh! A—a beer warehouse!!"
Clear joy at "beer warehouse" over forges and smithies from Chieftain Kasias.
'Factory expansion investment to squeeze out more goods. Heh heh heh.'
He didn't know my dark intentions.
The current cave village was usable but insufficient.
The small entrance required dismantling large items.
But an outdoor workshop would let them churn out what I wanted.
"We'll make the beer facilities identical to those in Neruman Castle. What do you think, Chieftain....."
"We'll do it. It's our home—starting tomorrow, I'll lead all dwarves staying here and complete it. Don't worry."
"Haha. Thank you. Seeing my brothers so happy makes me glad too."
"Of course, we're brothers. Hahaha."
Kasias laughed heartily.
Even as he spoke, he clutched the wooden bark package of pork belly, wary of the gathering dwarves snatching it.
What are neighborly brothers for?
Laughing while each takes gains—that's it.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Whirrrrr.
Warm sky energy pleasantly brushed his face and dispersed.
Flap flap.
With nothing pressing, Bebeto leisurely flapped his wings through the sky.
Helmet off, enjoying the still-chilly wind.
'No matter how many times, it's great.'
Once a brutal neighborhood of romping orcs and hide-and-seek ogres, Neruman.
Now, monster-held areas had halved.
Eastern earthen walls for wyvern fodder breeding, beyond Orak Castle to the north, and monsters near Kobiran and Rual Mountains remained.
Thanks to daily Sky Knight patrols and cavalry on call for monster provocations, the territory was rapidly stabilizing.
'Not even a tenth developed yet. No, not even a twentieth.'
Returning to Denfos after meeting dwarves and touring the territory.
Post-monster plains were tinting pale green with sprouting grass.
Good soil ready for crops if developed.
Endless plains from above lifted spirits.
Someday, orchards dense on gentle hills, golden wheat dancing in wind.
Neruman folk would sing of plenty freely.
'Wish we could wall everything with bricks, but impossible. Slowly build small fortresses, expand villages.'
Fortunately, slaves from Habis caused no issues.
They knew we'd granted freedom after lifelong slavery.
Some did cause problems.
Those nostalgic for dirty wealth, sowing discord, despising Neruman folk.
Quietly sent to coal mines.
Great luck strikes twice rarely in life.
No intent to embrace those who kicked away their future.
'Tomorrow ends major earthworks. Three days later, return the soldiers.'
Time flew.
Used Rabiter soldiers to roughly finish urgent works.
Greed wanted a year, but promised Rabiter POWs.
Said we'd release if the empire wanted.
Of course, no one in continental history was as generous.
Selling POWs as slaves was instant profit; unless crippled, returned soldiers could rearm—common knowledge.
But I wasn't a dung fly or moth chasing visible gains.
Releasing them would yield no small profit.
Unbelievable changes in Neruman.
Flattening Rabiter Empire's nose showed we weren't pushovers, but rumors of kind lord(?) where folk ate full and peaceful hadn't spread yet.
But when 180,000 Rabiter POW mouths opened, Neruman's great saga would spread.
Neruman that even POWs admired.
Elves humans only heard of summoning spirits to build castles and roads, dwarves hammering walls and goods themselves.
Taxes lightest on continent; ill healed by saintess serving Neran herself—miraculous land.
To continentals slaving under lords, Neruman would be dream Eldorado.
'Can easily take 10 million.'
Considering size and production, Neruman could handle 10 million.
Smiled warmly thinking of chosen paradise citizens.
'Growing strong, perfectly.'
No autopilot, yet Bebeto homed on Denfos.
Soon, long road crossing plains came into view.
Merchants bustled wagons along it.
'Right! Today's first salt production.'
Derbal's excited morning report on salt.
Chilly weather, but no rain and ample sun sped it up.
Dried seawater sparkling like white pearls.
No wonder Derbal thrilled.
Salt traded for dozens times its weight in food.
Endless salt from vast salterns—unmissable.
Salt alone could make Neruman folk fat rich.
"Bebeto, to the salterns."
Kuoouououou!
Loyal Bebeto understood.
Slowly turned toward salterns.
Drowsy afternoon sun pierced eyes.
Gentle breeze blessing me with full repose.....
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Gasp....."
Returning to Neruman after months.
Princess Rosiatte, guiding along the long road like an escort to Denfos, let out a stifled groan upon reaching Denfos airspace.
With twenty royal guard Sky Knights, crossing the border soon summoned over twenty Neruman wyverns, as if signaled.
Recognizing Habis royal banner, five in formation led ahead.
Following those wyverns deep into Neruman, Rosiatte and Habis Sky Knights.
Reports noted it, but the vast road piercing the territory drew awe.
But that wasn't all.
Cavalry swiftly moved along it; merchant wagons sped by.
Soon arriving at Denfos city.
At first sight, all mouths gaped.
'Treating POWs like that..... And what's that massive castle!'
Over ten thousand large military tents on Denfos Castle's outer plain.
Soldiers freely lounging or exercising inside.
Attire showed Rabiter invaders captured in Neruman invasion at a glance.
Before shock at non-POW-like soldiers faded, another heart-pounding sight: enormous outer castle.
Vaster and sturdier than Habis royal castle.
Outer foundation rivaling the empire's.
Heart racing at majestic scale, wyverns crossed Denfos skies.
Lord Kaiser absent here; Neruman wyverns flew past Denfos, leading ahead.
Flying on, eyes bulged at buildings under construction in the great castle.
'G-Golden temple! And what's with that insane number of hangars!'
Three hulking structures dominating the outer castle.
One side: grand temple rising earthward, gleaming golden radiance.
Other: inner castle half-built.
Front: wyvern landing field.
Over a thousand stone hangars, imperial/royal-grade, spaced imposingly.
'Kaiser... what is your identity?'
No human strength alone could build that.
Even empire needed years for such megastructures.
Yet he achieved it in mere months.