Chapter 168
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: A Truly Fearless Friend
"From now on, this will replace money."
"Pardon? You mean these... scraps of paper?"
"Gasp!"
Derbal jumped in surprise, staring at the paper currency in my hand.
In a continent where only coins were recognized as currency, paper money was a completely foreign concept.
"What do you think? Isn't it drawn quite nicely?"
Amid the shock of Derbal and the administrative knights Andriaf and Tebedian, I gazed contentedly at my face printed on the bills.
"S-Surely that number doesn't mean gold..."
The bold "100" marked clearly on either side of the bill bearing my face.
"Oh! As expected of Sir Derbal, the top graduate of the Imperial Administrative Academy. Correct. The number printed here represents gold."
"Heavens!"
"Hmm..."
The administrative knights groaned, their faces stiffening.
Their minds were filled with doubts about how such scraps of paper could possibly replace gold.
"I'll have a proclamation drafted immediately. Announce that from now on, this paper currency will replace gold and silver throughout all of Neruman."
"My lord, if I may be so bold, won't this currency tear too easily? And there's doubt whether the people will readily use it. Moreover, the risk of counterfeiting is far higher than with gold."
Derbal raised the exact questions I'd anticipated.
But I wasn't an idiot.
"Don't worry about that. First circulate it for soldiers' pay and all purchases made by the lord's castle, both internally and externally. Collect taxes in this currency as well. And try tearing one. It's made with a special technique that won't rip unless you apply serious force."
With that, I handed paper bills to Derbal and the administrative knights.
"The designs are incredibly intricate."
"What kind of magic treatment is this? You can even see the image on the other side..."
The administrative knights marveled as they examined the bills.
In the 21st century, even if I told them that beyond this, cards and digital processing allowed trillions to circulate worldwide, they couldn't even imagine it.
"It's safer than merchant guild promissory notes. And do you think people like you would easily lose or tear these bills?"
"W-Well..."
Unless someone was stark raving mad, who would use money as toilet paper or kindling?
Of course, if you were filthy rich with a home swimming pool and private jets as toys, maybe.
'If the lord says shred it, we shred. Who's gonna stop us?'
By paying soldiers' salaries and various taxes in paper currency on a regular basis, its circulation would reform the territory in no time.
"And after about a month, all denominations above silver will be unified under paper currency, so inform everyone. Also, notify the merchant guilds that all transactions with us will be in Neruman currency only, and set up currency exchange offices within Denfos."
No reason to dawdle once we'd started.
'Wait for it, you merchant bastards. You're next.'
Not just the merchants—a grand con for the Empire itself.
It started today.
"My lord, but producing them in mass quantities with identical designs... is that feasible?"
Derbal, quick to grasp the situation as always, unlike the others.
"Of course. Who do you think I am? Everything is fully prepared."
I wasn't joking about the dwarves.
I'd already installed magical currency printing presses in the dwarf village caves, where they only cared about beer and crafting.
It had been tricky to make, but combining the dwarves' engineering prowess with my 7th Circle magic made it simple.
Dwarves excelled at papermaking, and using inks treated with magical reagents seized from the Magic Tower.
We couldn't match the 21st century's perfect color consistency every time, but we could produce fully viable currency for circulation.
"By tomorrow, we'll have enough to pay this month's soldiers' salaries. Prepare accordingly."
"Yes, sir!"
This was why smithing was great.
Just set up the basic framework, give the order, and the loyal knights handled the rest.
Not a bad profession.
"And is the administrative district reorganization complete?"
"Yes, my lord. We've divided the Lovent River into four natural sections, creating four major administrative districts: Ypiran centered on Denfos, Arpen toward the Kobiran Mountains, Kosain centered on Gadein Castle, and finally Paulus bordering the Haviss Kingdom. Below them, we've meticulously mapped administrative charts down to local central cities and their village-level sub-districts."
Derbal reported proudly on the completion.
'As expected of clever Derbal.'
Easier said than done—mapping detailed connections down to every village required immense effort.
Not a light workload, by any means.
If I named the busiest person in the territory after myself, Derbal would top the list.
"Well done."
"Not at all, my lord. Without your brilliant foresight, who could have completed such a plan? I sincerely admire you, my lord."
The ever-pleasing word "admire."
Even Derbal, top graduate of the Imperial Administrative Academy, couldn't compare to someone from the 21st century who'd lived in a world of finely divided provinces, counties, districts, and neighborhoods.
This continent still managed villages haphazardly under lords and their appointed officials.
"Dispatch administrative officers to each central city to manage population registers and production reports from the villages. And train specialized administrators to plan and manage all future cities and villages systematically."
"As you command."
The continent overflowed with young talent eager to work.
Graduates of imperial or royal academies, reduced to mere tax collectors shining their lords' shoes, unable to realize their ideals.
I'd heard we were scouting and recruiting such talents.
Though Neruman housed hundreds of thousands, few could read or write.
For now, we'd import talent. But in a few years, that would change.
I planned to establish elementary-level education centers in provincial central cities.
Not to teach systematic 21st-century knowledge, of course.
Unlike Korea, drowning in excess high-level talent, Neruman would focus on basic literacy and numeracy.
From there, we'd select the bright ones with potential loyalty to Neruman for advanced administrative training.
The rest would become true workers for Neruman.
No matter their role or place, I'd raise them as Nerumans who loved Neruman and would bleed for it.
'I'll grant titles of nobility that exist in name only, without land ownership.'
The territory was small.
Even if I declared a kingdom or called myself emperor, it was still tiny.
No land to divide.
I didn't know about elsewhere, but in Neruman, one territory lord was enough.
The antics of nobles I'd seen across the continent.
Unacceptable in Neruman.
'Now the blueprint is complete. All that's left is building a Neruman everyone acknowledges.'
The paradise I dreamed of was on track.
Not long ago, Neruman was the continent's poorest, most terrifying, dirtiest hellhole.
Monsters fled, surrounding enemies vanished one by one, crops and goods to enrich it grew and developed.
Under the Empire's beastly claws seeking to devour the penniless Neruman, it proudly found its dignity.
'Now, no one scares me.'
I'd lived fearlessly anyway, but now confidence brimmed fuller.
I'd reached 7th Circle magic, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Magic Tower Lords, and achieved the swordmage feats they never could.
Plus spirits.
'Reaching 7th Circle changed my swordsmanship too.'
Not the legendary Grand Blade Master realm, but the mana in my blade had clearly transformed.
Before 6th Circle, my mana capacity was Blade Master level, but my sword skill lagged.
Yesterday's test showed the mana in my blade had sublimated to a transparent blue hue.
Not deep, but sharper, more refined transparent blue mana.
The moment I willed it, nothing in the world would escape my slash—I could sense it.
'I wonder about Altari or Altakas, whichever he is.'
The hidden continent's true master, called the Destruction Joy Black Swordsman.
If Master were alive, he'd scour the continent hunting him.
Idal Master, who'd reached 8th Circle in white magic but had a black mage's temperament.
If betting on who was more ruthless, I'd pick Master.
"My lord..."
Lost in thought, Derbal cautiously called me.
"..."
I turned to see him peering at me carefully.
"We can spare one airship squadron. Even if you leave Denfos, we can hold for a while on our own."
Derbal knew we had to aid the Bazran Empire.
He eyed me, suggesting one squadron was feasible.
A smirk crept up.
Like Neruman's unseen lady of the house, Derbal minded every detail.
He read my heart perfectly.
"No need. Neruman knights' blood isn't required for Bazran's mess."
"But..."
Derbal seemed to ask if I could handle it alone.
He didn't know.
The plans I harbored.
'Time to move.'
1st-grade magic stones flowed through the entire inner castle.
I'd drawn their power to complete the magic circle.
Now, with the responding circle's coordinates, the continent's only long-distance warp gate would be possible.
"I'll handle it. You all accelerate Neruman's stabilization!"
"Hooah!"
The administrative knights shouted vigorously.
Like their spirit, Neruman's future shone bright and strong.
"...What a truly fearless friend."
Duke Hardaim, Kerper Kingdom's fierce general besieging Halberk Fortress.
Returning from intense aerial combat, a single letter awaited.
Addressed from Neruman's lord, Kaiser de Neruman.
Opening it revealed arrogant contents.
Kaiser warning to halt the advance, saying we'd done enough.
For a mere count's territory lord—not even a kingdom—to step in, the stakes were too high.
No, it couldn't be stopped.
When had Bazran become an empire?
By destroying former kingdoms or swallowing current ones' lands.
Now, in its decline and crisis.
The brutal law of the jungle ruled international politics, spinning wildly.
Andain Kingdom, Kerper, Kubiran, and Krantz—which reclaimed its throne—freely ravaged imperial territory.
Amid this feast, Kaiser's warning to end it.
Even Hardaim couldn't manage that.
Kerper's king was clear.
He wanted more land than any kingdom, plus Bazran's imperial capital.
"Kaiser... sorry, old friend. My hands are tied."
The lion's breath hadn't stopped yet.
Moreover, he knew the Bazran imperial cub in Neruman differed from the foolish tyrant on the throne.
Even knowing that, he couldn't act against Kerper's interests.
Not even against invincible Neruman's lord Kaiser.
Riiip.
Hardaim tore Kaiser's letter without regret.
It wouldn't be long now.
Imperial lords' wyverns flying to Halberk had dwindled sharply.
A few days of all-out assault, and the fortress's core, surrounding territories, and the Eastern 4th Legion's remaining skynights would be annihilated.
Once Halberk fell, none could stop the allied kingdoms from reaching the imperial capital.
"Kaiser, if you're so confident, come block us yourself. Heh heh heh..."
Yesterday's ally, now turning foe.
Hardaim couldn't forget Kaiser's blazing gaze.
The thrill of combat only the strong felt.
Hardaim wanted to meet Kaiser.
To clash in a life-or-death battlefield duel.
"Tsk tsk. Daily support requests..."
Bazran Empire's imperial office.
Marquis Silvron, delegated full authority by the emperor.
Dozens of urgent reports screamed crisis and pleas from everywhere.
Not just key fortresses in fierce battles, but detached kingdom forces infiltrating across the empire begged for aid.
And with skynights appearing, lords aiding fortresses grew passive.
Pull skynights from their territories, and enemies swooped to burn families and wealth.
To protect them, lords defied the emperor's orders.
"We executed a few who defied, yet they won't learn."
Dispatching imperial guards to execute defiant lords hadn't quelled the fire.
No, now some openly rebelled.
"Filthy vermin..."
Rip rip.
Not emperor yet wielding imperial might, Silvron shredded reports from the throne.
"I hear Duke Garviti's faction is stirring suspiciously. At this rate, the empire might truly fall. Maybe coax the emperor into a truce with the kingdoms?"
Crisis instinct kicking in, Silvron schemed.
His mind fixed on accepting defeat, preserving remaining lands intact.
The stalemated front alone exceeded most kingdoms' size.
Countless nobles dead left unclaimed territories everywhere.
Truce meant no loss for him.
"Heh heh... Being emperor is fun, come to think of it."
Though delegated, nobles quivered at his word.
The taste was exquisite.
The moment fool Emperor Poltbiran hid in his harem-packed inner palace citing headaches, all empire affairs bent to Silvron's will.
War limited full imperial power, but he savored its essence.
"Yes... in that case..."
Silvron grinned, savoring a wicked idea.
Using delegated power to buy nobles, tempt kingdoms with bait—treason's dream seemed within reach.
Empire on the brink, yet Silvron drowned in new ambitions.
Unaware his whims plunged Bazran's millions into sorrow....