Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: A Territory Like a Money-Eating Hippo
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"Train elite troops."
"Elite troops, you say?"
"Train cavalry who can wield mana, and I want units where everyone from squad leader upward can use Blade techniques."
"Gasp! Th-that's...."
It was an utterly hectic day.
Thanks to the knights, the Sky Corps easily secured soldiers and returned.
At the evening meeting, he announced future plans.
"If we don't achieve military and economic independence quickly, enemies from all sides won't leave us alone. We must build our strength first."
It was basic theory, but absolutely necessary right now.
Derbal, Raiker, Jenis, and the other Sky Knights nodded.
'There's no end to the work.'
He had too much on his plate, even if he split himself in two.
Darting east and west like Hong Gil-dong, making Bebeto seasick from all the riding around.
'I need to fully master 7th Circle magic.'
He wanted to become a 7th Circle mage who could install warp teleportation magic circles.
But despite his desire, the enlightenment to break through the circle wall hadn't come.
"Politics, economy, military, culture, arts, environment! Neruman will be the center of it all. Proceed with that understanding, and give it your all!"
"Yes, sir!"
The picture he painted would soon become theirs.
All that remained was a full-speed sprint until the day Paradise was complete.
"Derbal, have you started recruiting the administrative academy graduates?"
"Yes, my lord. I used Rubis Merchant Guild's express communication to contact friends still in various empires. We'll hear back soon."
"Raiker, did you capture the information guild master?"
"Of course. I brought him nicely to the jail."
"Good work. And starting tomorrow, select soldiers with mana affinity. Also, recruit mage mercenaries and integrate them into the regular forces."
"Don't worry! If you give them fat pay, I'll drag even an archmage here."
Raiker, who hadn't shed his mercenary habits even after becoming a knight.
He'd probably live and die like that.
Women, money, women, money—right up until the day he smeared shit on the wall and ate it.
"Sir Jenis, do you know any former miners in Neruman?"
"Pardon?"
"Someone skilled at identifying various ores would be ideal."
"There are. Nearby, there's a village formed by former miners."
"Then fetch Nai-al. It's very important, so bring him properly."
"Yes, sir!"
'The tasks just keep piling up.'
Not some construction sim game—this was real territory development strategy, where one mistake meant no restart.
He had to pull out every bit of knowledge he had, and even what he didn't.
"Everyone leave except Sir Derbal."
"Yes, sir!"
"Aigoo, working us to the bone every day without a moment's rest. Not even giving advances...."
Raiker grumbled as he headed out.
Jenis watched him with a faint smile.
She seemed somewhat adjusted now.
"My lord, I'm worried you're pushing too hard."
Once the knights left, Derbal checked his complexion with concern.
"Don't worry about me—worry about yourself. Catch a cold, and I'll kick you out."
Derbal responded with a gentle smile.
"Territory management isn't as easy as I thought...."
"You're doing splendidly, my lord. Watching you display more administrative knowledge and insight than I have, I sincerely thank the gods for this chance to serve such a lord."
'Live in South Korea, and this is basic.'
A world-leading cram education nation, South Korea.
Even cramming could build the foundational knowledge for territory management.
"How are the people faring?"
"They're all satisfied. Viscount Lukens ruled so tyrannically that your actions have become their hope."
"Provide conveniences without causing discomfort. And sternly punish anyone from the nobility who harms the people. Neruman exists because of them, as do you and I."
"I'll etch your words deep in my heart."
Derbal treated him like some prophet.
Even now, his eyes radiated 'I respect you.'
"But surprisingly, it's fun. It's just the start, but I'm not scared at all."
"Only you could do this, my lord. Turning a place even the Bazran Empire abandoned into a livable land—only you can achieve it."
"Haha, having you, Sir Derbal, gives me strength. Isn't that amazing?"
"I'm endlessly grateful for your words."
He felt like introducing Derbal to a close cousin if he had one.
Honestly, without Derbal, he wouldn't have bothered making this his territory.
"Go rest now. And bring that information guild branch chief."
"Then rest well."
Derbal bowed politely and left.
'The night deepens already.'
Through the office window, a sky festival of stars.
Setting aside everything else, the natural environment was top-notch.
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"No long talk. I want unconditional cooperation."
"Wh-what do you mean...."
The Neruman branch chief of the information guild, thoroughly cowed after a night in jail.
Unbefitting his title, he was a chubby uncle in his mid-30s.
"Your name...."
"Smions, my lord!"
Quick on the uptake.
"Deliver the information I want as fast and accurately as possible. But for anything about Neruman from outside sources, make it slow and inaccurate. Easy, right?"
"....."
Smions blinked his small eyes at the explanation.
"Impossible."
Unlike his arrival, he calmly stated it was impossible.
"I'd like to ask why."
"If we followed your orders, the information guild would lose its reason to exist. Throughout the continent's long history, we've outpaced empires and kingdoms in intelligence because of one thing: fast, swift information trading. Even if you kill me now, another guild member will deliver everything to whoever wants it."
'Hoo, that's their stance.'
A firmer response than expected from the branch chief.
It made sense.
There must have been plenty like him in history.
"Haha. I see. If that's your will, so be it."
".....??"
His sudden hearty laugh left the branch chief baffled.
"Then let me ask once more."
"Ask....?"
"Deliver the information I want faster than anyone else in the world. That's my request."
"Don't worry! Once the price is set, I can find out the color of the imperial princess's favorite underwear."
'Argh, does this guy think I'm a perv....'
A small inner complaint.
But then, the face of Bazran Empire's princess Isis flashed in his mind.
His cheeks flushed unwittingly.
For a fresh twenty-something, such fantasies were life's bonus.
"Forget that.... I want info on one group."
"Which group...."
Smions, the plump one who loved wagging his tail for answers.
"Information on Idal of the Golden-Eyed Death God."
"Gasp! Th-the Golden-Eyed Death God!"
"Ah! Precisely, not the Death God himself, but after he vanished—do Idal's Magic Tower mages remain? If they're keeping the lineage, where exactly?"
"That... would be beyond top-class—ultra top-class...."
"I'll pay a 3rd-grade magic stone upfront."
"Ultra top-class means info that threatens the guild's existence itself. Plots to usurp imperial thrones are top-class."
Smions answered gravely.
"If satisfied, I'll pay 1 million gold upfront."
"Hmm...."
The branch chief groaned at the 1 million gold figure.
Equivalent to a small territory's annual revenue of 2 million gold, yet he looked troubled.
"I'll do it. But give me at least five months."
"Haha. I'll give you plenty of time."
'Please find those bastards.'
He needed the Magic Tower's cooperation, but he didn't want to deal with those bandit-like thugs.
Thieves who treated people like dirt just for knowing some magic, backstabbing as a bonus.
He wouldn't ally with the filthy cheats even if it killed him.
And his master's—Gandalf's—Magic Tower came to mind.
Once, all empires and kingdoms paid tribute willingly; its scale must have been immense.
As the saying went: even a rich man lingers three years after ruin, a Magic Tower a century. He believed they survived somewhere.
"But who are you, my lord? No clear birthplace...."
"Already a request on me?"
"Yes... it's 1st-class level, price skyrocketing."
'1st-class? Right below treason.'
Not a bad bounty on his head.
"Shall I tell you?"
"Yes? Hehe, I'd be grateful."
Smions beamed.
"Even if it hurts?"
"....."
"Not just hurts—you might get buried. Tied to a huge rock, deep in the ocean."
"M-my lord...."
Joy short-lived, the plump chief's face crumpled, teary-eyed.
'Heh heh....'
His occasionally wicked side emerging.
He didn't know himself which was the real him....
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Whiiiing. Whiiiing.
"Done!"
After days of labor, the magic circle glowed red and blue, signaling completion.
One of the magic knowledge in his head: the Mana Concentrator.
A heavenly gift for those with mana sensitivity.
He didn't know other towers, but he'd experienced Master Gandalf's personally—its excellence proven.
"Now we can expand mana in those with aptitude, in short time, up to a certain level."
Neruman lacked in everything, but especially knight-level mana users.
Even with wyvern joint attacks, infantry cores tanking monsters were knights.
Maximizing their power, and quickly training mana-sensitives into usable knights was urgent.
"Too bad about the lack of mages."
The circle was done, but operating it daily was taxing.
The hangar-center Mana Concentrator, using genuine 3rd-grade stones, handled three knights at a time.
But only mages could activate it.
Worse, mages were scarce as hens' teeth.
"Two weeks gone already. Time to seriously cull monsters...."
Drive out monsters for timely planting; planting for fall harvest to cut grain imports.
Rubis Guild grain cost a whopping 400,000 gold.
For 500,000+ Neruman folk, three months' food at 400,000 gold.
"Without self-sufficiency and revenue, bankruptcy looms."
Not just food.
Derbal's bi-daily reports painted Neruman's reality.
Walls and forward forts needed gunners urgently; soldiers' armor and supplies replenished.
Repair summer-flooded riverbanks; roads and security for safe merchant passage— all emergencies.
His past vague predictions now reality.
"Not the Bank of Korea—where to print money...."
Even in Neruman's misery, Viscount Lukens had sucked it dry.
Truly admirable.
Forget taxes—for now, poor relief.
"Deploy knights today. From mana-talented soldiers, we can get over 100 per batch if sorted well."
Hadn't sent soldiers home yet, but soon: age or useless ones back to villages as reserves.
Protect villages, productive work.
'Letters should arrive by now....'
Thinking of one woman, a smile formed.
Temples? Face soured.
Worthless, all fled.
Such places needed gods' workers most for mercy—yet this continent mirrored Korea.
No monks, just corrupt frauds; no pastors, money-grubbing heretics everywhere.
How could conscienceless scum peddle gods?
If conscience lived, they couldn't wear human skin.
"Tower guys quiet for a bit, kekeke."
Gaus Tower's Alltoys, basement-jail tortured days.
No matter their influence, no full war with a territory.
At best, whine to nobles or emperor for punishment.
But in Neruman, even emperor-grandpa unwelcome.
Claim rights without help? He'd smash his jaw.
Gaus deputy dragged away the aged Alltoys days later.
Regrets conveyed; no cooperation henceforth from towers.
One day, he'd boot them all out.
"Ru-al Mountains have more mines than Kobiran... but surviving there? Mining needs miners and guards aplenty."
Tracked former miners for old mine info.
Stories poured: gold, silver, even magic stone mines.
But nonstop monster waves blocked mining.
Neruman: riches everywhere, monsters blocking all.
Once ready, massive purge.
Grgrgr, grgrgrgr.
"Hm? What's that sound?"
Finishing circle, heading out—heavy dragging noise.
Hiiing, hiiing.
Strained horse whinnies.
"What?"
Curiosity opened hangar door.
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'Huh? What's that?'
Soldiers dragged something on a large cart pulled by four hefty horses.
'Robot??'
Incredibly, atop: a 3-meter iron robot.
Not handsome manga type—rusty, helmeted, crude body.
Unthought-of item.
"Haven't seen a Dravit in ages."
"Still around, huh."
'Dravit!'
The name triggered recollections.
'Assault Iron Golem, once battlefield staple—vanished after powerful Blast Spear emergence.'
Explanations, mana circuits, blueprints flooded mind.
Even latest model's speedy design.
"Where from?"
"Yes, my lord! Found sorting Gadein Castle items."
Ordered empty Gadein—Lukens' seat—except basic guard hundred, sell all for food.
Blood-squeezed castle; recycle for grain.
'Hoo, usable?'
Neruman short everywhere.
Antiques or not—recycle usable.
Genius idea sparked.
"Just this one?"
"N-no, five more, rusted."
Centurion leading soldiers looked regretful.
"Good work. Rest, then fetch the rest."
"Yes, sir!"
Centurion beamed at praise.
'With tweaks, tractor unit acquired. Kekeke.'
Magic: more amazing with use.
Even sans machine civ peak, eco-friendly essentials producible.
God's true human blessing?
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"My lord, at this rate, gold runs dry in a month."
Sketching tractor plow like grandpa's village tractor, Derbal entered.
Announcing dwindling funds.
'Knew it.'
Neruman Plains—great name.
Vast land, good water, mountains, resources galore.
Problem: endless money sink.
Empire-abandoned; now his.
"What's your ideal economic activity for Neruman?"
Couldn't bluntly say 'money-makers.'
Neruman lord must maintain dignity.
"First, stable food. Importing costs too much. Second, mine development. Academy taught Neruman's mineral wealth vast. Bazran ignores for Ritor Mountains, but unique riches for other kingdoms. Relay trade viable too. With Kessmir pirates' friendship, big profits."
Derbal spilled opinions like waiting.
Useful talent indeed.
"But key: military buildup. No monsters gone, no progress. Plus... tower and temple cooperation essential."
Derbal eyed him saying towers/temples last.
Knew his prickly side burned bridges with towers—regretted.
'Temples most vital. Potions aside, presence reassures folk.'
Devil Lukens gone, but trust thin.
Deep folk distrust of lords/nobles—not vanishing overnight.
"Why 1 gold for orc byproducts?"
"Leather value. Inferior to ogre/troll, but orc leather boots/armor useful for novice mercs/militia."
"I see. No magic beasts in Neruman?"
"There are. But monsters suffice food, so ignore humans. Magic beasts smarter than monsters."
He knew.
Knew? He'd even caught one.
"Seafood? River big fish suggest rich fishery."
"Compiling data/fisher talk. Post-fall/winter: salmon swarm Robent River. Summer/fall: Madir migrate coast south. All species abound. Kessmir Archipelago currents—beyond imagination."
'Tuna! Kekeke. Jackpot!'
Derbal's words rang cha-ching.
"But sea monsters as numerous. Local magic beasts especially dangerous."
No risk, no profit.
'Catching covers food, cash.'
Sea monsters/magic beasts? No threat.
If she came, all solved.
"Tell Raiker: selected knights/mana users here today. Three nightly."
"Will do."
Many questions brewing.
Rumors of his magic use, yet Derbal held tongue.
Such knights needed.
Loyal ones believing even sand-milled wheat.
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Chiiiik.
"Clear!"
Paat!
Fire-heated Dravit's torso.
Clear spell atop.
Chiriririririk.
Rust flaked like rice crust from cooker.
"Clean."
Polished black Dravit torso gleamed.
"Mana stone-powered Iron Golem. Sky Knights obsoleted, but I need you."
3m+ tall, arm-thick-as-thigh steel robot.
In low tech era, awe for mages who built it.
"Alchemy, metallurgy, magic's masterpiece."
Rust-free black Dravit fit perfectly.
"Levitation!"
Flipped it.
Egg-shaped knight armor: solid iron, thick joint guards.
"Fingers ten, but inflexible."
Held giant iron hammer, charged gates/walls.
Immune arrows/magic; siege staple.
Then skewered by Sky Knight Blast Spears—hidden in history.
Clunk.
Opened back thick guard plate.
"Spherical mana circuit."
Magic circuit visible.
Magic stone slot center: 20cm mithril board, mithril threads.
Once wired, unerasable unless cut—like phone gold.
"Test time?"
Age unknown, but post-rust: good shape.
"4th-grade suffices."
Knowledge: past used up to 2nd.
Post-Sky Knight target practice? No.
Click.
Egg-to-fist magic stones.
Beyond size, no output gain—large ones split.
Child-fist clear stone slotted safely.
Whiiiiiing.
Mana flowed Dravit fully.
Hand-sync mana.
Other mages' interference block: sync at startup.
Click-click.
Plate auto-closed.
Helmet donned, joints creaked alive.
"Hey, friend, rise."
Voice recognition transcending eras.
Few, but circuit-stored commands responded.
Kikikikikig.
Struggled torso up from cart.
Blue eye-lasers gleamed helmet slits.
"Walk forward."
Stiff but joint-moving.
Amazing.
Better than owning dreamed Gundam model.
Thud thud, thud thud.
"Ooh! Good!"
Fun.
21st century couldn't make such obedient giant robot easy.
Toy-joy like a kid.
Kwajik. Thud! Thud! Thud!
Until smashing through hangar outward.
"Wha! Stop! Stop, you birdbrain!"
Joy brief; halted cursing Dravit.
'New mana board: run, add attacks.'
Magic circle micro: circuit.
Creativity fun exceeded thoughts.
"Friend, back to spot, rest."
Kiki, kikikiki.
Mute steel golem.
Commanded eyes closed, rest mode— no 'return' input.
'Knights training well?'
Pitiful Dravit eyed, headed adjacent hangar.
People/wyvern-empty hangars: magic labs.
Lordship: Neruman whims.
Use brought bliss.
Minus gold drain, perfect.
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'Deep sleep mode.'
Three in triangular Mana Concentrator.
4th-grade stone space: mana vortex.
Knights' mana breathing: mana seeped nose/body.
Gandalf-only special circle.
Not instant Blade Master.
But expanded mana paths to max potential.
'More tomorrow.'
Vowed seeing serene faces.
Shortest time: continent strongest knight order.
For survival.
'Ughya! Today's fulfilling too.'
Dispatched stored Lukens grain to villages.
Future whatever—eat first, human inevitability.
'Ahhm....'
Silent yawn, exited.
'At least Sky Corps defense perfect.'
Spare time: circle-wrapped perimeter.
Dormant normal; emergency word: massive power.
His alone ability.
'If 6th Circle formulas adaptable to circles....'
Quiet to captain's quarters.
Magic-circle binge: magical knowledge reinterpreting.
Like?
Review finding missed bugs.
En route, head tangled complex formulas.