Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: A Radical Proposal
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"I fully understand the Viscount's concerns. For a minor kingdom like Pang, there's no choice but to keep an eye on the Khan Empire."
…Twitch!
Was it something in Ian's tone that grated? Viscount Sozen's eyelid twitched faintly. Ian pretended not to notice and pressed on.
"But isn't this situation different? The Lichtenauer Martial Clan is simply acting on Pang Kingdom's 'request.' Would the Khan Empire really make a move over the legitimate compensation we receive in the process?"
Viscount Sozen's heart remained unmoved by Ian's words.
"It's nothing but empty wordplay. You don't seriously think childish logic like that would work on the Khan Empire, do you?"
No, at least his emotions were shaken. The Viscount's choice of words had grown a bit rougher.
"How strange. Hasn't the Khan Empire repeatedly rejected Pang Kingdom's pleas to subjugate the bandits, despite all the begging? Even if they're scoundrels, would they really make an issue out of a deal born out of desperation to survive?"
"...That's exactly—!"
Bam!
Viscount Sozen slammed the table lightly, veins bulging on his forehead.
"The Khan Empire doesn't give a damn about the plight of a weak little kingdom! To them, our kingdom is nothing more than a tasty pig or cow to fill their starving bellies!"
Right on cue.
'The roots of resentment run deeper than I thought.'
By lightly prodding, Ian glimpsed the deep-seated anger and frustration bubbling up from the depths of Viscount Sozen's gut.
"I see. So the Khan Empire's outrageous sanctions are the real problem."
And so, in a subtle tone, he asked Viscount Sozen,
"In that case... what if there was a way?"
"...?"
"Even if we strike a lightning-fast deal, a way to ensure the Khan Empire can't impose any special sanctions on Pang Kingdom... Would you accept my proposal then?"
"...!!"
Viscount Sozen's eyes widened as if they might tear.
"...What do you mean? Make it so the Khan Empire can't impose sanctions?"
To the Viscount, brimming with anticipation, Ian nodded lightly and replied.
"It's simple. We just need to build Pang Kingdom's forces strong enough that the Khan Empire wouldn't dare look down on the people of this land."
It was the straightest straight talk, the very foundation of enriching the nation and strengthening its arms.
However.
"...So even the rumors of Young Lord Ian being a talented prodigy unlike his reputation were all hot air. To think you'd say something so clueless about the real world."
The Viscount's face flushed red at Ian's nonchalant words, as if it might explode.
"Or perhaps... unless you're insulting me right now, thinking me a noble of a weak kingdom just like you said?"
Finally, suppressed rage burst from Viscount Sozen's mouth.
To strengthen the kingdom's national power.
Who didn't know that simple answer?
Who sat idle because they didn't want to?
It was centuries of accumulated humiliation and exploitation.
Over that long span, the bruises inflicted on Pang Kingdom's people had brought deep despair and lament to its citizens, while granting prosperity and abundance to the Khan Empire's subjects.
Were there no heroes in Pang Kingdom's history?
Countless patriots, unable to endure the humiliation, rose with swords against the Khan Empire.
They struggled to dispel the shadows cast upon them.
But no one.
Not a single soul had overcome the Khan Empire's colossal wall.
To Pang Kingdom, the Khan Empire was an unclimbable mountain, an abyssal sea of unfathomable depths.
And yet, this was the empty nonsense he spouted.
'I was a fool to even listen for a moment.'
Thud!
"I know the status and face the Lichtenauer Martial Clan holds in Aslan Kingdom, so I won't say anything harsh. But... I'm not the type to laugh off mockery either. Leave. Now."
Viscount Sozen roughly set down his teacup, suppressing his boiling fury as he quietly issued the order to leave.
Even in that moment, maintaining rationality toward Ian—who was merely a clan heir—wasn't just because Viscount Sozen was a good man.
It came from being a noble of a small kingdom, always carrying the bitterness of the weak in his heart.
Like a flea that had resigned itself to the limits imposed by a wall, deciding its ceiling was right there.
"How odd. Why is the Viscount angry right now?"
"Urgh!"
In the end, the Viscount's pent-up rage exploded in a shout.
"Do you really not know, or are you asking?! Do you think our kingdom hasn't made any effort to overcome the Khan Empire?!"
Crash!
The teacup, struck by Viscount Sozen's swung hand, fell to the floor and shattered.
"The Khan Empire is a wall higher than the great calamity you face at your borders—far higher! If our kingdom's power alone could topple them so easily, we never would have come begging Aslan for help in the first place!"
"Hm? What are you talking about?"
Ian questioned Viscount Sozen's words.
"I said to build Pang Kingdom's forces, not build Pang Kingdom's power."
"Isn't that the same thing?! Forces or power...?!"
Viscount Sozen, mid-shout at Ian's words, trailed off without realizing it.
…Different.
Forces (勢力).
The power of a group.
There were strictly two ways to grow that power.
One was strengthening the group itself.
'But there's also expanding the size of the group itself?'
Judging that he'd given Viscount Sozen enough time to think, Ian spoke.
"Looks like you've caught on. There's definitely a limit to growing only Pang Kingdom's power."
It was true.
The Khan Empire and Pang Kingdom were incomparable from the start—in territory, resources, even talent.
When a once-in-a-century genius appeared in Pang Kingdom, ten similar ones popped up in the Khan Empire.
You could never win that way.
"So, combine forces with other groups to build greater power."
"What are you saying? On the East Continent, besides the Khan Empire and Pang Kingdom, where are there other nations? Are you telling us to join hands with your Aslan Kingdom?"
Deep disappointment clouded Viscount Sozen's face once more.
Borrow Aslan Kingdom's power... It might sound sweet at first glance.
But to Viscount Sozen's ears, it rang only as the cry of those driven by ambition.
If Aslan Kingdom stepped in after driving out the Khan Empire... what difference would there be?
As if reading Viscount Sozen's mind completely, Ian waved his hand dismissively.
"Come on, no way. As you know, our kingdom faces a colossal enemy called the Great Calamity. We haven't even sorted out the South Continent properly—where would we find the spare capacity to eye another continent?"
"Then how exactly do we build these forces?"
Viscount Sozen was gradually getting drawn into Ian's words.
"Doesn't the East Continent have them too? Excluding those two nations, there's another massive group dominating the White Night Mountains."
"…No way?"
Confusion flickered in Viscount Sozen's eyes at Ian's words.
"Moreover, it's the one group rapidly expanding its influence amid the stalemate on the East Continent. What could be better?"
Good lord.
What delusion was this kid spinning?
"Are you serious, Young Lord Ian? We're here to commission the subjugation of that very bandit group you're talking about. And you want us to ally with bandits? Are you in your right mind?"
This nonsense had limits.
Allying with bandits who were ruining the lives of the kingdom's people—even for a weak kingdom like Pang, they couldn't abandon that much pride.
"…Is that so? Well, nothing to be done then. I understand."
Ian nodded at Viscount Sozen, who had made his refusal clear.
"So the Viscount's grudge against the Khan Empire is only that much."
"What did you just say?"
"Am I wrong? Bandits this and that, but at their core, they're residents of the East Continent. Why do you think they became bandits?"
Ian met Viscount Sozen's hardened glare without flinching, speaking coldly.
"The Khan Empire exploited Pang Kingdom. I get the deep-rooted grudge. But let me ask: can Pang Kingdom's nobles confidently say they haven't exploited their own territories' people at all?"
"…!!"
Viscount Sozen was momentarily speechless.
"You said the bandits are expanding rapidly, right? Then why are they growing so fast? Because they enjoy being hunted by regular troops and living under constant threat? Hardly. They just wanted to survive."
It was mere thrashing to live humanely, unable to bear heavy taxes and forced labor.
That was the banner the East Continent's bandits flew, Ian was certain.
"If you equate a bandit group that might even include many of Pang Kingdom's own people with your centuries-old enemy, the Khan Empire... then I have nothing more to say. If Pang Kingdom's magnanimity is only that much, I'll pass on further talk."
Whoosh!
"Urgh…."
Step, step!
Viscount Sozen groaned as he watched Ian rise without hesitation and head for the door.
He wanted to retort that it was nonsense because they didn't know the Empire's power, that only the ignorant would say such things.
But the words from Viscount Sozen's mouth were entirely different.
"…It's idealism, nothing more."
Halt!
Viscount Sozen's words halted Ian's steps as his hand gripped the doorknob.
"Fine, let's say you're right, Young Lord Ian. Then let me ask one thing. Even if we want to join hands with the bandits, what's the guarantee they'll take our hand right away?"
Ian's lips curved upward slyly, his expression hidden as he fixed his gaze on the door.
Posing that question meant... he'd taken the bait to some extent.
Turn!
Ian spun around and declared,
"We can absolutely secure it—if you follow exactly what I say."
It wasn't a reckless toss.
If the bandits still upheld their original banner, and Viscount Sozen acted precisely as instructed.
The East Continent's bandits would undoubtedly focus their actions on the Khan Empire.
Ian knew this better than anyone.
The East Continent's bandits, Yeo (餘).
The true identities of their leaders and executives were the close aides of Lucas—planted on the East Continent on the advice of his strategist, Stion Ballanty, back in the day.
The deep night where even the moon barely rose.
Swish!
In a small town not far from Shurton, two figures cloaked in black robes wove through the back alleys, using the darkness as cover.
"…."
The leader cautiously scanned the surroundings before flashing a quick hand signal back.
The all-clear.
The rear guard relaxed, caught up, and let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew, we managed to slip out of Shurton somehow. Those bastards are exhausting, seriously."
Slipping off her robe revealed a stunningly beautiful woman.
With her alluring red hair, it was Tia.
"If we'd been even a little slower... Ugh, just thinking about it is horrifying."
Shiver!
Was it the release of tension?
Tia hugged herself dramatically, playing up her fear.
Playful as her attitude was, her words weren't wrong at all.
In truth, it had taken a full week to meet Bator at the rendezvous and escape Shurton.
The security inside Shurton had been that ruthless.
'Five minutes later... and I'd have ended up caught like Adam.'
Bator spoke coldly to Tia as she lowered her robe and fixed her hair.
"Tia, we're still in enemy territory. Don't take off your robe so hastily—put it back on. Your hair stands out too much."
Tia smirked, though she usually obeyed Bator's words obediently, even if grudgingly.
"Yessir, yessir. When the great warrior-class White Wolf of the Lang tribe speaks, a lowly she-cat like me has no choice but to obey, meow."
Tia pulled her robe back on while mocking Bator's words.
Her attitude screamed mockery over respect, and Bator's eyes darkened.
"…You bitch."
Bator growled threateningly, but Tia no longer feared his words.
She had no reason to.
Bator no longer had his prized iron rod—or his left arm.
The Lang tribe's fearsomeness came from their superior physiques and ancient staff arts.
But Tia didn't waver at Bator's words one bit.
Not only had Bator abandoned his weapon on that ground, the fool had lost his left arm too.
To Tia, Bator was no longer frightening.
"If you wanna charge, come on and try it."
With all her built-up stress anyway, she needed to vent somewhere.