Price of Management

Each painting…….

Okay, let's just think calmly.

I have a painting of my own.

The Kingdom of Leaden, divided by the Royalty and the Jehovah, is united around King Erik to form a Patriot and allied with the Orient Kingdom to strike a balance of power that will not be defeated by the Horn Empire.

The peace that remained in that uneven balance was the true painting I drew.

The assassination of Emperor Kars is not in my paintings.

If we do that, the Horn Empire will be in chaos and our Kingdom of Ledon may be able to escape the threat for a while.

But then the relationship with the Horn Empire is irreversible. This could be the cause of a greater disaster.

I just have to paint my picture.

King Erik and the late Duron have acknowledged and believed in my plan.

I opened my mouth at the end of my decision.

“First of all, Castel Castle is not returnable. Instead, the Horn Empire immediately liberates all its prisoners unconditionally, limiting the garrison of Castel Castle to no more than 3,000, proving its intention to invade the Baden River Basin in the future. ”

“What's the toll?”

“As the intention of negotiating the Baden River toll is to lower the water prices to the heavenly government due to toll taxes, we reduce and downgrade the food and living goods consumed by people below average to less than 30% today. ”

Downward freezing meant it could be lower, but it could not be more impressive in the future.

“For luxury or munitions, that means we're on our own. ”

“Yes, that is the bargaining agreement that the Kingdom of Ledon can offer after the establishment. ”

“Indeed, that's appropriate. ”

Earl Ranzhel gives you a reasonable nod.

“Fine. I'll take your terms. ”

“Wise decision, thank you. ”

We got up and shook hands.

The negotiations on the Baden River that made the continent so chaotic were actually settled in the middle of the night.

* * *

Earl Ranzhel hasn't left the support for a while, even after Caroc left.

Evan sits on Caroc's seat.

“Tell me about the outcome of the negotiation. ”

Earl Ranzhel says Evan opens his mouth.

“Lowering the toll tax to the current 30% on food and living goods alone will likely bring the overall toll income down by approximately 18%. ”

“As far as I can take it. ”

“Yes, but the loss of Castel Castle was a huge blow. It is a great military burden for us to have an army of the Horn Empire at the strategic point ahead of us. ”

“It will continue to be a farce. ”

“Yes.”

“Times are changing. ”

“Yes?”

Evan looks at Earl Ranzhel with a curious look on his face.

“You can't just confront the royal family like this until now. If the Horn Empire invades the Baden River basin, it will be difficult to defeat it without the help of the Crown. To do so, we must consider the relationship with the royal family to some extent. ”

“The loss of Castel Castle, after all, is of great benefit to the crown. ”

“Yes, and one more thing. ”

“What do you mean? ”

“Conditions for reducing toll duty and freezing are required for food and supplies only. ”

“Isn't it obvious that we saved the people affected by the great famine and black blood disease? ”

“That's not all. There's something else. I'm drawing pictures that I can't see. The man named Caroc Kunt. ”

Earl Ranzhel lowers his cup of tea.

“I found out through this negotiation. The history of the future will be governed by Emperor Kars and Caroc Kunt, both of whom. I get the feeling. My death will be the beginning of a new history. ”

“Earl……. ”

Evan looks at Earl Ranzhel sadly.

Earl Ranzhel cynically looks up at the moonlight.

“In a new age to come, I have to admit, it's time to leave. There's no foolishness. It's just a shame. If I could have lived ten more years, I wouldn't have gone back like this. ”

The cold breeze blows.

The leaves pour down without fail.

“Cough, cough!”

Earl Ranzhel vomited a cough he had been struggling with.

He takes out his handkerchief and wipes the blood off his mouth, muttering to himself.

“I hate autumn. ”

* * *

On the second day, the negotiations between the Baden River, which marked the fate of the Midwest continent, took place.

Given the first day of a sharp opposition, it was a quiet agreement.

But it was obvious because we had already reached an agreement with Earl Ranzhel in advance.

King Erik has agreed to the terms of his agreement with Earl Ranzhel in the negotiations to coordinate the consistency of the negotiations.

Earl Ranzhel, of course, agreed with Emperor Kars. There was no reason to disagree with the king of Orion, who had only fulfilled his duties.

King Erik is pleased with the outcome of this negotiation.

“That's the first thing Jim has achieved since he got on top. ”

That's what Louie said.

“Excellent work. Your international status has increased by leading the negotiations and leading the consensus, and you have proven your driving force to fruition, which has led to a role model for senior officials who are problematic about your tribe inside the palace. ”

“You can't look at me like I don't know anything about the state anymore. In fact, most of the senior officials who look down on me are corrupt people who get paid after school. ”

King Erik stares at me with a single smile.

“Here, let's settle this negotiation! Now tell Jim what to do. ”

“First of all, I think we should increase the power of the royal family by acquiring talents who follow you. By concluding this negotiation, the king's reputation will increase, and the talent he seeks will be greater than ever. I'm sure Lord Duron knows better than I do when it comes to internal affairs. ”

“Yes. And what else should we do? ”

I thought about it for a while.

With the success of the Barden River toll negotiations, it was time to tighten up the interior of the royal palace and hide.

The next step is to negotiate tariffs with the Orient Kingdom and turn it into an alliance.

I opened my mouth with a smile on my reflection.

“You need to give me time to return to the territory and rest. ”

I'm tired.

I don't want to work. You worked too hard!

At least I want you to leave me alone until the end of the year.

“Haha, good. I promise I won't call you until winter this year. ”

A sigh of relief came to me after I received my promise. We can rest for a while.

But then someone knocked on the door.

“Earl Halstein. ”

Duke Meutt, who was silent, opened his mouth. I felt the energy of the error.

“Come in.”

The visit opens after King Erik's permission.

It really was Earl Halstein.

He and Duke Meutt looked at each other for a moment. It was brief, but there seemed to be a spark. Looks like they haven't put aside their fighting against each other yet.

King Erik asks.

“What's going on? ”

“His Majesty calls for Baron Karoc Kunt. ”

That made me feel the blood coming out of my face.

Now let me go! You sick fuck!

“Good.”

King Erik gives his permission. Earl Halstein looks me in the eye as if to follow me.

I made a face and followed Earl Halstein.

The hordes of the Horn Empire have already paid their dues to leave.

Emperor Kars was in his luxurious carriage.

An eight-man black horse carriage with no room for fancy teeth.

I felt like a Conqueror's Wagon.

“Your Majesty, I'm here. ”

Earl Halstein's words make you hear Emperor Kars' bland voice in the carriage.

“Tara.”

I hate poetry. You and Emperor Kars talking in a wagon. I'm scared!

I was reluctant, but Earl Halstein stared at me as if I wanted to get on.

“Phew.”

I sighed and got on the wagon.

The wagon was quite spacious.

The beds and dining tables remind me of a moving bedroom.

Emperor Kars, who was lying sideways on the bed, pointed to a chair by the table.

I sat in a chair.

“This is the second time you've had a crush on the Emperor. ”

We spoke once in the White Cedar Gardens of Isabella Palace.

At that time, I proposed to join the Baden River negotiations and raise an army to pressure the landfall.

By the time he was offered, all calculations had already been made in his mind.

The plot to deceive the whole world and conquer Castel Castle was instinctively made to conquer the nomadic people using reverse measures even after the onslaught.

The fundamentals are really different from what I see. A man born for political games and war.

This man really is the lord of heaven who came down to conquer the continent.

Are you sure you want to be the rebirth of Grand Duke Crocente Bezalius?

The moment I saw him, I felt alive again. He's this close. He's right in front of us. Can't we just kill him? Such flesh soared like a flame.

Emperor Kars was observing me like that. Unique obsessive eyes full of curiosity and obsession.

“What are you thinking right now? ”

“I won't answer. ”

Emperor Kars gives a twisted smile.

“Fun, too. You.”

You think it's as fun as your mental state?

Emperor Kars said.

“Very well. I give you my special immunity. ”

“Waiver?”

“Do you remember your first meeting? ”

“I'll never forget it. ”

“Just like then. From now on, you will forgive no matter what you say about me. You can talk back to me or you can curse me. Forever.”

“It's a little overwhelming. ”

I don't know if that's something you can do as an emperor. I can't believe you would forgive me for saying that to your face like a friend.

I've lived close to 94 years, but I don't know this man.

“It doesn't matter. Now tell me. What are you thinking? ”

Yeah, I'll tell you if that's what you want to hear.

How many times?

“I was thinking about wanting to kill you. ”

Gurgle!

The wagon door opens roughly as if it were broken.

Earl Halstein, with the door open, stares at me with frightening eyes.

Life pours out. Living focused on one person locks up my heart like a wave.

But I'm not affected by life.

I've already summoned the gnome and hid it underground.

When I share my senses with my gnomes, my mind becomes free, not bound to the flesh.

His life was enough to harden my body, but it did not put pressure on my mind.

To put it simply, my mind cannot conquer him as long as his life cannot conquer him.

Therefore, I was able to look at Emperor Kars without hesitation.

“Heave-ho... ”

I was surprised. Earl Halstein was frozen to death, too.

It was Emperor Kars laughing out loud. It was not a distorted weird smile, but a real smile.

The emperor Kars smiled for a long time and said to me, swirling.

“I'd like to take you back to the Horn Empire in a carriage like this. ”

“You've got to be kidding me. ”

I said no to that face.

It's not just my face, but my heart is also expressing extreme resentment.

I hate being with you.

“I'm not kidding. ”

I was scorned by what Emperor Kars said.

“I give you the title of Duke. ”

“ ……?! ”

I was surprised, too, Earl Halstein.

“I will appoint a Chancellor. I'll make you the heretic of the whole world. I have a gift that you don't have, but you also have a talent that I don't have. I can see it in my eyes. ”

“ ……. ”

I couldn't say anything.

This person always scares me enough to stop my heart.

“If you accept my offer, I'll leave your family and those around you alone. I'll take full responsibility and protect them. That's all you really want, isn't it? That's why you ran so hard without any obsession with luxury films. ”

The words of Emperor Kars dug deep into my heart like the temptations of the Devil.

One day, he almost saw right through me. I calmed the surprised chest and opened my mouth.

If there is one thing I have learned in my 94 years, it is that the answer is always fixed in my heart, even if it is a conflict of choice.

“I wish I'd been born in the Horn Empire. No, even if I was born a commoner, I would gladly accept your offer. But my family doesn't want that either. Because I am not a man who accepts your offer. ”

Yeah, I ran like this for my family, like you said.

My life was 90 years old.

I've lived so long, what's there to be sorry about now?

However, my family is also a person with a heart and a will.

I can't listen to you because I can't turn away from the hearts of my family.

“I see.”

“I have a proposition for you. Will you excuse me?”

Emperor Kars with a double eyed look and Earl Halstein with an unknown expression.

I told you.

“Give up conquest on the continent instead. The Horn Empire has been inevitably obsessed with invading surrounding countries because of its environmental conditions. The uncontrollable nomads are also one of the causes of the collapse of the economy of the Horn Empire. But I think the Horn Empire has a lot of room for economic improvement in terms of policy, even without war. If you give up your ambition to conquer the continent, I will work for you in my own way. What do you think?”

The emperor replied straightaway.

“Too bad. But I thought you'd say no. ”

“Yeah, me, too. ”

“I look forward to seeing you again. ”

“I'd rather not. ”

I smiled nervously as Emperor Kars distorted my face.

I said good-bye to Emperor Kars and got out of the wagon.

Earl Halstein stares at me coldly as I leave.

“I'll kill you any chance I get. ”

My face was also stiff.

I shot him.

“Earl Halstein. I've been thinking about you. When you confronted Duke Meutt, you said you would not fight. I don't need honor. I wondered where your blindness, your loyalty, comes from, that you don't hesitate to shave off. And I came up with one guess. ”

“ ……. ”

“When Emperor Kars' mother and brother were assassinated, were you two guards? Or when Emperor Kars was five years old when he was poisoned……. ”

“Shut up.”

Earl Halstein stares at me with a more frightening glance than before.

That's right.

Guilt.

Heavy guilt was the driving force behind Earl Halstein. Then everything is explained.

“Just as you can do anything for Emperor Kars, I have people I want to protect. If you understand that, you know how patient I am today. ”

“ ……. ”

No, I don't.

Actually, you don't know.

I feel like I can't do anything with a human being in front of me who's about to become a storm in history.

Do you understand how I feel about confronting him despite the history of chaos? You have no idea how much I wanted to kill him today.

I turned my back on Earl Halstein and left.

I felt a sense of gnome as Earl Halstein stared at me constantly behind his back.

Earl Halstein soon took his eyes off me and climbed into the wagon. With the wagon, the hordes of the Horn Empire begin their journey.

So Baden River negotiations ended.