Jackson drank his tea from the cup while looking very tired.
“Katzback and Dentrion are fighting a large scale war.”
Everyone turned to Jackson at once. Joonbum took out a cigarette and said, “Yeah?”
“Yes, sir. I heard a young knight called Aslant the Lancer is earning quite the fame. He is considered the kingdom’s hero.”
“Oh, that’s interesting.”
“It seems Marquis Baytel, the commander of the army, is backing him up. It looks like those two are related somehow.”
“I see. Good job, Jackson. Keep it up.”
“It’s still far from perfect, sir. I need more manpower and finances.”
Jackson responded to the compliment modestly. It was his effort after all that brought them the most recent information of what was going on around the world.
“Yes, but it’s still great. Information is crucial. It will allow us to act quickly.”
Jackson bowed.
“So, Dentrion is claiming victory over most of their battles. It seems that this Aslant and his lance is hard to fight against on the plains.”
“Katzback is weak when they fight on the plains?”
“Yes, sir. They are sturdy and strong, but they live in the mountain range. They can’t just fight head-on when they are on the plains, but they don’t know any other way.”
“Hah! Those Katzback savages are getting what they deserve!” Hectos mumbled while drinking brandy with Jinpok on the side. Jinpok then asked, “Hectos, it seems like you have a bad memory about those Katzbacks?”
Jackson laughed. He remembered the mercenaries from Katzback who picked fights with Hectos. In most cases, mercenaries did not try to pick on soldiers. They knew it would make their lives harder if they did. But the Katzbacks did not care.
“No! NO! Absolutely not.”
“Huh? You sound like you do! Hey, tell me. Have you been beaten up with your pitiful fighting skills by them? That’s it, right?”
Hectos frowned as Jinpok speculated correctly on his first try.
“NO WAY! I beat them up!” Hectos shouted.
“Huh? Are you sure? They’re not so soft, those Katzbacks. Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, I’ll believe you then.”
Jinpok nodded. Hectos blushed and flinched at Jinpok’s sudden approval. Jinpok then smiled.
“But let me ask Hodd and Todd first. Is that okay?”
“Ugh.”
Those two were the oldest soldiers they worked with. They knew almost everything about Hectos. Jackson watched two of them speak for a while and turned back.
“I heard both Dentrion and Katzback are asking for food.”
“Hmph.”
“Hah, they ask for food while they fight with each other?” Jinpok blurted out, uncomfortable from the request.
“Other countries are requesting it also. Even the empire,” Jackson continued. Howen and Doral, who had been enjoying their tea, turned to Jackson. Gustal, the leader of Gerekstal, also looked the same.
“Aren’t all of them getting better now? They won’t need any more…” Gustal mumbled, but Jackson shook his head.
“It’s easier this way.”
“Easier?”
“Oh, I see…”
Howen nodded and sighed. Gustal looked confused and he began thinking. He then realized what Jackson just said.
‘Humans…’
It was always best to raise it themselves, but farming was not an easy task. It took time and effort to see fruition. The leaders did not have time to do that. They wanted to take the easiest route to satisfy their people and overcome the situation.
“We’ll send just enough. Make sure you draft up a contract for everyone. Have the countries agree to be borrowers, not the individual nobles or kings. We will need the king, his heir, and ten nobles from each country’s signatures on it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jackson answered but Jinpok looked confused. He thought about it for a moment and asked Joonbum, realizing what he was up to.
“Are you trying to control their economy?”
Other people turned to Joonbum.
“Yes. This is the right opportunity.”
Jinpok nodded.
“I see… that will be most efficient. So you want them to be friendly toward Khalodian.”
“That’s the idea. We have to step it up, otherwise we will get overwhelmed.”
Khalodian land was now a golden egg. It was certain that other countries would come after it soon.
“So, why don’t you get married first?” Jackson suddenly said.
“Right. How long are you going to make my daughter wait?” Howen asked with a cold stare.
Doral looked away.
“OH, about that. Our elders want to have closer ties with you. In terms of marriage.”
Joonbum frowned. Jackson then approached him with a piece of paper.
“It’s the list of candidates.”
It was filled with countless names.