“This color is so beautiful.”
“It smells so nice too.”
Venuda commented after Bimonson. Both of them took a sip and smiled.
“Oh, and I heard the Kukideri family that sold the land to us a while ago were attacked by bandits on the way.”
“Is it vengeance?”
“I assume so. It might affect our business in a bad way.”
“No, it will do us good. They will require more mercenaries. It’s all money in the end.”
*
As time moved onto the middle of summer, the Torian King left the throne and all power came to Joonbum. It was a start of the Khalodian Kingdom. Nobles were shocked that the land had been given to a man who was considered a traitor, but they quickly dismissed it as it was in fact, a noble’s way of life.
-There will be civil war!-
The rumor was spread by an unknown source that made the whole world focus on what was to come, but it did not happen. It was so peaceful on Khalodian land. Meanwhile, the Ress Merchant Group quickly overpowered the opposing nobles with their financial power. It was as Joonbum expected. The loyalty of this land was a result of money. There was no chivalry or honor, as one would fantasize.
Nobles that arrived at Khalodian were shocked. They were shocked by the huge castle with a tall wall that towered over fifty feet outside the perimeter. Not even the empire’s capital was this grand in scale. It was like a forest of buildings. All buildings inside were made out of stone, and the various statues and roads were so clean. After half a day inside the carriage, they arrived at the new inner castle of Khalodian. The road was covered with precious blue stones that made distinctive noises as the horses trotted along. The land was filled with fascinating cultures and technologies that mesmerized the nobles.
Nobles began staying at the Khalodian capital and more business came about from within the city.
-The Khalodian Administration is offering a land management service.-
People were skeptical at first as they grew suspicious that it was an act to swallow the land as a whole, but they quickly realized it was too good to be true. It promised the development of the land while not requiring nobles to pay for it.
“Jackson, how is it going?” Joonbum asked Jackson, not turning his eyes from the window where he was watching the roads below. Jackson, the Secretary of the Kingdom, smiled and nodded.
“It’s a huge success. There’s no problem.”
“Good.”
Jackson laughed. “It’s only natural.”
“I thought they would oppose the idea.”
“That’s because you overestimated them, my prince. They are fools.”
Jackson spoke calmly, but it was apparent that he despised them.
“They took down their own king to please us and sold off their kingdom. What can we expect from such people? They are garbage.”
Joonbum smiled awkwardly.
“I see. Oh, and that. The way you call me. Can you stop doing that? I can’t get over it.”
Joonbum changed subject and Jackson laughed out loud.
“Haha, you are a prince now. You should get used to it.”
“Yeah, but… call me a commander, or… a general… or something! I will save prince and princess for my brother and sister.”
Jackson shook his head.
“Okay, I will.”
He agreed and looked at Joonbum.
‘I can do that, but the world doesn’t see it that way. Khalodian is yours. No one can deny it.’
Jackson thought that in time, Joonbum would have to accept that fact.
“Oh, by the way. I heard the amount decreased a lot. How are you going to take care of that?” Joonbum asked.
Jackson smiled. “I’m working on it.”
“Yeah?”
“The landlords seemed to be surprised by having much less expenses on the land. They don’t seem to know what to do with the funding so we are offering them to deposit it safely at the Khalodian Central Bank.”