A Treacherous Courtier Manages the Empire Well

47 – Heehee Bhiravash

After a few days, I went straight to meet Sultan.

“Randor! hahahaha! My brother!”

Sultan laughed brightly and hosted a banquet. Politics is dirty when you look at it like this. It’s only natural for me to feel resentful, considering that the strongest weapon I raised, the Rangin Tribe, has been taken away, and I don’t know when there will be terrorist attacks by the Dragon and Abyssal Beasts, but I have to force a smile like that.

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After pretending to enjoy the banquet for a while, I went straight to Sultan’s room.

As soon as I entered the room, Sultan’s face, which used to be seen on the official podium, filled with fake laughter, turned into a distorted expression as he looked at me.

“What brings you here?”

“You didn’t put poison in the food.”

“It’s not that I didn’t put it, I couldn’t put it. If anything happens to you, won’t the Dragon and Abyssal Beasts come flying in right away?”

Sultan seemed quite fearful. It was understandable considering the combination of the Abyssal Beasts, capable of assassinating key figures and strategically destroying cities, and the Dragon, an asymmetrical weapon of mass destruction.

“As I mentioned before, I have no intention of starting a war. However, if Sultan continues to display a spirit of conquest, even if it means destroying Ailam like this time, I have no choice but to play the card of the Dragon and Abyssal Beasts.”

“You bastard! What do you want? Coming here like this and openly provoking me, you must want something, right?”

“There are two things. Sultan. I have been trying to start a railway business lately. We are laying tracks for trains to run on.”

“A train? What is that again?”

“It’s a huge piece of metal that runs on a special track made of iron. It boasts a tremendous transportation capacity that cannot be compared to carriages. The trade between the two countries has increased so much that carriages are no longer enough. Trains are necessary.”

“So, you want me to allow tracks to be laid on my territory?”

“I want to lay tracks that connect Dagemba and Malta on the trade route. And I want to extend it to various territories within Karamba through the Kahamba. Can I have your permission?”

“You will be the owner of that railway, right? Naturally, right?”

“Of course. I’m the one paying for it and putting in the effort to build it. It’s only natural, isn’t it?”

Sultan remained silent for a moment after my words, then sighed deeply and looked down.

“There’s no problem as long as you pay taxes on time. I will permit the railway business.”

Although he pretended to reluctantly give permission with his words, his eyes showed that he saw the potential for increased military supply capabilities if a large-scale transportation capacity was created. But don’t worry, Sultan. I will make you give up your spirit of conquest.

“And one more thing. I want to take the Abyssal Beasts with me, Sultan.”

“Abyssal Beasts?”

“I heard it from Cherto. In addition to the Rangin Tribe that I brought, there are various other Abyssal Beasts living in Karamba, such as the Ungin Tribe, Myoin Tribe, Hoin Tribe, and Toin Tribe. And I heard that most of them are causing major problems in Karamba. I want to take those Abyssal Beasts with me. I will take them to our Ailam.”

“No, you can’t.”

Sultan firmly shook his head.

“I cannot give away the Abyssal Beasts any further. Absolutely not.”

“Sul-tan. Think about it nicely. Anyway, those problematic beings inside the Calamba are not going to cause any trouble, right? We’ll take them all with us this time.”nn”Absolutely not! I won’t allow it! I can’t approve of something that dangerous! Go away, Lando!”nnI wore a mysterious expression at Sul-tan’s words.nnWhat a kid.nnHe’s still using his head.nnHe only surpassed the Lannick race, but he should be able to see the implications of his actions. If all the other races follow suit, the offensive power of the Alram Empire will increase significantly.nn”Sul-tan. If you don’t listen to what I want, I’ll have no choice but to send the dragons and the humans away. Do you want to see the burning triangle of the full moon?”nnI tried to coerce him, but Sul-tan didn’t even listen to me.nn”Do you think the Empire’s army will become stronger if the humans go? Yes. I’ll admit, I’d normally agree to your threat, but not this time. It would be disadvantageous for us to start a war, but if you want war, we’ll give it to you. Lando, the Calamba Empire has a vast territory.”nnSul-tan looked at me with his eyes narrowing.nn”I am the conqueror and eternal ruler, Salrax Darken. If you keep trying to pressure me with the humans and the dragons, you should remember that I won’t just sit idly by!”nnHe spoke with great authority, but I could feel the trembling emotion deep within his eyes. What would it be like if the main cities were burned to the ground by the dragons and the humans started a massacre of their own kind or others, starting a war?nnIt would be unsettling, to say the least. But if the other races were also involved, it would truly be out of fear of causing chaos.nn”…… In this situation, if a real war breaks out, it would be harmful to my position. The Golden Field project hasn’t even finished yet, and we need to develop the Mutta oil industry.”nnAnd Sul-tan would know that. Real war would mean no railways built or fields cultivated, as that would only cause destruction. I laughed at him.nnA business-like smile.nnOr a mocking smile.nn”Ha ha! It’s just a joke, Sul-tan! We’re not brothers, so why would I really attack your territory? You should know that by now!”nnMy words caused Sul-tan to relax, and he smiled.nn”Ha ha! I see, brother. It wasn’t very amusing, but I admit that it was a clever move!”nn”The humans will withdraw. If Sul-tan insists, we’ll leave.”nn”Ha ha! Go ahead, brother!”nnWe parted ways after exchanging greetings.nnBut the laughter was just for show.nnA few days later, Sul-tan sent a message through the envoy, stating that any railway construction within Calamba should be done only with Calamba citizens, and if not, permission would be revoked. Cal Hansen burst into laughter upon reading the letter.nn”Lando, does Sul-tan really think he can use his head?”nn”I guess he thinks that by observing the construction site, he can learn the skills. What a simple-minded fellow. It’s impossible to carry out such a large-scale project without a large-scale foundry. Time will tell Sul-tan. You can’t improve your technical capabilities just by observing and learning.”nn”Lando. We don’t have to worry about the humans in Calamba. It’s fortunate. What about the migration of the humans? Should we give up since Sul-tan refused?”nnCal Hansen’s words made me chuckle.nnIt was a rather wicked, mocking laughter that must have surprised Cal Hansen.

“Never. Would I stop here? If I want something, I have to get it. Permission from the Sultan? Screw that. If he won’t give it to me legally, I’ll take it illegally.”

“How?”

“Does the capital have a printing press?”

Unlike people in the provinces, the people in the capital knew how to read. That’s why there was a demand for newspapers and there were basic print shops.

“Yes, we have one.”

“Let’s acquire it. Right now, print shops aren’t popular because not everyone knows how to read yet, but in the future, once educated commoners from elementary schools and academies increase and everyone knows how to read, we can start a printing business. That’s a story for later though.”

Printing business. Comic business. I intend to try those too. But that can wait. For now, everyone needs to be able to read.

The reason for acquiring a print shop right now is a little different.

“And when you acquire the print shop, immediately start making flyers. Thousands. Tens of thousands of them. Call the illustrators from the newspaper and have them make flyers. Most of the slaves in Karamba can’t receive proper education because they receive corporal punishment, so they don’t know how to read. That’s why illustrations are important.”

“What kind of illustrations should we draw?”

I stretch out my hand.

“A young slave child crying amidst the oppressive Karamba Empire and a slave child laughing while receiving love from everyone after crossing the Lako Mountain Range and coming to the Ailam Empire! Make flyers with such contrasting illustrations.”

As I finish speaking, Karl Hanson seems to sense something. He starts laughing with a malicious grin.

“Amazing. Seeing that, would you want to come to Ailam? Most likely. How should we distribute them?”

“Of course, we have to distribute them illegally. Do you remember my story about dragon deliveries from before?”

“Yes. You said you tried it but received curses from the Dragon Knight Brigade Commander and gave up, right?”

[Using the nation’s strategic weapon just for deliveries? Do you have a brain or not?]

The dragon delivery, which had to be abandoned in anger. But this time, it’s time to see the benefits of dragon deliveries.

“Since dragons are tired from the heat when they fly during the day, have them secretly make a round to where the slaves live in the early morning. Make them drop tens of thousands of flyers while flying through enemy airspace. Make sure the slaves can see them. I’ll get permission from His Majesty the Emperor.”

“This sounds very interesting!! Hufihihihi!!”

Watching Karl Hanson’s wicked laugh, I also laugh wickedly along.

Sultan. Get a taste of it.

In the country where I used to live, it was called “Pira.”

Little Toein-kyu, from the moment he woke up this morning, got out of bed early to go steal. The place where they live is the slums of the Crescent Moon Triangle. It’s a place where shabby houses are intertwined like a maze, making it impossible to catch the Slain hiding there.

Toein-kyu carefully approached the market while hiding his long rabbit ears inside his robe. Compared to other Slains, or even other races, the Toein-kyu race had overwhelmingly superior agility.

Using that agility and reflexes to their advantage, they survived by stealing.

It was a natural thing, considering they couldn’t find any jobs.

“Should I try robbing a tavern today? If there’s some expensive liquor, I can sell it in the black market.”

Toein-kyu’s long-time wish was to buy white bread for his younger siblings using money he earns from selling expensive liquor. Even the merchants in the black market discriminated against them because they were Slains.

One of the typical discriminations against Slains happening throughout the Karamba Empire was that they never sell white bread to them. Finely ground wheat mixed with yeast to make warm, fresh white bread.

Ryut wanted to try that white bread, at least once.

But living in Karamba, he also knew that it was probably an impossible dream.

He skillfully walked through the maze-like alleys of the slums and headed towards the market area of Crescent Moon Triangle.

“I should rob the old Aline’s tavern. Lately, that old man has been weak, so if I go early in the morning, who knows if there might be thieves…”

As he said that, Ryut suddenly became captivated by a flashy paper that fell to the ground.

“It’s, it’s a paper!”

Paper was still a rare item in Karamba. Ryut quickly picked up the paper, wondering who might take it. When he picked it up and looked at the drawing on the paper, he couldn’t help but gasp.

Karamba Empire citizens were enraged in the drawing. The Sui people were enduring their anger, crying.

He saw the Sui people crossing the trade routes of the Raco Mountains.

He saw the Sui people who had crossed the Raco Mountains dancing and playing with the Rang tribes and the Ailam Empire citizens who had always lived in Ailam.

The Sui people and Rang tribes in the drawing were brightly smiling, seemingly so happy.

And in the hands of the Sui person in the drawing.

“W-White bread? Does Ailam Empire give white bread to the Sui people too?”

There were white bread and fruits placed there.

Ryut felt like crying with envy at the Sui person in the drawing.

But he was also a guy who had developed a sense of caution through his life in the back alleys.

Instead of getting carried away by the drawing, Ryut took the paper with him and ran home.

“Dad! Dad!!”

Ryut hurriedly went home and woke his father up.

Ryut’s father, Crack, was the leader who earned the respect of all the non-people in Crescent Moon Triangle.

“What’s going on, Ryut? It’s early in the morning?”

As Crack wiped his eyes and got up, Ryut quickly handed him the paper note.

“These papers were scattered on the streets! Dad! I think you should see it!”

Upon hearing Ryut’s words, Crack took the paper and carefully examined the drawing inside.

And Crack’s eyes widened.

“Ryut, go and gather the council! Tell them that we are calling for a representative meeting. Go and tell everyone right now!”

“Okay!”

Ryut quickly moved.

Even as he moved, the young boy secretly hoped that the drawing he saw on the paper was true.

A country where humans and aquatic beings coexist, sharing laughter and eating white bread together.

It couldn’t be anything other than the utopia I had dreamed of.