A Treacherous Courtier Manages the Empire Well

51 – Preparation for Escape Complete

“Silk production levels?”

“They have increased by over 80% compared to the previous year, Your Highness.”

“Excellent.”

After scrutinizing the sight of the silk production facility, Rashid nodded. Once the Lan tribes’ combat forces led by Chertu were taken away, Sultan concluded that a long battle was inevitable.

Unable to engage in immediate warfare, he ordered the creation of products that could rival the air conditioners, carbonated drinks, and refrigerators that were selling like hotcakes in their country.

It was because they couldn’t afford to be stripped of all their gold coins by the other side.

Rashid was striving to develop competitive products in his own country. One of them was silk. A specialty unique to the Western Continent, not found in the Eastern Continent. That was silk.

“Continue the production.”

“Yes, Your Highness Rashid.”

Leaving the silk production facility, Rashid, using teleportation magic, headed elsewhere in half a day. This time, it was a rough mountain full of ores.

“The production of rare minerals?”

“We are employing many workers to increase production. We are currently producing 1.5 times the amount from last month.”

“You are doing well.”

Rashid gazed at the minerals before him.

Another special resource that set them apart from the Eastern Continent.

Rare minerals. Currently being mined was Adamantium. Nearby, there was even a Mithril mine.

“Items that the magicians of the Eastern Continent fancy. Mithril and Adamantium. If we export these, they will surely take notice. These are unique exports that they cannot replicate.”

“Of course. Sultan. They are making efforts to magically produce them, but compared to us, their level is still far behind.”

Despite the efforts of alchemists and magicians from the Eastern Continent, the refining of rare minerals like Mithril, Adamantium, and Orichalcum was dominated by the sorcerers of Karamba. It was inevitable. It stemmed from the historical difference in how commonly minerals were encountered.

Moreover, what Rashid was preparing was not just that.

“Let’s go to the cultivation room.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Another business venture Rashid was undertaking. Herbal cultivation. Karamba was larger than Aylam. Consequently, a variety of herbs grew naturally, and one of the skills of Karamba’s sorcerers and doctors was adeptly handling these herbs to create medicines for people.

Looking at the numerous laborers and sorcerers bustling around the unprecedentedly large artificial herbal cultivation site for Karamba, Rashid smiled contentedly.

“Aylam also utilizes Karamba’s doctors. For them to provide more efficient and effective treatments, they will surely need our herbs. So, continue to cultivate them steadily. If our enemies dominate the market, it will be a big problem.”

“Yes, Your Highness Sultan. We will ensure this progresses without a hitch.”

“Good.”

Without a moment’s rest, Sultan Rashid returned to Dagramba and convened a crisis meeting.

“Aylam is rapidly advancing by establishing factories, isn’t it?”

“They say their productivity is incomparable to manual labor.”

“If we don’t catch up, we will also perish, Your Highness.”

“We must push forward with sending students to Matop.”

Upon hearing this, the officials expressed their concerns.

“There are two points of concern, Your Highness.”

“What are they?”

“One is whether Randor will willingly allow our students to learn their core technologies. As you know, Aylam and Karamba haven’t been at peace for long.”

“True. That’s right. That’s why we promoted herbal cultivation, mining of rare minerals, and silk production.”

The officials’ faces relaxed at his words.

“Surely we wouldn’t trade that for sending students, would we?”

“Indeed. Rendor, that guy has a sharp mind, he will appreciate the value of silk, rare minerals, and herbs. If we discuss it as an exchange, they will consider it positively. I will personally step in on this matter. With the depth of my experience, once I assure him, he will feel somewhat relieved.”

“If His Highness personally steps in, there should be no issue. However, there is still one more problem, Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

The attendants cautiously looked up at Rashd.

“Lately, the sentiments of the nomadic tribes in the barren lands have been unsettling.”

“Probably due to their blatant pro-Eastern leanings?”

“Yes. From their perspective, the Ayram Empire is nothing short of a savior. It has resolved the persistent food shortage issue, provided air conditioning and refrigerators to improve the quality of life. Moreover, the beverage called cider has become more than a mere trend, gaining such popularity that it has become a cultural phenomenon.”

“Amidst this, if we keep sending exchange students, there is concern that instead of supporting Karamba, the students might end up assimilating into Ayram entirely.”

“Yes. I’m starting to think if there is a need to increase the number of pro-Eastern citizens. If not, we might… end up facing significant public backlash during the future conquest wars.”

Upon hearing this, Rashd showed little reaction.

“Let it be.”

“Pardon?”

“I see my father’s conquest wars, which unified Karamba, as already concluded. Delving into the Eastern continent would, in any way one looks at it, result in nothing but losses, not gains. I actually find such sentiments favorable.”

Despite the astonishment of the attendants at the perplexing words of the eldest son, Rashd merely smiled.

“Such competition benefits each other, but war only devours each other. I hope such sentiments spread further, making it difficult for the Sultan to easily decide on future wars.”

Rashd looked at Dagamba.

He had never seen Dagamba so bright and lively before.

With the arrival of food supplies and various goods and technologies through trade with the East, life had improved.

“I desire the revival of Karamba, not everyone wishes for unfortunate territorial expansions.”

After his words, the attendants remained silent.

Amidst this strange silence that lingered.

“Prince Rashd.”

“What is it?”

A sorcerer approached Rashd.

“Mass disappearances of the centaur people have begun at the Crescent Triangle.”

“What?”

“A mass disappearance of centaur people. The Sultan’s anger is not to be underestimated. He is mobilizing Prince Amir to prevent a large-scale disappearance of centaurs.”

Mass disappearance of centaurs.

Upon hearing this, Rashd burst into sudden laughter.

“Persistent, Rendor. What new tactic did you employ this time to cause such an event?”

By now, even Rashd was becoming curious.

What would be the outcome of all these events that Rendor had in mind?

Modern construction equipment?

Tower cranes for construction?

All nonsense.

At the construction site, the most esteemed figures were the elementalists.

“Iron bars! Lift them up!”

“Confirmed.”

The wind elementals lifted the iron bars, along with all the other necessary materials, swiftly and efficiently. Their speed and effectiveness were unmatched by modern equipment.

And one familiar item was added to the site.

“Wizards. What is this?”

“Ah… This is called concrete. Think of it as a special cement needed to build high-rise buildings.”

“But why is the barrel spinning like this?”

“Because it must not solidify. It’s being spun round and round to maintain a liquid state.”

It was a common sight at the construction site, the appearance of ready-mixed concrete. Although it wasn’t for the high-rise building, the Merchant Guild had predicted a massive demand for cement a few months ago and built a cement factory in the newly established Portu Commercial City.

The cement produced there was transformed into concrete by the Mage Tower’s wizards, altering the mix components. The cement and concrete produced in the factory were loaded onto huge carts and transported to various parts of the empire in spinning barrels.

Here, one such ready-mixed concrete machine was diligently supplying concrete.

So, what happened?

What happened was what happened.

The Empire’s strongest labor squad.

The construction prowess of tremendous spirit masters.

Efficient construction enhancement using Kinetic Hands.

Ready-mixed concrete vehicles.

When all of these were combined, a 60-story, towering skyscraper reaching a height of 260 meters was built in a remarkable four months.

“Lord Randor. The installation of the large teleportation magic array and magic stone power source is complete.”

“Excellent! And the scrolls?”

“They are being mass-produced. Although each one is quite expensive, we are producing them without sparing any expense as you instructed.”

“Let me know when enough of them are ready.”

“Of course.”

As soon as the teleportation station was established, I immediately started producing long-range, large-capacity teleportation scrolls, and before long, I had those scrolls in my hands.

A super-tall, large-scale teleportation station.

Produced scrolls ready for use.

Now, it was up to the humans.

“Crack. Go to the Trade City Dagamba. Go to the Merchant Guild there and present the password I just gave you. You should be able to obtain the scrolls. A total of 100 scrolls, enough for the Wung, Toin, Hoin, and Myoin tribes to relocate.”

“Understood. Thank you, Lord Randor. Please leave the rest to us.”

“You mentioned that the second son of the Sultan, Amir, is observing the extensive movement of the humans? I wish you luck.”

At those words, Crack chuckled. I looked at him with a puzzled expression, and he waved his hand as if to say not to worry.

“Do not underestimate the Toin tribe, trained in thievery, Lord Randor.”

With those words, Crack quietly, as he had come, discreetly crossed the trading road and disappeared beyond Karamba.

“I would like to buy a somewhat exotic drink. Not carbonated.”

“What kind of drink do you desire?”

“A drink suitable for those long parched. Preferably with a taste of white.”

“Coming right up. How soon would you like it?”

“Anything within 3 hours and 32 minutes is fine.”

After grasping the password, the merchant of Aylam silently gestured for Crack and the Toin tribe to come to the back. Upon arrival, the merchant carefully dismantled three air conditioners and retrieved three hefty bundles from within.

“Long-range teleportation scrolls. For you, Crack.”

“Thank you. Keep them safe.”

The Toin tribe members swiftly approached, opened the box, and swiftly took away the numerous teleportation scrolls contained inside.

After securing a considerable amount of scrolls, Crack called for another meeting.

“Did you go and check?”

The leader of the Woong Tribe’s words made Crak burst into laughter.

“The contents of the leaflet were true. Everyone. It was all completely true.”

Everyone was surprised at Crak’s firm words.

Who was Crak?

The leader of the Toi Tribe, plagued the most by humans.

A cynic.

Wasn’t he a terminal case of paranoia?

For him to assert so confidently like that…

“I went to see how the Lan Tribe of Aylam live. They were working as guards. They were living well with humans. The people of Aylam had no aversion towards the Suin Tribe. If we were to go there… that place could truly become our homeland.”

Homeland.

The power contained in that single word was immense.

The leaders of the Woong, Hoing, and Myo Tribes remained silent for a moment and then urgently asked,

“How can we go there?”

“If we use this, we can go. Brothers.”

Crak cautiously took out a scroll.

“If we teleport using this, we can move safely, and all tribal members can be transported.”

Crak’s smile seemed like tears were about to flow.

“Freedom. Brothers.”