King's Tomb

The spiritual power inside the box was refined to high purity.

Though difficult to convert to precise numbers, it was thick and abundant enough to explosively raise the synchronization rate.

He wanted to absorb it right away, but it was difficult to carelessly touch it.

Because of the mechanism Beamin had planted in that box.

No one in this world can handle the transcendent power contained in this core.

Knowing this, the core’s will urged me to use its vast power.

However, it’s power that could easily swallow an entire nation.

The moment one is deluded, everything is destroyed.

Chimayos’s core is that dangerous.

Even the refined portion mocks human wisdom, so how should I handle this massive thing?

I sealed in this box power I couldn’t even process.

I “weaponized” it so the moment the box opens, the power contained in the core bursts out.

Beamin’s thinking was simple.

Power that even the Magus of Sealing couldn’t handle.

Will that no one could extinguish.

Then rather, he’d make this transcendent thing self-destruct.

The moment the box opened, the spiritual power condensed until now would burst out, causing everything including the will to be extinguished.

What Beamin considered important was precisely this.

If it’s power no one can handle, then conversely, couldn’t it extinguish invaders together at the moment the nation perishes?

I hope this power never emerges in the world.

However, my descendant who will become king.

No nation can enjoy glory for thousands of years.

Illumina’s generation will also end someday.

When that day comes.

If it stems from wrongful oppression by invaders’ force.

Open this box and be liberated from all things that look down on us.

Beamin hoped that simultaneously protecting the box, descendants freed from duty after the nation’s destruction would use this core as a means of revenge.

The will dwelling in this box wasn’t noble sense of mission but a double-edged sword that would devour even itself along with the nation’s glory.

Now place the crown on the altar and grasp Illumina’s glory in your hands.

Beamin’s will ended there.

Pernok turned his head to the box, which would be more difficult to dismantle than expected.

‘The moment I open it, the core detonates.’

Blocking with two hands the power bursting suddenly like surging seas was difficult. Moreover, the refined power contained inside held sharp properties that could explode at any time. The moment Pernok opened the box to suck out spiritual power, rather the spiritual power would sweep away all directions like a bomb.

‘The method of drilling a hole… would also be difficult.’

Opening the box meant the core’s explosion.

This meant the mechanism activated the moment the box’s contents connected with the outside.

The moment he drilled a hole in the box, the core might burst through that gap and detonate its power.

‘I contain the box in another vessel, then open the box so the core settles in the new vessel. And that vessel must have a structure favorable for me to absorb the core’s spiritual power.’

He needed a tool to easily contain and utilize this core.

‘If nothing in this world can contain this…’

An extreme method suddenly occurred to Pernok.

However, he soon shook his head.

Because it wasn’t an urgent enough situation to deliberately invite danger.

‘…The spiritual power is ripening, so I should slowly search for a new vessel. I should examine several candidates.’

Recalling spirit-friendly methods coming to mind, Pernok placed the crown on the altar.

When the altar’s light seeped into the crown, the jewels sparkled brilliantly.

Pernok put the crown in his breast without sentiment and grasped the box with both hands.

[Don’t lift it!]

Bamont burst out in shock.

[If you take the box out, this tomb will collapse!]

It meant to take the box with resolve never to seal it again and be buried with glory.

Truly worthy of being called the last resort.

‘I could collapse it as is.’

Should he revere and uphold a tomb that didn’t recognize him as royalty?

Though conflicted, Pernok soon shook his head.

All kings’ tombs held historical value in themselves.

Hadn’t vast history vanished, making it difficult even to resolve his subordinates’ lingering attachments?

Thinking what deserves respect should remain on this land, Pernok lifted the box.

[What are you…!]

The moment the altar looked about to be sucked downward, Pernok lightly kicked the base with his toes.

Wooong!

Spiritual power seeped into the altar and soon spread throughout the entire space.

Small pure white lines newly refined the form of spiritual power maintaining the space according to Pernok’s will.

Rummmmble……

The altar restored to its original state.

[…Huh?]

Bamont blinked bewildered eyes.

[It didn’t collapse?]

“I overlaid the seal’s insufficient technique with my spiritual power. Even without the box, the tomb won’t collapse now.”

[Oh… but why take the box out? Didn’t Uncle say to leave it inside and protect it?]

“I saw well the writing fearing inability to use the power contained inside. If I handle this, there won’t be need to obsess over the box anymore.”

[You’re really talented at many things, huh?]

Looking at Bamont who hopped onto his shoulder, Pernok chuckled.

“The Illumina royal family had many interesting things.”

If descendants had inherited ancestors’ strength, Illumina wouldn’t be reborn as a new nation.

[Hehe, our nation has many excellent things! Including you!]

Listening to Bamont’s lively voice, Pernok walked the empty corridor.

[Ah! But when will you start conquering the coast?]

Leaving the tomb, Pernok answered.

“Now.”

The moment Pernok returned to the kingdom, he met with Rio.

“How are the coronation ceremony preparations?”

“They’re being finalized. And.”

Rio whispered secretly.

“Two people have arrived.”

Pernok nodded and headed to the reception room.

Perhaps because they heard Pernok had returned, distinguished guests who visited secretly were seated.

“Over a week remains until the coronation ceremony. But you’re earlier than scheduled. King Suira, King Salavan.”

The two kings chuckled and spoke.

“Weren’t you the one who told us to come without Rakis knowing?”

“It’s been a while, King Pernok.”

Pernok sat between the two.

‘Though they pretended otherwise, they were interested in my plan after all.’

Before leaving for the King’s Tomb, Pernok had sent secret letters to both kings. Content about meeting before the coronation ceremony to scheme greater things.

Suira, breathless with frontline recovery, and Salavan, chaotic from civil war, gladly accepted that proposal.

Only Rio knew the fact that the two had entered the royal palace.

“Is the High Priest not here?”

At Suira’s question, Pernok answered lightly.

“The High Priest will come with the Sacred Emperor on the coronation ceremony day.”

“Then why did you ask us to meet first?”

“Though the High Priest is cooperative with us, strictly speaking, military authority lies with the Sacred Emperor. Right now the High Priest is merely knocking on Rakis’s border, but if the Sacred Emperor gives full support, it will develop into war. Therefore, I invited you two here to create justification to persuade the Sacred Emperor.”

Salavan nodded.

“Are you confident the method to oppose Rakis will move the Sacred Emperor?”

“Would I have written in the letter that we ‘must kill Rakis now’ otherwise?”

The letter’s content was simple.

That they should conversely pressure Rakis during this period when each nation was so chaotic they couldn’t even reorganize.

“The Sacred Emperor will invade Rakis anytime as long as pretexts are arranged. Because they also have ambitions for territorial expansion. The High Priest is satisfied with establishing temples, but the Sacred Emperor desires something greater.”

“If they devour Rakis and bulk up, it wouldn’t be bad for the Holy Kingdom either. But what will you do?”

Suira looked at Pernok with eyes containing anger.

The fury at being raided at the frontline hadn’t yet subsided.

That was also why he accepted Pernok’s proposal.

If he spoke nonsense here, Suira would be greatly disappointed and wouldn’t attend the coronation ceremony.

However, Pernok had a method to deploy against the powerful nation Rakis.

“A boundary line using allied forces.”

Pernok spread a map on the table.

It showed three nations excluding the Holy Kingdom striking Rakis from below and advancing upward.

“Isn’t it ultimately confrontation?”

When Suira asked disappointedly, Pernok smiled and drew a new line.

“The story changes if we expand.”

It was a boundary line like wings spread widely to the seas.

“The coast…”

Salavan caught the boundary line’s meaning and let out an exclamation.

“I see. If we advance forces by land route and receive the enemy head-on, afterward it becomes a battle of supply. Certainly, if we use the seas, this side gains momentum in advance.”

“Not only that. Using this sea route, we can land forces in Rakis’s western region.”

“Moreover, if we attempt this method of pressure, the Holy Kingdom’s opposite border will inevitably loosen, so they can stab into the east however much they want. The method of striking Rakis’s three sides becomes possible with the Holy Kingdom’s participation.”

“Anyone who doesn’t accept this would be the world’s biggest fool.”

It was an alluring proposal for the Holy Kingdom to concentrate power from the east and push sufficiently.

“But can our three nations’ power handle this wide deployment?”

As Suira pointed out, the problem was inferior troop strength.

No matter how vast and good the terrain, it was difficult to establish without troops to handle it.

And Pernok had already anticipated this criticism.

This was where the main point began.

“If Illumina is entrusted with the seas, troops become sufficient.”

“The seas…?”

Pernok drew a line moving forces to the coast adjacent to Illumina.

“Do you know why Tyr struggled against just one Rakis count-rank?”

“Because of the sudden invasion.”

“The fundamental reason was because Tyr’s forces were scattered diffusely.”

“What?”

Though Suira frowned, Pernok paid no mind.

“Tyr, which held superiority at sea, dispersed forces to pioneer land routes. And the forces spread just between border defense and each territory amount to tens of thousands. The bigger problem is even the Magus were divided between sea and land, and Rakis exploited this very well. Therefore, Prince Jan alone couldn’t handle it.”

“Now see here…”

“Turn sea forces to land, recover the frontline, and advance to Rakis as is. Then we can convert the border garrison facing Tyr to naval forces and strike Rakis’s west. And the front will be struck by the royal army elite including me.”

“Ha… good imagination. But do you think Illumina alone can manage?”

“It’s possible if we merge some of Rezhen’s forces with the royal army.”

Salavan, who had been listening carefully, nodded.

“Some is possible.”

With civil war aftermath not yet subsided, most forces had to be tied to the nation. However, if it was the scale of forces Pernok’s plan desired, some could be divided and reinforced.

“Ultimately, this boundary line’s core lies in Illumina and Tyr deploying full forces to advance. Though they’ll also receive some support from Rezhen, they prioritize supply based on abundant resources rather than military strength.”

Suira stopped speaking and examined the map closely once more.

Illumina also had good conditions adjacent to the seas.

And based on the geographic advantage of potentially becoming many nations’ forward base, it was possible to flexibly move numerous large armies.

‘Turning the nation’s weakness into strength?’

Suira looked at Pernok and asked.

“The seas are our everything.”

“Aren’t you creating a frontline to escape that dependency?”

“That sounds like Illumina conversely wants to pioneer the seas?”

“Compared to the benefits Tyr will gain from this war, isn’t my dream modest?”

“Ultimately, this boundary line’s core is that Illumina must take part of the seas.”

“If you can’t concede, Tyr must handle both land and sea routes alone. That merely recreates being toyed with by a count-rank.”

“Haha, I never imagined you’d so blatantly say to us to give the seas to you.”

“There should be no hiding between allies.”

“If we don’t give the seas?”

“I merely want a portion. However, if even that’s displeasing, Tyr must create a method to defeat Rakis.”

There was no such method.

If Rakis’s marquis-rank came leading tens of thousands of large forces, it wouldn’t end with just the frontline being pushed back.

Because Suira knew that fact well, he had no choice but to positively review Pernok’s proposal.

‘If we give up part of the seas and can bring Rakis’s land, the frontline will expand more and Tyr can make a solid foothold inland.’

If Illumina and Tyr became pillars handling the boundary line’s front, Rezhen would handle rear support and some troop reinforcement to deal with sudden changes.

For chaotic Rezhen from civil war, it was the maximum extractable scale, and since it could resolve the food shortage for Tyr through this, it was a reasonable proposal for all allied nations.

It meant the benefits gained after giving Pernok the coast were far greater than not giving it.

“Which region do you want?”

A method to draw even the Holy Kingdom’s participation had been prepared.

Suira bet on the higher probability of war’s victory.

“Here.”

The point Pernok indicated was the coast adjacent to Illumina. The point ascending along it was the sea route Tyr governed.

“And here.”

However, Pernok turned direction from the coast to a dangerous place.

“This place?”

Suira tilted his head.

Because it was an uncharacteristic choice for the meticulous and brilliant Pernok.

“No, King Pernok. Isn’t this a very dangerous sea route?”

Even Salavan knew well that strait’s danger.

That strait the two kings worried about had abundant resources, but was a dangerous region where Tyr only claimed maritime rights because ships had difficulty entering.

“Isn’t it a place Tyr doesn’t need anyway?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Along with the coast, I want to officially obtain from Tyr the sea route extending to here. Instead, only during the war will we use Tyr’s other sea routes to invade Rakis.”

“…Does Illumina have ships to use that place?”

“I merely want to think long-term. Who knows, maybe ships to enter that strait will appear someday.”

Suira ended up laughing.

‘I thought he was meticulous, but he also has naive aspects.’

Hadn’t Tyr tried it?

Using their maritime rights to block foreign nations’ intrusion, they had long researched methods to enter the strait. However, even Tyr with unrivaled shipbuilding technology couldn’t access the strait. Moreover, the reefs and whirlpools positioned in the strait would absolutely never disappear despite the passage of time.

A dangerous region too valuable to hold but reluctant to hand over to others.

‘Even after King Pernok dies and descendants seize royal authority, the strait’s danger won’t disappear. Asking to officially hand over such a place? To guarantee it?’

Suira found Pernok’s proposal for the seas now felt cute.

“Won’t you regret it?”

“Of course not.”

“Then we won’t say twice either.”

Suira pointed to the coast and various regions and spoke firmly.

“From now on, this place is Illumina’s.”

Then Pernok smiled wickedly.

“Finally, all justification to persuade the Holy Kingdom is prepared.”

A pledge guaranteeing authority over the seas.

And after concluding the three-nation alliance and leaving the reception room, Pernok called Rio.

“We obtained the coast and strait.”

“Then…”

“Now no one can even approach there without my permission.”

Rio’s eyes sparkled.

A secret region where no one could know what was being done because no one could approach.

This place untouched by human hands was the sea’s treasure holding countless resources.

“War’s beginning is arduous, and problems occur even after it ends. Particularly, each nation will try to enhance insufficient military strength while guarding against the future. What’s most needed are weapons.”

“The strait’s resources help make excellent weapons.”

“The craftsmen to handle them have already finished preparations at the Floating Castle.”

Massive resources.

Tunnel Folk who easily produced quality weapons.

And the war and situations after.

The moment all these meshed, the strait forbidding human entry would be reborn as a solid stronghold dominating the world’s commercial rights.

“However, there’s one problem.”

“You mean the merchant group.”

“Yes. Haven’t I already become known to the world as Your Majesty’s limbs? Each nation will surely guard against my merchant group. They’ll find it unpleasant for wealth to flow into Illumina.”

“Therefore, I created base merchant groups.”

Pernok placed a thick stack of documents before Rio.

When Rio examined the list, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Since it seemed we couldn’t use your merchant group, these are shells I created in name only from long ago. Take and use as many as you want.”

“When did you create these?”

“From the day I thought of you as Chancellor.”

Pernok chuckled and asked.

“With this, can you bring all nations’ distribution and economy entirely to me?”

Pernok had laid the groundwork.

Rio recalled the ecstatic moment when the new nation would control all nations and resolutely shouted.

“I will make all nations desperate for Your Majesty until the war ends!”

The new nation would become the world’s center, leveraging Illumina’s geographic advantages and powerful military strength while also utilizing the seas’ strengths.