Barganta

Base merchant companies.

Ghost merchant companies spread like dots across each nation.

Pernok had been thinking about this since he began devouring Illumina’s castles.

After Rio revealed his identity, the merchant companies he created would certainly not be welcomed by any nation.

The probability was high that worried about Pernok’s nation growing, they’d empower their own domestic merchant companies more to check him.

Therefore, Pernok had prepared for that time by creating ghost branches with only merchant company forms.

“When I became king, I thought the world would fall into chaos. And now that chaos has begun burning as the calamity of an even greater war.”

Pernok gathered Rio and the other race tribal chiefs to speak.

“Though bound as allies now, we don’t know when relations might turn. And at that time, our nation’s method to break through is resources.”

When he placed a lump of quality iron on the table, the Tunnel Folk’s eyes sparkled.

“We process this resource to create goods, distribute them through base merchant companies, and dominate that nation’s commercial rights. By using key processed products that must go through us.”

“What is it, Great Chief!”

When each chief’s gaze gathered, Pernok smiled and answered.

“Tunnel Folk’s weapons.”

“They’ll work during war, but will they be fine afterward too?”

“Chaos doesn’t subside easily. And even if war ends quickly, each nation will endlessly clash to devour the massive territory called Rakis. Military enhancement becomes the top priority. Based on that, we’ll supply quality weapons to inflate capital, and capture everyone’s hearts with processed products using the sea’s resources.”

The chiefs nodded.

They’d been itching because Pernok hadn’t called them until now.

They’d been swallowing complaints about not participating in war by being left at sea this time too, but quickly understood when Pernok explained they’d been assigned the most important role.

“This sea will guide us to new paths. You must absolutely be at that vanguard.”

The reason he didn’t bring other people instead of them was because he hoped for harmony between other races and humans.

Eventually, the moment would come to reveal the other races’ existence to everyone in the kingdom including leadership.

At that time, if word spread that these people bestowed resources and the nation prospered, they’d view the unfamiliar foreigners favorably.

And once they gradually merged as one, he believed without doubt this nation would become a free and creative nation where countless races competed for each other’s dreams.

“Also, based on this sea, we’ll dig into Rakis’s weak points. If Horn Tribe and Scale Tribe race across the seas with experience gained facing Tyr, even Rakis can’t block it.”

“We can wage war!”

“Right. You Horn Tribe. And Scale Tribe too. Even the Tunnel Folk supporting them—everyone will leave names in history.”

The chiefs looked at each other and smiled wickedly.

Because the recognition that war meant opportunity was ingrained in them who valued tribal honor above all.

“Until my orders come, match your coordination here and hone your skills.”

“Of course, Great Chief!”

“We’ll bring all the Scale Tribe here, so call us anytime!”

“Forges at the Floating Castle aren’t enough, kek! If you give more hammers and fire, we’ll make the weapons you want! Kek! Kek!”

Pernok nodded and separately instructed Rio on the points they desired.

“The coronation ceremony is right ahead, yet I only assign busy work.”

“Isn’t this a major matter with the nation’s fate at stake? Assign me however much you want.”

“The nation is the nation, but isn’t it about time you revealed your business too?”

If Pernok became king, he’d promised at the demon beast mountains to fulfill Rio’s wish.

“Is it difficult to speak of?”

“No. My wish is…”

Rio smiled bitterly recalling the past.

“…The Rakis northeast region, Panama Castle in the Milde name.”

“Milde?”

“My name is Rio de Milde. My grandfather was a Rakis noble.”

“Rakis… was he one of the 13 Lords?”

“Grandfather was a viscount. However, decades have passed since the Milde family’s destruction. My father who lingered on a sickbed wished for me to continue Milde, but I gave up because I wasn’t born with magic.”

He seemed to understand why Rio had always spared words.

At first, it seemed impossible for Pernok, and later, because war would begin.

“I considered asking Lord Ruin to accomplish what I couldn’t, but as you know, he’d turned his back on the world. And Lord Pernok…”

“Must have seemed impossible. No, no one in the world could have fulfilled a wish asking to make a non-mage into a Rakis noble.”

“…That’s right. Nevertheless, I followed Lord Pernok holding a thread of expectation.”

“If I hadn’t become king?”

“I would have lived quietly running a merchant company.”

“Can’t tell if you’re gutsy or lacked ambition.”

“I merely explored various survival paths. At least, following Lord Pernok gave me expectations of gaining something.”

“Now?”

Rio answered with a resolute expression.

“I believe if I do well, I’ll reclaim Milde’s glory.”

“Then from now on, your surname is Milde.”

“It’s an honor.”

Pernok nodded.

“Rio de Milde, no matter which nation wants Panama Castle, I will certainly deliver that castle to you.”

“Thank you!”

Rio’s back trembled as if sobbing as he bowed his head deeply.

Pernok, who silently patted his back, climbed the cliff overlooking the vast sea at a glance.

Here was another thought-form containing lingering attachment.

[It’s real……]

Bamont stared blankly at the rippling waves.

[Really… you conquered the sea!]

For the Conquest King who had long sought to conquer the coast for the nation’s prosperity, every moment here felt special.

Those were emotions difficult to cut cleanly with one word.

Pernok set the scale at the cliff’s edge and pointed to the distant seas.

“We’ll establish a new stronghold at that strait, and we’ll expand into a broader world.”

[Well done, really well done!]

“It’s not conquest. But this sea is ours.”

[Whatever it is, you obtained it! I never thought such an excellent child would emerge among my descendants.]

Nevertheless, he’d slept in the scale for a long time with expectations.

[Thank you. Truly.]

Bamont’s scale began cracking.

When the thought-form’s spiritual power escaped, the scale that couldn’t endure the years was shattering.

[Pernok.]

A brilliant smile formed on the lips of Bamont turning into pure white particles.

[I entrust this nation to you.]

Soon Bamont turned to ash together with the scale and vanished.

Pernok silently watched the remnants scattered by the wind extending toward the sea.

He who couldn’t protect the nation and Bamont who couldn’t possess it.

Both wanted to obtain a prosperous nation, but one grasped it with his own hands while the other had to entrust it and vanish.

That desperate emotion melted into his chest and made Pernok even more solid.

“For someone like me without descendants to entrust things to, every moment feels like the last.”

Pernok whispered to the sea.

“There won’t be a next time. So I have no choice but to head toward broader places…”

After watching the sea for a while, Pernok turned and descended the cliff.

Returning to the royal capital, Pernok gathered subordinates scattered across each territory.

He granted them titles and territories, correcting the kingdom’s structure.

And the day delegations from each nation visited.

Finally, the coronation ceremony was held.

He didn’t use any flowery rhetoric until treading the red carpet, ascending the throne, and wearing the crown.

Pernok looked down at the people standing in rows.

The countless words he’d reviewed before coming here were cleanly emptied.

Strangely calm when the day he’d dreamed of even in death unfolded.

“Forgive this father who must entrust such a nation to you!”

His father had burdened Pernok with many things only when destruction approached.

In the midst of chaos where people and subordinates’ screams echoed as resentment, Pernok had died holding his sword.

Standing blankly at a dead-end cliff was now outdated.

“The wall before us is still thick and high. I cannot say an ideal realm will unfold after surpassing it. The world is incomplete, and the future is opaque, making it merely frustrating what to overcome.”

Pernok set down the crown and changed the artifact to a sword, placing it on his chest.

“So trust me.”

Long ago, the ritual of loyalty proclaimed to the nation’s countless people before a dispatch ceremony.

Only after countless time passed could Pernok confidently display it.

“I will make this nation the center of the world!”

And the wave from the struck sword covered the royal capital and shook their chests.

“I proclaim Barganta’s Divine Mandate from this place!”

Barganta.

The greatest empire that bound primordial humans as one.

All races in the world called Barganta thus.

Sacred and noble.

The nation where the most beautiful gods reside.

Rakis’s Hegemon Emperor burst into pleased laughter at news shaking the world.

“Hahaha, Illumina has set. This too matched your prediction.”

Chris knelt on one knee and reported.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“Not at all. Didn’t you say from before that if Pernok became king, he’d establish a new nation there? You said from then on, negotiation and compromise wouldn’t be possible.”

“Yes. The new dynasty Barganta will become a powerful nation extending into the world by leveraging Illumina’s advantages.”

“Isn’t it still merely a nation surrounded by powerful nations?”

“They’ll create debts with allied nations and unite to establish a new boundary line. Barganta will certainly be at that center. The disadvantage of existing among powerful nations will change to an advantage the moment war begins. And they’ll likely utilize even the seas.”

“Your concerns have never been wrong, so this time will be correct too.”

Amber eyes rippled from the throne buried in darkness.

“But thanks to you, we’ve become the world’s evil. It’s evident everyone will point blades at us, so how will we block them?”

“I’ve already persuaded the previous generation dukes and established the new 13 Lords structure.”

“That alone is insufficient. The Sacred Emperor… that serpent will participate.”

“Therefore, I intend to use seeds planted in advance.”

“Oh, did you do something?”

Chris raised his head and reported indifferently.

“Not all nations will be hostile to us.”

“I look forward to it. I can’t endure the itching.”

The Hegemon Emperor who rose from the throne escaped the darkness.

A middle-aged man with nimble physique unbelievable for someone eighty this year revealed himself.

Though his hair was white, his appearance seemed to have dodged time.

The Hegemon Emperor Arad, who even had the nickname of reversing time by bathing his body in war’s blood, showed a creepy smile.

“We should send greetings to Barganta.”

Jan was trapped in the tower, staring blankly at the night sky.

After Yuliana’s death, nothing dampened his heart.

But one voice flowing in on the wind shook Jan.

[What are you worrying about? With your level of power and the justification of being a prince, you can make a nation far grander and more magnificent than the cursed Pernok.]

Jan shot up from his seat.

That voice was certainly the Rakis Magus ‘Jester’ who fought fiercely at the frontline base.

[Even if you look around, I’m not nearby right now.]

“Come out!”

[Haha, the voice you’re hearing in your head right now is Magus Arts called ‘Intervention’ from the wound I inflicted. I used this same Magus Arts when making all sorts of white animals. Simply put, I’m transmitting my thoughts through Magus Arts planted in your wound.]

The moment Jan felt the Jester’s mana from his shoulder, he realized.

All externally visible wounds had been treated.

However, there was a mark the Jester left inside his body.

That mana lurking all along was this suspicious thought’s identity.

[I didn’t use this precious opportunity just to brag about my Magus Arts. I’ll propose straightforwardly. Jan, if you want to avenge Yuliana, become one of the 13 Lords.]

“…!”

[Though we met in a bad relationship, if you think carefully, no one in the world values faith as much as us. We did our utmost even turning other nations into enemies to make Vans a prince. But what did Tyr that supposedly values faith do to Princess Yuliana?]

“Don’t put Yuliana on that mouth!”

Though his voice echoed loudly, he didn’t raise mana.

If he spread mana now, the Jester’s mana planted in his shoulder would vanish.

That meant cutting off conversation.

The Jester noticed the sentiment of wanting to continue conversation while outwardly denying.

[We’ll strike Barganta. If you help, I guarantee we can purify rotten Tyr and even accomplish revenge for your supreme love.]

“I won’t betray the nation for my greed!”

[No. You’re clearly the next successor who’ll inherit the nation. Punishing vermin who trampled faith by slightly advancing that, and correcting the nation—who could point fingers at you?]

The moment Jan’s eyes wavered, the Jester dragged out the rage he’d been forcibly swallowing inside.

[Prince Jan. Princess Yuliana who died wrongfully is crying beside you begging to be saved—can you truly not hear?]

Jan’s fist gripping the chains trembled.

[Just as Illumina became Barganta, Tyr too must newly change. Under Jan’s name. Huhaha.]

The shoulder’s mana vanished and the Jester’s voice faded.

However, in chained Jan’s mind, the words he left echoed.

Princess Yuliana is crying to be saved.

Jan bit his molars tightly.

[I can resolve the restraint Suira planted in your head to control your emotions.]

At that moment, a creepy light flashed in Jan’s eyes.