TVHR - Chapter 38

Gurgle.

Late at night, small popping sounds were heard, and sparks began to erupt from all directions.

"Aaaah!"

“Fire!”

"Run away, it's fire!!"

Screams were heard from all directions.

The fire was too big for the villagers, who were just passing through the dry season, to put out. People screamed and ran away in all directions.

However, a sudden, rising mound of earth enveloped the entire village, making it impossible to escape.

People screamed and wailed.

Someone tried to dig into the pile of dirt with their fingernails to escape, but they couldn't.

None of those who were clamoring to run away were able to escape.

The child screamed, and the parents wailed.

The massive, uplifted mound of earth instantly covered the sky, forming a huge body.

Whether it was because it was covered in mounds of earth or because there were no more survivors, only a silent night returned to the world.

Not long after, the pile of earth collapsed in an instant.

As if nothing had happened.

From the exposed pile of charcoal, pure white powder was carried high into the sky by the wind.

The pure white powder was carried by the wind, seeping in here and there and settling down.

Someone stood tall in the sky amidst the flying white powder storm.

A ponytail dangled amidst his shabby attire.

"Was there no singularity here either?"

Tch. The one who clicked their tongue softly scratched their head as if annoyed, then quickly disappeared into the darkness of the night sky.

Eventually, nothing existed in the sky.

***

"I didn't expect to be the only one invited."

Roselyn spoke with her eyebrows furrowed.

She never imagined she would be invited alone to a huge conference hall packed with the Kaluta tribe, to the point of feeling burdened.

"I called you because you seemed to be looking around nervously, but if you wish, you may bring your own"

Khan was not wearing a dancer's costume.

In fact, given the nature of Kaluta's attire, it still looked similar to her as if she were barely clothed.

However, she was wearing a silver carpet.

In Kaluta, it was a symbol of the King.

“How is your body?”

"I feel better thanks to your concern. I think Kaluta's medicine helped a lot."

Roselyn readily expressed her gratitude.

"We convened a tribal council to consider your proposal, and ultimately decided to make a decision after hearing it."

Roselyn frowned slightly at Khan's words.

'So you're saying I haven't really dealt with you properly until now.'

It was something the Emperor would lament if he knew.

While lying down and resting for a few days, she also organized her thoughts.

Before long, an epidemic will spread in Kaluta. To be precise, it will not only spread in Kaluta.

Because the entire empire is suffering from the epidemic.

And the Marchioness de Wilbreed dies from this epidemic.

This is likely the reason why Garen Wilbreed remained in the Empire without moving during this period.

Since the reason he returned here is because of the Marchioness, there is no reason for him to make a move at this time.

"We wish to form an alliance with Kaluta, including a peace treaty. We want to establish trade routes using the 'Moonstones' and 'Rishu Outposts' from Kaluta, gradually expanding our product range for trade, and coexist as an allied nation."

Roselyn slowly opened her mouth.

Kaluta was rich in resources, living in harmony with nature. It was also a nation with considerable military power.

Many countries ignore them, calling them barbarians and whatnot, but the reason they cannot actually touch them is because of their formidable military power and numerous tribes.

Khan listened to Roselyn's story.

"In return, the Empire stated that as an ally, it would spare no financial, technical, or human resources until Kaluta took shape as a nation, and would provide whatever you desired."

"...Wait, what does it mean to take the form of a country?"

"It is exactly as I said. His Majesty wishes for Kaluta to at least establish itself as a proper nation."

Roselyn continued, saying that it was, of course, advice solely for Kaluta's sake.

A fairly long back-and-forth ensued.

Roselyn explained why they should take the form of a country, while the elders of Kaluta and Khan explained why they should not.

Both were correct.

Kaluta had lived moving around like a nomad for a long time.

It was a method chosen to avoid suffering significant damage even if invaded.

Therefore, for them, settling in one place and establishing a capital is a huge decision in many ways.

However, without a capital, it cannot be called a country, and it will inevitably continue to be looked down upon as barbarians.

Even though they moved between various capitals, they needed to establish the form of a nation.

"Hey! This could be the Empire's scheme to corner us in one place and ambush us to kill us!"

One of the elders leading the other tribe shouted.

He was the leader of one of the tribes among the various minority groups belonging to Kaluta.

"However, we cannot live like this forever. I am not talking about the present."

Roselyn said.

Khan watched Roselyn in silence amidst the back-and-forth exchanges. Roselyn, too, did not pay any attention to the noise around her.

It is because they know that this is ultimately carried out by the leader's decision.

"Right now, Khan and others may feel uncomfortable. However, growing children will grow up experiencing the diverse world in a slightly safer environment."

"..."

"I'm saying we should think about the future decades or centuries from now."

At Roselyn's calm words, Khan rested her chin on the back of her clasped hands and slowly closed and opened her eyes.

"In short, our ducal family discovered a special mineral capable of infusing the Abyss into weapons, developed it, and the development has now reached its completion."

“What...?”

Khan's eyes widened.

"When that weapon is mass-produced, will Kaluta be able to survive?"

"Are you ignoring me right now?"

"No, Khan will survive. But I am talking about your family, your colleagues, and the place where you will live in the future."

Khan remained silent at Roselyn's words.

She is strong.

However, she was the only strong one.

If that weapon is really developed and mass-produced, it will be a threat to them.

Khan slowly closed and opened his eyes.

"So, this is a proposal made separately to the Imperial Family, but perhaps..."

Roselyn smiled sweetly.

Khan paused at the beautiful smile that had bloomed so radiantly.

"Aside from the Empire, wouldn't you like to establish business with our Duke of Bellion family as well?"

“...What?”

"Actually, that mineral is difficult to process. We were short of reliable technicians."

Khan's eyes widened slightly.

"I heard that Kaluta has a connection with the dwarves from long ago. That is why everyone, young and old alike, is exceptionally skilled at smelting minerals."

Beneath the radiant smile, a subtly mischievous, childlike expression was visible.

"This is a top-secret matter that has not even been disclosed to His Majesty, and we have not yet exhibited it anywhere or established any business dealings..."

Gulp.

Someone sitting at the round table swallowed. Roselyn's red lips curved with a sense of ease, then slowly parted.

"Would you be interested in doing business with us for the first time?"

The sound of gasps could be heard from here and there. Being able to encounter technology and weapons for the first time is truly a tremendous event.

"Of course, as long as you do not leak the technology to the outside, you are free to use it within Kaluta."

This was akin to a gamble even for Roselyn. After all, it involved teaching dangerous technology to another country.

However, Roselyn trusted 'Sansar', whom she had known for a long time, rather than Kaluta.

The children protected by her friend must be trustworthy, and since it was said that their smelting skills are sometimes so exceptional that they can forge weapons of the gods, they would surely create something far more magnificent than the 'Abyss Weapons' made by the Duke's craftsmen.

"...For a moment."

And if this could earn the other party's infinite trust, it wasn't a losing proposition.

Khan asked, looking a little disbelieving.

"You say you will allow us to use the technology? Is that really true?"

"Yes. The fact that this deal goes through means we are allies."

"Haha!"

Khan had no choice but to let out a hollow laugh.

Wasn't that an incredibly greedy deal proposal?

"I can also tell you the location of the 'Yuseok' hidden somewhere in Kaluta. Of course, you will have to make an exclusive deal with my family."

“Yuseok?”

"Yes, it is a stone used as a raw material."

"It's in Kaluta."

"Yes."

She supposed she would have to actually search to find out if it exists or not.

To put it roughly, she thought it might appear somewhere in a similar corner.

"Surely Sansar didn't tell you that, did he?"

Roselyn shook her head at Khan's question.

"No, this is my Abyss."

Khan stared at Roselyn for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.

"Ahahaha!!"

She, who had been bursting into hearty laughter, finally lifted her head with a grin after quite a while.

"Fine! But you said that trust is the foundation of a deal, so you can't lie, Lady Bellion."

"What..."

"The word 'Abyss' is a lie, isn't it?"

Roselyn's face stiffened slightly at Khan's words.

Seeing her frozen, Khan flicked her finger and chased everyone away, leaving only a few behind.

"My name is Khan Haliona. Now, let's start an honest and proper deal."

It was the moment the deal with Khan was finalized.

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