The saloon was filled with people enjoying their time after work. They began drinking and talking about the recent rumors around the world.
“I heard Barisman was crushed.”
“Yeah, they were all captured as prisoners too.”
“Idiots, that’s what they get for coming here.”
“Our lord is invincible!”
“If you think about it, the empire is in its current state because they picked on us too!”
“Right. Anyone that attacked us failed!”
People were similarly eager to talk about another victory.
“But it’s good.”
“What is?”
“The prisoners.”
“Oh, yeah. They are lucky.”
“They’re so scared right now though.”
“Hah. They will be fed three times a day, even during their imprisonment! They won’t return even if we release them.”
“They now get a chance to earn land, a house, and so much more…”
“Yeah, just like us. I heard some believe this land is the heaven that Horun talks about.”
“Don’t even mention Horun. How dare they accuse our countess for being a witch!”
“They’re the ones who are evil. They make us starve and blame it on God! Even when it rains! It’s all on God!”
“Yeah. The other day, my son came from his school and told me that you can prepare for the drought if you make a reservoir and keep the water.”
“Oh! He’s a smart one, eh?”
“Hey, my son is going to attend the officer school…”
Men began to share news of the victory, then talked about neighboring countries. Then they all ended up talking about their families, their daily lives, and how happy they were.
“Sir, you must be proud.”
Jackson smiled as he glanced Joonbum. They were both sitting at the side of the saloon, covered in hoods as their disguises.
“Yeah, I am.”
Joonbum was considered almost like a god now. He was praised by every citizen as an invincible knight, a god of war, Great Lord, and such. It made Joonbum so happy that these people were happy because of him. It was also good that the war had come to an end too where Toria was torn apart by the neighboring countries, barely managing to protect themselves. King Andre Kerin Toria had fallen ill from the shock and the princes were now fighting against each other.
“I heard some great news.”
“What is it?”
“Duke Drega Derune, Duke Zekra Lorion, and Marquis Beneth have asked to be annexed into our land.”
“What?”
Joonbum looked at Jackson in shock. Jackson smiled in turn.
“Hah…”
There had been numerous alliance requests from smaller families and lower-ranking nobles. But these families were one of the main noble families of the Torian Kingdom, who controlled the eastern and western regions of the entire kingdom. If they were to be added, half of Toria would be renamed to Khalodian.
“Can we handle it?”
“Yes, sir. We are lower in rank, but we can raise it up. We crossed a line when we fought against Toria. We must declare ourselves to be a kingdom and you will sit on the throne. Those families are also aware that we can do it, thus their request to be annexed.”
“A king… can we do that?”
“What’s most important is to declare ourselves as a kingdom to obtain approval from the other countries. Toria will not approve, but other countries will. Some even long for our independence from Toria. We also must not lose our chance.”
“What chance?”
“The war has just ended due to winter. The countries who tried to profit from the war have failed and they are in desperate need of food. The only country with food is us, so they will ask for it soon.”
“You want us to give it to them in bulk.”
“Yes, and you can declare yourself as a king.”
“It doesn’t sound right.”
“Why? What is stopping you, sir?” Jackson asked as he watched Joonbum frowning.
“No, I’m just worried that it’s too easy.”
“What do you mean, easy! We have gone through so much…”
“Okay, relax, Jackson. Relax. We did go through a…”
Joonbum couldn’t continue. Unlike Jackson, he couldn’t say he had gone through such hard times like the others did.
‘I must have been off-guard for too long. I was careful when I just got here. Maybe I should be more careful… one successful assassination can get me.’
“Oh, and there’s a new rumor spreading around.”
“What?”
“The king is dying. Some speculate poisoning. I believe so too.”
“Really?”
“Yes, sir.”
Jackson nodded. Joonbum thought how brutal this world was. After all, this was not Earth.
“How are the graduates from the elite courses?”
“They’re amazing. There are some who speak tens of languages and some who can memorize an entire book in an instant. These are geniuses. We are making them teach other children what they have learned.”
Joonbum changed the subject to the three hundred newly-educated children. These were very smart children with high potential. Teaching these children and having them teach other children proved to be very successful.
