“But why aren’t you trying to take the land by force? We have more than enough forces to do that,” Jackson asked.
Joonbum laughed dryly. Jackson was a man of this world and could not understand Joonbum’s hesitation.
“Do you want to know why?”
“Yes. Our current method takes too much time. It takes time and it will create more problems in the future. I love peace, but these people will not be thankful for the hospitality. We will have to face the consequences and our people will suffer. We already have a power that no one can match.”
Jackson explained heatedly and picked up a glass of water to gulp it down.
“Our policies have achieved great success. We have ninety percent of newborn babies surviving through their childhood and the number of death by illness or accidents have been reduced thanks to our hospitals.”
Jackson moved to the window and looked out at the various buildings and people around it.
“Look, our present and future are bright. I couldn’t believe it at first, but it was as you said. We have money and power. Prince. No, Commander. Your call is enough to bring forward thousands of men ready to fight to their deaths. Why do we have to choose a roundabout way? We have all sorts of powerful weapons such as guns too.”
Jackson turned to Joonbum. As he mentioned, they had enough power to invade and conquer the land by force. The guns and the Marauder were enough to invade a small piece of land with a few people.
“I just… don’t want people dying anymore. That’s all.”
Joonbum sighed and answered calmly. Jackson’s eye widened with shock.
“I don’t want anyone dying. I killed so I could survive, but should I kill more because I don’t want to go through the hard way? I want to take the hard way and not kill anyone. I may be too selfish, but that’s what I want.”
Joonbum fell silent and Jackson couldn’t speak more.
*
“He really did it.”
A man in his thirties caressed his golden beard as he spoke in shock.
“I was surprised. To think it was actually possible…”
“Right. I was amazed. He’s like from the legend.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Look at his accomplishments! And he’s just in his late twenties!”
The old man looked at him in surprise.
“Yes… he did some amazing things… it seems possible… no, it must be.”
He tried to deny the fact, but there was so much evidence of great deeds that this Joonbum managed to accomplish. The Khalodian Mountain Range was infamous for its monsters and treacherous paths that blocked any human from entering it. It was only the Ainos and Magnos that managed to live in that land. Yet the Khalodians were able to access it and managed to tap into its abundant resources.
“Everyone thought they were crazy at first. But look at the grand city,” Viscount Tyler Haxon said. The population grew too big and everyone knew what the typical outcome was, but the city prospered instead.
“It’s all because of the oil and coal within the land.”
“Yes, that is the biggest reason. But how did they find out how to use it? And the waterway… and everything… Everything was so incredible. Honestly, I didn’t want to come back. How about you?”
Tyler turned to his advisor, Berman.
“I didn’t either, sir.”
“Yeah.”
“Anyone would. The place is like a dream. I never watched a play that was so entertaining before. And those attractions… Even the music! It was just outstanding.”
“Yeah, I still think I was dreaming. I’m this close to applying for land management service.”
“NO! Sir, please, you can’t do that. That is foolish. We will end up surrendering the land to the king in the end.”
Berman looked concerned.
“Yeah, I know. It was very smart of them. But how long can we last?”
Tyler frowned. His eyes seemed to glow brightly as he asked. He was a very wise man who would surely bring glory back to his family. However, the Prince of Khalodian was much more.
“Nothing is eternal. We will have our chance and we should protect our land for that moment. We should accept the change and wait.”
“Yeah, but…”
Tyler tried to continue, but he turned to the letter that Berman was holding.
“What is that? Do you need to report something?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, sir. This is the letter from Count Amons from the neighboring land.”
“Letter?”
Tyler took the letter and noticed Count Amons’ insignia. He began reading it through carefully.
