“We were lucky until now. Take Columbus after he found the new world. Wasn’t that the start of the massacre of the native people? Didn’t that also bring many plagues and diseases?”
It was as Jinpok said. There had been numerous accounts of similar happenings on Earth. Even if a higher being came to the world with good intentions, it didn’t always end up well.
“Anyway, we’re not sure if we’ll like who comes through the Gate,” Jackson said.
“Right. Whatever comes… we never know what impact it will have on this world.”
Everyone nodded. This wasn’t the first time the Gate had opened. Even the oldest history of the continent also had records of the Gate.
The first recording of the Gate was thousands of years ago.
The location where it opened was random. Just like the place it opened, the time it stayed open and reappeared was all random. The size, color, and shape also seemed to be random.
It sometimes popped open in the middle of the city, while it sometimes popped up in someone’s backyard.
‘Is it connected to Earth?’
At least through the records, it was likely that the Gate was surely connected to Earth.
‘I can’t go back. It’s too dangerous.’
It was dangerous to attempt to try going back. It was obvious from looking at Jinpok. Joonbum and Sunsook had come through the Gate first, but Jinpok had arrived through a time distortion which had put him years ahead.
‘Time distortion…’
That was the most worrisome fact of all. He wasn’t sure where he would end up if he went back, and there was no guarantee that he would return to the same time frame.
‘What I need to ensure is that it is in stable condition once it opens.’
“Shouldn’t we check it out first?”
“Yeah…”
Joonbum frowned.
“You go on ahead. I’ll go to the battlefield myself and show them what it’s like to meddle with the empire…” Jinpok mumbled.
“No, we’ll tie them together and wait it out.”
Joonbum shook his head but Jackson also became grim.
“That will be a waste. We have a lot more things to do. It’s not that we have a lot of money-”
Joonbum then raised his hand to stop Jackson midway.
“Yes, I know. But isn’t money there to keep people alive? Will you choose to save money when your life or your family’s life is at stake?”
“Hmm…”
Jackson couldn’t answer.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you know what you’re doing. Joonbum’s just focused on feelings, Jackson. The empire needs cold management. You’re doing a great job.”
Jinpok shook his head at Jackson. Joonbum then groaned because Jinpok was also right.
“I will go to the battlefield. Be careful at the Gate.”
Jinpok then stood up. As he left the room, Doral also glanced at Joonbum and stood up.
“I’ll go get ready.”
Joonbum nodded. After Doral left, Jackson shook his head and came back to his senses.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
“No. I’m not always correct. Like Jinpok said… I think there’s no right or wrong. If we waste money and that leads to our Empire’s downfall, it might end up worse. We never know what it will bring.”
“Hmm.”
“But we still have to value lives.”
“I understand,” Jackson nodded. Joonbum then rose up from his seat.
“I’ll be back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Joonbum left the office, and Jackson was now left alone. However, he was filled with joy.
“This empire… will last a thousand years.”
With such wise leadership, he eagerly anticipated how long the empire would continue to rule.
“I should take this time to clean out any corruption.”
The Khalodians had been working well, thanks to their unique control over the land. Just like before, the nobles of Khalodian still held ownership of their estates. But they mostly gave up control of their estate operations to the empire. After the empire took control, the profits from their lands had increased by a lot and the nobles enjoyed luxurious lives within the capital.
It all seemed to go well, but it also created many chances for corruption.
“We wouldn’t have known if we didn’t have the Ainos.”
Talented individuals that were sent out to oversee the lands under the name of the empire had become corrupt and the Ainos Auditors reported them.
“Are you there?”
“Yes, sir.”
It was a quiet reply, but a slender woman immediately appeared.
“Jenna, are the preparations finished?”
“Yes, sir. We have confirmed all the locations and are ready to strike.”
Jenna answered and Jackson nodded.
“We’ll rout them out. Arrest anyone who is related to the corruption.”
“Yes, sir. And… what should we do with them?” Jenna asked.
Jackson’s face darkened. He hesitated at the question. “How many are there?”
“There are five who were taught by the emperor himself.”
“Five… what are their crimes?”
“Two for personal crimes, and two for conspiring with the Horuns.”
Jackson then asked back, “What’s the last one?”
“He… had been meddling with the books to heal his brother’s disease.”
“A disease? For that?”
Jackson couldn’t understand. Most diseases would be treated for free at the empire’s hospital.
“Yes, sir.”
“Why…”
“I think he’s trying to get the secret of the Ainos.”
Jackson then realized that surely meant the top-grade potion.
“Arrest them. There are no exceptions to this.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jackson sighed.
‘I should take on this matter myself.’
Jackson thought about Joonbum’s disappointment if he learned what had happened and shook his head before heading for the Operations Department.
