357 – Heaven’s Mandate – 2
After a few days, I discovered the territory of the Kaitana tribe.
Honestly, I don’t know if it’s fair to say that I found this. The Empire was still, but the nomads were forced to come in front of their eyes. If these bastards had gunpowder, they would have advertised the location even with fireworks.
Still, it was correct that he had identified the location, so he moved immediately. The Kaitana tribe’s will to surrender and the Empire’s willingness to accept it have all been revealed on the Heatra front. Now, it’s annoying to see the liver while pushing and pushing each other.
“It’s my first time doing diplomacy, so I’m nervous.”
While moving like that with Gwangdae Muk, I quietly talked to the 4th section manager next to me.
The Mukgwangdae was reassuring, but they were so solemn and serious that the road to them was almost deserted. That said, if I talk to her first, she reacts as if she’s embarrassed, to the point of feeling sorry. The only thing that is normally accepted is the 4th section.
“Master, you can do anything.”
Look. Aren’t you still clumsily speaking ordinary words of comfort and encouragement?
“If they disrespect the Master, we will annihilate the Kaitana tribe—”
“Don’t do it.”
Of course, it’s relatively normal.
I looked at section 4 with a somewhat bitter heart. Maybe it’s because he’s only done tough missions, but if things go wrong, he chooses the first option to wipe them out by force. The world is a place where you can overcome with gentle words and warm sincerity, not force.
‘I should have kept it.’
This is all because of the special forces who took away children raised by others. The order was given by the imperial family, but it was the Special Ministry’s fault anyway.
Will the day come when these children will escape from their stepfather’s arms and return to my arms…?
I felt that bending down is an art if it is done correctly.
“Welcome. It’s an honor to see you, dear guests.”
As if they had been waiting for us to come, an unarmed nomad approached us as soon as we entered the territory of the Kaitana tribe. It seems that he is a high-ranking member of the tribe, seeing as he is dressed in fancy clothes and has many accessories.
I was at a loss for words at the mild reaction of the high-ranking official who personally came. It was too strange to see nomads who were friendly to the imperial people.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I was worried what would happen if I became an unwelcome guest.”
“Nothing special. Rather, I was waiting anxiously whenever he would come.”
When I pushed through the awkwardness and finally opened my mouth, a more explicit answer came back. If you can feel the anguish of Kaitana or the tribal chief in that word, is it because of your feelings?
“Now, let me guide you. I think the chieftain will be disappointed if I deal with the nobles alone.”
“Thank you for the kindness. Where can I return the armaments?”
“Armed?”
As he turned to guide us, the nomad tilted his head, then burst into laughter again.
“hahahaha, you can just come in! Do you need to disarm the hassle?”
‘What.’
I was at a loss for words because of the spirit of not even collecting armaments. No matter how friendly the camp is, except for the minimum escort, they tend to collect or isolate their weapons, but the Kaitana tribe does not take any action.
Is he still confident even when armed envoys come, or does he trust us that much? Either way, they’re not normal guys.
“You went through a lot of hardships coming a long way. It’s embarrassing to meet such precious people for a rough reason.”
“The worse the situation, the better the relationship. Never mind.”
While following the nomads, I answered appropriately to the nomads’ jokes.
It was seen that Nomad was more willing to answer that question. He said it was a pity he met during the war, but because he was at war, the Kaitana tribe, who wanted to surrender, looked even better.
“I learned a lesson from a precious person. They say that the worse the situation, the better the good relationship.”
And the more favorably the Empire views the Kaitana tribe, the higher the ransom the Empire will pay to the Kaitana tribe.
Nomad, who had been laughing for a long time, opened his mouth again as if he remembered something.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t asked for your name yet. My name is Kjan Vete. I’m the younger sister of Chief Katana Kjan Daran.”
“I am Carl Krasius of Wiridia. I received the countship thanks to the grace of His Majesty the Emperor.”
A nomad who heard my name—Bette’s smile grew thicker.
“A very special person has arrived.”
At that, I smiled silently.
This is enough information to pass on to guides who are not negotiating parties.
The tribal chief wasn’t too different from Bette. No, rather, there was an added aspect to it, perhaps because he was in the position of carrying the fate of the tribe.
“The Gaar tribe is an evil enemy who disturbed the order of the north and the world. With the majesty of the empire, the evil enemy was subdued, and we barely breathed a breath.
“You must have suffered a lot.”
“It was painful, but what can I do? There are many compatriots who trust and follow me, so I have to be patient. Fortunately, thanks to the Empire, I can escape from the hands of the villain—”
The tribal chief, who cursed kagan and khan with exaggerated tone and gestures, also appealed that he had made a tearful decision for the safety of the tribe. Somehow it told me, ‘We have nothing to do with that bastard.’ It seemed to imprint the fact that
But there is no real relationship. During Kagan’s time, he watched as the third camp, and even now, he was forcibly dragged out because of Khan’s spicy fist. Since no damage has been done to the Empire, there is nothing to be held accountable for.
“Because there is a chieftain, a minimum of order can be maintained even in the chaotic north. I think it’s really luck.”
“hahahaha, that’s too much praise.”
As I spoke with a slight smile, the tribal chief laughed heartily and put the leather bag to his lips.
“Keuuu, maybe it’s because a special guest came, so Bette brought some good wine. He’s the guy who nags me to cut back on his drinking.”
Then the tribal chief eating the meat on the table was far from noble etiquette, but he looked as rugged and candid as that.
I also took a few sips like the tribal chief. In the first place, I didn’t think that the Kaitana tribe was plotting, but if they were provided with food, there was nothing to worry about anymore. It’s no different than saying that nomads will die if they break the custom of hospitality.
‘Did I worry for nothing?’
I feel ashamed of myself for saying that it was my first time doing diplomacy.
I thought it would be easy, but I didn’t expect it to be this easy. The automatic door will open slower than you.
“Your Majesty regrets the chaos in the north.”
“You are merciful like the heavens. I am deeply moved that you care about even lowly people like us.”
Anyway, the mood of the tribal chief changed when he mentioned the emperor to end the conversation. The fact that the envoy representing the empire spoke of the emperor means that he would tell the business.
“Your Majesty’s mercy does not end with mere concern. He wants to take the north into his arms and take care of his good subjects who yearn for peace.”
“That’s a beautiful story.”
After saying that, the tribal chief kept his mouth shut. Perhaps they were calculating how much influence the emperor would exert in the north, how much goods would flow into the north, and how much interest and security the Kaitana tribe, who surrendered first, would be guaranteed.
There is no need for complex calculations. I’ll tell you here.
“However, there is a northern way in the north. Your Majesty wants to respect the existing order. There are already those who keep their distance from the villains for the sake of order in the north, so how can your majesty ignore them?”
At those words, the tribal chief’s complexion brightened again. As long as the empire respects the existing order, the title of tribal chief and the influence of the Kaitana tribe remain intact. Even if you keep that, it’s attractive enough from the tribal chief’s point of view.
“Of course, Count Kaitana is one of them.”
“Embarrassed because it’s an undeserved evaluation…?”
The patriarch, who reflexively expressed humility, stiffened as if he noticed a sense of incongruity belatedly. At the same time, he barely rolled his eyes and looked at my complexion, as if he was confirming that what he was hearing was correct.
Of course he heard it right. From today you are a count.
‘I can’t throw the Marquis lightly.’
At first, I wanted to throw the title of marquess to Kaitana, but there are still many tribes I haven’t come into contact with. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to act hastily and meet a better tribe?
So let’s say he’s a count. I thought he was a count, but he would be happy if I raised him to the rank of marquis. It would be terrible if it was the other way around.
***
My thoughts are not organized. In the excitement and confusion, just one word ran through my head.
‘Count.’
I am, I am count. I, a tribal chief, am an aristocrat of the empire.
He carefully lowered his trembling hand down the table. He licked his dry lips with his tongue.
‘A nomad or an aristocrat?’
I can’t believe it. Nomads, who are only targets of subjugation, and live on supplies that the empire generously throws at them, become the nobility of the empire? A high-ranking nobleman like a count, not a viscount or baron?
They said they respected the existing order, so I thought they were just trying to prioritize supplying supplies and put us first to control other tribes. Because that’s the way the empire used it until now. Because I couldn’t have asked for more than that.
However, the Empire shook a treasure in front of its eyes that it dared not dream of. A charming treasure that promises to include nomads in the ruling class of the empire.
‘It’s not a lie.’
From noble mtl dot com
There’s no way an envoy could lie outright. Wouldn’t it be a refusal not to tell a lie even if you avoid responsibility by turning your words round and round? As a nomad, I know that much.
Even those who came as envoys are big players. Is it a lie to mobilize such a big man? It’s too much of a waste of manpower.
‘It won’t be an offer that only I will receive.’
As I put my head on the premise that the words of the empire were true, my thoughts stretched to the other side.
There is no way that only one aristocrat can be planted in this vast northern region. I will give proper titles to tribes that surrender like me. There will be countless nomadic nobles.
‘It’s different from the current game.’
Now, the ranks in the north are not determined by the strength of the tribe. It is determined according to the high and low ranks.
Of course, if the tribe is strong, you will receive a high title, but the difference in strength can be filled with other things.
For example, active cooperation, active loyalty.
To put it more bluntly, the empire—the favor of the imperial family.
‘…This is true.’
If you throw a treasure like this, you won’t be able to sit still because you can hear the taste.
‘If you join late, you’re a traitor, but if you join quickly, you’re a public servant.’
Starting today, I will become a public servant.
Destiny: Be a faithful slave xD