667 – One Is Not Affectionate – 1
The shocking truth that Leviathan was a flying whale, not an island whale. Thanks to this, the Duchy of Chenes, which had been enjoying a peaceful day as usual, was turned upside down.
It would be even more strange if a huge whale flew towards us from the sea and reacted calmly. Maybe it felt like I was intuiting a meteorite falling?
However, very fortunately, there was a wise man on top of Leviathan, and Leviathan became not a ‘unidentified strange creature’ but a ‘strange creature that the lord picked up from somewhere.’ At least they learned that it was not a being that would harm them.
“It’s closer to the land, so its size stands out even more. You could build a city on its back.”
The Golden Ball looked satisfied as he saw the Leviathan docked in the sea off the port after flying leisurely.
As Golden Ball said, when I was in the open sea, I only vaguely thought it was big, but when I compared it to the actual land, I could clearly feel its size. At this level, it’s almost a moving city-state.
“Rather, what should I do in return for such an enormous gift? Is there anything you want?”
Eventually, the Golden Ball turned his attention to me and Lord Hyeonjung and shrugged his shoulders as if he was embarrassed.
I understand. Golden Ball, who is sensitive to giving and receiving, has acquired a giant flying whale that can be used for many purposes. Although it was the Osiden family’s arrangement that Leviathan became a close friend of the Golden Duke, isn’t it thanks to me and Hyunhyeong-Gong that the Golden Duke and Leviathan met? It must be confusing to know what to give in return.
“That’s it~ It’s better between us! Just do what I said!”
“This is amazing. He says the most difficult words so easily.”
At Hyunhyeong-gong’s words, the Golden Gong let out a small laugh and took something out of his chest.
It was a blank piece of paper with the seal of the Golden Ball stamped on it.
“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t measure that friend’s value. I will give anything I can, so if you need anything, write it down and give it to me whenever it’s convenient.”
“Wow! You really can cut anything!?”
“Anything as long as you don’t ask for duchy. I’ll tell this to my son too, so don’t worry if I die.”
“Yay!”
A blank check that the Oshiden family will guarantee for generations. In fact, as it was the greatest sincerity the Golden Ball could show, Hyeonjong-gong put the blank paper in his pocket without hesitation.
Of course, I, who was next to Hyeon Hyeong-gong, also received a blank check,
“Hey, Your Excellency?”
“Why but Minister?”
“I think you gave me too much.”
My hands trembled when I realized that the check was a package and not just one.
No, it’s an all-purpose wish ticket that allows you to ask for anything from the Golden Ball, but you’re giving it in bunches instead of one? Isn’t that too much?
“Didn’t I just say that that friend’s value cannot be measured? Ending a deal like that in one go would be tantamount to robbery.”
But the Golden Ball just patted my shoulder and burst into laughter.
“Haona─”
“Don’t worry, Minister. If you have that friend, you can reap greater benefits than you think. So, don’t embarrass yourself and receive this work in peace.”
I nodded with a dazed feeling, as it was a firm declaration that I would refuse to refuse any more. Excessive specifications can turn off the other person.
“Then I will go back with that friend. I will never forget the gift I received today, Hyeonhyeon-gong.”
“Ugh! Come on! I’ll enjoy the wine too!”
Meanwhile, the Golden Duke also laughed at the sight of Duke Hyeonjae expressing his gratitude for the boyar wine rather than a blank check.
And a few days later, I heard that Leviathan, who had moved to the Boyar Duchy with the Golden Ball, entered the territorial waters of the Kingdom of Zereno.
To be exact, it was floating in the sky above the territorial waters.
‘This is it.’
Anyway, as soon as I heard the news, I was able to realize the huge benefit that the golden ball had mentioned.
A living, unsinkable aircraft carrier. A strategic weapon that floats in the sky, not in territory or territorial waters. Even if Zereno dispute, ‘Is the sky yours?’ A being that can be refuted with the words: The Golden Ball had obtained the means to unilaterally destroy a country.
Moreover, anchoring the Leviathan in the high seas, slightly outside the territorial waters of the Kingdom of Zereno? If you decorate Leviathan’s body like a relay port, maritime trade is possible without having to go through Zereno.
‘It’s huge.’
For some reason, they handed out packages of blank checks mercilessly. Now that we have taken over maritime hegemony, it won’t be a waste to give anything.
“That happened while we were resting.”
After hearing this dynamic information, Trixie couldn’t help but admire him even as she stroked the triplets who were biting and sucking their hair.
While Duke Wise and I were meeting Leviathan, and while Duke Golden was returning to the boyars with Leviathan, the family was having a peaceful time at the Duke of Chenes Castle. Even the Golden Ball, who had said hello to Trixie and was going to leave, was distracted by Leviathan, so it was truly a vacation that no one messed with.
Thanks to this, even though the Duchy of Chenes was overthrown, Trixie found out about this news too late.
“Couldn’t you have told me too? I could have studied it if it was a child growing up eating mana.”
So, like Trixie said, it was a bit disappointing. I forgot that there was the greatest wizard on the continent right nearby.
“When I saw this flying whale, I couldn’t think of anything…”
I just rationalized myself by making lame excuses.
But honestly, who would stay sane while watching a large flying whale? I am confident that I have maintained reason enough just because I did not go to the boyar duchy with the Golden Ball.
“You’re the only one watching good things. You’re such a mean dad, aren’t you?”
“Ugh! Dad! That’s disgusting!”
“Disgraceful! Disgraceful!”
“It’s a disaster~”
“I’m sorry…”
Of course, even if he made an excuse like this, he was just a ‘crazy family man who was so distracted by the whale that he forgot his family’.
I am a sinner. I am a sinner.
“But is there a whale?”
However, Maria’s next question made both Trixie and I smile.
That’s right. Since Maria lives inland, I don’t know what a whale is.
“It is a very large animal. It lives only in the sea.”
“Is the sea all?”
Ah, I guess I have to explain from there.
***
Now I have the mental strength to not be surprised no matter what reports come in.
The sky splits, God’s blessing is granted, a council is held, the World Tree is resurrected, the evil spirit is unsealed, etc. I experienced a series of events that seemed likely to occur once in a thousand years, let alone in a hundred years.
‘The whale flew.’
Maybe that’s why an artificial whale created by the Trika Empire was discovered. It is said that the whale had ties to the Duke of Oshiden and became a close friend of the Golden Duke. Even though I heard that it flew in the sky in a size similar to an island, I wasn’t particularly impressed.
In life, you might become a whale. Aren’t the sky and the sea all the same when they are blue? If the emperor does not consider all possibilities, the entire empire becomes rigid.
‘Flying over the Kingdom of Zereno for several hours.’
And it is understandable that the whale entered the territorial waters of the Zereno Kingdom—no, it flew in the sky above the territorial waters. There is no one on the continent who does not know that the relationship between Boyar and Zereno is atrocious.
The rivalry between the Boyar Duchy and the Kingdom of Zereno has a long history. Although the Kingdom of Zereno itself has been obedient to the empire since the treaty signed about 30 years ago, it is in constant conflict with the Boyar Duchy, a similar maritime domain, perhaps due to its origins as a maritime kingdom.
However, the actions of the Zereno Kingdom were carried out entirely within the scope of the treaty for the Empire to intervene. Although it is annoying, it has not violated the treaty, and it is acting as a loyal friend of the empire to warn. Only the Boyar Duchy was suffering from Zereno.
‘This is how you solve it.’
Thanks to this, I left the Zereno problem to the Golden Duke, but I had no idea that they would bring in a rare being called a flying whale to subdue the Zereno Kingdom. Just a few hours ago, the desperate screams of the Zereno Kingdom were heard through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I will accept even if the empire unilaterally revises the treaty, so please just save the location of the relay port. It was a heartbreaking, desperate plea that I could not ignore.
So, I delivered the news of the surrender of the Kingdom of Zereno to the Golden Duke, and received a response that he would soon appear at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help revise the treaty. It is truly a beautiful ending.
Yes, it’s beautiful. Everything is beautiful.
“There is absolutely no place where it doesn’t fit.”
The Minister of Inspection and Inspection was also involved in this process.
He’s definitely a guy who should enjoy his vacation quietly at the mansion. The guy who should just be breathing and out of my sight is getting his name listed in all kinds of reports.
Of course, since the first person to discover the flying whale, Leviathan, was Hyeon Hyeon-gong, it is not strange that a relative, the Minister, intervened. Even the person who dragged Leviathan to the manor was not the minister, but the Golden Ball. At least in this case, the minister was closer to a wait-and-see approach than intervention.
‘Still, it’s a shame.’
But a strange feeling of resentment rose from deep within my heart. Wouldn’t it be better for both of us to stay at the mansion instead of causing accidents everywhere we go? Why am I so frustrated that I can’t go outside?
Although the head cries out that the minister is innocent, the mind that has suffered so much damage is constantly cursing the minister. It is truly a strange thing.
‘Let’s calm down.’
To calm my burning stomach, I took out the vodka I had secretly hidden in my desk drawer. Moderate drinking helps with work.
‘…It’s water.’
And when I carefully took a sip, I felt the taste of plain water rather than the strong taste of vodka.
It seems that the empress changed it to water.
“Damn.”
This is all because of the minister.
***
I went to Attellius to find out the identity of the three pillars that Leviathan had mentioned.
Athelius is a being who has lived for such a long time that he has experienced dealing with evil spirits. He may know about the three pillars, including Leviathan.
“Leviathan?”
“Yes. It is a whale artificially created by the Trika Empire.”
“Hmm, Trika and Leviathan…”
At my question, Athelius tapped his fingernails on the ground and lost himself in his thoughts.
“I’m not sure. “I haven’t been to the sea much.”
And a somewhat disappointing answer came back.
But. Even if he was alive during the time of Trika, it would be meaningless if he did not hear the information itself ─
“I’ve seen a cow called Behemoth, but is it similar?”
‘Oh.’
He instantly became aware of one of the three pillars.
If you want to know about the past, it’s best to get help from your elders.