The Genius Blacksmith's Game
Junk items. (2)
Surprised branch managers can be seen in various places during video chats.
John, the head of the US branch, suddenly stood up without realizing it, and Yu Hwan, the head of the China branch, spilled the coffee he was drinking.
The branch manager who always maintained silence retorted, "What did you say!?" while another branch manager had his mouth wide open.
Even though they had just been talking about Ares, whom the users had changed, they could not hide their surprise.
It is because he is not a mere individual.
Yes, it was a little different from the stories of Bella, Arte, the tyrant, and others.
When the country of Hyun was first established, the branch chiefs unanimously predicted that it would perish within two years.
It is not because I underestimated it.
That is the flow of Ares.
Moreover, a nation established by a foreigner is naturally subject to checks and balances from countless nations.
In fact, in the early days of the country, no nation wanted to engage in diplomacy.
All the branch managers knew that there were nearly people who starved to death.
In addition to this, there have been numerous crises, and even though we have won this time, the danger has not disappeared.
so…….
The country of Hyun is like a lamp in the wind.
That is why, when the County Kingdom publicly announced to the whole world that it would establish an empire, even the branch leaders scoffed, saying that the County Kingdom had gone mad.
'In the history of the continent… … .'
Two suns never existed.
Even if a second empire is founded, I have anticipated a timeframe of at least 10 years.
But you say you met 80% of the conditions?
Is that possible in such a short period of time? It's not as if the supercomputer Ares malfunctioned, is it?
Ares is an error?
Even though he had asked the question himself, John, the head of the US branch, knew how absurd it was.
Sejin replied with only a bitter smile, and a moment of silence passed.
I would like to ask how that was possible.
Branch Manager Yu Hwan woke him up.
Currently, approximately eight kingdoms created by foreigners should have been established. We compiled a vast list of users with the qualities to become king. One of them was Musashi. Musashi was a user who enjoyed immense support within Japan, and he was someone who held the potential for millions of people to migrate from his own country if he were to establish a kingdom.
Everyone agreed.
However, Musashi did not become king; instead, he went to Hyunsu. In the end, the possibility of a kingdom vanished like this.
-What does that have to do with Hyun's country?
“If he found a nation, those who intended to go would lose their way. Then where would they go?”
-… … In other words, are you saying that the size of Hyun’s Kingdom has actually grown larger because the users who were originally supposed to become kings went under Hyunsu?
That is correct.
But in Musashi's case, wasn't he branded a traitor?
“Of course, that was the case. However, that was only for a very small minority; Japanese users have been steadily flowing into the Kingdom of Hyun. With Musashi becoming the Guild’s Magic Swordsman, that pace accelerated tremendously. In this way, it appears that the user Hyun-su expanded his power by absorbing other users who possessed the qualities to become king, and by overcoming crises, he has achieved 80% of the requirements to become an empire.”
So, in the end, this happened because User Hyunsu pulled it off again? Well, he’s really lucky… … Hmm, no, that’s not right. Let me correct myself. It’s not luck.
A branch manager quickly corrected it.
-To be honest, I thought User Hyunsu was crazy when he got Musashi everything related to Olio and gave it to him. Just think of how much that is…
Hyunsu gave Musashi what others would not have given.
Each of those things is the level at which he should have originally become king.
Or, high-ranking officials of the kingdom were summoned to the country of the county.
As such powerful figures gather one after another, those who follow him continue to flow into the country of Hyun.
Perhaps, we might see two suns rising.
This is what John, the U.S. branch manager, said.
User Hyunsu is becoming the Emperor?
The image of Hyunsu leading over 100 million people and smiling as he looked at them was flashing through the minds of the branch managers.
***
[The Pharion Empire has captured the territory of Fracto.]
“……Oh, congratulations.”
Hyunsu grinned slyly.
He has already achieved everything he wanted.
Even if the Parion Empire had reclaimed that empty territory where no one was present, nothing would have changed.
However, Nell's expression was grim.
“…You must realize that the damage to our country is also considerable. Although the dwarves contributed some money to build the fortress right now, we also invested a significant amount of our own funds. Furthermore, the cost of repairing the war damage is substantial.”
“……That’s true, though.”
“Of course, I am not saying that Your Highness should not enjoy the joy of victory, but… I would appreciate it if you would also consider the financial situation.”
In nature, war leaves mostly nothing behind, only damage.
Much loss occurs due to a mere power struggle.
Of course, Hyun's country should have definitely bitten Parion this time, and succeeded in driving an awl into his neck.
but…….
Even the beast known as the Land of the Strings suffered many attacks while its fangs were retracted.
Mr. Alex, the client, is having a very hard time. This is due to compensation payments for bereaved families and funds for war damage recovery; he is conducting transactions and even holding auctions almost without rest. I am worried that he might collapse from overwork at this rate.
"Alex?"
“Yes. When war breaks out, merchants have to quickly improve their business acumen to make up for it. It is also said that they are constantly worried about not being able to pay the agreed-upon transaction amounts.”
Hyunsu nodded.
"Everyone was doing their best behind the scenes…"
It occurred to me that this is why the country of Hyun is holding on like this.
Nell said with a bitter expression.
To be honest, I’m at the point where I want to sell even my junk items to help.
Even junk items?
Hyun-su wore a puzzled expression.
"It looks like users periodically sell the junk items in their inventory?"
“……Most of you do, right? Ares is a virtual reality game, but that doesn't mean there are strict restrictions on the inventory. Most users clear out their junk items at least once a week. It’s because they don’t want to see their inventory getting cluttered. Also, since those junk items are user property, they sell them immediately to convert them into gold. It’s quite a lucrative amount if you use that to buy potions, but why do you do that?”
“I’ve never once organized junk items before.”
"……yes???"
Nell was flustered.
“Uh, why?”
“……Because I’ll use it someday, you know?”
“…Do you know that my grandmother often says that? She used to say it when looking at a blanket she bought 30 years ago. She even still uses dishes she bought during the Korean War.”
“????”
Hyunsu wore a puzzled expression. But Nell knew, too.
So you gathered things thinking they would be used for the artifact someday. And you didn't even have time to sell them.
"Most people were like that, but now that I hear that, I feel like I should organize my junk items at least once."
Then, suddenly, Hyun-su wore an expression as if a brilliant idea had crossed his mind.
“Then I just have to sell my junk to help Alex, right? I didn't know there would be a problem this easy. I have to hurry over. See you later, Nell.”
Hyunsu quickly turned into fire and burst into flames.
Whoosh-
Nell was dumbfounded watching that.
“……You mean selling junk items to supplement the kingdom’s finances? Do you really think that works……? I know you’re out of touch with reality…….”
Then suddenly… … .
“Huh? Isn’t it?”
Nell recalled.
Hyunsu is not a regular user.
You can tell just by thinking about this battle. Hyunsu has effectively repelled the Eunryeong Army by himself.
Within that, 'necessary items' and 'unnecessary junk' must have been distinguished.
However, the junk items that Eunryeong-gun gives are by no means light.
It is likely to be much more valuable than the junk items that regular users consider, at the very least.
Also, I didn't just look at the immediate future, but thought far ahead.
What was it like during the Goyard match?
And what about the hunt for the Archdemon Gremory?
Giant Viscount Andar.
Archdemon Halphas.
Success.
Land of Iron.
Various places such as ether brushed past.
"… … So you’re saying that even though you’ve been going around doing all those things and junk items have been piling up in your inventory, you’ve never once sold them?"
Nell looked at the spot where Hyunsu had disappeared.
'Maybe… …?'
She became curious about the profit from those junk items.
War is not fought with weapons alone.
Alex, who had lived as a merchant, knew this fact better than anyone.
Black Wagon Top
It was a place that usually gave generous deadlines, and Alex believed that the head of the merchant guild was his friend.
But it wasn't.
As soon as the war broke out, the country of Hyun had to make really heavy expenditures.
They had to buy potions for the soldiers going out and summon priests of the Ares religion.
Blacksmiths had to repair their equipment with the finest materials and select magnificent horses to send into battle.
The war that broke out urgently caused 60% of the funds managed by Alex Trading Company to be withdrawn in an instant.
At that time, the owner of the black carriage whom I believed to be a friend.
One of the continental merchants said that if the down payment was not paid as per the contract, a penalty would be paid.
The penalty amounted to as much as three times.
Alex's office.
The payment to be made is 52 million gold, Alex.
“…….”
The deadline is today. Alex felt like everything was going black.
If you don't pay 52 million gold right now, you will have to pay three times that amount.
Given the current state of the country's finances, it is currently nearly impossible.
“If I were to sell all my assets urgently, would I be able to afford it?”
“……Still, we are about 10 million gold short.”
Alex sighed.
There was no way.
If there is a way, the only option would be to ask Luo, the owner of the Black Carriage Merchant Guild.
Mr. Luo has arrived.
I get it.
Alex hurriedly met Luo of the black carriage.
He is a pot-bellied man with a long beard.
Luo grinned as soon as he saw Alex.
I could sense the current situation just by looking at his complexion.
"The funds must be ready, right?"
“Luo, I’m sorry. We’re 10 million gold short. Didn’t you know we’re currently at war?”
Luo laughed to himself.
Even though he had set the stage for a long time, Luo realized why Alex was saying such things.
So, even if you sell all your assets, you can't pay the 10 million gold?
Luo was happy.
“Since 10 million gold is empty, you are asking for just one more deadline. But are you saying you will only make such a request verbally?”
Luo glanced sideways at the ground.
Merchants in black carriages following the merchant Alex had come together in the vicinity.
This fact will spread across the entire continent.
However, if they fail to pay this amount now, Alex Trading Company will literally falter.
That is not a problem… … .
The state's national funds are wavering.
Of course, I should be able to overcome it in half a year.
However, Alex vowed to make Hyunsu the emperor.
If he wavers now, Hyun-su can never become emperor.
So Alex took a deep breath.
It is a matter that ends with kneeling once.
shivering
Alex tried to bend his knees while trembling.
Back then.
“Your Majesty, enter.”
“……?”
The atmosphere around us changed in an instant.
At the appearance of King Hyun-su, everyone bowed their heads, and the smiling men of the black carriage hurriedly lowered their heads.
The same goes for Luo.
The king's appearance was extremely perplexing.
Why would the King join a conversation between mere merchants?
Hyun's country wouldn't have any money right now, would it?
He was just puzzled.
However, Hyunsu said.
I'll give you that money.
"yes?"
Luo wore a puzzled expression.
Hyun's country knew that money had currently run out.
There is no way he would have come without doing such preliminary research, is there?
But how are they going to give it to me?
Luo made a puzzled expression.
