Between Negotiation and Plunder (2)
"I'm merely the Demon King's mom's friend's son."
"... Oh?!"
The bearded dumpling king's eyes widened.
Kim Jangcheol's brazen nonsense continued.
"It's nothing special. Well, since childhood, I used to hang out with the Demon King, pull pranks together, go through our rebellious phases side by side, get into trouble, even went on blind dates together only to get rejected side by side, just that sort of relationship."
"In other words, aren't you basically lifelong buddies?"
"They do call it that in the human world."
"... Huh, huhuhu?"
The king was genuinely surprised.
In fact, he had already suspected to some extent that Kim Jangcheol might be a high-ranking member of the demon race. The company he led all carried an extraordinary aura.
'When I saw them facing off against the statues… I even felt a bit of fear. At least four among them seemed comparable to my royal guard captain, Sir Hector.'
Most nations might have one or two individuals of such caliber at best.
Even the headcount among the hegemonic imperial states rarely exceeded three swordmasters.
So it was with his own royal family.
They only had Hector.
But Kim Jangcheol commanded at least four demons who had reached swordmaster level.
If they had harbored ill intent, what would have become of the king and the royal family?
"..."
They absolutely would not have been able to stop them.
The fact that Kim Jangcheol and his group had not threatened the royal family, but instead approached amicably, was something to be thankful for.
'I already suspected they weren't ordinary demons… But to think he's actually a close friend of the Demon King.'
This was, arguably, an even closer bond than that of a confidant.
The king's gaze toward Kim Jangcheol grew more serious and cautious.
"First, let me express my gratitude to you, who recognized my ambitions."
"It's nothing, Your Majesty. I'm the one who should be thankful. For harboring such ambition, and moreover, for not giving up on it."
"..."
No, truly, it was the king who should be thankful.
Even now, the fact that Kim Jangcheol harbored no malicious intent. Even though he had the power to forcibly seize the royal family's treasure, the Camilan's Scabbard, at any time, he had chosen a peaceful approach instead.
He was sincerely grateful.
And at the same time, deeply relieved.
Though he tried not to show those feelings too openly.
The king spoke.
"In any case, to summarize your intent... you were pleased to discover my ambition, you thought to report it to the Demon King you serve, and now, for the smooth development of the Abandoned Land, you wish to borrow the Camilan's Scabbard, is that correct?"
"Exactly."
"Hmm... so it's true, then. Your claim that lending the Camilan's Scabbard would benefit both the Abandoned Land and the royal family."
"That is precisely correct."
Kim Jangcheol smiled in satisfaction.
The more they spoke, the more he admired the king's perceptiveness and insight.
'Thanks to that, the conversation is going far more smoothly than expected.'
There was no need for long-winded explanations.
The king grasped the core issues immediately.
Just like now!
"Indeed. You're right. It's true that the Camilan's Scabbard possesses the power of purification. In the past, when paired with the sword, it exhibited even greater authority... but even now, with only the Scabbard remaining, a portion of that power still lingers. Also, if you really use that Scabbard to cleanse the toxins saturating the Swamp of Decay in the Abandoned Land and develop it into farmland... the Abandoned Land will become prosperous, and I will be able to publicize the proof of the Book of Perfection's reality far and wide."
"Exactly so."
"Moreover, you've shared all this openly without hiding anything from me. Even though developing the Abandoned Land will make it stronger, which could pose a threat to my kingdom, which shares a border with it."
"You've deduced my intention?"
"I have indeed. By discussing this openly, are you suggesting that... your Demon King wishes to establish formal diplomatic relations with my kingdom?"
"... That is exactly right."
This time, even Kim Jangcheol felt a surge of admiration.
The king's insight had struck right at the heart of his intentions.
'Wow. This old man is no joke.'
The sharp insight hidden beneath the outward appearance of a hearty, martial man!
As expected of a king.
It wasn't as if he'd spent over twenty years holding that seat by idly playing cards.
Kim Jangcheol, feeling fresh admiration and surprise, spoke.
"Your deduction is entirely correct. As you say. The Demon King, and the demon race of the Abandoned Land, aim to establish formal diplomatic relations with Your Majesty's kingdom."
"I see. Doing so would indeed be advantageous for us all."
"Yes. The Abandoned Land would finally escape poverty and hunger, and Your Majesty's kingdom would be able to reduce the border vigilance and concerns caused by the Abandoned Land."
It was the truth.
The Abandoned Land had always been the kingdom's greatest threat and burden. As the only nation bordering the Abandoned Land on the continent, it had to spend far more on defense than others, who didn't even have to worry about such things.
Because the demon race could invade at any time.
And defending against that was no free matter.
No, it was extraordinarily costly.
'But if that threat were eliminated, the king would have no choice but to welcome it with open arms.'
Kim Jangcheol thought.
The kingdom's stance toward the Abandoned Land must be similar to how his homeland, South Korea, viewed North Korea.
But what if North Korea abandoned its hostile stance and genuinely shifted toward peace? What if it even established formal diplomatic relations?
South Korea would be freed from its one and only deterrent.
Then, the economy would skyrocket!
A fantastic stock market boom!
A golden age, a real-time "legendary era," would be inevitable.
And right now, that was exactly the kind of relationship forming between the Abandoned Land and the kingdom.
'The kingdom would shed its biggest burden and threat, prospering as a result. And our Abandoned Land would receive support from the kingdom and also thrive. And—'
There was yet another benefit.
That was…
"You intend, by doing this, to debut on the international stage with the kingdom's backing. Am I right?"
"Thank you for recognizing that."
"Haha, it was obvious. That's the only way for both sides to gain clear benefits."
"Then, do you agree?"
Kim Jangcheol asked directly.
There was no need to beat around the bush.
In negotiations, it was always best to strike while the mood was favorable!
He infused his tongue with the full force of a booster.
"I believed in this from the start. From the very moment I first met Your Majesty, I felt it. Ah, this is the one. This is the very person who will deliver salvation to the barren lands of the Abandoned Land! That's what I thought."
"That... somehow sounds like you're stretching out the word 'pushover.'"
"How could I dare think such a thing?"
"R-Really?"
"Of course."
"I-I see? Haha, hahaha."
The king chuckled good-naturedly.
...Well, I can tell you're buttering me up a bit.
But even so, since your proposal would bring great benefits to both me and the kingdom, well.
'If this is what you call flattery, it's actually rather charming. Oh yes, indeed.'
Already a king who had weathered countless storms at the peak of power, even while chuckling on the surface, he had already seen through all of Kim Jangcheol's silver-tongued maneuvering.
And yet, he didn't particularly dislike it.
Because the world was full of people who wagged their tongues solely for personal gain. Especially those gathered around a throne, like his own.
But Kim Jangcheol?
He was different.
Though he certainly displayed a sly (?) way with words, he didn't seek profit for himself alone.
Rather, he proactively proposed fair compromises where both sides, himself and the other party, could benefit equally.
'If not for his tone, he'd be the ideal negotiating partner.'
The more he watched, the more impressed he became. He even started to feel a bit envious of the Demon King of the Abandoned Land.
'If only I could employ such a man as my right hand... how wonderful that would be.'
That thought came naturally.
And if it were to happen?
The kingdom would surely thrive even more.
Perhaps it was that very vision that made him do it.
The bearded dumpling king, without even realizing it, let slip a small hint of personal greed.
"By the way, Sir Kim Jangcheol?"
"Yes?"
"If you wouldn't mind, may I ask you a question?"
"Sorry? Yes, of course, go ahead."
"Then, may I ask... how much is your salary?"
"...Excuse me?"
"Oh, I mean, I'm simply curious about how the Demon King of the Abandoned Land compensates his retainers, what kind of management philosophy he follows, and all that."
"Ahh."
"It's not for any ulterior motive, truly. I'm just innocently curious about the inner workings of a realm that must operate under a very different system from the human world."
"Ah, I see. Right."
Kim Jangcheol grinned slyly.
Of course, he had also fully read the king's intentions. That the king was aware of his own maneuverings, and yet chose to view them favorably.
The king's question just now was no different.
'He wants to recruit me, huh?'
Then what should he do?
Should he show a bit of hesitation?
Test the waters and see if he could raise his worth?
But after weighing it all, Kim Jangcheol firmly put up a stone wall of rejection.
"I'm sorry, but the employment terms of the Abandoned Land are classified and cannot be disclosed to outsiders..."
"Ah, I see...?"
"Yes. I am, after all, the Demon King's retainer and close friend."
"Well, what a shame. If you were willing to consider it just a little, you could easily settle here."
"But a man who so easily changes flags is not one to be trusted or relied upon. Don't you agree?"
"... Huh? Hahaha?"
Kim Jangcheol replied with his usual breezy boldness.
And the king laughed at his answer.
"You're right. Haha, hahaha. That was my mistake. Let's pretend that question was never asked."
"What do you mean, Your Majesty? I was merely discussing terms of the accord with you."
"Indeed. Yes, that's right. Hahaha."
The king's gaze toward Kim Jangcheol softened noticeably. At the same time, a deeper, more earnest kind of greed—or perhaps desire for talent—began to stir.
The more he saw, the more he wanted.
Watching someone so cleanly and reasonably turn down his offer made him want him at his side even more.
Because of that...
"Then, based on what we've discussed so far... shall we begin drafting a formal agreement?"
"You mean, an accord whereby the Camilan's Scabbard is lent to us, and in return, formal diplomatic ties are established between the Abandoned Land and the kingdom?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Then embassies must be established in both the capital and the Demon King's castle. Would that be correct?"
"If you would permit it, we would be most grateful."
"You speak so earnestly, how could I refuse? Now, let's go inside together and begin discussing the details."
The king smiled sincerely.
He was delighted.
Truly delighted.
Speaking with Kim Jangcheol about these matters was a genuine joy.
If possible, he would want to keep this man by his side until the day he stepped down from the throne.
If he could, he'd even adopt a daughter just to marry her off to him.
No, maybe he should just adopt the man as a son.
"..."
A desire that grew sweeter precisely because it couldn't be fulfilled right now.
A wish he increasingly hoped might one day come true.
That day, utterly captivated by Kim Jangcheol, the king placed the royal seal and official signature on the treaty establishing diplomatic relations with the Abandoned Land.
He even hooked pinkies with Kim Jangcheol, signed his palm, and pressed their thumbs together.
It was the moment when formal diplomatic ties between the Abandoned Land and the kingdom were established.
And it was also a historic moment, when the Demon King's army—forever seen as impoverished outcasts, unworthy of any civilized dealings—finally made their official debut on the international stage.
[Notice: Thank you for supporting my translations! I've launched a new website to host all my novels in one place. I will continue posting chapters here until I can update the links on Novel Updates. In the meantime, visit my new website "https://revengernovel.com/" and enjoy 5 extra chapters for free!
Buy and Read all available chapters of the novel: https://payhip.com/revengerscans ]