Chapter 281

　　Chapter 281 . Kwak Jung, Kwak Jun, and Lee Ji-Tae

　　“Oi, Kwak something . ”

　　Kwak Jung said .

　　 Yes .

　　“You saw that right?”

　　 I did .

　　Kwak Jun, the tactician of Lord Vito Clemenza replied over the screen .

　　“Our king is this awesome, hah!”

　　 Kwak Jung shrugged arrogantly .

　　“In other words, your trickeries have nothing on us!”

　　 Haha, what do you mean by trickeries… that’s an exaggeration . I had to gain Vilhelm’s trust… .

　　Kwak Jun denied Kwak Jung’s accusations .

　　“Oh? You b.a.s.t.a.r.d still haven’t learnt your lesson after that beating… . ”

　　 Ah, if tactician Kwak says so, then it must be true . Yup, definitely true .

　　Kwak Jun smiled and tried his best to curry favor with Kwak Jung .

　　“Changing words, are we?”

　　 Not at all .

　　“Well, if you do it again then I will break your bones into tiny pieces . ”

　　 ……

　　“Anyways, how is the Baldur conquest going?”

　　 Good .

　　“Any chance of a third superpower emerging from the Baldur region… . ”

　　 I will prevent that at all costs!

　　Kwak Jun promised .

　　“Hmm! Sounds good . Alright, keep up the good work . ”

　　 Yes .

　　“Good to see you working hard, huh?”

　　 Haha! It’s all thanks to the Supreme King of the West and tactician Kwak’s everlasting care and love .

　　“Keh… b.a.s.t.a.r.d knows how to flatter… . ”

　　 Not at all!

　　“You must have breezed through army . ”

　　 Yes, I’m quite… .

　　Despite the ongoing casual conversation, Kwak Jung was incredibly cold towards Kwak Jun inwardly .

　　There’s a chance that you b.a.s.t.a.r.d may become the third superpower . You think I will let that happen?

　　Kwak Jung was hiding a dagger behind his laughter .

　　He was fine with letting Kwak Jun grow his influence, but he would never let him be a bigwig .

　　“Well then, continue to report in the future . ”

　　 Certainly .

　　“Ah, and . ”

　　 Anything else?

　　“If Vilhelm looks for you… you know what to do, right?”

　　 Of course!

　　Kwak Jun immediately replied .

　　At that instant .

　　 Gasp!

　　Kwak Jun was taken aback .

　　“What is it?”

　　 A-An incoming call from Vilhelm!

　　“……!”

　　 It’s cla.s.sified as ‘top secret’ some more . Seems like he wants to have a secret conversation .

　　“Hmm… ok, hurry take the call . ”

　　Kwak Jung nodded .

　　“Let me reiterate… . ”

　　 I will definitely report every single detail .

　　“Good . ”

　　 Well then, I will go talk to Vilhelm… .

　　“Be my guest . ”

　　 Alright!

　　Beep - !

　　The call ended .

　　“Hmm… Vilhelm seems to be in the soup, huh?”

　　It was obvious as to why Vilhelm was looking for Kwak Jun .

　　Vilhelm was in a politically precarious position .

　　He had already lost the war due to Mei Ling’s trolling (?) and had lost the trust of many Lords . Vilhelm desperately needed an opportunity to turn things around .

　　The fact that he gave Kwak Jun a call meant… .

　　“Now now… it’s going to be interesting! Keke!”

　　Kwak Jung grinned .

　　 ***

　　Overlord rank 9 .

　　Atal Ramanujan .

　　His specialty was to increase population and overwhelm his enemies with sheer numbers, just like Ao Xin . He was the true ruler of the Baldur region, who governed the Shatyameba territory .

　　Of course, Atal Ramanujan wasn’t a man with the abilities to become the ruler of one of the three large divisions of Pangea .

　　He could amplify his population to activate his domestic economy and cultivate a large army, but that was all .

　　Shatyameba was a tropical territory with harsh terrains . It was impossible to feed that many people .

　　Moreover, the territory lacked a skilled magic-engineer, thus the level of technological advance was extremely meagre . Regardless of the population, Shatyameba was inferior to other territories .

　　Because of this,

　　“I have to get out of this cursed land no matter what… . ”

　　Atul Ramanujan wished to advance towards the center of the Baldur region .

　　“And recruit talents… . ”

　　He also wished to have capable subordinates under his wing .

　　Despite the large population, talents were nowhere to be found . This drove Atul Ramanujan insane .

　　“Now’s really the opportunity . . . we need to make a move now… welps… . ”

　　In his office,

　　Atal Ramanujan kept licking his while reading the map .

　　Now was really the right time .

　　Alex Rothschild, who wasn’t an Overlord but was affluent enough to pose a heavy influence on the Baldur region had suddenly disappeared from the ranking page .

　　Furthermore, Overlord Lee Chae-Rin and Lord Vito Clemenza’s army were fractioning the Baldur region from the west and east respectively .

　　In addition, six Lords who ruled over the central region of Baldur had mysteriously vanished, which instigated rebellion and uproar in those territories .

　　Therefore, if an Overlord like him could advance to the central region of Baldur, Atul Ramanujan could be the second person to claim the crown after Kang Chul-In .

　　“G.o.d d.a.m.n it… where are the talents… . ”

　　The problem was that he lacked a genius who could command his huge army and share his insights regarding the political scene in Pangea .

　　“Hmm… . ”

　　At that moment .

　　“Your Majesty, an explorer named Lee Ji-Tae requests to be in your presence . ”

　　A servant spoke .

　　“Lee Ji-Tae?”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty . ”

　　“Peculiar name . But how can a mere explorer request to meet me?”

　　“A-Actually… . ”

　　“Speak . ”

　　“This explorer named Lee Ji-Tae has promised to hunt down and tribute to you the level 70 ‘Gulag lizard’… . ”

　　“G-Gulag lizard!”

　　Atal Ramanujan gasped in shock .

　　The Gulag lizard was a native species only found in Atul Ramanujan’s territory . It was a terrifying monster which spewed out toxic gas .

　　There was even a consensus amongst the explorers that hunting level 80 monsters was more beneficial than hunting a Gulag lizard .

　　And this stranger had just promised to kill this monster .

　　“A raid party?”

　　“No . ”

　　“No?”

　　“He claimed to have hunted down the lizard alone… . ”

　　“……!”

　　“There are witnesses as well . I believe Lee Ji-Tae is quite a skillful… . ”

　　“Hurry!!!”

　　Atal Ramanujan bellowed .

　　“Summon this explorer named Lee Ji-Tae in the Lord’s hall, now!”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty . ”

　　“I shall personally speak to him!”

　　Atal Ramanujan’s face was red in excitement .

　　A powerful explorer who could even solo kill a Gulag lizard had walked into his territory of his own volition .

　　It was akin to chancing upon a wallet on the street .

　　Talents like such didn’t come by often!

　　 ***

　　30 minutes later .

　　In the Lord’s hall of Shatyameba .

　　“So, you are Lee Ji-Tae?”

　　Atal Ramnujan asked the explorer charismatically, who was kneeling on one side .

　　“Yes, Your Majesty . I indeed am . ”

　　“You claim to have hunted down a Gulag lizard alone… is that true?”

　　“Yes . ”

　　“Woah… then you must be really powerful! That’s already as good as a general in Valhalla!”

　　“Not at all, Your Majesty . ”

　　Lee Ji-Tae was humble .

　　“How could I compare to the ferocious generals of Valhalla? I may be able to fight one or two Gulag lizards, but they can take down four or five . ”

　　“I-Is that so?”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty . Moreover, Kang Chul-In, the Supreme King of the West, will just treat the Gulag lizards as mere pets . ”

　　“Right… you speak the truth . ”

　　Atal Ramanujan was aware of the reality . He agreed with Lee Ji-Tae .

　　“But that is not to say your combat abilities are insignificant . It is rare to find an explorer who can hunt down a Gulag lizard alone . ”

　　“You flatter me, Your Majesty . ”

　　“Well then, raise your head . Let me have a look at your face . ”

　　Lee Ji-Tae revealed his face .

　　Hmm! Seems familiar… .

　　Atal Ramanujan thought he had seen the face from somewhere .

　　Who is it… I definitely recognize this face… ah, Lee Gong-Myung!!!

　　The stranger’s face closely resembled Alex Rothschild’s tactician, Lee Gong-Myung’s face .

　　However,

　　No, that’s not it . Lee Gong-Myung’s eyes were not blue . His hair as well… those traits are more like Alex Rothschild’s… .

　　The stranger was definitely not Lee Gong-Myung himself .

　　At the same time, he wasn’t Alex Rothschild . He had a strange mixture of both of their traits .

　　Don’t tell me… he recognizes me?

　　Lee Ji-Tae, no, Lee Gong-Myung was slightly nervous .

　　He had absorbed Alex Rothschild, hence his appearance carried some of his traits .

　　In other words, it wasn’t surprising that Atal Ramanujan found Lee Ji-Tae’s face familiar .

　　“Your Majesty . ”

　　At that moment, Lee Ji-Tae quickly spoke .

　　“May I request something… . ”

　　“Ah, do you have anything to say?”

　　“Please take me in . ”

　　“……!”

　　“If you take me in as your subordinate… I, Lee Ji-Tae, swear on my life to make Your Majesty the king of the southern region!”

　　“K-King of South!”

　　Atal Ramanujan exclaimed with delight .

　　King .

　　Ah, what a magnificent t.i.tle!

　　The other Lords would look up to him, just like how they respected Kang Chul-In, who was the King of the West .

　　 In addition, if he managed to establish a kingdom, he could become the one and only ruler of Baldur, unlike the Gullveig Alliance in the North .

　　Just like Kang Chul-In!

　　“Hmm!”

　　However, Atal Ramanujan immediately regained his composure .

　　The King of South?

　　A grand t.i.tle indeed, but it was easier said than done .

　　He understood that Lee Ji-Tae was powerful enough to hunt down a Gulag lizard alone, but that was far from enough .

　　“Lee Ji-Tae, was it?”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty . ”

　　“Are you patronizing me?”

　　“I beg your pardon?”

　　“I understand that you are proficient in combat, but that alone is insufficient to make me a king . ”

　　“I’m not talking about my combat abilities . ”

　　Lee Ji-Tae replied .

　　“I plan to make you a king using my brain and tactics . ”

　　“T-Tactics?”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty . ”

　　“Even though you are strong enough to hunt a Gulag… . ”

　　“To a.s.sume that a strong soldier is not brainy is a stereotype . ”

　　 “……!”

　　“My combat abilities are far from perfect, but I am confident in my tactics and strategies . ”

　　That was hardly an arrogance .

　　Lee Gong-Myung (now Lee Ji-Tae) was a genius who had once pushed that incapable Alex Rothschild up to the same ranks as Kang Chul-In and Vilhelm .

　　He could do the same for Atal Ramanujan .

　　“I-Is that true?”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty . ”

　　Lee Ji-Tae replied firmly .

　　“Northern Expedition!!!”

　　“……!”

　　“Your Majesty currently rules over the southernmost area in Pangea, but you have to advance to the north to rule over the whole continent!”

　　Ba-dump!

　　That statement made Atal Ramanujan’s heart race .

　　Ah, the Northern Expedition!

　　What an exciting phrase!

　　“Don’t you boast a huge population? Your Majesty, think about your home country India and also China!”

　　“India and China… . ”

　　“These two nations invigorated their domestic economies by taking advantage of their large population . They eventually took over the world economy!”

　　He was right .

　　Population directly affected a nation’s economy, and a strong economy became the foundation for a strong army .

　　“What forms the fundamentals of a nation is none other than the people . ”

　　“……!”

　　“In that sense, Your Majesty possesses an attribute which is far more valuable than that of Kang Chul-In or Ao Xin!”

　　“I-Is that so!”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty!”

　　“Keh… I think you are right . ”

　　“However!”

　　“……!”

　　“As time pa.s.ses by, both the Gullveig Alliance and the Valhalla Kingdom will enjoy an increase in population . ”

　　It was a race against time .

　　Both the Gullveig Alliance and the Valhalla Kingdom were equipped with a huge talent pool, abundant resources and advanced technology . Their populations were increasing exponentially .

　　In contrast, Atal Ramanujan’s finance was starting to take a toll due to the increasing population .

　　Thus, if Atal Ramanujan delayed his Northern Expedition and failed to advance to the center of Pangea, then he would never get a chance to rule over Pangea!

　　“Your Majesty!”

　　“What is it?”

　　“If you grant me 30,000 soldiers, I will conquer the Itaracia territory for you!”

　　“I-Itaracia!”

　　It was a strategic location that Atal Ramanujan had to conquer for his advancement .

　　The problem was that it had harsh terrain similar to the 18 peaks, and also burning hot weather .

　　In addition, the fortress was located 3000m above sea level, so it was wise to give up before trying in normal circ.u.mstances .

　　“Yes, your Majesty . ”

　　“Is that… even possible?”

　　“I will make you proud!”

　　A strong confidence!

　　Lee Ji-Tae was 100% sure of himself .

　　Why?

　　It was because he was Lee Gong-Myung, the tactician of Alex Rothschild!