My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 155

§ 155 – Swindling and Running (2)

The road to the Imperial Palace was uneventful.

Usually, one would encounter bandits or robbers on a journey.

Especially during a famine like this, such occurrences were even more common.

Yet, Cian hadn’t seen a single shadow of a person, let alone bandits or robbers.

Come to think of it, it was only natural.

The flag fluttering at the very front of the procession.

Beneath that flag was the white wolf emblem, symbolizing the Elanndur family.

Elanndur, one of the two pillars supporting the Empire.

No sane robbers in the Empire would dare to block the Elanndur procession.

Moreover, Cian was being guarded by none other than the knights of the White Wolf Knights Order.

The strongest knights order, all of whom were Sword Experts [individuals who have mastered swordsmanship].

And that wasn’t all.

Aeron, the leader of the White Wolf Knights Order, was in charge of the escort.

His skill level was that of a mid-level Master Knight.

So, what kind of robbers or bandits would even dare to show up?

Thus, Cian’s journey to the Imperial Palace was utterly peaceful.

Well, more precisely.

*Tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk.*

The sound of Cian tapping on his smartphone was the only sound that could be heard.

*Tuk tuk. Tuk tuk tuk.*

《Monster Ranch Lv.7 – 150,000G》

《Blessed Livestock Barn Lv.7 – 100,000G》

《Farmland Blessed by Grace Lv.7 – 150,000G》

《Orchard of Grace Lv.7 – 120,000G》

*Ting!*

《PURCHASED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!》

《Blazing Hot Smithy Lv.7 – 200,000G》

《Ancient Primal Weapon Workshop Lv.7 – 250,000G》

《Subspace Warehouse Lv.7 – 80,000G》

*Tuk tuk tuk tuk!*

《COMPLETED!!!!!!!!!!》

《Miracle Bakery Lv.7 – 150,000G》

《Ancient Brewery Lv.7 – 180,000G》

*Tuk tuk tuk.*

《Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh···!!!》

《Winged Concrete Road Lv.7 – 8,000G per 100m》

*Tukkkkk.*

《COMPLEEEEEEETEDDDDDDD!!!!!》

Agriculture, livestock, mining, forestry, and so on.

Upgrading existing production facilities.

And it wasn’t just a one-level upgrade.

Upgrading from the previous Lv.5 to Lv.7.

A whopping two-level jump.

Perhaps that’s why the facility prices were going crazy…

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Cian didn’t care at all.

Because it wasn’t his money anyway.

Cian subtly turned his gaze to check the paper filled with dense writing.

The list of cash shop purchases he had been organizing all night for the past few days.

“Next is… Ah.”

Cian immediately added the upgraded facilities.

《Divine Weapon Training Camp Lv.7 – 300,000G》

《Myriad Arms Training Camp Lv.7 – 1,000,000G》

Various military facilities, of course.

《You’re Going to Get So Much Rice Cake! Titanium Book Lv.7 – 8,000,000G》

《Abyssal Moat Lv.7 – 3,500,000G》

《Celestial Watchtower Lv.7 – 2,800,000G》

Even upgrading the ramparts surrounding Ruben.

He literally upgraded all the facilities in Ruben.

*Tuk tuk tuk tuk.*

《Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaack···!!!!》

Thanks to that, the Mobile Lord’s screams contained both convulsions and fainting.

“Hoo…”

Cian took a moment to catch his breath and calmly cool his head.

And then he checked the amount he had spent on cash shop purchases so far.

The amount spent was roughly…

“A little over 30 million gold.”

It seemed like he had spent a little over 30 million gold.

Well, it was a rough estimate, so it wasn’t exact.

But there shouldn’t be a big difference.

In other words, the cost of Cian’s complete overhaul of Ruben in the past was spent again.

“No wonder.”

No wonder the Mobile Lord was having such a fit.

It wasn’t just a fit; he was almost about to faint.

But it was just about to happen.

The Mobile Lord didn’t faint.

It seemed that the level of strengthening through the emergency maintenance was considerable.

But there was no problem.

[Current Gold Holdings] – 51,139,500 G

He still had over 51 million gold left!

“Ahhh…!”

Cian unknowingly shuddered.

In a way, 30 million gold had vanished in an instant.

The amount that a family of four could live on for 110,000 years, breathing only, had disappeared with a few taps.

How could one describe the despair, disappointment, discouragement, pessimism, frustration, resignation, and despondency?

“Ahhhhh!!”

Right now, Cian’s emotions of joy and happiness were bursting to their peak.

Why?

“It’s not my moneyyyyyy!!!”

Because it wasn’t his money!

*Ting!*

《Kueeeeeeeeeeeeeck!!!!》

The notification window conveyed the same trembling as Cian.

However, that feeling was completely opposite to Cian’s.

The frustration that he had endured 30 million gold, yet still had 51 million gold left.

Thus, Cian and the Mobile Lord let out screams that weren’t screams.

And after a little time passed.

Cian checked the cash shop list he had reorganized.

《Multidimensional Bank Lv.1 – 2,000,000G》

《Magical Engineering Workshop Lv.1 – 1,000,000G》

《Professional Workforce Academy Lv.1 – 300,000G》

《Mechanical Engineering Workshop Lv.1 – 800,000G》

The facilities that would be newly established as the city was promoted to the city stage.

He put all those facilities in his shopping cart.

And *tuk tuk tuk.*

He pressed the purchase button for everything with godlike fingers.

But.

《Preliminary research must be completed to purchase these buildings!》

“Ah, right.”

Cian entered the 【Research List】 item on the pop-up notification.

[Magical Engineering Research] – 10,000,000 G

[Mechanical Engineering Research] – 2,000,000 G

[Educational Studies Research] – 500,000 G

[Banking Research] – 500,000 G

.

.

.

“Why is the research cost so expensive?”

He had felt this last time, but it was ridiculously expensive.

In particular, the cost of magical engineering research was a whopping 10 million gold.

Well, it was said to be knowledge devised by Elodie…

“Still, 10 million gold is a bit…”

It was just simple research.

So, it cost a whopping 10 million gold just to acquire the knowledge.

Even if he didn’t know, the effort and cost of learning and acquiring the knowledge would be separate.

But whatever.

Cian didn’t really hesitate.

He didn’t care that nearly 18 million gold was spent on magical engineering research and various research costs.

Why?

“Because it’s not my money!”

Cian bought all the research lists without hesitation, *tuk tuk tuk*.

《Research Initiateddddddd!!!!》

《[Magical Engineering Research] is in progress.》

《[Mechanical Engineering Research] is in progress.》

《[Educational Studies Research] is in progress.》

《[Banking Research] is in progress.》

.

.

.

.
The research progresses along with the Mobile Lord’s fit.

And the times for the research to proceed were listed in a row.

“200 days, 30 days, 40 days… Hmm, it’s shorter than I thought.”

And those times were shorter than he thought.

It seemed that the research speed had greatly increased thanks to the Dark Elves joining.

So it was enough time to wait.

But that wasn’t the case now.

That’s because the related facilities could only be built when the research was ‘completed’.

And the authority to use Elanndur’s budget wouldn’t wait.

Cian scrolled down to look for the instant completion ticket.

[Instant Completion Ticket for Ongoing Research] – 7,500,000 G

“Hmm? It’s cheaper than I thought?”

And the amount was cheaper than he thought.

Of course, 7.5 million gold was not a cheap amount.

Cheap my ass [expression of disbelief or disagreement].

It was an amount that was crazy beyond being insane!

But it was a cheap level considering the price of the instant completion ticket so far.

The instant completion ticket was usually more expensive than the main item.

It seemed that the research speed had greatly increased thanks to the buff from Arnaize’s special effect 1 and the Dark Elves joining.

[Effect 1] – Research speed of the laboratory is increased by +20,000%!.

However, it was still an amount that could not be spent rashly.

It wasn’t a basic facility, but just an instant completion ticket for research.

But Cian’s index finger was unstoppable.

Why?

“Because it’s not my money!”

Again, it wasn’t his money!

*Tuk.*

《All research has been instantly completedddddddack!!!!》

With a light touch, all the research was completed.

Cian went back to 【Territory Facilities】 and purchased ‘Multidimensional Bank Lv.1’ and ‘Magical Engineering Workshop Lv.1’.

He bought all the newly established facilities this time.

*Tuk tuk tuk.*

《Purchaaaaaase?!?!?!? Completeeeeed!!!!??!》

Then the Mobile Lord’s notification window began to malfunction beyond having a fit.

He looked like he was about to faint soon, but with this, he had purchased all the facilities to be purchased.

“Ah, there’s still one left.”

Cian checked the contents written in the last part and turned his gaze back to the screen.

『Oryonggeo (Five Dragon Chariot) – 300,000G per unit』

It was a combat weapon found in an advertisement.

This thing called Oryonggeo was a combat weapon like Singijeon [a type of Korean rocket artillery].

Singijeon was mainly used to assault castles. In other words, it was a weapon specialized in siege warfare.

This Oryonggeo was a weapon specialized in anti-personnel warfare.

‘What did the advertisement say?’

He didn’t remember exactly, but roughly…

『The chariot that Haemosu [a legendary founder of Buyeo, an ancient Korean kingdom] used to ride in the old days!

The famous Oryonggeo!

This chariot led by five dragons is truly invincible!

Everyone get out of the way!

The prince of ground warfare, the emperor of anti-personnel warfare is coming!

One soldier leading the Oryonggeo can handle 10,000 troops!

Mr. Son Tzu [Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War] said this when he saw this Oryonggeo!

‘After all, the host’s scam map is clear.’

With just one Oryonggeo, the enemy’s forces are truly useless!

Hopeless rabble!

…… Yes?

Did you think it was Green Car Haemosu because it was Haemosu’s chariot?

Don’t talk like an old man!

No, then why is this powerful weapon so cheap?

That’s because dragons are not for sale!

How expensive are dragons these days!

Please raise your own dragons and hang them!

But!

The function of Oryonggeo is still the same even without dragons!

Well… even if it’s not 10,000 soldiers, can’t it handle about 1,000 people?

Anyway, the Oryonggeo that Haemosu used to ride!

Buy it now!』

.

.

As expected, the crazy advertisement was full of strange words.

And he couldn’t even understand what it meant.

‘Well, it seemed like the performance was certain like Singijeon.’

It was quite disappointing that there were no dragons, but whatever.

It would have been really absurd if there were any.

Anyway.

It didn’t matter if he hung monsters instead of dragons.

So, to create a chariot unit.

Cian bought about 10 Oryonggeo.

*Tuk.*

《Kkeueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeck!!!!!!!!!》

With the Mobile Lord’s notification window going crazy, Cian purchased all the items.

“Let’s see how much is left…”

Cian glanced at the amount remaining in his inventory.

The amount he checked was about 20 million gold.

Even after spending money like water, he still had 20 million gold left.

In other words, he had poured in about 64 million gold.

Normally, both Mobile Lord and Cian would have fainted at that amount.

But this time, neither of them fainted.

“Mobile Lord has become quite strong.”

To be honest, he thought it would faint around 60 million.

It seemed like this emergency maintenance was taking longer because it had prepared thoroughly.

It seemed like it would only faint if it exceeded 100 million.

“Then, well, I should proceed right away.”

Cian manipulated his smartphone.

And he checked the price of the instant completion tickets for the facilities he had purchased earlier.

As a result, all the completion tickets cost about 20 million gold.

Almost exactly the right amount.

Well, he wondered if there was a need to buy instant completion tickets, but Cian didn’t hesitate.

There was no point in leaving this budget anyway.

This was just a practical asset that Cian could manage in accordance with his role as the Vice Administrator of Elan Dur.

In short, it was money that would disappear if he was deprived of his position as the Vice Administrator of Elan Dur.

In a word.

“It’s not my money.”

It wasn’t Cian’s money!

Cian fearlessly purchased the instant completion tickets for the previous facilities.

Then.

《······!??!?!!?!!?!!?》

Suddenly, a strange notification window popped up all over the screen.

“What. What’s going on.”

Cian tapped his smartphone.

And right then.

《귚뚥줵딻묽켛홓앍늙!!》

A strange notification window popped up.

He wondered what it was for a moment.

*Ting!*

[Overload detected due to causal runaway.]

[Connection to the server has been lost. Mobile Lord will be terminated.]

Then, Mobile Lord turned off.

A dazed mind.

“Wait!!! If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have bought the instant completion tickets!!”

Cian shouted without realizing it.

#

Hans’ office in Ruben.

Hans served as Ruben’s administrator, taking over when Cian was away.

Of course, it was beyond his authority as an administrator.

But no one objected to it.

First of all, Hans’ ability was also a factor.

Everyone in Ruben knew that Hans had been with Cian since childhood.

Therefore, everyone in Ruben knew how much Cian trusted Hans.

So, he was an administrator in name only.

In fact, he could be regarded as the lord’s representative.

So now, in Hans’ office located in the Lord’s Castle.

All the key figures of Ruben were gathered in Hans’ office.

Grayson, representing the people of Ruben, the humans.

Semir, the chief of the dwarves.

Asrandiz, the former forest keeper of the dark elves.

Lucas, who is in charge of Ruben’s security.

Amelia, the head of the Ruben Brahe Merchant Guild.

And even Leia and Kendrick.

Amidst such key figures of Ruben gathered in one place.

“Currently, Master is at the Elan Dur residence.”

Hans opened his mouth calmly.

There was nothing special about the story.

A story about what situation Cian was in.

And what he was going through.

Hans calmly explained Cian’s situation to the people.

And the reason why he brought up this story again.

“Currently, Elan Dur’s troops are said to be heading to Ruben.”

It was none other than Kai and the White Wolf Knights.

At Hans’ words, a deep tension appeared on people’s faces.

Kai and the White Wolf Knights.

There was no one on the continent who didn’t know their fame.

Of course, it wasn’t that Ruben didn’t have the power to oppose him.

Leia and Kendrick were there right now.

And Ruben’s knights and soldiers were also at a considerable level.

No matter how much Kai was the star of the Empire.

Even if the White Wolf Knights were the Empire’s No. 1 knights.

It wouldn’t be easy to occupy Ruben.

But Kai and the White Wolf Knights heading to Ruben.

That meant that a full-scale war with Elan Dur was about to begin.

“I think we need to prepare for war.”

At Hans’ words, people nodded heavily.

The war with Elan Dur.

This was not the first time a family in the Empire had turned against Elan Dur.

There were so many that you couldn’t count them on your fingers, but they just didn’t exist now.

But it was something they had always been prepared for.

It was something they thought would come someday.

It was still a scary and frightening thing.

But they wouldn’t run away now.

The people’s eyes shone resolutely.

Hans met the eyes of such people and opened his mouth.

“So, I will tell you the instructions for each of you. First of all, Lucas, the captain of the guard···.”

And just as Hans was about to continue speaking.

*Kwakwakwakwakwang!!*

Suddenly, a huge explosion erupted outside.

*Kwarrrrrrrrrung!*

*Kugugugung···!*

And a series of explosions followed.

The people’s eyes widened.

That’s because there was no reason for an explosion to be heard in Ruben.

To be exact, there was only one reason.

“Could it be that Elan Dur’s troops are already···?”

At the same time, a deep sense of tension settled on people’s faces.

“Everyone, move!”

A shout erupted.

People hurriedly ran outside.

But that was only for a moment.

“······?”

“······?”

“······?”

Question marks appeared on the faces of the people who went outside.

It was none other than the sight in front of them.

So, the scenery of Ruben that can be seen in the field of vision now.

*Kwakwakwakwang!*

Well… explosions similar to explosions were erupting here and there in Ruben.

Because of that, the ground was shaking greatly as if there was an earthquake.

But that wasn’t the feeling.

So, it wasn’t the result of Elan Dur’s troops attacking.

It was even less of a demon invasion.

A scene that I had encountered once before.

*Chrararararak.*

*Kugugugung···!*

*Tukttakttak.*

Some magnificent scenes unfolding throughout Ruben.

*Chrarararak!*

*Tukttakttak.*

New buildings were springing up all over Ruben.

*Pababababak!*

*Kugugung···!*

The districts and areas were expanding, and neat roads were newly paved between them.

So…

*Kureureureung···!!*

*Kwakwakwakwakwang!!*

The entire Ruben was being turned upside down once again!

“Wh, what is this···!”

“How can this be···!”

People couldn’t understand the sight before their eyes.

Who could understand this sight?

Of course, it was a familiar sight that I had seen once before.

But this was not it.

*Kwakwakwakwang!!*

*Tukttakttak!*

*Kugugugung···!*

This was definitely not a scene to bring up the concept of being familiar with!

No, how long has it been since Ruben was redeveloped in the first place?

Even Cian isn’t here right now?

“······”

“······”

People didn’t know how to accept this.

In that way, explosions and earthquakes occurred in Ruben for a while.

And how much time had passed?

*Kwaaaaaaaaah─!!!!*

Suddenly, a huge storm swept through Ruben.

All the materials and buildings swept away by the huge storm soared into the sky.

Defense facilities outside the territory. Iron fences, moats, guard towers, of course.

Various facilities inside the territory. Farmlands, warehouses, orchards, blacksmiths, roads, etc.

All the facilities and building materials in Ruben soared into the sky.

A wondrous sight that I wouldn’t believe even if it was Elodie’s magic.

It was a sight I had seen before, but I couldn’t get used to it.

And again, how much time had passed?

The raging storm began to subside.

The shaking ground also calmed down as if nothing had happened.

And the scenery reflected in between.

Tudung!

There was Ruben, which had been completely transformed!!!

“······!!!”

“······!!!”

“······!!!”

The mouths of the territory residents, including Cian, were wide open.

An inescapable shock struck their minds.

First of all, the iron fence surrounding the entire Ruben.

No, is that really an iron fence?

The dark gray metal was a metal I had never seen before.

“What is that···?”

Semir’s muttering was heard.

As expected, Semir seemed to be seeing it for the first time as well.

Cian’s ‘You Can’t Pass! Titanium Fence Lv.7’ that he paid for this time.

Literally, I even wondered if I could pass through there.

Moreover, the ‘Abyss Moat Lv.7′ surrounding it, of course.

Various defense facilities including the Celestial Watchtower Lv.7.

And not only that.

Various living facilities and production facilities within the territory.

They had been transformed into a more advanced form, one or two steps further.

In addition, quite a few buildings that I saw for the first time were also visible.

Buildings that seemed to have some high-level technology incorporated into them at a glance.

“Th, that’s what···?”

As expected, Semir widened his eyes and looked surprised once again.

It seemed that even Semir couldn’t understand the technologies.

Unbelievable.

But the scenery is clearly visible before my eyes.

Right then.

“Preparation… uh um… what preparation should I… do…”

Lucas asked incoherently.

“······”

And Hans couldn’t answer anything.

Look at the scenery of Ruben unfolding before your eyes right now.

What kind of preparation are you talking about!

Elan Dur? White Wolf Knights?

Don’t be ridiculous.

I was even hesitant to believe that a demon army from mythology had invaded.

This could not be penetrated by human-level power.

Hans opened his mouth without looking at Lucas.

“Just···.”

And Hans’ one word followed.

“Let’s just… do what we’ve been doing…”

Hans erased the plans he had prepared all night from his mind.

#

-Stop. This is the Imperial Palace from here. If you wish to visit, please state your identity and purpose of visit.

Cian suddenly came to his senses at the unfamiliar voice coming from outside the carriage.

It seemed to be the Royal Knights guarding the Imperial Palace.

It seemed that we had arrived at the Imperial Palace.

-I am Aaron Feitz, the leader of the White Wolf Knights belonging to the Elan Dur family. I came to participate in the merit ceremony with Young Master Cian Elan Dur.

Aaron’s voice was heard soon after.

-Elan Dur···?

At the same time, the Royal Knight’s voice was heard as if tilting his head.

Cian slightly opened the window and showed his face.

Then.

“······!!”

The Royal Knight’s knight widened his eyes upon confirming Cian’s face.

Unlike in the past, there was almost no one in the current Empire who did not know Cian’s reputation.

“J, just a moment, please. I, I’ll inform the inside right away.”

Well, it wasn’t to the point of being so embarrassed.

“Captain! Captain Robert!!”

Somehow, the Royal Knight seemed to be a rookie.