Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 137

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Nurugal stared at me with fierce eyes.

His mind must have been in turmoil.

The Great Chieftain represents the Khan tribe, a position close to a king but not quite. He would know very well why he couldn’t be king.

For Nurugal, merely ensuring the survival of his own tribe, the Noya, was already a struggle.

Not just this winter, but every year.

Even with some spare resources, he could only afford to support a few tribes enough to prevent their complete annihilation.

The nations bordering the Khan territory describe the barbarians as plundering their lands every winter.

For them, that’s not wrong.

It’s a war for survival, not plunder.

The ruling class of the Khan tribe, including Nurugal, must foresee that the Khan tribe will disappear into the annals of history if things continue this way.

The Khan tribe’s population is dwindling over time.

Tough warrior tribes like the Noya are relatively better off. Most tribes see more warriors dying each winter than new ones being born.

And that’s when I visited.

Nurugal slowly opened his mouth.

“If we help you during this crucial time when we need to secure food for the winter, what will our Khan tribe gain?”

There’s nothing more fragile than an alliance without mutual benefit.

I pointed to the northeastern part of the Hamel Empire on the map, the easternmost region of Azure Province.

“While the Empire is distracted by the Emperor’s death and the recapture of its northwest, take this place.”

Nurugal’s eyebrows twitched.

It was better than the Khan territory, but not a great place for people to live.

It was a bittersweet location, with large deposits of low-grade magic stones that were insufficient for mining development.

“Are you saying that while we reclaim the area with large deposits of Gray Steel, the core material for magic superconductors, we should just take that kind of place and leave?”

Nurugal’s voice showed no intention of hiding his displeasure.

I calmly answered his question.

“Ten years ago, when the Hamel Empire invaded the Lionel Kingdom, could you have imagined that Gray Steel, which was just lying around, would be worth what it is today?”

“So, are you saying there are hidden resources in that area besides low-grade magic stones? Like Gray Steel?”

No.

But in two years, the value of low-grade magic stones will increase fourfold or more.

Because Fran’s Stella will be announced [a revolutionary magical device].

However, I couldn’t tell Nurugal that fact yet.

But that’s like a bonus. There was something more important. Nurugal couldn’t possibly not know. Was he testing me?

I opened my mouth with a faint smile.

“But this land, is it really a place that should be called ‘that kind of place’ by the Khan tribe? I’d be a little disappointed if you truly thought so.”

“Ahem, ahem.”

Nurugal cleared his throat.

The area I pointed out could become a base for the Khan tribe to raid into the Hamel Empire’s interior.

His face flushed slightly.

“There are very few people with the same insight as you and me. Many will be angry that they didn’t get food for the winter and only got useless land.”

I nodded.

Those who have to worry about starving to death this winter could be angry enough.

“I understand. So, I will support the Khan tribe with food for two years to get through the winter.”

“Make it five years.”

“Two years is already quite unreasonable for the kingdom.”

“Four years.”

“Alright. Let’s make it three years.”

Honestly, it was a condition that the current Lionel Kingdom could never offer.

Although the Eitz Merchant Guild earns an unimaginable amount of money, the amount they spend far exceeds that.

There are so many places to spend money.

If we don’t produce commercially viable magic superconductors within a year after reclaiming the northwest, the kingdom might go bankrupt.

‘It’s okay. I’m confident.’

I created something that exceeds the strength of bronze. The Lionel Kingdom’s magic superconductor is two years ahead of other countries.

It’s only a matter of time before we reach the strength of iron.

Once completed, it will far surpass the sales of the Eitz Merchant Guild at the height of the Red Star Fever [a period of intense magical innovation].

“Isn’t it quite a profitable deal to support food for three years just by pretending to invade Barrington Fortress? Even if you don’t even take the land in Azure Province?”

Nurugal smiled with satisfaction.

He then changed his expression and asked me.

“But how do we trust each other? Words can’t guarantee anything. What guarantee is there that you won’t wash your hands after reclaiming your lost land?”

That goes for us too.

Moving troops to the northwest in the face of an unprecedented invasion by the Khan tribe is a huge risk.

If they betray us, the Lionel Kingdom could be trampled under the hooves of the Khan tribe. The thought alone sends shivers down my spine.

We must prepare for betrayal.

It’s a great comfort that we can detect the signs early by using [Library] [Evan’s unique ability to foresee events].

Hiding my true feelings, I shrugged.

“Betrayal is rampant even among siblings and couples, so how can we truly trust each other? We just need to prepare well for the other party’s betrayal.”

“Huh… Prepare for the other party’s betrayal?”

I added to Nurugal, who was letting out a hollow laugh.

“Shouldn’t we just make the choice that benefits each other the most at any time? If the moment comes when betraying the Lionel Kingdom is more beneficial to the Khan tribe, betray us at any time.”

***

‘Betray us at any time?’

Nurugal mulled over the words Evan had uttered.

What a bold statement.

He closed his eyes for a moment and pondered.

The Lionel Kingdom’s troops, who had been facing off at Barrington Fortress, suddenly disappeared.

They had secretly left to reclaim the northwest.

Nurugal was given two choices.

First, to head to the Hamel Empire to keep his promise with Evan.

Second, to pretend to retreat, then turn his horses and conquer the empty Barrington Fortress, and then the Lionel Kingdom.

His head became confused.

The second option wasn’t a bad choice for the Khan tribe either. Surely, if that situation arose, the voices of the chieftains insisting on turning the horses would be deafening.

-We just need to prepare well for the other party’s betrayal.

Evan’s words from a moment ago echoed in his head. Nurugal opened his eyes and met his gaze.

He couldn’t read his emotions at all. At first glance, he saw a vast sky without a single cloud in those infinitely deep eyes.

He must have countermeasures in place for when the Khan tribe betrays him.

‘Evan Lionel. Was he only 17 years old?’

Evan was the one who had risen to the top of a kingdom with his bare hands in just three years, despite it being a small country.

Although the Khan tribe was located in what could be called the outskirts of the world, the Great Chieftain heard quite a lot from those around him.

‘He’s more than I heard.’

If he weren’t the king of a country, he would have adopted him and passed on the Great Chieftainship.

That’s fine.

“The Lionel Kingdom’s proposal is tempting. But! That doesn’t mean we can have an alliance without any trust in each other. I will give you my beloved daughter.”

The lion’s cub is also a lion.

If another outstanding figure emerges among them, he could just make that one his successor.

***

I felt like what was coming had come at Nurugal’s words.

A marriage alliance.

Historically, there is nothing that signifies the success of an alliance as much as that.

Even the Emperor of the Hamel Empire had formed blood ties with the nobles of 13 provinces to solidify his power.

I was prepared for it.

But hearing the words to form a blood tie made my head a little complicated.

After choosing my words for a moment, I opened my mouth.

“You said she’s a beloved daughter, but are you sure you’re okay with this?”

It was a loaded question.

Nurugal knew that people from other countries called the Khan tribe barbarians and despised them. The hardships that the daughter he was trying to marry me off to would face in the kingdom would be unimaginable.

And also her children.

I felt like I was committing a sin against children who hadn’t even been born yet.

“Don’t underestimate the women of the Khan tribe. Besides, that child is also an excellent warrior blessed by nature.”

The Khan tribe calls magic awakening a blessing from nature.

That’s right, but there was one thing that needed to be made clear even if we formed a marriage alliance.

“There must be no interference from the Khan tribe in the kingdom’s succession issue.”

In fact, it was nearly impossible for children with Khan blood to inherit the throne, even with his help. As much as I, who had risen to the throne from nothing.

But since I was the one who actually achieved that, there was a chance.

“Hmph, I have no intention of that. Instead, if the children my daughter bears want to, send them to me at any time.”

“Alright.”

I slowly nodded.

Suddenly, Reina’s face came to mind.

I was a little worried about how to convey this fact to her, who was carrying a baby in her womb.

Well… I believe she will understand.

“Kuhahaha, then from today onwards, we are one family.”

Nurugal smiled broadly, as if he liked it. I smiled awkwardly and responded.

“Please take good care of me, father-in-law.”

As we were laughing and talking like that.

“Hmm… But you, looking at your smiling face, somehow resemble the guy we sent as an envoy. Was that guy’s name Nave?”

He was talking about Lucas.

But how could he recognize a face that wears a mask…? Well, if the Great Chieftain was determined, it wouldn’t be difficult to take off his mask.

However, even if the mask was broken, it was nearly impossible to recognize Lucas’s real face.

The hair color was basic, and he actually corrected his eyes, etc. I thought even the First Queen or the servants who had seen him for a long time would be confused, but I guess the similar atmosphere to me was unavoidable.

“You must be mistaken. By the way, he seems to still be staying in the Noya tribe, can I take him with me when I leave?”

“…Haha, is he a cherished subordinate?”

“He’s someone I owe a debt of gratitude to.”

“I’m sorry… There was a bit of a commotion, so he got hurt a little. But rest assured, his life is not in danger.”

Lucas, what on earth happened?

***

Because it was late, I postponed the detailed story until tomorrow and left the ger [a traditional nomadic tent].

“Shurugal! Treat these people with the utmost respect as honored guests.”

“Understood.”

The warriors’ expressions changed at Nurugal’s command.

I was guided to a place where there were many gers that looked good at first glance.

I asked Shurugal.

“Whose ger was this originally?”

“It’s used by the Great Chieftain’s relatives. Please rest comfortably. The others can use this ger.”

After the distribution of the gers was over.

Adol and one knight stood at the entrance.

“Your Majesty, please go inside and rest. We will guard the entrance.”

“Thank you, Adol.”

I went inside the ger without hesitation.

A warm stove in the center. It was a top-notch ger with a toilet and shower.

I took off my cloak and hung it on the hanger. I sat on the bed and took a rest.

I reviewed the story I had with Nurugal today and checked the plans for the future.

As I was doing that, I felt a little hungry.

Come to think of it, I skipped dinner.

While I was thinking about buying some bread from [General Store], I heard voices at the entrance of the ger.

“I brought some snacks.”

“Baron Adol! What are they saying? It seems like they brought something to eat.”

“Go and call Julian.”

The knights were flustered by the Khan tribe’s language.

I remembered Julian, who had a corpse-like expression from coming all the way to the Noya tribe, so I shouted loudly so they could hear.

“Let them in. It’s food.”

“Ah! Understood.”

The door opened and a Khan woman came in carrying a basket full of food.

The smell of meat made my mouth water.

From the Khan tribe’s point of view, where food was scarce, it was truly the best treatment.

The woman placed the food on the table.

I was about to get up and eat as soon as she left.

….

Why isn’t she leaving?

“I heard from my father that I am to become Your Majesty’s woman.”

Only then did I take my eyes off the food and make eye contact with the woman. She was a beautiful woman with eyes that looked like the stars of the night sky were pouring down.