Chapter 72

The conflict and division in the Kingdom of Iota had almost reached its peak. With no real communication and a lack of kinship among the people, it was natural for disputes to arise. Eventually, small-scale riots broke out here and there, making the public sentiment extremely turbulent.

However, after Otto returned, the Kingdom of Iota transformed into the most harmonious and united nation in the world. As soon as he returned, Otto installed a dais in front of the throne and placed the Book of Harmony on it.

Whoosh!

Then, a blessed aura erupted from the Book of Harmony and spread throughout the entire Kingdom of Iota.

[Notice: The effect of the <Book of Harmony> has been activated!]

[Notice: From now on, the people will share your values and become one, transcending conflict and division!]

The effect was undeniable. After Otto activated the Book of Harmony and a day passed, 90% of the complaints that had been pouring in from all over the country decreased.

The great dwarven mage Eldolargon, who was known as a great sage during his lifetime, had created this holy relic through lifelong research, achieving a miracle that no one else could.

“Good heavens.”

Grand Duke Wazir was deeply shocked when he saw the Book of Harmony. Indeed, the Book of Harmony was a treasure that any nation would covet.

Throughout history, countless nations had fallen because they could not overcome conflict and division. The larger a nation grew, the more impossible it became to unite the people's hearts, a task that was almost divine in nature.

Why would capable rulers and politicians go to great lengths to soothe and appease the people? It was impossible to win the hearts and align the thoughts of countless people.

But the Book of Harmony made it possible, making it a treasure that any nation would covet.

If the existence of the Book of Harmony were known, Iota would undoubtedly face invasions from nations around the world.

“Who would have thought such a sacred scripture existed….”

As a politician and administrative official, Grand Duke Wazir marveled at the Book of Harmony repeatedly.

‘With this scripture… even if I were to manage a vast empire, it wouldn’t fall due to internal issues.’

But that was only for a moment.

“This scripture is good to have.”

Grand Duke Wazir turned to look at Otto.

“However….”

“Of course, I need to do well.”

“Hm?”

“My values and thoughts will be shared by the people. If I make a wrong judgment or have a flawed value system, the entire nation will be shaken. If I were to fall into corruption… even a vast empire could collapse overnight.”

Otto already knew about the side effects of the Book of Harmony.

The Book of Harmony was a double-edged sword. If the king was capable, its effect would be maximized. But if the king were a tyrant, the side effects would be enormous.

The Book of Harmony formed a kind of collective consciousness—though not a complete one. If the ruler were corrupt, the people would also become corrupt, which was a foregone conclusion.

“You understand very well.”

“Of course. How could I not with this much intelligence?”

“Hmph.”

Grand Duke Wazir smiled in satisfaction, impressed by Otto’s sharpness.

“Perhaps this small country will become my final retirement project.”

“Make it a masterpiece.”

“Hmph… a masterpiece… that would be a dream come true.”

Although he said that, Grand Duke Wazir seemed to have high hopes. He began to feel that this small country on the periphery, Iota, might become a powerful nation that would dominate the continent.

* * *

While Otto was using the Book of Harmony to unite the people of Iota, a major incident occurred on the western trade route.

The <Ego Caravan>, led by the goblin merchant Ego, was transporting goods as usual when it was suddenly attacked.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Nomadic cavalry, riding Tatar horses, appeared with a ground-shaking sound and attacked the caravan.

“Ah!”

“P-Please, spare me! Please… ah!”

“Gasp!”

The nomadic cavalry, like a storm, mercilessly slaughtered the caravan members without asking questions.

It was almost a massacre. The caravan members scattered to survive, but unfortunately, very few survived.

“Hahaha!”

“Where do you think you’re running!”

The nomadic warriors, riding their horses, persistently hunted down and mercilessly slaughtered almost all the fleeing caravan members.

“Take the ones who are still useful as slaves, and kill those who can’t recover.”

The nomadic warrior in command gave the order and then swallowed the entire cargo of the Ego Caravan.

A few days later.

“Oh my….”

Ego, the owner of the Ego Caravan and a goblin merchant, nearly fainted when he heard that the caravan had been attacked.

An unprecedented situation.

The cargo that was attacked this time was of immense value. It included all kinds of luxury goods, spices, and a large quantity of Iota’s specialty, the <Lloyd Potion>.

But that wasn’t the problem.

“Only two people survived?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh… oh…”

Ego wept more over the fact that only two people survived than the loss of the cargo.

“Losing so many workers… what can I do… oh…”

Money could be earned again. Compensation could be given to the families of the deceased. But losing people was a loss that couldn’t be easily recovered. Transporting goods was not an easy task, and skilled workers were very valuable.

Moreover, most of the workers who died had been with the Ego Caravan since its early days, making Ego’s grief even greater.

“I will… take revenge… make them pay for what they did to our caravan… Grr!”

Ego, with bloodshot eyes, vowed to take bloody revenge.

Revenge was not a choice but a necessity. Revenge for the workers he had grown close to was one thing, but equally important was the restoration of trust.

A merchant’s life depended on trust. The trust in the Ego Caravan would surely plummet after this incident. Who would want to trade with a caravan that had lost so much cargo?

To restore trust, Ego had to succeed in his revenge. He also had to recover all the stolen goods.

If he didn’t, the Ego Caravan would be forced to close its doors.

“Right now….”

Ego spoke.

“I’m going to the Kingdom of Iota.”

* * *

After using the Book of Harmony to stabilize the people, Otto immediately began preparations for his next move.

It was late autumn.

‘For a while, I will focus on internal affairs and build up military strength.’

Otto’s next goal was to expand beyond the western frontier and enter the continent. Therefore, he decided to focus on building up military strength during this winter.

However, another variable emerged.

It was less than a week after he returned to the capital.

“Your Majesty, the Korgirat tribe warrior Targo has come and asks to meet Amukan.”

“Ah.”

Otto nodded, understanding the situation.

“They must have come because the chief and warriors suddenly went missing.”

“It seems so.”

“Then we should meet him.”

“Understood.”

Otto met Targo, the Korgirat tribe warrior, with Amukan.

“C-Chef, what’s going on?”

“Targo….”

Amukan spoke with a bitter tone.

“It… has come to this.”

“Chef….”

“I and the warriors are no longer part of the Korgirat tribe. We have become subordinates to this person. Go back and do not seek me again. Tell my mother the same.”

“That… can’t be!”

Targo clung to Amukan’s pants.

“Chef! How can you leave at such a time? It’s impossible, absolutely impossible.”

“Is something happening on the steppe?”

“Five hundred of our tribe’s warriors who were stationed at the front… were killed by the Kerait tribe’s ambush.”

“…!”

“The Kerait tribe is advancing with momentum. We have already lost five pastures.”

“What? What was Kaisei doing?”

Kaisei was Amukan’s most trusted subordinate and the second-in-command of the Korgirat tribe. Amukan believed that Kaisei could lead the tribe even in his absence. Kaisei was indeed a capable and excellent warrior.

“General Kaisei… has fallen.”

“What!”

“By the hand of the Kerait tribe’s chief, Toghril….”

“Oh my. Kaisei is dead.”

Amukan’s expression darkened.

“So, what’s the current situation?”

“We are continuously retreating. If this continues, our tribe will be destroyed within a month.”

“My mother, my mother!”

“The warriors are protecting her, but even that is difficult. Ulan Bator is also in danger.”

Ulan Bator was a territory of great importance to the Korgirat tribe, equivalent to a capital city.

“The western trade route has likely already fallen into their hands….”

At that moment.

“What the hell!”

Otto shouted in anger.

“Why are you foaming at the mouth?”

“Why are you going crazy again?”

Camille and Kyros were puzzled by Otto’s sudden outburst.

“I’m hungry… I’m so hungry….”

Meanwhile, the senile dragon Kurran, who had just eaten, complained about being hungry, but no one paid attention.

Unless he started whining about changing his diaper….

“No! That western trade route is connected to our kingdom! If we lose it, our logistics will be cut off!!!”

If the flow of logistics were cut off, trade would stop, and the resulting economic loss would be enormous. Otto’s anger was not unwarranted.

“Arteriosclerosis! Arteriosclerosis! What will happen then? We’ll all die! Everyone! Don’t you understand how important the economy is? If the economy collapses, public sentiment will plummet, riots will break out, rebellions will occur, and ultimately, my head will be on the city walls! The angry people won’t leave me alone!”

It wasn’t a wrong statement. The economy of the Kingdom of Iota was heavily dependent on trade. If the western trade route were blocked, the damage would be immense. Additionally, due to the increased population, there was a significant food shortage this winter. If they couldn’t secure food through the trade route, tens of thousands of people would starve to death this winter.

This was another variable, a butterfly effect caused by