HBWnovel Chapter 260
Chapter 260
Chapter 260
“Ah, that’s good!!”
Ingvar burst into laughter, his beard laden with beer foam. Ivan turned his gaze away, looking disappointedly at his bushy beard.
“How long has it been since I’ve loosened up like this... Really a pity. If I hadn’t gotten caught, I’d have gone all out for sure.”
“For not being caught, you took quite a beating.”
“Does winning or losing even matter? What’s important is the struggle itself.”
With a face that looked refreshingly alive despite having taken a beating for almost half a day, Ingvar kept nodding his head.
“You’ve improved your skills. If that’s the case, you have more than enough qualifications to become Einar’s consort. Are you thinking of changing your nationality entirely?”
“That’s under consideration.”
“Honestly, nationality isn’t that important... What’s important is Ecdysis’s heart, right? Take care and don’t make her cry.”
At Ingvar’s words, Ivan nodded roughly. He had no intention of actually becoming a son-in-law or marrying Ecdysis, but that wasn’t what mattered right now.
In fact, Ecdysis probably wasn’t wishing for such a marriage. She must really see him as an uncle. This just seemed like robbing her of the genuine marriage and memories she should rightfully enjoy with a beloved one in the future.
No matter how important the operation was, he felt uneasy about possibly ruining a friend’s daughter’s future. However, he still needed to save that friend.
“Right, Ecdysis. Didn’t she ask why this guy is ugly?”
“Ah? Ah! Yes! Well, everyone who knows Tham... I mean, anyone who sees him says the same thing!”
Were they alive...?
Who were they here to kill...?
Is Krasilov preparing for war...?
“What on earth did you do ten years ago for everyone to say that? Sure, you might be a bit unusual, but isn’t that kind of cute?”
“...?”
“???”
Ignoring the confusion of the party, Ecdysis smiled brightly and looked at Ingvar. In response, Ingvar chuckled and said.
“Well, even though it looks like he’s lost a lot of venom now, I’ve had a couple of tours with this uncle when he was active. Those times, this guy and his buddies were not in their right minds.”
Ingvar gazed blankly at the hearth, lost in memory.
“There was a time like that... Do you remember, Ivan? When you choked on your food during dinner.”
“No, that never happened.”
“It did.”
“It didn’t. That’s a story I don’t need to listen to.”
Despite Ivan’s denial, Ingvar continued.
“Well, when this guy started gagging, those damn little assassins jumped up and started turning the camp upside down.”
“...Why?”
“There was an assassination attempt. The rations came from our side, and had it not been for Einar, all seven supply officers would have ended up in the Krasilov torture chamber. What did you eat back then?”
“I don’t recall that.”
“Was it pickled cabbage? It had gone a bit bad due to the heat, but I should have stopped you when you suddenly dove in and started devouring that rotten cabbage.”
Pickled cabbage...?
The party looked at Ivan simultaneously, recalling some bizarre traditional dish. Ivan silently stared into the hearth, downing his beer.
His expression remained unchanged, but the slight reddening of his ears was definitely not just due to the alcohol.
The group continued their conversation, laughing heartily.
The banquet lasted late into the night. Given that the group was weary from the battles and skirmishes over the last few weeks, they quickly collapsed into slumber in their respective quarters as midnight approached.
As the sober warriors dragged their intoxicated comrades away and servants cleaned up the banquet, Ivan quietly raised his cooled cup.
“Ivan.”
“Hmm.”
Ingvar slumped next to him with a serious face, as if asking when he got drunk.
“What are your plans going forward?”
Considering the potential for disputes along the way, time would be even tighter. However, Ivan wasn’t worried.
Each time he won a duel, the number of human resources he could utilize would increase exponentially.
He had never worried about supply issues. These were forces that did not require supplies. If their supplies ran out, they would ‘requisition’ from somewhere else. This was a matter of their tradition... No, it was a matter of instinct, so it wasn’t something a civilized person like him needed to consider.
Angvar forgot his age and dignity, joyfully shouting from the front train car.
“It’s a customs war!!”
– Waaaaaah!!!!
– Take it! Kill them!!!!
– Ancestors! Bless us!!!!
All customs officials aboard the train erupted into boisterous shouts of excitement.
Drovian’s newly established mobile customs office completed preparations for the proactive customs system. Technically, since they were from the same country, they shouldn’t impose tariffs. However, tax collection tends to tighten on citizens.
Imposing high tariffs on foreigners is called protectionism.
Then what the warriors of Eldbark are doing now might as well be called free trade. They’re applying the same tax standards for their own citizens as for foreigners.
The remarkably advanced free trade agreement that even Kalion’s zenith could not attempt began to unfold as the missionaries departed from Eldbark’s train station, expanding into all of Drovian.
Leading a bold market opening that would astonish even Adam Smith and David Ricardo, they set off while singing songs of inexplicable joy, hope for the future, love, and friendship, along with songs of blood and death dedicated to their ancestors.
“I’m so ashamed of my country now....”
Ecdysis mumbled, burying her face deep in her flushed hands.
That first day, three territories had to approve ‘market opening’ and ‘free trade’.
“Didn’t Einar say not to have a customs war among ourselves! This violates the agreement!!”
“Agreement... should we not use such difficult words?”
Ingvar chuckled as he smiled down at the kneeling Jarl. Wulfric Svaldison of Drechalth was screaming in agony, bound and with a disheveled face.
In front of his miserable face, Ingvar sneered.
“After all, he can’t understand anyway.”
“This ignorant old man—!! Let go!! Do you think Einar will forgive this?”
“Sure, he will. Isn’t Einar’s son-in-law right here?”
At Ingvar’s words, Ivan quietly shook his head.
This guy wasn’t a traitor, so he was a candidate for recruitment, but I really couldn’t understand why he started looting as soon as he came down. This wasn’t the plan we had devised together last night...
But since it was already spilled water, Ivan spoke with a bitter face.
“Wulfric. Do you remember me?”
“...‘Little’ Ivan...? Are you alive...?”
“Let’s skip that part quickly. I’m tired of it now.”
“Who are you here to kill...? Me... or Einar?!”
“Let’s skip that part as quickly as possible... Ah, never mind. I’ll just give up.”
Ivan clicked his tongue as he sat down before Wulfric. He looked down at Wulfric’s face and said.
“There’s a traitor among the Jarls. They want to kill Einar. You don’t seem to be with them, do you? Will you join me?”
“After doing this...?”
“If you join me, I’ll recognize all rights to the items you’ve looted from now on.”
“...? Are you saying you would do this in other cities too?”
Wulfric stared blankly into Ivan’s eyes, then briefly scanned the area with a wavering gaze. After looking at his warriors sprawled on the floor, all bound, he lifted his head.
A smile began to form on his face.
Breaking Einar’s rules isn’t an issue, and he’s even setting out to rescue Einar?
This sounds awfully legitimate.
“Fine, fine... It’s a customs war—!!”
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