Trash of the Count's Family

However, aside from feeling flabbergasted, Cale felt a strange vibe.

He couldn’t see the person who could be considered a set with Toonka.

“Where is Chief Harol?”

Chief Harol Kodiang. Cale didn’t see the crazy bastard born from the unfortunate fate between the master of the Magic Tower and the citizen.

He was the calm yet insane bastard who hated mages and wanted to rid the world of magic.

‘Clopeh is a peaceful bastard in comparison to this guy.’

However, he couldn’t be seen even though Cale and Choi Han had arrived.

In order to avoid the eyes of the Whipper Kingdom’s people who were hostile against magic, a teleportation magic circle was secretly created in the basement of the royal palace.

It was a place that was under close supervision since it was a space used by a part of the royal family and the kingdom’s leaders.

That was why Toonka and his subordinates, as well as the mages dispatched by the Roan Kingdom, were the only ones there.

But Harol Kodiang, the one commanding the military operation and everything related to the war, wasn’t there with them?

It didn’t make sense

‘Looks like something happened.’

Cale realized that something must have happened in the Whipper Kingdom.

Did Toonka notice the look in Cale’s eyes? Toonka started to frown. The combination of Toonka’s big build and fierce looks made his grimacing face look scarier.

Cale observed Toonka’s expression and started to think.

‘If he fought with that face, all the Empire’s knights would be frightened.’

However, despite his vicious-looking face, Toonka looked at his subordinates and spoke with a sigh.

“Follow me. We will head over to where the Chief is.”

Toonka turned around and headed towards the entrance first. He could hear Cale’s voice coming from behind him.

“What’s the problem?”

Toonka hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

It was something that Chief Harol was supposed to talk about with Cale, but it wouldn’t make a difference even if he was told ahead of time.

“After the Imperial Prince made his speech, the Empire sent the Whipper Kingdom a secret correspondence.”

‘What?

The Empire’s Imperial Prince sent the Whipper Kingdom a secret correspondence?’

Cale, who had been busy meeting the Dwarves and Bears and completing other preparations after the Imperial Prince’s speech, frowned at this news he heard for the first time.

‘Why did the bastards who declared war on the Whipper Kingdom suddenly send them a secret correspondence?’

Creak.

The door opened. Toonka could not see Cale nor his subordinates and looked straight forward as he stepped out and responded.

“The Empire offered a proposal.”

Commander Toonka currently felt angry and frustrated.

Cale recalled the Toonka from the past who would smash everything to pieces and never looked back as he ran off. He liked that kind of Toonka.

Unfortunately, Toonka couldn’t act as he used to in the past due to his current circumstances. Suppressing his frustration, Toonka informed Cale about the current situation.

“The Empire stated that they loved peace and that we should surrender Maple Castle if we didn't want to see everyone in the Whipper Kingdom die.”

‘Ha!’

Cale could not believe it.

The Imperial Prince of the Empire had instilled a sense of pride in the hearts of his people as by stating that they would fight a fair and just war. While playing the part of the proud Imperial Prince up front, he was splaying out negotiations and threats behind the scenes.

But was that bad?

‘Not at all. In fact, he is doing very well.’

Blood is shed during war.

People die.

Under such circumstances, it was clever of the Empire to demand the return of Maple Castle through threats or conciliation or whatever, as opposed to war.

Perhaps it was a wise move to use the position of the Empire.

‘Furthermore, Toonka and the Whipper Kingdom are known as loners.’

The loners of the Western continent.

It made it easier for the Empire to covertly pressure the Whipper Kingdom who was known to be the loner.

As such, Cale couldn’t help but be wary of Imperial Prince Adin.

If it was crown prince Alberu of the Roan Kingdom, he wouldn’t act as Adin had done.

‘Alberu keeps his promises to his people.’

If the people were told that they would be fighting fairly, that is what he would have done.

This was the reason Cale thought Alberu was the most similar yet different from him.

It was also the reason why Imperial Prince Adin was similar to crown prince Alberu, but ultimately different as well.

This made Cale feel uncomfortable with Adin.

Adin’s resemblance to crown prince Alberu meant that Adin was somewhat similar to Cale as well.

So, Cale started to speak as he stared at Toonka’s back.

“And?”

Return Maple Castle.

It didn’t end with just that.

It wouldn’t end with just that.

The Empire’s pride and ambition wouldn’t let them just stop with Maple Castle.

If that was the case, why would Toonka be worrying and talking so wearily?

Toonka scoffed and answered Cale’s question.

“They want 100,000 people of the Whipper Kingdom for 80 years.”

“…What?”

‘They wanted what?’

This time, even Cale struggled to understand immediately. There was something that came to mind, but it was difficult to confirm that as the answer.

“Harol will explain it to you. Follow me.”

Toonka walked out the door.

Cale followed suit with a sense of foreboding.

The Empire wanted 100,000 people from the Whipper Kingdom for 80 years.

‘Why does this sound like the Empire wants the power to use 100,000 Whipper Kingdom people as slaves for 80 years?’

Toonka out of the basement and sternly started

get to Harol

Harol more than

looked around the Whipper Kingdom’s central

looks more extravagant than

exterior, the interior had

‘It’s pretty empty.’

Furthermore, those who

who was currently disguised as a priest, looked around the royal palace, which was

defeat all around

was it

noticed that the government officials, knights, and guards

‘That’s what I’m saying.’

felt that something was off. He glanced at Choi Han who was beside him. Choi Han, whose appearance was

atmosphere is probably a first

everything seem like it

recalled that mood and asked Toonka, who was in front

know

2 or 3 people other than

Our side.

initial members of the non-mage faction with Toonka and Harol,

‘Ha!’

finally realized what was going

passing us by with an air of helplessness aren’t

Cale started to speak.

aren’t many of those that are on our side

hesitated for a moment

As expected, you’re very

More like it’s

at Toonka while

Toonka’s continued to speak.

palace is where the royal

was still a

the Magic Tower and emerged as influential people in the

the royal family’s faction of the nobles, and the government officials within

innermost part of the central palace before

more passersby around

there were

clearly felt as ‘Toonka’s

the

the operations room. However, there were native citizen

the

“What is it?”

“Commander, it’s just that…”

Toonka, who saw this, knitted his brows

Click.

unhesitating Toonka. Thanks to him, Cale

why are you rejecting the Empire’s

was not a familiar

the open door. Cale could see Chief Harol as well as his advisors through the gap, confronting

wearing the crown and speaking, the one who just

recalled the Whipper

treated as slaves, the Whipper Kingdom’s royal

became rich from the magic items created from the only Magic Tower on the

the Whipper Kingdom’s royal

who ruled the royal palace and the kingdom, flinched when he saw

“Chief Harol! Say something!”

from the sidelines, they also did

royal

king never stepped in to manage the

heard of the Empire’s invasion. He shouted at Harol

if the Empire attacks

We’re finished.

bit his lips at the statement. It was to prevent himself from

king spoke of was the royal family

the Whipper Kingdom were

else. That was why he kept his eyes on the king even though he was aware of Toonka

Empire does

said that they should accept

isn’t there another demand that the Empire

speak. He recited the

that area must be included. In addition, the Whipper Kingdom must provide free manpower to develop the recently devastated Maple Castle and the surrounding area, as well as the portion of land that will be

Cale gulped.

was

numbering 100,000 people, and the kingdom must

Cale closed his eyes.

his head.Human! Isn’t that just saying the Whipper Kingdom’s citizens will do all the work while

‘Exactly.’

demand that the Whipper Kingdom provide 100,000 of its able-bodied people yearly to work free of charge for 80 years was basically demanding them to send 100,000 people to the Empire to become

was

majesty, don’t you understand what

before speaking with a calm expression. He had steeled himself

only able to do this because he believed they would not kill the king right now. He spoke

support the non-mage

then continued with a

would accept

Harol started to frown.

should have killed him

tore down the Magic Tower. He had kept him

against the king and killed him in the face of war, the people of the Whipper Kingdom, who should come together and fight against

his anger

look at it, demanding a hundred thousand people to labor as such is basically

king exclaimed

simply requesting for a temporary labor force? If we just accept that offer, we can

‘Ha.’

Harol was stunned.

temporary? And

king, who knew the Empire’s

faction were fighting, the

help but raise

where will you find those

planning to send to the

immediately

“It’s not much!”

It’s not much?

contorted with

king

there many proud Whipper citizens

Cale swallowed a sigh.

citizens outside of the royal palace

The king was confident.

would be no war and nobody would die. Isn’t that quite peaceful? If

king was probably just afraid that

Cale frowned.

invaded the Empire, the

watched from the sidelines because he was

this time as it

years in order to save his own life. He then caught sight of Toonka’s fists that were trembling with

Toonka was silent.

his fury

at

Harol’s voice

unaware of why people followed us, the

Harol’s eyes were cold.

people of the non-mage faction. However, he also understood the hearts of those who followed

to make ends meet. That’s why

raised his

you know how many people died after being dragged and experimented on in

a moment, but quickly glanced at

war breaks out, we may all die! You can’t think of the Empire as the same one from Maple Castle! The real