《Empire of the Ring》Chapter 389: A Stretch (1)
Advertisement
An article named 'The former Kingdom of Serbia had opened a new history in the name of the Grand Duchy of Arirang in Kazakhstan of Central Asia' was issued by a prominent newspaper company after the coronation ceremony. It brought broadcasters from all over the world to the autonomous state. Most of them were yellow journalism companies that focused on gossips, but the state could not refuse their visits. It was because many people liked to read tabloid magazines with pictures all over the place.
Naturally, applicants who wanted to visit the state increased, and the light airplanes that carried tourists and reporters came in and out of the state several times a day. Since there were only two hotels with only 140 rooms combined together, visitors of the state had to go through inconvenience. Thus, the state came up with an idea of hosting.
For the majority of backpackers who visited the state, hotel fees could be overwhelming. Since most of the houses of the autonomous state had plenty of rooms because many farming and ranching families preferred to have many children for their labor. There were usually one or two empty rooms in their houses. The state decided to offer those empty rooms at a cheap cost for the travelers' convenience. It sounded like a good idea since travelers would get to experience lives in the autonomous state more closely. Moreover, hosting could be also used to protect the state since residents would be guided to report visitors' suspicious activities to the Intelligence Department or to the authorities of the state.
"Prince consort, we should find a cheap accommodation option too. Some visitors might not feel comfortable staying in a resident's house."
"That's a great idea, Mr. Commissioner. We can probably take advantage of the sites around the airport."
Kim Chun did not call Youngho 'boss' anymore but called him 'prince consort' after the coronation ceremony. It was because he was given the title of 'baron,' and it was not plausible for a baron to call Youngho a boss. It was the same with the follower couple. The only person who still called Youngho 'boss' was Kim Il-kwon.
"Now there will be quite a crowd of tourists in the state. Some might be curious about the Grand Palace, and there may be an attempt to infiltrate the palace to see the Archduchess."
"So, I arranged the place for the descendants of the knights from Azerbaijan near her. And I'm going to place the Serbian women soldiers who recently joined the Countryside Force close to Fatima for her security."
"Well, that's great. If only the men are around, the Archduchess will be uncomfortable."
After the coronation, Youngho and his family now had to stay in the palace at all times. The only people who liked to stay in the giant Grand Palace were Youngho's children and the follower couple. The palace, with plenty of rooms to hide, was like a playground tailored to the children.
Advertisement
It was quite daunting at first to stay in the giant yet empty palace, but since people including the follower couple; Vaso, who now was the Grand Chamberlain, and other workers lived there together, it was not so lonely. Also, now that the descendants of the knights from Baku and other women soldiers were going to stay in the palace too.
The view from the palace was quite nice and open, and Youngho was getting used to living in there. The river was stretched to the north of the state and the central square and residential area were seen in the south. Because the palace was on the highest hill of the state, it looked quite authoritative. The trees around the palace, which had been planted by Niksic and Kim Chun, had grown to shade people who passed by.
The two insisted to make a magnificent palace, which came with a high cost, but it was worth it since the palace represented the status of the Archduke family. Although the Serbian royal family was not recognized by many now, one day it would be a great palace that everyone would recognize.
***
Among those who attended the coronation was Yaniv. He was staying in the state without returning to Volgograd, even after the event.
It was to meet Kim Joo-hyuk from Korea's H Corporation. A Mafia boss was better than a clumsy politician, and since Yaniv had a close connection with Putin, the most powerful man of Russia, Kim Joo-hyuk was eager to make a connection with him.
Since Yaniv had been getting rid of small businesses, he also wanted to participate in a bigger business. Rather than playing the role of an agency, he wanted to be a shareholder of H Corporation. Both parties seemed to be interested in the benefits of doing business together.
For H Corporation, having Yaniv as a business partner was like the establishment of H Corporation's train car business in Russia was guaranteed. Although a foreign company, locally produced electric trains were considered to be domestic products because it was a good opportunity for Russia to create jobs for people as well as to receive technology transfers.
When Youngho provided an opportunity for a good joint venture, Yaniv was very happy. Foreign companies and joint ventures with high technology would also strengthen Yaniv's position as a businessman in Russia.
He kept on paying Youngho a commission.
"Lee, I can't face you like this. I'm sorry that I came here empty-handed, but people would point fingers if I don't pay you for what you deserve."
"Oh, Mr. Yaniv. I appreciate your visit to the state. What can I ask for more? Also, if it weren't for your help, I couldn't have even dared to start doing business in Russia. You've been taking care of me for so long. There's nothing I'll ask of you."
Advertisement
"Hmmm. Well, let's do this then. Why don't I give you some share of the H Corporation's Russian joint venture?"
"I don`t want to get a share without making an investment. If you let me, I'll make a fair investment too."
"You seem to be running quite an amount of cash these days."
" I have some spare because I don't have to pour more money into the autonomous state."
"Then I'll adjust my share with the company for you. Alright, now that you've made a debut to the world, start your aggressive moves, I'll help you, Lee."
"We've been quiet, but now the Kazakh government is actively supporting us. The reason for inviting media companies to the ceremony was to promote Kazakhstan to the world. The president also wants to support the state to improve the country's image."
"That's very good. Now, put on your wings and soar into the sky. If you need funds, I'll lend you a hand. Your autonomous state is a real deal. I'll be glad to support it."
Yaniv had been doubting about spending money on the wilderness, but now, seeing how it turned out to be, he said that he was jealous of the state. He felt a sense of hope as everyone of the state worked together to improve the state.
"I'm so flattered since you say that, Mr. Yaniv."
"Work with Sergey about the H Corporation business from now on. I'm always worried about him because he's not so bold."
Since Sergey was a son of his old, deceased friend, Yaniv cared a lot about Sergey. As Yaniv was getting older, he was becoming more worried about Sergey. He trusted Sergey and had been relying on him for a long time. So he was asking Youngho to look after him even after he was gone.
Once a brave tiger who commanded Southern Russia was sitting in front of Youngho looking old and weak. Although he was once the most powerful person in Southern Russia, time was fair to everyone.
"Brother Sergey is already my family. No matter what happens, our relationship will never change."
"Well, that's what I want to hear. He doesn't fit in with the mafias, and when I retire, my organization will be attacked from every side. I've already distributed my businesses to my closed henchmen to secure my security, but I'm always worried. Mafias are not as loyal as they used to be."
"Mr. Yaniv, have you seen the armed forces of our state? If that kind of force is behind him, nothing will happen to Sergey."
"Hahaha… Now, the mafia is asking for protection from a civilian. By the way, I've always wondered why you're trying to grow an armed force for yourself. Who on earth are you planning to attack?"
Youngho was momentarily embarrassed by the sudden question. He had no particular enemy. He was only building the military power of the state for protection. Nobody was really hostile to the autonomous state, and it was unnecessary to use money to build up its armed forces.
"May I say it's for the sake of peace? I just want to create an awareness that the state is a place you can easily cross."
"Do you mean war deterrence?"
"Of course. In the case of Switzerland, its neighboring countries didn't bother to invade it, not because it was great but because they feared that only their power would be weakened to fight against Switzerland when there was not much to take anyway."
"No, I know Switzerland is strong, but what about the Arirang State?"
"What about Arirang? We do have our hidden forces."
"Ha! Is that so? Like disguised cargo ships?"
"That's just the tip of the iceberg. Assume that the whole state is a warrior just like Switzerland. You're going to shudder."
"Hahaha… That's right, Switzerland is always perceived as an armed country, and I liked to see its imposing character without begging for peace."
Peace without power to protect oneself was nothing but a vain attempt. It was an accumulated experience of world history. Arms—was an essential element of a nation because peace would not last without power.
Switzerland never begged for peace to the neighboring countries because it already knew that there was no charity in protecting one's territory.
History of the Korean Peninsula also represented that too.
Knowing that the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War happened to take over the Korean Peninsula regardless of Korean people's will, Youngho did not want to repeat that humiliating history in the foreign land of Kazakhstan again.
When he explained the history of the Korean Peninsula as an example, Yaniv nodded.
"You know there are many weapons available in Russia too, right? Do you want me to bring some for you?"
"Maybe it's not an atomic bomb, is it?"
"It's not totally impossible to get that if you really want it."
"Oh, Mr. Yaniv. Please don't run into dangerous things."
"There's no dangerous work for the mafia. Anyway, I'll try to get you a strong one."
Advertisement
- In Serial96 Chapters
Paranoid Mage
Attention Amazon: ID: PRI-PSCSXB97WPG Now on Book Two! Check the Volumes selector to make sure you start at the right place! Book One: Paranoid Mage Buy on Amazon! Callum had seen things all his life. There are monsters and beasts living among people, but he learned very early not to admit such things, not if he didn’t want people to think him crazy. It turns out that the supernatural is real, but at thirty Callum has no desire to be part of that secret. Not that he has a choice when it turns out he is a mage, albeit one that hasn’t cast any spells in all his life. There are requirements, duties, and education that the powers that be insist he be subject to. To hell with that. Book Two: Renegade Mage Buy on Amazon! After escaping from the Guild of Arcane Regulation and the Bureau of Secret Enforcement, Callum has lost his greatest protection: his obscurity. Now the powers that be know who he is, and hiding is harder than ever. Nor is hiding a plan, just a reaction. Now Callum is forced to decide how he wants to approach the supernatural world, and how he’s going to keep himself secure when the apparatus of government is arrayed against him. Even if he wanted to live as a mage, that bridge has been thoroughly burned, and even if he wanted to live as a normal person, he is far too deep to close his eyes to what he’s seen. He has to make his own terms. Paranoid Mage is an urban fantasy but it goes rather sideways from the normal stuff fairly quickly. Chapters are Fridays, 5PM EST, with approximately 5,000 words per chapter. Join our Discord!
8 195 - In Serial55 Chapters
Villainous
DROPPED // ABRUPT ENDING -------- Being born a slave is unquestionably one of the most monstrous situations a person can find themselves in. Being reborn into the body and memories of a child slave abused and killed by her peers is something one step further. Thrust into an alien world with magic and science bound together and maintaining the social hierarchies of aristocracy, Li Mei had one more go at life, a brilliant shining opportunity. Burdened by a lifetime and a half of experience with the worst kinds of people, filled with an overwhelming desire for freedom, and granted a generous user interface, Li Mei will not just wreak havoc upon her murderers. They will call her ‘villainous’, but they can’t comprehend her drive to take vengeance one step further than was even wrought upon her.
8 140 - In Serial9 Chapters
The Adventures of BLUE EAGLE
"Herald City. A great American metropolis, with gleaming towers and bustling streets. Never before has there been a safer place to live and work, because the citizens know that when disaster strikes, they can count on the protection of BLUE EAGLE. Blue Eagle--also known as David Dufraine--was born with incredible strength, powerful eyebeams, superhuman senses, and the amazing ability of flight. Possessing a strong sense of justice, he seeks to protect the city from criminals who prey on the innocent. Having taught these values to his son Jack, who possesses similar abilities, they protect Herald City as Blue Eagle and Switch the Blue Eaglet! Together, the Father-Son Duo wages a war on crazy criminals and notorious ne'er-do-wells, including the powerful perverter of plant life, QUEEN VENUS. These are the adventures of BLUE EAGLE and SWITCH THE BLUE EAGLET." Welcome, everybody! This superhero adventure is a nostalgic return to the good ol' days of the Filmation and Hanna-Barbera superhero cartoons of the 1960s and 70s. With Super Friends, The Adventures of Super Boy, and The Adventures of Batman and The New Adventures of Batman as inspiration, I hope to take you back to the olden days of wacky stories jam-packed with superhero action and excitement! This is actually a leadup of a much larger project I'm working on (which will be played straight, have a darker and more serious tone, and will be a multi-season serialized epic). I've been itching to publish something with my characters for some time, and this 8 episode miniseries just scratches that itch. So while my main series is being written, I hope you find some enjoyment in some good old fashioned superhero fun.
8 198 - In Serial13 Chapters
Unstable (L x Reader)
This story is about you helping L with the Kira case but you have a very scary and dark past that you slowly share with your "comrades" along the way. And of course since this is a L x reader you end up falling for the lovable sleepless boy.I own none of the deathnote characters. Just (name) and her family and that's it.also trigger warning for some violence and gross menit does come but mostly at the end of the story....
8 99 - In Serial7 Chapters
Hurt The Same 2 || Amber Riley & Jayceon Taylor
Part 2 of Hurt The Same. Marriage isn't easy, and revenge is a motherfucker. After agreeing to forgive him, Amber is still having a hard time trusting him. Jayce is confused and desperate for a change in his life After having a dream about his tragic demise. Jayceon is working ten times harder to prove to Amber that he can make changes in his life, but because of lack of trust from Her, his old ways creep back in and he makes the worst mistake possible. Find out how Amber and Jayceon hurt each other again in Hurt The Same 2
8 86 - In Serial23 Chapters
Promise I can change your mind GxG
Kya has always been the classic 'good girl' but when her best friend Bri encourages her to step out of her shell things get kinda wild.
8 230

