Chapter 158 - Greed and Madness (4)

“WHAT?! I thought you were just going to scout!” Jackson exclaimed as Joonbum took up a beer after he took off his armor. Jackson knew how Joonbum wanted to be treated. His way of speaking and attitude were usually not allowed by nobles but Joonbum had no problem with it. Hectos stood up and tried to flee.

“Hectos, where are YOU going?”

Hectos flinched and turned.

“Me? Oh, I’m just… a bit thirsty. You know. Haha…”

Everyone was surprised to see Jackson shouting at both Joonbum and Hectos.

‘So this man is the counsel to the young Khalodian.’

Hectos was watching Jackson sheepishly.

“So how much did you do? What if they return with…”

“They won’t.”

Hectos avoided eye contact with Jackson, so Veriman answered instead. Jackson turned to Veriman and softened his tone.

“They won’t? Would you explain in detail, sir?”

Veriman began stroking his beard and spoke.

“I can’t say in detail, but we burned down their entire food supply. So they won’t be able to attack anymore. I believe it was you who prepared the fire?”

Jackson nodded but continued, “But just that won’t be enough to say for sure.”

Veriman then turned to Joonbum who was drinking his beer.

‘Ugh, I can’t have a single beer in peace.’

Joonbum sighed and then grinned at Jackson.

“I killed all their leaders.”

Everyone seemed to be confused. Even the knights who went there with him did not know of this.

“Killed? But how?”

There were thousands of soldiers in the camp. Killing a few was one thing, but killing the commanders was different. It was then that they realized the explosion that they heard. It was definitely related to their demise.

“Don’t dig too deep.”

Jackson frowned but didn’t ask again.

‘So he used that then… the grenade.’

It was a small but powerful weapon. Even powerful monsters were killed instantly if attacked by the weapon. Jackson figured out what had happened and he began smiling as he realized everything had gone better than he expected. The knights walked out of the room to avoid his creepy smile.

‘What is he thinking?’

Joonbum turned away.

“Go have rest for today. It’s just the beginning.”

“Huh? But…”

Some knights who left seemed to be unconvinced. It was right after an unbelievable victory and here he was, speaking calmly of what was to happen next.

‘I guess those Barisman brothers are dead also. It will not end quietly and they will want revenge.’

It was widespread news that the two sons of Duke Barisman from the Horun Empire were leading the attack. These two brothers were after the famed countess from a foreign land. They knew she was married to the count, but they still lusted after the woman.

‘Is that why he killed them?’

Veriman silently turned to Joonbum.

‘I heard he loves his mother. He left his country to keep his mother safe from the family feud.”

Thoughts began to fill his head and he then came to a conclusion.

‘He didn’t intend to at first, but he killed them all when he saw them.’

He looked at Joonbum.

“Since those two sons are dead, their family will come for revenge.”

“I guess so.”

“They will for sure. The duke himself has land twice the size of all Toria combined. He can even call himself a king.”

“Others will join.”

“Of course. It’s Duke Barisman.”

People began speaking among themselves while Jackson was grinning endlessly.

“Good, good. That’s nice. They will come prepared then.”

Joonbum nodded.

“Aren’t you too excited?” James asked Jackson. Everyone seemed to have the same question, but Jackson waved it off.

“No, no way.”

Jackson then continued as he looked at everyone.

“It’s better if they come all at once. If they come in small numbers, they will find a way to fight us. With this ambush, they will prepare for an ambush next. And we are not ready for a long war. It will only choke ourselves.”

Jackson stopped for a moment as Joonbum handed him a glass of beer. Jackson gulped it down and continued.

“What’s worse is that they don’t need to win.”

“What?”

Jackson nodded and continued, “The corn is a miracle crop, but it’s not enough to feed the entire continent. It’s limited. The empire is just trying to lower their own population by using it as an excuse.”

Everyone fell silent. It was more evil than they could have thought.

“It’s evil but effective.”

Joonbum frowned. Death was nothing to the people in this world.

‘It is, after all, another world. I will think about my choice again after eight years.’

It was time to concentrate. There was no time to hesitate or ponder about morality.

“We will have them form a defense line on the field and get them all at once.”

“They will be ready.”

One of the knights seemed to be concerned, but Jackson shook his head.

“No. No defense will be enough to stop us. They will see hell rain on that day and they will never think to come to our land anymore.”

Everyone was unconvinced. Some scoffed, thinking that this man did not know how to fight a war. But Joonbum was carefully listening to his plans.