Chapter 161:

Chapter 161:

“Whaaaaaat?!”

When Abdul II heard the price of the Great Argonne’s treasures, he nearly fainted.

The cost was many times more than he’d imagined, making it difficult for even Abdul II to readily commit to the purchase.

“A-Are you really certain about the price?”

Otto’s quoted price was nearly 20 trillion in Korean won (not an exact match due to different currency values).

Even though the artifacts numbered in the thousands, it wasn’t the kind of money a hobbyist would spend.

“It’s not that this Elder Brother of yours doesn’t have money....”

“Of course, I know you have the means to pay 100 times that, or even 1,000 times that.”

Otto smiled and patted him on the back.

“But since you’re raising an army to punish those who dare to oppose the royal family, I’m sure you’re trying to save every penny, and I admire you for taking the initiative and tightening your belt as Sultan.”

“Mmmm! To think that my brother has his brother’s best interests at heart!”

Abdul II felt even more elated by Otto’s gesture.

Historically, The Sultans of Caliphate kingdoms have had one perverse tendency and that is their pride in money.

They were prone to flaunting their wealth by spending money like it was water.

They were extremely averse to appearing weak when it came to money.

Why?

Because it diminishes the prestige of the dynasty and the Sultan himself.

Otto knew this all too well, and instead of hurting Abdul II’s ego, he’d tried to pass it off as the frugality of being a saint.

“Besides, the attack on Jalalabad has disrupted trade for the time being, and I know all too well that my brother cannot spend money easily.”

“You are my brother after all. How well you know my heart, so please give my brother a discou.....”

As the word discount was about to leave Sultan Abdul II’s mouth.

“I am as tempted as ever to give you a discount, but I cannot. Discounted prices are meaningless.”

“Well, what do you mean?”

“Elder Brother, I know that you treat me well, and giving you a discount is not a loss. On the contrary, it would be a great gain in the long run, because I know you care about me that much....”

“And yet you can’t give me a discount?”

“Elder Brother.”

Otto said with a very serious, unflinching expression.

“These items were in the Tomb of the Great Emperor Argonne.”

“Isn’t that something you know and I know.”

“If I give you a discount it may diminish the prestige and jeopardize the spiritual power.”

“Spiritual power...?”

“What kind of figure was the Great Emperor Argonne?”

“Wasn’t he the great individual who calmed the turbulent lands and unified the Continent?”

When Otto heard Abdul II’s answers, he suddenly thought.

‘Great, yes, because he was a Great son of a bitch, hehehe.’

Of course, he didn’t bring the words out of his mouth.

After all, one cannot mess up a well-prepared holy meal!

“There’s an inscription on the tomb that says, ‘To the one who possesses these items, great power shall be given...’ ”

“.....!”

“Perhaps, with the help of these artifacts, you will be empowered by the spirit of Argonne the Great to turn the Caliphate into a unified nation instead of a tribal state. A unified dynasty led by the Pamirs.”

Otto’s words were like a poison dart in Abdul II’s heart.Gét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

Currently, Abdul II had his eyes set on building a unified dynasty during his reign.

For Abdul II, the narrative and symbolism of Otto’s findings were too compelling to resist.

And so.......

“I’ll buy it.”

Abdul II said bluntly to Otto.

“Not a penny less.”

“You are my brother after all.”

“On this one condition.”

“What is it? What is that condition?”

“Well, that is.”

Abdul II blushed, as if somewhat embarrassed, and said with a hint of shyness.

“Perhaps.”

“At your leisure, feel free to say.

“Can’t we do it in installments?”

Instantly.

‘No way!!!’

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, that’s the thing about luxury goods. The stories behind the objects are worth more than their intrinsic value.”

Camille, who was as frugal as Elise, didn’t quite understand what Otto was saying.

As a salaried worker, perhaps even more so as a government official.

“The important thing is the story behind the item. For instance, the brand, or how long the place that made the item has been around, what kind of evaluation it receives in the market, and how rare it is.”

“Hmm.”

“In that sense, the antiques I sold perfectly fulfill the criteria for luxury, and as I said, they fit perfectly with the ambitions of Abdul II and the life narrative of Argonne the Great.”

“And that’s why he paid that price for ornaments that do nothing, and aren’t even artifacts?”

“Because his ambitions are so great. He wants to be mentally reassured, and the person he most admires is the Great Emperor of Argonne.”

“I can understand that.”

“And Abdul II, although he’s the Sultan of the Caliphate Kingdom, seems to have a bit of a penchant for extravagance. While he’s politically savvy, he tends to be a bit careless with money

“No way.”

Camille looked like he’d been hit with a hammer.

Of all the countries in the world, he couldn’t understand why they’d traveled so far, all the way out here.

The Caliphate was the perfect place to do business.

They were the only nation that could trade without being exposed to Argonne, dispose of the items at a premium, and receive payment in the strategic resource, magic stones!

“Did you calculate all of this?”

“It was Ego’s idea when he recommended the Kingdom of Caliphate. That’s why I like Ego. He’s very resourceful. He’s got a great eye for logistics.”

Otto praised Ego and looked around.

‘This is a lie.’

Camille realized that Otto was lying.

He was sure that even though Ego had recommended it, there was no way Otto hadn’t seen all of this coming.

* /SchattenTranslations *

* /99viciouslordnovel *

That night.

Otto and his group were invited by Abdul II to attend a banquet.

On their way to the banquet hall.

“You rascal! When are we going to the Harem?”

“Ah! Come on!”

Otto scowled at Kairos.

“First we have to eat, and then we’ll go... Eat!”1

“Are you saying we go to the first place first and then to the harem for the second?”

“...Please don’t say something stupid like that, people will misunderstand.”

Otto thought Kairos sounded like a drunken, middle-aged department head with a tie on his head.

But Otto didn’t bother to criticize Kairos further.

‘Hmmm. Okay, we’ll see. Since he is singing about harem harem, of course I’ll take him. Hehehe. You just wait.’

Otto smirked deviously at Kairos.

“What are you plotting to do again?”

Camille asked, recognizing Otto’s expression like a ghost.2

“Ugh, conspiracy, when have I ever!”

“You get that look on your face whenever you’re scheming.”

“What’s wrong with my expression?”

Otto snapped.

‘You’re too perceptive for your own good. I don’t like people who are too observant.’

Just as Otto was thinking that to himself.

“Hello.”

Otto turned at the familiar voice and saw Saladin standing with the crown princess and the still young crown prince.

But something was wrong.

The crown prince was dressed in the regalia of Caliphate, while Saladin and the crown princess were dressed in casual clothes.

In other words.......

‘Could it be that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were not invited to the banquet?’

Otto’s expression turned serious.

** ** **

TL/N:

1. This Korean expression emphasizes the importance of taking care of basic needs before proceeding with other tasks. It’s akin to saying, “Let’s handle the essentials first!”

2. The expression “reading a person like a ghost” in Korean culture conveys the idea of intuitively understanding someone’s emotions, thoughts, or intentions. It implies that the person possesses an uncanny ability to perceive hidden aspects of another individual, much like how a ghost might see beyond the physical realm.