Chapter 97 Inver's Jealousy

Inver Region.

Located in the west, 15 kilometres away from the capital city of Inver is the Palace of Hadria. A purple palace that has stood up majestically there since the foundation of the kingdom.

There, King Isaac Hadria Inver sits comfortably on his luxurious throne. He was surrounded by his court ministers.

Like many other kings, he needs to know the current situation across the kingdom.

Neglecting the governance matter wasn't an option.

The threat in the east is too large to be ignored. And he needs to keep a tight leash on his nobles so they never have a funny thought of betraying him.

Right now, the king patiently listens to the report from his trade minister, a young man in his late twenties, Count Joseph Bolgen.

"Our coal export to Ryntum Government has reduced significantly over the past two months. We predicted this downward trend would continue for the next three months before they completely stopped buying coal from us. Furthermore, the small merchants from Ryntum have also stopped buying coal from us. If we lose all our buyers from the north, our monthly revenue will be reduced by fifteen per cent."

Joseph's voice holds a concern in it.

The Kingdom of Inver builds its wealth by exporting coal at a high price to the surrounding nation. Although they're rich in other minerals as well, coal is definitely number one.

Due to their tireless effort, Inver manages to implant stereotypes of coal usage in households as a symbol of status and wealth to people in the southern nations.

As a result, all of their customers come from wealthy backgrounds.

A recent deal with Ryntum causes their income to soar high. Despite not knowing the purpose Ryntum uses it for, they are more than willing to sell them at a higher price. After all, Ryntum is buying at a larger scale.

"Do you know the reason for this? The reduction in purchase volume is too drastic," asked Isaac. He had received several letters from Ryntum to negotiate the coal price but chose to ignore them.

Joseph replies, "Yes. Based on our investigation, Ryntum has found a large deposit of coal in the area near their border with us. Coincidentally, they begin to mine it in the same month they lessen the purchase of coal from us."

Isaac clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Tsk, that upstart brat...First, he dares to think we stand at the same height and requests a discussion with me. Now, he flaunts us by mining near our border. How large is the size of the coal deposit they found?"

Joseph replies, "This...We don't have an accurate number but I can assure you it is much more than us."

Inver has a large reserve of coal among the southern nation, making them the largest exporter in the south. The kingdom has been using coal as leverage toward other southern nations for years.

With Ryntum entering this field, the monopoly and wealth they have gained from the coal trade so far may slip from their grasp.

Inver has been mining coals since the establishment of their kingdom, 100 years to be exact. Even so, their coal mine shows no sign of getting exhausted.

Compared to their reserve, Joseph basically said Ryntum has a quantity that easily exceeds them by several folds.

How could they not envy Ryntum's large deposit?

Isaac is naturally aware of this predicament. A monopolist like him doesn't wish for the monopoly to be broken. Thus, he reaches a conclusion like monopolists would do.

"How strong is their military compared to us?" asked Isaac.

"We don't have clear information on that. To be honest, our kingdom has little diplomatic contact with nations in the north. But, we can roughly guess it based on their history. Ryntum's army has fought two large wars, both against a number larger than them. They win both wars with the help of technology and the surprise element. So, I'd say their army has a considerable amount of strength and tactical capability. However, it is still far from competing with our military."

Soldiers on Inver spend their time fighting with Inverloch Empire next door. Every six months, the kingdom rotates the current batch of the army with another batch of soldiers.

Inver's soldiers who are not engaging in war with enemies were assigned different minor tasks such as ensuring public safety, hunting bandits or harassing the border of Caberia.

There is no rest in their military operation.

"I heard their weapons are so advanced that they can kill the enemy from a long distance and kill thousands of soldiers at once. Has someone confirmed this fact?"

"Thousands of soldiers are a bit exaggerated but it is true it can cause large-scale death and destruction." His intelligence minister replies. He is an old man in his sixties named Martin Midvier.

"Do we know the details of these weapons?" Isaac asks again.

"We were only able to get a sketch of it and are yet to get a hand on the actual thing. Ryntum guards their military facilities tightly."

"I don't want to hear any excuses!" Isaac shouted. "Do whatever it takes to get it. What'd you think would happen if Inverloch got their hand on it first?" Isaac frowns as he reprimands his intelligence minister.

Isaac's eyes coldly stared at his intelligence minister. Did this old man not discern the severity of this situation? Did he have no sense of urgency in him? A new weapon capable of changing the landscape of the battlefield emerged and the kingdom knew nothing about it. Yet he was still calm.

"I-I will send another batch of spies to their capital." The old man was started by the sudden shout. Inwardly, the flame of anger begins to form. Of course, he tries to get a hand on it. He had sacrificed a lot of his agent yet he only got negligible results.

Ignoring his intelligence minister, Isaac asks another question, "Joseph, what impact do we have on our economy if we go to war with them?"

"Most merchants in our kingdom are in favour of trading with Ryntum for cheaper food prices which they resell here for a difference in profit. From an outsider's look, it may seem like we rely on Ryntum for food. However, it doesn't mean we can't get those resources from other countries." Joseph replies.

"Hmm...Should we send some soldiers up north, the Minister of War?" Isaac's eyes shifted again to his war minister.

His war minister, Duke Jean Yolger shook his head, "In my opinion, we shouldn't do unnecessary acts of aggression that can put our kingdom in another war. Our soldiers are fighting on two fronts right now. One against Inverloch in the east and another one against Caberia in the south. Regardless of the prowess of our soldiers, they are bound to reach a breaking point if we push them any further."

"You are saying that they might not be giving their best if we forcefully send them to fight another war, am I right?"

"Exactly as you said," Jean confirms the king's understanding of his words.

"If Ryntum attacked us first, what would the scenario be?"

"In that case, the soldiers will fight to their last breath to...defend the kingdom." Something just clicked in his mind.

Duke Jean gradually became aware of Isaac's intention. "Your Majesty, don't tell me you're going to provoke them into attacking us first?"

"What's wrong with that? Based on their king's previous actions, I'd say he is a rash person. He was waging war with everyone left and right. King of Ryntum definitely is still hot-blooded in his head. He is a teenager after all."

"Well, if it is only provoking, our soldiers at the border can do it. My suggestion is to send a separate team so it doesn't affect the existing manpower there. Right now, our soldiers on the border have many duties to fulfil. Sending them to breach another nation may put a hole in our garrison. Once the Ryntum soldiers piss off, our soldiers might end up being massacred before they can report back to us."

"Do as you see fit, Jean. I'm waiting for the good news," said Isaac.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."