845 – Meaning is what you give it – 2

Armenian artifacts found in Imperial territory are handed over to Armenia, and Imperial artifacts found in Armenian territory are handed over to Kpelopen. This is an unconditional, bilateral transaction, and no additional compensation is required in the process of handing over the artifacts.

This is a treaty that was hastily concluded in the wake of the recent Scepter incident. On the surface, it seems like the two countries made a groundbreaking declaration for the sake of the archaeological community, but the territories of the previous empires and Armenia or their predecessor kingdoms have never overlapped. The Scepter of Emperor Trika, which flowed down the river to the northern sea, is unique, so this treaty is just like a meaningless treaty.

But the treaty that was clearly supposed to be meaningless, the treaty that was supposed to end with the Scepter of Emperor Trika, has come to light again.

“Did people in the old days just throw everything they had in the river? Why are all kinds of things found in the sea?”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of solemnity at the sight of the emperor gulping down tea that hadn’t even cooled down yet. It seemed like he was more concerned with soothing his stomach than with burning his esophagus.

Of course, this is a possible situation. The Orb of the third King of Armenia was discovered in Sorden, once the northern border county of the Empire. To be more precise, the Orb of Armenia was discovered in the river that runs through the county of Sorden.

This is a river that leads to the northern sea where Trika’s Scepter was discovered this time, so it was probably swept here and there by the ocean current near Armen and then flowed back into the river. Or it was bitten by a fish and went in the opposite direction.

‘Why of all things.’

It’s complicated. If the relics were going to be discovered anyway, why didn’t the scepter be discovered in Sorden and the orb in Armen? Then there’d be no need to worry about this. Why did they find each other’s things?

‘The fucking sea.’

I let out a small sigh and took a sip of tea.

The North Sea. Its exact name is also called the ‘Deleus Sea’, but honestly, the name isn’t important right now. The problem is that the Scepter and the Orb were sleeping in that sea.

If something has happened once, we can’t guarantee that it will happen a second time, but if it has happened twice, it is very likely that it will happen a third time. In addition to the scepter and the orb, other treasures may be salvaged.

‘The aftermath of taking control of the North has erupted like this.’

I sighed again. Until a few years ago, the Deleus Sea was a sea worthy of the word “Kye-Ruk.” It was such a vicious sea that it was extremely rare to set sail, let alone salvage treasure.

The Deleus Sea is a sea that stretches across the entire western part of Armenia, so if Armenia had actively utilized the Deleus Sea, it would have been an unprecedented strategic point that would have allowed for ocean trade to the north, imperial landings to the south, and development of northern territories to the west.

However, the northern part of the Deleus Sea was covered with floating ice, the narrow coastline was so densely fortified that landing by the empire was impossible, and the northern territory was so ferocious that nomads could not even land properly. In reality, the Deleus Sea was of little use to the Armenians.

In such a situation, the empire took control of the north, and the empire and Armenia established friendly relations. Now, from Armenia’s perspective, active trade with the empire through the Deleus Sea was possible. All kinds of ships poured into the previously neglected sea.

‘Fuck.’

My head is spinning. If the problem is caused by the continent being at peace, then where can I complain?

“your majesty.”

“Tell me.”

“How was the jewel of Armenia, a kingdom that was not even a kingdom, lost? I am ignorant of Armenian history, so I do not know what happened.”

And when he brought up the question that had been puzzling him from earlier, the emperor became silent.

No, but I’m curious. If it was a jewel from a kingdom that existed before Armen, then that would be understandable. Armen is currently the second-largest power on the continent. Why would the jewel from such a powerful country be wandering around outside Armen?

“…There was a civil war in the early days of Armenia. The younger brother of the third king rebelled, and the king, who lost his capital in a surprise attack, fled to the west.”

The behind-the-scenes story was more serious than I thought, so I ended up shaking my shoulders in shock.

A king who lost his capital to a rebellion and fled, and the jewel he lost. There is a story that can be roughly guessed.

“If it were up to you, would you rather throw the jewel into the sea than hand it over to traitors?”

“That would be the case. It was said that the third king threw away the jewel, but the exact location was unknown. It was probably the sea or a river.”

The emperor said this, then touched his chin and fiddled with his empty teacup.

“But the real problem is what happens after that. My younger brother, who rebelled right after I threw away the jewel, was assassinated.”

“…yes?”

“The rebels fell apart when their focal point died, and the royalist forces in each region, who had been oppressed by the rebels, quickly recaptured the capital. In the end, the king only lost his treasure.”

It was such a crazy development that I just opened my mouth in a daze.

Usually, if you lose the capital and throw the treasure, which is the symbol of the king, into the sea, isn’t that a given? In the end, you fall by dying in battle or committing suicide. Isn’t that the general ending?

‘wait for a sec.’

For a moment, I felt my blood drying up. If the third king, who had been in danger, had won again and returned to the capital,

“Your Majesty, is it possible that the current Armenian royal family─”

“He is a direct descendant of the 3rd king. He must be really excited to find the jewel that his ancestors lost.”

I touched my forehead without realizing it.

This is an unconditional transfer, if the same treaty had not been concluded, there would have been all kinds of shouting matches between the Imperial Foreign Ministry and the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

“Count. I am afraid of what will happen if this becomes known. I am afraid that those who seek to make a fortune will flock to the northern seas, and that third countries that are not part of the treaty will intervene.”

It was a dizzying statement to hear, so I nodded reflexively.

What happens twice can happen three, four, or five times. What would happen if such a treasure were to fall into the hands of civilians or third countries? It is truly a fearful thing.

“Your Majesty, do you intend to reduce the value of the jewel to the same level as the scepter?”

“Well, the Scepter is from a fallen empire and it’s something that will fall into my hands, so it doesn’t matter, but the orb I found this time is a treasure of the current royal family. It’s difficult to arbitrarily lower its value.”

I couldn’t deny those words, so I just sighed.

That’s true. If you look at it, the King of Armenia is the one who readily surrendered the Scepter that his country discovered. To the King of Armenia, saying, “I found the jewel that your ancestors abandoned, so is it okay to make a shit price out of this?” is like asking for a fight. If I were the King of Armenia, I would start a thousand-man war.

“The best thing would be for Armenians to voluntarily lower the value of the jewel, but that may sound easy, but is it really possible?”

The emperor, who was about to bring the teacup to his lips, realized belatedly that the cup was empty and roughly clicked his tongue and stood up from his seat.

“Would you like some more, Count?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As soon as I finished answering, the Emperor lifted the floor and took out two bottles of vodka that were inside.

You crazy b*stard. You were talking about vodka, not tea?

***

I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’ve tried my best to hold back, but I don’t think I can handle not drinking today.

‘Fucking life.’

After toasting with the Count and the whole bottle, I downed the vodka in one gulp.

I wonder how this can happen. I don’t understand why the world is so strict with me.

Because he had a wise, kind, and beautiful wife? Because he had three children whom he loved so much? Because he had improved his relationship with his awkward younger brother? Because he inherited a powerful empire thanks to the great King of Restoration as his father?

In fact, God has given me many things. They were not easy to obtain, but if you say that He gives me trials in proportion to the grace He gives me, I can understand it.

‘Let’s take a breath.’

But this is too much. In a short period of time, trials and tribulations that make your hair turn white are coming one after another.

The Scepter of the Trika Empire was discovered out of nowhere, and a treaty was hastily signed with Armen. No matter how much the King of Armen thought that the Scepter of Trika was a taunt that provoked the hardliners in the country, it was a treaty where he unilaterally transferred the Trika relic that he had finally discovered. In return, he secretly gave a considerable amount of money to Armen.

He even sent a scepter he had made in a hurry to the Masalo family as a gift. He had prepared for the Count’s strong protests, and had invested an unexpected budget solely to lower the value of the scepter.

In that way, gritting his teeth, he eliminated any variables that could shake his authority, any elements that could challenge the mandate of the empire.

‘Now it’s time to see you.’

At this point, it feels unfair. I paid Armenia because I thought it would be a meaningless treaty, but it looks like they will pay the price and give us the treasure.

In addition, the jewel that Armen will receive is a treasure that was lost by the current king’s direct ancestor. If the jewel is inherited, the king’s authority will be raised, and it will not be shaken.

‘What should I do with this?’

I thought about it quickly. How should I overcome this ordeal that seems to have been planned by God? What kind of wise plan should I use to overcome this ordeal?

To be honest, I want to lower the value of the jewel like the Scepter. I have suffered all kinds of hardships because of the Scepter, and I cannot tolerate the King of Armenia benefiting from the jewel while he was still doing nothing.

‘This is a time when we need to adjust authority.’

Of course, in addition to private desires, there are also public reasons.

The scepter has been found, the orb has been found. Next, it wouldn’t be strange if a crown, a seal, or a throne popped out. It’s a pain to think about it like this and make a treaty.

So, we must adjust values ​​and authority. We must.

‘…I’ll keep quiet for now.’

However, if you reveal that you have found a jewel, you will be exchanging the Scepter and the jewel. In this case, the jewel will be noticed as a jewel, and the Scepter, whose value has just begun to drop, will only become more recognized as a ‘treasure of the same level as the jewel.’

Prince Luteus’ wedding is just around the corner, so let’s deliver the jewel then. If we deliver it in celebration of the royal family’s celebration, Armin will be happy.

And if the other party is in a good mood, negotiations are easy. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take advantage of that momentum and discuss adjusting the value of the jewel.

‘It’s a wedding.’

Come to think of it, the Count will likely attend Prince Luteus’ wedding. Should we leave the negotiations to the Count?

‘no.’

It was a very attractive idea, but I quickly dismissed it. The Count, though capable, was not particularly adept at diplomacy between nations.

The Count has also announced that he will step down from his position as Minister and enjoy his vacation during the holiday. If you bring up the idea of ​​negotiation to the Count, you may get a fist from him.

‘We have no choice but to leave it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.’

Let’s trust the expert, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in this matter. We will send a delegation to congratulate Prince Rutis on his wedding, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs.