The Prince Wants To Retire

28. The cost of interrupting rest is high! (2)

The West Continent’s strongest empire recognizes the nation of pirates?

Of course, even if this happens, it will be difficult to become an official state right away.

But what if the principality also recognized it?

Although controversial, it is highly likely that it will be recognized as an official national anthem over time.

The problem is that their identities are pirates.

“Um… … .”

“Is looting a problem?”

Kariel smiled as if he knew well what the pirate king was worried about.

“The base is pirates, but it cannot be changed overnight. After all, don’t you also need the recognition of the empire as a nation?”

That they are not mere pirates.

Even if you are a pirate on the inside, if you have the title of a nation on the outside, there are many things you can do with just that.

Because it is outside the criminal group, it is possible to have bargaining rights, and it becomes possible to enter into a formal contract instead of secretly approaching each upper level and receiving a toll or protection fee as it is now.

That alone will advance the Aisa Islands one step further.

However, the Pirate King carefully asked if that alone would not satisfy him.

“Is it possible only with the recognition of the Empire?”

“Well… … In the end, if we want to be recognized as an official country, we will have to change the fundamentals.”

It means that we have to change the way we live and earn from piracy.

The first step in that change is to protect the fleet going back and forth between the eastern and western continents.

At the same time, it can also protect sea routes through trade with other island regions.

Next is fishing.

Pirates do not make a living by plundering unconditionally. They, too, were fishing because they eventually needed other things to make a living. The only problem is that it’s not a big deal compared to looting.

In the end, to become a normal country, the fishery volume had to be greatly increased.

And the next step is the trading base.

Ultimately, this is the only way to make the most money.

It needs to be a geographically important point and a resting place for merchant ships.

It had to be a place where merchant ships from all over the world could gather and trade.

There will also be an industrial complex to process the goods.

The question is, can today’s pirates really do this?

So, Kariel came up with a realistic plan.

Giving arms and becoming a normal state by force.

Looting will continue for a while, but helping to pretend to be a formal state.

But it didn’t seem like that was what the Pirate King was worried about.

“Can you help us become a real nation?”

Cariel pondered for a while at the pirate king’s question.

The pirate king’s eyes were filled with earnestness.

The pirates’ future is not bright.

Now he is reigning as the pirate king, but if he twists a little, his family and his subordinates will all lose their lives.

And the newly seized pirates will also lose their lives to other pirates.

Every time there was a self-imposed disturbance, it failed to become a nation even though it is a fairly large island and geographically important.

But if the empire helps, the story is different.

“There is a limit to how much the Empire can help.”

Kariel said firmly.

Even if the empire helps, it is meaningless if the pirates themselves do not change.

Besides, Kariel also had a lot of worries.

No matter how hard it is to make Talos difficult, is it okay to help the pirates so far?

Even in the Empire, there were many victims of pirates.

It was not the first time that he was not satisfied with making trouble in the South and crawled all the way to the West to cause trouble.

In the process, many imperial citizens lost their lives.

“… … .”

The Pirate King was silent on Kariel’s answer. Clearly, if the pirates do not have the will to change, the plunder will not be able to stop in the end, so normalization is impossible.

“I will only ask you one thing.”

At the words of the Pirate King, Kariel nodded slightly.

“Do you think there is a possibility that the Aisa archipelago will become a ‘perfect’ normal country?”

At the Pirate King’s question, Kariel tilted her head.

“… … Do you think the Pirate King knows better?”

The pirate king looked at Kariel’s words without wavering.

“Even though they are pirates, they have their own information network. How degradation is evaluated in the Empire… … And how he got through the chaos of the West Continent. So let me ask again. Could the Issa Archipelago become a ‘real’ formal state?”

Cariel let out a small sigh at the Pirate King’s question.

Knowing that Kariel had the skills and insight, he meant that he wanted to tell you about a specific plan if he wasn’t just trying to use the pirates.

“It will be possible if you have only two things.”

“two?”

As the Pirate King tilted his head, Kariel nodded slightly.

“First, to lay the groundwork for becoming a normal nation. Second, cutting out those who are unlikely to change. But unless these two things come first, a perfectly normal state will be difficult.”

At Kariel’s words, the Pirate King bit his lip.

“Do I have to ‘cut out’ with the help of the Empire?”

“exactly.”

The pirate king who says that the second condition is required.

However, there was no room for compromise on this point.

If those who want to live as pirates remain in the Aisa Islands, they will always get stuck in the situation of going to a normal country.

So I had to cut it out and go.

If you get caught up in a situation where you have to risk everything just by laying the groundwork, there is no possibility.

“… … .”

“There is nothing difficult. I heard that your base in the west is threatened by the remnants of Belpurs.”

“It’s sending them there.”

Despite Kariel’s suggestion, the Pirate King could not easily make a decision.

It was because many of his brothers enjoyed the pirate life.

Kariel smiled and said to the pirate king.

“Do I need to think for a long time? First, as I suggest, start by putting on the shell of a normal state.”

The silent pirate king raised his head and looked at Kariel.

Then Kariel smiled and continued explaining.

“For now, please give me a taste of what a normal country is like. It’s never too late to make a choice after that.”

No matter how much pirates go out to loot, it’s always a matter of tension.

Merchant ships were not fools, nor did they navigate the danger zone alone.

They hire mercenaries, and they also hire escort ships with help from each country.

As a result, a battle ensued, and it was a structure inevitably causing people to die every time they looted.

That is why they buy slaves or convince prisoners to become pirates.

But what if we become a seemingly normal country?

Most of these risks disappear. You can negotiate for a regular toll and protection fee before looting.

‘Those who have tasted safety have no choice but to dream of being a normal country. If only we could add the sweetness of trade to that… … .’

The complete normalization of the Aisa Islands was not impossible either.

“If you really want to, we can discuss assistance with the Empire as well.”

At Kariel’s words, the pirate king’s eyes widened.

“Of course, it’s not free.”

“Anything you want?”

“Compared to other countries, how much is the cost of protection and tolls, and the cost of using facilities in the Aisa Islands reduced?”

“Is that enough?”

At the Pirate King’s question, Kariel nodded slightly.

Then he drew a smile on the lips of the Pirate King.

At this level, it was virtually as if the Empire was helping almost for free.

But Kariel thought differently.

If the Aisa Islands really became a nation later, it would be a huge benefit to the Empire.

“ruler! Talking about the future, I would like to start a full-fledged deal, how about it?”

“good.”

At Kariel’s words, the pirate king smiled and nodded.

The first thing decided upon was an advance payment of 100,000 gold for the protection of the Empire’s merchant ships and for harassing Talos.

And selling new style cannons.

But that wasn’t the only weapon the Empire sold to the Aisa Archipelago.

In the Empire, there were also weapons that were almost killed by magic.

A representative example is the musket, which was a valuable weapon to the extent that pirates now tell them to take it first when they die while plundering, but in the empire, it was almost abandoned in storage.

Because a better weapon system was created.

So I’m thinking of handing over the old system muskets to the pirates at a fair price, and being considerate of the cash-strapped pirates, paying with expensive items from the Issa Islands.

‘An era of great pirates might be created.’

If you dispose of the remaining inventory in the empire to the pirates, you will have more money.

At the same time, it could also have the effect of putting pressure on Talos and Roteon, so this was killing two birds with one stone.

“I want one more thing.”

“What is it?”

When Kariel asked with a tilt of her head, the pirate king cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“I want you to send technicians.”

“… … technician?”

“ah! I’m not talking weapons technicians.”

When Kariel asked with her eyes narrowed, the Pirate King hurriedly waved his hand.

“no way… … Are you trying to lay the foundation?”

Cariel, who noticed the Pirate King’s intentions at once, asked in surprise, and the Pirate King cleared his throat and blushed.

“Once it starts… … I intend to try it.”

To be a real ‘King’.

It was something all pirates dreamed of at least once, so the Pirate King had no intention of missing out on this opportunity.

However, Kariel’s thoughts were negative.

“The engineers going to Aisa Archipelago… … I wonder if it will be difficult.”

“Um… … .”

The pirate king was disappointed with Kariel’s answer, but he could understand it.

To him, Kariel offered an alternative.

“Cut out the clever ones.”

“Yes?”

“I might be able to teach you here.”

The Pirate King’s eyes widened at Kariel’s words.

“It will take more time than going there yourself, but… … .”

“Enough.”

“Good. Let’s talk to the center.”

“thank you. I will definitely pay the tuition fee.”

At the words of the pirate king, Kariel smiled and nodded.

Now that there is hope of ‘stepping up’ to a normal country, the pirates will start to attack Talos in earnest.

Realizing that he had to listen to the Empire, he was sure to run like a dog.

‘It’s dangerous, but I’m not in a position to hide it.’

Cariel smiled bitterly as he thought about it.

It was to start with a risk just by using pirates, but there was no choice but to overcome the crisis.

When all the deals were done, Kariel was about to get up for his next appointment. Then the Pirate King captured him.

“Take this with you.”

“This… … .”

A black plaque with a skull pattern on it.

In the center was a red jewel.

“I’ll be able to get help from the pirates once in a while.”

“ah… … .”

Kariel made a surprised expression at the pirate king’s explanation.

A black plaque that only those who have helped the pirates receive it. He gave it to Kariel.

If you think about the number of people who received this card in the history of the Aisa Islands, you have received an enormous treasure.

“It was just a fair deal… … .”

“If the recipient regards it as grace, it is grace. The prince is the benefactor of the Aisa archipelago.”

As the Pirate King said that, he got up from his seat and bowed his head. The pirates who were nearby also bowed their heads and quietly exited the small room.

As the pirates escaped from the country building, Kariel also got up and slowly came out of the building.

“Isn’t that too dangerous?”

“I can’t help it. We have no choice but to take some risks as the neighboring countries are coming out.”

Kariel sighed and answered Tarion’s question.

“Now all that is left is how to deal with Seongguk… … . I need to think about this a bit.”

I left the Inspection Department to deal with it, but it seemed that that alone would not be enough.

“Let’s get some rest. after… … I came to a famous city, but I can’t just work.”

“I’ve been looking for a good place.”

“okay.”

Kariel nodded her head in satisfaction while watching Tarion speak right away as if she knew how to say it.

He looked back at Chardonna, who was standing next to him, and lowered his head slightly.

“You worked hard today.”

“… … no.”

Chardonna speaks with a beautiful face and a smile.

A smile was formed on the face so beautiful that the viewer would be dazed for a moment, and even Kariel in the world felt confused.

“Kuhm! Are you thinking of going back right away?”

“I guess so.”

The iron wall cannot be left empty for a long time.

He had to return to his original position as soon as possible.

A slightly regretful expression appeared on the faces of the knights and attendants gathered around him, but Kariel smiled and nodded and turned her back.

When Kariel, who had turned his back without hesitation, disappeared from sight, Shardona looked back on what had just happened.