Solo Swordmaster

#548. Simple!

* * *

From a student making timetables ahead of an important exam to a low-level office worker planning a wedding.

Everyone makes plans.

And it usually goes wrong.

Despite the best timetable, I stayed up all night playing games until the day of the test, or even bought a wedding ring, and my girlfriend dumped me.

No matter how perfect a plan is, even a small variable can easily ruin it.

Right now at this moment.

A cowboy looking at a map.

That’s why Billy was scratching the back of his head.

“I never thought it would turn out like this.”

“…are you saying that after you let me push through the project of establishing an African federation?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I meant that I knew it would be successful, but I didn’t know it would hit the jackpot this far.”

“If it were you, wouldn’t you have given the same answer when you failed?”

“How do you look at people and say things like that?”

Like an ant investor who heard that there was certain information, so I took a loan and invested in stocks, but it was actually false information.

Pascal, Duke of Plague, looked at him suspiciously, and Borrowed a shrug of his shoulders.

And pointed to the map.

“Let’s see. Isn’t this result proving that your choice was right in the end?”

“Hmm.”

Pascal reluctantly shook his head.

Map of Africa.

Among them, the black flags filling about half of them were showing how successful their plan was.

“Certainly… it is unexpected that so many military governments supported the establishment of the Federation in this short period of time.”

Establishment of the African Union.

thereby pressuring Egypt.

Get a reason to wage war.

To destroy the Red Dragon Clan.

Despite the strong urging of Billy and Gandhi to carry out this plan, Pascal was frankly dubious.

Can we really peacefully establish a federation on this continent that hasn’t been united for hundreds of years?

because it was very vague.

But in reality, the plan’s performance was astonishing.

It’s been less than ten days since we started contacting each military government.

About a quarter of the continent.

It was because more than 100 military governments were already preparing to establish an African federation by signing behind-the-scenes agreements.

at least a few months.

It was unexpected for Pascal, who was prepared to take years at worst.

Seeing him like that, Billy smirked.

“Well, Africa is a land of the jungle.”

“You think we stuck because we look strong?”

“Isn’t there the skill our priest has shown so far?”

before the peacekeeping force was dispatched.

Or if it was right after being dispatched.

It may not have been so easy to cooperate.

But they have already seen the strength of the peacekeepers, to be exact, Gandhi.

Those who could think even a little would have realized long ago that they had no chance of winning.

Even under that circumstance, I was offered to stay in power and provide unlimited support if I helped establish the Federation.

Truly a stick and a carrot.

It was natural for the commanders to choose the gains between the two options with obvious gains and losses.

‘As expected, the ambassador is amazing.’

Billy stuck out his tongue.

Just a wanderer in the wilderness.

It was a method and result that he could not have imagined for him, who had no interest in military strategy.

“The problem is that the Red Dragon Clan will soon notice our movements.”

“Do you think they will stop the founding of the Union?”

“I’d appreciate it if you did, but the chances of that happening are probably low. Even if I block it, I will do it as cleverly as possible.”

If the opponent is the Red Dragon Princess.

I’ll just pick a fight.

But now, their enemy was not only the Red Dragon Clan.

“Because there are the Black Dragon Clan and our teacher Yangban over there.”

“Even if it’s the Black Dragon clan, you mean the swordsmith?”

“That nobleman is too good at feeding people shit.”

Limon was the one who subdued the Seven Dragons even more viciously than he did when the Seven Dragons were called the Demonic Cult and did all sorts of tricks.

Noh Kang-ho, who should be vigilant only with personality and experience, apart from strength and knowledge, is Limon.

Looking at Billy talking seriously.

Pascal frowned.

“You mean you don’t know how they might hinder us after all?”

“There are countermeasures, so don’t be sorry.”

“What measures are you talking about?”

“It is to establish a federation without a chance to disturb us.”

“…After all, doesn’t that mean that we should spend more money than we have now?”

The wrinkles between Pascal’s forehead widened at once.

Even if he is the commander of the peacekeeping force, in the end it is the seven monarchs of the World Federation who have the decision-making power.

After persuading them for the establishment of the federation and barely obtaining support, asking for additional support wasn’t the only thing I noticed.

Especially now, when the plan went too smoothly and the budget was consumed more than planned.

But Billy smirked, as if he didn’t care.

“Don’t be too cocky. When the spirits appear, tell them to shoot first. Isn’t this the time when performance is more important than money?”

“Because you know that, you are spending money from the national budget unit.”

“If you are satisfied there, you will lose. A man has a life! Run without looking back!”

“That’s what people who throw their lives at the gambling table say in Las Vegas, don’t they?”

Maybe it’s because I don’t trust it.

Despite looking at Billy with a very disapproving expression, Pascal eventually accepted the offer.

either to reduce waste.

either to achieve a purpose.

It was clear that it would be advantageous to attract as many military governments as possible before the Red Dragon Clan interfered.

And fortunately.

His choice was right.

As much as you invest your budget.

The number of military governments responding to appeasement also increased rapidly, and the plan to establish the African Federation was also rapidly progressing.

Later, it was to the extent that even military groups came into contact with them on their own.

At this rate, the federation could be established within ten days.

As soon as the prospect became clear, Billy’s nose soared to the sky.

“Look, what did I say?”

“Umm, the effect of investing the additional budget is certain, but…”

“Why? Any problem?”

“It’s because the funds are running out too quickly. Only the additional budget is the third.”

“Don’t worry about the little things. Originally a big road… No, it’s common to run out of money when you do big things.”

“Didn’t you just mean to say it was a gamble?”

I haven’t even fought the target, the Red Dragon Clan yet.

Is it because you spent money like water?

Pascal, who was treated as a money-eating insectivore in the World Federation, could not help but like it.

But he tried to console himself.

‘Anyway, the expenditure is only for a moment. If we just establish a federation, we can recover these funds.’

The reason why the expenditure is so large now is that each military government receives money and supplies for the establishment of the federation.

So, of course, spending will decrease after establishing the federation.

You can go to war with the Egyptian army.

after conquering Egypt.

If the property and businesses of the Red Dragon Clan were confiscated under the pretext of subsidies so far, this amount of damage would more than make up for.

With cold calculations, reasonable plans, and vague hopes, he continued to support the founding of the Union.

Without knowing that his mindset had changed to something close to that of a lamentist who said that he just had to win it and pay it back.

And as always.

The planned catastrophe has arrived.

“…what?”

Where did the elated look from not long ago go?

While Billy secretly averts his eyes like a father who threw all his fortune on a gambling board.

Pascal’s eyes were bloodshot as he looked at the subordinate who had come to report.

“What did those bastards do?”

Because I can’t trust myself.

Or maybe it’s because I’m afraid to answer.

With trembling hands, Pascal snatched the papers from the frozen subordinate’s hands.

And after confirming the resolution sent in a joint statement by the military governments he had been conciliatory to, spending enough money to shop around several countries.

in a trembling voice.

summarized the points.

“strike?”

* * *

“Huh? Why are you complaining all of a sudden after encouraging me to join the federation?”

“No, I thought it was good at first too. There’s no need to tremble with the peacekeepers right now, so what’s wrong with getting money?”

“By the way, where in the world is free? There must be a reason for spreading this much.”

“Come to think of it, I just knew. Those nobles intend to use us as cannon fodder in the event of a war with Egypt in the future.”

“Can’t we win?”

“Yes, it’s a war. If you win, you’re good.”

“But what will we have left by taking Egypt? I’m sure you’ll get all the good stuff from there.”

“And what about after that?”

“Suppose we establish a federation. Will you continue to spread money to us like now? Or will you leave us alone before then?”

“I assure you, our seats will be passed on to those who will play the role of a flag bearer by sticking to the World Federation.”

“Then we’re going to go out, we’re going out.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Simple!”

“I’ll just raise the ransom.”

“What is the reason those nobles are trying to create a federation while pumping money like this? Are you saying you need us that much?”

“So we’re going to make sure of that right now.”

“First of all, instead of these pennies, they take care of us properly, guarantee our seats, and give us discount coupons for items from the 7 major guilds…

”

“Or I will stick to Egypt altogether. In fact, Egypt has more money, right?”

“Just don’t be swayed and let’s try to balance properly.”

“Until then, the Federal Reserve will all stop.”

“Just like when we fought together as the Continental Alliance, let’s all unite and achieve a perfect victory!”

to defend their rights.

And for more gold.

It was the moment when all military governments in Africa went on strike at the national level, an unprecedented situation in history.

* * *

“How do you see Yoin?”

“I can only say that you are a swordsman after all.”

“Yes?”

Like a bride who has been praised by her groom.

While pouring tea for the dark-haired girl with a single smile, Youin calmly continued.

“Maybe it’s because the World Federation’s plan was too lax, though.”

“Because they have always been the overwhelming force and the absolute. It would be rare to meet an opponent who would try to cheat on them like this.”

Li Qingyu chuckled.

If the summoning lord was alive.

So if you belonged to the World Federation.

He would not have recklessly spread money to the military government in Africa.

Africa is a land of weak meat.

Everything is won by force.

It’s only natural that if you do something favorably, it’s considered a hogu.

It was the World Federation’s mistake in ignoring such local culture and revealing gaps only with their common sense that if you give, there will be something in return.

Their biggest mistake, of course, was that they underestimated their enemies.

The influence of the Red Dragon Clan.

Not even who their enemies are.

The one there is Limon Asfelder.

It was Noh Kang-ho who knew very well that it is difficult to believe in human goodwill, but it is easy to exploit greed.

“I remember what the swordsman said before.”

“What do you mean?”

Of course, I wasted more than ten days thanks to that.

Sympathize with the World Federation, which owes its money to pouring money into Africa indefinitely.

Li Qingyu chuckled.

“A real estate speculator feels more pain when he is hit with a piece of almost eaten land than when he is tortured or fined.”