I Became a Level -99 Vicious Lord

Chapter 238: +Picture

The Erzsebet Kingdom, as a major power dominating the western part of the continent, was a Kingdom with immense economic strength.

And no wonder, as the Erzsebet Kingdom was situated in a geopolitically advantageous position.

Its territory was positioned in a location that was central to continental western logistics, making the trade benefits immense.

As a result, the Erzsebet Kingdom possessed tremendous military power and was renowned as one of the foremost great powers on the continent.

"From the Kingdom of Erzsebet's perspective it makes sense."

Otto did not pay much attention to Ego’s words.

Why?

Because he already expected it.

"It's understandable to be concerned. With so many other issues to deal with, it's troubling that we're being targeted by them."

Currently, it borders the Arad Empire, the strongest Kingdom in the world, and there are many powerful neighboring Kingdoms with powerful military forces.

Therefore, despite being a powerful Kingdom, it could not rush to war.

Focusing their military resources in one place would likely trigger attacks from other powers, so they could not afford to fight a large-scale war except for small-scale localized wars.

Because of this, the Kingdom of Erzsebet primarily used money to pressure its neighboring Kingdoms.

Using its advantage as a logistical hub, it was adept at choking neighboring Kingdoms by imposing trade sanctions.

"It's a predictable step, so don’t worry too much."

"However, Your Majesty."

Ego’s expression was serious.

"They say they are raising tariffs on all goods flowing from the Kingdom of Erzsebet to the Kingdom."

"That's to be expected."

"Are you really not worried at all?"

"Well."

Otto gave Ego a nonchalant expression.

"We can just open up other distribution channels."

"Yes?"

"I'm also paying close attention to the Kingdom of Erzsebet, so don’t worry too much."

"Understood."

Ego sensed that Otto had something in mind and nodded in agreement.

From Ego's experience, Otto always knew the answer.

So when Otto spoke as if it were nothing, Ego felt reassured.

"I see."

Otto glanced at the map, his mouth curled into a scowl.

"How dare they interfere with my profits?"

At that moment.

*Flinch!*

Ego was frozen in place by the madness in Otto's eyes.

Otto was so furious that it made Ego’s skin prickle.

‘Well, His Majesty is sensitive about money, after all.'

Ego was all too familiar with Otto's obsession with money.

It was inevitable because the most important thing in running a country was none other than money.

A Kingdom is a money driven system!

But they're cutting off the source of that money and causing trouble?

It was only natural for Otto to be furious.

"And also, you see."

Ego continued.

"Because of the Kingdom of Erzsebet, there has been a significant disruption in the import of Obsidium."

Obsidium is a mineral that contains dark energy from the universe and is the primary ingredient in the dementia treatment drug, Diane.¹

Currently, the Lota Kingdom was fully prepared for the mass production of Diane and focused on securing the raw materials.

However, the disruption in the import of the most crucial Obsidium was a very serious setback.

With Quran’s dementia symptoms worsening, being unable to import Obsidium was a devastating blow to the Lota Kingdom.

"Heh. Hehehe."

Otto let out a maniacal laugh.

"Our lioness is going to interfere with my moneymaking. Yeah, I expected it. Okay. I have just cause. Let's see how this ends."

Otto muttered to himself, wearing a chilling smile.

That was his way of expressing his intention to never stand still.

A hundred times.

No, a determination that would be repaid a thousandfold.

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As Otto had anticipated, the Kingdom of Erzsebet was very sensitive to the presence of the Kingdom of Lota.

The Kingdom of Erzsebet had amassed tremendous wealth by leveraging its geopolitical advantages, but it had too many enemies surrounding it.

Literally enemies on all sides.

As a result, the surrounding political situation was inevitably very sensitive.

From the perspective of the Kingdom of Erzsebet, the rapid rise of the emerging power, the Lota Kingdom, held major implications.

When the Four Kingdoms of Loredin, Baltin, Slaine, and Cherokee were separated, they didn't seem like much of a threat.

However, when the Lota Kingdom absorbed all four of those countries within just six months, the Kingdom of Erzsebet had no choice but to feel a profound sense of crisis.

If the Lota Kingdom continued to grow and strengthen, it would become an incredibly burdensome enemy for the Erzsebet Kingdom.

King² Bathory of the Kingdom of Erzsebet was well aware of that fact.

Queen Bathory.

The so-called "Iron-Blooded Lioness," she was considered one of the most capable rulers among the monarchs of the Kingdom of Erzsebet.

Her Kingship was so powerful that it was nearly absolute, and she was not only outstanding in military skills but also highly adept in diplomacy.

Moreover, it was even known that her personal strength was immensely powerful.

As a Lord of a Kingdom, she was an exceptional ruler with no flaws whatsoever.

"Listen, all of you."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

At Bathory's commanding words, the high and low-ranking officials bowed their heads in respect.

"From this moment on, impose all possible economic sanctions on the Lota Kingdom."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Bathory had no intention of starting a war, not even a single bit.

Of course, with the military power of the Erzsebet Kingdom, they could easily turn the current Lota Kingdom into ruins and still have more than enough strength left.

However, from the perspective of the Erzsebet Kingdom, surrounded by enemies, starting a war recklessly could lead to their own Kingdom being raided.

Trying to capture the Kingdom of Lota could lead to devastating destruction at the hands of the Arad Empire or other powerful neighbors.

So Bathory planned to economically strangle the Lota Kingdom.

She intended to strengthen the defenses along the border with the Lota Kingdom to prevent any attempts at invasion and impose trade sanctions to reduce it to a poor Kingdom.

In time, the Lota Kingdom would likely start to express its dissatisfaction, prompting Bathory to pretend to lift the sanctions and offer some sort of unequal treaty.

What would happen next was very obvious.

An economically leashed Lota Kingdom would be dragged around, and would eventually be reduced to a mere minor Kingdom, rather than a major power.

In other words, Bathory intended to crush the Lota Kingdom not with military force, but with economic pressure.

"This concludes our meeting for today."

"Your grace is beyond measure, Your Majesty."

After concluding the court meeting, Bathory thought.

‘Otto de Scuderia. Do you think a brat like you could ever threaten our Kingdom? You are still far from it. Hohoho'

Bathory found Otto to be laughable.

She acknowledged that he had built up power in the Kashmir Region and absorbed the surrounding four Kingdoms.

Even that level of achievement was impressive among young monarchs and was enough to be considered exceptionally capable and talented.

However, from Bathory's perspective, having managed a great power for many years, Otto was nothing more than a mere child.

He was thought to be only capable of increasing the size of his Kingdom, but not a wise monarch who could see beyond that.

‘Soon, there will come a day when you will bow before me. Hohoho. I’ll make sure to treat you kindly then.’

Determined to teach Otto a lesson for daring to threaten her, Bathory headed towards the intelligence agency.

The Erzsebet Kingdom's intelligence agency was renowned for having some of the best capabilities on the continent, and it was an organization of great espionage prowess.

Such was the extent of its reputation that there were even stories suggesting that the true weapon of the Iron-Blooded Lioness was not military might or money, but intelligence.

"Listen up, everyone."

Bathory gathered the head of the intelligence agency and other senior officials and issued the following orders.

"From now on, make contact with those who are dissatisfied within the Lota Kingdom and recruit them."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"Situations must be reported in real time, and any unusual developments can be reported directly to me at any time."

Bathory planned not only to use economic sanctions but also to destabilize the Lota Kingdom from within through the use of foreign agents.

And that was currently the most fatal weakness of the Lota Kingdom.

The Lota Kingdom had expanded its territory too rapidly in a short period, so internal disorder was a given.

Naturally, there were bound to be numerous individuals dissatisfied with the current King, Otto.

Bathory decided to take advantage of that.

She aimed to actively recruit and support those dissatisfied with Otto in order to sow discord within the Lota Kingdom.

It was a highly complex operation, but Bathory was confident of accomplishing it.

Bathory had carried out countless such operations using the intelligence agency, and it was still an on-going process.

It wasn’t for nothing that the powers around Erzsebet Kingdom were silent.

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As the Erzsebet Kingdom's trade sanctions against the Lota Kingdom began, the continent was transitioning from autumn to winter.

As the cool breeze turned cold, the season entered early winter.

Every winter, the consumption of magic stones worldwide surged dramatically.

Magic stones were the most important strategic and energy resource in this world, and during winter, they were as essential as everyday necessities.

Even just a few pieces of low-quality magic stones could keep one very warm throughout the winter.

The larger the Kingdom, the higher its consumption of magic stones.

The higher a Kingdom's economic power, the more cheaply it could supply magic stones, making it unnecessary to go through the trouble of chopping down trees.

The same applied to the Erzsebet Kingdom.

The Erzsebet Kingdom sought to import a large quantity of magic stones before the onset of the full winter.

The primary source of magic stones for the Erzsebet Kingdom was none other than the Caliphate Kingdom.

The Erzsebet Kingdom had maintained a very good relationship with the Caliphate Kingdom for a long time through their trade in magic stones.

Therefore, the Erzsebet Kingdom intended to import magic stones from the Kaliph Kingdom just as they had every year.

But…

"What?"

As soon as the court meeting began, Bathory had to doubt her own ears.

"Did you say that the Caliphate Kingdom cannot export magic stones?"

"Yes, that is correct."

The official bowed his head, clearly at a loss for what to do.

Heating magic stones were essential for winter and thus a very important commodity.

If there were any disruption in supply, it could lead to an unimaginable disaster where countless citizens might freeze to death.

Even for a great Kingdom.

"What has happened?"

Bathory asked with a voice tinged with anger.

"Why is it suddenly that the Caliphate Kingdom cannot export magic stones? Surely there must be a reason?"

"Th.. That."

"Speak up at once!"

Bathory shouted with a voice as sharp as frost.

*Flinch!*

The high and low-ranking officials trembled in fear.

It was due to the intense mana storm emanating from Bathory.

"Forgive me… but."

The official, trembling with fear, managed to speak.

"The Caliphate Kingdom says that…. if the trade sanctions against the Lota Kingdom are not lifted, they will not export magic stones this winter."

** ** **

TL/N:

1. Diane – Ref Ch 179

*Medicine that was created by the Kuntachi Family Elder Alphondal

2. A female could indeed become a powerful ruler, even if the title of “king” was less common for women in medieval times.

Queen Bathory – 여왕 바토리

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