BVIB 38

Chapter 38

Whoosh

Late into the night, a series of popping sounds echoed through the village as flames suddenly erupted in every direction.

“Kyaaah!”

“Fire! There’s a fire!”

“Run! The whole place is burning—run!”

Screams rang out from all around. The fire was far too fierce for the village, which had only just emerged from the dry season, to contain. Panicked people ran in every direction, desperate to escape.

But then, without warning, a massive wall of earth surged up from the ground, encircling the entire village and blocking every possible escape route.

Cries of terror and agony filled the air as people realized there was no way out.

Someone clawed desperately at the earthen barrier, fingers scrabbling for a way through, but it was no use.

No matter how loudly they shouted or how desperately they tried to flee, not a single person could escape.

Children screamed, parents wailed in despair, and the chorus of panic echoed beneath the blazing night sky.

The massive mound of earth rose higher and higher, swallowing the sky until it formed a colossal dome over the entire village.

Whether because the earth had sealed everything off, or because no one was left alive, silence gradually returned. The world was once again cloaked in the stillness of night.

Not long after, the earthen dome collapsed as suddenly as it had appeared—vanishing without a trace, as if it had never existed at all.

From the charred ruins, a flurry of white ash billowed upward, carried aloft by the night wind. The pale powder drifted and settled everywhere, swirling through the air and blanketing the ground.

As the storm of white ash scattered on the breeze, a lone figure stood atop the remains, silhouetted against the sky.

“No singularity here, either,” the stranger muttered, clicking their tongue in annoyance. With a weary sigh, they scratched their head, then melted back into the shadows of the night.

A messy ponytail swayed from behind, the only detail visible in their disheveled appearance as they disappeared into darkness.

“I didn’t expect to be invited alone,” Roselyn remarked, glancing around the enormous council hall filled with Kaluta.

It was a little overwhelming to be surrounded by so many of them.

The Khan, seated at the head of the chamber, gave her a measured look. “I noticed you seemed wary of being watched, so I called you here by yourself. But if you wish, you may bring someone with you.”

Unlike before, the Khan wasn’t wearing her dancer’s costume. Truth be told, Kaluta attire still struck Roselyn as rather scant, no matter the occasion, but today, the Khan was draped in a shimmering silver mantle—the unmistakable symbol of Kaluta royalty.

“How are you feeling?” the Khan asked.

“Thanks to your concern, I’m much better now. The Kaluta medicine helped a great deal,” Roselyn replied, expressing her gratitude without hesitation.

“I’ve convened the tribal council to consider your proposal. Ultimately, we’ll hear you out before making our decision,” the Khan said, her tone formal.

Roselyn’s brow creased ever so slightly at that. So they hadn’t truly taken her seriously until now.

If the Emperor knew, he’d be beside himself with frustration.

During her days of forced rest, Roselyn had gathered her thoughts. She knew that before long, a plague would sweep through the Kaluta. In fact, it wouldn’t stop with them.

Soon, the entire Empire would be suffering under the weight of the epidemic.

Roselyn spoke, her voice steady and measured. “We wish to form an alliance with the Kaluta, including a peace treaty. We hope to open trade routes for moonstone and the outposts of Lish, and gradually build a relationship of mutual exchange.”

The Khan listened intently, saying nothing, her expression unreadable.

“In return,” Roselyn continued, “the Empire is prepared to provide financial, technological, and human resources to support Kaluta as an ally—until your nation is fully established. Whatever you need, we will do our best to supply it.”

The Khan suddenly interjected, brows furrowing. “Wait. What do you mean by ‘fully established as a nation’?”

“Just as I said,” Roselyn replied evenly. “His Majesty hopes the Kaluta will at least organize yourselves with the basic structure of a nation.”

Of course, she added, this was nothing more than friendly advice—advice meant for the Kaluta’s own benefit.

What followed was a lengthy debate.

Roselyn explained why the Kaluta should form a proper nation, while the elders and the Khan argued why they should not.

Both sides made good points, and neither argument was easily dismissed.

The Kaluta had lived as nomads for generations, moving from place to place. It was a deliberate strategy—by never settling in one spot, they minimized the damage they suffered whenever invaders struck.

To them, the idea of settling down and founding a capital was nothing short of monumental—a decision that would change everything.

Yet, without a capital, without the structure of a nation, they would never be fully recognized. They would always be dismissed as barbarians—outsiders without a real country.

Even if they chose to rotate between several capitals, it was clear they needed some form of national structure.

“Great Khan! This could be a ploy by the Empire to herd us into one place and wipe us out in a single strike!” shouted one of the elders, the leader of a minority tribe within the Kaluta confederation.

He was not alone in his suspicion; the council murmured anxiously.

“But we can’t go on living like this forever,” Roselyn replied, her voice calm but resolute. “I’m not talking about the present but about your future.”

Throughout the heated debate, the Khan remained silent, her sharp gaze fixed on Roselyn.

In turn, Roselyn paid no heed to the chorus of voices around her—her focus was solely on the Khan.

In the end, everyone knew this decision would be made by the leader alone.

Roselyn’s gaze swept the chamber as she spoke, “Perhaps this will be uncomfortable for you and the other elders at first, but the children—the next generation—will grow up in a safer environment and be exposed to a much broader world.”

She paused, letting her words settle in the heavy air.

“I’m asking you to think not just of today, but of decades and centuries from now. Of your people’s future.”

The Khan rested her chin on her laced fingers, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly, regarding Roselyn with a measured intensity.

“To be direct, our duchy has discovered a special mineral capable of containing Abyss as a weapon. The research is nearly complete.”

“What…?” The Khan’s eyes widened in shock.

“When that weapon goes into mass production, will the Kaluta be able to survive it?” Roselyn asked quietly.

The Khan bristled. “Are you underestimating me?”

Roselyn shook her head. “No, I’m not. I have no doubt that you would survive, Khan. But I’m talking about your family, your people—the land where your future generations will live.”

The room fell silent at her words.

The Khan was strong—no one doubted that. But she was only one person. If such a weapon truly existed and was mass-produced, it would threaten everything the Kaluta held dear.

Slowly, the Khan closed her eyes, as if weighing a heavy decision, then opened them again.

“So this is a proposal separate from the Imperial family,” she said finally, her voice low. “Are you suggesting…?”

Roselyn flashed a radiant smile, her expression blooming like a flower. The Khan hesitated, momentarily caught off guard by that dazzling beauty.

“Would you consider opening a separate trade agreement with House Bellion, apart from the Empire?” Roselyn asked, her tone light yet inviting.

“…What did you say?” the Khan replied, startled.

“The truth is, that mineral is incredibly difficult to process. We’re in dire need of trustworthy craftsmen,” Roselyn explained, her eyes twinkling.

The Khan’s eyes widened a fraction more.

“I’ve heard that the Kaluta have ancient ties with the dwarves. They say that whether young or old, everyone here is skilled at refining ore.”

Beneath her bright, innocent smile, there was a subtle, mischievous glimmer—like a child with a secret.

“This is top secret—even His Majesty hasn’t been informed. The mineral hasn’t been displayed or traded anywhere else,” she added in a whisper.

Someone at the round table swallowed hard, the sound echoing in the tense chamber.

Roselyn’s lips, painted a confident red, curved with calm assurance as she continued, her voice slow and deliberate. “So, would you be interested in being our very first trading partner?”

All around the room, sharp intakes of breath could be heard.

The first transaction for such a dangerous weapon was no trivial matter. To access the technology and weapon ahead of other nations meant the chance to stand above them all.

“Of course, as long as the technology doesn’t leave Kaluta, you’re free to use it as you wish within your own lands,” Roselyn assured.

“…Wait.” The Khan sounded disbelieving. “You’d allow us to use the technology? Is that really true?”

Roselyn nodded, her expression sincere. “Yes. If this deal goes through, it means we’re not just partners—we’re allies.”

The Khan let out a sharp laugh, unable to hide her amusement any longer.

What a sly, audacious proposal this was.

Roselyn pressed on, “Additionally… I can tell you the location of ‘Yuseok,’ the hidden stone somewhere in Kaluta. Of course, you’d need to agree to an exclusive trade with my house.”

“Yuseok?” the Khan echoed.

“Yes, it’s the raw stone used as the base material.”

“And you’re saying it’s somewhere here, in Kaluta?”

“That’s right.”

The Khan narrowed her eyes, suspicion flickering in her gaze. “Let me guess—did Sansar tell you about this too?”

Roselyn shook her head. “No, this is my own Abyss.”

The Khan stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly burst into booming laughter.

“Aha-ha-ha!”

Her laughter echoed through the chamber, bold and infectious. After a long moment, she lifted her head, grinning broadly.

“Very well!”

The Khan’s voice rang with decision, but she fixed Roselyn with a keen gaze. “But you said trust is the foundation of any deal, Lady Bellion. Lying won’t do.”

“What do you mean…?” Roselyn replied, her smile faltering just a little.

“You lied about the Abyss,” the Khan said, direct and unblinking.

Roselyn’s expression froze for a heartbeat.

Seeing her reaction, the Khan flicked her fingers, signaling most of the attendants to leave the room until only a select few remained.

“My name is Khan Halliona,” she said, her voice dropping to a more intimate register. “Let’s be honest now and start a real negotiation.”

It was the moment the true deal with the Khan was sealed.