The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 76
“Khan! This could be the empire’s trick to corner us and attack us all at once!”
One of the elders shouted.
He was the leader of one of the minority tribes within Kaluta.
“But you can’t live like this forever. I’m not talking about now,” Roxelyn countered.
The Khan and Roxelyn, despite the noise around them, maintained their focus.
Ultimately, they knew this decision would be made by the leader.
“Right now, it might be uncomfortable for the Khan and others, but the children growing up will experience a more secure environment and have access to a diverse world.”
“…”
“I am only asking you to think about the future, decades or even centuries from now.”
Roxelyn spoke calmly, and the Khan, with his hands clasped, slowly opened his eyes.
“My ducal family has discovered a special mineral that can encapsulate abyssal power into weapons, and its development has now reached its end.”
“What…”
The Khan’s eyes widened as Roxelyn continued.
“If those weapons were to be mass-produced, would Kaluta survive?”
“Are you looking down on me right now?”
“Not at all, Khan. You might survive, but I’m talking about your family, comrades, and future lands.”
The Khan remained silent.
She was strong.
But that strength was hers alone.
If those weapons were indeed developed and mass-produced, they would pose a threat to them.
The Khan slowly closed and then opened her eyes.
“Well, what I’ve presented thus far is the Imperial family’s proposal. But, by any chance…”
Roxelyn smiled brightly.
The Khan was momentarily taken aback by her radiant, beautiful smile.
“Would you consider opening trade with the Bellion Dukedom, separately from the empire?”
“…What?”
“The mineral is rather difficult to process. We’ve been in need of trustworthy technicians.”
The Khan’s eyes widened slightly.
“I’ve heard that Kaluta has ties with dwarves from ancient times. That’s why, whether children or adults, your skills in refining minerals are exceptional.”
A mischievously youthful expression flashed beneath her sunny smile.
“This is a top-secret matter not even disclosed to His Majesty the Emperor, and we haven’t presented or opened trade with it yet…”
Someone at the round table swallowed hard. Roxelyn’s red lips curved with ease and then slowly parted.
“Would you consider initiating the first trade with us?”
Breaths were drawn all around.
Accessing technology and weapons for the first time was a significant matter.
“Of course, as long as the technology is not leaked outside, it’s fine to use it comfortably within Kaluta.”
This was almost a gamble for Roxelyn, sharing dangerous technology with another country.
Yet, Roxelyn trusted ‘Sansar’, her friend she had known for a long time.
The children protected by her friend were trustworthy, and their refining skills were said to be so advanced they could even craft divine weapons, far surpassing the ‘Abyss Weapons’ created by the ducal house’s technicians.
“…Wait.”
If this could gain the boundless trust of the other party, it wasn’t a losing deal.
The Khan asked incredulously.
“You’re saying you’ll let us use the technology? Is that true?”
“Yes. If this deal goes through, it means we are allies.”
“Haha!”
The Khan could only burst into open laughter.
What a cunning trade proposal it was.
“Furthermore… I can also reveal the location of the ‘Flowstone’ hidden somewhere in Kaluta, provided you agree to an exclusive trade with my family.”
“Flowstone?”
“Yes, it is the name of the mineral.”
“It’s in Kaluta?”
“Yes.”
Whether it actually existed would have to be verified by searching, of course.
Generalizing broadly, it seemed likely that something similar might be found somewhere.
“Was it also Sansar who told you about that?”
To the Khan’s question, Roxelyn shook her head.
“No. It is through my Abyss that I know.”
The Khan stared at Roxelyn intently for a moment and then burst into hearty laughter.
“Ahahaha!!”
After laughing heartily, she raised her head with a smirk.
“Fine! But you said the basis of trade is trust, so utter no lies now, Ducal Lady Bellion.”
“What…”
“The talk of an Abyss is a lie, isn’t it?”
Roxelyn’s face stiffened slightly at the Khan’s words.
Watching her freeze, the Khan snapped her fingers to dismiss the others, leaving a few behind.
“My name is Khan Haliona. Now, let’s start an honest and proper trade.”
It was at this moment that the trade with the Khan was finalized.