Misjudgment

Clop, clop—

“Yawn… this is unbearably boring.”

In the late afternoon as the sun began to set.

Zaid yawned lazily while riding his horse.

He was out for an inspection as a lower official of Tasham.

Dozens of armed Tasham soldiers escorted him.

‘A life assigned to such a filthy boring place… tsk.’

Life as a government official receiving state wages is predictable.

The closer you are to the center, the more you advance; the further away, the more you decline.

Zaid was a treasury official in a province far from the center.

Unfortunately, Zaid had been pushed out in factional fighting.

The fate of losers is nothing but demotion.

‘Working unnecessarily diligently, not giving them any openings. What good is a good reputation among the lower classes in the provinces? It’s the middle class at the center that matters.’

He resented his superior, the lord of Tasham, Hulani.

Hulani was a provincial official formally dispatched from the center.

He was the epitome of an excellent, incorruptible official praised by the people.

Occasionally, burning jealousy would flare up.

His dreams had already been folded the moment he was demoted.

‘Well, it’s not so bad even now…’

Because of this, he lives as a thoroughly corrupt official.

The treasury department that executes the budget is entangled with various types of people.

Powerful figures above, local dignitaries, merchant guild swindlers, back-alley ruffians, officials from other departments…

If you turn a blind eye, all sorts of gifts from these figures flow in nicely.

Since his provincial assignment, Zaid’s wealth had actually increased.

He was living a luxurious life no less than that of most nobles.

These were clearly illegal actions, but nothing could be more comfortable than turning a blind eye.

In fact, he wondered if this might be better than a formal entry into central politics.

‘That fat fool dares to spout nonsense.’

The strange report came in during the morning hours.

The Chief Merchant of the Water-colored Oasis merchant guild had barged into his office.

It was Abdul, the head of the water sellers belonging to the guild.

Naturally, they had been acquainted for a long time.

He reported that an incredible cataclysm had occurred in the village of the Samara tribe of assassins located in the 4th district of the provincial administrative zone.

He suggested they must check if demonic sorcery might be involved, out of concern for the safety of Tasham residents.

If resistance was expected, mobilization of the army with strong administrative power would be needed.

…Lastly, if some miraculous treasure had created a miracle,

The treasury department should naturally recover it, he advised.

‘What drugs is he on?’

Water passages opened and a great cataclysm occurred overnight?

Common sense dictated that such a thing was obviously impossible.

A miracle from a magic lamp containing the legendary great fire spirit Jin?

He planned to severely reprimand him when they returned.

In normal times, he would have dismissed it as nonsense, but there were many high-ranking officials around.

It was also his responsibility to inspect matters related to the people’s livelihood.

Especially suspicions related to the smell of money couldn’t be ignored.

Because that cursed fat man had mentioned the possibility of a valuable treasure.

It was incredibly annoying, but in the end, he had no choice.

Once a report came in, he had to work.

He couldn’t neglect his duties.

‘I’ll give you a severe lesson as soon as we return.’

In fact, Abdul had tried to contact higher officials, but he had caught it before things became complicated.

What if a central government official was dispatched and corruption was revealed during the investigation?

Ultimately, he would be the one to suffer the consequences.

Anyway, merchant guilds are unhelpful kinds.

If it weren’t for the tribute they steadily paid…

“We’ve entered Rashka territory… huk!”

The escort soldier who was holding Zaid’s reins and reporting while shading his eyes with his hand was terrified.

“U-uwaaak-! What the hell is that!”

“Oh! Almighty Sun God Zanitra!”

“Th-the entire terrain of the area has completely changed!”

The rest of the escort soldiers were also engulfed in shock and horror.

Zaid’s eyes narrowed and his mouth fell open.

“Wh-what in the world is that…!”

Vast waterways spread out on the distant horizon.

The streams intertwined exquisitely and split apart.

Literally, the terrain had completely transformed.

‘…Is it truly a miracle of the great spirit of the lamp?’

Before seeing it directly, he had only cursed.

But now, it had become reality.

What was unfolding before his eyes was clearly the truth.

“Ah! You’ve arrived now!”

A booming man’s shout erupted from the horizon opposite them.

A large man wearing a turban and dressed in elaborate arabesque-style outerwear welcomed them with arms spread wide.

A group of elders accompanied the man.

Zaid managed his shocked expression.

‘Did they know we were coming…?’

He had clearly thought they wouldn’t be prepared for an unannounced visit from an official?

Strangely, they seemed to already know.

Zaid shook his head.

‘Must be a misconception.’

Eventually, the two groups drew closer.

“To visit our village even at such a late hour! You are truly busy!”

Hakan wore a friendly, beaming smile that didn’t match his rough appearance.

“It is my natural duty.”

A lower official of the Treasury Department of Tasham Province.

Zaid flaunted his authority to the foreigners within his jurisdiction.

“I came by the order of Lord Hulani. What exactly is happening here?”

Though he had intercepted the report before it reached his superiors, he blatantly lied.

It was to put on airs by claiming a higher position.

Hakan answered with a wide smile.

“Haha, it’s a miracle of the Desert God Karayan that has blessed us who have been living in austerity.”

Hakan approached and grabbed Zaid’s reins instead of his escort.

Then he began leading Zaid’s horse for him.

It was an incredibly adept social skill.

“Since you’ve visited, please come to our village and talk comfortably.”

Hakan pulled Zaid’s reins and headed toward the village.

Both groups began moving toward the village.

Zaid looked around and couldn’t help but marvel.

‘…I see. It is indeed a miracle of the great spirit of the lamp. Such a thing would be impossible otherwise.’

A legend that children of Arubian grow up hearing at their bedsides.

A being that emerges when the owner rubs the lamp, granting any wish.

This was the moment when the presence of that legendary treasure in Akran Village was officially confirmed.

‘…Hahaha! Today marks the end of my tedious provincial official life!’

The corners of Zaid’s mouth rose as if they might tear.

It’s fortunate the Rashka found such a treasure.

Because it would soon become his possession!

The authority of officials belonging to a Khanate is sky-high.

If desired, they can readily take what belongs to the people.

He had no doubt the Rashka would do the same.

“Now, please come in.”

While Zaid was lost in his delusions, they had already reached Akran Village.

“Hu-huck……!”

“Zanitra save us, Zanitra save us.”

“What on earth has happened here…”

More shocked and horrified reactions erupted from the escort soldiers.

All kinds of strange scenes within the village came into view.

Wells that had dried up now filled with clear water.

Fountains where water spheres spouted incredibly fresh water.

‘The miracle of the great spirit of the lamp is truly remarkable.’

Zaid couldn’t help but be impressed.

There were also many other incomprehensible things.

Zaid and the escort soldiers naturally couldn’t understand the concept of a water park.

“We’ve arrived. Now please rest comfortably.”

Hakan released Zaid’s reins.

Zaid glanced at the surrounding houses.

‘Tsk, such bleak fellows.’

There were no villagers visible inside the village.

As per long tradition, except for the parties involved in the meeting, no one shows themselves when outsiders visit.

“Khah! So! What business brings you to our village today?”

Hakan smiled broadly while rubbing his hands together.

Zaid looked down at Hakan from his horse as if he were an insect.

“Hand over the magic lamp.”

“Pardon?”

Hakan’s eyes became puzzled.

“…What do you mean?”

“The magical artifact of the great spirit of the lamp that grants any wish. I said hand it over.”

“We have nothing so preposterous? I really don’t understand what you mean.”

Hakan blinked his eyes.

He truly seemed not to understand what Zaid was saying.

“…With that, I’ll overlook this month’s tribute.”

“Ah! You mean the tribute!”

Hakan exclaimed as if he had just realized.

Zaid glared at Hakan with icy coldness.

‘A dull fellow, just like his appearance.’

The six Rashka tribes living across the Shahar Great Desert.

Officially, they are known to have tax exemption privileges.

But that is not the truth.

When there are residents living on the national territory, it makes no sense even from a national perspective not to collect taxes.

In medieval monarchies, taxation was a very sensitive issue.

It was a matter observed by both nobles and commoners.

If there were groups with tax exemption privileges, complaints would inevitably arise.

If it’s not reasonable, it could even lead to rebellion.

From the perspective of states, special measures were necessary.

Thus came the solution: exploitation by officials.

Officially forbidden, but actually prevalent.

Especially toward the Rashka, it is overlooked.

It’s to check them so they never accumulate power.

For most Rashka, there was a reason they lived in such remote ways.

Because officials from the countries of their residential lands kept barging in to extract something.

This was the implicit state of affairs.

This was the truth hidden behind the statement that Rashka is a tribe with tax exemption privileges.

This background was also why Hakan yearned for an independent Rashka nation.

“Quickly hand over the lamp that grants wishes. The treasure containing whatever it is—a fairy, spirit, or demon—that fulfills desires. I’ll just take that and leave.”

Zaid, with an annoyed expression, extended his hand to Hakan.

Hakan responded with an incongruously innocent face.

“…I swear on my soul to the Desert God, there is absolutely no such thing?”

At those words, a vein rose on Zaid’s brow.

“You…”

He was clearly giving an opportunity to end this nicely, but he was being refused.

‘No, something’s a bit strange…’

Previously, when asked for something, they would usually readily give it?

Zaid detected Hakan’s subtle change in attitude.

The answer to his demand was a firm refusal.

Crunch.

Zaid audibly ground his molars.

‘…You dare to test me?’

He decided to try a different proposal.

“That child over there, that’s your daughter, right? I recognize her from seeing her several times.”

Zaid spoke while looking at the purple-haired woman among the group of assassins.

Hakan looked back at Nadia, then tilted his head and answered.

“Yes, she is?”

“Your daughter is remarkably beautiful. For a cruel murderer who lives by killing people, that is.”

Zaid spoke while staring intensely at Nadia.

“I hear female assassins are quite skillful? Enough to make one forget the cheap prostitutes in brothels. Offer your daughter to me. I’ll stay here tonight.”

Zaid looked Nadia up and down.

Nadia just maintained an expressionless face.

The surrounding assassins also had the same reaction.

Zaid’s words were true.

Using beautiful women and handsome men is also a proper form of assassination technique.

Depending on the Rashka tribe, there are certainly cases where such techniques are trained.

There’s no easier moment to achieve assassination than during sexual intercourse.

However, the Samara tribe to which Hakan belonged did not pursue such methods.

Samara members valued absolute physical and mental chastity.

Before finding a true partner, one must maintain purity.

The moment one knows lust, the precepts become disturbed.

“I don’t understand why your tribe is so rigid when each Rashka has different precepts. How nice would it be if you appropriately provided female assassins whenever I visit like this?”

Zaid, having changed the direction of his offense, poured out insults that couldn’t be more blatant.

Zaid licked his lips while looking at Nadia.

‘Finally today I’ll taste a female assassin.’

Hakan, who had been looking back at Nadia, grabbed the back of his neck as if troubled.

“Haha… I wonder how many times she’s been courted today. She really did inherit her mother’s beauty.”

Hakan looked back at Zaid and spoke firmly.

“But that child already has a man she’s partnered with. A very remarkable and great person. Therefore, that proposal seems impossible.”

A solid and willful tone.

It was reminiscent of a father-in-law speaking about his son-in-law.

A strange change occurred on Nadia’s previously expressionless face.

‘What are you saying, Father?’

As if she’d heard something incomprehensible?

“You!”

Zaid immediately kicked his foot from the stirrup.

Thud!

“Oops.”

Hakan, whose chest was kicked by Zaid’s foot, was pushed back several steps.

It felt like kicking solid asphalt.

“How dare you! Do you mean to mock me, Zaid, acting on the authority of the Amir! After all, you’re just parasites living off our territory! Know your place!”

Hakan stroked his bushy beard with his hand.

“…Hmm, this is troublesome in many ways.”

The large assassin village chief appeared to be contemplating for a moment.

So serious that he could be mistaken for a philosopher.

It was like watching a grizzly bear lost in thought.

“…Why do you think I came out to the edge of the village to welcome you, the financial official, today?”

“Isn’t it natural as subjects serving the Amir?”

“No, we do not belong to any such laws. We are independent foreigners. In fact, philosophically, land is merely a transient concept where one stays temporarily. What matters is the mind and soul. …But the truth is, there was a very fundamental problem with the existing system.”

Hakan began to speak fluently like flowing water.

“…Despite clearly having tax exemption privileges guaranteed by law, we were extorted tremendously. So we’ve been diligently paying all sorts of tributes until now. You committed deviations without a second thought. But the truth is… we just went along with it nicely. Because we didn’t want to cause discord with the indigenous people of the land where we settled. It was clearly illegal.”

His eloquence completely mismatched his appearance.

The audience was completely focused, drawn by his strange charm.

“…Compared to you people, that person is truly a great one. Without particularly gaining anything, bestowing such generous favors on us… and setting such an easy final condition…”

Suddenly Hakan looked down at the ground with an expression of longing.

“Oh! Great one. Magnificent one. Noble one…! Ah…!”

Hakan spread his arms wide and collapsed onto the ground face down.

He completely buried his face in the dirt.

Smack. Smack. Smack.

Not minding becoming covered in dirt, he kisses the ground.

Zaid and the Khanate soldiers all wore puzzled expressions.

‘Is there something in the ground?’

For a moment, Zaid wondered if some treasure was buried in the ground.

After kissing the dirt floor for a while, Hakan suddenly raised his dirt-covered face.

“Oh, my! Excuse me! Khahah! I’m sorry! There’s such a great person below us right now…! But I just can’t help it… Ah, aah…!”

Smack. Smack. Smack.

As if being sucked in, Hakan buried his head in the ground again and showered the dirt with kisses.

Zaid’s eyes became as dead as a corpse.

‘Has he gone mad?’

Hakan stood up again abruptly.

“Well, anyway, regarding the matter…”

While dusting off his dirt-covered body, he spoke as if summarizing.

“As of today, our Akran Village declares complete independence. Because we have now become the people of the great White Sovereign.”

Hakan’s voice, filled with energy, began to change gradually.

“If you simply return like this, we guarantee the safety that no harm will come to you and your soldiers. So…”

Hakan pointed to the open entrance of the village and said:

“Return all of you while I’m asking nicely.”

A firm resolve was settled in Hakan’s eyes.