Another problem emerged when they decided to visit the isnd. While the Southern Isnds became known due to their abundant resources, only one city stood among it. They could ride a ship to the said city but the isnd owned by Kani was out of the way. Karel won’t also be able to use his dimensional magic because he had yet to see the pce. With no choice left, they decided to buy a small boat enough for two people and a little bit of cargo.

  It took them eight days to arrive and Karel narrowed his eyes at what he saw. “When you say small…”

  Kani chuckled seeing his expression. “Compared to what my siblings received, this is truly the smallest one.”

  The blond stomped his foot onto the ground, faint magic circles began rippling from his position outwards.

  “No signs of life aside from wildlife and no beasts either. There’s a small ke in the west surrounded by forests and the mountain ridge in the southeast.”

  Kani nodded as he looked around. With how busy he was in attending his business, he never traveled to the said isnd until now. He held onto the nd deed but never developed it all this time.

  “We shouldn’t waste time. Come on. Stick close to me.”

  Kani walked closer to him as they entered the forest.

  By twilight, they camped in the woods near the ke and discussed their pns for the said pce.

  The blond suggested making at least two small towns in the isnd—one for a seaport or pier, the other would be a settlement near the mountains. Karel scouted and even mapped out the isnd the next day while Kani designed the town himself. Whenever night came, they ate and slept before the campfire. Such a routine went on until a week passed.

  “We need to hire workers to build the town.”

  “Do you have resources for that?” Karel asked, examining the stick in his hand.

  Kani slightly furrowed his eyebrows. “It’s not much.”

  Karel hummed, then discarded the stick on the ground and drew something in the air using magic, making a model of the isnd. As he assessed the terrain, he thought about his personal assets back in the empire and it already accumuted over time.

  Karel pondered about what to do. With his authority, he could also borrow a small gateway from the Technological and Development Institution enough to transfer goods from Ramaya. However, he might be reported for abuse of authority.

  “I think we need Elder Orazio’s help for this.”

  “Can he help us?”

  “Of course. While he’s called the Elder, he’s actually the current Marquis Asoka and in-charge of Kuju Prefecture.”

  Kani gaped. “I didn’t know!”

  “He’s temporarily filling in the position due to some problems in the Asoka main cn. After all, they also participated in the civil war and are still recovering from their losses.”

  “But, when did the Ramayan War happen?”

  “Four thousand years ago.”

  “What?” He gaped. “That’s already long before in the past.”

  “We have a different perception of time. You should have known this by now since you know my age.”

  “But, still!” He looked down at his hands, pondering. “How old is Elder Orazio then?”

  He hummed. “I don’t know. He’s been there since. I bet he’s already alive during the Mun Regime1 The Mun Regime was the second regime that reigned over the Kingdom of Ramaya after the Great Immortal War..”

  “Mun Regime?”

  Karel gave him a knowing look. “If I tell you about the Ramayan regimes right now, we won’t be able to work.”

  Kani defted.

  He huffed fondly. “I know you love the stories but I’ll indulge you some other time. We have tasks at hand.”

  He hid his pout away. “I understand.”

  Another quiet night came for the two men. Karel fixed the tents and added more wood on the campfire.

  Crimson eyes looked over and saw how pensive the brunet was. He offhandedly remarked, “Since this became a nd of the empire, you might need Ramayan Gold.”

  Kani froze on his spot at the realization.

  The exchange rate of Ryuu to Ramayan Gold was… Oh, thinking about it made him sigh defeatedly.

  Seeing his troubled expression, Karel spoke sternly, “Just leave it to me.”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s a small matter, Kani. Besides…” He hummed. “If we ask for Elder Orazio’s help, he would send trustworthy people to work on the isnd. The construction firm in Ramaya is the best one we can employ.”

  “Karel, you’ve already done so much for me, and now this?”

  Karel said nothing in reply but stood up from his seat and went to his side. He dropped onto his knees and embraced him instead. Kani stiffened at the contact, furiously blushed and pursed his lips.

  “Let me. Please.”

  How can I even say no to you?

  Karel huffed before parting from him. “I’ll help you with the finances, don’t worry.”

  He parted from the embrace, holding tightly onto the other man’s shoulders. “No! I cannot burden you with this!”

  “I suggested developing this isnd and if I won’t help you, even if it’s just a bit, especially with the finances, it won’t sit well with me.”

  He squeezed his arms. “This is already too much.”

  “Did you forget who I am, Kani?”

  He furrowed his eyebrows, squeezing his shoulders. “Then, tell me, who really are you?”

  Karel mysteriously smiled at him as he stood up.

  After they finalized their pns for Mapiya Isnd, Karel dropped him off in Weissdel and returned to Ramaya immediately.

  Once in Maya City, he donned his imperial robes and paraded himself inside the Technological and Development Institution. They obviously knew of his reputation and highly regarded him, however, during one of the discussions about borrowing a portable gateway, he was reported to the imperial court for his abuse of authority. While the Emperor shrugged it off as Karel being himself, the court also berated the Emperor for his inaction.

  “Not because you are a war veteran and a retive of the imperials, you dare abuse your authority?”

  Duke Marles, however, remained silent throughout the court session and spared not a gnce at his nephew. Not because he’s disappointed by his actions, but believed he could handle the situation. A Ryhtier of the former Crown Princess was not for decoration, after all.

  “I only helped another immortal, just like what my authority has jurisdiction upon.”

  The official snorted.

  “Or, would I remind you that not only did I contribute to the war, but I also eradicated those illegal activities you were involved in?” Karel shot him an arrogant look and the official shrunk on his seat. “Oh, I’m also one of the pioneers of the Gateways if you’re not aware and the same service system we all benefited from now was my idea I shared with the Emperor when we were younger.”

  “That doesn’t excuse your impudence!”

  “And accusing me also doesn’t excuse what you did.”

  Emperor Chen sighed. “Alright. This is going nowhere and it’s not like His Highness did that to commit anything against the ws.”

  “It’s because you’re so lenient with your retives that we’re like this?”

  “Show some respect, Marquis Law,” Marquis Rajiv chimed in, smming his fist on the table.

  The Emperor gestured for Marquis Rajiv to let it be and turned to Marquis Law. “You want me to be rigid with you then? Should I demand higher taxes? Or perhaps limit the production of Kuju? I can also turn your cn upside down if I wish.”

  “Your Majesty! That isn’t what I—”

  “Leniency is not what I did and His Highness only exercised his power to help another. Is it wrong to help?”

  Silence.

  “Besides, your family asked us for help when you’re in dire need, right? Even begging and kowtowing to be merciful and yet here you are nitpicking me about leniency.”

  Marquis Rajiv snorted, amused by the situation.

  After the argument, Karel was granted access to use the empire’s assets for his personal project.

  The Emperor gave him the signed missive. “Your Highness?”

  He bowed a perfect salute. “Thank you for the grace, Your Majesty. I will return bearing good news in the future. Please look forward to it.”

  “Of course! I will see you then.”

  Kelzo shot Marquis Law a smug look before sauntering off.

  The copy of the missive arrived in Elder Orazio’s desk the next day and Karel arrived during lunch to discuss further about this personal project it indicated.

  “It’s been obvious to me how great lengths you’re going to go for Kani.” He hummed, skimming through the documents. “For us Ramayans, it’s just a normal behavior, but have you viewed it from his perspective?”

  Karel stopped fiddling with the pen. “Does it matter?”

  Elder Orazio chuckled. “Silly child. Of course, it is. He’s not a Ramayan and might misunderstand your intentions.”

  He also chuckled, amused by the sudden turn of conversation. “I didn’t take you for an advisor about these matters too, Elder.”

  “I’ve always treated you like my own son, Kelzo. I care, you know this.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “So, just ponder about it in a while. While this behavior is not arming, the changes you’ve shown have been too great ever since having you under my tutege.”

  “Is it that bad?” He hummed. “To change?”

  “No, child. I just want you to know the consequences if it gets out of hand.”

  “It won’t, Elder.”

  Elder Orazio snorted, amused by his answer. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, Kelzo.”

  He sighed. “I’ll listen to you, Elder.”

  Three hours into the deliberation, Elder Orazio stamped the necessary documents for the construction. It eted Karel to see those documents and he nearly tripped on his feet.

  “Calm down, will you?” Elder Orazio chuckled as he held him by the shoulder, grounding him.

  He saluted. “Thank you so much, Elder Orazio.”

  “Think nothing of it, Kelzo. Both of you are my apprentices. Just do your job properly and let me know when you need more help, yes?”

  He saluted. “Yes, Elder.”

  “Go,” he shooed him away, “and tell him about the good news.”