The capital of the 'Sun of the Sky', the 'very large' city's western market. The city's largest market was bustling with people, with many shops and stores opening their doors.
Leather shops, grain shops, fish shops, meat shops, jewelry shops, farm equipment shops, clothing shops, fruit shops, etc.
Most of the shops and stores in the market were directly run by the country's top officials.
"This is an ornament made by a talented girl."
"This is corn that has been well dried in the sun."
"There is also precious rice here."
"Don't think it's expensive. It's a pickaxe made of iron, so it will never break."
"We have leather clothes, and we also have a lot of clothes made of hemp that are cool in the summer."
The store's employees were busy soliciting customers as they passed by. People of 'Sun of the Sky' carefully compared prices and checked the quality to buy the things they needed.
"How much is this dress?"
"There are ten iron coins."
"It's too expensive. I bought it for nine iron coins at another store."
"You shouldn't compare our products with those from other stores. The quality is different."
"I was thinking of raising one at home, but are there any live turkeys available?"
"Of course there is. Just a moment."
"yes."
Meanwhile, 'Splendid Sunset' appeared at the market together with several administrative staff.
"As the city develops day by day, the market becomes more vibrant."
"Yes, sir! Even now, people come to the government office every other day to inquire about opening a store in the market."
The administrative staff member warned him firmly as if he was well aware of the 'brilliant sunset'.
"Don't open a store too easily. You need to pay taxes to the country and buy a place to open a store, so check carefully."
After currency became circulated, people who had accumulated enough wealth to open stores began to appear one by one.
And they were the first to realize the value of money and rushed to open stores in the market.
"Yes, I understand."
'Splendid Sunset' and the administrative staff stopped in a store with surprised eyes, chatting about this and that.
"The line is endless."
"Yes, sir!"
The store, which had a signboard hanging in front of the entrance that read "Sun Noodles of the Sky" in Korean, the alphabet of the gods, was literally packed with customers.
"One turkey noodle soup, please."
"Four bowls of buffalo meat noodles."
"I'd like regular noodles, please."
Seeing the long line of customers who had not yet entered the store, an administrative staff member cautiously asked 'Splendid Sunset'.
"Should I tell the store owner that the manager is here?"
Before distributing the noodles made at the Ministry of Agriculture's Culinary Institute to the public, a state-run store was first opened.
After running the noodle shop for a few days, word of mouth spread and people's reactions were very enthusiastic.
"Okay. It'll probably take some time for the Director of Construction and the Director of the Intelligence and Inspection Department to arrive anyway, so let's just line up."
"Understood, sir!"
As 'Splendid Sunset' walked down the line of guests waiting, the administrative staff had no choice but to follow her and stand at the end of the line.
"This will help the country's finances by adding some money to its budget."
After a while, 'Splendid Sunset', who entered the store with the administrative staff, made a separate seat with 'Lazy Beaver', the head of the construction department.
"You arrived just in time."
"I'm sorry. I could have come earlier, but I have some urgent things to take care of."
'Splendid Sunset' looked at 'Lazy Beaver' with worried eyes as he looked at her with darker skin around his eyes.
"I called you, boss, so that you don't just work hard, but also get some fresh air. So, please take care of your health as well."
"Yes, I think so."
A small smile appeared on the corner of the 'Lazy Beaver''s lips as he felt good when 'Brilliant Sunset', who was about the same age as him, showed concern for him.
Just then, the noodles we each ordered arrived.
"Eat plenty, sir!"
"I'm the one living, so eat a lot, Chief of Staff."
'Splendid Sunset' is a fork, 'Lazy Beaver' is chopsticks.
The two of them kept exclaiming over the taste of the noodles, continuously putting them in their mouths as they were well-dissolved in the meat broth.
"I wish they would build the watermill and the flour mill separately."
"Yes. We are already looking for a site for a flour mill."
"When do you plan to build those buildings in other villages?"
"Once the watermill and flour mill are in stable operation in the capital city, which is a 'very large' city, we plan to build them in the central towns of each region one by one."
"When will the brewery be fully operational?"
"Since most of the alcohol is fruit wine, we plan to operate twenty breweries at once around the end of fall and winter."
They did not forget their duties and talked about various things related to work. And just as I was about to call the waiter to order more noodles because I thought one bowl of noodles might not be enough, the head of the Intelligence Service, the 'fast-footed deer', came into the store.
"What? You didn't wait for me and ate it all by yourself?"
The 'swift deer' was greeted by the 'glorious sunset' who smiled happily.
"Who was the one who broke the appointment? I was going to order something for you too."
"What's wrong? You know I'm busy. Anyway, you did a good job. I'll have the turkey."
"yes."
The 'fast-footed deer' sitting in the seat opened his mouth again with a very surprised expression as if he had never felt sad before.
"I just got some really good news. That's why I'm a little late."
Knowing that the 'fast-footed deer' was the one handling information internally and externally, both the 'splendid sunset' and the 'lazy beaver' widened their eyes at the same time.
"News about the war. How's it going?"
The 'fast-footed deer' nodded and relayed the news in an excited voice, as if the 'splendid sunset's' guess was correct.
"The brave wolf corps has received the surrender of the Abnaki League chieftains. The number of Abnaki League warriors captured this time is over a thousand. And they are advancing north to conquer the remaining Abnaki League tribes."
'Splendid Sunset' and 'Lazy Beaver' cheered with joyful expressions and clasped their hands together.
"That worked out really well."
"The war will end sooner than I expected."
The 'swift deer' continued speaking.
"I heard that His Majesty the Emperor is conquering the Illinois Confederacy without any major problems. I personally think that the war will end around fall."
"Then, in order to collect and stabilize the conquered tribes and lands, we must prepare in advance from now on."
"That must be so. And take this. It's a letter from His Majesty the Emperor."
'Splendid Sunset' quickly read the contents of the envelope that 'Swift Deer' had handed her. The 'fast-footed deer' waited with a curious look on his face, along with the 'lazy beaver'.
"What did His Majesty the Emperor say?"
"Nothing much. I'm just making plans on how to develop the land I conquered this time. Also…"
'Splendid Sunset' looked at 'Lazy Beaver' and said.
"They told me to create a research institute to research and develop various technologies."
"The lab? I don't know exactly what that is, but I'm going to be busy again for a while."
"What's the big deal? That's my job. I enjoy it."
"If that's the case, then that's good."
While 'Splendid Sunset' and 'Fast Deer' were talking, 'Lazy Beaver' sighed deeply with a sullen face. Knowing his feelings well, the 'fast-footed deer' patted the 'lazy beaver' on the shoulder and offered comfort.
"Why is the grass dead? I'm sorry. Anyway, cheer up."
Just then, when the noodles he had ordered arrived, the 'fast-footed deer' licked his lips and picked up his chopsticks.
Whoosh!
"The soup is warm, refreshing, and good."
"The turkey is also tender."
The 'fast-footed deer' ate all the noodles in one gulp and let out a long burp.
"I need to eat one more."
"Okay, then."
As soon as the 'Fast Deer's' spell was over, 'Splendid Sunset' spoke with a meaningful expression.
"Chief! Since the war will end with the victory of our 'Sun in the Sky' anyway, I think it would be a good idea to start spreading the word to the tribes that are being hunted by the Cherokee."
"beforehand?"
"Yes. Since we've conquered the three alliances, we'll even turn their tribes into the 'Sun of the Sky' people."
"hmm!"
The 'fast-footed deer', who had been pondering for a moment, nodded.
"I know what you mean. By the way, I think the Cherokee tribe will be very rebellious. Are you okay with that?"
"What can the Cherokee do? Our 'Sun in the Sky' has already become a country that no other tribe dares to touch."
"Right. But, why have you been munching on noodles like that since a while ago?"
'Lazy Beaver' answered weakly.
"I just don't have an appetite."
At that moment, 'Splendid Sunset' intervened in the conversation and said to 'Lazy Beaver'.
"Sir! I have a lot to discuss with you, so please come to my office after dinner."
The 'lazy beaver' suddenly opened his eyes and smiled brightly, revealing his yellow teeth as if he had never been sullen.
"Is that so? Okay, I understand."
The 'swift deer' watched the scene, tilting its head with a suspicious look.
"You're completely different from when you talk to me. You're laughing and talking. Something's fishy. You lazy beaver! You don't like bright sunsets, do you?"
The 'lazy beaver' waved his hands hastily, his face red.
"Ah, no."
"You punk! You surprised me with something you said to make me laugh."
* * *
Upper reaches of the Kaskaskia River. A small village of the Kaskaskia tribe. It's already been 24 days since we set out for District 4.
I conquered the four districts I was in charge of without hesitation together with the SS warriors. The conquered villages were handed over to support troops, mainly Shawnee and Susquehannock warriors, who then left for other villages.
When the guardsmen felt tired, they took a break in the village, by the river, or in the meadows. When supplies were insufficient, they sometimes procured them from local villages.
Conquer, hand over, and leave, repeated. Now only the last village of the Kaskaskia tribe remains. However, an unexpected variable has arisen.
In the distance, the Kaskaskia tribe's great warrior was blocking the village entrance, shouting loudly.
"Come out! My people think you are Manetho and Kichi (Great Spirit), but I do not believe those strange rumors."
"O Emperor of the Sun of the Sky! Come fight me one-on-one!"
As I watched the Kaskaskia tribe warrior continue to taunt me, 'Heavy Snowstorm', who happened to be next to me, gave a brief explanation about 'Manetho and Kitsch'.
"You can think of Manito and Keech as the creator gods of the Illinois Confederated Tribes."
I couldn't help but know about that god. Every time I conquered a town, the Illinois Confederates would look at me riding a buffalo and call me "Manito and Keech."
"I'll take care of it."
I shook my head at the words 'heavy snowstorm'.
"No, I'll handle it."
Already the people and chief of the Kaskaskia tribe were in a mood to surrender readily.
'I will become the Manito and Kitsch you believe in.'
I charged forward on my buffalo, recalling the bow stored in my inventory. And before I knew it, I had loaded an arrow into the bow I was holding in my hand.
Swish!
The arrow left my hand and flew at incredible speed, piercing the shoulder of the Kaskaskia tribe's champion. The Kaskaskia tribe warrior, who had been shaking his shoulders with a short scream, fell backwards and lost consciousness on the spot.
I stood in front of the great warrior, driving the buffalo, and lightly flew up and landed on the ground.
"how?"
"To defeat a great warrior with just one foot…"
As the Kaskaskia tribesmen began to commotion, I boldly placed my hand on the chest of the warrior who seemed to be dead at any moment, falling to the ground.
'therapy!'
A transparent and divine light instantly enveloped and permeated the body of the Kaskaskia Grand Master. The wound on his right shoulder had healed cleanly, and the Kaskaskia Grand Master looked around in confusion.
Meanwhile, the chief of the village came out and knelt down, his eyes filled with awe as he spoke.
"It is an honor to meet you, Manito and Kichi. We will gladly follow you, Manito and Kichi."
It's over. At that moment, for the first time in a long time, I heard a series of welcome notification sounds in my head.
[Tiring!]
[You have conquered the Illinois Federation.]
[You have leveled up.]
[When the conditions are met, one trait will bloom randomly.]
Finally, the last trait blossoms.
'What could it be? I hope it blossoms into what I want.'