Empire of the Ring

Tromso in Norway had only 60,000 people for its population, but it was the central area of the Arctic region as it was often called the Paris of the Arctic region. It was a popular tourism site all-year-round. For two months from the end of May, the sun would be up even at night, and also, it was one of the places where people could observe the aurora.

When Youngho got there, it was still bright at around 8 o’clock in the evening.

“Boss. I think I will lose the sense of time if I live here.”

“Don’t you think they would have more productivity since they have such long days? By the way, I can’t find any open restaurant.”

“I heard they close at six o’clock no matter what. I guess they don’t care about long days.”

“I see. Hey, where are these guys? Did they get lost on their way to buy hamburgers? Or are they taking longer to take pictures around?”

“I guess we are going to have to fast today. Even the hotel chefs went home.”

“We have ramen noodles and instant rice packets, right? I guess we can go to the kitchen to make our meal.”

Youngho teased the follower couple for bringing Korean instant food, but it seemed like Youngho would get teased back for asking it. They had come out to find a luxurious restaurant but could not find anything.

Since the follower couple begged Youngho to stay there for another day in Norway, Youngho agreed with them and had just spent the whole day on the hotel bed. As it was evening, his group came out for dinner. Of course, all they found were restaurants with a closed sign. The followers were on a mission to find hamburgers, but they had not come back for a while. Youngho was okay with it because he was not that hungry. He was sitting on a bench and enjoying watching people walking on the street.

“They don’t seem to be busy at all. No one is walking fast. They’re quite relaxed.”

“Our people are as relaxed as these people at least at night. Well, they don’t have anywhere to go anyway. I guess they have no reason to move fast.”

“It’s not always bad to have areas for entertainment. I don’t understand how these people can close their stores so early.”

“Well, they are one of the richest countries in Europe. I guess they have good reasons. By the way, where are my young secretaries?”

When Youngho had just finished his sentence, he spotted the followers walking towards him with a huge bag of groceries.

“We almost went to the police station to report that you’re missing.”

“We went to the other end of the city. Can you believe it? It only took us this short time to go from one end to the other end and come back. It’s such a tiny city.”

“Oh, look at us. We can’t even find a restaurant in this tiny city.”

“Mr. CEO, can you believe it? It’s our first time here. At least, we know the city now. I guess In-hwa and I can come alone here for the next trip.”

“Only the two of you?”

“We need someone to buy groceries for our ships. Don’t you think?”

“You think our sailors do not have feet to walk around?”

“They wouldn’t know where things are because they would only be here for a brief moment. How about we rent a place for an office and lodging?”

Youngho had also thought about having an office in the city. It seemed that the followers would be okay in this safe city full of tourists. The state’s ships would dock here regularly from now on anyway, and it should be cheaper to rent a place for lodging for sailors instead of getting hotel rooms for them.

***

“If we are only targetting the Yenisei River in Siberia, the village of Bardu, which is a small fishing village in the northernmost part, would be the best although it would be a bit difficult to buy supplies from there since it’s a village with only 3,000 people. But if you are also thinking about Greenland, Tromso is the best for us.”

“How about Bergen, the third biggest city in Norway?”

“Sizewise, it’s as big as Tromso. But the city is a little too far south.”

The followers were ready to refuse other cities for their office but Tromso. They already researched the benefits of Tromso and rent prices for the buildings. Their intention seemed to be obvious to Youngho, but he decided to pretend that he had no idea.

“Well, I feel like Bergen is way better.”

“Bergen is the former capital of Norway. Everything is too expensive, and it’s too crowded there. We can cover both the cost of rent and supplies in Tromso with the price of the building rent cost in Bergen.”

“Is that so? When did you do all this research? I’ve got such talented secretaries, don’t you think so, Il-kwon?”

“Of course, Boss. You would’ve regretted if you decided not to take my advice to hire them.”

The followers were flattered by Il-kwon’s compliment, and Youngho decided to flatter them more.

“I was going to hire these talented young people. You just gave me confirmation.”

“Boss. You were having them work at the administration office. I am the one who strongly recommended them as secretaries.”

“That’s nonsense. I was only positioning them at the office so they could get used to the atmosphere of our state.”

The followers almost convinced themselves of how great they were while listening to Youngho and Il-kwon’s nonstop race of compliments.

“Haha, okay. I agree Tromso would be the best, but the only concern I have is that their supplies are too expensive. If only we can find a way to get supplies cheaper…”

“We’ve got it, sir. We will directly get the supplies from the merchants without any middleman involved. We’re positive that we can make it happen.”

“You’ve considered that far?”

“Boss. Are you planning on having our people reside here?”

“Well, once we start dealing with Greenland, we will have to keep someone here.”

The followers were about to scream to think that they had a chance to live in Tromso. Tromso would be like heaven to them compared to the autonomous state in Kazakhstan.

“Mr. CEO. We’ve already found the best place for our office. I believe if we don’t move quickly, it would be taken soon.”

Youngho was still playing along with them.

“Is that so? Why don’t we go right now?”

Unlike the building’s old exterior, the interior looked quite modern. The building had a cafe on the first floor, an office area on the second floor, and a residential area on the third floor. The rent was cheaper than the average cost of Baku downtown because the city’s major business was fishing and tourism. The residential area on the third floor had six bedrooms.

“Looks good. Sign a contract right away and place some office supplies on the second floor. Register the office as Polar Development Enterprise.”

“Polar Development Enterprise?”

“Siberia is also a Polar region too, right?”

Although Youngho spontaneously thought of the company’s name, it did not seem to be that bad.

“Don’t you think the office might be too small for the business then?”

“I don’t see any other buildings around here. The news will spread fast.”

“Should we post the satellite phone number on the door then?”

“What about the phone number?”

“What if somebody wants to call us? We will do sales with our shipping and transporting service.”

Youngho highly doubted that the company would attract many clients since it only currently had two 3,000-ton car ferries, but he just decided to give it a chance for the follower couple.

***

It had been two days since Youngho’s group came back to Zeynep Farm in Baku. He planned to go back to the autonomous state after staying there for a day, but it took longer because the followers were stuck with Leon. The followers would not let go of Leon who had become more active and mischievous now that he was at his daycare age. Since Fatima would need a break too, Youngho just let them be.

“Honey, you should stay another day. Leon might throw a tantrum because he wants to follow you, and no one can stop him when that happens.”

“I am going to run away once he falls asleep.”

“Haha…”

“I need to meet our agents in Siberia soon.”

“Trust me. They will like it if you arrive there a day or two late. Let the followers take a rest a little. I’ve heard that Jong-il’s coming with you this time.”

“Yeah. He’s got to go this time.”

“Then, can Il-kwon stay in Baku?”

“Do you need Il-kwon here?”

“His second child will be born in a few days. The father has to be there, right?”

“Oh. I had no idea. Thank you for the heads-up, Fatima.”

Youngho had no idea because Il-kwon would not talk about his private life ever. He would have felt sorry for Il-kwon if Fatima had not told him. Since Jong-il was coming along, Il-kwon would not feel so bad not accompanying Youngho this time.

“How is Rena doing at school?”

“Now you are asking? She is doing great. I believe she will be elected as class president.”

“How does she deal with her English?”

“Kids are totally fine with body language. Besides, she will learn fast.”

“She doesn’t look for her grandmother?”

“Not at all. She is so close to Leon. Jelyan is so jealous of her already.”

Fatima seemed to be happy about the kids getting along. Or maybe she was happy because she could be free from the little devil. Youngho appreciated her so much since he was only able to work and run the state because of her support. Without Fatima, Youngho could not even live a day.

“Why don’t we have a second child?

“Don’t even think about it. My hands are already full with Leon.”

“I know he is a little devil. But he is cute, don’t you think?”

“Would you have another Leon?”

“Of course. He is an angel when he is asleep. I’ll take ten Leons any day.”

“Umm, no way.”

Youngho thought Fatima looked so beautiful today.