Empire of the Ring

These days, Youngho stayed in Azerbaijan more than he did in Kazakhstan.

He had a lot of work to do in Azerbaijan, but the most important reason was that he could not sit still in the Arirang royal territory because he missed his second child,

Ljubica would be one in August and was already growing fast enough to walk while leaning on the wall.

He frequently visited Baku under the pretext of fine-tuning the peace treaty because, but it was in fact because of Ljubica who was too cute in his eyes.

“Oh, my! Are you here again?” Fatima asked.

“Oh, I guess you’re not even happy to see me anymore.”

“Hohoho… No way. The kids are happy when you come.”

“Looking at your face, I can tell you feel bothered. Ljubica is the only one who welcomes me.”

When Ljubica, who was in Fatima’s arms, saw Youngho, she struggled to reach him with open arms.

Youngho held her and kissed her.

Fatima, who was wiping Youngho’s face covered with Ljubica’s saliva, carefully asked how Armenia responded, “They are glad to end the long and boring war, but the problem is that Armenians living abroad are not happy with the peace treaty. Armenia is a country that is supported by remittances from overseas Armenians, so we can’t ignore their voice.”

Armenians had more people living abroad than the population living in the country.

Most of them were living above the middle class in the U.S. and Europe and supported their poor country, Armenia.

Thus Armenian politicians could not ignore the voices of their compatriots abroad and the problem was that they advocated war rather than peace.

“Oh my! What about the pain of the mainlanders? War only brings pain.”

“On the other hand, it’s not something we can’t understand. They left their homeland like they were being chased. They had been supporting their country with that kind of pain.”

“But I still can’t let the poor mainlanders suffer from a pointless war.”

Fatima was upset to hear that Armenian overseas were turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people in the mainland.

“Well, no matter how loud they speak, public opinion here comes first. The compatriots’ demands are just wishful thinking.”

No matter how many Armenian overseas wished for war, the mainlanders’ opinions were most important as they were the ones to directly suffer from war.

***

While a peace treaty with Armenia was underway, three Aegis destroyers were launched at the Danish Shipyard.

Youngho and Fatima could not make it, so Szechenyi and Admiral Jun presided over the launching ceremony.

With them, the total number of Aegis destroyers owned by Kazakhstan rose to five.

With this kind of power, it could be considered invincible except for a few countries that were strong in the oceans.

Youngho was building up naval strength as without such forces, the future of Arirang Shipping, which traveled around the five oceans, was uncertain.

The world was now stepping up efforts to expand its naval capabilities as well.

Among them, he was concerned the most about China which were not only active in Southeast Asia but were also looking to the Indian Ocean.

Although the North Pole route was now open, most of the logistics were still transported through the Indian Ocean, so naval forces were also necessary for self-defense.

That was why he thought that he would need an overwhelming force.

No other country in the Indian Ocean could follow the Kazakh Navy.

Kazakhstan’s influence was increasing in the Indian Ocean, based on such a remarkable naval presence.

“Zeynep wanted to attend this launching ceremony, and she must be very disappointed.”

“Well, she must be more into doing the medical service than the launching ceremony.”

Usually, a ship launching ceremony involved the ship owner’s daughter or wife popping champagne or cutting a rope when floating a newly built vessel on the water.

Cutting the rope meant the birth of a ship, which was the same as cutting the umbilical cord connected between the mother and the baby when the fetus was born.

“Why is she taking the hospital ship instead of flying back?”

She could have attended the launching ceremony if she flew in since the hospital ship had finished its volunteer work in Madagascar for the first half of the year, but Zeynep insisted on returning by a hospital ship.

“Hoho… You don’t know yet? She’s trying to enter the port of Baku herself. She said it would have a dramatic effect.”

“What do you mean, a dramatic effect?”

“She wants to help the peace agreement with Armenia, saying that she’s an apostle of peace or something.”

“Hahaha…”

It was quite a cute idea, so Youngho could not help laughing.

If a hospital ship came into the port of Baku, it would certainly draw a lot of attention.

“What do you think? Sounds good, huh? How will the people of Baku react when the hospital ship appears?”

“Zeynep’s pretty smart. When the hospital ship enters the port of Baku, we’ll have to prepare a big welcoming ceremony.”

“There’s enough publicity to just let the media know.”

“I’ll make it a little loud. It’s not something to brag about, but it’s not something to hide. I’m sure the people will be very proud of such activities.”

Even rich advanced countries could not dare to operate a voluntary hospital ship.

Of course, social welfare organizations in advanced countries and meaningful doctors did volunteer work in remote areas, but most of them had been only temporary.

“Zeynep would not like to be too loud…”

“It’s about time for her to make her name known to the world.”

If the port held a raucous event, visitors to Azerbaijan would also be able to see it, and word of mouth would be spread through them. Then she would naturally be exposed to the global media.

***

The port of Baku was crowded with people who came to see Zeynep’s hospital ship.

Youngho had informed the media of the arrival of the hospital ship in advance.

When a huge white hospital ship docked at the pier, everyone could not keep their mouths shut.

Previously, such a huge vessel could not have entered the Caspian Sea, but the expansion of the Volga-Don Canal allowed easy access for a 25,000-ton-class vessel.

When citizens crowded out of the dock, tourists who visited Baku also came out to see what was going on.

They were as surprised as the residents as they had never thought of seeing such a large hospital ship in Baku.

Zeynep looked very healthy despite her long service and voyage.

“Good job. I’m glad you look healthy.”

“The hospital ship is better than a decent hotel, so I feel like I’ve been on a cruise, but what’s all this about? Why are there so many people out here?”

She was very embarrassed when she saw the crowds at the pier.

“They’re here to welcome you.”

“What? Then you should’ve let you know in advance. I would’ve dressed up more.”

“I’m sorry, but don’t you think it would be weird for people who have done volunteer work to dress up too much? I’d rather have a modest look like you have right now.”

Even while talking with Youngho, Zeynep was busy greeting Fatima and the children.

Interior Minister Sevan and other government officials approached the site where the royal family was greeting each other.

Then, political figures who had been watching from one side also flocked to the site.

They had come out upon hearing that the Queen and the Duke would come out to meet the hospital ship today.

These days, politicians and bureaucrats in Baku were eager to establish friendship with the Kazakh royal family. It was because the public sentiment was directed only to the royal family even though it was only symbolic.

Those at the dock struggled to get a step closer to the Queen and the Duke.

The scene of politicians shaking hands with the Queen’s group was being filmed as each came with a cameraman.

The photo was like proof of their friendship with the royal family.

This was their survival strategy, so Youngho did not stop them.

These days, the most influential official in Azerbaijan was by far, Sevan.

Today’s event was also organized by Interior Minister Sevan.

If there was a royal event, hundreds of police officers must be mobilized, so he was the person who made the most contact with the royal family.

Sevan had changed a lot since his recent meeting with Youngho.

Now, he had begun his own way without taking notice of President Aliyev.

Since the peace talks with Armenia emerged, the current administration had already been out of steam.

Youngho approached Sevan who was giving instructions to the police chief.

“You are working hard again today, Minister.”

“Oh, I don’t get tired at events like this. Look at the citizens’ faces. They are all proud of the royal family.”

Numerous people gathered, but they followed the police’s control relatively well, and the atmosphere was like a festival, as they gathered in groups and took pictures against the hospital ship.

Police on duty also treated citizens with a gentle look.

For citizens, this change in the police was simply a novelty.

When did Baku’s police ever be so kind like this?

They were like demons to the citizens, taking bribes, making mistakes over citizens, and making human rights violations.

However, at some point, the police had completely changed.

“It looks good. It’s because you made a big decision.”

“I feel at ease these days because I put everything down.”

Putting down the sword of power was not only a matter of self-determination as there must be a lot of political pressure on him. Nonetheless, he stood firm under all that.

“Well done. Someday, we’ll have a day to laugh together, remembering today.”

This meant that Youngho would continue to be together and prevent whatever storm they might have in the future.

“I’m ready to take my uniform off at any time.”

Sevan looked very determined.