Then Ereka called to him.
Well, Sungjin?
Huh?
So… you want to have Eustasia on our team?
Ereka’s voice was shivering with an unknown reason.
Yeah. Jenna can attack from a distance, but one attack that covers a wide range of moment is different from consistently attacking. Moreover, she is one of the rare heroes who has mercy on people. So I thought she would be a perfect team member for our upcoming fights.
Ereka gently nodded with his detailed explanation.
That makes sense. She is a great general, and she would make a great team member.
But she couldn’t ask him her next question.
Isn’t it that you want her as a girl?
Even if so, what could she do? But if not, that would be nice for Ereka.
Sungjin, but you…tried to stop me from fighting with you.
It was her who tried to stick with him on his team, but he tried to keep his distance at first. But on the other hand, he wanted Eustasia although she refused.
What is this difference?
This was a moment to celebrate Sungjin’s victory, but she was concerned.
Probably because I’m weak despite my level, and I’m not a person who was made to be a ruler. I’m just struggling to be one because of the situation.
On the other hand, everyone knew that Eustasia was a great general. She was a cool and confident woman.
Maybe she was not as strong as Sungjin, but they understood each other, and they were compatible. She felt their connection from when they played chess.
I’m just a person that Sungjin wants to protect.
But Eustasia might be a girl he wanted to be with.
She had so many questions that she couldn’t ask him.
Next to her, Jenna’s knife tail was sharpening in anxiety.
This is an emergency!
It was good that Eustasia rejected the offer and went back, but maybe a tiny spark between Sungjin and Eustasia could become a passionate fire. Who would know what would happen if they became a team!
Don’t worry, My Queen. I will take care of her.
Jenna promised herself.
I don’t know what those girls are thinking, Sungjin thought.
Ah, Right. Ereka, I need to ask you another favor.
What is it?
Please announce this bill and enforce it.
Sungjin handed a document to Ereka.
This is… a bill to limit the interest rates of private loans and to write off a lot of existing interest. It also cancels any debt if the payoff already exceeds the principle and if there’s a sudden amount of interest.
Yes.
Ereka was a queen. She thought about the consequences this bill would bring.
The heroes who had been earning a lot of money by loan-sharking would hate this, but the people who borrowed the money for the momentary difficulties in life would be grateful.
Eustasia bought some dishonored bonds to save a few, but Sungjin’s bill would set up a ground principle to build up a new rule that would change the future as well.
This is way more advanced compared to Eustasia’s method. You didn’t tell me this when she was here… was it to respect her present?
Sungjin smiled to answer her praise.
Not necessarily. Her method will minimize the conflict, while mine needs power to control the aftermath.
He admitted that Eustasia’s method had its reason.
There’s a difference between idealism and realism. Not necessarily that one is better than the other.
One who wanted to have enough power to realize his idea, and one who would find a solid, realistic solution—the two would conflict, but neither of them would be wrong.
The problem is, I’ve won the fight, but she still didn’t approve of my abilities.
The reality she saw was their defeat by the alliance of the three kingdoms. Even if they unified them, they would be destroyed by two greater powers from the outside.
Ha. This battle, I will claim victory…
So that she would consider his offer again. He wanted to bring her on his team.
But Sungjin, you are the one with that power.
Ereka found her smile again.
I will support you with my small power to help you.
It’s not small, I feel safe with you,
Sungjin responded.
That… that is good news.
Ereka blushed and looked down.
Even if it’s a lie to cheer me up, that made me so happy.
She felt better when he said she was also helpful, even though she was not as strong as Eustasia.
Looking at her being shy, Sungjin smiled.
She doesn’t know that she really is helping me a lot. She is really cute when she is like this.
She was the queen of a country but also a cute little girl, and also an extraordinary knight.
If he could combine the shield of Ereka with the sword of Eustasia, that would make a great team.
What I need is not just a victory, but a great victory so that she will reconsider.
Well, that kind of victory suited his tastes as well.
Chapter 6
The land of Eustasia. The Kingdom of Cariana.
Seyzo II enjoyed his new artwork under the sunset. It was a great pleasure for him to enjoy his own art while enjoying precious wine.
Although I made it, I have to admit that this is a really high-quality piece.
When the king said that, Count Satirus next to him answered right away.
I have never doubted your ability in creating such a masterpiece.
Next to them, the royal guards quivered in indignation.
Only a mad man or a treacherous adventurer who wanted to kiss ass would enjoy such a scene.
In front of them, there were… ten dead bodies displayed outside of the wall. But that was not the reason why the royal guards were quivering.
Those bodies became…
Accessories.
Bones. Flesh. Muscles. Nerves. Intestines. Eye balls.
Each part of the body was dismembered and displayed as if they were there to teach people what the human body was made of.
The muscles were sliced, and the intestines were stretched.
What is… this…?
It is a tragedy when a human kills another human.
But the soldiers understood that sometimes the king had to do such a thing to rule his kingdom.
Anyways, the king, who was in the highest position, considered them to be talking livestock. But even so, death without any dignity like this was too much.
Even when a butcher killed a cow, he would try not to cause too much pain.
This was a madness beyond technique.
Even crows wouldn’t approach the scene, fearing the grotesque display.
Such a perfect punishment for the traitors.
The evil traitors have been favored with your blessing to make them into such a great masterpiece. It is beyond even the blessing of Kaiser Bizar who opened the era of the silver.
The royal guards had a hard time not swearing.
The traitors? If they were the real traitors, maybe they did deserve such an inhumane punishment, but they were just porters who delivered food for the servants of the castle.
Their only crime was that they talked about the new king in a country nearby who married the princess and built hospitals all around the country so that the extras could get treatment. And they added in that they envied those people if that story was true.
They were now being punished as traitors because they didn’t appreciate what they had from their own king and instead envied their neighbors.
Under such a king, they didn’t know what would make them traitors. But the king was laughing and enjoying all this.
Hahahaha. That’s too much flattery.
I can’t lie to my king.
Hahah. Yes, I know you are a truthful servant.
So I have a favor to ask you, My King.
Sure, what is it?
When you build your new hunting ground, let me have the honor of creating a place that suits you…
Count Satirus deeply bowed, asking the king to give him a chance to serve him.
The development of the new hunting ground was a huge construction plan. It would have a massive budget, which also meant that he could embezzle a massive amount of money as well.
The royal guards next to them worried about ten thousand people who lived there, but they didn’t dare to open their mouths.
Hmm… Should I? Okay, sure you can take it.
Ohhh. He accepted. All I need to do is add one more flattering compliment!
While Count Satirus struggled not to laugh, the Lord Chamberlain came in.
Your Highness, the great General Eustasia is here to see you.
Oh. Eustasia is here? Bring her in.
Yes, Your Highness.
Shit. God damn it.
Count Satirus tried not to show his frown.
This was bad timing for an opposing party to walk in.
But the king already said yes. He won’t take it back.
Count Satirus stared at her fiercely walking in with her shiny silver armor.
Ha, I’m sure you’ve heard of what he did during your absence. What are you going to do about it? Are you going to use your hypocrisy now that you are on the people’s side and not the king’s? Or are you going to simply go with the flow?
If she went with the flow, he could still work on the new hunting ground, but if she crossed the king’s will, that would be even better for him.
How was your vacation?
Thanks to Your Highness, I had time to refresh myself.
Hahahahaha. Good to see you.
Thank you, Your Highness. Were you enjoying the sunset?
Yes. I was enjoying the sunset and the well-deserved ending of the traitors. I’ve ordered to do it personally, but isn’t it a masterpiece?
Now, what is your answer?
Count Satirus waited for Eustasia’s answer. She looked at Count Satirus and smiled brightly. They stared at each other fiercely for a moment, then she answered.
Burn them.
W… what!
The king’s forehead wrinkled. Count Satirus smiled discreetly.
Hahahahaha. You feel bad for them, so you want to cremate them? You just made a huge mistake!
It was well known that Eustasia had mercy on the extras. But she was so manipulative and juggled well between ideals and reality, and it was such a challenge to make the king hate her.
This shocking scene has clouded your judgment.
What did you just say?
I said to burn them.
Are you insulting me!? Do you think that is such rubbish has to be burnt?
Because it was your work, Your Highness,
Eustasia bowed and answered.
You… you…
The king looked angry like he was about to chop her head off.
If it was a work of Count Satirus, it would have been a masterpiece.
What?
The king became curious.
If this was a work of Michelchello, who made the Pantheon, I’m sure it would be a great masterpiece.
But because I was the one who did it, I should burn it?
Yes. Your Highness, you are the one who has transcendental amounts of creativity, who I would say is a reincarnation of the Art God. That wouldn’t be good enough to be your masterpiece.
Hmm.
I’ve heard that the ceramists break all their works with the tiniest fault in order to make the great masterpiece, even if they could sell those works to the market at a high price. Your Highness, you should leave one great masterpiece that can change the world rather than creating many works. That is a great piece of art, but your true ability is beyond that.
Hahahaha. You are right. I shouldn’t be satisfied with that. Go ahead and burn it.
That’s an excellent decision, Your Highness.
Shit, you manipulative btch, such high-level flattery.
Count Satirus was deeply disappointed.
But that is not the most important thing today. I want the benefit of the new hunting ground.
Your loyal advice opened my eyes. Do you want something as a reward?
I’m happy if you are happy, Your Highness. I don’t need anything else.
Hahaha. But still, you can tell me.
If I may… I heard that you are building a new hunting ground?
Yes. I need a resting place to relax from my affairs,
the king answered.
I will do my best to create the perfect place for you, Your Highness.
Count Satirus quickly answered to stop the king from changing his mind.
It is already too late even if you want it!
Eustasia smiled.
I agree that you need a resting place. Mountain Egrel is the second-best place in this country, people will praise your choice if you choose it for your new hunting ground.
The second best?
The king repeated her unpleasantly. But Eustasia continued as if she didn’t recognize that.
Yes. Everyone knows that it is after the Mountain Angril.
The king stamped his foot.
Nonsense! I need to take the best of everything. Having the second-best for my hunting ground is nonsense!
I apologize. I just wanted to… share the information I’ve heard…
She bowed deeply apologizing.
Count Satirus! How dare you not recommend me Mountain Angril!
Huh? That is…
Count Satirus couldn’t find his answer. Mountain Angril was not the best…?
That bitch…!
Your Highness. I’ve never heard of it—
That is curious. I’m sure you know of it well since it belongs to you,
Eustasia cut him and added.
What?
Seyzo II shouted with anger.
How dare you… you took the best hunting ground… and recommended me the second best…
Your… Your Highness. That is not true.
Shut up! I will make my new hunting ground on Mountain Angril!
Count Satirus. Why don’t you offer it if you don’t have any other intentions? You are such a loyal servant who would offer anything to the king, right?
Eustasia smiled gracefully, cutting his heart with her words and not with her sword. Her silver hair shone brightly.
Of… of course, Your Highness.
Count Satirus couldn’t say no, although his face was miserable.
