Something Was Hiding Under Morris's Desk
"Minister Morris Dmitry, you've arrived."
"A moment, what brings the Minister of Magic here?"
I had sought out a restaurant where the neutral faction nobles gathered. To be precise, I was the one who had gathered them—through Ronald Count, the current leader of the neutral faction nobles.
"You're all here."
The nobles stared at me with baffled expressions, all except Ronald Count with his stylish black mustache. After a moment of dazedly looking between me and Ronald, they let out exclamations in unison.
"Could it be... that you gathered us, Minister?"
"That's right."
"Ooooh, finally!"
The neutral faction nobles' faces brightened noticeably.
"Will you lead us?"
A plump noble asked. To overinterpret a simple visit this much. They must be pretty desperate.
The reason I'd come here today was to gauge the neutral faction's potential. To build my own force no matter what, I needed nobles under my command who could move independently.
If they rallied around me, could they become a real source of power for me? That's what I intended to find out.
"We'll discuss leadership later. For now, let's eat."
"Very well. This way."
Ronald Count guided me to the seat of honor. Sitting beside me were Ronald Count, the leader of the neutral faction, and Viscount Yokenel.
These two aren't bad.
Ronald Count was one of the great lords of the western region. Viscount Yokenel was also a rising noble in the south. During the civil war, he hadn't been able to side with either faction due to managing the plague that broke out there. His influence had weakened relatively, but it was still respectable in the south.
But that was it. The rest of the nobles gazing at me with eager faces were either ones I'd never heard of or mere barons holding minor fiefdoms in some backwater.
This is the extent of it, huh.
I hadn't held high expectations, but even so, they fell short. There was no remarkable potential.
"Share your objective thoughts on the current situation."
If they at least had a good eye for the state of affairs, I'd consider taking them along. At my question, they all hemmed and hawed, delaying their responses.
The first to speak was the chubby noble who'd asked if I'd lead them earlier.
"It seems the emperor's faction holds an overwhelming advantage, so perhaps we should side with them."
A pathetic answer.
"Any other opinions?"
Were they avoiding the answer I wanted?
"With the two factions in balance, if we become the kingmakers..."
"By pursuing our own path and whittling away at both factions' power..."
"By hiring a large number of mages who follow the minister's reputation..."
They were trying to read the room in their responses, but none of them said anything that pleased me.
This was troubling. Were they all this useless?
"Ronald Count, Viscount Yokenel—nothing to say?"
Ronald spoke first.
"With the emperor's faction and noble faction in balance right now, we should bide our time and build our strength. The problem is how."
"There's no clear method at present. All the nobles capable of building a force have already taken positions on one side or the other."
"I see."
In other words, no solutions. At least it was better than the others who'd spoken up first. They at least understood what we needed to do in the current situation.
In my mind, I kept Ronald and Yokenel and erased the rest. There's no need for a bloated number of nobles in building a force.
The key is solid foundations.
It was hard to sense potential in the rest. They were the ones pushed out of the main factions to begin with. Pursuing their own interests would just breed more internal enemies.
"As the two of you say, a group without vision. That's the neutral faction's current state."
Everyone fell silent.
"I declared neutrality myself, but as things stand, it's hard to lead this group."
"Then..."
"I'll put it on hold."
Talking to all of them was a waste of time.
"Ronald Count, Viscount Yokenel—will you speak with me privately?"
"What about us?"
The remaining neutral nobles asked.
"Go home as you please. I have nothing more to discuss with you."
"Ah, understood."
As soon as they all filed out, I enveloped the area in silence magic.
"To keep it brief."
The two nobles fixed their eyes on my mouth.
"Abandon the rest of the neutral faction. They're no use dragging around."
I considered how they'd react. Would lingering bonds make them refuse and insist on sticking together? Would they try to persuade me? As leaders holding together a crumbling neutral faction, they'd try to sweet-talk me into joining somehow.
But their response exceeded my expectations slightly.
"Understood."
"If that's what you wish, Minister, we have no choice."
The two nodded as if they'd been waiting for it.
"You're fine with that? They seemed like a tight-knit bunch."
"They're just for show, padding the numbers."
"We can do without them. Even if we filled this place with those types, they wouldn't match a single finger of yours, Minister."
The two accepted without a hint of hesitation. As expected of seasoned veterans.
"Maintain the current neutral faction on the surface. And announce that I declined to join."
"You won't make it public yet, then."
Ronald asked.
"Correct. Because you're too weak."
"Agreed."
"First, build enough strength to have a voice. The announcement comes after."
Viscount Yokenel spoke up after listening for a moment.
"Then what about you and Solarion?"
"Solarion?"
"We heard rumors you're close to an engagement. That's why everyone thought you'd leaned toward the emperor's faction."
"Talks have come up."
But I couldn't actually get engaged to Emir. Tying hands with Solarion through marriage would mean aligning with the emperor's faction.
She's a fine woman, but...
With the situation as it is now.
I had no choice but to keep my distance. Politically, it was best not to link with the emperor in the current state.
"But there will be no engagement with Solarion."
"Understood."
"Gather a proper force. I'll carve out my own path as well."
"We'll await your word."
"Ah, and when you leave, act angry. Like I made some rude demand."
"Are they still outside?"
I nodded instead of answering and dispelled the silence magic around the room.
At that moment—
Crash!
"I absolutely cannot accept that! Even if you are a war hero, there are things you can say and things you can't!"
Ronald hurled his teacup to the floor and stood. Viscount Yokenel followed behind him.
Once their footsteps faded into the distance, I finally left the restaurant.
"Hmmm, quite an interesting meeting."
"How did you know?"
Shortly after stepping out, Emily with her blue hair emerged from an alley.
"Well, as you know, information is essential for merchants. Baron Miu suddenly canceled our appointment today. Seemed suspicious, so I came to check—and oh my."
Emily feigned surprise, covering her mouth.
"Baron Miu—the fat one?"
"Yes. Quite the greedy one. He loves women so much, it's causing me headaches finding people for him."
I asked Emily, who shrugged nonchalantly.
"What do you plan to do?"
Depending on her answer, I'd decide whether to let her live or kill her.
"Don't look so murderous. Right now, I'm not on anyone's side."
"Which means not on mine either."
"Interpret it as I could be on the minister's side. Hehe."
"My side?"
"Of course. A relationship where we hold each other's secrets and cooperate. Isn't that constructive? As long as neither side betrays, it's eternal peace."
Emily spread her arms wide.
"Cooperation? Not blackmail?"
She waved it off.
"Not at all. Blackmailing the empire's war hero? I just want a proper relationship with a prime customer. You're the head of the Magic Department and the Magic Tower—most vital to a magic merchant."
"Taking care of key clients?"
"Yes."
Emily covered her mouth, laughing. Even as a man, she'd been like this—gathering info behind the scenes and negotiating from a superior position. She'd cooperate with anyone profitable. Meaning she could easily side with the emperor too.
"And I should believe that?"
"You don't trust me."
"Naturally."
"Sigh, fine."
She sighed and raised a finger.
"To earn your trust, I'll tell you something. For fair cooperation, I need to reveal my secret too."
"Speak."
"I still love Cecilia."
Hearing the heroine's name here. Emily said Cecilia—not Empress. The heroine's name. One she could never call the emperor's wife, the empress.
If anyone overheard, it'd be lèse-majesté against the imperial family.
"Love? You want me to join forces based solely on your feelings?"
"It's not simple love. It's revenge against the one who ruined my love, shattered my life, destroyed everything. If anything, revenge born from love."
Emily's eyes were lifeless as she spoke.
"I want Cecilia back. I crave her. Madly. I'd give my life to reclaim her."
"Impressive resolve."
"Right? As I said—perfect cooperation sharing mutual secrets."
"I didn't expect you still loved that woman."
"Hehehe."
She just laughed, saying nothing more. The sub-male lead who'd been sincere in love. That was Emily's character. She'd staked her life on love, and when it failed, even changed her gender.
"Fine, I'll trust that resolve—the one that led you to castrate yourself."
"We'll make a great team."
I didn't fully trust her. But I was certain she'd be on my side for a while. Just in case, I'd prepare for betrayal.
Ronald, Yokenel, Emily. These were the allies I'd gained today.
After the meeting, I was in the mansion's study catching up on backlog work.
"Master Morris."
It was Baekseol.
"What brings you?"
She approached hesitantly.
"I missed you, my lord."
"I'm busy now. We'll talk later."
"But..."
Baekseol fidgeted with her fingers.
"You haven't come since that day."
"That day?"
I replied without lifting my eyes from the documents.
"The day I entered your room, my lord."
"Was it?"
"I can't forget your embrace since then."
I looked up at Baekseol. She was clasping her hands, acting cute.
"So you watched?"
"Pardon?"
"Unable to forget that embrace, did you sneak around like a rat watching me and Seria?"
She must have realized. Baekseol's face flushed bright red.
"Ah... that."
"Sorry, but I have no interest in rats."
"Could it be... you've kept your distance from this girl because of that? Even during our walk..."
"What are we?"
"Pardon?"
"You're just proof that the Crui tribe admitted defeat that day. Entertaining you then was mere diversion."
"Ah. But."
"If you want something, beg for it. Then perhaps I'll show mercy."
Baekseol panicked. This wasn't the reaction she'd hoped for. She'd expected at least a small response to her coquetry, letting her in. But this cold rejection?
What kind of man is he?
Even among the Crui tribe, and compared to other women in the empire, she wasn't lacking. Beautiful enough to stand beside Seria, the empire's flower, without shame.
Yet this reaction?
I need his seed to take back home.
With him like this, it felt impossible even if she poured her whole life into it. She had to bed him at least once.
Can't just pass out from foreplay like last time.
No matter her skills, if she couldn't keep him from leaving, it was pointless.
Today, I take control.
Baekseol approached Morris to draw him into her pace, blatantly radiating seduction.
"Then tonight, this girl shall satisfy you, my lord. You just receive."
Baekseol crept forward and knelt before Morris.
"Please accept this girl's service."
"This is the study. I don't want to do that while working."
"Because of others' eyes? Worry not."
Morris pointed under the desk where he sat. A spacious area matching the wide desk. Plenty of room for a woman to kneel hidden from view.
"This girl shall serve you here, my lord. So please, accept my service."
Baekseol was already slipping off her top.
Someone would come soon.
"Fine. But if you're not satisfactory, I'll give you pain you can't endure."
"Worry not."
Baekseol slipped under Morris's desk. She immediately unzipped my pants.
Zip.
She pulled down my underwear just enough, and my flaccid cock met the outside air.
Baekseol was shocked.
Not even hard, and it's this big?
The astonishing size even limp.
Are all men like this?
The sticks the women demonstrating seduction techniques had used seemed smaller.
Gulp.
Swallowing, Baekseol cautiously took my cock in her mouth.
Like this, right?
They'd emphasized repeatedly: slide it softly in your mouth, and men will love it.
"Ngh."
As she took it in, a groan came from above. He liked it.
Got it.
Baekseol gained some confidence.
"Mmph. Mmph-niim gamanhi gyesipsyo. Jeha da halgepsmnida."
(My lord, just stay still. This girl will do everything.)
With my still-soft cock in her mouth, mumbling made it unintelligible. Each word moved her tongue, stimulating me.
The thrill of exposing myself in the study made my cock react without much effort. And with the continued stimulation, it soon stood rigid.
Fearful thing, situations are.
To get this aroused with barely any real touch.
Slurp, slurp.
I looked down at Baekseol passionately sucking, wetting my cock with saliva. So diligent. Her desperation to get my seed was palpable.
Futile. My endurance was unmatched.
Then—
Knock knock.
The door burst open the moment the knock sounded.
"Minister!"
The woman who flung the door open was Luis, Alice's acquaintance and leader of Hongryeon. Behind her stood Seria, desperately trying to hold her back.
Of all the times.