Chapter 36
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Bluffing the Queen
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To stir up trouble, you need kindling.
Even the juiciest bait will fizzle out into nothing but smoke without extra fuel.
"Steadily, periodically? Nice picture you're painting. What exactly?"
"First off, I'm thinking two options."
I blinked at Manes, sitting across from me.
The wind up on the highest rampart felt even chillier, brushing against my cheeks.
"Hand over the queen, or cough up a price so steep it'll shake your political life to the core."
"Sounds fun. I'll handle the steep price myself. What if they reject both?"
"Threaten force."
I had no intention of actually going to war.
It was just a ploy to make them think we were ready for it—to corner them psychologically.
Bluffing, plain and simple.
"Make them think it's better to hand over one queen than risk war over something like this?"
"Exactly. Demanding payment is backup in case she doesn't come quietly. If they refuse both, it's on her. Something like that."
You're shaking our economy.
You're forcing us into war.
Pin the blame clearly on the enemy, and the anger naturally flows their way.
Just as we guide it.
"And I'd love if Aunt, you'd step up aggressively too. If we're only gunning for the queen, it dilutes the whole war justification a lot."
"Whoa... that's brutal. You ever stirred shit before?"
"No."
Tactical nukes, sowing discord...
I'd never done it myself, but I'd seen plenty.
"Really? Then it's talent. I like it."
Manes smiled with her eyes and nodded.
Space teleportation was the continent's pinnacle of mobility.
A monstrous ability that could punch through even reinforced grand surveillance.
If she were the enemy? I'd be glancing over my shoulder nonstop, probably dying of stress.
Thank god she's on our side. Saved my life just by existing.
A walking panic button that drove foes insane.
That was Manes.
"Shake the queen like that, then follow-up? Spread rumors?"
"Yes. As fast and far as possible. If word gets out your kingdom could collapse because of her, public sentiment turns ugly."
"She might get buried deep underground."
"Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease, Aunt."
I chuckled lightly, and Manes nodded with a grin.
It was like she'd become someone who lived for the game—pure delight.
"Ah, I hope she shows up soon. Can't wait to meet her and rake her over the coals."
I met Manes's eyes and gave an awkward smile.
The high was hitting way too hard—it was almost scary.
Eat, fight, fuck.
That was it—my entire routine while holed up in the castle.
"Oh... oooh♥"
Morning sun filtering in just right.
Today, I gripped Ekyon's ass tight in a face-to-face sitting fuck.
Her massive tits were covered in my lip marks and bite marks.
Not just nipples—I'd sucked and left traces all over her breast flesh.
"Hoo..."
I caught my breath as I unloaded cum deep in her squeezing pussy.
It felt like soaking in warm water—pure comfort.
That'll do for now.
I gently laid the climaxed-out, passed-out Ekyon on the bed and pulled my cock free.
She'd clenched so hard, it popped out with a cork uncorking sound.
Freshly passed-out Ekyon.
Antiope and Actaeon sprawled asleep on the bed.
Seeing my bitches like that, blood rushed straight to my cock again.
But we'd already delayed the schedule a bit.
My heart screamed for a vulgar pure-love harem fuckfest, but I had to hold back.
"Sorry, ladies. Time to wake up."
I stretched my hand forward, spreading white light.
I hated forcing them awake, but no choice now.
"Ah... mm..."
Soon, all my bitches bathed in the light opened their eyes and sat up.
Trembling hips steadied, gazes sharpened.
"Alright. Ekyon, wash up here. Antiope and Actaeon, head to your rooms to clean up. Change clothes too."
The bitches hopped out of bed obediently.
We still had time, but not enough to slack.
So off to the bathrooms.
Quick rinse, fresh clean clothes.
Shit hits the fan mid-fuck.
No, not really.
We fucked daily, so this was bound to happen eventually.
"Let's move."
I led the three women out.
Our rushed prep and brisk pace got us to the garden right on time.
"Right on the dot. You rushed?"
Manes, waiting in the garden, waved hello.
"Sorry. My greed held us up."
"Greed? Nah, my fault for springing it on you today. Don't sweat it."
Manes laughed it off and traced the air.
A paper-ripping sound ripped through, and space cracked open.
Snowy forest, neat rows of perfectly aligned tents.
Men shuttling sharp-eyed between warehouses and latrines in one corner.
Military discipline so tight it choked the air.
"Straight in. They'll trail us a bit."
"Yes, Aunt."
We stepped through after Manes.
First teleport—nerves hit, but it felt... nothing.
Just like walking.
No nausea, no warped vision.
Smooth as hell—relief washed over me.
"You've arrived?"
As we all crossed, a nearby man approached with a greeting.
Familiar face—looked right at home.
"Yeah. All quiet?"
Manes drawled casually, and he nodded.
"Yes, sir. Maintaining peacetime vigilance. No anomalies."
"Good. The queen's incoming, so stay sharp. This here's my nephew—the Crown Prince."
Manes grinned at me, and the man slammed a fist to his heart.
"Loyalty! Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Pleasure. Tough work holding the frozen frontier. Thanks for guarding our borders."
"Thank you, sir!"
I clapped his shoulder lightly, and he responded with genuine fire in his eyes.
No flattery—real emotion.
"Rest inside till the queen arrives. Let them catch their breath too."
Manes smirked at my bitches and strode off.
Her home turf—she owned the place.
Me? Drowning in salutes from all sides.
Dizzying.
So I flopped into a seat in the tent and sighed.
Why was this more exhausting than hours of fucking?
"You're a rare sight. Cut yourself some slack."
Manes plopped beside me, patting my shoulder.
Her smile screamed half-teasing.
"Grateful, but it's heavy."
"No need for thanks. Good mindset, but don't overthink."
"Yes, Aunt."
I nodded and blinked.
Finally alone from the stares—better.
"Oh. One escort to the negotiation spot. Full entourage looks messy, too flashy."
I nodded at Manes.
They were all overpowered, but too gorgeous and fuckable—less intimidation.
"Antiope, wait here. Actaeon, go invisible ten paces back. Ekyon, with me."
"Understood."
Positions set, the three sparkled with readiness.
Reliable—solid confidence boost.
"Commander. Queen's here. Parked by the river outside camp."
"Got it. Heading out."
I exited with Manes.
Ekyon and invisible Actaeon shadowed quietly.
We were in neutral territory.
A bit farther, neutral zone's edge—enemy border in sight.
A narrow stream split the neutral midpoint.
One big step to cross.
There they are.
Beyond the stream, new faces.
Woman in a chair.
Three men hulking behind—total four.
"That's the queen. First look?"
Manes pointed at the seated woman.
Pale skin, thin elegant dress despite the weather.
"Yeah, first time."
"That's Snow White. Call her that—she loves it. Know her name?"
Nickname level intimacy? Gotta remember.
"Nilbar Pierre, right?"
"Good memory. Barbarian chiefs don't matter—studied hard?"
"Not at all."
Modest steps later, we reached the stream.
Our side warm and easygoing; theirs icy cold.
"Summon us and show up late?"
The woman crossed arms, frowning.
Arrogant even before Manes—queen confirmed.
"Criminals show up early and bow. Sitting all high and mighty? Pathetic."
Manes sneered, plopping cross-legged on the ground.
Height difference should've favored her, but vibe was reversed.
Manes dominating, queen crushed.
Should I sit?
I eyed it and sat beside Manes.
Streamside dampness soaked in.
"Tch!"
Queen clicked her tongue in disgust.
Plenty to say, but her crimes shut her up.
"Taking offense shows you know your place. Straight to business?"
"...Present your terms."
Queen straightened at the pivot.
Seemed calm, but eyes screamed tension.
"Simple. Ditch the queen title and surrender. Or sell all your resources at one-tenth market price."
"What?! You dare call that a negotiation?!"
Thud! Queen shot up, eyes bulging.
Chair rattled, rage blazing.
No surprise.
It was bait designed to piss her off—reaction expected.
No anger? That'd be suspicious.
"You messed with Ion's future—own it. Not like snatching a couple intel scraps."
But.
Manes's single line chilled that rage stone-cold.
Winter wind felt balmy by comparison.
...Damn.
Half-lidded eyes sharp as blades.
Flickering gaze within.
Lips spitting ice—breath caught in my throat.
Ion's imperial blood. Orpheus's sister.
The side she hid behind smiles—raw now.
"...Hoo."
I sighed softly, barely audible.
Nose breaths weren't cutting it—too stifled.
"Hate both? War it is. But we start—we kill you first. Get it?"
Fear flashed on the raging queen's face.
Not haughty monarch—scared little noble girl.
"You call us to negotiate then threaten like this?"
"Don't you dare say 'dare.' And humans would love a war from your screw-up. Right?"
She mustered a retort, crushed by Manes's voice.
Spirit broken—no royal poise.
Rulers are human too.
Bow to bigger power, same as anyone.
Some crush even that... but Queen Pierre wasn't it.
"Nngh!"
Words done, Manes stood, dusting off.
I carefully rose.
"Wait at the border. One week—back here. Can't wait to hear your answer."