Chapter 757
Chapter 757
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 757
Chapter Title: False Glory
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"You're competent as a mayor, but utterly pathetic as a man."
"...Pardon?"
"Never mind. Just listen up. I'll tell you about the third trial."
Park Su-ho's eyes widened, his mouth hanging open. He looked like he'd just taken a mental gut punch. Getting caught with a raging hard-on, then jerking off outside—and the response to all that was this? Even I'd be stunned.
"What's with that dumbfounded look? Snap out of it."
"S-Sorry!"
At her irritated scolding, Park Su-ho pulled himself together and focused.
"The third trial is to conquer Golperas Village within three days."
"W-Wait a moment, please. Conquer Golperas Village? You mean that Golperas Village to our north?"
"That's right. A village not even half the size of Veroprin City. Seize it within three days, starting today."
"Golperas Village is more than half a day's journey from here! And even before that, we have no reason to invade and conquer it! We maintain good relations with them!"
Park Su-ho clenched his fists, raising his voice.
But Ekaterina didn't bat an eye. With clear displeasure, she spoke.
"I acknowledge Veroprin City's rapid growth. Even looking through history, few cities have developed as quickly. But if things continue like this, growth will stall soon enough."
"Veroprin City won't stop developing!"
"A city good to live in, with advanced technology, full of happiness... Even if that reputation spreads, people from other cities or villages won't easily uproot their lives to move here. Veroprin's biggest problem is that while the city grows fast, the population isn't keeping pace."
This world differed from modern Korea. People didn't casually abandon their hometowns for another village or city. Born in a village, they lived and died there their whole lives—that was the norm.
"But... conquest goes against everything Veroprin City stands for! The citizens will rebel!"
"That's not my problem. Convincing the citizens is your job. Don't want to? Fine, don't. But then, I'll conquer you instead."
"...So you're saying you'll kill me and take the city? Ignoring our agreement?"
"Ignoring the agreement? You seem to be misunderstanding something. I never made a deal with you. Veroprin offered to become my ally, but that only applies if you pass the trials. Right now, Veroprin and I have no relation whatsoever."
"......"
"What's it gonna be? Decide quickly."
Park Su-ho dropped his gaze to the floor. Water had pooled there unnoticed. A blatant threat. His face hardened as he replied.
"...I'll do it."
"Good choice. Get out. Oh, Sung Yu-jin. You stay. I have something to discuss with you alone."
Park Su-ho turned and trudged out, his footsteps heavy. His expression was grim.
The pooled water vanished in an instant.
"Lady Ekaterina. Were you planning to kill Su-ho?"
"No. No intention of that. Without Park Su-ho, Veroprin City is just another ordinary place. What I need is Veroprin with him at the helm."
As expected, it was just a bluff. If she really meant to kill him that easily, she'd have done it on day one.
I could guess why she'd made village conquest the third trial. The first step is always the hardest. Once you taste the sweetness of that initial victory, the next one comes easier. Even if Park Su-ho hated it, the citizens would egg him on.
"Still, aren't you underestimating Su-ho a bit too much?"
"Not underestimating—assessing accurately. He's a good ten years away from defying me. Now, come closer."
I stepped forward to her.
"...Lady Ekaterina. What do you need me to do?"
"Strip."
Not surprising at all. I shed all my clothes, standing naked without covering anything. My dick was still soft.
Ekaterina eyed it with interest, then poked it with her finger. The stimulation made it start hardening gradually. It didn't take long to stand fully erect.
"As expected, way bigger than Park Su-ho's."
"Lady Ekaterina. Do you need my semen?"
"Exactly. I studied your semen late into last night and figured it out. That life force-packed stuff has all sorts of uses. Fatigue recovery potions, sure, but it could make potions, aphrodisiacs, even cosmetics—and it'd sell like hotcakes."
"Unexpected. I didn't peg you as the money-grubbing type, Lady Ekaterina."
"Force is crucial, but you can't solve everything with brute strength. Efficiency-wise, wealth wins out."
Her answer was almost absurd. She was basically subjugating and ruling Veroprin through force right now. But digging deeper, she was Solit Republic's Archmage Marshal. Ridiculous, but she had the justification.
"And having legit money to throw around makes everything smoother."
"...I see."
"Heh heh heh. You look displeased? Fair enough. Your semen as the raw material, and you get nothing out of it. This is still the research phase before full production. When business kicks off, you'll get your cut—don't worry."
Whether she'd actually pay up was doubtful. Even if she did, my share might be less than ten percent.
I shrugged it off. With the Playful Life app, I could rake in cash any number of ways.
"Lady Ekaterina. What am I to you?"
"......"
She stopped fondling my dick, lowered her hand, and looked at me. Smiling as always, she said,
"A toy and a magic ingredient? Heh heh heh. You've been full of questions. Getting cheeky, are we?"
"...My apologies."
"Apologize on your knees, then."
It flowed into the same vibe as yesterday. Her foot grazed my dick. Then I went down on her pussy.
"Ahh... Yes... I like that. Changed my mind. Too much of a waste to leave you as just a toy. I'll make you my pet."
I'd become Ekaterina's pet. Her attitude toward me softened noticeably. She'd overlook little indulgences like slipping a finger into her pussy or sucking her navel instead.
"Ah, haaaaaah..."
She let out a languid moan, accepting my caresses.
As a reward, I got a blowjob and a handjob.
???
Leading 2,000 soldiers, Park Su-ho marched north to Golperas Village. But morale was low. Their leader was sullen, and there was no real justification for invading and conquering it.
They could fabricate some pretext later, sure. But this was the strong preying on the weak—Solit Republic tactics through and through.
Park Su-ho's approval ratings are bound to drop some.
Golperas was a decent-sized village with over 3,000 residents. Assuming a 5:5 gender split, that meant 1,500 men. Probably fewer than 1,000 able to fight. Victory for Veroprin was decided before the first clash.
They soon arrived at Golperas Village. Roughly armed men stood behind wooden barricades, glaring daggers. I glanced back. At the rear of the army sat Ekaterina's carriage. She was overseeing personally.
"Su-ho. What's the plan?"
"...Talk first, try to persuade them. End this without fighting—that's the goal. Just watch, hyung."
Park Su-ho stepped forward and shouted.
"I am Park Su-ho, mayor of Veroprin! I'd like to speak with Golperas's representative!"
A middle-aged man emerged from the village.
"I'm Bicksen, mayor of Golperas. Long time no see, Mayor. You look even more impressive than last time."
"...Bicksen. You know the situation."
"Indeed, I'm aware of the details. Which is why I can only express my regret."
Bicksen's gaze flicked to the army's rear, Ekaterina's carriage. I realized he knew the full picture.
"Surrender and become Veroprin citizens. I promise to treat you equally, without discrimination. I don't want pointless bloodshed."
Park Su-ho's words weren't empty. He welcomed newcomers to Veroprin without prejudice, treating them fairly—dwarves and non-humans included. That's why he was so popular.
"...Sorry, but that's not possible. We've lived here nearly 200 years. We've suffered monsters, bandits kicking us around. But we endured, claimed our peace. Surrendering just because you're stronger? Our pride won't allow it."
Anger twisted Park Su-ho's face—not at Bicksen. He'd caught on too. Ekaterina was pulling the strings.
From Golperas's perspective, surrendering would be the smart play. Life over pride. And hearing Veroprin's rep, merging might even appeal.
If Ekaterina hadn't meddled, this would've ended smoothly.
"Bicksen, think it over once more. We can end this peacefully, without blood!"
"Sorry, Mayor. Understand our pride. But if you breach our gates, we'll swallow it and kneel without complaint."
Bicksen turned and walked back into the village.
"Bicksen! Bicksen!!"
Park Su-ho called, but the man didn't pause.
???
The battle ended anticlimactically. Golperas wasn't prepared; Veroprin, on the other hand, had geared up against Ekaterina. The power gap was vast. In under an hour, Golperas fell.
Combining both sides, 500 wounded, about 30 dead. Minimal casualties—thanks to Park Su-ho minimizing harm.
"...Lady Ekaterina. Satisfied now?"
Park Su-ho growled like a beast.
"Adequate. Impudent attitude, but I'll let it slide this once."
Ekaterina scanned the surroundings, then entered her carriage. Before going in, she beckoned me.
"Sung Yu-jin. Come in. I have words for you."
"Yes, Lady Ekaterina."
I entered the carriage. The interior was as lavish and comfy as the outside suggested. I sat right beside her as she gestured. She grabbed my head with both hands, pulling it to her lap.
"...Lady Ekaterina?"
"Quiet. Just your owner pampering her pet."
"......"
I stayed still. Her hand stroked my hair.
We'd grown much closer. Sucking each other's genitals like that? Bound to happen.
Enjoying her touch, I caught a familiar pussy scent wafting from under her skirt.
So that's why she called me suddenly... She's aroused.
I stuck out my tongue, licking the top of her stocking-clad thigh. She didn't stop me. When I burrowed into her crotch, she spread her legs wider, welcoming me.
"Eut... Ahhng..."
The carriage air grew steamy.
???
A few more days passed.
Park Su-ho came to me. He looked haggard, dark circles under his eyes. Conquering and integrating Golperas had kept him from proper sleep.
"Yu-jin hyung. What do we do about Ekaterina? We can't keep getting pushed around. This path leads to disaster."
I eyed him curiously. Since then, Ekaterina hadn't demanded money from Park Su-ho, hadn't even spoken to him. She'd summoned only me, day and night.
"She's dangerous, yeah. But there's nothing we can do. You know that."
I replied indifferently. As long as I could fuck Ekaterina, Veroprin could crumble for all I cared. This was Park Su-ho's tattoo world anyway.
"There is a way."
"...What way? Assassination's impossible against her power. You know that."
"I do. It's not assassination."
Park Su-ho wasn't that stupid. I waited for his next words.
"Got a message today."
"...From who?"
"From Viktor Drozkov—Solit Republic's Archmage Marshal, same as Ekaterina."