Chapter 112
Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Wedding Night(?) (6)
“Zekiel. What is the meaning of this?”
“As you can see, I'm just here to die.”
“...”
The Emperor was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Did you mistake the audience chamber for a graveyard or something?”
For an outsider to freely enter the Emperor's audience chamber was shocking enough in itself, but this was the first time anyone had ever lain down and begged to be killed.
“...If you truly wanted to die, you could have taken your own life in some deserted place. Why come all the way to the audience chamber?”
“You seemed so eager to kill me yourself, Your Imperial Majesty, so I figured I'd save you the trouble and end it all here in one go.”
Zekiel continued, lying flat on his back and laying out his points one by one.
“You conveniently left out any involvement with the First Princess and only told me I could neutralize the Sunwater. Wasn't that basically telling me to just drop dead?”
“Ahem...”
The Emperor cleared his throat awkwardly.
In truth, Zekiel was right on every count.
He had indeed tried to use Zekiel to sabotage the 'deal' and prevent it from happening.
“Zekiel, there seems to be a misunderstanding.”
“Yes. I'll misunderstand all I want.”
“...”
The Emperor silently swirled the chalice in his hand for a moment.
“Very well. I apologize for not disclosing everything.”
“Yes.”
Zekiel finally lifted his eyelids.
“I trust this isn't an empty apology.”
“...”
The Emperor gazed quietly at Zekiel, still lying there sprawled out.
'He's come fully prepared.'
It was shocking, yet understandable.
Until now, Zekiel had only carried out missions without question, but lately, every accomplishment came with fitting rewards. He'd gotten a taste for compensation.
“Zekiel, it seems you want something?”
“Yes.”
“That's unfortunate. I have nothing more to give. Why not just bow out of this matter entirely?”
“Ah, I see.”
Zekiel nodded agreeably and sat up.
The Emperor, who had brought it up himself, was instead taken aback by Zekiel's immediate acceptance without a hint of hesitation.
'What?'
Should he have at least asked what he wanted?
As the Emperor had such second thoughts, Zekiel asked,
“I heard the notary's office moved recently. Where to?”
“Why the notary's office? Planning a visit?”
“Yes. I need to drop off my will.”
“...”
The Emperor doubted his own ears.
In other words, Zekiel wasn't accepting his proposal at all. His intentions were crystal clear.
“What do you plan to write in this will of yours?”
“Something along the lines of deciding to take my own life because of Your Imperial Majesty. I should send one to each of the princesses. I even proposed to them, so a will shouldn't be too hard.”
“...Calm down.”
Boom!
The Emperor unleashed telekinesis to slam the audience chamber's stone door shut, but Zekiel reacted with utter indifference.
“I was hoping for more good deals in the future, but instead, you're scheming ways to work me for free since the Sunwater's too precious to give up. You've hurt my feelings—no can do.”
Questioning the Emperor like this?
It would have been unimaginable before.
But things had changed.
A massive difference had emerged.
Zekiel was essential for the continent's peace and the Emperor's grand plans—and Zekiel himself now knew it. That was the huge gap.
“Zekiel, let's sit down and talk this over first.”
“Not really in the mood.”
“Come now, have a seat at least.”
With a few subtle waves of his power, a desk and chairs rose from the audience chamber floor. As if by magic, a steaming pot of fragrant tea appeared as a bonus.
“Let's start with a cup of apology brew while we chat.”
“Skip the apology brew. Elixirs, please.”
“...?”
The Emperor doubted his ears again.
Zekiel had just handled Sunwater, which was indeed superior to elixirs. But that didn't make elixirs trivial by any means.
Was it okay to demand them so casually?
“Did I hear that right?”
“I want elixirs.”
“First... sigh. Fine.”
The Emperor pulled out a few elixirs and said,
“Zekiel, let's hear it. What is it you want?”
“I've made a list.”
“...A list?”
He'd even written it down?
Zekiel unrolled a scroll onto the desk, and the Emperor couldn't help but frown. The sheer volume of items listed was staggering.
'...Why is there so much?'
Gold coins, elixirs, holy relics, clothing, supplies... The variety was diverse, and the quantities immense. It was astonishing how he'd calculated all these rewards in his head.
“This is beyond comprehension. What is all this?”
“I know I can't get compensated for everything I've endured so far, but I thought I'd at least claim some of it. It feels unfair to have slaved away under such oppression.”
“You...”
The Emperor trailed off, thinking to himself.
'How did he come up with this?'
Zekiel had been like a lifeless puppet before, but now here he was, boldly asserting his personality and pursuing his own interests and happiness. The transformation was shocking in itself.
It wasn't entirely bad. If this were a man living with his daughters, it'd be better if he knew how to grab profits and look after those around him.
'His realm, his mindset—they're changing day by day.'
With that thought, the Emperor examined the scroll again.
“The amounts you're asking for are astronomical.”
“Just tell me if it's doable or not.”
“Given your past deeds, I'd reward you if you asked. But I can't give you everything listed here at face value. We'd need to reassess.”
“Reassess it now, then. How much?”
How much?
The Emperor already knew the answer.
The massive missions Zekiel had undertaken covertly across the continent and the demon realm—few were missing from his record, and failures were even rarer.
Thus...
In truth...
'It's immeasurable.'
He could calculate it eventually, but the result would far exceed any continental standard.
That was how extraordinary a weapon Zekiel was.
The problem was that Zekiel's future contributions were boundless. He couldn't just discard him now as useless.
“I can't ignore it entirely... Hmm...”
The Emperor fiddled with an apple's skin.
“Zekiel, do you really need all this?”
“Yes.”
“Why now, all of a sudden?”
“Is that something I should be answering?”
“Hmm.”
...How did he get so bold when I wasn't looking?
Yet it wasn't entirely unpleasant.
'He's grown assertive. Looking at the items, many seem meant for the princesses. He's not just thinking of himself...'
It meant he was working to fulfill the five marriage conditions—and thoughtfully considering the princesses in the process.
'...He might actually become a son-in-law candidate.'
As the Emperor thought this,
“Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Yes.”
“I need an answer.”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor swirled his chalice.
“Zekiel, I know full well how capable you are.”
“Yes.”
“But there are many things to consider.”
The Emperor devoured an apple and continued.
“First, don't forget your very life was born thanks to the imperial family. Have you forgotten your days in the Penitence Palace? Without me, you'd be dead.”
“Hm.”
“And one more thing. We agreed to all those tasks as missions before. Asking to price them now isn't entirely fair.”
“What's the conclusion?”
“It's outrageous, but out of goodwill, I'll grant you various things anyway. In return, never bring up pricing the past again.”
At the same time, he wielded his mystic power.
Thud—!
A chest filled with gold coins dropped from thin air.
“First, I'll settle for 100,000 gold coins. With that amount, you'll never worry about money again.”
“...100,000?”
“Yes. Exactly, no more, no less.”
“Wow, 100,000.”
“An astronomical sum. Impressive, isn't it?”
Zekiel let out a chuckle, and the Emperor chuckled along.
'He wanted Sunwater too.'
Even if it meant giving a ton of gold, he had no intention of handing over Sunwater easily. It was incredibly precious to him as well.
Besides, this reward had to be settled someday. If he could wrap it up with 100,000 gold coins, wasn't that a win?
Later, if it came up, he could say, 'We settled it with 100,000 back then,' and shut it down.
Maybe even draw up a contract.
As the Emperor thought this,
“I'll head to the notary's office now.”
“...?”
“Then, if you'll excuse me.”
“Zekiel, what does that mean?”
Wasn't he satisfied? Why this suddenly?
Zekiel shot the Emperor a sharp glare.
“You priced me at 100,000 gold coins.”
“Yes, that's right. If you want, I can add a bit more...”
“...Add a bit more?”
Zekiel let out an incredulous laugh.
“Forget it! It's insulting—I'm out! I quit living!”
Zekiel crunched down five Sunweeds at once and stormed toward the audience chamber exit.
“...Damn, always just using me. Might as well die.”
For the first time in ages, the Emperor felt flustered.
“Fine. Fine! Let's recalculate...!”
The Emperor could only realize one thing desperately.
The Sunwater—he'd have to give it up.