Chapter 50: Grand Council
8hrmUi“I think the same.”6qgg
pxpyt“……”2U0
AXwfggMUpon hearing Perda’s response, Erdes stepped back slightly.r96
EtnZHZHThe tense atmosphere disappeared as if it had never been there, replaced by open laughter.3NhO4
CpG“Yes? I feel like I can talk well with you. Unlike those old men, you’re young. I’d like us to be able to talk like this more often.”XfGWUr
8EzU“I’ll make sure to contact you first.”6vRm
ldZ3g“Or I will. Prince! I’m going to go look around elsewhere. You know, beauties are busy.”mamJ5ZW
fdkj“Yes, of course! Have a good time!”c1a4TS
uUhKuErdes took her glass and left.uShM4C
wOahc8sOnce she was far enough away, Alexander turned his head.sP6i
JZrWBeV“Do you have any connection with the magic association?”XqEWJV
iCB“No.”mOz
4RFJzHe did, but that was something from the distant future.iCi
aPAnp7“I’m not going to reproach you. If there are grudges, it’s better to resolve them quickly.”1cHo
2MZSpEven though he said it like that, Perda knew.eRjM
LDLCAlexander was desperate.K2BY4L2
lSBlFor a useless first prince, consolidating a power base required enormous strength, and that strength was magic.EsB
Z2nY“By the way, I heard that lately they’ve been importing magical beast corpses to the Far East…”Yvxr
guHWasFaced with the sudden change of topic, Perda replied.mHn0FW
TBGkL“That’s right.”zyX
4ViwDZn“We didn’t really have anywhere to bury them, and burning them every time was a hassle, so having them transported is very much appreciated.”ulUrjS
XEfAlexander smiled, but his expression showed urgency.KNs
SVY3I2b‘Admit what you’re doing.’BV5
g4wPerda hesitated.ouodIHC
Mh5SLaKeeping the production of mana stones a secret had been his decision.qZN
qrmILIt was still too early to reveal it.WF7k1rm
CbRFgHe had thought about avoiding the answer, but upon seeing Alexander’s eyes, he couldn’t.bE79ThI
k1LawvF‘He’s a bastard who pointed his sword at his own father for the throne.’HaTFRyT
ZN269XNo matter how he justified it, he was irredeemably ambitious.dKXHGs
5LvFHnLThat was an unchangeable truth.alc2gou
XUntHe wanted to rule over a hundred million subjects.GYg
Vkxgf6MThat was why he flattered Erdes, trying not to oppose her.Nvf36u
wFvCGXh‘That’s why Erdes thinks I inherited Tesalos’s work.’IM4P
3R8e2In the end, everything was connected.P2dJvY6
3YtsGDsPerda thought about it.RVevQ5G
Oy7rBoth options were bad, so he had to choose the lesser evil.8H6
8rnqX“In reality, we are researching the production of mana stones using magical beast corpses.”oLYMz
oaVzHe decided to tell the truth.3X4
3xcyAlexander, clearly interested, leaned in to listen.7TTVW4v
z2qWhen it comes to magic, money is always involved.KBUHUA
pw5g“Mana stones? Something like those… crystal spheres mages use?”ThB1P
EA1r“They’re similar, but not the same. This object simply contains pure mana.”ZWx0c
iwo“I see…”8M0
TevGfJFPerda explained what was known so far.o8cNh
VgAraZ“For example, would it serve to support a mage’s magic?”u81xuSx
r032rL4“It could, but it doesn’t allow mana recovery or direct use by the mage.”KbebX7
Y2x4qW“Ah, I see.”kzUATT
vB1yH“Also, its efficiency is around 7%, so for direct use by mages…”WFhR
jrHfxDL“Ah, understood. Impressive.”vC99GF
36b8YwJAlexander let out one admiration after another, but his interest gradually faded.Xf4Go5b
wEOVqt5“Anyway… that has nothing to do with black magic, right?”jnfsrL
pnRaA“That’s correct.”krF
9zsApm“Of course, when researching, one ends up touching various areas. What matters is intention, right? What I want to know is whether you can guarantee that there is not the slightest intention in that direction.”gMIkGP
cEd6Alexander insisted like a parrot.ZWK4i
cgA1uzjPerda was about to repeat the same answer, when—2poWCId
QWoOQA faint scent brushed past his nose.iIHD
G68P8BPerda knew that smell.HwAG0X
yQeRz“For it being the first time you see him, you’re cornering him too much, brother.”foe3Pkn
3CrFThe soft voice made several men turn their heads.BWB
rZ5ICIt was Olivia Arken.hVa
FnPKtlfDressed in a dazzling gown, she smiled with a seductive air.S7CFGg
GCmk6dGAlexander, upon seeing her, laughed again.qSyW
nbUO“Ah, my dear sister! Now that I think about it, the regent already met you before, didn’t he? You were the one who received him in my place. I wonder if you treated him well.”sYq
TT2omVhAlexander lightly placed his hand on Olivia’s shoulder.CKnq
eE8“Oh? Why are you so concerned?”GdzXwE
lSBOlivia replied with an innocent smile.NbFPs
ELGmAlexander’s hand slowly slid along her shoulder.eCIxxA
JBvuvV“Because there was a problem. A big one for the imperial family.”QIA
uxxkaB“It was just an unnecessary concern. Lord Perda is a person of great generosity.”OwL
hSn“In moments like this, for the stability of the empire, one cannot be careless. Do you remember the incident in the imperial warehouse? It almost turned the country upside down. If I think about it, if you entered politics, you would only bring trouble.”P2FaRKz
mfy“Oh really? But everything was resolved without problems. Ah, right, now that I think about it, brother, you don’t even know what happened, do you? Because as soon as the level one alert was activated, you ran away—I mean, evacuated.”jFsfZ
9rj9Yq5With a natural expression and eyelashes fluttering like butterflies, they smiled while stabbing each other with words without mercy.ehphxc
DEzzTIt was uncomfortable even for those listening.BtL4
W56y‘Both are troublesome.’xFT3
crGcsPerda could only admire it.YGajY
l3fIt seemed like a hereditary trait of the Arken family.j9peg
2mMpq“That’s standard procedure. If the heir of the empire dies, the empire collapses. I must survive for the sake of the empire.”hnH
aHRJA“Ah, of course. Naturally. The heir.”Ecpsf
rBhCxZ4Smiling with eyes curved like a crescent moon, she lightly covered her mouth with her fan.YD3Mg
uWiX0No, she pretended to cover it while revealing a faint mocking smile that provoked the other.lL153gR
C7jM“A very fitting attitude for someone who, after raising the sword of rebellion with ambition, ended up retreating pathetically.”hlZ
ILdId1“Heh, this bitch… has more than she deserves and only uses it to seduce men, that’s why they call her a dangerous woman.”Tb9NWn
uf1“Isn’t that better than having it and not knowing how to use it? For example…”dmvQlN
IqVHOlivia discreetly lowered her gaze toward Alexander’s crotch.d3F1VRr
J0B0QY“Father said he wanted to see his grandchildren. When do you plan to give him one?”k1gxtle
bgc4Qd5Alexander’s face turned red, very different from his smile.JkxLRf
R0RoThen he shifted his gaze toward Perda.UUA
pOT1w“Be careful. Beautiful roses have thorns. Who knows if those thorns are poisoned?”ehdM6ml
tzn7reHe said it in a serious tone, like a warning.JmszzRe
EbvoUPerda observed him in silence.YEV
TD4His face remained expressionless, but he couldn’t hide how pathetic he found him.Lb0SUo
K2E‘And yet he talks so much, being someone who already got pricked by that thorn.’V8j
ga09GdPHe didn’t know all the details, but before dying, Olivia had been in Alexander’s room.42vN
omGqHadn’t he tried to touch his own sister and ended up stabbed?xhk
eefyIn the end, he too had fallen for Olivia’s beauty.iDS
v9nIXThat was why his words were ridiculous.UOf
caPApfM“I know.”Z5e
JjbO“Do you know? Then all the better. In that case, smile a little. Your face is too stiff, don’t you think?”MZX
elDV85ZAlexander patted him on the back, showing a friendly and natural smile.6O6xus
BjtWhen he laughed, the nobles around him laughed as well.CINag7
DkxoRPerda, seeing that, thought.g75nfd
ZShQ1‘I want to go home.’iMx
Y4pDxb8Valdrova’s face faintly appeared in his mind.G9o
rvAu“So, in summary, it still has no practical use?”Y89M
fqCF1BH“That’s correct.”biy2
V0jKa“I see. From now on, I will also pay attention to the development of the Far East.”RSF
MwN3AYOf course, it was a lie.QRQPn6
bJxkBA first prince busy currying favor with the central nobles would not take interest in the Far East.s2cd
bi4D2“I appreciate your interest.”qSVy
drKfThat was why Perda also responded with a lie.FQx9O
nu9z“Before the council begins, go greet several people. I’m being called over there.”TUKhH
xf7X7Alexander took his glass and headed in that direction.aX5WoQ5
8C2Finally, he could breathe a little.dJDOJF
xYcjBut just as he thought that, someone gently tugged at his clothes.0sC
ogNg1It was Olivia.Iq8A
K8fC2RShe was still by his side.tU4y
gDK“Is there no one else you want to see?”IkI
tVuvmcnShe asked in a dry tone.8j4PmtK
QlAfOG“They’re not that important. Besides, there’s something more important.”9uNDx
h3zMivOlivia’s shoulder brushed against Perda’s.u81G92h
IFulMR“The representatives of the great dragon will arrive soon.”xw4
YWAIDragon representatives—in other words, dragon spawn.pSg
tXW‘Dragon spawn…’ycEdfr
GDVWxGPerda had not dealt much with them.BrR
nfBYMAt most, he had briefly seen one from the Blue Dragon, master of magic.aF1bKkC
p1OOBHe wanted to see with his own eyes what the others were like, apart from Ruri.1eGHgsE
51Jmox“I’m interested.”RVqGYL
r0Kyn1Upon hearing his response, Olivia smiled broadly.nAAYzM
Ejykhj“Then, let’s go together.”3ON6Q
lNJShe extended her hand gently.kRhm
DDzHljHer red lips moved like those of a shy woman.Fb1
pGzA situation that would make any man’s heart race.qUud6XZ
2tIKW“What is this?”UIgHy
IsiPerda stared at her and asked.QXE
aHw“Oh? I’m asking you to escort me. Are you going to let a woman go alone?”5j0Vk
v1OSo0Olivia blinked.VoroWm
MBxHer slightly hunched shoulders resembled those of a helpless girl.x8o
M3fRN65Perda took a step back.L5p72T
iSNVP“I already have a commitment.”nFC60B
zMh4C“Whether you do or not, it’s something that must be done. If we want to strengthen trust between us, this is the bare minimum, don’t you think?”NbG
gTOPOl“I’ll leave it to Zed—”R3Vp0Cx
6uif“Have you ever seen an annoyed woman?”eZ85bbs
HHqHMMfOlivia’s face darkened.Nba7
3kB“It’s not pleasant.”uZMg
ocLc“……”IPW4L
fXfcFoPerda did not care in the slightest.81mC
oTGSeeing his indifference, Olivia stepped closer and said.Sj8f1
fR8m9“Don’t you think that, as allies within the empire, we should strengthen our trust? We both have many secrets—this is the minimum necessary.”i3iU2rX
drLXOlivia insisted, letting a veiled threat slip through.GZiL5j
rIsv4But at this moment, within the Empire, the only ally he had was Olivia, so ignoring her was also problematic.WOO
Nnz3N“Haah… fine.”Vr8k7y
Dxm7“You should have done that from the beginning.”ErI
4CmeWith no other choice, Perda extended his hand.1DRbxf0
E67FuHe intended to take it superficially, but Olivia held it firmly and smiled with delight.TCIF
Put3IMPerda glanced sideways at Ruri.nYEtDU
QttJ9ZHer face was expressionless.bz16W
ifEYLolNo, in reality her lips were slightly pursed, as if saying “I don’t like this.”ONyAF
WYDgdIt was such a subtle change that no one would notice it, except Perda, who observed her frequently.tKfmupI
VLklV2Of course, Ruri did not openly show her displeasure and acted like an exemplary maid.xX8kL9a
IY7And perhaps because of that, it felt even more unsettling.KyiS
akD‘I don’t want her to scrub me again…’YhyzZ
b7iBoth mentally and physically, that social atmosphere brought nothing but suffering.7P0Ob
piRbyHalf resigned, Perda guided Olivia toward the window.gKkv
YlwOzOutside the domain of Blancaros, a golden carriage had stopped.0PvsK
oVN0DzFrom it descended elderly men and priests dressed in religious attire.sDzgb3P
BTX“Do you know who they are?”Idq
O05z7YhOlivia interlaced her arm with Perda’s, holding him firmly.LfV
dxhrg“From the Holy Empire of Odograsa.”ImAeHl
rOk“That’s right.”PAqVRB6
aQDZHTxThe Gold Dragon, Odograsa.VZNna
TowXOusA nation built upon a religion that venerates him as a deity.VuW7S
CaeMYlAlthough it is called a Holy Empire, in reality it is more of an alliance between the Holy State and nearby kingdoms.kCerJM
JpmmLOdograsa has no spawn.blSQU
xrjfThat is why the Pope and four high priests attended in person.KZI
sMtRAzwShortly after, a blue portal opened.GCTLcdq
2UxtOn the other side could be seen the cold landscape characteristic of the northwest.gK1BqYO
GjsXeWFrom there walked dragon spawn with blue hair and rounded horns.LLzu
8Lrthl“They are Iorga’s spawn. As always, they never miss the Grand Council.”bzj
h7mbIorga, lord of the magic tower and known as the eye that watches the continent.1yp0
PjSRXMore than mages, they looked like researchers, walking elegantly like nobles.Kq6uo
QHuT9“Ah, they’re also coming from over there.”i0O
xaAsu1HOlivia looked up at the sky.a0sfu
o7fFive strange points descended from above.KjQyDR
6QXThey looked like silver comets advancing without restraint.s4oRT5c
xT53xMCPerda recognized them from what he had seen through Ruri.1PH3TB
93jCvkD‘Silverwind.’S2sub6A
m6hoIhDespite their speed, they landed gently and entered the domain of Blancaros.fQsJ
8L8dtsPerda watched them for a moment and then looked away.HgB
LGiRuri, at his side, stared at them intently.Lz3u
Wb8Q0In her eyes was an emotion different from anything she had shown before.8eVH
hjuSHer tension could be clearly felt.YgLqt
CblGtkO“It seems only three came. I suppose Storreus won’t participate this time. Well, that’s for the best—it saves us trouble.”8pMNJ1G
rRvW6“It seems they have a bad reputation.”PVjI7
Eyn2u“They’re evil dragons, aren’t they? Nothing but troublemakers. They love provoking fights.”E57L3
u9GUAAs the dragon spawn gathered, the spectators began to move one by one.BxGOgZ
fjlZU9They headed toward the Grand Council hall.n41ECv
XwF“It’s time for you to move.”RlsO
kMSj1GQOlivia released Perda’s arm.vDpT
OngHer position was that of a princess.PoZR
rVJHyXZShe had no right to participate in the council like the princes.D3Btbny
nmhPerda began to walk along with the crowd heading toward the hall.JKQuq
atHVfThe Grand Council, where the powerful of the entire continent gathered, was about to begin.bDbEelx
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationShe’s trying to seducing Mc and she’s kind of annoying. After this meeting Mc gonna scrubbed very roughly by ruri.
Kevotrix
Mortaldid he just say the prince tried to sleep with his own sister ☠️