NOVEL NEXT Chapter 112 - Wedding Night(?) (6)
✦ Chapter 112 – Wedding Night(?) (6) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
“Ezekiel… what do you think you’re doing?”
“As you can see, Your Majesty… I’ve come to die.”
“…………”
The Emperor was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Have you mistaken the audience chamber for a grave?”
It was already shocking enough that an outsider could freely enter his audience chamber. But to barge in and demand to be killed — this was a first.
“…If you truly wished to die, you could have ended your life elsewhere. Why come here?”
“I figured Your Majesty would be eager to get rid of me. So to save you the trouble, I came here myself.”
He continued speaking, his voice calm and measured, despite lying flat on the floor.
“You conveniently omitted the fact that the 1st Princess was involved in this scheme to neutralize the Sun Elixir. You might as well have just told me to kill myself.”
“Ahem…”
The Emperor coughed awkwardly.
In truth, Ezekiel’s words were spot on in every detail.
He had intended to use Ezekiel, to manipulate him into resolving the situation in the North, without making any promises or guarantees.
“Ezekiel, there seems to be a misunderstanding.”
“Yes… there has.”
“……………”
The Emperor was briefly silent as he swirled the chalice.
“Very well. I apologize for not being completely forthcoming.”
“Yes.”
Ezekiel finally opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.
“I trust this isn’t just an empty apology, Your Majesty.”
“……………”
The Emperor stared at him, lying there on the floor, his expression unreadable.
‘He’s come prepared this time…’
It was shocking yet somewhat understandable.
Ezekiel, who had always dutifully followed orders without complaint, was now demanding compensation. He’d tasted the sweetness of reward.
“Ezekiel, it seems you have something in mind.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“It’s unfortunate. I have nothing more to give. Maybe it’s time for you to step aside from this matter.”
“Oh, I see.”
Ezekiel nodded readily and stood up.
His instant agreement, without any hesitation, left the Emperor speechless.
‘What’s he up to?’
Should he have at least inquired about Ezekiel’s demands?
As the Emperor pondered this, Ezekiel asked,
“I heard the Ministry of Scholars has moved recently. Where is it now?”
“Why? What business do you have with them?”
“Yes. I plan to draft my will and entrust it to them.”
“……………”
The Emperor couldn’t believe his ears.
So Ezekiel wasn’t accepting his suggestion. His intentions were clear.
“And what exactly do you plan to write in your will?”
“That I chose to end my life because of Your Majesty’s actions. And then I’ll send a copy to each of the princesses. I’ve already proposed them, sending them my will shouldn’t be too much of a stretch.”
“…Calm yourself…”
*Thud!*
The Emperor slammed the stone doors shut with a wave of his hand, but Ezekiel remained unfazed.
“I was looking forward to future good deals, but it seems you’re only trying to exploit me for free with the Sun Elixir. It’s quite disheartening.”
To speak to the Emperor in such a manner?
Once, it would have been unthinkable.
But circumstances had changed.
One crucial element had shifted the balance of power.
Ezekiel was now aware of his own importance. He knew that the Emperor needed him to maintain peace in the continent and to achieve his grand ambitions.
“Ezekiel, let’s sit down and talk.”
“I’m not particularly inclined to.”
“Come now… take a seat.”
With a few deft movements, the Emperor conjured a table and chairs from the floor of the audience chamber. Aromatic tea appeared as a bonus, seemingly prepared in advance.
“Let’s share some apple wine and discuss.”
“No apple wine, I request an elixir.”
“………….?”
The Emperor stared at him, his eyebrows raised in disbelief.
It was true that Ezekiel had encountered the Sun Elixir, a treasure far more potent than any elixir. But that didn’t mean elixirs were suddenly worthless.
Was he seriously asking for one so casually?
“Did I hear you correctly?”
“I wish for an elixir.”
“Very well… Fine.”
Sighing, the Emperor retrieved several elixirs from his storage ring and placed them on the table.
“Tell me, Ezekiel, what is it that you want?”
“I’ve made a list.”
“…A list?”
He actually wrote it down?
When Ezekiel unfurled a scroll onto the table, the Emperor involuntarily furrowed his brows. The extensive list was staggering.
‘…That’s a lot.’
Gold, elixirs, relics, clothing, supplies… The variety was staggering, as was the quantity. It was astounding that he’d managed to calculate such a comprehensive list of demands.
“I don’t understand. What is all this?”
“I know I can’t expect full compensation for all my past efforts. But I’d like at least a portion of what I’m owed. All that unpaid labor… it’s unfair.”
“You…”
The Emperor was momentarily speechless, pondering.
‘How did he come to think like this?’
Ezekiel, who once seemed like a mere puppet, now vividly pursued his own benefit and happiness; this transformation was shocking. But it wasn’t entirely bad. If he were to stay with his daughter, a man who could secure benefits and take care of those around him would be much preferred.
‘His power… his mindset… he’s changing every day…’
Thinking this, the Emperor glanced at the scroll again.
“The amount you’re requesting is immense.”
“Please tell me whether it’s possible or not.”
“In regards to your past deeds, I can offer compensation. However, I cannot give everything listed on the scroll verbatim. We’ll need to renegotiate.”
“Then… let’s negotiate. To what extent can it be compensated?”
An estimate?
The Emperor knew the answer.
Ezekiel had been involved in massive covert operations across both the continent and the Demon Realm. Rarely had he been excluded from major missions, and even rarer were his failures.
Therefore,
In essence…
‘The level is almost incalculable.’
He could attempt to calculate it but the final sum would be astronomical, far exceeding the wealth of most nations.
That was how remarkable the weapon known as Ezekiel was.
The issue was that Ezekiel had much more to offer in the future. Thus, the Emperor couldn’t dismiss him as useless and cast him aside.
“Can’t ignore and not reward you, hmm…”
The Emperor fidgeted with the surface of an apple.
“Ezekiel, do you really need to receive this?”
“Yes.”
“Why now, all of a sudden?”
“Is that a question you need to ask me?”
“Hmm.”
…Why has he become so resolute?
Yet, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
‘He’s become more astute. By looking at the items he’s requested, many of them seem intended for the princesses. He isn’t purely self-centered…’
It meant he was striving to meet the five conditions for marriage and thoughtfully considering the princesses.
‘…Perhaps he really could be a suitable husband for one of my daughters…’
As he pondered this, Ezekiel spoke again.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“I’d like an answer.”
“Hmm…”
He swirled the wine in his chalice, his gaze unreadable.
“Ezekiel, your excellence is well recognized.”
“Yes.”
“But there are many factors to consider.”
He took a bite of his apple, chewing thoughtfully.
“Firstly, remember that your very life owes its existence to the imperial family. Have you forgotten living in the Palace of Penance? Without me, you would have perished.”
“Hmm.”
“And secondly, in the past, all these tasks were part of your duties. To demand compensation now is rather unbecoming, to say the least.”
“So, what’s the conclusion, Your Majesty?”
“Although your demands are outrageous, I will extend my generosity and grant you a reward. But never again ask for compensation for past services.”
The Emperor raised his hand, and…
*Clang!*
A heavy chest filled with gold coins materialized before them.
“I will start with 100,000 gold coins. With this amount, you will never have to worry about gold for the rest of your life.”
“…One hundred thousand?”
“Yes. The amount is precise.”
“Wow… one hundred thousand…”
“Quite a sum, isn’t it? I’m not surprised that you’re impressed.”
Ezekiel chuckled, and the Emperor couldn’t help but smile.
‘He was hoping for the Sun Elixir, wasn’t he?’
Even though he was willing to part with a large sum of gold, the Emperor had no intention of giving up the Sun Elixir, as it was incredibly precious to him.
Moreover, it was a compensation that would have to be addressed at some point. If he could settle it with 100,000 gold coins, it would be advantageous. Later on, he could dismiss any further demands with, ‘We settled it with the 100,000 gold coins, didn’t we?’
He even considered drafting a contract.
As the Emperor pondered this, Ezekiel spoke up.
“I’ll be heading to the Ministry of Scholars.”
“………….?”
“Farewell.”
“Ezekiel, what do you mean by this?”
Wasn’t he satisfied? Why was he acting so strangely?
Ezekiel turned and glared at him.
“You offered me one hundred thousand gold coins.”
“Yes, that’s right. If you want, I can add a little more….”
“…A little more?”
Ezekiel laughed, a humorless, bitter laugh.
“Forget it! I won’t do it! I won’t live like this!”
He bit down on five pieces of sunweed at once and strode out of the audience chamber.
“…Really, always being used. I’ll just die instead.”
For the first time in a long while, the Emperor felt genuinely flustered.
“Alright. Alright, let’s recalculate…!”
The Emperor had no choice but to realize it urgently.
Seems I can’t afford to withhold the Sun Elixir after all.
— End of Chapter —
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