episode_0034

“Meet the Count of Hebron.”

Marquis Grobin, who resembled a goblin, greeted with a refined formality.

Deltan answered roughly.

“uh.”

“How did you like the gift I sent you?”

“Magic herb was okay.”

“What you were looking for… .”

“Ah.”

Deltan raised his head. There was something unpleasant about his eyes.

“Are you investigating my background?”

Marquis Grobin’s body stiffened at the extremely cold tone.

This was the reaction Deltan intended.

‘Let’s leave it like this for now.’

The financial flow of the aristocratic faction is suspicious. Ishmark is sharpening his knife on it. And today’s event is a place to show them the power of Ishmark.

… Deltans were not interested in things like that.

What was important to him was clearing the DLC, and this current attitude was only for the smoothness of the process.

Deltans are perfectionists. He is a man who cannot easily let go of things that are beyond his control.

So, grab the leash again. To prevent the golden goblin who was giving away his wealth from thinking nonsense.

“… Please excuse me.”

Marquis Grobin lowered his head. Cold sweat was running down the back of his neck.

A superman who cannot be touched even by an entire empire.

This was too big of a wall to stand against with the title of Marquis and the head of the noble faction.

“I would appreciate it if you could understand that I would like to help the Count.”

Marquis Grobin’s smile seemed servile at first glance.

Only then did the Deltans lose their momentum.

“I’m not asking for much. Let’s just stay as neighbors who are embarrassed by each other.”

Deltan said as he put down his drink.

“First of all, we’ve never had a fight. I.”

His words were blunt and undignified. The tone was that he would not even consider the act of hiding a dagger in his words. This was confidence and pride as a strong man.

Indeed, the Deltans could not think of a way to match the formality of a pig.

Just right.

When Deltan snapped his fingers, a transparent curtain appeared around the two. Even Agnes could no longer hear what the two were saying.

“I don’t care what you guys do.”

Only then did Deltan reveal what he knew.

“They said they would turn a blind eye to organizing rebels.”

“… !”

Marquis Grobin’s eyes widened. The expression on his face was astonishment.

“What is that… .”

“I know that we are not actually going to revolt. I guess they just want to confuse Ishmark’s reign.”

“… I don’t know what the Count is talking about.”

“Okay, just keep pretending like you don’t know. I’ll pretend not to know either. Try arson or terrorism. Except those around me.”

Marquis Grobin’s fingertips were trembling. At that moment, one thought came to his mind.

‘where?’

Where did the information leak out? How far did it leak again?

The army being organized now was a secret known only to a very few even within the faction.

How can Hebron, the Deltan, find out this information? .

“Don’t roll your head. Because I just know.”

Deltan snorted.

“Why do you think I can’t come up with the ideas you guys have?”

The appearance is so relaxed that it feels even more monstrous.

Marquis Grobin’s smile slowly began to crack.

He reflected on the situation.

Information was collected.

Hebron the Deltan snapped his fingers. It was later that critical information came from him.

It’s probably a magic that blocks sound. As evidence, Princess Levadeine was looking at Hebron, the Delta, with dissatisfaction.

‘The truth is that we will not intervene.’

So what is the attitude you should take now?

Marquis Grobin knew the answer.

“… Thank you for your consideration.”

The lion is not interested in the rabbit’s society. These were the words the Marquis Grobin heard from his father, the previous head of the family, when he was very young.

Marquis Grobin was a man who was quick to grasp topics. He knew he would never become a lion. So the target was the strongest rabbit.

This was the right attitude to take to achieve that. He did not want the lion to turn his attention to the rabbit’s society.

A feeling of satisfaction appeared on the Deltan’s lips.

Just right.

His fingers snapped again.

“I received the gift well. Thank you.”

“Next time, I will prepare something that will make you more satisfied.”

“Then search the desert.”

“… There are many beautiful treasures in the desert.”

Marquis Grobin’s back straightened.

The same smile was on his face as before.

“Have a pleasant banquet.”

“Are you coming?”

Marquis Grobin has left.

Agnes then asked the Deltan.

“What are you saying so secretly?”

“Work talk.”

“Did you hold me back so I could look at you?”

“No, they were begging me not to throw it away.”

“Wow, losers are ugly.”

Agnes giggled.

Deltan drank again.

‘I’m almost done with my business.’

There may be a distance between Ishmark’s intentions and his own actions… What is it like? For Deltain, it was simply important to increase sources of supply for DLC materials.

1. Chambler’s Dream (Complete)

2. Heart of Gaias (Complete)

3. Token of Endless Winter (Incomplete)

4. Jewel of the Deep Sea (Wan)

5. Breath of the Martyrs (Incomplete)

6. Lopalgar’s Gluttony (Incomplete)

7. Giant’s Blessing (Incomplete)

8. Purification of Ergoragia (incomplete)

9. Seed of Demonic Exrias (Incomplete)

An interface with a ‘complete’ mark on only three items.

What Deltan entrusted to Marquis Grobin was ‘No. 5 Martyr’s Breath’.

‘There is only one desert in the south, so something will come.’

For now, all I have to do is have a quick drink and then go back to the mansion.

Deltan was thinking about that.

“Deltain.”

“Why.”

“Your Majesty is not coming?”

“It will come. When everyone gets drunk and starts dancing.”

“I know it’s usually not that late.”

“I’m just trying to form for no reason.”

All of Ishmark’s actions are completed under thorough calculation.

Just like the dinner with the Deltans the other day, he would make today’s appearance with clear intentions.

“Still, what… Seeing that you’re this late, I guess you’re willing to do anything.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

“What.”

“I invited you and we agreed.”

“Not even as much as eye mucus. And what does it mean to speak to His Majesty the Emperor? That’s an insult to the imperial family.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“I can do it. Because I placed Ishmark on the throne.”

“For something like that, he speaks in a whisper.”

“Respect authority. I feel bad when the authority I created is belittled.”

Agnes blinked for a moment and thought back to Deltan’s words.

Then he smiled and answered.

“Then I am special to you. Because they tell me all these things.”

Stop.

Deltan’s movements stopped. It wasn’t a reaction driven by anger or shame like usual.

‘… I?’

Only then did Deltan realize that he had been spouting unnecessary words to Agnes.

Deltan’s eyes turned to Agnes.

“Slow to notice.”

She was smiling arrogantly as if to say, “Look at this.”

“The confession will be soon.”

A laugh came out of Deltan’s mouth.

“… No, thanks to you, I don’t have anything to do in my life.”

Deltan humbly admitted. He just made a mistake. A mistake that might have led to failure.

“I guess I definitely acted soft. I decided to call him my patient.”

“I think that’s body affection.”

“Don’t talk bullshit.”

“You know what? They say love accelerates from the moment you recognize it.”

“That’s what I’m saying. I have no love to recognize.”

“I’m looking forward to it. How will you confess?”

Agnes burst into laughter as if having fun.

Since there was no one around the two, the conversation did not leak out, but those who glanced at her from afar did not know what to do with the smile that burst out.

“That’s right. What comment will you make when requesting a dance?”

“I did not apply. You can’t dance more than that. I may be mistaken, but just because you can walk doesn’t mean you can dance. You’re still a weakling who can’t even run.”

“Really? I don’t think it’s that organized.”

“In normal times, supporters only move within the range they can cover.”

Agnes pouted her lower lip at those words.

This was also an expression that scratched the Delta man’s insides for no reason.

“… If you rip the horsetail out, consider another treatment method.”

“Yeah, until then, I’ll just have to be content with rolling out of bed.”

Push!

Deltan spat out the alcohol he was drinking. I even cleared my throat.

The expression that came to mind was one of despair.

Deltan spoke to Agnes with a frown on his face.

“… Crazy bitch.”

“Lack of exercise is a serious problem. I think I need you as my therapist to solve that problem.”

“Where did that idea come from?”

“A novel given by Elina. The treatment of secret pleasure.”

“Do you want to be friends with a guy like that?”

Agnes’ expression shook at those words.

It was just a short moment. Agnes soon regained her composure and smiled softly.

“… Because it was when I was young.”

It was an incomprehensible word.

Deltan looked at Agnes in disgust, but she just shrugged.

The Deltans searched for Ishmark without hesitation.

In fact, the reason I can’t go back yet is because he hasn’t come.

At a banquet invited by the emperor, you must meet him.

This was something that must be kept as it was part of the contract that the Deltans made with Ishmark.

About 10 minutes passed like that.

[His Majesty the Emperor is entering!]

At the same time as those words were spoken, the orchestra began to play vigorously.

Deltan’s eyes turned to the main door of the banquet hall.

The place opened and I turned to the man coming in.

“Your Majesty is very young.”

“The cost of maintaining that is equivalent to a year’s worth of taxes for a small fiefdom.”

“Wow.”

The dazzling white hair flows down like silk. Above it was a golden crown. What stands out more than that is the sturdy body and masculine beauty that can be seen even through the clothes.

Emperor Ishmark von Rebroke was entering the banquet hall at a leisurely pace.

The nobles stepped aside and bowed their heads in front of the path he was walking on.

This situation, in which no one dared even let out a breath, clearly showed how much authority Ishmark held.

As an emperor of the era of peace, Ishmark’s reign may be unsatisfactory to some, but in terms of the prosperity of the empire, he was superior to any previous emperor.

This was just the proof.

Soon, Ishmark sat down at the head table in the banquet hall.

At that moment, his and Delta’s eyes met.

Ishmark greeted me with a smile and raised his hand.

Pop. The orchestra’s music stopped.

‘It’s really dirty.’

Deltan watched Ishmark’s actions with a sad look on his face.

“Thank you for attending today’s banquet. As you know, this banquet is for the swords of the empire and the great wizard who brilliantly resolved the accident that occurred not long ago.”

The eyes of the banquet hall were focused on Deltan.

Deltan’s expression became more rough, and Agnes’ smile became more pretentious.

“I would like you to applaud them first.”

match. match.

As Ishmark clapped at a steady beat, the nobles present began to clap along.

Each one was not that big, but the vibration they created together was enough to make the banquet hall vibrate.

“Wow~.”

Meanwhile, Agnes was even cheering. He seemed to like the Deltan’s lumpy face.

Deltan stared at it for a moment, then stood up and bowed his head to Ishmark.

“Hwang Eun is devastated.”

A skit that isn’t even funny.

If you think back to the day after defeating Gaias, it was the second time this month that something happened.

It was quite irritating for the Deltans, but it was a pleasure for Ishmark.

After all, wasn’t his relationship with the Deltans exposed to the world like this?

However, a line must be maintained.

Ishmark had already seen all the benefits that could be gained by praising him, so he was not greedy for anything more.

“I am grateful for the Count’s efforts to always protect the empire.”

As Ishmark said that, his eyes scanned the banquet hall.

It was a gaze that pierced the silence.

Since this is the main point, the action played a role in creating tension.

Ishmark’s moving gaze stopped on Marquis Grobin.

Deltan quietly watched the situation.

He knew that Ishmark would use a move today, but he didn’t know the exact method, so there was a slight curiosity inside him.

Meanwhile, Ishmark pursed his lips.

“There was a moment of crisis. It happened because of demons hiding in an unexpected way. Fortunately, we overcame the crisis… .”

The nobles bowed their heads and listened to the emperor.

Marquis Grobin remained unmoved by his piercing gaze.

“… For some reason, I feel like the crisis is not over.”

A smile appeared on Ishmark’s lips.

“Isn’t that right? A devil is something that dwells in the human heart. Isn’t it possible that there are devils in this system that we haven’t been able to eradicate yet?”

The words that followed were extreme.

“For example, the demon of chaos that led His Majesty the late Emperor to suicide three years ago.”

For a moment, Marquis Grobin’s expression hardened.

Deltan’s eyebrows raised.

‘It’s the devil… .’

Only then did the Deltans understand Ishmark’s intentions.

It was a pretty radical move.