21. 전.

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

“…And thus, it seems the country has been divided in two.”

“What a load of crap.”

 

Seorae, after hearing the report, gave a snort.

 

“I understand their position. They were against it, but you forced it through, and that’s what happened. But so what?”

 

She didn’t care about the situation in Athens.

What mattered was that Athens had tried to defy her and, furthermore, had tried to mess with Aran.

 

She had barely managed to hold back from wiping them out, lowering the intensity, but they were still trying to avoid even that? Unacceptable.

 

 

“Then what should we do? They’ve started a rebellion, claiming it has nothing to do with what King Attica of Athens did.”

“Just watch for now. Let’s see what that guy does.”

“What if that person leaves them alone?”

“Then I’ll have to push them. Why would I leave those bitches alone?”

 

A very firm attitude.

It didn’t matter how many ways Athens split. That didn’t erase the fact that they had rebelled against the Empire and tried to mess with Aran.

 

 

“Making them slaves and giving them over would be good. Keep monitoring them for now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

 

Seorae, watching the woman leave after bowing respectfully, suddenly remembered something and called her back.

 

“Did you look into what I asked about before?”

“Yes?”

“That bitch Cornelia. She’s stepping down this year, right?”

“Ah, yes. It’s not confirmed, but there have been subtle hints, and it seems she’s handing over more and more authority to the Crown Princess, so it’s highly likely, I believe.”

“Hmm….”

 

 

Seorae leaned back in her chair.

She wasn’t particularly interested in Cornelia, but if the Empress of the Empire was stepping down, she needed to know the reason.

 

 

“What’s the reason? She’s not old enough to die yet.”

 

 

She briefly wondered if it was because of the marriage with Aran, but she had heard the news before making the bet.

In other words, Cornelia had been planning to step down this year from the start.

 

 

“Not even that….”

“Well, I guess so. You wouldn’t have had much time.”

“I will find out as soon as possible.”

“Okay. Oh, and write a letter to Aran.”

“What should I write?”

“Tell him to come over anytime if he wants to eat various kinds of food.”

“Yes…? Should I write it like that?”

“Yeah. That guy will understand everything.”

 

 

She was planning to create a kind of hostess club for Aran.

There would be plenty of personnel since there were so many royal and noble families collapsing due to the vassal state war.

 

 

Noble women generally grew up beautifully and were often beauties, so if she gathered a bunch of them and took good care of them, it would become quite an enjoyable paradise, and if he got a taste for it, he would visit often. And when he came, she could spread her legs as much as she wanted.

 

 

‘Hehe. You’ll be coming often.’

 

 

They would be together all the time once they were married, but unfortunately, the scale of the Mei Empire was so large that she couldn’t just abdicate as she pleased. She had to plan and prepare for at least a few years and pass it on to the Crown Princess.

Naturally, she couldn’t leave the Empire during that time.

 

So, she thought of having Aran come over!

It was progressing in a very cunning direction, and for Aran, who had learned the taste of women, there was no way he could escape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

“That’s Mount Olympus.”

 

 

Aran looked up with an awestruck expression.

At the end of his gaze, which he could barely reach by craning his neck, was the summit of a massive mountain.

 

It was so large and majestic that it could not be compared to the mountains on the small peninsula.

 

 

“Wow….”

 

 

Iliana, Theodora, and the soldiers were also seeing such a huge mountain for the first time, so they couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

 

“Zeus Castle is beyond that, right?”

“To be exact, Zeus Castle blocks the main passage over. We have to push through it for the troops to pass.”

“I see. Then let’s camp here for today. There’s something I need to do.”

 

 

At Aran’s words, the soldiers spread out and began setting up tents.

 

 

“Are you doing it again today?”

“Of course. I’ll do it every day.”

 

 

Iliana and Theodora followed Aran to a secluded spot and drew the swords they were wearing.

A sharp aura threatening the opponent was released.

 

 

Over the past few days, Aran had been checking the two women’s swordsmanship from time to time, and as they felt, they had definitely hit a wall.

Especially in Theodora’s case, it seemed like she could reach Tier 4 with just a little more, but that little bit was so difficult that she hadn’t made any progress for four years.

 

 

‘She suffered a mental wound and was blocked by a wall, which hardened over time.’

 

 

If she hadn’t met Aran and had spent just one or two more years like that, she would have remained at Tier 3 for the rest of her life.

It was fortunate that she had met Aran now, was sending off the dead, and was recovering.

 

 

Of course, even so, considering the talent she originally had, it was a serious waste.

If her former lover, Merlin, hadn’t died, she would have grown steadily and reached at least Tier 5, maybe even Tier 6, by now, so the incident was a huge loss for her personally and for the nation as a whole.

 

 

 

 

‘Nuna-nim’s problem is her mindset itself. She doesn’t even assume that she can grow any further…’

 

 

Theodora was a woman overflowing with talent, so she would improve with time.

However, Iliana’s awareness of her own limitations was so clear that she couldn’t grow unless that awareness was broken.

 

 

‘From the first time I met her, she always said that this was her limit…’

 

 

When you think about it, that kind of awareness was why he became close to her, and that’s how they became a couple, so in some ways, he was grateful. But that was just a result.

Currently, that kind of thinking was nothing more than an obstacle for her.

 

 

‘I have to get rid of it. That thought itself.’

 

 

What should he do to get rid of that thought?

 

 

Aran felt that a powerful move was needed.

And that powerful move could only be used by Woman Aran.

 

 

“From today, I’m going to change the method a little.”

“?”

 

 

The two women stared blankly with questions.

When Aran released his mana and transformed into a woman’s body, the two women’s faces subtly distorted.

 

 

 

“I’m going to teach you in this form. I’m still Aran, so no complaints, right?”

 

 

Woman Aran wore a long, sly smile.

 

 

“….Do you really have to do that?”

 

 

Man Aran was a lovely husband and younger brother, but Woman Aran was nothing but awkward.

Her ego, which rivaled Moe, was a problem, but there was an indescribable atmosphere that made it difficult to even approach her.

 

 

“Of course. When you think about it, it’s all because of you, so do your best.”

“…?”

 

 

Iliana looked like she didn’t understand, but there was no further explanation.

 

 

“The rules are similar. Just touch me even a little, like you’ve been doing. Of course, I’ll do my best to avoid it.”

“The difficulty has increased. Since you’ve turned into a woman….”

“Well, there’s that, and this time there’s a penalty if you can’t touch me.”

“What…?”

“From today, if you can’t touch me even once, you’ll sleep with me in this form.”

 

Ossa!

 

 

A cool sensation ran down the two women’s spines.

 

Sleep together?

With a woman?

Even if it’s Aran, she’s still a woman?

The same gender?

 

 

“Of course, I’m aware that I’m a man, so I don’t feel uncomfortable at all even if I’m entangled with a woman. But wouldn’t you feel different? Wouldn’t you get goosebumps all over your body?”

 

 

I already have them.

 

Kkuuk.

 

 

Theodora clenched the sword in her hand with a determined face.

 

“Hehe. Good. That’s the attitude.”

“….”

 

 

Iliana also adjusted her grip on her sword.

 

“Just so you know, if you can’t touch me tomorrow either, you’ll sleep with me tomorrow too. If you can’t touch me for a week, you’ll sleep with me all week. If you can’t touch me for a month, you’ll sleep with me all month.”

 

Keulkeok.

 

 

Tension flowed between the two women.

 

 

“I’m sure you know, but there’s no such thing as a veto.”

“…Arbitrary.”

“A master is bestowing grace upon a novice. It doesn’t matter what the method is, right?”

 

It was an arrogant statement, but they agreed.

Her personality was like that, but her skills were definitely certain.

Wasn’t she someone who could tear space and even teleport?

 

 

 

“Give us a reward too.”

“Huh?”

“If there’s a penalty, there should be a reward too.”

 

 

Theodora made a bold statement.

She was slightly taken aback, as she didn’t expect her to say such a thing.

But she quickly recovered.

Woman Aran smiled slyly.

 

 

“I’ll violate you every day. As a man, of course.”

“N,not that kind of thing!”

 

She shouted and rushed forward first.