episode_0024

“I didn’t know this was actually a thing…”

Upon careful consideration, it wasn’t impossible to make a hamburger. After all, the place also sold bungeoppang, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they had hamburgers as well. If one were determined to make it, while it might not taste exactly like modern ones, creating a food item like a hamburger itself wouldn’t be difficult. Proper bread was already available, as well as good meat and vegetables, so it would just be a matter of combining them adequately.

“Why are you not eating quickly and doing something else?”

Though her subtle smile made me suspect she might be playing around with the food, I couldn’t give up on the rare occasion of having a hamburger, so I promptly took a big bite.

“Hmm…”

Perhaps because I opened my mouth too wide, a strange sound escaped.

With that sound, Christie’s gaze upon me changed.

It was a look as if she was trying to act cute enough to kill, proving once again that Sikha’s appearance was indeed deceptive.

“Eat more.”

“You know I can’t eat much, right?”

Despite thinking that Sikha had grown quite a bit taller until now, he still couldn’t even finish half of a single portion properly due to his small stomach.

“Too bad.”

Afterwards, she took the hamburger I was eating and started eating it, bite by bite.

Her persistent eating from where my mouth had touched was definitely not just a mood.

“Do you want to eat more?”

“I don’t feel like eating anything right now since I’m full.”

“Well then, go to sleep. I’ll be busy tomorrow as well. I don’t get thirsty in my sleep, but Sikha, you need to get enough rest.”

“Okay.”

Then, she embraced me and headed towards the bed.

“So, this is how you want to sleep today. I’ll understand even if it’s a little cold.”

By the way, I was wearing the animal pajamas she had made for me, so I didn’t feel that cold even in the current situation where she was holding me directly.

“Yes, please rest well.”

Fortunately, unless Christia is in a majorly exhausted state, she doesn’t snore, and she doesn’t have any particularly remarkable sleeping habits. Therefore, I was able to peacefully sleep and take on the morning without any issues.

“But can we already go against the Empire?”

As I changed clothes before heading for breakfast, I asked, and Christia confidently nodded.

By the way, since Christia was currently facing me, I didn’t have to worry about her seeing me changing clothes.

“Even if it’s Christia, she can’t see behind her.”

She might be able to sense my presence, but she wouldn’t be able to see me like a rear camera.

“Of course, Sika. You still seem unaware. The power Christia’s kingdom holds wouldn’t falter even if one were to attack for world domination right now.”

Christia’s expression as she spoke was filled with confidence.

Naturally, she had every reason to be confident.

She was the creator who knew everything about this world.

She would know exactly how much power is needed to annihilate an enemy.

My concern stems from not knowing exactly how much power the Kingdom of Christia possesses.

“So, there’s no need to move quickly?”

Christia’s influence continues to grow over time.

If we don’t subdue Christia quickly, no matter how chaotic things get, she will eventually conquer the world.

So, having established a proper force at this early stage, it meant there was no need to be hasty.

“…That may be true, but there’s also no need to move leisurely.”

Assertively, I approached Christia, adjusting my suit, and looked her straight in the eyes.

“Do we really not need to move leisurely? Just yesterday, you were so busy that we couldn’t even talk properly. You had to sleep early too.”

My words made Christia stiffen.

“Even if I moved leisurely, I could handle all the work that needed to be done while sticking close as usual, couldn’t I?”

“Not a wrong statement… After all, even if I move leisurely, I can still put the world beneath me.”

“But why are you trying to unify the world in the first place?”

The current Christia was different from the original Christia.

The original Christia, who was a tyrant in every sense of the word, would engage in conquest wars deliberately, or if not, other countries would initiate wars due to the oppressive atmosphere.

However, the current Christia, being just an ordinary ruler with a strong desire for conquest, would not engage in war with others unless she declared it, content to live peacefully within the territories she had acquired thus far.

So, it meant that there would be no problem in stopping the war immediately and living a peaceful life, satisfied with the territories she had gained.

“…During the time you were absent, I too have lived a life. If I say I’ve developed dreams as a ruler, you might understand.”

Christia spoke as if she were bringing up a difficult topic, but I could fully respect her intentions.

“Of course, I understand. A lot of time has passed, after all. It’s natural for dreams to change.”

If I were to be reincarnated as a ruler in this world, I might have dreamt of world domination myself.

‘No… perhaps not.’

There must have been a tyrant like Christia, pondering how to rid herself of such a fate.

“Thank you for understanding… However, just as you said, there’s no need to rush. Taking more time with you, even if it takes a while, would be the wiser choice.”

Saying so, Christia opened the door.

“There will be quite a few announcements today.”

Though it was a mansion temporarily established in the Kingdom of Armenia, its structure resembled the mansion Christia used in her kingdom. As we moved toward the dining table, it was apparent that everyone had gathered around it.

“Is everyone here?”

“Yes.”

Even Highbury, who was busier than anyone else as the new ruler of the Armenian region, was seated, so presumably everyone was present without exception.

“Let’s proceed with a major announcement.”

Speaking solemnly, she looked at me and tapped her knee, and I couldn’t help but quietly sigh and sit on her lap.

Christia had shown exceptional affection towards me throughout our time together, but never before had she openly embraced me during a meal.

The sudden display of affection from Christia seemed to startle everyone, but most seemed to have expected something of this sort, as there were no outcries or gasps.

“I plan to take the conquest of the Pandora Empire rather leisurely. After making further preparations, I will commence the invasion, and as I won’t be moving hastily, the pace of advancing the front lines will slow down considerably.”

Christia lightly patted my head.

“Is there anyone curious about the reason?”

“No, there isn’t.”

Even if someone were incredibly oblivious, they couldn’t fail to realize that I was being openly embraced like this… “I don’t really understand… ugh!”

It seemed there was someone who truly lacked awareness.

As the magician noble raised his hand without realizing, trying to inquire about the reason, Hyuphri intervened to stop him from speaking.

“Perhaps…”

Christia’s demeanor shifted.

“Is there anyone discontent?”

An immense force emanated from behind.

A tremendous chill seemed to engulf the surroundings in real-time.

The dishes, which had been emitting warmth just moments ago, rapidly cooled off, to the extent that it was visible.

To dine with Christia meant that even those who were at least 9th rank powerhouses would stiffen up and shiver, so it was clear once again that Christia was formidable.

“In fact, what’s more remarkable than instilling fear in 9th rank powerhouses…”

Even amidst the entire table being enveloped in intense cold, being directly embraced by Christia, I didn’t feel the cold much at all.

“At first, I thought I was going to be crushed by the intense cold.”

Our skin barely touched… not exactly close, just the distance of a couple of layers of clothing, yet instead of fear, it felt warm.

At first, it was probably because there was no one as feeble as me to keep an eye on that I couldn’t focus. Even then, I would have been relaxed enough to control the situation.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

What’s truly amusing is that despite no one actually rebelling, there was quite a strong sense of vitality in the air, yet not a single subordinate seemed to harbor any resentment about it.

Instead, individuals like Hypefree seemed to be delighted to finally experience Kristia’s true power after the aura she exuded had dissipated. They sported expressions of sheer delight, indicating that Kristia had a firm grip on them.