episode_0048

Living in the palace, Judak enjoyed a leisurely happiness.

What is he doing now?

As usual, managing the gallery… and visiting the queen’s office had become a daily routine.

“Checkmate.”

“…Again.”

“We’ve already played five games… Tsk.”

“Sigh.”

He thought he would only play a few casual games of chess. But Judak couldn’t escape.

Beatrice, fueled by her competitive spirit, had caught him.

“Why did you make this move? You sacrificed your queen.”

“Because it’s advantageous?”

“Explain in detail… more detail.”

“Well… while the queen is an important piece, it’s not always the case. Right now, there’s an open avenue, so it’s advantageous.”

“…”

Beatrice frowned at Judak’s explanation.

It was a moment that required a difficult judgment.

A design that leads to checkmate through the sacrifice of the queen, a move that deviates from the standard, she seemed not to understand.

The sacrifice of the queen.

Exchanging the queen for a less valuable piece to create a favorable position.

As the play required a few more moves to be seen, Beatrice pressed her temples in frustration.

“Well. Peaceful.”

Judak lectured Beatrice on the game based on the moves.

While she grumbled, Judak managed the gallery.

Just fooling around in the queen’s office.

No helping with tasks, no providing energy to Beatrice.

None of that happened.

“After coming here a few times, you’ve gotten too comfortable.”

Even though he was in front of the queen, Judak was slouched in a chair, legs stretched out.

Thinking it was like a playground, Judak’s tension had long been relieved.

Since Beatrice didn’t seem to mind, there was no one to object.

“What are you doing, warrior?”

“…I’m focusing.”

Judak subtly changed the subject by poking the warrior sitting next to him.

Sitting there under the pretext of being a guard, he seemed to be just playing with the air.

Considering his poking, maybe he was playing a game?

He thought about asking what game he was playing and joining in, but she seemed startled, so he backed off.

“Well, he’s just guarding.”

Even though they had exchanged a few words and become friendly, revealing the true nature of the gallery was embarrassing.

It was like showing someone my secret diary or exposing my bare skin.

But someday, they would get to know each other’s gaming styles and play together.

As Judak imagined a distant future, lying on the sofa.

Knock, knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door.

At the same time, the chaotic atmosphere was straightened out, and the messy interior was neatly arranged.

Beatrice stood tall, showing the queen’s dignity and solemnity.

Judak and the warrior straightened up like soldiers.

“Come in.”

“Your Majesty. The reply to the letter sent to the empire has arrived.”

“…”

She stared at the letter in her hand, ignoring the soldier, and then handed it to Judak.

“It probably won’t mean much if I read it.”

“Hmm.”

Could she sense what the empire would bring up?

Judak casually tore open the letter and read its contents.

To promote harmony and communication across the continent, a chess tournament will be held… and so on. The empire lacks legitimacy on its own, so it needs help.

In summary.

Come to the empire. Let’s play chess. That’s about it.

“What kind of world tournament is this.”

Handing the letter to Beatrice, she nodded in agreement.

“It’s just an excuse.”

“But why are they so confident?”

“From the empire’s perspective, this level of excuse is probably sufficient. Of course… it actually is.”

“Huh?”

Beatrice added an explanation.

“Just the fact that it’s in the Juttaki Kingdom… it’s advantageous for the Empire.”

Being in the Juttaki Kingdom.

Just this fact alone gave the Empire an advantage.

While staying in the Juttaki Ocean Kingdom, did she become close to the queen? If so, then the probability of the kingdom accepting this proposal is high.

On the other hand, if their relationship is strained? Then the kingdom must somehow hand over Juttaki at a high price.

“Wow, that’s harsh.”

“However, no matter what, Juttaki will most likely accept.”

“But I could also refuse.”

Maybe she doesn’t want to go, or she needs time for a goldfish walk.

There are many excuses.

But Beatrice shook her head.

“It’s not that…”

If Juttaki refuses and sticks with the kingdom? Then the Empire can pressure the kingdom in the same way.

Including Juttaki, they had a strong hand. They might even show a positive response.

Even if she refuses and leaves the kingdom.

It’s not a loss in itself.

“The Emperor already knows everything. Whatever choice is made, he won’t lose.”

“…Is the Emperor cunning?”

“He didn’t win the Emperor’s seat by rolling dice.”

Pure political skill!

The problem is that such a person is not on the same side, but on the Red Team.

“The Empire probably knows everything about this situation.”

“Hmm. It’s a checkmate situation.”

“Other than going, there’s no other option, right?”

She nodded.

She was already planning to go, but there was no other way.

“Should I refuse once and see what happens?”

She was curious about how the Emperor would react if she refused.

But there was no reason to poke a sleeping lion.

“I’ll just play some chess and come back, so I’ll be going and coming back.”

“…That’s not it.”

“What? That’s not it?”

“There’s no pure intention in what the Empire does to the kingdom.”

They probably have some scheme in mind.

Her expression slightly wrinkled as she guessed what they might do to Juttaki.

“Hmm. I still have to go.”

But she couldn’t go alone into enemy territory.

Winning money at the gambling table is not the end.

You have to come out with that money.

Juttaki’s gaze turned to the warrior.

“Warrior, you should come with me. Is that okay?”

Sitting comfortably in a chair, absentmindedly tapping the air, she looked up at Juttaki.

“I was planning to go with you.”

How could she leave this man alone?

Even if he refused, she was determined to follow and protect him.

“We’ll send a messenger and get ready, so please wait for Juttaki.”

And so, a day later, it was decided to depart for the Empire.

Inside the carriage heading towards the Empire.

“Ugh…!”

“I, I’ll give you a blessing first.”

Juttaki started to feel motion sickness in the carriage.

Last time, she didn’t feel as sick when she rode the carriage…!

Maybe it’s because she’s relaxed. Her stomach was already churning.

“Ugh… those sneaky Empire bastards… already playing dirty tricks…!”

“It’s just normal motion sickness, Juttaki. You need to rest quietly.”

Struggling, Juttaki eventually rested her head on the warrior’s lap.

“Ah… Warrior, thank you.”

“…No, thank you.”

Kai almost said, “I’m more thankful,” but bit his tongue.

Feeling the head on his thigh made him feel ticklish.

“…”

Kai lent his thigh and turned his gaze out the window.

Rubbing his chin with his hand, he covered his lips with his palm.

Five more days until they reached the Empire.

It seemed like it would be a pleasant journey.

***

Who is the Emperor?

He is someone who rules over a vast territory, commands numerous nobles, and makes the giant guilds tremble.

And he became just as famous.

─I Want to Eat the Emperor

Title) Was the Emperor not Handsome?

For real..

He’s gay gay gay gay…

Why the hell is this bastard acting like this since the morning?

Isn’t this person a girl?

Definitely not a girl, f*ckkk

No matter how you look at it, he’s just gay

You’re being wishy-washy even in your writing for real

There’s a smell of sh*t in the gallery from the morning…

Ah sh*t, I just took a dump

Damn, the smell got worse

Damn, is this a gallery or a toilet?

Both of you, get out!!!!

Honestly, was the Emperor not handsome? ㅠㅠ

For real… I wish to see him again because he’s handsome

Hoo… I want to do laundry on the Emperor’s abs…

Damn, the Emperor’s fanboys are all gathered here

Ugh, it’s disgusting how obsessed they are with the Emperor

Please, just leave…

Yeah, we won’t listen to guys uglier than the Emperor

Yeah, you guys liking chests are just like them

Ugh, the Emperor’s fans are seriously crazy, but there’s nothing to say

But is he really that handsome?

If you had the Emperor’s face, you’d even laugh when farting for real

I actually saw him at the Imperial Social Club, and when I handed him a wine glass, he laughed heartily and his eyes sparkled with love…

? Where did the continuity go?

Other nobles were led by this stubborn and humorous guy, had conversations all day while drinking wine in the garden, and went home alone to cry

Why are you suddenly talking about yourself?

Haha, he’s gay…

What’s wrong with you haha

It was his face that was the problem

Haha, an open ending

Damn, is this a country?

What is the life of a handsome person like…

If I kill all the handsome guys… will I become a handsome guy…?

Just hate the Emperor openly, for real

He’s an open mama’s boy… and he’s talented too

Ugh, he’s an alpha male but even the Emperor??? I’m against the Empire from today on

F*ck the Empire ㅠㅠ I support the Kingdom ㅠㅠ

From today on, I’ll start a movement to send souls to the Kingdom ㅠㅠ

Damn, is this a country?

The Emperor was not only handsome but….

The reason he was famous was because he had good abilities.

He didn’t belong to the commoners in steadily growing the Empire.

Anyone is fine! As long as they have abilities!

Dedicate yourself to the Empire!

He accepted anyone, regardless of their race or species.

In a different country, it would have been a radical move that they wouldn’t even attempt.

The elves would say, “Isn’t this guy’s ears short? Trash, right?”

The demons would say, “This guy doesn’t have horns? What? There’s a big horn between his eyebrows? Cut it off.”

But the Emperor implemented policies that were not confined to norms!

That’s how the size of the Empire continued to grow.

A large Empire is similar to a modern society’s major corporation.

The result of such a major corporation continuously growing was the current Empire.

Title) But isn’t the Emperor a crazy guy?

Isn’t it a bit scary to accept different races just for the growth of the Empire…?

Aren’t you afraid that the Empire could be taken over by other races?

The Empire’s law against discrimination of different races and the policy of favoring immigration of different races are kinda crazy… It’s like, as long as you have the ability, we’ll take you in

It might have actually become stronger by accepting them

Humans seem to somewhat accept different races, don’t they?

If you look at the Ocean Kingdom, they seem to be doing the same…

Humans are a bit strange for real.

But isn’t he trying to expand his body to absorb neighboring countries after inflating it like that?

It seems like his autocratic actions are leading to that

That’s why it’s even scarier haha

In other countries, they frowned upon it

The sight of absorbing different races as they come didn’t seem normal.

Are these Empire bastards trying to invade?

Conquer the continent? To achieve an unprecedented feat?

Such thoughts were radical enough to come to mind naturally.

Title) Let the neighboring countries handle it haha

Elan, Vier, Osen, you guys take care of it haha

Nope haha, we’re not involved haha

Osen is a bit pitiful though

The other two will handle it on their own

For now, it’s certain that Osen wants to eat

The Emperor had only one thing in mind.

To eat Osen and establish a human nation!

With that intention in mind, he planned to make contact with Judak.

While the Emperor was working in his office, the Knight Commander Ersha returned with news.

“The hero and the guest have arrived.”

“Proceed.”

He nodded quietly.

And continued with his work.

“…I don’t know when this will end.”

The Empire’s vast size meant there was much to be done.

***

Although he had gotten used to it, Judak’s body still swayed.

“Ugh, I’m gonna die.”

“Judak, are you okay?”

“Probably.”

Now, it was time to finish the work and rest.

Judak walked around the palace.

He had permission to enter, but who would come out?

The palace was grand and imposing.

As he wandered around like a country bumpkin, heading towards the inside, a woman who seemed to be a court lady bowed her head.

“His Majesty is still busy, would you mind waiting for a moment?”

“…Uh, sure.”

“Guest, please follow me.”

“Uh… okay.”

Ah, I can’t refuse such a request.

Especially when a pretty lady smiles warmly, my body stiffens.

As Judak nodded, the woman led him and the hero somewhere.

“It seems like we’re going to the guest residence.”

“I see.”

They turned towards a different building from the main palace.

It’s called the guest residence, and it’s very grand.

The maids waiting there greeted them.

Naturally, they led Judak and the hero in different directions.

“Guest, please come this way…”

“Uh, the hero is my escort.”

“His Majesty wishes to see you separately. Please wait in this room.”

“….”

This… seems suspicious.

Naturally separating us and leading us to different places? It’s definitely suspicious.

Judak’s gaze shifted towards the hero, who nodded in response.

Okay, then it should be fine to follow along.

Guided by the maids, Judak moved towards the interior of the guest residence.

But what kind of trick is this?

Could it be a sudden threat with a knife?

The dilemma didn’t last long.

An unfamiliar scent tickled Judak’s nose.

‘This is…’

A warm scent… strangely dizzying… it feels exhilarating.

This is clearly a trap. Shouldn’t I run away?

As the door to the guest residence opened, Judak was greeted by many eyes.

Oh my, look at those chests.

“Guest, please come inside?”

The sweet voice of the pretty lady shook Judak’s heart.

Just take a quick look around and leave, right? If nothing happens, that’s it.

“Sure.”

He stuck his head into the tiger’s mouth.