episode_0050

The praise that came out of Judak’s mouth was not just for show.

Of course, he laid traps and showed his cunning, but the Emperor’s face was truly remarkable.

I heard the stories, but I never expected it to be this impressive.

Scanning the Emperor’s face, a passing thought crossed my mind.

“Damn, he’s good-looking. Like a damn bird.”

Even to a man’s eyes, it was a strikingly handsome face.

With this face alone, he could probably charm dozens, if not hundreds, of women.

From his face to his background, everything was solid.

Born in the royal family and became the Emperor.

Even if he had lived a commoner’s life with this face, it would still be a life of luxury. A life of being a damn bird. An Emperor?

He seemed to have everything to an excessive degree.

“If you have a conscience, lower your standards by 3 centimeters.”

I wish he would at least try to balance things out a bit.

If you’re tall, shouldn’t you balance it out with something small?

“Sitting on the throne just because of his face?”

If this were the modern world, he probably wouldn’t have starred in a movie like Titanic.

Or maybe he would have naturally gained fame and become an internet sensation.

“Hmm… he really is good-looking.”

Judak muttered in admiration.

He was so handsome that his inner thoughts spilled out.

It was a small gesture, but…

It was enough to instill fear in the Emperor.

“…!”

The Emperor was astonished.

The man in blue showed interest…!

Being praised for being good-looking is fine no matter who it comes from, but the target was wrong.

Just like how a herbivore wouldn’t be pleased to be called tasty by a carnivore.

The Emperor felt no joy in being appealing to the same gender.

“What the…”

Feeling a distant fear, the Emperor wanted to go home.

But this was the royal palace. The Emperor was already home. Yes, there was nowhere to run.

It was the Emperor who invited Judak, so it was the Emperor’s responsibility to deal with him.

The disaster he brought upon himself was right in front of the Emperor’s eyes.

***

A single word from Judak dealt a heavy blow to the Emperor’s mind.

A man who had been sending cold glances to women suddenly praised a man for being good-looking?

He had suspected it might be a man, but now he was almost certain.

Cold sweat ran down the Emperor’s neck, who had only been in this room for a few minutes. It felt like hours had passed in agony.

He wanted to go home, but this was the Emperor’s home. And there was still work to be done.

“Darn it.”

The trap set for Judak had failed, but an attempt to persuade him had to be made.

He could be of help to the Empire if he was here.

But his momentum had slightly waned.

The reason the Emperor arranged the meeting with Judak was because the appearance he showed in the gallery was so transparent and clear that he believed everything was true.

But what was this?

There was nothing here that wasn’t a lie.

“Where is the truth…!”

Judak was not a female academy student.

He wasn’t even a villainess.

And he wasn’t a man obsessed with women.

The Emperor’s knowledge of Judak was shattered.

His world crumbled.

Along with the simple fact that the powerful weapon of being a woman did not work on Judak, the original purpose remained.

An attempt to persuade.

He had to somehow lure Judak to the Empire.

“Damn it.”

The Emperor’s mind was in turmoil.

He knew that using the word “lure” was not appropriate.

But thinking of using that word made him feel like his pants were coming off on their own.

“How on earth…”

He needed to speak up… but he didn’t know how to open his mouth.

It was the Emperor who invited Judak as a guest.

But was he really a guest?

When he provided a trap to the guest?

No, not a trap. It was a gift, but Judak just didn’t like it.

The Emperor shamelessly pretended to be relaxed, subtly twisting the corners of his mouth.

Years of training in politics and socializing had honed his forced smile.

“Did you like the gift I prepared?”

“It’s not the gift I wanted.”

“I thought it would suit your taste.”

…….

As an awkward atmosphere settled in for a moment, the Emperor cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Just to let you know, I called you here because of the chess tournament.”

“But… why would you need me for a chess tournament? The Empire can manage without me, right?”

“That’s true. However, it would require more time and resources. With the cooperation of the gallery, the process could be smoother.”

“Why not just write directly to the gallery?”

There wasn’t a restriction on writing in the gallery, was there?

The Emperor nodded.

“If I reveal my identity there, it might be interesting. And it would carry more weight if you personally speak.”

Suddenly, he wanted to refuse.

Seeing the Emperor suffer from rejection would be a rare sight.

The Emperor wondered what username and what kind of post he would make.

In the end, revealing himself in the gallery seemed embarrassing.

“But is that all?”

“That’s right.”

Joodak crossed his legs.

It was clear that there was another motive.

The gallery and the chess tournament were merely nominal reasons.

He wouldn’t have called him here just for that.

Even if he had been tempted by the beauties just now… it wasn’t necessarily about the gift.

“Let’s be honest. Why did you call me here for the chess tournament?”

…….

On the other hand, the Emperor’s mind became complicated.

At this stage, Joodak would have been flustered by a woman.

He would have suggested coming to the Empire.

The situation had become distorted… What should he do?

The dilemma didn’t last long.

“I called you here to bring you to the Empire.”

The Emperor chose to reveal his intentions and speak confidently.

“Hmm. So you want me.”

“…That’s right. To be precise, the Empire wants you. At any cost.”

“Oh.”

“If you have any requests, we can fulfill them.”

“Anything?”

“…Yes.”

Instead of an answer, Joodak’s words turned into a question.

The Emperor quickly retracted his thoughts.

He had said anything, but he wasn’t prepared for that yet.

Just the two of them…!

The Emperor cringed at the mere thought.

Surely he wouldn’t make an unreasonable demand here.

While the Emperor trembled inwardly, Joodak shook his head.

“But I still won’t go.”

“Why not? Money, honor, status, anything is possible.”

“No, I just prefer living in the kingdom.”

…….

The Emperor couldn’t understand Joodak’s intentions.

Why did he say he wanted to go to the kingdom?

Because he liked the kingdom more? Because he didn’t like the Empire?

It was incomprehensible.

The Emperor speculated.

‘The reason he wants to stay in the kingdom is…’

Because he dislikes or is hostile to the Empire?

There was certainly suspicion.

Joodak had caused damage to the Empire in everything he did.

Because he likes the kingdom?

This was vague.

There was a reason he chose the kingdom…

‘With the Queen and a wish.’

If he had made a deal with her, there was a possibility.

A wish was the kingdom’s most powerful weapon.

If he had captivated Joodak with that… it was possible.

Then all his actions made sense.

If he had promised Joodak a wish in exchange for helping the kingdom?

Even if the Empire made a sweet offer, it would be ridiculous. But he had no intention of giving up.

“It seems you don’t like being in the kingdom.”

“The kingdom is the enemy of the Empire. It’s not supposed to be likable, right?”

“Then there’s no chance of improving relations with the kingdom in the future?”

“If you come to the Empire, we can consider it.”

Please come to the Empire.

But he didn’t want to go?

Their opinions clashed.

In the determined gaze of the Emperor.

Joodak let out a small sigh.

“Tsk.”

No matter how much he refused, he would probably ask again.

If it didn’t end here, he could see a future where he would somehow intervene in the kingdom.

The choice to come to the empire is being forced upon me.

‘A happy life in the kingdom…!’

The fantasy of a prosperous life with the queen and the knight was crumbling.

“Why do you keep insisting?”

“I can’t just leave the main player who exerts influence over the entire continent alone.”

“So you set a trap under the guise of a chess tournament?”

“….”

“I’ll probably keep doing the same thing while I stay in the kingdom. I wish it wasn’t the case.”

“You’re not even here to represent the kingdom. It’s an unreasonable demand.”

The emperor’s eyes turned cold.

“It’s not an unreasonable demand.”

“?”

“If you can refuse even after seeing this.”

Jutak took something out of his pocket.

***

‘As expected.’

Even if you reject the emperor’s proposal here, it was clear what would happen next.

The empire will continue to intervene in the kingdom and actively engage in affairs!

“Is this guy threatening me?”

He’s so persistent and tenacious that it’s enough to raise suspicions.

To get rid of the emperor’s obsession here… you have to expose his weakness.

As the emperor entered the room, Jutak kept focusing on his weakness.

The one flaw written in the report shown by the queen.

The part that corresponds to ‘losing hair.’

Jutak’s eyes kept turning to the emperor’s forehead.

Compared to other areas, thin hair strands forming an M shape.

Anyone can see that balding is in progress!

If this continues for a few more years, the emperor will transform into a pitiful and unattractive appearance.

Will the emperor, who knows this future, be able to refuse this proposal?

‘If this doesn’t work.’

There is no choice but to enter the empire and confront the emperor in the gallery.

Jutak placed the item he brought on the table.

“This is….”

The emperor stared intently at the item Jutak brought.

An item that looks like medicine… It looks suspicious no matter how you look at it.

Seeing the item presented as an offer that cannot be refused, it must be something worth it.

“Drugs…!”

“What drugs. Ah. But it is somewhat addictive.”

“Then what is it? Why are you showing me medicine! We don’t deal with drugs! Tell me what it is!”

“Ah. This? It’s a hair loss treatment.”

“What.”

Pause.

The emperor’s body trembled greatly.

“A hair loss treatment.”

“Why are you showing me that? There’s nothing wrong with my hair.”

“Ah.”

“Do you think I’m a fool! There is no cure for hair loss! How can you say it’s a treatment!”

“Well, it’s not a disease. It’s just that the hairline is thinning and falling out. The scalp is visible. Are you okay? If you’re fine, then it’s fine.”

This medicine is probably not needed.

Faster than Jutak reaching out for the medicine on the table, the emperor’s hand touched it.

“Why, I thought you didn’t need it?”

“Heh….”

“I was actually considering it. Someone seemed to need a hair loss treatment, so I thought about giving it as a gift. Someone keeps persistently suggesting coming to the empire.”

“Grr….”

“So you don’t want the gift?”

He tightened his grip on the hand holding the medicine as he sneered.

“Do you… want to control your hair loss?”

“Grr….”

The emperor’s dilemma deepened.