episode_0175

Negotiation is different from discussion. It’s not about beating the other person, it’s about win-win. That is the essence and purpose of negotiation.

The princess and I both want something. Actually, Albrecht didn’t have anything like that, but I created it by using the empire itself as an excuse. Even if you don’t have much interest in your own life, do you still have patriotism?

Anyway, I tried to end the negotiation easily… Remnants of the past held me back. Oh, why are you doing this to me?

“It was something that could not be helped. To put it bluntly, it was an unfortunate incident.”

“Misfortune?”

“Then how else can you express it? I was trying to continue my life at the academy in peace and happiness with Maria, but that person suddenly appeared and blocked us. They said that if I tried to stay in the book club, they would completely harass me. After finding out about the situation, I found out that he had a terrible grudge against the person who was originally the head of the book club? A level that will not be easily solved.”

“So you killed him?”

“Is there anything special? I had a blast with an air rifle. I swear to God, I didn’t kill him as a joke. My relationship with Maria is more important to me than anything else.”

As I boasted about it, Maria sighed as if she was thinking about it. You’re doing that because you like it, right? A woman will die for a man who likes to sleep with her!

“Saint, it seems like you are going through a lot of hardships. Out of all the many people, I couldn’t believe I was dating such a crazy person.”

What, what? What are you talking about? Are you ignoring me now?

“Haha… no. Rather, because he is this kind of person, he took my heart.”

“Then you are also a crazy person. They are a well-matched pair.”

hey! Princess! Take back what you just said! How dare you say something harsh about Maria? Should I just cut off that tongue and hang it at the school gate?

… I want to bravely shout, but for now, let’s stay quiet. You can’t commit the mistake of being too small or too small due to a momentary overflow of emotions.

“Well, do whatever you want. As long as you don’t kill the Academy’s students for no reason, the real woman won’t care if you get along with each other.”

“Don’t worry about that. From now on, I won’t kill anyone. I already got scolded by Maria about that.”

“When it comes to the saintly woman’s words, she speaks very quietly. If a saint dies, I will die.”

“Isn’t that obvious? If Maria tells me to jump into the lava, I will jump gladly.”

“Evans, Your Majesty! What are you saying! Who dies?”

Maria, who heard Albrecht’s bold statement, embraced me as if she was protecting me. Baby, I like it. I will have to make puns like this more often in the future.

“ Let’s say it was murder, but why did you hang the body up as if to show off? ”

Albrecht asked sharply. I answered by wiping under my nose.

“I just wanted to show you. Life is a battle of who can leave more of a mark, right?”

“You’re crazy. Saint, is it okay to leave this in the academy? Place your hand on your heart and say it with the feeling that you are speaking to the Lord.”

“… You have become much more educated than before. Right, Mr. Evans?”

“Okay then! Of course!”

Albrecht closes his eyes and shakes his head. That’s a movement with some meaning.

“Ugh… Is there anything like that? Anyway, is everything done now? Will you please let go of your real wife now?”

Albrecht said, half standing up from the floor. My next words made her sit back down.

“No, it’s true that the negotiation was concluded, but I’m sorry, but I will be staying in the library with Maria all night. What I mean is, Her Royal Highness must be held here without making a move.”

“Can’t you just return the girl to the dormitory and be alone?”

“That starts tomorrow. Why should I waste these precious moments with Maria on Your Majesty? If I come in and out twice, I might get caught by the guards, right?”

As he said those words, Albrecht tilted his head as if he was sighing. Then, he seemed to have given up and sank down in his seat.

“… He is a ridiculously selfish guy.”

“That’s how life is.”

“Do not be arrogant. There are so many good people in the world who share a piece of bread with a starving child.”

“That’s because I empathize with it. Ultimately, it is an act of self-satisfaction. Take away your empathy, you’ll be dirty like an insect?”

“… .”

Come on, stop now. I don’t want to spend any more time on that. Even Maria is next to me?

Maria, now let’s read the book again. As intimately as yesterday. I erased the momentary conflict. That’s just a trivial thing, right?

I led Maria and sat down next to her on the chair. Maria glanced at Albrecht like an attached balloon. Albrecht was watching us in a half-lying position, wondering what he was thinking.

Isn’t it normal for a man and a woman to get embarrassed and get out of the way when they have a secret love affair? Why are you so shameless? It’s a bit stuck in a corner. Why are you doing that in plain sight?

“Don’t worry. It’s just, um, what should I say. It’s just a mannequin. Mannequins who don’t have to worry about anything and just focus on each other.”

“You call a living person a mannequin. Please refrain from saying things like that.”

“Oh, is that so? Then a doll? Tow? What do you call it?”

“… I even read books.”

Maria reached for the bookshelf. Her hand stopped moving and turned the track.

“No, let’s read the newspaper today. You need to be aware of new news.”

“That should be it. In most cases, it will only be news like ‘back then’. Because there are many variables.”

Since Albrecht is listening to our conversation, I cannot mention words like past life or regression. It’s not a big problem. Neither Maria nor I are such tactless people. If you speak in simple slang, they will understand.

“So, what newspaper are you going to read?”

At the moment of asking the question, Maria had already taken out a large newspaper and magazine and spread it out in front of us. The front page of the newspaper was filled with the famous Academy murder case.

I’ll pass on that. The circus is only fun for those who don’t know the tricks and the inside story, but it’s not that fun for those who create the circus behind the scenes.

The title of the next page of the newspaper was “Goblin reaches for cannibalism. Is it okay to leave it like this?” There was a picture of a goblin that was moderately provocative without violating the deliberation.

“Are goblins on the run these days? I don’t think it was like this back then… .”

“It’s because Goblin God appeared.”

Of course, goblins did eat cannibalism, but only occasionally. The reason they preyed on humans was because of greed and lust.

“Look at this. In particular, most of the victims are clergy. Why?”

“Not just a priest. Devotees of the Olympian gods or Asgardian gods. They target them. I guess that’s why Tuguk and Minguk were in such an uproar.”

“Goblin is not a monster as powerful as a dragon… It’s heartbreaking.”

“With the appearance of the Goblin God, the overall level of goblins has increased. The number of higher-level goblins such as goblin shaman and goblin lord is also increasing.”

“Ha… .”

Maria sighs. I guess I’m feeling sad.

But there is nothing I can do about this.

“Why are the goblins suddenly running rampant?”

“Well. How can Maria or I understand the psychology of monsters?”

“I guess so, right? Umm… .”

Newspapers were busy reporting on the danger of goblins and the seriousness of the situation. Goblins from all over the continent are only concentrating their attacks on Tuguk and the Republic of Korea, or something like that, and because of that, both countries are going through unplanned tribulation.

Well, it’s none of my business. Whether the goblin or the human wins, I won’t lose a single penny.

The next pages of the newspaper were mostly useless. To be precise, these are things that might be talked about among people, but between Maria and me, they are things that do not attract the slightest interest. For example, there were stories about a politician being embroiled in an affair with a prostitute, or a fight between a zoophilia enthusiast and an animal rights protection group in a debate forum.

It’s a fight between those who don’t eat animals and those who look at animals with sexual desire. I don’t know which side to take. Maria and I quickly flipped through the newspaper for that part.

I looked at a few more pages after that, but there was nothing but trivial gossip, so I had to put the newspaper back in the end. Maria took out the criminal psychology book she had read yesterday again.

I don’t know why Maria is looking into the psychology of criminals. Not a detective or a police officer. Is it maybe because of me?

Anyway, time passed helplessly, and the clock showed 12 midnight. I lay down on the floor with my arms outstretched.

Albrecht looked dumbfounded and pursed his lips.

“No way… Are you planning to sleep here?”

A question not worth answering. Therefore I answer.

“Obviously. Your Majesty, sleep here too. When I return Maria tomorrow, I will return your highness.”

“Ha… I should have brought a pillow.”

“Regret is always too late.”

Of course, my outstretched arm belonged to Maria. Maria smiled affectionately and laid her head on my arm. Albrecht looked at the two of us with an expression of disgust.

Hehe, if you’re jealous, you should date him too. In love, the envious side loses.