4. Sold and Still Counting Money
With the lady’s words reaching this point, I figured that even if I faced a mountain of death scripts due to my engagement with Kephiel, there was no reason to refuse.
That evening, a “super small” engagement ceremony commenced just before Kephiel and I were to seek the Queen’s favor. Only four people attended—Kephiel and me, along with her parents.
In a room decorated with some hastily gathered flowers, the uncle hummed a tune, while the lady herself acted as the witness. The most important item—the ring—was a “cheap find” she had prepared on the spot. How cheap? The lady made it clear: the real ring would be crafted with care for the formal ceremony later; this one? It was just something Zerola had randomly picked from the treasury.
It clearly wasn’t cheap at all!
The rest was simple. The lady asked Kephiel if she was willing, and after a long moment of hesitation, Kephiel finally mustered the courage to agree. The uncle and she exchanged glances, both using the same threatening look: “If you don’t answer in three seconds, you’re done for!”
[Ogilid was… hesitating…]
“I do!”
I had no choice.
This was merely a “commitment” to ensure Kephiel would be happy and have no regrets when I went to seek the Queen’s favor, before the real engagement befitting her identity and status took place. That’s how I saw it, but it seemed Kephiel had a different perspective.
[Kephiel is overjoyed!]
Despite the simplicity of the ceremony, Kephiel seemed to take it quite seriously.
But… this is good too. With this, I can confidently share the upcoming plans with Kephiel.
The next day, at the Queen’s place.
With Kephiel, who had been somewhat distracted since the ceremony ended last night, I decided to approach the Queen, using the words the lady had instructed me to say, and request that she allow us to visit the Forbidden Land—no, it should be called the Rodma Empire.
—
I hope this translation captures the essence and atmosphere of the original text!
The daily routine of Queen Louisa IV remained as precise and busy as ever, but upon entering after knocking, I found an unexpectedly surprising guest in the queen’s chamber!
A golden ponytail; a pristine military uniform; and a uniquely shaped sword being waved around like a toy in front of Louisa IV, who managed to smile without a change in her expression.
The loli empress of the Rosia Empire—Ivana Letty, who should have returned after the summit of nations, how did she end up here?
The moment I appeared, Letty was the first to notice me!
“Big…”
Perhaps because she was in front of the queen, Letty managed to suppress her excited demeanor and the “misunderstanding” of her address towards me, then turned to Louisa IV with great precision, “The queen of the Great Yeng Empire! You really guessed it !?”
“Isn’t it? I wouldn’t dare to fool you for no reason, Your Majesty~”
I saw the queen blink, then happily look over at me. Before I could even speak, it was as if she had already seen through everything I was thinking, directly responding to me.
“Euclid, Kephira, I know why you two are here~”
【Louisa IV knows that Euclid wants to go to the Rodmar Empire.】
“You plan for me to send you to the Rodmar Empire, right? If that’s all, I can agree right now, but my only condition is: this time, it can’t just be a happy honeymoon for the two of you.”
Louisa IV glanced at Kephira’s hand, “The Rodmar Empire has just announced its power; it’s a mixed bag, and you’ll need to follow the team I send out.”
Looking at the script, the queen was indeed not as kind-hearted as she claimed.
【Louisa IV is preventing Euclid and Kephira from acting independently.】
Unexpected yet reasonable, Kephira’s “level-up treasure hunt” script existed in the Rodmar Empire. Regardless of what the queen thought, as long as she was willing to let us go, that was enough.
However, the queen’s intentions were not limited to just that.
In the next moment, the queen’s actions surprised me further and helped me understand why Letty was here.
“So, Empress Letty, do you believe me now? What do you think of my gift?”
“Ahem! It’s, it’s about right! So it’s settled then; during this time, the Rosia Empire won’t do anything to your borders, as long as you behave. Just investigating together shouldn’t be a problem.”
This confusing statement became clear with the appearance of the script.
【Louisa IV used Euclid’s identity to reach a temporary ceasefire with Letty.】
Queen, you…
Never mind, after all, I still needed their approval to go to the Rodmar Empire—long live the queen.
Sure enough, in the next moment, Louisa IV explained the superficial arrangement to me.
“Euclid, Kephira, you are going with our Great Yeng Empire’s patrol team this time, but at the same time, for the sake of our common goal, Empress Letty of the Rosia Empire will also be traveling with her team alongside you. Please do not do anything out of line towards Empress Letty of Rosia during the journey to avoid any international issues, okay~ Euclid?”
This was clearly selling me out while expecting me to count the money for her. However, at such a time, refusing might not only make the queen angry but could also infuriate Letty. With a thunderous and unpredictable brat boss like her around, I could think of no other option but to agree.
“I understand, then what exactly are we going to do…”
Letty interrupted, proposing a plan that reeked of Rosia.
“Of course, we’re going to seize territory first! The lawless land has just gained kingship; this is the perfect opportunity! So big brother, you won’t refuse, right?”
The sword in Letty’s hand crackled with electricity. As for my answer, I had no other response from the beginning. Only by finding a foothold in the Rodmar Empire would I have the chance to uncover the source of Kephira’s “level-up treasure hunt” script.
“Of course not! Then I’ll trouble you with the next itinerary, Empress Letty.”
“Not a problem at all!”
In her excitement, Letty completely forgot that Louis IV was still present and transformed directly into a little cannonball, launching herself towards me! However, just at the moment she crashed into my arms, it seemed she sensed something and took a few steps back, then turned her gaze towards Kephir, who was standing to the side.
After scrutinizing Kephir for a while, she asked with some confusion, “What’s wrong with her? She seems so strange today; I thought she was going to cause trouble just now.”
You can rest assured about that, Empress. Given Kephir’s current state, she probably won’t be jealous for the next few days, but rather happily lost in her own thoughts.
As for the reason…
I can’t say, as I really don’t want to be struck dead on the spot.
【Ouji Li De collapsed on the spot after revealing his engagement with Kephir.】
Sure enough, as the BOSS, after getting engaged to Kephir, the death scripts keep popping up one after another!
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