Even though the Emperor exposed who I desperately wanted to have sex with, I straightened my back with confidence after the reveal!
What’s wrong with a man wanting to sleep with a woman?
Especially when she has the biggest tits in the world.
I’m proud!
“This man seems like a suitable groom… What do you think, Ariella?”
“…Your joke is in poor taste.”
“You’ve really stepped on her bad side, Geum Taeyang.”
“Haha…”
It would be incredibly reassuring to have the Emperor’s support, but right now, I’m just anxious about where this conversation is headed.
She saw right through me.“However, I wasn’t suggesting it lightly.”
Her Majesty’s alluring eyes gleamed from behind the veil.
“I gave you my blood because I value your abilities, but it’s a problem if you don’t produce any children.”
“I believe I’m already contributing greatly to Your Majesty.”
“And?”
“…So please stop forcing me to find a man.”
“You sound just like my daughter, sigh.”
It seems like they’ve had this conversation before.
“Kusley is dead. There’s been no news for a year.”
“He might still be alive…”
“Taeyang, what about you? How do you feel about Ariella?”
Ariella firmly believes in her husband’s return, but the Emperor doesn’t seem too keen on her daughter remaining single…
This is my chance! I puff out my chest and declare confidently,
“I like her! No, I love Lady Ariella!”
“What…?”
Ariella turns pale, while the Emperor bursts into laughter.
It sounds like a high school girl giggling, which unsettles me.
Is this really the Emperor…?
“A man needs this much boldness. Perfect!”
“Your Majesty…!”
Ariella looks flustered.
Who knew the audience chamber would turn into a matchmaking session?
Not me.
Emperor, please!
Let me marry Ariella~!
“I dislike this man.”
Ugh!
“Dislike? Why?”
“…”
She’s holding back because I’m right here.
If Ariella were to list out all the reasons she dislikes me, I might actually cough up blood from the blow.
But her silence is just as nerve-wracking.
“…He’s not to my liking.”
She squeezes out those words, summarizing everything in one go.
“This guy has monstrous reproductive capabilities. He’s the best I’ve ever seen among males. Any woman he ends up with will be happy for life.”
My shoulders slump.
I knew I could trust you, King Dick!
“I want you to stop working so much and find happiness, Ariella. Are you planning to live out your eternal life in solitude?”
“I…”
Ariella clasps her hands over her ring.
“I already have someone I love, Mother.”
“…”
“He… was kind, gentle, a role model for everyone.”
Ariella’s true feelings pour out.
The more I hear, the further she seems to slip away, making me feel sick to my stomach.
“I was truly happy to be able to love such a husband. If he’s gone, I intend to live out eternity honoring his memory…”
“…”
Kusley.
I hate this Kusley guy, Ariella’s husband whom I’ve never even met.
Even if he were gone, it doesn’t guarantee that I’d be able to marry Ariella.
Sihyeon sighs deeply and looks at me.
“Thank you for your great service to the Empire, Taeyang.”
“Y-you’re welcome!”
“I heard you captured the Collapser as well? Impressive. You haven’t even been here that long…”
“Thank you!”
I’m at a loss for words, reduced to a thanking machine by the Emperor’s praise.
“Relax. I’m Korean too. What year is it back in your world?”
“It’s the year 20xx.”
“Not that far off. It’s been a thousand years here… Ah, I was in the military when I ended up in this world.”
“…Excuse me?”
The… military?
“I was originally a man. I switched genders when I came to this world…”
“…”
Shocking…!
So beneath that fantastic silhouette… lies a bearded middle-aged man…?
Ugh! Stop imagining it!
“Hey, what are you thinking about?”
The Emperor crawls closer and lifts her veil.
“Don’t I look like a proper woman?”
“…Gasp.”
She’s a spitting image of Seina!
Their personalities are different, but their faces are identical.
“You’re a bold one. Even eyeing my daughter.”
“I apologize!”
I bow my head.
“Even Seina, back then… It’s been a while. It’s my fault. I raised her by myself, so she’s become incredibly shy around strangers.”
“…Shy…”
Now I understand why she’s remained a virgin for so long.
“I thought she’d be out there charming men, just like me.”
….
If she didn’t wear that gas mask, she’d probably have a fan club by now.
Something like… a latex-clad heroine protecting the streets.
I imagine Seina awkwardly squeaking and running away from her fans.
“You know, our bloodline doesn’t age. In a way, my daughter’s appearance is Ariella’s future.”
“…”
Rejecting men for a thousand years!
As someone who can barely handle a week without a woman, it’s an unimaginable amount of time.
“Anyway, I expect you to continue capturing Otherworlders and contributing to the Empire.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Taeyang, where are you staying right now?”
Ariella answers reluctantly,
“He’s… a guest at my manor.”
“You’re living in the same place?”
Oops.
The Emperor is giving me that “you idiot” look from behind the veil.
“And nothing’s happened?”
“Well… Haha…”
If Ariella was the type to fall for aggressive advances… it would’ve happened a long time ago…
“How badly did you torture her to make her like this?”
“…I never mistreated her.”
“No one’s forcing her to marry. I’m just telling her to try dating a decent guy. You never know until you try.”
“I’m already married, so…”
“Imperial Constitution, Article 3, Clause 8.”
“…A person missing for over 400 days is presumed dead.”
“And yet you walk around wearing that wedding ring like you’re repelling men. No wonder no one approaches you at social gatherings.”
“I don’t want them to.”
“Ariella! The duty of the Bloodline, our vow.”
“To increase the number of Bloodline members… and create a force to oppose the Otherworlders.”
How did it come to this?
Having to sleep with men and bear children?
Even if heaven allowed it, I wouldn’t!
“You’re just fixated on eliminating enemies, believing in your husband’s return.”
“Believing in my husband’s return is the duty of a wife.”
“You need to learn to let go. You have an eternity to live.”
“…”
Ariella is being scolded about marriage and dating…
I never thought I’d witness such a scene.
This is more entertaining than a soap opera!
“Ah, right, Taeyang. You deserve a reward.”
“A reward? I was simply doing my duty…!”
“Don’t try to act all grown-up. Just accept it when someone offers you food.”
“…Yes…! I’ll gladly accept it!”
Emperor noona…! No, hyung?
I wonder what she went through to reach her position.
I’m glad I didn’t get gender-swapped.
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Come closer.”
I approach the veil.
She smells nice.
The Emperor slices her wrist and holds it out to me.
“Drink.”
“This is…”
“Drink this, and you’ll become one of us.”
“Will I also be obligated to increase the Bloodline?”
It feels disrespectful to ask this in front of her flowing blood…
But if this is some kind of contract, I need to clarify the details.
The Emperor laughs, seemingly pleased.
“No, men can’t even if they wanted to. Only women can increase the Bloodline. This just grants you a portion of my power.”
“Then I gratefully accept.”
Who would refuse immortality?
I carefully suck the blood from Sihyeon’s wrist.
Gulp.
[You are blessed by “Eternal Blood.”]
This feels strange.
“How is it?”
“I feel overflowing with power.”
“You’ve become stronger overall. Normally, this isn’t a reward given for capturing just one Collapser…”
“So I’m getting special treatment?”
“Of course, I have to look out for my fellow Korean. I hope you survive.”
Korean camaraderie!
I feel tears welling up from the overwhelming Korean pride.
If only I could call her “hyung,” I’d grab her hand and shout, “Hyung-nim!”
“Your Majesty… there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Hmm?”
“What will happen to that couple?”
“Ah, right… They’ll be sent to the Magnetar Center. The male slave to the Water District, and the woman… to someone wealthy.”
Seina’s not here, so I have to speak up.
“Gayeon bears my brand.”
“Hmm. You want her?”
“…If you would entrust her care to me, I’ll handle it without any mishaps.”
“Well, she wasn’t a real Collapser anyway…”
“…What?”
The Emperor casually drops a bombshell that makes our entire conversation seem absurd.
Gayeon… isn’t a Collapser…?
I glance at Ariella, but she already seems to know.
“Didn’t Ariella explain what a Collapser is?”
“She said they possess the power to reverse causality and defy fate.”
“Right, that woman simply became strong through her own achievements… Strictly speaking, she’s not a real one.”
The power to reverse causality and defy fate…
My monologue…?
“Of course, if they possess the same power as a real one, even a fake has its uses. That woman was such a case.”
She means the power of the Sword Emperor was a result of effort, not a true Collapser’s ability.
“Take her. Make sure she’s managed properly.”
“Yes! I’ll take her husband as a set!”
The Emperor nods and summons someone with a gesture.
Phew, that’s settled.
I’ve prevented Master from being sold as a slave.
Saving her husband was all part of my plan to curry favor.
There’s no telling what Master might do if I let Kang Seol get sold into slavery.
I took the best course of action.
We’ll all go back together.
“Take care of my daughter, Taeyang.”
“Your Majesty…!”
“Just because you formed a blood contract doesn’t make it incest, so don’t worry.”
“I’ll do my best!”
“Ariella.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Next time you come here without a boyfriend, I’m throwing you both into the tentacle pit. Understood?”
“………………………………Understood.”
…That was a very long pause.
“Bye bye~.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Sihyeon waves goodbye with a cheerful smile.
To think I’d meet another Korean here…
It’s been an exhilarating experience.
“You’re lucky.”
Ariella speaks as soon as we leave the audience chamber.
“I’m not mocking you. Not everyone receives a blood contract.”
“Now we’re the same, Ariella.”
“…What are you so pleased about?”
“It feels like you’re paying attention to me now.”
I’m happy that her tone has returned to how it was when we first met.
Ariella flinches, realizing it herself.
“…Let’s go back. Guest.”
“Now?”
“Sigh…”
“Were you surprised that I became part of the Bloodline, Ariella?”
“Lady Ariella.”
“Lady Ariella, were you surprised?”
“I think your accomplishments are extraordinary. It’s been years since I’ve last seen the Emperor laugh like that.”
“Really? I thought she was quite friendly.”
“The Emperor can read men’s minds. No one dares to approach her, and even those who do are too terrified to speak.”
“She was a bit intimidating.”
“That’s why I brought you here without any prior knowledge, to prevent unnecessary fear.”
“You were looking out for me?”
Ariella neither confirms nor denies it.
Maybe it’s because I’ve experienced too many things today that defied my expectations.
I want to go back and rest.
Ariella and I rejoin the other two who were waiting in the waiting room.
“Seina, a message from the Emperor.”
Seina flinches, her shoulders trembling.
“She said if you come here again without a boyfriend, she’ll throw both of us into the tentacle pit.”
“……………Yes.”
…Seina’s pause is just as long.
I pretend not to notice, lest they realize their predicament brings me joy.
I’m better than a tentacle pit, aren’t I, ladies?
“Honey, what happened in there?”
“Things happened. I think it’ll work out well from now on.”
The most powerful person in the Empire has my back.
It couldn’t get any better than this.
It feels like I can conquer both Ariella and Seina, who were previously unapproachable.
Reinvigorated, Geum Taeyang charges forth!
I grab Ariella’s arm as she turns to leave.
Her eyes tremble slightly as she looks back.
“Ariella, where are you going?”
“…Why?”
“If you’re free, how about a walk with me?”
“Let me ask again. Why would I?”
“You’ll regret it if you keep acting like that. According to Her Majesty… you’re supposed to spend time with me, right?”
Slap!
“……”
I’m slapped across the face hard enough to make my head spin.
It doesn’t hurt that much…
But the fact that Ariella slapped me… stops me in my tracks.
“I’m running out of patience for your childish antics.”
“Ariella…”
“What are you doing?”
“I just… I like you…”
“Shut up.”
I retort in frustration,
“Is it a crime for a man to be attracted to a woman?”
“It’s not a crime. I know you’re attracted to me.”
“Then…!”
“Stop treating me like a fool.”
When did I ever treat her like a fool?!
I’ve always been sincere with Ariella…!
“You spend every free moment with that silver-haired girl.”
…….
…….
…Ah.
“And yet you dare to claim you like me, even going as far as declaring it in front of Her Majesty…”
“…”
My mind goes blank.
Because even a fool could understand why Ariella is angry.
“You’d never act like this in front of someone you truly love. Do I look like a whore to you?”
“No!”
“Don’t expect any favors from me. I’m not the least bit curious about you.”
“……”
“Get out of here with your ridiculous act.”
Ariella shakes off my hand and walks away.
…I messed up.
I got carried away, thinking she wouldn’t dare to treat me poorly with the Emperor backing me up…
Like a child…
I lost sight of what truly mattered.
I had the audacity to claim I like Ariella… after sharing such intimacy with Cecilia.
No matter how genuine my feelings are, they wouldn’t appear that way to her.
Just thinking about it from the opposite perspective…
How absurd would it be if the woman who claimed to love me was sleeping with other men?
I don’t even want to imagine it.
I forced my way into her home… and acted like I could have her whenever I wanted.
All while spouting about how much I like her.
I haven’t… truly looked at her.
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