In the meantime, some trivial things had happened.
Sushia built a gigantic sandcastle.
Especially, the grilled lamb tasted delicious.
One of the spider’s legs, the Singer of the Waves, tried to assassinate Ascal.
Such were the trivial stories.
“I, the Singer of the Waves, acknowledge defeat.”
The Singer of the Waves dropped to their knees.
“I used every means available, but I couldn’t assassinate you. You are beyond my capabilities. The hidden dragon of the Empire. It was as if you foresaw all my moves and evaded them. I even felt a sense of inferiority.”
Ascal silently looked down at the Singer of the Waves.
There was no other choice.He couldn’t understand why they were acting this way all of a sudden.
“Our tribe is a nomadic people from southern Getar. But when the Empire occupied Getar, we lost our homeland. So we always harbored resentment toward the Empire.”
The Singer of the Waves grabbed Ascal’s arm with a wrinkled hand.
“Please, end it with me. Have mercy on our tribe…”
“I don’t understand. Did your people do something?”
There was neither anger nor contempt in Ascal’s eyes.
The Singer of the Waves spent a long time trying to interpret those eyes. And finally, they understood the meaning behind Ascal’s words.
―I will consider your attempt to assassinate me as nothing.
The overwhelming difference in their magnitudes.
The Singer of the Waves trembled.
“So, can we stay as we are?”
The Singer of the Waves asked with a worried expression.
The fate of the tribe depended on Ascal’s word.
“I don’t understand what you mean. Weren’t you always like this from the beginning?”
“...!”
―From the very start, you were citizens of our Empire.
The Singer of the Waves’s tears fell.
For a long time, they belonged nowhere, shunned by all, and now they were finally recognized.
Within the vast embrace of the Empire.
“Thank you, thank you…!”
The Singer of the Waves repeatedly bowed.
Ascal only looked at the Singer of the Waves with a puzzled expression…
****
One More Thing.
Suddenly, Veld, the representative of the Coastal Development Union, who had been absent for a while, appeared and said to Ascal,
“I have been watching this and I am deeply moved. Seeing your boundless generosity, Count, made me realize that I have been nothing but a merchant chasing after money.”
What’s with this guy now?
“But from now on, I intend to live as a merchant who benefits people.”
Now he skipped all the build-up and went straight to the climax.
Ascal, giving up, replied,
“That’s a good thing. So?”
“I heard that your territory has been experiencing a shortage of supplies recently. I believe our merchant group can solve that problem.”
As Ascal nodded indifferently, Veld smiled and said to the merchants,
“Guys! Let’s go! To the Erindale territory!”
The merchants, loading their goods onto the wagons, departed immediately.
This was the moment when Veld, later known as the great merchant of the continent, took his first small step.
.
.
.
“But you need to explain what exactly happened…”
Sometimes, many things happen in unknown places.
―Quest Complete! <Tears of the Emerald Coast>
Route C. Complete reconciliation of two forces
Reward: The Saltwater Tribe pledges loyalty to you.
Reward 2: A merchant group is added to the Erindale territory.
Current development level of Erindale: Lv.3
<A territory that has just begun to grow>
By the sea, Lia, who was waiting for Ascal, was talking to someone.
- I declare, if you don’t seize this opportunity, you are the world’s biggest fool.
“I understand.”
Recently, Lia had become somewhat familiar with the other voice in her head.
They shared a common goal.
To win over Ascal.
“But you, for all your smooth talk, do you have any experience in romance?”
-...
There was no response.
Lia had identified a pattern in the other voice.
When it was at a disadvantage, it went silent.
****
Lia’s heart was pounding.
This was the first time she had felt this way since the Night of the Holy Festival.
When she confessed to him that she was a princess, wondering if he would despise her—
This time was the same.
What if he rejected her confession?
Her stomach churned.
-Lock him up. When a man and a woman are forced to stay together, affection naturally develops whether they like it or not.
“Stop making strange remarks…”
Lia stopped speaking.
Someone was walking along the sandy beach.
It was Ascal.
“The wind is a bit chilly. Lia.”
Ascal took off his outer coat and naturally handed it to Lia. This casual gesture felt more infuriating to Lia than anything else.
“Sushia and Arin played until they fell asleep. Why did you call me here?”
-Because she likes you, of course.
“Well, Ascal, many things have happened recently, haven’t they?”
“Indeed. It’s been quite eventful.”
Lia squatted down and started playing with the sand with her fingers.
“Do you still plan on leaving the Empire, Ascal?”
-Ascal nearly worked himself to death in his past life. He wouldn’t want to go through that again.
“Yes.”
Lia stared silently at the sandy ground. Ascal thought this was the perfect moment to bring up the topic.
“A terrible disaster will soon strike the Empire. A dragon will awaken. If left unchecked, many people will die. Will you help us, Lia?”
Sirius was already on board. Now it was Lia’s turn.
-Oh, the dragon. Right, I almost forgot about that.
“Yes. I will join you.”
“That’s reassuring.”
The conversation halted. Both of them didn’t know what to say next. The effects of the wine they had earlier made them ask questions they wouldn’t normally ask.
“Crown Prince Kain will be the next emperor, right? Do you mind?”
“It sounds like you’re suggesting I could be emperor.”
She actually became the emperor, but Ascal swallowed those words.
“A lot has changed.”
“Yes.”
“The once bleak Empire is now thriving as if nothing had ever happened. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to fall apart. People look happy.”
Ascal sat on the sandy beach. Next to him sat Lia.
-This is your chance. Hold his hand.
Lia tentatively placed her hand on the back of Ascal’s hand. He didn’t pull away.
-I said hold it, not just place it on top.
“Sometimes I think, maybe there’s no need to run away? Maybe things are okay just as they are.”
Lia laughed. So he felt it too. There had indeed been many opportunities for Ascal to truly escape if he wanted to.
“Ascal, sometimes you can be quite naive.”
“That’s why you’re my aide, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I am always on your side.”
Without Lia, he would have given up and hidden away somewhere long ago.
“That’s why we need to have a solid escape plan. Did you know the emperor’s hounds are still watching us?”
Ascal looked around.
At that moment, someone appeared from behind a rock.
“...Father.”
It was Arthur.
“The Empire needs you, my son. You are destined to serve the Empire forever.”
“What has the Empire done to turn my once strong father into such a loyal dog of the Empire...!”
“My salary has increased again. I also received a generous travel allowance. The capital is quite a good place to spend money.”
The father becoming the final obstacle for his son’s path was a common story.
“Lucia also wants you to become the Prime minister of the Empire. You are the pride of our family. Son, I am proud of you.”
“Don’t act all warm and fuzzy now, Father,” Ascal said.
“I have a proposition. If I defeat you here, you will step aside peacefully today.”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve dueled. But can you, who have been buried in books, defeat me?”
Arthur didn’t know.
Ascal’s swordsmanship had improved dramatically.
“Come, my son.”
“Prepare, Lia! We’re attacking together!”
“?”
Ascal scratched his head and said.
“I never said it would be a one-on-one fight.”
****
In the end, the two of them defeated Arthur and sent him back home.
Dawn was breaking.
Dolphins were leaping over the sea.
“Let’s finish our earlier conversation. What about the escape plan?”
Lia wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled.
“Take me as a hostage.”
It was a plan she had thought about for a long time.
“After everything is done, let’s flee to the west together. I know a place where no one will find us.”
“That’s an intriguing idea.”
Ascal considered it positively.
Lia was the imperial princess, Yulia Barba.
She had high value as a hostage.
“And one more thing.”
Lia took a deep breath and spoke clearly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
“I love you, Ascal.”
****
―I love you, Ascal.
At dawn, Sushia went outside, drawn by the noise, and witnessed an unexpected scene.
It was the prime moment for a young girl.
She was very sensitive to matters of love.
Moreover, witnessing a girl confessing directly to a man was enough to awaken certain feelings within Sushia.
‘Oh, that’s strange. Why is my heart racing like this?’
Sushia hurriedly hid behind a rock, breathing heavily.
Her face was hot, and her heart was pounding.
This was a feeling she had never experienced before.
It was an emotion without any apparent reason or cause.
****
Meanwhile, Serena was busy,
“Your posture is off! Again!”
In dance,
“With this, you’ll be adored in any household.”
Embroidery,
“As expected of Princess Serena. Your form is perfect.”
Etiquette,
“Today’s love fortune is very favorable. You might receive unexpected good news from him?”
Even in fortune-telling.
Only a thoroughly prepared woman can win a man’s heart.
That was Serena’s belief.
When Ascal did not come to the waiting room, Serena was shocked and made a decision.
‘I’m still not good enough.’
So, she decided to polish herself even more.
It would only take a little more time.
‘Just wait a bit longer, darling.’
Once her preparations were complete, she planned to make the most perfect confession.
Directly to him.
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
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