A Burning Heart

Learning the facts related to the new ruins was a good thing, but what was regrettable was that it was not a place known only to us. What was certain was that we could not forcibly seize the ruins.

‘Still, it is true that things are favorable for us.’

Since we knew first, we could create a means to pressure them. We did not intend to send our own people like before. Their lives would be at risk, and we knew that luck would not work again as it had when we obtained the White Crystal before.

‘It would be much better to reap considerable profit based on this information.’

While thinking about what would be best to obtain, I still felt it was such a shame that we could not claim the ruins for ourselves. The problem was that we could not take it without fighting the Magnia Empire. For now, we decided to summon the Magnia Empire’s ambassador.

We planned to subtly let him know what we knew. An appointment was arranged quickly. By the time afternoon came, we could see the ambassador entering the audience chamber. He was a new figure, not the wizard we had seen before. In his appearance, we could see a faint sense of unease.

‘Could it be that he already knows we might know?’

“Welcome, Ambassador.”

“I greet the Ruler of the Great Ocean. May I ask why you summoned me so urgently?”

“Are you going straight to the point? Well, if that is what you wish to hear, I will tell you. As you know, we have secured a certain individual. By his words, he claims to know the location of ancient ruins.”

“Hmm.”

“The location is said to be the Sea of Abundance, is it not?”

“Could that man’s name be Formus?”

“As for his name, I do not know it well. What is certain is that there is a person who provided such information.”

I did not acknowledge Formus. In any case, that man and his family would have their identities laundered and live separate lives. Perhaps the Magnia Empire’s ambassador did not intend to ask in detail either, because he spoke of something else.

“His Imperial Majesty conveyed that if the Polia Kingdom asks about the ruins, I am to deliver these words.”

“And what are those words?”

“What do you want? That was it.”

“Did the Emperor say that? What we want, hm. We always have some things we want.”

At the confident smile I wore, the Magnia Empire ambassador’s expression could not help but stiffen. He knew the situation was not good for them. He was uneasy because he could not know what the greedy King of Polia would demand.

“He said that on the condition that you receive what you want, you must not interfere in any way. He also said you must keep the secret thoroughly. You must keep these conditions without fail.”

“Of course. For now, we will decide what we want through a meeting and inform you later.”

“…Understood. Then may I take my leave?”

“I will inform you of the decision tomorrow, so we will see each other again around then.”

“Yes. Then I will see you tomorrow.”

It was the Magnia Empire ambassador’s back as he withdrew. Seeing that, I smiled confidently. Through this matter, we might obtain technologies we had never expected.

We already had enough money. Of course, since we were already sharing Doicheun Empire technology, we were not lacking in technology either, but among the Magnia Empire’s technologies there were many that were outstanding.

‘Before, we could not obtain the triple-mounted naval gun technology, but we ended up receiving it from the Doicheun Empire. This time, should we demand the fighter engine technologies they said they absolutely could not give?’

The Magnia Empire was said to be the most technologically advanced in the world. The fighter-related technologies they had developed until now could only be exceptional. Having already experienced war, their accumulated technical capability must have reached a very high level.

‘If we gather their technology along with the Doicheun Empire’s and research the strengths together, we could create an even better-performing engine, right?’

If that happened, we might possess fighters with performance beyond expectations. At that thought, a bright smile formed on its own. Thinking I should hurry and discuss what we would gain through a meeting, I left the audience hall.

And after a day passed, I summoned the Magnia Empire’s ambassador again and stated the condition that we wanted the technologies they had previously claimed they could not provide. The ambassador, with a displeased expression, said he understood, and after hearing the emperor’s reply he would inform us of the result, before leaving the royal palace again.

Noa, capital of the Magnia Empire, the emperor’s office in the imperial palace.

“So it has come to this in the end.”

Emperor Jedic’s expression was twisted. The situation he had feared had arrived. Even before, there were many technologies they had handed over to the Polia Kingdom. That too had been offered as the price in relation to ruins, and now again it was being offered in relation to ruins.

“Lacen, is it not truly ridiculous? That King Ian is so shamelessly demanding our technology. This time, he says he wants our fighter engine-related technologies.”

“He is a truly vicious man.”

“Yes, a vicious man. When I first saw him, I did not even know that, and I even treated him with proper courtesy.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“What else can we do? We have no choice but to comply. The value of the White Crystal is far greater than those things. If we can obtain it, nothing is too precious.”

“In the end, only the King of Polia benefits. His luck seems too good again this time.”

At Lacen’s words, Emperor Jedic nodded as if agreeing. Of course, if they carried out this ruin exploration well, they would obtain a new White Crystal. If that happened, they would then possess a total of three of them.

“This time as well, you must go. You are the only one I can trust.”

“Of course. This time as well, I will offer it to Your Majesty.”

At Lacen’s response, Emperor Jedic looked at him as if he were dependable. Then he thought of the Empress. On a day like today, he felt that for some reason he should hold the Empress even more. If he did, it felt as though he would be taking revenge on that King Ian.

With that thought, he moved straight to the Empress’s residence. Following this procession, the Empress’s palace—having received word in advance—could not help but be thrown into upheaval. The emperor, who had not come for some time, was arriving in broad daylight, and everyone was confused.

In the end, after hurried preparations were finished, the Empress Michelle received the emperor, and with a fairly flustered expression she spoke.

“Your Majesty, what brings you here at this hour?”

“Today, I simply missed you too much.”

“Really? Those are truly grateful words.”

“Looking at you like this, you still seem beautiful.”

Empress Michelle was still in her mid-twenties. Moreover, it could be said she was even more beautiful than before. While living in the imperial palace, she had received all manner of beauty treatments, and her beauty had only increased. Especially because she continuously used “Ibla,” the beauty product exported from the Polia Kingdom, her skin condition could not help but remain smooth.

“You are praising me a lot today?”

As she tilted her head, Emperor Jedic looked at those positioned nearby and told them to leave. Those who understood immediately disappeared in a rush. Once the door was closed and it became a space for just the two of them, he immediately reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Ah, you are very forward today?”

“Yes. Today, I want to be forward.”

As he spoke, he quickly began removing the clothes she wore. Empress Michelle became even more flustered at this, but soon she went along and removed her clothes. Before long, her naked body was revealed. It was a figure lacking nowhere. As Emperor Jedic looked it over, his eyes flashed.

“It is a truly excellent body.”

“I have cared for it for Your Majesty.”

“To think it is only for me—I cannot think of sweeter words than that.”

As he spoke, he removed his own clothes as well, laid her down on the bed, and mounted her. In the midst of that, he began showering her with kisses. As she kissed him in return, Empress Michelle could not help but think, Why is he like this when he has come after many days?

‘The kisses are too rough…’

As the two of them exchanged kisses and intertwined their bodies, the heat could only rise. At the same time, Emperor Jedic’s relentless force as he drove from above was like an enraged bull. It was very rough. When she let out moans because it hurt slightly from such actions, he acted even more intensely.

Before long, the two of them intertwined until they were drenched in sweat. Amid that, Emperor Jedic, breathing roughly, spoke.

“Huff… huff… I have something to ask.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. What is it?”

“Do you still remember him?”

“Whom are you referring to?”

At the Empress’s puzzled question, Emperor Jedic once again thought of King Ian. At that, he lightly bit his lip and spoke.

“I mean King Ian. I am asking if you think of him.”

“What do you mean? He is someone I have already forgotten into the past. I am now Your Majesty’s woman.”

“Still, it must have been good, was it not?”

“Pardon? What do you mean…?”

“He was a fairly fine prince, was he not? The two of you, with good feelings for each other, must have held hands, kissed, and such, did you not? Sometimes I think: would it not have been alright if you had become his wife and queen instead of mine?”

“Your Majesty, your joke is far too much.”

“A joke, yes, I am certainly joking. How is my joke? Hahaha.”

He spoke with laughter, but his eyes still held a different emotion. Anger? Jealousy? Or perhaps irritation. In the way he seemed to press her to answer, Empress Michelle became afraid of the emperor, who had never once shown such a side.

“I do not know…”

“You do not know? That is disappointing. I said it to be amusing, but are you the only one taking it too seriously? Ah, could it be you truly regret it?”

“Y-Your Majesty. How can you say such a thing…”

“Hahaha! Did I not say it was a joke? You do not need to take it so seriously.”

Because Emperor Jedic’s behavior was truly impossible to read, Empress Michelle could not help but feel conflicted. She truly did not regret it. Even though His Majesty gradually increased the number of consorts as time passed, she felt happy at the sight of him still loving her consistently.

‘Today, for some reason, he is very frightening. It feels like he might devour me at any moment.’

“Your Majesty, may I ask why you are suddenly—”

“No, that is enough. I will not accept your question. And my mood has cooled, so let us stop.”

It was Emperor Jedic as he raised his body. Looking at him standing naked beside the bed, he felt strangely alien today. Soon he put on a robe at one side, tied the belt, and as he turned slightly, his words were heard.

“Empress, be well. I likely will not come for a while.”

“Y-Your Majesty…?”

At how blatantly he said he would not come, Empress Michelle could only feel her heart sink. He had never once shown such a side, and she wondered what she had done wrong.

At the same time, she thought that perhaps this matter might be greatly related to King Ian.

‘What in the world happened for him to be like this?’

Amid such suspicion, the emperor left as he was. Seeing him go out wearing only a robe without even properly dressing, the attendants and maids looked quite flustered.

And so Emperor Jedic disappeared, and Empress Michelle could only watch his back with a vacant gaze.

The time that had been March passed in an instant, and soon June arrived. In these circumstances, one meaningful piece of news was delivered: the epidemic “Vera” had officially ended.

It was an epidemic that began in 1914 and spread worldwide, so it ended in less than three years. The reason it ended so quickly was none other than the Polia Kingdom releasing the antibiotic Melan, made by extracting it from goblins.

With the distribution of this antibiotic, which worked well even on most illnesses, a great innovation occurred in the medical world. Given such circumstances, it was not strange that the epidemic ended quickly. Accordingly, many people rejoiced.

With the abnormal climate ending, they could farm properly, and not only had the Great War ended, but even the epidemic had ended—so people thought that a situation where many died would no longer come.

Of course, the situation on the Colonial Continent was one where fighting still continued. The Polia Kingdom had dispatched 150,000 troops, and those troops continued their course of suppressing and sweeping away rebel forces stationed in various places.

The Magnia Empire was the same. In any case, even aside from such circumstances, the world could be said to be relatively peaceful(?). But that was before an incident occurred. All of a sudden, a major incident happened.