The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me - Chapter80

80 – I am in love

In the meantime, trivial matters had occurred.

Su-si-ah built a massive sand-castle.

Or, the roasted lamb on fire tasted fantastic.

A member of the sea-boy band, who is like a spider’s leg, tried to assassinate Ascal.

Such were the trivial tales.

“I, a member of the sea-boy band, acknowledge defeat.”

The member of the sea-boy band knelt in surrender.

“Despite exhausting all means, I failed to assassinate you. You’re beyond my grasp. Empire’s water dragon. You’ve evaded everything as if you knew my moves in advance. I feel even inferior.”

Ascal looked down at the member of the sea-boy band without uttering a word.

He had no other option.

He didn’t understand why he was acting this way all of a sudden.

“Our tribe is a nomadic tribe from southern Gethar. But when the empire occupied Gethar, we lost our homeland. That’s why we’ve always harbored resentment against the empire.”

The member of the sea-boy band, with his wrinkled hand, grabbed Ascal’s arm.

“Please finish me. Please show mercy to our tribe…”

“I’m not sure. Did you guys do anything?”

Ascal’s eyes, neither filled with anger, nor contempt.

The member of the sea-boy band spent a long time trying to decipher those eyes. And then he realized what Ascal’s words implied.

―Your attempt to assassinate me will be treated as if it never happened.

The overwhelming disparity of nature.

The body of the member of the sea-boy band shook uncontrollably.

“Then, can we continue to stay as we are?”

With a worrisome look on his face, the member of the sea-boy band asked.

His tribe’s fate hung on his single remark.

“I don’t understand what you mean. Weren’t you always as is?”

“…!”

―From the beginning, you were citizens of our empire, whether you admit it or not.

Tears trickled down the face of the member of the sea-boy band.

For a long time, the tribe unable to belong anywhere and long ignored had finally received recognition.

Within the vast embrace of the empire.

“Thank you, thank you…!”

The words echoed from the singer of the sea.

Ascal only stared at the singer with a perplexed look…

Another scoop was presented,

Suddenly, Veld, the representative of the coastal development union, who had not been seen for a while, appeared and said this to Ascal.

“I was greatly moved by observing this matter. Seeing the vast magnanimity of the Count, I have come to realize that I have been nothing more than a money-chasing merchant all this time.”

What is this fellow on about?

“But from now on, I intend to live as a merchant who benefits others.”

He had skipped straight to the end without any preliminaries.

Ascal gave up and said,

“Sounds like a good plan. So?”

“I hear that there has been a shortage of goods in your territory of late. I believe we, as merchants, can help solve that problem.”

Upon Ascal’s nonchalant nod, Veld turned to the other merchants and spoke.

“Hey everyone! Let’s go! To the Earindale territory!”

The merchants loaded up their carts and set off.

Later, it would be known as the first small step of Veld, who would come to be known as the great merchant of the continent.

“Wait, so you really aren’t going to explain what just happened…”

Sometimes many things happen in places unknown.

– Quest Complete! ＜Tears of the Emerald Coast＞

Route C. Complete reconciliation of the two forces

Reward: The Saltwater Tribe pledges their loyalty to you.

Reward 2: Your territory of Earindale will gain merchants.

Current development of Earindale, Lv.3

＜An estate that has just begun to grow＞

At the beach, Leia had been waiting for Ascal and was conversing with someone.

– The daughter herself asserts. If you don’t seize this opportunity, you might be the biggest fool in the world.

“I understand.”

Lately, Leia had gotten quite accustomed to the other voice in her head.

The two had a common goal.

Namely, to get Asukal in their hands and Marira.

“But you. Your words are eloquent, but do you have any experience in love?”

– ….

No answer is heard.

Lia has identified another pattern in the voices.

When it gets unfavorable, the voices stop.

Lia’s heart beat with anticipation.

This experience, it was the first time since Christmas Eve.

When she confessed to him that she was a princess, what if he despised her – she thought.

It was the same this time.

If he rejects her confession?

She felt nauseated.

– Lock him up. Naturally, when men and women stay together, whether they like it or not, feelings develop.

“Stop with the strange remarks……”

Lia stopped.

Because someone was walking down the sandy beach.

Asukal, he was coming over.

“The wind is a bit chilly. Lia.”

Asukal undressed his outerwear and naturally gave it to Lia.

This kind of natural behavior, to Lia, felt more than cheap.

“Sushia and Arin played hard and fell asleep. Why did they call me here?”

– Because I like you.

“Hmm, Asukal. There’s been a lot going on recently, hasn’t there?”

“Yes, indeed. Quite a lot has happened.”

Lia squatted down.

And for no reason, she was playing with the sand with her fingers.

“Do you still plan on leaving the Empire, Asukal?”

– Asukal was overworked to the brink of death in his past life. He wouldn’t want to experience that again.

“I see.”

Lia silently stared at the sandy floor.

Ascal thought it was a perfect time to bring up the conversation.

“A terrible calamity is soon to hit the Empire. The dragon is about to wake up. If we let it be, many people will die. Will you help me, Lia?”

Sirius had already been recruited.

And next in line was Lia.

-Ah, the dragon? Of course. We have that creature.

“Yes. I’m in.”

“You’re reliable.”

The conversation halted.

Both of them, not knowing what to talk about.

However, the effect of the wine they had drunk earlier led them to ask questions which they normally wouldn’t have.

“The next emperor will be Prince Cain, right? You’re okay with that?”

“You’re saying as if there’s a possibility I could become the emperor.”

Because it actually happened.

Ascal swallowed his words.

“Much has changed.”

“Yes.”

“The gloomy empire seems to be prosperous as if it has always been. It doesn’t seem it will collapse anytime soon. People also seem happy.”

Ascal sat down on the sand pile.

Next to him, Lia was sitting.

-It’s time. Hold hands.

Lia quietly placed her hand on top of Ascal’s.

Ascal didn’t pull away.

-She said to hold, not to put a hand on top.

“I often think that way. Maybe it wasn’t necessary to run? Isn’t it fine as it is?”

Lia chuckled.

This man was feeling that way too.

In fact, there were many opportunities for Ascal to truly run away whenever he wished to.

“Sometimes, you can be quite awkward, Ascal.”

“That’s why you’re my aide, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I am always on Ascal’s side.”

If Lia hadn’t been there, he would have given up and hidden somewhere.

“So you have to definitely arrange your escape plan. Do you know that even now the Emperor’s hunting dogs are watching you?”

Ascal looked around shiftily.

At that time, someone appeared from behind the rocks.

“…Father.”

It was Arthur.

“The empire needs you, son. You’re destined to work eternally within the empire.”

“What on earth did the empire do that transformed you, who were once a man, into the unquestioning lapdog of the empire…!”

“The salaries have increased again. The travel expenses are plentiful as well. The capital is indeed a good place to spend money.”

The father becomes the final obstacle blocking his son’s path. A common story.

“Lucia must be hoping for you to become a minister in the empire. You are the pride of our family, son. I am proud of you.”

“Don’t suddenly act heartwarming now, Father.”

Said Ascal.

“Let me propose something. If I win against you here, then kindly retreat just for today.”

“It’s been a while since we last dueled. But can you, who has only been staring at papers during this time, defeat me?”

Arthur doesn’t know.

Ascal’s swordsmanship has greatly improved by now.

“Come, son.”

“Be ready, Lia! It’s a joint attack!”

“?”

Ascal scratched his head.

“You didn’t say it was going to be one-on-one.”

In the end, both of them repelled Arthur and sent him home.

Dawn was breaking without anyone realizing.

Dolphins were popping up from above the sea.

“So, let’s continue the previous discussion. What’s this about an escape plan?”

Lia wiped the bead of sweat on her forehead.

And then, she smiled.

“Take me as a hostage.”

It had been a long-considered plan.

“After this is over, let’s run away together to the west. I know a place where no one else does.”

“That’s a rather intriguing proposal.”

Ascal seems to give it serious consideration.

Lia was a princess of the empire, Julia Barabada.

Her worth as a hostage was significant.

“And.”

Taking a deep breath, Lia spoke clearly, leaving no room for confusion.

“I love you, Ascal.”

“I love you, Ascal.”

Upon the break of dawn, Sushia, startled by the noise, had stumbled upon a scene she hadn’t expected.

A young girl, tender in age.

Highly sensitive to stories of love.

Moreover, witnessing a woman confessing her feelings to a man directly was enough to awaken a sense in Sushia.

‘Huh, this is strange. Why is my heart beating so fast?’

Sushia, who hastily hid behind a rock, panted heavily.

Her face became hot, and her heart pounded.

This was a feeling she hadn’t experienced before.

An emotion she couldn’t pinpoint its cause or reason.

On the other hand, Serena was.

“Your posture is off! Repeat!”

Dancing.

“If you can maintain this level, you’ll be cherished wherever you go.”

Embroidery.

“Indeed, you are Princess Serena. Your posture is perfect.”

Etiquette.

“Today’s love horoscope is very good. Unexpectedly good news might come from him?”

Even fortune-telling.

Only a thoroughly prepared woman can win a man.

This was Serena’s belief.

At that time in the waiting room, Serena was shocked when Ascal did not arrive, and made a judgement.

‘I’m still not good enough yet.’

And so, she decided to focus even more on self-improvement.

‘It won’t be long now.’

‘Just wait a little more, darling.’

After she was ready, she was planning to make the most perfect confession.

Specifically, to him.