novelVol. 4 - Ep. 7
| ← Ch.093 | Ch.095 → |
At the name, the hall descended into shouts."Impossible!"
Of course, there was more than one woman with such a name, but a woman with the name Zakiya who could control such an illusion could only indicate one person.
"Kapitle's closest adviser."
"Zakiya, the desert witch?"
The owner of Eldorado, the final opponent of Sungjin, was Kapitle, and one of his seven closest advisors was Zakiya, the desert witch, an unidentified woman who lived in a deserted desert.
"Is she Zakiya?"
"No, we can't tell. She's isn't known for illusions."
"You're right. It's told that no one knows what she looks like other than Kapitle."
Heroes gossiped among themselves.
Desert witch Zakia. Unlike some of the better-known advisors, her identity was ambiguous. It wasn't clear whether Zakiya was a man or a woman. The official portrait of Zakiya was of her wrapped in purple mist, making her identity unclear. The nickname "witch" was for those reasons. What was known was that Zakiya was very good at light manipulation illusions and was a resident of the deserted desert of illusions. But was the woman truly Zakiya?
"I have heard that name before."
"It is an honor to have my name recognized by Your Majesty. But may I ask something? How did you notice it was fake? I copied its exact likeness and considered it a masterpiece in its details."
"I considered the shadows of the broken objects."
"... Shadows. Huhu, in such a brief moment... Your observation skills are as the rumors say." Even the bravest men would tremble before a monster's attack even if it might be an illusion. Huhu, how brave. His observation skills are outstanding, but his boldness is manly, too.
"But it was great workmanship. The nickname of "desert witch" is not a dishonest name. So, are you here to ask for a VIP seat to the show?"
What does a VIP seat mean? Did she bring the Golden Wise King's official proclamation of war? Everyone in the hall brimmed with curiosity.
Zakiya knelt slowly."No."
"Then?"
She placed her hand above her chest."If you grant me one thing, I will give you everything I have."
At the unexpected words, the hall was swept with astonishment and fear once again. Is Kapitle's closest advisor offering herself to Sungjin? But why? Yes, Sungjin's feats are many, but Kapitle, the traditional strongest of the continent, is still healthy. Is there a reason for her to throw away her original owner Kapitle and change to Sungjin?
There is no sufficient reason. After all, it is Kapitle who is fairer to his heroes, not Sungjin.
"Hmm, you want to be my subordinate?"
"Yes. As his aide, I know many of his weaknesses."
"Hoh, and you will share them with me?"
"Yes. I will give you this body, all my strength, and all my knowledge." Her hands flowed down her side. Her thick body shook provocatively once again.
"Ha, that's a tempting offer."
"I'm glad you see it that way." It was a meeting between the emperor and the dancer.
"The reason? If you consider his strengths, Kapitle should be in the lead."
Sungjin glanced up and down like a beast at the beauty offering herself. Zakiya conversely provoked him with an alluring smile to eat her.
The beast in Sungjin wanted to eat and see the talented body. Her ripe body had the power to stimulate desire with a simple look. But, contrary to his irritated lower body, his head was coldly leveled.
It was clear that the Golden King's closest advisor was applying for asylum without reason. He was in a situation where he had to consider the entire request for asylum with suspicion.
"Of course. To be honest..." Zakiya gave a seductive smile."I've been conflicted. I wasn't sure whether Your Majesty was strong enough to beat the Golden Wise King after all."
Rittier was immediately angered at the bold way the woman looked down on his master while seeking to vow her loyalty."Insolence!"
"Hear her out."
"Yes." Rettier nodded and stepped back.
"And now?"
"I'm still not convinced, but the only current opponent on the continent for the Golden Wise King is Your Majesty."
"So, you are betting your future on me?"
"If you only make my one wish come true."
What is that one wish? The curiosity among the people of the hall soared.
Zakiya was the closest advisor of Kapitle. It was obvious she knew many things about Kapitle's power. The value of such information was immense. By submitting herself whole, it meant not only her body but the information that could sway the entire power balance of the continent.
"As for that one wish..." As she talked, she narrowed her eyes to a smile. The smiling wink in her eyes made clear that her teasing was not pure, and her blatant seduction made the impression more intense.
A sly beauty covets a man's youth and strength, offering him an embrace. It certainly stimulates the desire to conquer and occupy the beauty by force. Other heroes envied Sungjin and swallowed their saliva. They supposed that for a man who conquered half of the continent, such a woman would appear.
Next to him, Ereka sighed again. Ahh. A new woman has appeared for Sungjin again. It was bound to happen as his power grew, but to think it would happen so fast. A woman who is more mature and proficient than myself.
Is Sungjin into those characteristics?
But beyond beauty, she seemed competent, and, most of all, her request for asylum came with the best information about their enemy, which would be a tremendous help that Sungjin could not refuse.
Suddenly, Zakiya spoke."I can't tell you right now. I will assure you I will once I ascertain that Master Sungjin is a man who can fulfill my wishes."
"Ha, when will you say it, then?"
"I'll first give you my strength to win the first fight. After that, I will reveal my true wishes and give you everything I have, " Zakiya teased, as if suggesting she wouldn't enter his hands even though she had successfully seduced him.
"It's an interesting condition." Stimulated by his desire to win, Sungjin smiled like a drooling lion.
Suddenly, Eustasia interrupted."You're dishonest!"
"What do you mean?" Zakiya laughed provocatively. Her calmness was not disturbed by the attack. She exuded an air of having successfully weathered all kinds of suffering.
"You are the closest aide of Kapitle and should not be lacking in anything you desire, but you are abandoning everything to switch sides without a guarantee of any proper position within our ranks?"
Others nodded at Eustasia's point. If Zakiya had asked for a position after Sungjin had won a victory or some land, it would have made sense, but for her to reveal her desire later, what if she decided she didn't need anything from Sungjin then?
"Even if you say that you're planning to switch allegiances beforehand, that still doesn't make sense. You said yourself that you didn't trust Sungjin to beat Kapitle." That accusation was also correct.
If Zakiya was convinced that Sungjin would win, Eustasia would have understood her desire to switch allegiances, but that wasn't the reason.
Nice! Jenna stood next to her, nodding her tail in agreement. Where had that terrible thing appeared from, causing concerns for Her Majesty Queen Ereka?
But Zakiya was smooth."Huhu. Yes, you may think so. But let us do as Sungjin wants. If you find me suspicious, you can proceed to kick me out. But if you really want to conquer the continent, why don't you try to put me in the palm of your hand? You'd need me to bring down the Golden Wise King."
Zakiya foretold that they wouldn't be able to reveal the enemy's hidden hand with a single victory.
How will Sungjin answer? Everyone waited for his next words.
"Fine. I accept this game." Sungjin smiled.
It was true that Zakiya's request for asylum was suspicious, but they would be taking a step back in fear if they turned her away.
It was a recognized fact that Zakiya was an excellent illusionist and Kapitle's closest advisor. For whatever reason she approached them with, they could weaponize her as long as they could use the information she gave them effectively, although it was a double-edged sword. Wouldn't it be a question of his ability to deal with her? A fascinating and dangerous beauty, a black rose with poisonous thorns.
Therefore, Sungjin's desire to fight was on fire. I will turn the tables against this woman and reveal her true intentions. Both his warrior's brain and his lower body's beast expressed the desire.
"For now I will give you the title of guest and a house in the capital. Play your part against Kapitle in the battle, then I will award you an official position."
"I thank you for the opportunity." Zakiya lifted her lips into a smile, thanking him for his hospitality. Her red lips were alluring.
"Wait with a cup of tea in the Blue Water Room. I will see you after the meeting."
"I receive your command." Zakiya turned around and left the hall.
Only the sound of the bell and the fragrance of a dark rose remained like a lingering aftertaste.
As soon as Zakiya disappeared, Eustasia spoke."She may be a spy."
Rittier agreed."She may be pretending to surrender to hand over our information to Kapitle."
Jenna also insisted on warning him."There's also the problem of Kuga right now."
"She thinks you wouldn't believe it if she only surrendered in person, so I can't help but think that she provoked you like she's waging a battle." Eustasia once again criticized him.
"But Sungjin knows that and already has some thoughts. Don't you?" Ereka calmly smiled, saying she believed him.
"Ah. I don't think she really yearns for me, either." Although she has a beauty that urges a person to get drunk on sight despite knowing it's a lie. He was not a man who lived on impulse."But I think it's possible that she's not absolutely loyal to Kapitle."
"Then?"
"Well, at the moment, it's rather hasty to conclude."
Since ancient times, it was popular for spies to surrender to the enemy to lower their guards. It was a story that was also in the Art of War. However, Sungjin was reminded that in those cases, there had been some reason the spies gave in excuse to prompt the enemy to believe them, such as the Golden Wise King emotionally humiliating Zakiya, or having been chased from her position due to other competitors.
There are two possibilities. One is that she did not bring up such excuses because of my intellect because the actual events had not transpired. The other is that she had contacted him for her own personal reasons. Or it could be more complex. Although Kapitle had dispatched her as a spy, she could have taken the opportunity to weigh the advantages of himself and Kapitle and ultimately picked the winning side. After all, the type of person proficient in maneuvering around the world can change as much as the situation requires.
"But it doesn't matter which one is true."
"You mean you don't care?"
"I can trick her into thinking that it would be more advantageous to stick to my side, make use of her, then abandon her." Whether she was a double-edged sword, or a poisoned rose, or a woman with hidden intentions, he didn't care. It would be better for him to take complete control.
"Are you going to make a false surrender a real surrender?" Eustasia widened her eyes.
"Yes." Sungjin laughed like a beast who had found its prey.
"That's just like you." She shook her head. Really, your competitive spirit seems unending. Well, he is a man who wants to conquer the continent. It makes sense for him to conquer some suspect woman.
But he hasn't even wed any of the girls yet, including me, but he continues to gather them. He's like a wine collector who doesn't drink the wine he collects. She grunted.
Ereka also sighed gently."You're planning to get her this time?" She had been long resolved to stay silent, but—
"She's an excellent illusionist. As an ally, she'll be a useful force in the fight against Kapitle. I will have her."
"Only as a soldier?" Eustasia's underlying question was whether he was doing it because she was a woman.
"Of course, " Sungjin said, ignoring the beast in his lower regions with confidence. He couldn't take responsibility for an instinctive reaction he had not carried out consciously.
The girls narrowed their eyes at him in disbelief but no longer challenged Sungjin's decision.
"It would be great if the witch of the desert Zakiya became an ally." Ereka smiled with a smile that transcended everything.
"Hmph, but it doesn't necessarily have to be her. Do you have to take that poisonous rose?" Eustasia's complaining didn't stop."But when it comes to illusions, she's unique. I still don't believe her intentions."
"I know. But most human beings are inherently selfish. It's a ruler's ability to keep it in line." A system that only expects human good cannot last long. The reason why goodness is precious is because it's rare, but that doesn't mean that because most human beings are selfish, they will only suffer from struggle and ruin. Human beings can also cooperate, make laws, and do things for the benefit of each other. That's why Adam Smith set forth the theory of that invisible hand.
Sungjin smiled, thinking he could have everything."Most hero classes are just protecting extras because they're scared of me, right? It's something like that with her, too." And he would be satisfied if he could draw out her ability on the battlefield. Comrades that he could keep close to his heart like Eureka and Eustasia were precious people, but it was impossible to build a country with them alone.
"If you want to go that far, then fine. You might be able to take her in and control her."
"Yes. So let's check her abilities first." Sungjin rose from his seat, saying that the war had already started.
| ← Ch. 093 | Ch. 095 → |