“Yes, you understand well among these people. I appreciate your sense of responsibility and straight tongue, so I will reduce your salary this time and let it pass quietly.”

At Hades’s merciful judgment, the military officers brushed their surprised hearts and breathed a sigh of relief.

“To the illustrious General Hades, may the protection of the desert guardian descend.”

“Do not neglect treatment because she is different from us.”

“I swear to the goddess Medikina (guardian of medicine) that I will do my best for the general’s Frau.”

The exemplary military officers quickly took their fallen comrade and hurried out of the tent.

After passing dozens of large and small groups in the desert, there were less than 2 days left for Hades’s long march to arrive at the Grand Bazaar.

The military officers said that most of the poison had been detoxified, but because Latifa was in a very weak state, she would not be able to open her eyes until her body fully recovered.

“It was to be the grandest Frau ceremony in the world, but foolish doctors ruined it.”

“…….”

In the dimly lit tent, lit only by a small tallow candle, Hades spoke to Latifa, who lay as if dead on the bed.

“I promised to give you only the best, but nothing has gone right from the beginning.”

But there was no reply from her, lying unconscious.

“I’ve forgone the salary of my loyal subordinates, and you’re not even sorry.”

Hades stroked her pale, pallid cheek with the back of his hand.

Softer than a man’s cheek, it felt more like cold leather than human flesh, and Hades quickly pulled his hand away.

“Wake up already. Sinning is enough with this body. As my Frau, shouldn’t you make me happy?”
Hades brushed his bangs with his hand and let out a big sigh.

Then a small desert fox stuck its head out next to her. Unable to run away because of an injured leg, the desert fox, although shivering, didn’t know to leave Latifa’s side when it saw Hades.

“Damn it! It’s no use calling it myself, so you call it.”

Hades turned his head in annoyance at the fox. The fox made a clicking sound and immediately burrowed into Latifa’s side, hiding its tracks.

Whether it was frustration at things not going according to his plan or irritation at Latifa’s not opening her eyes, Hades was incredibly impatient.

“Damn it. All of this is because of that cursed dream.”

A few days earlier, he had dreamt that Luhan stole a blue gem, and the thought of that dream made Hades crumple his forehead in irritation.

Luhan, who was quickly claiming the sparkling aquamarine as his own.

Luhan Vasilis.

“No, good Luhan wouldn’t covet this. He wouldn’t steal what’s mine either.”

Luhan was inherently affectionate and not very greedy; he had never coveted anything of Hades’s.

“You must tell Luhan and everyone in the Grand Bazaar that you are the property of no one but Hades Caleb.”

Hades mumbled, looking again at Latifa, who was lying with a pale face.

“All the plans are ruined because you won’t open your eyes.”

At that moment, when Hades was about to rise from his seat, feeling stifled by the situation,

“……uh.”

“……!”

At the faint sound of breathing, he was taken aback and turned his head toward her, the source of the sound.

Latifa was still lying motionless, but there was a faint sign of life coming from her.

Hades quickly picked up the white unnamed cloth beside him.

And then he soaked it in fragrant jasmine water and wiped the cold sweat pouring down her forehead.

He wiped not only her forehead but also her face, lips, hands, feet, and edges with the jasminescented water.

As a result, his black hair was soaked with sweat and hung in tatters, but he seemed not to care at all.

It was something he had done every night to keep her entire body from drying out like a corpse in the dry desert climate.

And finally, he carefully dripped a few drops of new medicine from a small bottle onto her lips.

But the droplets flowed right out from Latifa’s open lips. Then Hades bent his waist without hesitation, even as he made various expressions.

“A really highmaintenance Frau.”

So that the medicine wouldn’t flow and could slowly gather in her mouth, he sealed her lips with his own for quite a while before he got up, looking satisfied.

A small torch that was lighting the tent went out, and another night in the desert passed.

The day before entering the Grand Bazaar, Hades had ridden a camel, busily running back and forth from the head to the tail of the procession, putting everything in order.

He aligned the rows and columns, making them walk at correct angles, and ordered wornout and broken weapons to be put out of sight.

He also had the horses’ and camels’ hooves cleaned properly and laid out trophies that would cheer the people of the Grand Bazaar, placing them intermittently throughout the procession.
For example, the golden statue in the imperial palace of the Tania Empire, or the chariot adorned with jewels, and the longawaited golden princess.

Hades, with his beautiful blonde hair flowing, approached a fairskinned woman. By her side, Brenda, who had once been beside Latifa, clung to her, consumed with fear.

“Is everything ready?”

At Hades’ question, Manut nodded his head.

“Yes.”

“Dress her in the most dazzling garment from the imperial spoils and prepare her.”

Aris, the blond third princess, stared blankly at Hades approaching her.

Her slightly open mouth seemed to admire Hades’ handsome appearance.

She was wearing not a ragged dress like other prisoners, but a quite goodquality dress, and her skin was still fair, indicating that she had been treated extremely well while crossing the desert.

It was thanks to the soldiers who took care to bring her, as she was to be a tribute to the royal palace.

“Her cheeks look white and plump, a face that has not suffered at all.”

“The soldiers took special care of her. She has to look good to be presented to the Sultan.”

Hades stared rudely at Aris beyond the bars.

Aris blushed slightly at his rough behavior, looking every bit the woman in front of a man.

“That’s enough for appearance. To think that a princess could eat, sleep, and rest comfortably while her country falls and her people run around like livestock, what a proud and rottenmindedness.”

Although Hades harshly criticized her to her face, Aris, not knowing the desert language, could only stare blankly at him.

Hades checked on Aris and then turned away without regret.

“That should satisfy the Basilii dynasty. She won’t even think of laying a hand on what’s mine.”

Bronze is better than bronze, and silver is better than silver, and gold is better than gold.

So if he first offered a beautiful woman with golden hair, and also of imperial royal blood, to the royal palace, Hades thought that the Basilii dynasty would not be interested in Latifa.

Since Latifa was still unconscious and could not participate in the parade, he decided it would be better to quietly bring her to Caleb’s private land and take her as a concubine.

“Manut. You lead the front of the victory parade entering the Grand Bazaar tomorrow.”

Hades, seemingly finished with arrangements, plumped himself onto his camel.

“Yes?! Me, me leading?! Shouldn’t the general lead the parade?!”

“I am not going.”