Moreover, over the past few years, the saint has entered the Emperor’s bedroom countless times.

“Well, it’s been scarce in recent years.”

A man’s heart is indeed unpredictable.

The sincere feelings towards the saint have now shifted towards the Empress. Now, when it’s the perfect time to have a successor… Empress says she will devote herself to governance, making it a crazy and unpredictable situation.

How could these two have become so estranged?

“Then, instruct them to convey the intention of sharing a bed again. I’m sure the Empress will accept it willingly.”

“No, Your Majesty. It meant to seize this opportunity. For example, before boarding the cruise, wear a wig and dress completely differently than usual… You could even wear a mask.”

The changed Empress was as assertive as a vanguard leading a hundred thousand troops. If someone were to block her path, they would be trampled to death by the hooves of her war horse. In her expressions, gestures, and attitude, there was a palpable authoritative aura. And every time James met the Empress, he thought:

Ah, the Empress will never forgive the Emperor.

In that case… it’s a bit extreme, but there’s no other choice. Get close while pretending to be someone else.

“Hide your identity?”

“Yes. When you board the cruise, approach the Emperor as a man, not as the Empress… Try to get close like that.”

In this regard, the face of the naive Guard Captain contorted.

However, no one protested James’s words.

In their opinion, there was no other way.

If she resists to this extent, can’t they force her to form a connection?

“Of course… there are times when you have to be strong, but there are also times when you have to approach gently.”

“I agree.”

The nobles, who had been grumbling, surprisingly agreed with James’s words.

In fact, the Emperor’s faction nobles prided themselves on being more loyal and patriotic than anyone else in this country. In their view, it was not a time for a pride fight.

“As you know, in recent years, Quan has gradually strengthened its military power, using demons as an excuse.”

It was then that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Galahan, who had been silent so far, spoke up.

The Guard Captain and the Crusade Commander, with puzzled expressions, wondered why talk of subduing demons suddenly came up while discussing turning the Empress’s heart.

But James immediately understood.

“The young one who came from Quan is now a general, leading demon extermination missions. Shouldn’t you gradually send him back?”

The young one from Quan.

In this place, they referred to Meremem by that name.

It meant he could never be included in the Nix, and it also meant not considering him part of the Empress’s closest circle or the government.

He is a foreigner, and foreigners must return home.

If the fangs are sharpened enough when Quan returns, Quan will probably be in chaos internally.
The easiest way to divide Quan’s power and throw it into chaos right now is for Meremem to return to my country.

“It’s because someone like that is by her side that the Empress won’t open her heart. I’ve seen it from a distance before… It seemed clear that Quan’s young one harbors affection for the Empress.”

The air in the slightly improved office became heavy again.

Who here wouldn’t know about it?

Quan’s young one was poisonous like a scorpion and persistent like a snake hiding in the sand, waiting for prey. When the banquet was held, its gaze never wavered from the Empress.

It observed everything about the Empress – what she ate, who she talked to, where she went. The silent gaze that scrutinized everything was chilling.

It existed like the Empress’s shadow.

Derrick Norrett, who was originally called the Empress’s shadow, quietly faded away. The timing of when he faded away was so natural that no one could tell, and he looked at those who approached the Empress in place of Derrick Norrett.

Just seeing that, one could tell how skilled the young one was.

Whenever Galahan saw the scorpion-like figure from Quan, he felt a chill.

For now, it’s staying quiet, but that’s only because there’s no reason yet.

It has been a predator since birth, and this characteristic became more apparent as time passed.

“The reason the Empress’s influence has grown so much is because of that person, isn’t it?”

The mouth of the Crusade Commander, who had been silently listening to Galahan’s words, trembled.

Talking about Meremem, the head of the Astaroth Knights, was a taboo in front of the Crusade.

Especially stories like Meremem leading the Astaroth elite, who, led by the rumors, had long occupied the gorge and defeated the Minotaur herd, or that Meremem had entered the nest of spider-shaped demons, killed their king, and slaughtered every single offspring, cleaning up the entire area, were never to be mentioned.

Especially the Minotaur herd hiding deep in the gorge was absurd to exterminate, and Meremem did it.

With only five people.

So, yes, the absurdity of the Crusade had become so ridiculous mainly because of Meremem.

Therefore, the Crusade now despised Meremem.