“Fail in the task, and I’ll have you executed.”
The daring answer left the chief of staff staring at Brody in disbelief.
‘What kind of method is that? What nonsense is she spouting again?’
That’s how he looked at her, with eyes full of contempt.
But Brody’s expression was different from what the chief of staff had expected.
He had expected a face of madness or lunacy, but Brody was deep in thought, trembling.
Just like a child… a tormented expression.
Nervously, she hesitated, then clutched her trembling hands together and barely opened her mouth.
“Foo…food. I will provide food. Please don’t kill the prisoners.”
At her words, River looked at Brody with cold eyes, and Ian with surprised eyes.
“You? How?”
River asked with a snort.
There would have been no reason for River to worry if the option to provide food had been possible in the first place.
But that was an impossible premise.
Brody answered with a trembling voice, but with determined eyes.
“They will be important laborers. As long as you ensure their safety.”
“You, a prisoner, want us to trust you with other prisoners?”
Despite River’s sharp criticism, Brody did not back down.
“Just keep watch. You have to set up a guard if you intend to ensure their safety anyway, don’t you?”
Her bold response left even the usually unshakable River momentarily flustered, unable to reply.
Grand Duke Ian frowned and asked Brody,
“Are you suggesting we use the prisoners to grow crops? It’s impossible. There is no more farming on this cold and barren land.”
Brody shook her head.
“I’m from the central capital. I know more about farming methods.”
At Brody’s words, even the Grand Duke, and the chief of staff, seemed to be pondering.
Ian asked again.
“You’re saying crops can be grown on this land?”
Brody nodded her head.
She had never tried it before, but with Brody’s knowledge, it seemed entirely possible.
Even if it turned out to be impossible, Brody’s ability would allow them to hold on for a while.
“Give me the seeds. If the prisoners work, they can produce enough food for the soldiers as well. It’s no loss.”
Chief of Staff River stroked his thin and angular chin.
‘Right. If the food problem is solved, there’s nothing to worry about. Moreover, if she really pulls it off…’
It might even be more important than winning or losing the war.
Lost in thought, River didn’t notice Ian asking,
“How many seeds are needed?”
“At least a month or two for the crops to grow.”
“That’s too long.”
“Even the emperor’s grandfather couldn’t do it. It would be impossible in the fertile central land, or anywhere else.”
The emperor’s grandfather… Ian and River were startled by that expression.
It was a disrespectful expression toward the royal family.
Having grown up in modern times, Brody was unfamiliar with the caste system and had no particular reverence for the royal family, so she didn’t realize how her words might sound.
But she was right. Even if the emperor’s grandfather came, no one could quickly produce a crop overnight.
And weren’t they rebels? It was amusing to be startled by a reference to the emperor.
“River, how long will it take to conquer Ferdinand Fortress?”
“A week to prepare, and at least a month after setting out.”
“I see. You, um, Bri?”
“Yes? Yes, Your Grace.”
Startled by the name “Bri,” Brody remembered that it referred to her and eagerly replied.
“I’ll give you a month and a half. By then, make the prisoners selfsufficient and provide 30% of the food needed for the soldiers.”
“I don’t know the number of prisoners or the amount of food needed for the soldiers, so I can’t promise you that right off the bat.”
Brody’s words made River nod. It was an appropriate objection.
“If you can, give me the information. Or else.”
Brody looked at the chief of staff and said,
“You, chief of staff, can figure it out and give me the order.”
“What if I give you an impossible order?”
“Will you do that? It seemed like you were hoping for success earlier, didn’t it?”
“…….”
River was at a loss for words again. He seemed to have grasped his thoughts in a short time. It was surprisingly brilliant.
So he felt even worse.
‘If I feel bad, I feel bad, but I must do my job as an aide.’
“Give the order after understanding. Start working immediately.”
With that, River briefly greeted Aidan and hurriedly left the barracks.
It meant to take care of the rest on your own.
“That River guy, he left excitedly.”
“Did he leave excitedly?”
With such an attitude? Brody looked at the barracks door that River had left with an incredulous expression.
“Yes, we had no plans after holding out for a month and a half due to the food shortage. That was the biggest headache. But if what you said, Bri, is possible, we can look forward to after that.”
“Uh… um, is it okay to tell me about such a thing?”
“Doesn’t everyone know why the North started the war? It’s a war that started because there’s no food, but I don’t know why saying that is so dangerous.”
Saying that, the Duke lowered his head and gently pressed his forehead with one hand.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
