“Then, the division commander’s conference. Let’s begin.”
The son of the empire’s real power, a deficit to the Count’s family.
Leon was a man in a position where he could not be carelessly dealt with, no matter how fiery Commander Bengert was.
Therefore, the chilly atmosphere continued, and the meeting was started by the aide who had just arrived.
But even during the ongoing meeting, Ashan and Bengert could not take their eyes off Leon.
Sitting close to Lucia, he was peeking at her with sparkling eyes, like a dog waiting for its owner.
At a glance, it was obvious flattery, but because of his pure and noble aura, it was a sight that could not be twisted at all.
But that was also for a moment.
“……So, what do you think, commanders?”
The aide, who was the only one not to notice this atmosphere, asked, and only then did those who had been looking at Leon and Lucia begin to quickly check the documents.
First, the leader of the Imperial Guard cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
“Ahem. More urgent than that seems to be this year’s military budget situation. How is it?”
“Yes, Commander Ashan. As I mentioned, we are solidly preparing to secure the budget. Especially to tell you about the biggest news from this conference, it’s about the supplies going to the Continental Peace Organization and the allied countries.”
At that time, the face of the leader of the Imperial Guard hardened as he reviewed the documents, along with the aide’s answer.
“What is this absurd scale? No matter if it’s because of the magic stones, if we continuously send supplies of this size to Hasnas Nation, the empire’s market will collapse within nearly 10 years. Are you sure?”
The Hasnas Kingdom is a land where magic stones are buried in large quantities.
Because of this, the great nation Titurshan Kingdom colonized them, and the empire that supported peace in the continent at the time destroyed Titurshan, forcibly liberating them.
But in exchange, the empire made a monopoly agreement on magic stones, and consequently, it was no different from halfcolonizing them in a gentlemanly way.
So his question was, even if they buy magic stones cheaply, in the yard where resources are scarce due to black pollution, can they give the supplies needed for life right away?
At his rebuke, the flustered aide hastily spoke.
“Ah, that figure is not yet finalized. Some nobles are discussing to fill that quantity right now…”
“Huh, don’t even look, it’s obvious. The new nobles are investing like moths to a flame to catch the emperor’s eye.”
“That’s the way it is. If they invest so foolishly, they will dry up and die before they even turn the magic stones into property. Isn’t that right? Heh heh.”
As the leader of the Imperial Guard sneered, the leader of the enemy added a word.
The new forces they were laughing at now were highranking nobles from small countries that merged when Eldarion Kingdom became an empire.
Those who received new titles from the empire, unlike the conservative party, did not have good authority or financial situation, as they had given a lot in exchange for the title.
Despite this, they were willing to put out what they didn’t have, even if it was to catch the eye of the emperor who values exchange…
“Yes, that’s… Probably the prophecy of the temple has something to do with it.”
The temple?
Amidst the rough dispute, the news from the temple reached Lucia’s previously closed ears.
“Oh, is it that absurd claim that everything will revive even when looking at the dead land? Ha ha.”
As he said, there was no mention of the sacred tree that sealed the saintess, nor the prophecy that the land would be revived, although the mention of utilizing the saintess’s abilities had been talked about by the temple long ago.
It was just a prediction that started with the excuse that someone among the priests heard the voice of the god that the contaminated land would revive, but it would still be false.
There were no sacred trees or prophecies that the land would be revived in the stolen confidential documents.
And indeed, there were not many people who believed it.
The prestige of that eminent governor could not even resolve the contamination.
But Lucia, who was listening to it, couldn’t help but become more serious in a different sense.
It was a fact that the investments of the new nobles before the regression were a great success.
The noble’s territories were the land where the contamination was most restored, and with that fertile land, they recovered the invested resources in no time.
And there was no need to mention that the fortune had multiplied tens of times, thousands of times, by going allin on the magic stone.
Although they had greatly benefited from the sacrifice of the saint, Lucia did not doubt them, as it seemed natural to be settled, as most of the conservatives were corrupt at that time.
But, gaining power and strength with that wealth, and becoming the real power when the imperial authority changed…
‘Really, was it a coincidence?’
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
