Chapter 57: I Prefer to Eat Steamed Buns While Pretending
“Military bidirectional teleportation arrays can be given to you.”
“However, according to secrecy regulations, the teleportation array provided to you will be equipped with anti-disassembly detonation devices and positioning arrays.”
“You are a smart person I have my eye on, and I believe you understand what this means.”
“Furthermore, after use, if the teleportation array is not damaged, it must be reclaimed by the military.”
“Of course.”
Shaya nodded without hesitation.
Secrecy of core technology, regardless of which world, was a universal law.
As for the positioning arrays…
If your family’s GPS could traverse time and space to directly locate within Historical Echoes, then Shaya would have nothing to say.
He then raised his second finger: “Second point.”
Shaya ignored the somewhat unusual gaze of the silver-haired princess before him and continued to speak in a calm tone.
“I also need a forbidden item that can restrict the combat capabilities of Legendary Rank powerhouses or inflict negative status effects on them…”
“Pollutants, Ancient Species Familiars, spiritual mediums, portable magical equipment, etc., are all acceptable, but they must be able to be carried by one person.”
“Of course, if they can directly cause effective damage to a Legendary Beast Tamer or a Familiar of the same rank, that would be even better.”
Isadorella crossed her arms and gazed deeply at Shaya through the Astral Realm’s signal network.
She gazed very deeply indeed.
This guy really dared to ask.
A portable item that could inflict negative status effects or cause damage to a Legendary-level individual—
I, the heir of the Empire, would also want one. Why don’t you sell me one too?
It was known that even one of the Alliance of Lieges’ trump cards, the “Gustav Cannon,” could only kill Emperor Rank Familiars.
It might be able to damage Legend Rank individuals, but not kill them.
Moreover, the Gustav Cannon had significant usage restrictions. It was slow to move, and each activation required nearly a hundred Mechanists to operate…
The charging process was also extremely long, and it was easy for smaller targets to dodge. It was generally only used to attack giant Familiars or immobile city defenses, serving as a fixed target.
Under her deep gaze, Shaya remained composed.
He knew his request was tantamount to asking for the moon, but wasn’t he here to extort them?
Otherwise, why would Shaya have shown so much in the dream? Wasn’t it precisely to demonstrate his value?
And now, it was time to cash in on his value.
“A small bidirectional teleportation gate.”
“And a negative effect item that works on high-rank powerhouses.”
“Minister Shaya, you aren’t thinking of assassinating the head of the Borgia Family, are you?”
Isadorella’s gaze became somewhat distant. “While I can understand your motives, this is not a wise choice.”
“Using imperial means to deal with one of the Eight Great Oathbound Families, such an incident, if exposed, would be enough to cause earth-shattering upheaval throughout the entire realm.”
“The repercussions could exceed your imagination, and even with the value you’ve displayed, I may not choose to protect you.”
…
“It seems Your Highness is aware of the Ceylon matter—”
“The ‘Crimson Rose’ Borgia Family, huh? They were within the scope of my hypothesized list, but this also saves me a considerable amount on Shadow Council intelligence fees.”
Shaya’s tone remained calm.
“However, as Your Highness’s subject, I naturally would not put Your Highness in a difficult position.”
“The target I intend to deal with is not within the Empire’s borders, nor is it an allied force of the Freista Empire.”
Isadorella’s gaze lingered on Shaya for a long time.
After a considerable pause, her clear and cold voice finally rang out again.
“‘Judgment Decree’.”
“A cast-iron document that seals a wisp of power from the Empire’s first Legendary Rank Guardian Beast—the ‘King of Darkness’.”
“Its effect on Sixth Ring individuals is minimal, but for those below Sixth Ring, it should have some effect.”
“The specific effect depends on how you use the Word of Power of the decree.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Shaya accepted it without politeness.
He knew that an item effective against Legend Rank individuals was simply a fantasy. Even if one existed, it would never be used as a bargaining chip.
But that’s how negotiations work.
One asks for the sky, the other bargains for the earth.
The Freista people always valued moderation. In the face of the grand title of Legendary, an item that could restrict Fifth Ring powerhouses seemed less conspicuous.
Shaya’s left hand moved slightly, and he was about to extend his third finger.
But in the next moment, he sensed an almost palpable pressure surrounding him.
A faint curvature had appeared on the silver-haired princess’s expressionless cute face at some point.
However, the more he looked at this smile, the more it chilled his heart.
“Cough—”
Shaya coughed lightly, breaking the dead silence. “Your Royal Highness, what I mean is, I don’t yet know the specific duties of a Sword Holder.”
“Furthermore, since the status is on par with the Oathbound Families, then the matter of treatment…”
“The position of Sword Holder is currently in its nascent stages, but if you wish to apply for fixed treatment and funding, it’s not impossible…”
Isadorella looked at Shaya with a half-smile.
“The salary and benefits distribution for imperial public officials needs to be reviewed by the Imperial Parliament and then disbursed by the treasury.”
“If you wish, I can help you submit an application for the Sword Holder position to be submitted to Parliament for approval.”
“By the way, the ‘Crimson Rose’ Borgia Family controls more than one-third of the seats in Parliament, both openly and secretly.”
“Actually, Your Highness, I believe maintaining the Empire’s stability is the mission of us imperial citizens, so there’s no need to collect public funds.”
Shaya spoke righteously.
“After the demise of the Sword Holders, past Emperors also made other attempts and efforts…”
“The current Directorate and Military are, in fact, continuations of some of the functions of the former Sword Holders.”
Isadorella did not dwell on the previous topic for too long and quickly said faintly.
“Therefore, what you need to do is not that complicated, and it’s not much different from the tasks you’ve undertaken in the Directorate and military in the past—”
“It’s just that the targets you face are stronger, and the secrets involved are deeper.”
“I will grant you sub-top-tier permissions within the Military and the Directorate, and open up part of the Empire’s intelligence network.”
“The Sword Holder and the Eight Great Oathbound Families have similar status. They are not subordinate to the Imperial Royal Family but are more like cooperating allies.”
“However, since we are allies, it means that effort and reward must be equal.”
“The previous items were my personal investment, but from now on, while the resource exchange within the Directorate and the Military won’t be blocked for you, it will still require solid merit to exchange for.”
…
“That’s how it should be! I’ve always felt that those who take without earning are shameful!”
Shaya nodded readily and then stood up to take his leave.
Just as his spiritual power was about to depart through the Astral Realm pathway.
Shaya heard a faint voice from behind him.
“If you are willing to give up the identity of Sword Holder…”
“Not as an ally, but to swear complete allegiance and offer me your loyalty.”
“Then wealth, power, beautiful women, and even familiars of Emperor and Legend species… I can give you everything you desire.”
“I can even promise you.”
“Within ten years, the name Borgia will become history.”
That clear and cold voice carried unparalleled confidence.
Even though Isadorella was currently just a Royal Selection candidate, her status and power were far from comparable to the Borgia Family, one of the Eight Great Oathbound Families, which secretly controlled half of the Imperial Capital.
Yet, her words were devoid of any hesitation, as if pronouncing a verdict on the future.
Ultimately, the Second Princess had revealed her final trump card.
After seeing Shaya’s value in the dream—
Rather than a simple alliance and cooperation, Isadorella wanted to completely conquer Shaya and turn him into a subject who truly served her.
Amidst the clear and cold words, Shaya’s movements did not stop.
“I’m sorry, Your Royal Highness.”
His figure, condensed by spiritual power, slowly faded and then dissipated bit by bit in the Astral Realm.
Only his final words echoed in the Astral Realm.
“As for me, I still prefer—”
“To Eat Steamed Buns While Pretending.”
