Chapter 258: Implicit Warning

Deon, taking ‘omnivorous’ to mean it eats just about anything, gave the carnivorous plant a once-over.

“So,”

“……?”

A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.

“And what’s this bulge? Some magical beast? Or maybe a human?”

“……!”

Right where Hien had claimed to put ‘nutrients’.

He poked at the bulging soil in the flowerpot. The plant flinched, frantically using its vines to shield the area. “Aha, caught you,” Deon’s eyes gleamed.

“Definitely not nutrients, then.”

“……!”

“Though, seeing it wasn’t digested, I already suspected it wasn’t the edible kind.”

“Kkyi… kkyiae…!”

“Just what is it, though?”

This was revenge for the nightmare it had inflicted. Chuckling, Deon grasped the plant’s main vine-like stem.

“Maybe I should just yank it out and see.”

“Kkyi… kkyiaek!! Kkyiaekkeuiaek!!”

“You’re not going to die if I pull you out, are you? I’ll just take a peek and put you right back.”

Easy for you to say! The carnivorous plant thrashed its vines in protest.

But as soon as Deon exerted force, as if he really would pull it out, the plant had to use every vine and leaf to cling to the flowerpot.

I even woke you up from that nightmare! And I made sure you didn’t get hurt…!!

“Kkyiaekkeuaeaek…!”

A pitiful, tearful cry echoed. Deon clicked his tongue and eased his grip slightly.

“Stubborn thing, aren’t you…”

“Kkul……”

“Though, the more you resist, the more curious I get…”

Deon glanced up, drawn by a sharp, stinging gaze. He lifted his eyes from the soil. The carnivorous plant was looking at him, its head… no, flower bud, raised high.

How it managed to convey such resentful looks without having eyes was a mystery. He chuckled.

“Alright, I’ll let it slide for now.”

“……!”

He didn’t want to get into a tussle right now. There would be plenty of psychological battles ahead, no need to waste energy on trivial things already.

Leaving the plant, which was wordlessly expressing its joy by swaying its vines, Deon stood.

A questioning gaze followed him, as if asking where he was going. Deon just shrugged on a coat and gestured outside with his chin.

“Just going for a walk. Not heading to war, so don’t bother following.”

“Kkyiaek.”

An unexpectedly docile reply came back.

What’s gotten into that thing? Deon, briefly puzzled by the plant’s unusual compliance, felt a trickle of liquid slide down his temple and let out a soft gasp.

‘Cold sweat, huh.’

No wonder, after that nightmare.

‘Looking at it now, my clothes are soaked too.’

He must look utterly wrecked. That clingy plant probably sensed it and backed off for once.

Better change clothes before heading out.

He shrugged off the coat. Turning to find his luggage with a change of clothes, something moved towards his face. The only other living thing in the room was the carnivorous plant, so he ignored it. Then something soft brushed his cheek. Surprised by the unexpected softness, Deon glanced down.

“…A handkerchief?”

“Kkyiaek.”

The carnivorous plant, holding a handkerchief, dabbed gently at his clammy skin. Deon let it for a moment, then gently took the handkerchief, detaching the vine. He examined the fabric.

Just as he suspected. Deon’s expression turned wry.

“Wait… this is mine, isn’t it?”

“……Kkyiae?”

“Don’t play innocent.”

Just where did you get this?

Looking guilty, the plant spun its flower bud around, avoiding his gaze, before turning completely and heading towards his luggage bag on one side. Deon watched, curious to see what it was up to. The plant rummaged through the luggage and pulled out a black shirt.

“Kkyiaek!”

“…You want me to put this on?”

“Kkul.”

Even the shirt is black. Who packed this stuff? Ed, maybe?

The carnivorous plant held up the shirt, making it easy for him to slip into, while subtly watching his reaction, trying to look nonchalant. It was clear the plant was trying to change the subject in its own way. Deon smirked and slipped his arms into the shirt.

“Kkyiaek.”

“…You gonna button it up for me too?”

“Kkul.”

“I can do it…”

…Why are you shaking your head like that?

Oblivious to his incredulous stare, a vine snaked out. Deon watched as the vine clumsily worked its way down, buttoning up his shirt. He sighed softly.

“Fine… do whatever you want…”

In the end.

The plant not only buttoned his shirt perfectly, but smoothed out all the wrinkles as well.

‘…Not bad.’

Maybe even better than me.

…Damn it.

***

Stepping outside, he realized it was the middle of the night.

The day’s heat had faded, replaced by a slightly cool breeze. The leaves rustled in the wind. It had been ages since he’d heard the chirping of crickets. A strange sense of calm settled over him, and Deon tilted his head back.

Unlike in the Demon Realm, a single moon hung bright and full in the sky.

‘Nice night.’

An oddly peaceful backdrop for a night haunted by nightmares.

But when has reality ever matched the setting?

He slipped a cigarette-shaped drug, a curiosity he’d picked up in the Human Realm, between his lips and turned. His eyes met Dan’s, who was watching him.

“Going for a stroll, are you?”

“Yeah. Finally feel awake.”

That dream, or whatever it was, jolted me wide awake. No chance of drifting off again.

Dan offered him the pack of Ches-s he was holding.

“Take care.”

“…….”

“Are you sure you don’t want company?”

Must be because it’s from the Human Realm, not as potent as the Demon Realm stuff. He took a long drag, then stubbed the cigarette out on his thigh and pulled out one he’d gotten in First City.

Tucking the pack of Ches-s under his arm, Deon relit another cigarette and smirked.

“Of course not. I’ll be back.”

***

Several rounds of discussions with Sanguo had finally concluded, more or less.

No definite answer, but at least they hadn’t outright refused, which was something. Elpidius slumped back in his chair, a weary sigh escaping him, taking a sliver of comfort in that non-rejection.

Golden eyes glinted sharply from beneath the arm he had thrown over his eyes.

“The real issue is Rweche…”

The King of Sanguo had made Rweche’s cooperation a condition for any alliance.

“[If we follow your plan, it means betting everything on a single chance. Failure would mean the certain ruin of Sanguo.]”

“[…Are you saying you’re rejecting the proposal?]”

“[Not exactly, but we’d prefer a situation with a higher chance of success.]”

“Secure Rweche’s cooperation, and we will gladly join your plan.”

It was a rather presumptuous demand, but Elpidius conceded. Sanguo was, after all, the nation bearing the brunt of the conflict with the Demon Realm. Their current plan was a gamble, so their caution was understandable.

Besides, they were the ones who’d initiated contact, putting them in the weaker position. It made sense for them to make the next move.

“To secure Rweche’s cooperation…”

“Perhaps… we should apologize for past events.”

Aletea chimed in.

“Their king is more emotional than you might expect.”

Demanding cooperation while hiding behind high-minded ideals would backfire spectacularly. So would claiming they bore no responsibility for the choices of their predecessors.

‘Not that I ever intended to try and shift the blame to Uncle in the first place.’

In any case.

An apology was necessary. To truly sway Rweche, it would have to come from the Emperor himself, or someone of equivalent standing…

Brother needn’t apologize in person. A letter of apology from the Crown Prince, representing the Empire, should suffice. A determined glint sparked in Aletea’s eyes.

“An apology…”

Elpidius, meanwhile, stroked his chin thoughtfully.

‘Come to think of it, Uncle did say something about this.’

Back when he was still Crown Prince, and Uncle was Emperor.

The day Elpidius had gone to Deon Hart’s mansion to apologize for Aletea’s rudeness, Emperor Eudoard had seen through his charade.

Do you know what the Emperor said to the Crown Prince, who was nervously trying to gauge his reaction after being found out?

“[It’s alright.]”

“[Huh?]”

“[No, quite the opposite. It’s better to apologize when you can, while you’re still Crown Prince. In fact, I’d say you did well.]”

It was the opposite of what he’d expected.

Shouldn’t a Crown Prince avoid apologizing, if anything? Elpidius’ face was a mask of confusion at the baffling words.

The Emperor, watching his bewildered nephew, rose from his throne and removed his crown. He approached the still-green Crown Prince and placed the heavy crown on his head.

“[Uncle… no, Your Majesty!]”

What are you doing…!?

He couldn’t dare remove the crown the Emperor himself had placed, yet he couldn’t bear to keep wearing it either. Elpidius’ face went white as a sheet.

To make matters worse, the Emperor stepped back, leaving the crown perched precariously on his head. The precarious weight made Elpidius instinctively stiffen his neck.

“[This thing will slip right off the moment you even slightly bow your head.]”

“[…….]”

“[If this crown falls to the floor, it will get dusty and scratched.]”

The Emperor smiled faintly, watching realization dawn in Elpidius’ own golden eyes.

“[Being Emperor is tiring, you can’t even apologize freely. Stay in this position too long, and you might forget how. So, it’s best to learn how to apologize properly while you’re still just the Crown Prince.]”

“[…But surely, not just the Crown Prince, but the Princess too, aren’t they also restricted?]”

Aletea, for instance, wears a tiara at official functions, doesn’t she?

The reply came as if it were obvious.

“[You have me, don’t you?]”

The golden eyes he met softened with a gentle light.

“[Have you ever wondered why the crowns you wear are so much smaller than mine?]”

“[…….]”

“[You can drop them as much as you like. Smaller, lighter crowns are less likely to get damaged. Even if they fall into the mud and the heads of the Crown Prince and Princess are bare, as long as the Emperor exists, no harm will come.]”

“The crowns you wear are for practice.”

It was to accustom you to the weight, so you wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation when you finally wore the true, heavy crown.

“[So, there’s no need to strain your neck holding your heads high already. You can do that later, when you sit on the throne and wear the Emperor’s crown.]”

“[…….]”

And now, the Crown Prince sat on the Emperor’s throne. But.

Elpidius touched his bare head and chuckled softly.

‘But I’m not wearing the crown.’

If bowing his head could achieve his goals, he was more than willing to bend.

Judging by the look of things, his sister was trying to handle this herself. That wouldn’t do. He spoke up immediately.

“There’s a saying in the South, ‘the one who started it must end it.'”

Aletea’s face, understanding his meaning all too well, tightened with displeasure.

“You’re not Uncle, Brother.”

“Not Uncle, but I am ‘the Empire’.”

There was a time when Uncle was the Empire. Now, I am.

To change Rweche’s mind, the Empire itself had to take action.

“I’ll have to write the letter myself.”

Elpidius reached for a pen.

***

“They’re managing far better than I expected for a bunch of green kids…”

In the dead of night.

Alone in her office, Yeonhwa disconnected the communicator linked to the Empire and murmured to herself.

“Still, compared to the former Emperor, the current one has his clumsy moments.”

He seemed to think he was playing it smart, but ultimately, he’s playing right into our hands, especially when it comes to anything other than ‘killing Deon Hart.’

The one truly desperate here wasn’t the Empire, but Sanguo. We’re the ones pinning all our hopes on killing Deon Hart. If the current Emperor had pressed that point, he could have easily gained the upper hand in this psychological game between the Empire and Sanguo.

‘Well… to maximize the chances of killing the Hero, we need Rweche’s cooperation. And Rweche won’t budge unless the Empire itself gets involved. So, in the end, he would have had to step in anyway.’

Still, since he was going to do it anyway, making a bigger show of it would have been more advantageous.

As the King of Sanguo, I’d much rather deal with the current, somewhat clumsy Emperor than the shrewd former one. So, in a way, this is better for us.

‘Being this clumsy, can he really sway Rweche…?’

She glanced down at the communication stone, then headed into the temporary bedroom attached to her office.

Already exhausted from the endless worries, she just wanted to close her eyes for a bit…

…Someone was in her bed.

A chill ran down her spine at the impossible reality.

As if he had been waiting for her, a black shadow perched on the edge of her bed, legs crossed, idly snapping his fingers. It turned its head slowly, and seeing her, stood up.

Only when the figure took a step towards her did Yeonhwa snap out of her daze and gasp.

“Who’s there—!?”

“Shhh—.”

When…!?

In a blink, the figure was right in front of her, hand clamped over her mouth. Yeonhwa’s eyes widened as she took in the figure. It had stepped out of the shadows, into the moonlight, and was now standing right here.

Her widened pupils reflected stark white hair.

“I’m just here to play games quietly and leave, so please, Your Majesty, avoid any unnecessary commotion.”

Red eyes flashed a warning from the shadows that veiled his face, turned away from the moonlight.