Chapter 27_Another Temptation?

Hahahaha.

Kuro burst into loud laughter that echoed throughout his mansion. This was the best thing that could happen. It was the best thing since his Divine Beast manifested. It was information he had just received from a spy he had planted.

The Emperor’s white horse…

Hehehe.

He immediately recognized it. Kuro was well aware of the incident with the lion of the previous generation. The joy that surged through him, knowing that his horse Divine Beast had swallowed the white horse, made him feel like his whole body was about to explode. That’s why it neighed and manifested for a longer time that day. And that’s why it choked that day because the white horse was struggling inside the Divine Beast. The white horse seemed to be as troublesome as its owner, the Emperor.

Hahaha.

If things like this keep happening, life will be very enjoyable. The horse Divine Beast imprisons the Emperor’s white horse, and I imprison the Emperor.

It felt as if the world was at his feet, as he tasted the future that was about to unfold. Kuro, feeling as if he could fly, muttered to his invisible Divine Beast, which he couldn’t summon at will just yet.

I love you, Divine Beast! Well done. Very well done.

The Emperor has a lot to say. 

Swallow them all and grow bigger.

Hahaha.

He felt his body filling up again. Energy was gathering. It was that feeling. 

Good. Very good. 

The sign that the Divine Beast was about to come out again. It was getting faster.

At this rate, it might come out every day. Initially, it took a lot of effort to manifest it once, but once it becomes familiar, it can be summoned at will without effort. The Divine Beast will also manifest on its own to protect its master when in danger or enraged. What a great blessing. He was so happy.

Ah! Now that I think about it, I did something unnecessary. I shouldn’t have set the fire.

Had that woman been alive today, he could have run to her immediately. Kuro regretted it slightly. The night the Divine Beast manifested, he had been so overwhelmed that he ordered her house to be set on fire, not knowing the whole story.

Ah, I should have held back a little.

But Kuro wasn’t hindered by such a trivial matter. That woman had always complained about being bedridden for days after their encounters, as if she had a severe fever. Other women never said anything! It was all a ploy to get more money, but now that she was dead, he didn’t have to worry about it. Embracing the euphoria he felt, Kuro quickly summoned his carriage.

The previous woman was a bit boring. Then I’ll go to the third woman. Or maybe the fourth.

His steps were as light as dancing. Humming a tune, Kuro climbed into the waiting carriage with a light gesture.

***

After having a grand time, and meeting his beloved and precious Divine Beast, Kuro was in the best mood as he met the three Dukes the next day.

“Why are you out already? Are you feeling better?”

Kuro only offered verbal comfort to Duke Santino, who still had bandages on his ears.

“Yes, I’m fine. I have to do my job.”

There was also important work. It wasn’t the time to be lying down.

“But Duke Jenson. Have you found your heir, Baltz?”

Despite being confined in his mansion for treatment, Duke Santino knew everything. Duke Jenson replied with a bitter expression but spoke politely.

“Found? What do you mean?”

Pretending not to know. Duke Santino inwardly sneered.

“I heard your heir hasn’t returned for several days.”

“I’ve heard that too.”

Duke Jenson shouted at the two Dukes.

“Who! Said that!”

Realizing his mistake, Duke Jenson quickly calmed his anger and continued politely.

“My heir is traveling. He has a great curiosity for learning, so I sent him to see and learn from different countries.”

The other two Dukes inwardly scoffed. 

Yeah, right.

Kuro, standing beside them, was half-listening to their conversation, lost in his own exhilaration. He didn’t care what they were talking about.

Each of their minds was in a different place.

***

Ha!

That damn Emperor is in his study again. Last time, he was holed up in his room, so I couldn’t see his face properly, and now again?

Everyone bowed and made way for him. Why? Because the Divine Beast was following him. This time, it came out again after three days. The heavens were on his side now.

He had just had a tryst with a woman in a secluded spot near the palace in his carriage. Then he entered the palace, flaunting his Divine Beast. Now he was parading around crowded places to show off his horse Divine Beast, which now had a bluish glow.

The Emperor is coming. Everyone, make way.

Kuro inwardly shouted with satisfaction as he confidently entered the palace. The horse Divine Beast, which had been like a foal until recently, had grown to the size of a full-grown horse. It was big enough for two people to ride. Well, maybe a bit smaller? In any case, it had grown that much. Kuro’s confidence was sky-high. He was so proud of the Divine Beast that flew around him.

Look closely, Kalik. If you don’t come out, I’ll show it to you.

“His Majesty is currently engaged in important work…”

“Move.”

Kuro shoved the aide who was blocking him at the study entrance. The aide was thrown far away by his force.

How dare you. Mentioning the fake Emperor to block the real Emperor!

With a satisfied face, Kuro forcefully opened the study door with both hands.

“What a commotion.”

At the sound of the door slamming, the Emperor put down the letter he was reading and turned his eyes to Kuro and his Divine Beast. It was immediately clear that the horse Divine Beast had grown considerably as it circled in the air inside the study.

Inside it…

My white horse.

Neighhh.

The Emperor closed his eyes tightly. The cry of the white horse desperately calling him. The sound of the white horse struggling to escape from inside.

I’m sorry. I can’t save you yet.

Neighhh.

Neighhh.

Hearing the horse Divine Beast cry out continuously, the Emperor opened his eyes wide again.

Of course. That bastard Kuro was urging the Divine Beast to keep crying. How should I kill that bastard to make it known that he died well?

“My Divine Beast has grown a lot, Your. Majesty.”

I don’t need you to tell me. My eyes are fine. If they turn from gold to red, I might kill you.

His pompous attitude and arrogant expression were a sight to behold.

The Divine Sword next to the Emperor hummed with a vibrating sound. But it wouldn’t move. The Divine Sword is below the Divine Beast. It will never attack as long as the Divine Beast is present. No, it can’t. It couldn’t kill the master with the Divine Beast.

Cough.

Kuro’s Divine Beast suddenly shook its head and made a choking sound.

“Oh my, oh my. It seems there’s trouble. I heard Your Majesty’s white horse disappeared.”

The Emperor’s clenched fist trembled. His eyes began to slowly turn red.

That bastard knows everything and dares to mock me, the Emperor!!!

Without the Divine Beast, he couldn’t even speak properly in front of me, but now he talks recklessly relying on the Divine Beast.

“You should take good care of your horses in the future. Who knows, they might disappear just like the white horse.”

“You bastard!!!”

The Emperor’s eyes burned deeply red. His entire eyes were instantly covered in a vivid blood color.

Ugh.

The Emperor let out a short groan and closed his eyes tightly. His eyes hurt so much. The sudden pain, as if something was digging into them, made him close his eyes tightly again before opening them.

Blinking several times, he quickly found Kuro’s figure. Kuro, still pretending to be dignified, stood stiffly in place.

Barely returning to normal, the Emperor glared at Kuro again. The horse Divine Beast had already quickly disappeared behind Kuro, leaving only a faint trace of its tail visible to the Emperor. Still, he held on for a long time. He knew it was improving day by day.

“Well then. I’ll take my leave…”

Kuro, barely bowing, walked out stiffly, and the Emperor sneered at his back. Kuro, who immediately backed down as soon as the Divine Beast disappeared, was despicable.

After Kuro left, the aide limped over and delivered important news.

“Your Majesty. Her Majesty the Empress has awakened.”

The Emperor’s eyes quickly returned to their golden color.

***

After being gravely ill for three days, she finally got up. Thanks to the nanny’s effective medicine.

“You still don’t seem fully recovered.”

Kalik came to see Bellita as soon as he heard she had gotten up. He must have been worried, seeing how quickly he came.

Bellita felt embarrassed and awkward as the Emperor raised his hand and touched her face and neck, making her neck shrink.

“Your face is still red.”

Kalik…

With you touching me like that, how can my face not turn red?

“It’s not because I’m sick. I’m all better.”

Ah! The Emperor immediately understood what she meant.

It’s because of me?

Bellita, unable to meet his eyes and looking elsewhere shyly, appeared cute to the Emperor.

Is this another temptation?

“If you’re like this for such a small thing, how will you handle the first night?”

What! First night?

Why is he bringing that up now?

It was hard enough to keep up with someone who had been so hostile to her and then changed so much, even kissing like that. But now, after just three kisses, he was talking about the first night. She was at a loss. How could he talk about the first night as if it were as easy as having a meal? She had to find a way to get out of this situation.

“It hasn’t been that long…”

How long has it been since we met, and he’s talking like that!

“We’ve been married for four years. Isn’t it too late for the first night?”

This is driving me crazy. I can’t even tell him the truth.