Chapter 41
“That’s”
“Are you saying that because of Kartar’s intentions? I don’t think so, Johann is not someone afraid of war. In fact, he has been one of those who advocated conquering Kartar since the days of the Marquisate.”
Ern smoothed his voice and continued.
“At first, I thought he was just waiting for the right time. To strike down Gears at the most opportune moment. But not long ago, Johannes handed over a substantial amount of money to the messenger to save the Gears territory.”
He gave money?
Anel blinked in confusion.
That was a fact she hadn’t heard before.
“When did he give the money?”
“Do you not know? It was before the expedition to Kinton, It was an enormous sum. Even if you don’t know, the crisis of the Gears spirit must have passed. It wouldn’t hurt to look into it.”
Anel was perplexed.
She hadn’t thought to investigate the Gears spirit.
Well, in fact, Samuel had looked into it as soon as he arrived there.
But he hadn’t seen it since then.
That was because he thought Johannes wouldn’t support him.
But Johann gave him money?
“However, not a single penny of the palace budget has ever flowed into Gears territory.”
“Of course, They gave it through dubious means.”
Ern seemed surprised that Anel was unaware of the fact.
“Haven’t Your Majesty mentioned it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s not like they speak in a timely manner.”
Ern let out a deep sigh.
“Anyway, it was given, Despite not knowing where that money will be spent, it was forcibly given. I think it’s because something changed Johan’s heart.”
Ern looked at the woman in front of him, He couldn’t understand what Johann saw in this woman.
In fact, Ern couldn’t understand from the beginning.
Why he, who had avoided Samuel all his life, suddenly decided to attend the party where Samuel was present.
Why he declared that he would steal Samuel’s fiancée immediately after returning from the party.
“I have to get engaged to that woman.”
“Who?””Anel Morata.”
“…Are you talking about Lady Morata? She’s already engaged, and to the Crown Prince.”
“Yeah, I have to do it with that woman.”
Ern, in fact, had thought that when he heard Johann’s words, he planned to devour the Morata Duchy.
However, when he sent the Morata Duchy to the asylum for a change, he realized that it wasn’t the case.
Johann didn’t harbor resentment towards the Morata Duchy.
He simply wanted Anel Morata.
“And what does that mean?”
Ern spoke with difficulty.
This was just a simple conjecture.
But perhaps…
“Johann may not necessarily have a vengeful spirit against Gears Gong.”
“…What?”
Nonsensical words.
Anel furrowed her brow.
Thinking about what Johan had done to Samuel so far, there was no other explanation for his actions other than revenge.
It couldn’t be just for the fun of it, considering how he took everything from Samuel.
“At first, I also thought it was revenge against Gears Gong. It’s about why Johan is so fixated on Your Majesty.”
“That’s not… you say?”
Anel asked with a trembling voice.
“Then, is there any other reason?”
No matter how much Anel thought about it, he couldn’t come up with any other reason.
“Well, I don’t know anymore.”
Looking at the perplexed Anel, Ern smiled slyly.
“Anyway, it’s certain that Johan is moving because of His Majesty. Whatever the reason may be.”
“So, are you suggesting to take advantage of that?”
But isn’t that a bit cruel for a friend to say? Anel looked at Ern with reproachful eyes.
Ern, noticing that gaze, laughed heartily.
“Look, Even though His Majesty dislikes Johan so much, don’t you find it uncomfortable to use him?”
“Well, that’s…”
Because it’s not the right thing to do, Anel blushed.
“Your Majesty, Although Johan is my precious friend, it doesn’t mean I think he is good and weak’’
Honestly! I doubt if he will willingly be used.”
“Then why-”
“Have you ever tried something, even if you have something to lose?”
It meant that there was nothing left to lose now.
Anel understood the meaning and glared at him.
Ern managed to suppress a smile on his face.
It seemed like he knew why Johan enjoyed teasing her whenever he had the chance. She was a woman who found pleasure in being teased.
“Don’t worry, Even if you use someone, it won’t break someone who is already hurting inside.”
Ern stood up, saying so. Now that he had done everything he needed to do.
“And above all, isn’t it for a noble cause?”
What he needed most was a noble spirit, We grew up without such things.
Ern smiled as he looked at the noblest lady in the empire.
Johann DeNeger grew up most nobly, yet he was loved less than even the lowliest person.
And unfortunately, the lady in front of him was no different.
Of course, the difference in the outcome is as vast as the sky and the earth.
“I will adjust the schedule so that you can meet the Emperor this afternoon. Try to persuade him directly.”
It was truly a devil’s proposition.
Even knowing it was a trap, Anel nodded with a sigh.
With such a carefully crafted trap, it would be less unjust when caught.
“Oh, right.”
Ern, about to step back quietly, added a word.
“It’s just my speculation though….”
Ern had never seen a woman who didn’t flinch from beginning to end.
Through this conversation, I understood Johann a little bit.
The reason Eren could be Johann’s only friend was because of the point where the two connected.
Eren had no intention of justifying his own sinful nature.
Because it was a fact.
Johann added more to it, never less.
The two men didn’t particularly feel guilty about their base nature.
They were born that way, and they grew up that way.
But this woman was a contradiction to all of that.
“Johann’s real purpose is not just in the Gearsball itself.”
The woman blinked her eyes in a deep color, as if she couldn’t understand.
Efforts to somehow understand a man who had nothing to do with her were evident in her eyes.
She was sincerely trying to understand a man who had only given her wounds.
“Johann is just reclaiming what should have been his.”
Shock and sadness began to fill Anel’s eyes gradually.
Ern laughed bitterly.
Damn, she was a woman with good empathy and understanding.
To be so desperately trying to accept everything with just one word.
“Unfortunately, it was just Gears’ sphere.”
She was a woman who instinctively evoked both repulsion and desire.
“What’s next?”
A languid afternoon in the Potentia Palace, It was just before transitioning into evening.
As the sunset approached, Johann reflexively frowned.
It was because around this time, Ernst always brought unwelcome truths.
“Next, Marquis Ern Lars has set a schedule.”
Sure enough, it was Ern again.
Most of the truths were pieces of information that Ernst, who had spent the previous night at the Gesh Salon, brought back in a nonchalant manner.
Johann detested the Gesh Salon.
A habitat of old snakes.
Despite defining the Gesh Salon as such, it was a collaborative work between him and Ernst.
Despite being one of the financial roots that helped Johann become the emperor.
“Send him in.”
Johann suppressed his irritation with difficulty and granted permission for Ern to enter.
“Your Majesty…”
However, the steward, Gardin, who should usher Ern in, hesitated. He had a very awkward expression on his face.
“Speak, Gardin, Lingering like that won’t solve anything.”
Gardin hesitated every time the emperor spoke with his casual politeness mixed in.
Since the days of the Marquis of Sogong, this habit had continued, but Gardin became even more apprehensive after understanding its implications.
It was a habit inherited from his adoptive father, Duke Magnem, who was extremely sensitive to honor and reputation. Therefore, he imposed ‘extreme courtesy’ on Johann.
No matter how angry or unjust the situation, he was never allowed to lose politeness and composure, regardless of the other person’s status, gender, age, or relationship.
Thanks to that, Johann became more composed and polite the angrier he got.
Ern once described his habit as ‘hypocritical courtesy that drives the listener insane,’ suggesting that shouting and getting angry would be better.
Gardin cautiously agreed with that statement.
“Lars Viscount has left a message, suggesting that His Excellency visit the palace hunting grounds for a brief tour.”
“So, you’re asking me to come to where he is now?”
“Yes, he has requested that you come to the hunting grounds.”
Gardin wanted to swear at Ern for the first time. Ern was the one at fault, yet why should Gardin bear the emperor’s wrath? It was truly unfair.
Johann maintained a silent composure.
The silence lasted quite a while.
In the suffocating stillness, just as Gardin was about to shout that he would rather bring Ern’s neck, Johann stood up.
“Let’s go.’’
