NOVEL NEXT chapter 22
22 – Boyhood ~Let’s find out who’s behind it~
‘What the hell is going on here?’
Why did he come to the imperial family?
Taeui could not understand the current situation.
It was yesterday when I received the imperial order to attend the imperial family.
‘Of course I thought it was an imperial order for the great conference to be held this month, but what the heck… !’
Since it was a big meeting attended by the emperor, Tae-eui, who naturally expected it, was taken aback by the situation that exceeded his expectations.
‘Has the plan been exposed? But how? He couldn’t have figured out that I was behind it?’
‘Isn’t there even evidence in the first place? Could it be that, if not that, is it a simple entrapment?’
I’ll tell you that it’s a very inappropriate way if I’m trying to make a mistake in my bewilderment.
‘Stupid guy. I’m not the kind of person who would reveal loopholes with a joke like this!’
How many political maneuvers have you made so far?
The years of his life were not sloppy enough to fall for such a shallow number.
Tae-ui, who regained her composure, got up from her bed and her maid opened the door and appeared as if she had been waiting.
“Your Majesty is waiting for you. It is an imperial order to come back as soon as preparations are complete.”
“…Let’s go soon.”
“We will help you prepare.”
I didn’t complain about the sudden kidnapping situation.
I just didn’t care about those things right now.
Tae-eui, who finished preparing for the audience while waiting on the ladies-in-waiting, left the room tying his collar.
‘Why did you call me in such a hurry? It means that it is an urgent matter to the extent of kidnapping and bringing it. No way really… ?’
Hiding a slight uneasiness in my heart, I headed for the palace.
After walking for a while, thinking of a plaque that could be presented to the emperor, a door decorated with gold soon appeared.
“Please go in.”
“…Yes.”
Her lady-in-waiting beckoned inside without even greeting her.
When the luxurious door opened by itself, revealing the interior, Tae-eui gulped and went inside without hesitation.
Kung-!
“…!”
Is the door closed?
Tae-eui looked back at the door for a moment and put on a puzzled expression as the door closed as soon as she entered.
“Welcome, Taeui.”
However, Tae-ui took her eyes off the door immediately after she heard her voice and lightly bowed her head.
“Meet the sun of the empire.”
“Hmm.”
The emperor, sitting on a splendid throne and looking down on himself as if it were natural, was unexpectedly looking no different than usual.
At the sight of the emperor as usual, the tension that had swelled for an instant subsided, and a relaxed voice came out of Taeui.
“But, why did you call me so urgently…”
“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s such an urgent matter that I brought it without your consent.”
“If it’s His Majesty’s call, of course I’ll have to run, even in the middle of the night. Don’t worry about it.”
To Tae-ui who answered that, the emperor burst out laughing.
“Ha ha ha! Tae’s always cover up Jim’s vices.”
“I’m sorry! It’s not fair.”
What is it? Did you call me for a really stupid reason?
Taeui’s tension is about to start to ease as she looks no different than usual.
The emperor suddenly spoke.
“Taeui.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“As for Jim. I think humans have nobles too.”
“You mean…?”
“I’m not specifically talking about being noble according to class. What I’m talking about is noble according to talent.”
After speaking once, the emperor rested his chin on his chin and spoke slowly.
“People have different uses depending on their talents. Those who wield swords well become soldiers protecting the empire, and those who wield magic well become wizards who develop the empire. Of course, those who cannot handle weapons also have their own Appropriate roles are assigned according to talent.”
What are you talking about all of a sudden?
“In that sense, Jim loves talented people. Martial arts, magic, sorcery, intellect, holy power, and politics, I think Jim is noble.”
“Yes, yes…”
“And in that sense, you were a servant whom I especially cherished.”
It was a subject.
From there, Taeui felt an unknown anxiety.
The emperor, looking down at him with boredom, continued as if he was deliberately regretful.
“There is no one who stands out as well as you in handling people. Don’t you know? You make the best cutting edge in the best position. It sounds easy to say, but it’s quite difficult to put it into practice.”
It was true.
In reality, we couldn’t even do the next best cutting edge, let alone the best.
“So Jim made some concessions in order not to lose you. Of course, it wasn’t just for you, but among his servants, who had outstanding talents, Jim was making the most of it.”
“That’s what…”
And every word the emperor said was unbelievable.
The Minister of Internal Affairs had an affair with another woman.
The general of the military department likes the same sex.
Bizet, one of the 10 emperors, has a taste for children.
The eldest son of a certain nobleman was a madman who killed women for having sex.
Unheard of and unseen stories poured out.
“Taeui. As for Jim. There’s a bit of an obsessive side to the person Jim approves of.”
Is that a little bit?
If the opponent in front of him wasn’t the emperor, Tae-eui felt like shouting at him.
“I’m curious. How does Lee usually behave?
“Mi, crazy…”
At this point, Taeui couldn’t bear to hide the voice that came out naturally.
This is crazy!
How did you see such a reaction?
The emperor sat back on the throne again and continued.
“Your division of factions among imperial officials was not taken seriously. The separation between the military and the internal government was also overlooked. Compared to such trivial things, your value is far superior. Even your actions aimed at the princess. Until then, Jim passed without a word.”
But this time went too far.
Only after hearing that, Tae-ui realized that things were not serious and hardened his expression.
“I can’t believe you kidnapped the sons of nobles at a banquet held in my name.”
“…….”
“Hehehe, it’s been a while, but it’s been fun. You’re too lazy, Tae.”
“…I’m not sure what you mean.”
“About commoners’ children. If it was for your sake, I didn’t care much about Jim, even if he was sacrificed. It’s hard to see results in poor quality seedlings. However, nobles are different. Especially, the servants whom Jim directly weeds are different. .”
The emperor’s eyes were filled with madness as he said that.
“My servants are made up of outstanding talents! Even the children I raised myself! Do you dare to use such future talents as discards?”
“It’s unfair, Your Majesty. You really don’t know what you believe!”
The emperor, who had been expressing his anger at Tae-ui, who pushed through without knowing until the end, spoke quietly.
“The bandits.”
“…….”
“The thieves you raised for the slave trade. Yes, they used ordinary merchants as intermediaries. Now they have grown in size and are calling themselves giants.”
That’s funny.
Taeui couldn’t contain his astonishment at the emperor who spoke so monotonously.
‘How the heck… ? I was very careful when contacting the broker! I’ve never even been directly contacted!’
“Still, it’s too much to say that they are related to you, right? Yes, I understand. I’ve seen the relayer and your underling meet, but it might have been a coincidence.”
“…….”
“And it may be Jim’s illusion that you and your aides were plotting a kidnapping at this banquet.”
Everything was read.
Taeui, who was looking at him with a pale complexion, immediately shouted in anger.
“Proof! Proof! Proof that I was involved in it!”
“Hmm…”
“If there is no proof, even your majesty won’t punish me!”
Taeui let out a sullen laugh and immediately shouted at the emperor.
“Yes, even your Majesty will not punish me, the head of the Home Ministry, without proof!”
“Heh heh, go ahead.”
“Let’s make a deal!”
Driven into a corner, he took out every card that came to his mind.
“I will become your faction! If I join the royal faction, the shaky crown prince’s foundation will be even stronger!”
“The crown prince’s foundation isn’t particularly weak. Well, keep going.”
“And I will present the slaves I have collected to His Majesty! I will guarantee the talents of the slaves I have collected from all over the continent!”
“Whoa.”
The emperor, who had been bored by Tae-ui’s words, suddenly showed interest.
“Hmm. What about the number of people?”
“A pair of adult men and women and one girl! The man is from the kingdom of Beheite, and the woman is an elf from the kingdom of Liam and the Great Forest, respectively!”
“Daesurim. You got something valuable.”
Since the Great Forest is a closed race, they seldom leave the borders.
Even if it wasn’t a normal beast, if it was an elf, the value would be several times higher.
Taeui, reading the vivid curiosity reflected in the emperor’s eyes, sang joy in his heart.
‘I’m going to throw in the right talent and get out of here. I’ll have to buy myself for a while.’
The fact that all of his actions were being read by him was no different from saying that there was a traitor inside.
He deals with the renegade inside and waits for an opportunity to hide himself.
Taeui realized that his plan had been delayed by 10 years.
‘If you know this much information, you must be one of his aides. Bastards! How dare you betray me!’
But that thought didn’t last long.
“Thanks for the good information. Okay, do you have anything else to suggest?”
“……Yes?”
An emperor who takes things for granted.
Taeui didn’t understand for a moment and stupidly asked back.
“Why is that? Nothing you’ve said so far appeals to Jim very much. Suggest something more appealing to Jim.”
“…What do you need?”
Taeui, who was denied power and talent, had only a considerable amount of gold and silver treasures left.
However, money alone could not move the emperor who had all the wealth of the empire.
So Tae-eui decided to hand out a blank check.
Taeui, who had vowed to accept whatever the emperor said, made an absurd expression at the words that followed.
“Can you make Jim’s heart beat?”
“What is that…”
What does that mean?
Though he thought about it dozens of times with his clever head, Taeui frowned, unable to grasp the emperor’s intentions.
How much time has passed?
The emperor closed his eyes and then looked at him and said.
“I just made a mistake. If you answer this instead, I’ll think about your deal positively.”
“What is it…!”
“Do you know why I got caught by Jim?”
“That, that’s…”
How do you know that!
Taeui, who was scheduled to find out the traitor from now on, was so embarrassed that he couldn’t open his mouth easily.
I wish I could have said it as a joke, but the emperor’s expression in front of me said it wasn’t a joke at all.
In the end, Taeui, who had mumbled his mouth, spat out the words with difficulty.
“That…Isn’t it a similar handwriting…”
“…Is that your answer?”
“Oh, no! I’m Ching Shun, Vice Minister for Political Affairs!”
Tae-eui mentioned all the names of his aides as he remembered them.
However, as the countless names passed, the emperor’s expression only grew boring.
How long has it been?
The emperor opened his mouth while restraining Taeui, who was reciting the names of subordinates beyond his aides.
“Enough. It’s done.”
“Your Majesty!”
“It’s trivial. Jim picked the talent with the least care. This is all.”
“Ugh…!”
As the emperor’s interest seemed to have completely turned off, Taeui, who had been trembling all over, screamed like a fit.
“I did! I didn’t do anything!”
“…Huh.”
“Proof! Proof! Proof! You can’t punish me without proof!”
The emperor shook his head at Taeui, who shouted endlessly with a blood clot around his neck.
“Sorry.”
“Proof! Give me the evidence, Emperor Yongle!”
“Since when did Jim get permission?”
“Proof…!”
“My burden is the law, Taeui.”
That was the end.
The emperor looked at the seat of the Taeui, which disappeared in an instant, and muttered quietly.
“…Search Taeui’s mansion. Get everything that could be evidence.”
“…….”
“And bring the slaves Taeui said into the palace. I’ll see for myself if they’re worthy of Jim’s eyes.”
Leaving behind the faint noises around him, the emperor slowly closed his eyes.
Closing his eyes on the throne, he remembered the boy who had offered him a bold deal.
.
.
.
{Your Majesty, make a deal with me.}
A boy who came up to me out of nowhere in the middle of the banquet hall forced his way around and said so.
{A deal? Luggage? With you?}
The emperor, who met with him with a light heart, was happy with the boy’s reckless behavior and readily joined the flow.
{As your majesty knows, there are disrespectful people around now who prey on the sons of nobles.}
{Um.}
I have already heard that the sons of nobles who used to stroll around the banquet hall are disappearing one after another.
The emperor waited for his words without any reply.
The boy also spoke with a serious expression when the emperor did not show any reaction.
{I will rescue all captured children.}
{Hmm?}
And the emperor showed great interest in the boy’s words.
{Of course, I don’t intend to try it blindly. Part of the 10 temples have already started searching, so I will mainly search for places with steep mountains in Heodo.}
{If it’s a search, I’m already doing the 10th as you said. And how could I let you, young, participate in a dangerous search? It wouldn’t be possible even for your father, Untitled.}
The boy continued to talk to the emperor, who refused with logical reasons.
{Of course, I do not intend to act alone. And it’s also about the safety of my family. I’m sure your father will forgive you too.}
{Hmm…. It’s your family’s safety…….}
The emperor thought as he placed his hand on his chin.
I was quite curious about how the family came out, but the boy’s determination was clearly conveyed.
However, it is not okay to send a boy who is still only 12 years old alone.
The emperor recalled the troops available immediately.
The boy’s father, Muje, has already started a search with the other 10 emperors.
The only ones left were the Buddha and the Sword Emperor who came with their little child.
{The only 10 remaining rites are fire and sword rites. Let them accompany whoever they want.}
{Thank you, Your Majesty!}
Looking at the boy who lightly bowed his head, the emperor turned his eyes stained with anticipation.
{So, what are you asking Jim for in return?}
{Catch the guys behind them.}
{Hmm. Behind….}
The emperor put on a worried expression at the boy’s words.
{That’s a bit difficult. Jim hasn’t figured out who’s behind them yet.}
{No, Your Majesty.}
But the boy’s determined words reached his ears.
{Don’t you know.}
{…Why do you think so?}
The emperor suppressed the laughter that leaked out.
{Your Majesty has blind eyes.}
{…Huh. What are the invisible eyes?}
I looked at the boy with a deep smile.
The boy, who did not flinch at the emperor’s gaze and met his eyes straight, continued without hesitation.
{The first talent collected by His Majesty. It doesn’t seem to be in the 10th. There is no doubt that His Majesty did not enlist him. Aren’t you probably keeping it a secret?}
{…Do you know who that is?}
{Well. At first, I thought it was a cancer drug, but the gender was different. So, isn’t it roughly the Young Emperor?}
{Keu, hahahaha!}
What happened to him!
It’s so easy to find out who the emperor put so much effort into concealing his existence!
{Ha ha ha! Good night! I won’t accept your deal! I never thought I would have noticed Jim’s eyes!}
{…I felt the gaze the other day. Coincidence coincidence.}
He was a boy who spoke belatedly with a serious expression, but it did not reach the emperor’s ears.
{Yes, I’m sure I know what’s behind them through Young Emperor.}
However, having said that, the emperor changed his expression.
{However, Jim will not punish him.}
{…What is it?}
{Jim values his talent very highly. Even the nobles sold in the market will be recovered soon after Jim’s search party begins their search anyway. Then, the only thing left is a few people who are unlucky enough to find them.}
Compared to them, having him in the background is more beneficial.
After saying that, the emperor smiled and watched the boy’s reaction.
The boy took a deep breath as if annoyed by his words, and then threw it away.
{The guy behind it. Are you better than me?}
{Hmm?}
{Is the person behind it more talented than me?}
‘Look at this guy.’
Looking at the boy who was about to leave without formality, the emperor showed a pleasant feeling.
{No, that’s not it. Jim assures me that there is no talent in the empire more talented than you.}
{Then catch me behind.}
{So, that’s hard….}
{I am leaving the empire.}
{…… Her?}
{I will abandon my empire and my family and go into exile in another country.}
{No, wait.}
That was a very embarrassing statement even for the emperor.
The emperor looked at the boy with trembling eyes, unaware that his own face had become pale.
{Why? Do you think you can’t Since then, there are many places to go. Whether it’s Liam or Beheight from the next country, you can cross the continent and go all the way to Lucidus.}
{Now, wait a minute! Story! Let’s talk!}
However, despite the emperor’s refusal, the boy rather sat down on the floor and spoke.
{If you don’t catch him from behind, he will escape.}
{…Really?}
{Really.}
{Turn off….}
The emperor shook his head at the boy’s actions.
‘I tried to play lightly, but it backfired.’
To show weakness to a precious child.
I was very depressed, but I couldn’t help it.
In the first place, I was trying to deal with this guy, so I guess I’ll have to pay off the debt.
{Yeah, got it.}
.
.
.
The emperor burst into laughter, unable to contain his laughter.
“Phehe. I never thought someone would threaten Jim. He’s bold. He’s very bold.”
The emperor, who had said that in front of no one else, eventually spoke into the air.
“Young Emperor.”
“Thinking about it, isn’t this the first time your stealth has been discovered?”
At the same time, the space behind him shook.
“It’s interesting. I never thought I could see through your stealth.”
Although he does not belong to the 10 Emperors, he was given the title of ‘Ling Emperor’ for his outstanding skills.
The head of the Violet, an intelligence organization directly under the emperor, and a master of stealth and disguise.
As an emperor, he was a faithful confidant who assisted him even before he ascended the throne.
‘To see through the spirit emperor that only Jim knows about. After all, he is an unusual child.’
The emperor made a deep smile as he felt his feelings for the boy grow even more.