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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Hans felt like his body had been turned into a beehive by a hail of bullets. That was his honest feeling, and it wasnât an inaccurate expression either.
Naturally, the other leaders had come fully prepared, but Hans hadnât prepared at all. Even if he had prepared, though, it wouldnât have made much difference.
It was more likely that he would have been eaten alive.
When it came to political ability, Hans possessed less than anyone else gathered at the meeting.
So, no matter what tactic he used, it likely would have been refuted. But he threw a stone recklessly, and that stone caused ripples in the lake. It was like a cow accidentally catching a mouse with a kick.
It was a coincidence, but at the same time, it wasnât. If Hans had no background, the other leaders would have ignored or rebuked him.
But Hans had achievements.
He had saved the Dwarf Kingdom. He had executed the traitors hiding within the 12 Tribes. He had removed the contaminated World Tree despite the elvesâ opposition. And he had even repelled three True Demons.
The weight of words changes depending on the speaker.
There was no way they could ignore the words of the Royal Knightsâ Commander who had accumulated such achievements.
Thanks to this, the leaders busily racked their brains, calculating the potential gains they could obtain.
In this crucial moment where every second counted, our Hans was lying in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. He just wanted to fall asleep forever.
âI shouldnât have done that.â
Even though he was a layman in politics, he understood that he shouldnât have acted so recklessly. But could anyone truly do everything according to plan?
The moment Hans took his seat at the Table of Equality, the first thing he felt was pressure. Just being there was enough pressure to make an ordinary person faint.
The only reason Hans didnât faint there was because he had been fighting for his life until now. Unknowingly, his courage had grown stronger. However, that was it.
He was so flustered that he just blurted things out. And that was the reason why Hansâs fuse had blown.
He sighed.
He wanted to just disappear, but he wasnât that irresponsible. Fortunately, there was still plenty of time left.
He had to prepare for tomorrowâs meeting within that time, at least enough not to be laughed at.
â...Who is it at this hour?â
Just as he got up from his seat and was about to quickly prepare, a knock caught his attention.
Was it his unit members? No, it was a presence he had never felt before.
He hadnât realized it yet, but due to the constant battles, Hans had become a ghost at sensing presences. The reason was that he had been maintaining a state of tension.
The weak naturally become cautious, and in Hansâs case, it was extreme. As a result, he had mastered sensing presences.
Hans cautiously opened his mouth.
âWho is it?â
âYouâre quite alert.â
âThis voice... the Vampire Lord?â
Thinking about it, vampires, she had said herself, loved the blood of the strong.
But was he really among the strong? Of course, the magnitude of strength is relative, but even judging by that standard, his position was still at the very bottom.
Of course, it was common sense that they couldnât mistreat Hans, who held the position of Commander of the Royal Knights, but a simulation was already automatically running in Hansâs head.
[âThis blood is tasteless. Itâs not the taste I expected.â]
[âNo. Thatâs...â]
[âYouâre useless. Die!â]
[âUgh!â]
As a result of the simulation, the answer was naturally no. No matter how much he thought about it, he didnât think his blood would be to her taste. If so, she might turn on him.
âI appreciate the offer, but Iâll have to decline.â
âI thought it was a decent deal.â
âI suppose it is.â
âWhatâs the reason? I canât understand.â
Sharing blood might be a bit much, but even considering that, it was the best opportunity for Commander Hans. But he was refusing this? What was the reason?
While Lucyâs questions were deepening, Hans was desperately racking his brains. He couldnât just say he was too weak to give her his blood.
Then what he needed here... was to create the most plausible reason and convince her. He couldnât convince her with just any reason.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Hans quickly fabricated one.
âI am the proud Commander of the Royal Knights. I would never accept such a petty backroom deal.â
âA backroom deal?â
âThen let me ask you. How is this different from a bribe?â
â...Oh?â
âWe march forward with our own strength. We donât need such dishonorable methods.â
This was an unexpected interpretation. But she thought it could feel that way. If blood was replaced with money, it would be a bribe.
Lucy nodded.
âThatâs an interesting interpretation. But I canât say itâs unconvincing.â
âYes, so get lost.â
âThen Iâll see for myself how righteous your path is.â
What? Wait a minute? What did that mean? Hans immediately opened the door as soon as he heard those words, but there was nothing outside but the cold wind.
Had he poked a sleeping lion?
An ominous thought dominated Hansâs mind.
âââââââ
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