HRNGDS 101

~Chapter 101~

Yuria couldn’t understand the situation at all. They had clearly promised to cut off aid to the North, so why was there any hesitation after hearing the messenger’s news?

‘Why are you hesitating?’

Although the North had defeated the monsters, it was still unknown how much damage they had taken.

Normally, the Imperial family would first confirm their losses and then send aid.

But it wasn’t like pouring water into a bottomless well, and winter came every year. How many times could the Imperial family extend a helping hand?

Other nobles were complaining loudly about the annual budget sent to the North, saying that it would be enough to help the poor in the capital instead. The Empress had been arguing strongly about it.

“So, you think the Empress is right to cut off aid to the North?”

“Yes, I don’t know how much longer we should continue supporting the North. Every winter, they suffer significant losses, but the aid sent from the Imperial family seems excessive. I think the North should start solving its own problems.”

The Emperor looked down at the chicken in front of him, his expression complicated.

“Shouldn’t we make sure the North knows how much grace our Imperial family has shown them? They’ve come to take our aid for granted.”

The Emperor crossed his arms, deep in thought.

‘We’ve been sending aid, but we’ve always gotten something back from them…’

After winter passed and the mana stone business got back on track, the North had always repaid the Imperial family with interest.

So, cutting off aid could be a loss for the Imperial family in many ways.

Yuria saw the hesitation in the Emperor’s expression and spoke firmly.

Her eyes had a dark energy, but no one noticed.

“The North shouldn’t be allowed to grow stronger like this. They will become a great danger to the Imperial family someday.”

The Emperor’s gaze became distant.

Yuria noticed the change in him and gritted her teeth. She shouldn’t be using dark magic this much.

If she used dark magic too often, it would cause discomfort in the person it was used on.

‘But if I don’t use it now, it looks like the Emperor might still send aid to the North.’

It was something they had agreed on, but now Yuria couldn’t understand how the Emperor’s mind had changed.

Meanwhile, the Emperor had his own thoughts. Suddenly, Yuria’s words started to make sense to him. But still, one thought bothered him.

‘They said the North has a new spicy chicken. And they’re even developing a new menu, spicy pork cutlet. What could that taste like?’

The Emperor had recently joined the fan club of the North’s chicken, called “Northern Cuisine Group.”

A while ago, he even displayed a chicken-shaped doll in his bedroom.

He really didn’t want to fall out with the North.

‘Lady Delphina will hate me.’

It was rumored that Lady Delphina’s chicken was the best when it came to spicy chicken. If the relationship between the Imperial family and the North soured, he might never taste her chicken again.

‘They even say it’s really spicy. Chicken dipped in the spicy sauce from tteokbokki is so delicious, but a spicy fried chicken? What could that taste like?’

Even with the dark magic working on him, the Emperor felt confused. In the end, Yuria had to use dark magic on him again. The Emperor finally responded in an unsatisfied voice.

“Fine, I will cut off aid to the North this time, as you said. I’ve spoken with the Empress about it. But the responsibility for that decision will fall on you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“This matter will be announced at the nobles’ meeting.”

The monster subjugation in the North had ended successfully. All members of the subjugation team returned safely. There were a few minor bruises, but no one was seriously injured.

The Grand Lady, upon arriving at the Duke’s castle, appeared to be in a great mood. She gently nudged Elcayan, whose face had a faint blush.

“Haha, I brought a gift for Delphina. Elcayan thought of you and brought it back.”

“A gift? But you were out on a mission. When did you get this?”

The items they brought were elegantly wrapped. Elcayan cleared his throat and said,

“Well… I made an effort to bring something for Delphina directly.”

Delphina looked at the items Elcayan was holding with a serious expression.

‘He said it’s a gift, but…’

She really wanted to open it right away, but the red text of a system window popped up in her mind, causing her to hesitate.

<Warning! People with weak hearts should not open this.>

The Grand Lady and Calix’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Just then, Caren stepped in front of them.

“Grand Lady, I think it’s better to wait a little before showing it.”

“Eh? Won’t it be ruined if we wait?”

The Grand Lady’s words made Sana’s eyes shake. Sana, one of the few normal people in the North, quickly backed up Caren.

“Caren’s right. Everyone just returned from the subjugation. Why don’t we let them rest first before showing it?”

Sana had gathered a lot of courage in speaking up. She liked Delphina and didn’t want anything to happen that might make Delphina want to leave the North.

‘I’m sure that thing inside is the monster’s head!’

After all, it was obvious that after catching the Hydra, they would bring it back as a “gift” for Delphina. This was the same thing the Grand Lady had done to the previous Duke.

The Duke had laughed heartily and loved the Grand Lady’s gift, so the Grand Lady had thought it worked.

‘In reality, that day, the Duke was pale with fear, though.’

Sana felt it was her duty to protect Delphina.

The Grand Lady tilted her head with a puzzled expression. Sana was usually very polite, and the Grand Lady knew that it wasn’t easy to stop her. Her face immediately became serious.

Caren spoke to the Grand Lady with a serious look on his face.

“I think it would be good to have Sir Issian check the gift first.”

“Hmm… Issian? Why should we check with him?”

“Sir Issian has an excellent eye for aesthetics.”

“I’m also quite skilled.”

Caren looked at Elcayan with pleading eyes, knowing he was more reasonable than the Grand Lady.

“There must be a good reason, right?”

“Yes, a very important reason.”

“Alright. Delphina, I’ll visit later.”

Issian rushed to the mansion after hearing Sana’s urgent call.

“You wanted to show me something?”

Without hesitation, Elcayan unwrapped the package. After seeing what was inside, Issian let out an exclamation of admiration.

“This is really impressive. You truly defeated the Hydra without any significant damage.”

“Right? Isn’t it great?”

The Grand Lady smiled proudly. Even Issian, known as one of the North’s great heroes, couldn’t help but praise her gift-giving sense. But when he spoke next, the Grand Lady’s face stiffened.

“You brought this to threaten the enemies, didn’t you?”

“To… threaten?”

“Yes, if you hang the Hydra’s head on the city walls, it will show that the North is safe. It might disgust ordinary people, but it could intimidate our enemies, and we would have to accept that.”

“Disgust? Intimidation? Doesn’t it look kind of cute?”

Issian tilted his head at the Grand Lady’s words. He couldn’t understand what part of it she thought was cute.

“Just looking at it, it looks like something that would make anyone gag. But it should be an excellent tool for promoting our victory in the monster subjugation!”

The Grand Lady fell silent. The other knights also had no words. Elcayan looked down at the Hydra’s head in his hands.

Issian’s head slowly tilted, as he sensed something was off with the knights and Elcayan’s behavior.

“Could it be…?”

Issian looked at Elcayan with a suspicious gaze. If it wasn’t for that purpose, why would they have brought the monster’s head?