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Chapter 13
At that moment…
Momousagi's heart and body trembled slightly. Her delicate hands clenched tightly below. She bit her silver teeth, steeling herself.
Finally, she summoned her courage, lifted her gaze to Tian Chen, and spoke in a shy, trembling voice:
"T-Tian Chen the Great Emperor!" "I… I'd like to get straight to the point and discuss things directly!" "Y-Yes, what I mean is…" "We don't need to waste time on pointless talk. It would only delay everyone."
Even though these were the very tactics she was most skilled at, facing Tian Chen made her feel unprecedentedly awkward and flustered.
After thinking carefully… The only real difference from her past targets Was that this time, the trick was being used on Tian Chen the Great Emperor.
If she succeeded… She would truly lose her innocence!
Tian Chen's gaze paused for a moment.
Momousagi… Was definitely up to something.
"Hm. Skipping the nonsense—very good." "This Emperor permits it." "You may get straight to the point."
Tian Chen replied neutrally.
He was curious to see… Exactly how she planned to "get straight to it."
Momousagi's chest rose and fell with nervous breaths. Her alluring figure trembled slightly as she exhaled a fragrant sigh. Her vermilion lips parted softly:
"Tian Chen the Great Emperor…" "If you are willing…" "To withdraw the barrier around Sabaody Archipelago right now…" "Then I, Momousagi… am willing to satisfy any request you have." "Even if… even if it means giving up the most precious thing I have guarded my entire life."
"Oh?" "The most precious thing you've guarded?" "Be specific—what exactly do you mean?"
Tian Chen asked calmly— While inside, his heart was already surging with wild excitement.
Momousagi was basically announcing: She was still a pure, untouched maiden. That's what she meant, right?
"You…?"
Momousagi murmured in a daze. Her delicate body shivered with embarrassment. A peach-blossom blush bloomed across her face.
She never expected… Tian Chen would actually make her spell it out.
He had just complimented her figure when they first met— Clearly a man who appreciated such things. How could he possibly not understand what a woman's "most precious thing" was?
"Hmph…" "Tian Chen the Great Emperor…" "You're suddenly so naughty!"
Momousagi couldn't help but act coy and shy.
He obviously knew exactly what she meant— Yet he still forced a girl to say it out loud. It was mortifying. He was truly too wicked.
"Uh…" "I see now!" "This Emperor suddenly understands." "Hahaha… very good! Very good!" "Last night, this Emperor was just thinking—" "—that an empty harem isn't sustainable forever." "Today, a beauty like you delivers herself right to my door!" "How could this Emperor possibly refuse such a gift?"
Tian Chen rose abruptly. Leaving an afterimage behind, he appeared right in front of her in the blink of an eye.
He examined Momousagi up close with appreciative eyes.
"Hm… up close, you truly possess abundant talent." "Very well—" "This Emperor accepts your offer!" "The over one million people on Sabaody Archipelago will remain safe." "Once you've confirmed this… choose an auspicious day and come to this Emperor to fulfill today's promise."
After saying this indifferently, Tian Chen gave Momousagi no chance to continue the conversation.
His figure transformed into a streak of golden light— And vanished from the grand hall.
Momousagi stood there stunned, still processing what just happened.
"What… what does this mean?" "Didn't I say I would only agree after he withdrew the barrier?" "How did it suddenly turn into this?" "Not only did he not lower the barrier… now I have to become his permanent woman?!"
"Hmph! What a cunning and domineering man!!!"
Momousagi felt a surge of anger.
She had been toyed with— And this round, she had lost big time.
Bzzzt… bzzzt…
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi rang.
Sengoku's anxious voice came through:
"Vice Admiral Momousagi, how did the talks go?" "Were you able to convince Tian Chen the Great Emperor to lower the barrier?"
Momousagi steadied herself and replied:
"Reporting to the Fleet Admiral—" "Tian Chen the Great Emperor is extremely cunning!" "I used every trick in my arsenal." "But he still refuses to lower the barrier." "However… he seems very confident that he can protect everyone on Sabaody."
Sengoku sighed. "Very well then." "Since you're already inside Sabaody Archipelago, find a way to warn the people there: the island is about to be destroyed." "Anyone who doesn't want to die—leave immediately. Marine Headquarters has withdrawn. We will not obstruct their evacuation."
"Understood, Fleet Admiral!"
Momousagi left the Celestial Palace and returned to Sabaody Archipelago.
She spent considerable effort trying to convince the residents to flee for their lives.
But she was met with endless mockery.
"Hahaha…" "Just another Marine Headquarters trick to scare us, huh?"
"Ridiculous!"
"You launched a full night of Buster Call and couldn't even scratch the barrier—did you know that?"
"Exactly!" "Show some self-awareness and stop embarrassing yourselves." "With Tian Chen the Great Emperor guarding us, Sabaody is impregnable!"
"By the way, Vice Admiral Momousagi… did Marine Headquarters send you in here on a suicide mission? Did they abandon you?"
"Tch tch—look at that. This is Marine Headquarters' true nature!"
"Yeah, you'd be better off joining the Giant Empire. Enforcing true justice under the Giant Empire is way better than staying in that hypocritical Marine Headquarters!"
To the people of Sabaody… What "justice" had Marine Headquarters ever protected?
At best, they were just lapdogs dressed in fake righteousness— Pets of the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.
In contrast… Tian Chen the Great Emperor advocated freedom and equality for all. That was the ideal country most people truly yearned for.
Momousagi's persuasion failed completely. She nearly got brainwashed herself.
In the end, she gave up trying. She didn't start a conflict either.
She wanted to see for herself… How Tian Chen the Great Emperor would protect everything here. Surely, besides the barrier… He had even stronger cards up his sleeve?
Meanwhile…
Tian Chen had already returned directly to the inner chambers.
At this moment… He was enjoying himself immensely.
After a long while… Esdeath lay soft and powerless in his arms, speaking with warm, blissful contentment:
"This subordinate never imagined being with Husband would feel this happy." "Now, aside from still wanting to lead armies into battle… everything else, this subordinate has found complete satisfaction here with Husband."
"Beloved concubine, rest assured—" "If you want to lead troops into battle, this Emperor will satisfy you!" "In a few days, go forth and help this Emperor conquer the world." "No matter the race!" "No matter the kingdom!" "No matter the faction!" "As long as they can all be brought into this Emperor's Giant Empire…" "You may do it however you like—any way that pleases you."
Esdeath's eyes blazed with excitement upon hearing this.
"Wonderful! Thank you, Husband!" "This subordinate's battle prowess… has yet to reach its limit!" "Once Husband is completely satisfied… this subordinate will set out at once to conquer the world for you." "And help you rule the entire world as quickly as possible!"
Hiss—!
Tian Chen couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath once again…
...
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