Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 258

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Epilogue
Side Story 4. How Should a Centaur Wear Pants? (4)
Nanakda withdrew a hammer and an emergency elephant tusk from his possession, then excused himself from the office, saying he needed to visit the Prayer Chamber for some spiritual communion. Since we were growing restless waiting idly, we decided to hold a second round of baduk between Nanakda and Vishnabel.
“By the way, why have you been here since morning? Are you planning to extort something again?”
At my question, Nanakda glanced at me sideways.
“Do I only come here when I’m extorting something?”
“Yes.”
The first time you came, you squeezed our land to build the Golden Temple as your religion’s headquarters. The second time, you extracted troops and money, claiming you needed to invade Astiages. After we gave you land, money, and personnel, you even kidnapped and brainwashed me.
As I enumerated his transgressions point by point, Nanakda grew irritated and placed his stone with force.
“You only get clever when you’re criticizing me!”
“No. I use my head when finding fault with others too.”
“This little one blackmailed a minister when she was five years old to build a private amusement park.”
Hmm, even now I think that was a good decision. Most of the equipment was old and got demolished, but Shirley kept repairing the bumper cars, and we still use them well. I sometimes go play with them with Leon, and it’s still fun even now.
“The way you’re changing the subject tells me you came to extort something big.”
Like with Choco, it was a nine-stone handicap game, but the formation developed much faster. We were rapidly placing stones against each other without hesitation when Choco curiously touched my head.
“You do understand the rules, right? You’re not just placing stones randomly?”
“I’m not that stupid!”
Even with many variables, there exist orthodox methods of play. Guys like Shirley or Nanakda might see five hundred and thirty-two moves ahead, but I’m satisfied with solidifying the formation first and then deliberating.
Besides, starting with a nine-stone handicap, if I play quickly and apply pressure, I have a much greater advantage.
“Since you’re not coming for me but for Father, you need military forces again, don’t you?”
When I ascended to the throne, I transferred the position of Air Force Commander to Father. While I would make the final decisions, I could never refuse what Father wanted to do. He must have come looking for someone with military authority. When I pointed this out, Nanakda laughed in that unsettling way of his.
“Our hearts are so well aligned.”
This is serious. If we ever have a marital quarrel, it’ll be a disaster. As Nanakda and I continued placing stones without hesitation, giggling and laughing, Father’s expression darkened.
“You two should only fight while I’m alive.”
“Father will have to live to two hundred then.”
I’m starting to hesitate about my next move. As expected, this will be an endgame battle.
“I would like to request assistance with mopping up the remaining embers. As you know, I’m a pacifist, so I don’t have many troops at my disposal.”
“Liar.”
I described Nanakda honestly, and the man laughed with a liar’s grin. What kind of pacifist artificially triggers inflation to bankrupt a nation?
“You’re the worst. You’re worse than a war criminal.”
The remaining embers Nanakda spoke of referred to the brothers who fled during the invasion of the Capital of Astiages. They had taken refuge in Shaideman, the homeland of the Second Imperial Concubine, and Nanakda had recommended to Shaideman that they be handed over for religious trials.
Of course, Shaideman refused, and Nanakda’s economic retaliation followed. With astronomical funds, he flooded Shaideman with supplies, and the nation faced hyperinflation—a phenomenon never before witnessed.
The value of their own currency plummeted, citizens managed their assets in foreign currency or gold, which caused the currency value to fall further, and eventually money became so worthless that it was burned for heating instead.
Unable to meet basic needs with money, looting ensued, security deteriorated, palaces collapsed, and the nation fell. Roughly a million people must have perished as victims of this economic criminal.
“With the wealth you possess, couldn’t you employ mercenaries? Local forces would have an advantage in search operations too.”
“No, mercenaries? Then I’d lose face!”
Indeed, in a religious war, maintaining face is paramount. He’ll probably borrow our military and demand they be outfitted in gold to display religious colors.
“Troops from the homeland are out of the question. I approve only if you take some of the forces deployed to Astiages.”
“Then how about exactly one hundred Heracleses? Or perhaps just one aircraft carrier?”
An aircraft carrier is a bit much. Wouldn’t it be better to give him a cruiser so he can go and return quickly? When I sided with Nanakda, saying that’s what fast ships were made for, Father narrowed his brows and flicked my forehead.
“Ouch!”
“Don’t start spoiling me like that from the beginning.”
But wait, I’m the Emperor, aren’t I? Surely I can at least indulge my spouse a little? Besides, this is helping Hisperon with his revenge, so it’s not entirely someone else’s problem.
When I pouted, Father sighed helplessly and pulled out the Air Force Commander’s seal.
“I’ll give you fifty newly constructed fast ships. Consider it a test voyage.”
“Thank you so much, Father!”
“And what about me?”
“Oh, of course I’m most grateful to our glorious Emperor!”
Nanakda flashed a charming smile and spoke with exaggerated sweetness. Heh, this is why being Emperor is so delightful.
“Pisha, you look absolutely insufferable when you smile like that.”
“I know.”
Chiron, who regarded me with obvious disgust, simply drafted documents promising to lend Nanakda the ships—after all, who else would indulge a daughter’s whims if not her father? An Emperor who cuts corners on work seems like the best thing ever. Father really should live to be two hundred.
“Pisha, I’ve done it! I’ve actually done it!”
“Oh.”
So Media finally conceded to Croa. Having just finished the consultation, Croa swung his hammer excitedly and made the disturbing comment that once pregnancy occurred, all necessary internal organs could be transferred immediately.
“Oh…”
So when I have a child, everything that’s supposed to be in my abdomen will just disappear? That’s rather frightening.
I was pondering alone whether everything would vanish, whether my ovaries would be transferred too, whether I’d stop menstruating—when Nanakda suddenly stood up from his game of baduk and shouted at Croa.
“Hey!”
“What?”
“Cast that curse on me too later!”
“No way, I don’t want to.”
Hmm… so this is how it ends up. Nanakda had been incredibly eager about everything Croa was saying. He’s clearly convinced he won’t be able to endure it when I become pregnant.
“Can’t you do this much for family?!”
“You only remember family when it’s convenient!”
This is going to splash back on me too. I held my breath, stilled my presence, and pretended I wasn’t there. Father and Choco stared at me with pitying expressions.
“Living alone would be so much simpler.”
“But Pisha and I are different cases. She’s the type people won’t leave alone.”
“People didn’t leave me alone when I was young either, you know?”
No way—Father could never marry. With that personality, how could he possibly? People probably approached him for his looks and wealth, experienced his tantrums a few times, and fled.
As I laid out my character assessment of Father, Choco nodded with an impressed expression.
“With Chiron’s analytical abilities, he’d rank in the top three of the kingdom by now, I’d say.”
That’s three of us—Choco, me, and the Chief Chamberlain. I never thought I’d be included in this lineup.
“Hey, Emperor! For the future of the kingdom, shouldn’t you be convincing this fool?!”
Oh no. I failed to stay invisible while trying to join in the conversation criticizing Father. I deliberated over whose side to take, then decided it was best not to reach a conclusion here, so I tapped the table across from me.
“Can’t we finish this game first and talk about it then?”
“After thirty-five more moves, I’ll be ahead by one and a half points, you fool!”
“Damn it!”
I hate smart people! And this isn’t proof that I’m stupid—it’s just that you’re smart!
I grabbed all the black and white stones just in case, filled in the remaining territory, and carefully counted the score with Choco. I have six points as black, so Nanakda’s victory by one and a half points is correct.
“How unlucky!”
But actually, this worked out perfectly. I’d pretend to be hurt and make my escape. I bolted from the Shadow Ruler’s Office, summoned the Emilys, and hurried off to watch the morning assembly.
Whether they’d caught on that I’d fled to avoid getting caught in the middle of their quarrel, both of them declared they were returning to their respective homes—one barricading herself in Media, the other in Ljubljana.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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