Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 181

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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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“Get bitten by a mad dog and you’ll catch rabies. Be careful.”
“Ahahaha! Ahahahahaha!”
The woman laughed heartily, slapping my shoulder repeatedly as she introduced herself. Her frame was easily twice the size of an ordinary person, and her strength was formidable. Had I not trained regularly, that casual pat would have dislocated my shoulder without effort.
“I am Sung King. When I ascended to commune with the divine, I abandoned my worldly name. Some call me the Living King as well, but… just call me Sung King!”
Why were all the high-ranking women in this place such ruffians? Actually, perhaps this was the proper etiquette. Thinking about it, Cecilia had been the exception. Count Letem, Duchess Neftis, even Sera Crowell—they all carried themselves like thugs.
Sung King’s sudden arrival caused the nobles and bureaucrats without seats to begin whispering among themselves. The leader of the Priesthood Faction had come in person, which meant procedures would need to be adjusted from protocol onward.
Some, sensing the gravity of the situation, left the Conference Hall to relay the news, while a newcomer approached Sunbird and whispered something in his ear. I glanced over to see how Seian Crowell was faring, only to find him completely rigid, trembling uncontrollably.
“….”
If he was going to make such grand declarations about marriage for the sake of alliance, why was he falling apart now?
“Everyone, sit down! I need to reveal some heavenly secrets today!”
Heavenly secrets—how utterly charlatan of her. Sung King had such a unique character that I could only marvel in amazement, when the Bachelor signaled to me from across the way. His gesture suggested I pay attention, and when he indicated I should look beside me, I noticed Cecilia’s brow furrowing slightly.
She’d been standing stiffly despite the invitation to sit. So that was the reason.
“Compose yourself, Sung King. This is not Sungkuk Kingdom.”
“Oh, my apologies! Old habits die hard!”
Everyone gathered here had refined manners. If anything, Seian Crowell was the only one without such habits, but as I continued to press the point, Sung King offered Cecilia a formal apology.
“I’ve been cooped up for so long that I seem to have gotten overexcited. I sincerely apologize.”
As Sung King bowed her head, Cecilia finally took her seat. The Bachelor gave me a thumbs up, making a spectacle of himself. That fool’s character completely falls apart when he’s around Cecilia.
“But since this concerns heavenly secrets, I’d prefer if only we knew about it.”
The bow had come with conditions. In truth, everyone in this room could attack me and I’d still emerge unscathed, so there was no threat to Cecilia’s or my safety. When I said it didn’t matter, Cecilia simply nodded in agreement, and Sera consented as well, leaving the observing nobles and bureaucrats no choice but to file out. Throughout all this, Seian Crowell continued trembling.
“I apologize for dampening the mood. Before stating my conditions, I felt I should reveal the divine revelation I received first.”
Sung King began by noting that even some high priests with strong connections to the divine would have heard this, then gazed at Seian Crowell with utmost seriousness.
“This is no jest—listen well. Seian Crowell’s child shall become the king of the world.”
What an absurd prophecy!
Everyone turned to stare at Seian Crowell in shock, though he was undoubtedly the most shocked of all. The man who’d been trembling moments ago now turned deathly pale, gulping down water repeatedly.
“However, as you know, divine prophecies are not always fulfilled.”
“Circumstances change from moment to moment, so the odds are fifty-fifty, but the fact that this impossible scenario has a fifty percent chance of realization—isn’t that remarkable?”
That was true. Sera, who had asked the question, seemed to agree, nodding with a grave expression. Sung King’s face took on a sinister cast as she looked at Seian Crowell, signaling the real discussion was about to begin.
“Throughout history, whenever someone tries to monopolize such matters, they inevitably fail spectacularly. So here’s what I’m thinking….”
After a long pause, the woman turned to Cecilia and me, asking for our consent.
“Let’s do this together. Just add me to the arrangement. Deal?”
Seian had gone so pale he looked ready to faint. He was gasping for breath in a way that suggested hyperventilation was imminent, so I considered taking him outside when Sunbird appeared at his side, teaching him to breathe through one nostril. After rubbing his back and helping him calm down, Seian’s breathing returned to normal. Sunbird was certainly better at handling emergencies than I was.
“So the main objective is bearing a child rather than marriage.”
“Exactly. Given my duties as Sung King, I need to produce an heir anyway. Why not raise one with a chance of becoming the world’s king? Wouldn’t that be more rewarding?”
Someone of Sung King’s caliber would certainly face constant pressure to bear children to pass on skills to future generations. It was actually impressive she’d held out until now, past fifty. Her precognitive abilities probably helped her dodge the nagging quite skillfully.
“I’m not asking for charity. Once the child is born, I’ll provide the Imperial Court with a capable successor to my position, free of charge.”
“Hmm.”
Regardless of whether Seian lived or died, Cecilia seemed to recognize this negotiation had merit. It appeared she was considering that lending Seian out only until the child was born, rather than giving him away permanently, wasn’t a bad arrangement at all.
“I oppose this! Lending him out or not, Seian is not some object!”
Since Seian had come here as material for an alliance, he was already being treated like a commodity. Regardless, Sera made it clear—unless it was a formal marriage, there was absolutely no way Seian would be sold off as a tool for bearing children. She spoke with unwavering firmness.
Hearing the phrase “tool for bearing children,” I had to admit there was certainly something troubling about it from a human rights perspective.
“Now, now, please calm yourself. In situations like this, surely Seian’s own wishes are what matter most, are they not?”
Sunbird, shifting the atmosphere, redirected everyone’s attention to Seian. Wasn’t that bird hoping this alliance would succeed? If we asked Seian for his opinion, he’d surely refuse—so what was he thinking?
“I… I am…”
Seian fidgeted with his fingers nervously before looking at Sung King. When their eyes met, Sung King winked at him with a grin. Seian shuddered and let out a shrill voice.
“I think… marriage is… a bit too soon, don’t you think…!”
“Your letter made it sound like the marriage was practically settled! Then why did I come all this way!”
“Eek!”
Seian jumped in fright, his shoulders trembling. Seeing his pitiful state, I found myself unable to stay out of their conversation.
“Calm yourself, Sung King. It was surely stated that this is merely a discussion phase, and you came here of your own accord without being summoned by us.”
“Sorry, sorry—it’s just that the Crown Prince is so adorable I couldn’t resist teasing him.”
Sung King laughed heartily again. Seian’s expression suggested he was holding back tears. His eyes glistened.
“We cannot send Seian to Sungkuk Kingdom.”
Finally, it seemed Cecilia had finished weighing the pros and cons. The moment she spoke, Seian’s face brightened considerably. This was the first time I’d seen Seian look so radiant while in the same room as Cecilia.
“However, it would not be unpleasant for him to remain here until we see the child. If it is Seian’s child, I too wish to meet them soon.”
Cecilia’s eyes curved like crescents as she laughed softly. The genuine desire in her expression to see Seian bear offspring made me recoil first. This woman truly had lost her mind.
“N-No, Sister! I refuse!”
“It would be better to document this in writing. We must clarify which priestess will be sent to the Imperial Palace so that we can conduct a proper investigation beforehand.”
“…!”
Cecilia had already made up her mind. She wouldn’t send Seian outside the Empire, she’d get to see an adorable child, and a capable high priestess would become affiliated with the Imperial Palace—it was nothing but a profitable arrangement.
“Cecilia! I am also present at this table! My opinion—”
“My, does my brother dislike the Empire becoming prosperous?”
On the surface, it was a deal with no loss whatsoever to the Empire—so perfect that refusing to stamp it would be foolish. Cecilia moved immediately for the Empire’s benefit. So then, how would people judge Sera for opposing this?
She would be branded as one who caused harm to the Empire out of sibling affection. Since she prioritized her brother’s wellbeing over governing the nation, there would be unfavorable talk, and opportunists would scramble to curry favor with Seian, Sunbird, and Sera’s other close associates. It was problematic in every way. The damage to Sera’s upright image would be significant.
“…If it is not coercive and Seian’s wishes are respected, then I will consent.”
I had no choice but to shift the responsibility. With this, all eyes would focus on Seian. If they failed to conceive and Sung King returned home, people would curse Seian, and if a child were born, they would gossip about how the useless Crown Prince had become a great asset to the Imperial Court.
Sunbird laid the groundwork, Sera and Cecilia made the decision, but it looked like Seian would bear all the criticism. So what did I say earlier—that it wasn’t too late to cancel the talks? I warned them repeatedly.
“Hahahaha! It was worth coming all this way! Once the official documents are prepared, we shall discuss the schedule!”
Sung King laughed heartily, winked at Seian once more, and left the Conference Hall. Since we had arranged quarters in the Separate Palace for the delegation, the attendants would guide them accordingly.
“Are you alright, Seian?”
“…”
In contrast, Seian appeared to be in poor condition. When Sunbird tried to support him, the man brushed off his hand and staggered out of the Conference Hall alone. Normally I would have followed and spoken to him, but I was not in the mood for it.
“You look displeased.”
As I sat with a scowl, leaning back in my chair, Cecilia spoke to me.

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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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