I Won’t Pick Up The T*ash I Threw Away Again - Chapter 136

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#136

 

A moment of silence fell over the foyer. Leilah also looked at Kalian with great surprise.

 

“The press conference was taking so long that I came out to see what was happening, and found you having an interesting conversation.”

 

His thick eyebrows formed a straight line. His deep blue eyes flashed menacingly.

 

As Kalian approached the dais, Leilah and Ber naturally stepped back.

 

“If you have something to say, go ahead.”

 

Standing in front of the dais, Kalian swept his gaze over the journalists.

 

The journalists were desperate to avoid Kalian’s gaze.

 

Drock also kept his mouth tightly shut and hung his head.

 

“I’ll answer directly myself.”

 

It wasn’t often that the Emperor personally answered questions.

 

It should have been an opportunity they had to seize, but everyone kept their mouths shut, unable to do so.

 

“Why so quiet?”

 

The sneer on Kalian’s lips deepened.

 

“You were chattering so well earlier, but now you’re silent.”

 

Well, that’s because you weren’t here then!

 

Even though it was supposedly to avoid leaving future troubles, Kalian had ruthlessly killed even speechless infants.

 

The title “Emperor of Slaughter” wasn’t given for nothing.

 

No one was bold enough to run their mouth carelessly in front of such an opponent.

 

“Have you all become mute after eating honey?”

 

Kalian chuckled softly and leaned his upper body against the dais.

 

“Your name was Drock, wasn’t it?”

 

Then he looked at Drock. Drock’s shoulders flinched when his name was called.

 

“You seem dissatisfied that Baron Aster serves as my aide?”

 

“H-how could that be!”

 

Drock shouted, visibly flustered.

 

“I-I only asked because people were curious. A-after all, a journalist should resolve people’s curiosity…”

 

“Such dedication to your profession that you’d risk your life.”

 

The smile on Kalian’s lips deepened.

 

“Impressive. I’d like to give you applause.”

 

I have to say something. Or I’ll die.

 

Sensing a threat to his life, Drock hastily opened his mouth.

 

“Your Majesty, I…”

 

“I appreciate that spirit so much that I’ll give you a special opportunity.”

 

But Kalian cut off Drock’s words again and smiled eerily.

 

At the chilling smile, Drock trembled all over. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

 

What kind of punishment was he planning to give with that smile?

 

Kalian called it an opportunity, but Drock didn’t think so.

 

It was definitely punishment disguised as an opportunity.

 

“Write an article.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Drock momentarily questioned the incomprehensible words, then belatedly realized he was facing the Emperor and bowed his head.

 

“W-what kind of article do you mean…”

 

“What kind of article? You should write about what people are curious about.”

 

What people are curious about?

 

“Are you perhaps referring to the relationship between His Majesty the Emperor and Baron Aster?”

 

“Yes, that.”

 

He had asked just in case, but it was indeed that issue.

 

Of course he was planning to write an article about it. It was an issue people consistently showed interest in.

 

The reason Drock had kept asking questions to the point where Leilah and Ber were troubled was also to write an accurate article.

 

There were other reasons, but that was the biggest one.

 

Publishing false information about royalty was suicidal.

 

He could even be arrested for insulting the royal family.

 

And now he was telling him to write that article.

 

Was he perhaps hoping for him to publish false information?

 

To arrest him for insulting the royal family?

 

While Drock was rolling his eyes frantically, trying to gauge Kalian’s intentions.

 

“I’ll say it again, Baron Aster is merely my aide.”

 

Kalian firmly drove the point home and stepped down from the dais.

 

“Your Maj…”

 

Leilah hastily tried to stop Kalian’s sudden action, but Ber held her back.

 

Duke Giltian and the other nobles also didn’t step forward.

 

Kalian, who had stepped down from the dais, walked toward Drock.

 

The people blocking his path parted like the Red Sea.

 

Drock threw down the notebook he was holding and fell to his knees.

 

“Y-Your Majesty.”

 

Then he prostrated himself so his head touched the ground.

 

“Should someone with such professional dedication carelessly throw away their notebook?”

 

Kalian personally picked up the notebook and held it out to Drock.

 

But Drock had no intention of taking it and continued to lie prostrate. His body kept trembling like an aspen tree.

 

“Take it.”

 

At the repeated words, Drock finally took the notebook.

 

His hands were shaking so much that it took him a long time to put the notebook in his chest.

 

“So, will you write the article?”

 

Drock nodded his head vigorously.

 

“Of course. I’ll write the article as soon as I return.”

 

“What kind of content?”

 

“I’ll write an article stating that Baron Aster has no relationship with His Majesty the Emperor, that he is simply an aide.”

 

“Yes, make sure to write that content. So that other people can know for certain.”

 

His curved lips were chilling.

 

“If such false rumors still circulate after the article is published, it will be because you wrote the article poorly, so I’ll hold you responsible.”

 

What kind of absurd statement was this?

 

Even if he wrote a proper article, whether people believed it or not was their choice. It wasn’t something he could control.

 

But saying such things was bewildering.

 

“Y-yes, I understand.”

 

While inwardly shocked, Drock answered that he would comply, overwhelmed by the chilling murderous intent pressing down on his entire body.

 

Still thinking this was indeed punishment disguised as an opportunity.

 

* * *

 

The press conference ended in a precarious atmosphere like walking on thin ice.

 

The journalists who attended the press conference fled without looking back.

 

Especially the journalist named Drock left faster than anyone else. He even fell disgracefully on his way out, as if his legs had given out.

 

“How pathetic.”

 

Baron Delrond sneered while watching Drock.

 

“That journalist was already an eyesore, so I’m pleased he got severely scolded.”

 

“Do you know that journalist?”

 

“He’s a malicious journalist who pries into people’s private lives under the excuse that citizens have the right to know.”

 

“Then you could just arrest him.”

 

Digging into someone’s private life would clearly be illegal, wouldn’t it?

 

When I asked in confusion, Baron Delrond frowned as if annoyed.

 

“Do you think I want to do this? The problem is they cleverly operate only within the bounds of the law. So even when we catch them, it just ends with a simple warning.”

 

“That’s unfortunate.”

 

“Indeed it is.”

 

Baron Delrond and I left our sighs behind and proceeded with the remaining schedule.

 

However, throughout the entire schedule, Kalian’s expression wasn’t good. He looked like he was troubled by something.

 

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”

 

I carefully asked Kalian, avoiding people’s eyes.

 

Then Kalian answered while walking silently.

 

“Nothing.”

 

That’s not true. It seems like something is bothering him.

 

“Is it perhaps because of what happened earlier?”

 

Kalian affirmed with his silence.

 

So it was because of that after all.

 

Well, it’s been bothering me too, so there’s no reason it would be different for him.

 

“The journalists said they would write proper articles, so the misunderstanding will be cleared up soon. So please don’t worry too much, Your Majesty.”

 

At my words, Kalian stopped walking entirely and turned to look at me.

 

“…Misunderstanding.”

 

His blue eyes had darkened. His stiff lips seemed to show anger.

 

What did I do wrong?

 

I stood politely with my hands clasped together and waited for him to speak.

 

“…”

 

However, Kalian turned his head away again without saying anything.

 

“Your Majesty?”

 

Kalian began walking again as he spoke.

 

It meant he didn’t want to talk about that matter anymore.

 

Since the Emperor said so, I couldn’t keep asking even though I was curious.

 

“The next schedule is…”

 

I forcibly swallowed my curiosity and followed behind Kalian.

 

* * *

 

After leaving the orphanage, Drock pushed through the crowd of people still gathered there and fled into a deserted alley like he was escaping.

 

In the alley, a hooded figure was waiting for him. Black hair could be glimpsed between the hood.

 

Standing before the figure, Drock scowled irritably and held out his hand.

 

“I did as you said! So give me the money!”

 

“You did everything properly, right?”

 

“Of course! My life was even put in danger because of it!”

 

Drock shuddered as he recalled facing the Emperor right before his eyes.

 

It was something he never wanted to experience again.

 

“Just give me the money quickly!”

 

When the figure held out a pouch, Drock snatched it away.

 

After checking the gold coins inside the pouch, Drock finally relaxed his expression and smiled.

 

The figure held out another money pouch toward Drock.

 

“If you write an article the way I want, I’ll give you this too.”

 

The money pouch contained even more gold coins than what Drock had received.

 

How much is all that? Drock swallowed his dry saliva. With that, he wouldn’t have to worry about money for at least ten years.

 

“What kind of article do you want me to write?”

 

“Just write an article suggesting that the relationship between the Emperor and Baron Aster is subtle.”

 

Drock, who had been greedily staring at the money pouch, was startled by the following words and shook his head.

 

“Are you crazy? You want me to write such an article! Do you want me to die right now?!”

 

The figure tilted their head slightly as if puzzled.

 

“Why are you overreacting like that? Did something happen?”

 

“It’s not just that something happened!”

 

The murderous gaze that had looked at him and that eerie smile.

 

The chilling voice that had said they would hold him responsible if rumors continued to spread even after the article came out kept echoing around his ears.

 

Based on his long experience as a journalist, he was certain that Kalian hadn’t been joking. He had been serious.

 

And they want him to write such an article?

 

“I absolutely can’t write it, so go ask somewhere else!”

 

No matter how much he liked money, it wasn’t better than his life. What good would money be if he died?

 

Drock fled in terror.

 

Left alone, the figure tucked the money pouch into their clothes and removed their hood.

 

Jet-black hair fluttered in the wind. Dark eyes with a slight brown tint curved pleasantly.

 

“Well now, I was trying to help my beloved sibling, but no one wants to help.”

 

The man muttered as if deeply regretful and walked deeper into the alley.

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