The Emperor’s Dilemma: A Sage’s Arrival and a Wife’s Wrath

“Your Majesty, that person’s background has been thoroughly investigated, and there are no significant irregularities.” A figure clad in black knelt on the ground, their voice utterly devoid of inflection, as if they were not a living being.

Across from them, a resolute-faced middle-aged man was diligently attending to the mountain of memorials piled upon his desk. Upon hearing this, the man’s pen paused momentarily, and a barely perceptible smile touched his lips.

“Elena had quite good luck this time. I had thought she would inevitably stir up trouble again.”

Among his three children, Elena was undeniably the most troublesome. Yet, on this occasion, he had to admit that Elena had performed exceptionally well. Indeed, she had surpassed all his expectations.

A Sage, and so remarkably young. Truly, Roland was blessed by the heavens.

“However, Your Majesty, that person declined your invitation…”

“It matters not. Such high-tier professionals are almost always like this; with their discerning natures, there is little in this world that can truly move them. But by the same token, should their friends require assistance, they will readily extend their aid. And now, at the very least, this young lady stands with us.”

The Emperor was overjoyed—genuinely delighted. To have a Sage-level combatant by his daughter’s side completely alleviated any lingering concerns regarding his current plans. Previously, the greatest risk to his scheme was the potential harm to Aiya, but now, he no longer feared. Such was the formidable power of a high-tier professional.

“Owl, retrieve the ‘Flowing Illusionary Form’ from the Restricted Archives and deliver it to Miss Ziyao.” The Emperor neatly stacked the scattered memorials beside him. He always forgot to arrange these petitions properly while reviewing them, resulting in his desk becoming a chaotic mess every so often.

“Understood.” The black figure nodded, then vanished into the shadows. He did not question why, nor could he. He was merely a sharpened blade in His Majesty’s hand, and a weapon had no need to ask why.

****

The black figure departed, but the Emperor still had a multitude of tasks to manage. With the Festival of Blooming Flowers drawing near, various affairs had multiplied. Furthermore, he was orchestrating several major undertakings, which had quadrupled his workload in recent days.

“[The Azure Wolf Legion and the Pegasus Legion are already ambushed at their designated locations. They await only Your Majesty’s command to breach the Principality of Eiffel.]”

This was a confidential military report detailing a grand operation that this ambitious Emperor had been planning for a long time.

Assassinate the Princess, provoke the Emperor of Roland’s fury, and command the army to retaliate—what a perfect pretext.

The target was also highly suitable: the current lord of the Principality of Eiffel was tyrannical, and in recent years, many Eiffel commoners had sought refuge in Roland. Essentially, with just a gentle push, this outwardly formidable nation would instantly collapse.

Drawing a large, blood-red ‘X’ across the face of that corpulent man, the Emperor picked up another secret memorial. He still had a third of his petitions left to review today.

However, a hand like white jade halted his movement.

“Reno, what did you promise me yesterday?” A chilling voice resonated in the Emperor’s ear.

It’s over, the Emperor’s heart plummeted. He had completely forgotten his promise from the previous day.

“I will definitely return early tomorrow.” That’s what he had said, lying in bed yesterday. But judging by the sky outside, it appeared he had already broken his word.

“Hahaha, Allie, I can explain.” He let out a few dry laughs, feeling his hands begin to tremble.

“Oh?” The woman holding him stared with an expression of suspicion.

“Well, there were too many memorials…”

“Are the memorials more important than me?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

One might not believe it, but this continent’s most powerful man was, in fact, utterly henpecked.

His wife possessed golden hair as radiant as the sun. In terms of beauty, she was once the ideal of every man on the continent. There was no better companion than her—or so the young Emperor had thought back then. Then, after an incredibly long journey of courtship, the Emperor finally brought the most beautiful woman on the continent home to be his wife. Of course, he wasn’t yet Emperor at that time.

What followed was a life of happiness. At one point, the Emperor even accompanied his wife to live in seclusion within the Magical Beast Forest.

“What need have I for a throne? I am content with Allie,” he had said then.

Yet, after only a few years of seclusion, the Imperial Guards sought them out. The Emperor still remembered how the stern Guard Commander had tearfully clutched his leg, snot running down his face, and wailed.

“Your Highness, please return… His Majesty misses you so. You are His Majesty’s only son; you cannot abandon the Roland Empire.”

“Can’t my Imperial Sister do it instead?” The Emperor tried to pry the old man off his leg, but being less powerful than the seasoned warrior, he couldn’t manage it. At that time, he genuinely didn’t want to be Emperor. After all, his wife was too beautiful; how could he have the mind to scheme and contend with those old fogies? Besides, he had an elder sister, didn’t he?

However, his sister seemed to share his sentiment.

“The Princess Royal doesn’t want it either; she says she only likes fighting and absolutely doesn’t want to be Emperor.”

Ultimately, because the old man continued to wail at the entrance of the Emperor’s small courtyard, the Emperor couldn’t bear it any longer and had no choice but to return to the Imperial Capital, bringing his family along. After that, he ascended the throne, becoming Emperor.

Yet, as Emperor, he found himself entangled in daily trivialities, needing to meticulously schedule even moments of intimacy with his wife.

“You shouldn’t have let me return here that time,” Allie snorted softly.

And now for another rather embarrassing truth: the Emperor couldn’t defeat his wife in a fight. Indeed, the Empress’s combat prowess was incredibly formidable. During her almost two decades of leisure, she had taken on a disciple, and that disciple was now a Seventh-Level Assassin Master.

Does that sound familiar?

Indeed, that disciple was none other than Ailin, the maid who accompanied Aiya. The Empress’s own strength lay as a Shadow Assassin.

A Shadow Assassin, on par with Sages, Paladins, and Cardinals, was a title gained by assassins upon breaking through to a new realm. As for the Emperor, let’s not even mention him; it was simply embarrassing.

“I heard Elena brought back a little girl from outside?” Remembering the main topic, the Empress circled behind the Emperor and gently wrapped her arms around the monarch’s neck.

“What ‘little girl’? She’s a Sage.”

“And isn’t a Sage still a little girl?” the Empress said indifferently. “Are you certain she harbors no ill intent? Many are keeping an eye on Aiya.”

“Of course. I see her as being much like my younger self—someone who dislikes trouble.” A glint of nostalgia flickered in the Emperor’s eyes, a remembrance of his lost youth.

“Right, if you’re still worried, you can always go see her yourself. My safety here is no concern; there are so many Imperial Guards.” The Emperor suggested, “While you’re at it, bring her that ‘Flowing Illusionary Form.’ I just sent Owl to fetch it.”

“Perhaps I should go see her.” Releasing the Emperor’s neck, the Empress nodded. “I’ll go tomorrow.”