by Jason Hale
It came from her unfathomable cultivation that caused every strand of her body to ripple with subverting force. And although she spoke gently, the irresistible might of a ruler surrounded her ever words.
"Stand straight. I want to take a good look at you."
Driven by her irresistible voice, Konnor let go of the submissive display and stood at full height.
Verena's hands were clasped beneath her back as she walked circles around him with nods of approval.
"Not bad. Seventeen years old, fifth step Grand Knight, eighth step True Priest. Sky-high innate strength, speed, and resilience. I can even see a perfect dual cultivation physique."
"Outstanding."
He was like an open book for her to browse through. Nothing could escape her gaze.
The situation was terrible.
"I can see why Else is so fond of you. You can be trained into a true powerhouse."
The Holy Consort was fond of him?
Verena stepped away from Konnor and sat in the middle of a blue velvet armchair with her mesmerizing legs crossed and her right cheek resting on her fist causing her curly silver hairs to cascade on the right.
But with those words, Konnor realized she couldn't see through his bloodline.
"It's rare for such an outstanding human being to exist outside of the Barbarian Continent. Where are you from?"
Her following words confirmed it. But although Konnor's apprehension had drastically shrunken, his vigilance remained intact.
"I was born and raised in this Holy Flame City. Your majesty can easily verify this by checking the records of the eunuchs."
"I've already done that, but I don't believe it. You entered this palace as an ordinary eunuch boy without any cultivation and in a matter of a few months, your cultivation skyrockets to the current level?"
"Not possible. You either deceived your examiners or someone helped you deceive them."
"Or perhaps, I'm looking at this the wrong way, and you're a completely different person from the one that entered the palace?"
Horrifying woman!
Konnor fought hard to control his heart rate and prevent body movement from betraying him.
"Your majesty is jesting. The imperial palace is a well-known place of opportunity. There is no rule stipulating that those of high cultivation cannot enter as eunuchs. I merely believed I could build myself a grand career within these walls and concealed my cultivation from my examiners to avoid trouble. It's not like they had the means to see through it."
"No need to justify yourself. I do not care about your identity. About your origins and connections to the outside world. I do not care about Wenzel. None of these are the reason for your presence here."
"I want you to serve me. To abandon all allegiances, you might have to anything or anyone else, and serve me wholeheartedly. Become my pawn if I want you to, and my knight if I so command you. Agree, and I guarantee that within five years, I can make you a Semi-Saint."
"And before you turn thirty, I will help you achieve sanctification."
Verena offered with her silver eyes locked on Konnor and observing his every move.
Odd. Why was there no fluctuation within his mood?
"I respectfully decline!"
His explicit rejection caused her to stare blankly for a few seconds.
"Did you not hear what I said?"
"I heard. And I respectfully decline!"
His words intensified Verena's suspicions.
"Did you not say you wanted to build yourself a career? A once in a lifetime opportunity now stands in front of you. Why do you reject it?"
"My apologies your majesty, but I'm only a small fry. I have no intention of becoming a pawn in the inner court's political intrigues. Please forgive me!"
What a joke! Wanting to turn me into a tool for your political warfare? Are you out of your mind?
I am always the one to play women. When was it time for the roles to be reversed?
Wanting to bait me with the hope of sanctification? In your dreams! I, your father, will become a god!
Who cares about sanctification?
Chapter 30 - Bargain
"Just because of your fears, you are going to forgo such an opportunity?"
"Don't you know that in danger lies great reward?"
"I didn't peg you for the spineless type."
Verena admonished with a disappointed tone.
However, Konnor was unmoved.
"Your majesty, may I ask you at what age did you become a Saint?"
"At the age of four-hundred."
She replied without blinking.
"Four-hundred…at what age did the emperor achieve sanctification?"
"Six-hundred."
"The Holy Consort?"
"Two-hundred."
"Good…very good."
Konnor murmured while restraining the abundance of curses within his throat.
"Even the country's number one talent took two centuries to achieve sanctification. That being the case, what makes you think you can help me achieve it in…less than thirty?"
Konnor slowly spoke to prevent himself from flying into rage. Was she openly making fun of him?
When even she took four-hundred years, she had the nerves of claiming she could help him reach that altitude before he turned thirty?
What a joke!
But naturally, Verena was prepared.
"You can't do it with traditional cultivation, but if we combine your talent with an appropriate dual cultivation method, you still have a chance."
"Usually, no matter how gifted, and regardless of their method's level, dual cultivators cannot go beyond the Transcendent Rank. That's because the holy path requires "purity."
Dual Cultivation is fast but mixes the spiritual energies of its practitioners thus creating imperfections and a gradual lack of purity that forever blocks them at the peak of the Transcendent Rank."
"The answer to that is for the partners to practice the same method from the cradle while regularly going through Spiritual Harmony Rituals."
Just like Konnor's Hundred Flowers Scripture, Spiritual Harmony Rituals allowed the participants to establish and perfect a spiritual connection.
"Not many people are willing or able to expend the resources required to train a pair in such a way, but I can. If you now submit to me, I can give you a high-grade Holy Rank Dual Cultivation Method and provide you with the perfect partner. We will waste some time to have you retrain from scratch, but before long, you will return to your current level."
That Holy Rank Dual Cultivation Method was one of Verena's secrets and a gift from a formidable high-ranking member of the Celestial Church. Thus, although she had never used it, she was well aware of its might.
But while this was all very pleasant to the ears, Konnor was unmoved. As a pureblooded incubus, the problems of dual cultivation didn't apply to him.
"That is only the first issue. The second issue is, you obviously want me to play a certain role in your contest with the Holy Consort. A harmful role."
Offering a dual cultivation method meant that she was already aware of him not being a eunuch. At this point, there was no need to pretend otherwise.
"I do not have the boldness required to stand between the Holy Emperor's most beloved women. That is, at best, suicidal."
"And forgive my frankness but although you're still the most favored, the future doesn't seem to be holding anything good for you."
Those last words caused a frown to appear on Verena's face.
"What makes you think I'm the most favored?"
To the outside world, it was common knowledge that Else was the Holy Emperor's favorite consort. Why then was that "eunuch" claiming otherwise.
"Honestly, it's obvious to anyone that dares ponder the question. The Holy Consort's background is not inferior to yours, but it is well known that she surpasses you in terms of beauty. That her cultivation talent is leagues above yours, and that her influence stretches far beyond your rea
ch. That being the case, with the Holy Consort's vast ambitions, why do you still bear the Empress' crown?"
"Because the Dowager is your aunt? No, the Dowager has long since stopped caring about matters of the court. The answer is that your majesty is the Holy Emperor's most beloved. Thus, he's unwilling to demote you."
Konnor confidently analyzed, causing Verena's interest in him to rise.
"Not bad. Wood that can be carved."
She clapped with amusement.
"Since you know that…"
"But that is only for the time being."
Konnor dryly cut.
"No matter how resilient, the tree will ultimately be dislodged by the unrelenting storm. Your majesty is the tree and the Holy Consort the storm.
Ten years? Fifteen years? Six months? Time matters not, if her current rise is not stopped, she's bound to overturn the sky!"
There was one last thing he hadn't said. What was the need to pledge allegiance to someone that would ultimately belong to him?
But instead of getting offended, Verena's smile grew brighter.
"Are you not afraid of your words upsetting me?"
"Your majesty claims I've harmed the sixth prince. Yet, my head still hangs on my shoulders. What is there to be afraid of?"
"Good, you've relaxed."
It was true. Konnor's initial apprehensions had vanished, and he faced her straight and unafraid.
"Your analysis is correct. I've been lying dormant for too long, and things are starting to get out of hands. I do not care about what Else does beyond the walls of the inner court, but within, it is time she learns moderation."
"Although you are not interested in the power I can offer, there must be something you desire."
"What is it? As long as it is something within my ability to grant, I will grant it."
Konnor's first thoughts went to the bountiful cleavage beneath his eyes. But quickly, that thought was set aside.
All things in due time!
However, it was now clear the empress' desire to obtain him was too strong to be brushed off by a simple refusal. And perhaps, too strong a rejection was a surefire road to an early death?
There seemed to be something, a relationship to the Holy Consort that made her target him. Therefore, it was time to bite.
"I do have one dear wish. Ilaina Kracht, please return her to her family."
Hearing his request, incomprehension flashed within Verena's eyes.
"Is that all you want? I can give you a lot more than that."
"That is all I want. If your majesty can accomplish that, I do not mind serving you for a year."
Because in one year, I have no doubt that you included, the entire imperial harem shall fall under my absolute control!
If I cannot escape, let's reverse the game and turn the inner court into the fortress and weapon that shall protect my secret and repel my enemies.
Since you women so desperately want to play with me, let's play and see who burns!
"Very well, your wish will be granted. Tonight, Ilaina Kracht can return to her family."
"Do you not need the emperor's permission first? After all, isn't he the one that placed her under house arrest?"
Although it was due to Else's intrigues, it was the emperor that promulgated the decree that forced Ilaina to enter the inner court.
But Verena's next words caused Konnor to reevaluate her.
"Within the inner court. I am the emperor!"
Beneath that mask of elegance and gentleness hid an overbearing creature waiting for the opportunity to soar.
Perhaps the most ambitious one had yet to show her fangs?
Konnor couldn't help but feel some pity for the Holy Emperor whose most beloved women most likely only had his destruction in mind.
"I wish to escort her back to house Kracht."
"Suit yourself. I will provide you with a special pass to freely go in and out of the imperial palace."
Verena's immediate agreement took Konnor by surprise. But then, he realized it was not carelessness but naked confidence.
She was a Saint. If she didn't want him to escape, within the six thousand square miles of the Holy Flame City, he couldn't escape.
"But I still have one question. Why did you choose me? The answer will not affect my future course of actions, but it will allow me to lower what remains of my guard."
"In all honesty, I was at first merely curious. Very few can receive anything other than disdain from Else. But you actually seem to have…her affection?
That piqued my curiosity and made me wonder what was so special about you. But now I have a different idea. I believe you can help me tame all those unruly consorts and in time, even help me achieve an old dream of mine."
From those words, the masked woman's identity was clear.
As it turned out, the one to whom he owed his life was the Holy Consort. But that didn't make Konnor feel at ease. He wasn't conceited enough to believe such a mighty woman so easily smitten by his appearance. Thus, although he could not find her in his memories, she must have had a profound relationship with the previous Konnor.
That being the case, what if she found out the truth? What would her reaction be? Hopefully, by that time, he would be prepared.
"Damn lesser Konnor you are already dead. Why are you still creating so much trouble for me?
"I promise you that when I get my hands on the bitch that caused you such harm, she will beg for death, yet be unable to obtain it!"
"So just rest in peace!"
Chapter 31 - Man-Breaker!
Afterward, Konnor was relieved of his kitchen duties, promoted to the rank of head eunuch and given new quarters. Verena also promulgated a decree allowing Ilaina to return to her household on the very same day.
That decree spread within the inner court like wildfire and alarmed all its knowledgeable denizens.
But while they expected Else's immediate counterattack, they were disappointed to hear nothing of her side.
...
Meanwhile, at Else's palace.
"Your grace, now that the Empress ordered the release of Ilaina, shouldn't we…take the opportunity to strike?
Tamara cautiously asked.
But Else who laid on her side within a grey velvet sofa remained unfazed.
"What is there to gain?"
"We could lure out and ambush Wolfgang Kracht to remove that trouble once and for all!"
Tamara exclaimed, but seeing the lack of reaction from Else, she quickly became confused.
"Since you can think of it, others also can. We are not the only ones wishing for Wolfgang Kracht's demise. Why dirty our hands, when many are already planning to use the opportunity to butcher him?
This is an excellent opportunity to see if we have a full measure of the man."
Tamara believed Else overcautious but didn't dare comment any further.
"But why would the Empress suddenly override the Emperor to order such a thing?"
And although the answer was clear to her, Else didn't reply.
...
As the center of the news, Ilaina was naturally the most astonished and incredulously stared at the complacent Konnor now standing in front of her.
"How did you pull that off?"
"I was born with divine charm and irresistible appeal. The Holy Empress was moved by my presence and conceded to my every demand!"
He shamelessly boasted while puffing out his chest.
"Utter nonsense!"
Ilaina naturally didn't believe that the empress had fallen for his tricks. Could a Saint be so easily swindled?
"In any case, you now owe me a thousand kisses so go prepare your lipstick to cover me with red!"
"Shameless!"
But a deal was a deal so she would have to comply.
"I am shameless! Mightily shameless!"
"What, do you know any great, bashful man? No!"
"The first characteristic of a great man is shamelessness!"
