IW:Chapter 222 - Undermining Superiors? My Queen, I Apologize!
"It seems like it's all benefits; I don't seem to have a reason to refuse."
Bai Ye rubbed his chin. Based on his previous analysis, this matter seemed to only bring him benefits, with the main drawback probably being making an enemy of the Empire.
Unlike the Empire, the Belmar Principality was inherently peace-loving, so there were usually no external wars.
As a general, he was directly subordinate to Queen Skadi, or rather, he could simply choose not to obey Queen Skadi's orders.
However, their interests were actually intertwined.
This was also why Queen Skadi was willing to put these conditions on the table and offer them to Bai Ye.
Because during their recent conversation, Queen Skadi had realized that Bai Ye yearned for freedom, to be unrestrained, yet also wanted benefits.
This was wanting everything, having it all.
Could the Empire give that to Bai Ye?
Certainly not!
Either you serve the Empire like Barn, and the Empire will give you generous rewards.
Otherwise, you get nothing. In the Empire, interests come first. If you're useless and can't provide value to the Empire, the Empire won't give you resources.
And Queen Skadi's actions were like saying, 'My Belmar Principality can do this!'
However, the downside was that he would inevitably have to do many things on behalf of the Principality afterward.
Even in his future adventures, he would represent the Principality.
"I won't be a general, and I don't need to form an army, but when the Belmar Principality encounters danger, I will act. However, in return, whatever I need in the future, the Belmar Principality must do its best to help me achieve it!"
Bai Ye didn't want to be a general, nor did he have any intention of forming an army.
But sometimes, he couldn't do everything himself. If there was a Principality he could utilize, Bai Ye felt it might not be bad.
"Not a general, and no army?"
Queen Skadi was a little curious. This was power that was within reach.
And as for the 'full support' Bai Ye mentioned later, if he agreed, they would still do it, so there was no need for such an over-the-top request.
"I only like adventuring alone or with a few people; I don't want to manage an army."
Bai Ye explained. He liked freedom.
Although Queen Skadi was surprised, she agreed.
He seemed to like adventure?
"I agree!"
Seeing this, Queen Skadi said no more. Since Bai Ye had already said so, she naturally agreed directly.
In the end, it seemed like she was the one who benefited?
"Then, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first."
After Bai Ye finished speaking, he stood up, preparing to leave. Only he knew that it was essentially just a formality.
And since he wasn't a general anymore, there was no need for so many ceremonies.
Queen Skadi didn't stop Bai Ye from leaving; she merely had someone escort him out of the palace.
"Your Majesty, what did he mean?"
Ente had originally wanted to speak earlier, but he was stopped by Queen Skadi, so he didn't voice his thoughts.
Now that Bai Ye had left, Ente eagerly asked what was going on with Bai Ye.
Did he agree or not?
"It's fine."
Queen Skadi was quite satisfied with the outcome.
After all, Bai Ye had agreed, and she actually hoped that the Empire would not start a war.
Firstly, the Belmar Principality's strength was no match for the Empire.
Secondly, whether the Empire intended to expand now was not yet known, but Queen Skadi, based on past experience, knew that the Empire could not remain quiet forever.
So, she was taking precautions.
Now that Bai Ye had agreed, she didn't actually feel much more confident.
Mainly because the disparity in strength between the two sides was simply too great.
"Oh, right, subtly release the news."
Queen Skadi took out her fan, covering her lips. Beneath the fan, a mischievous smile flashed across her face.
Although doing this was a bit unethical.
But she was doing this to completely pull Bai Ye onto their side.
However, on the other hand, she would compensate him later.
It was just that she needed to use him now.
After speaking, she prepared to tidy up and change her clothes to go out for a stroll.
Unlike other monarchs, Skadi preferred to wander freely in Hutton Mar and the Belmar Principality. If she stayed in the palace every day, she would probably get depressed, right?
"Joined the Principality?"
Socia was also surprised when she saw Bai Ye return. She didn't expect Bai Ye to have joined the Principality.
"That woman Skadi really has ill intentions!"
Skadi, that bad woman!
But thinking about it, in politics, how could one's heart not be dirty?
He had just left the palace, and then this news spread. There was no need to wonder who spread it.
"Well, actually, joining the Principality is quite good; after all, there's a stable salary."
Socia said with a chuckle. In fact, she was also inclined to Bai Ye's decision.
No matter what, the peaceful atmosphere of the Belmar Principality was quite good.
"I'm not someone who works for a salary."
"That Queen is quite good, the Queen is now—"
"Cough, Socia, you're quite bold!"
Bai Ye was speechless.
What did she mean, 'the Queen is quite good'?
Although he knew Socia was just teasing him, Bai Ye almost couldn't hold back when he heard Socia say that.
No?!
The Queen is quite good?
Well, she certainly was good, especially with so many buffs on her, but, well, he had no reason to refute.
"Just pointing out a clear path for you, after all, effort is insignificant in the face of choice!"
"Then can I live off you? After all, with Moonlight Tavern supporting me, I won't have to adventure!"
Bai Ye replied with a laugh, but after he finished speaking, he felt an inexplicable murderous aura behind him and also saw the teasing in Socia's eyes.
"Lord Bai Ye is such a big idiot!"
Celia looked at Bai Ye, pouting. She had been so happy to hear Bai Ye was back and had come to ask him about his previous adventures.
Because of her previous work at Moonlight Tavern, she had actually been holding back. There were many things she wanted to ask, but she also understood that it wasn't the right time, so she had never asked.
"Celia, how can living off someone be idiotic!"
Bai Ye said shamelessly. If he could, he wanted to live off Celia, the Light of Genesis.
"But Lord Bai Ye said he liked adventuring very much before?"
Oh, right.
Celia realized. Her anger earlier was only because Bai Ye seemed to have given up his adventures.
Although living off someone didn't seem like something shameful, he would abandon his dream to do so, which was perhaps what angered Celia the most.
"Haha, just kidding. Of course, I prefer adventuring."
Bai Ye didn't continue to tease Celia.
"Speaking of which, I really didn't expect you to have such a dream."
Queen Skadi pushed the door open. She had heard Bai Ye and Socia's conversation earlier.
She actually liked coming to Moonlight Tavern quite a bit, though she didn't drink much; she just liked listening to other people's stories here.
Having just changed her clothes, she wanted to come here for a drink, but she didn't expect to overhear the two of them teasing her.
He actually wanted to undermine his superiors?
"Looks like our conversation was just overheard!"
You still have the nerve to say that?
Socia's nonchalant attitude left Bai Ye speechless. Wasn't this whole thing caused by Socia herself?
Speaking of which, Queen Skadi's attitude was to come over and tease them?
Clearly hearing everything, yet acting as if nothing happened, one could only say that married people were different.
"Barn, the other party has joined the Principality."
"Your Majesty, what about the previous plan?"
The Empire.
Under Queen Skadi's deliberate spreading of the news, everyone knew that Bai Ye was now the Principality's Sword Master.
The Empire, not far from the Principality, naturally also learned of this matter.
King Lyon Heinrich III also felt a bit regretful. He had clearly planned everything, but the other party had already joined.
Hearing Barn mention the previous plan, it made him a bit troubled.
"Can you deal with him?"
King Lyon Heinrich III thought for a moment, then came up with a solution: if Barn could deal with Bai Ye, then he would abandon the plan.
After all, the person had already joined the Belmar Principality.
"Not an opponent."
Just the power that erupted in that instant made Barn realize how vast the gap was between himself and Bai Ye.
So, when faced with King Lyon Heinrich III's question about whether he could deal with Bai Ye.
He was silent for a moment, then gave his answer.
"Then we can only try first. In short, give him our conditions. If he agrees, then nothing happened. If he doesn't agree, then we'll have to list him as an opponent later!"
Even someone as strong as Gig didn't he die at the hands of a large army?
There's always a time when one runs out of stamina, right?
So King Lyon Heinrich III had thought it through. He would send Barn to deal with Bai Ye. There were many other experts in the Empire, and they could still wear him down until he ran out of stamina.
And the Belmar Principality's strength was too weak compared to theirs.
Ultimately, they would win!
"Also, the Purple Mist Group suffered heavy losses this time..."
King Lyon Heinrich III was a bit distressed.
The Purple Mist Group was basically wiped out in the Melancholy Cave.
This was a secret force cultivated by the Empire, their vanguard, which had played a crucial role in the battles against the Bantu tribe. It was truly a shame to lose them now.
"Barn, you should start re-establishing them. The Empire needs the Purple Mist Group."
"Yes!"
Barn nodded in agreement.
After Barn left, King Lyon Heinrich III sought out Alice. He hoped to get Alice's divination.
"Transfer experiments can now be conducted in Billmark."
Alice merely said faintly, and at this moment, countless ambitions flashed through King Lyon Heinrich III's heart.
Can it finally begin?
"Master Siran, I want to leave here and go to Arad!"
After Siran returned to Xuzu, Shaye requested Siran to let him leave and go to Arad.
He heard that there were many Sword Masters with superb swordsmanship in Arad, and he wanted to go down and compete with them.
"Go."
Siran opened his mouth. Looking at his disciple, he understood that he couldn't keep him here anymore.
After receiving Siran's permission, Shaye bowed, then embraced his sword and left Xuzu.
Valley of the Dead.
Azera, Sodders, and Liang Yue were conversing about something, while the Mechanical Shinigami behind them watched the scene.
The two sides finally reached a consensus on some matters.
Liang Yue and Sodders also decided to stay and cultivate in the Tower of Despair.
After all this, Azera felt more confident in her plan. She should be able to stop Held's plan, right?
Heaven.
Sher Kulio was creating designs for secret weapons.
Giselle also betrayed the Imperial Army and defected to Kartel due to jealousy of Melvin's talent.
At the same time, a woman was rapidly falling from the sky.
Looking at the continent so close, she was suddenly enlightened. So the rumors were true.
Below the Heaven, there was actually another continent.
And her landing spot was Hutton Mar.
Falling from the sky, the people below got closer and closer to her. She wanted to shout for them to quickly leave.
But the next second, she felt an invisible force pulling her, and then she was safely placed on the ground.
Looking at the handsome man in front of her, and realizing that the power on her earlier might have been because of him, after being saved, Kaelie looked at Bai Ye with a brilliant smile and greeted him: "Hello, I'm Kaelie from Heaven!"
Sure enough, it's Kaelie, that bitch!
It was because of Kaelie, that bitch, that he didn't know how many pieces of equipment he had broken.
"Haha, although I'm very good-looking, you shouldn't keep staring at me like that, should you?"
Kaelie felt the faint resentment emanating from Bai Ye, and a bad premonition arose in her heart.
No?!
Why was he looking at her like that?
Although she had fair skin, a beautiful face, and long legs, that gaze didn't seem like one for looking at a beautiful woman!
"People from Heaven are indeed different!"
Bai Ye rubbed his chin. Kaelie, this woman, had to be said to have inherited the special trait of long legs from Heaven.
"Oh, right, do you have an enhancement machine?"
She should have one, right?
Otherwise, how did they appear out of thin air in the game?
Saying that, Bai Ye pulled Kaelie, ready to take her away. Starting today, he would enhance for free!
"Hey, hey, hey! Let go of me first!"
No?!
Is this person crazy?
Or is this the tradition of Arad?
Can you just randomly pull strangers off the street?
"Bai Ye, isn't it not good to forcibly take a woman?"
Queen Skadi, who had just finished negotiating with the Dark Elves about opening a Magic Guild in Hutton Mar, looked at this scene, somewhat bewildered.
Sharan, beside her, couldn't help but turn her head to look at Queen Skadi.
Is the Belmar Principality like this?
Arad White Night: [I caught Kaelie, that bitch. I thought my business here was over, but now I have work!]
Naruto Bai Ye: [Good work, worthy of reward!]
What could be more satisfying than catching Kaelie, that bitch?
Oh!
There are also Trent and Clay Pot, those two brats.
One is for amplification, and the other is for opening pots. He used to lose a lot of money to those two!
Pirate Bai Ye: [Your adventurer storyline should be starting soon, right?]
Arad White Night: [Almost. I can rest for a bit recently and just build a house.]
After Glan's Fire, the storyline will probably start after a while.
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