My wife is an immortal black snake.

Page 118

But what about a situation where it's difficult to judge a case where officials in a certain region deliberately reduce educational resources in that region, causing students in a certain town to fall off the high school entrance exam rankings, making it impossible for several generations of them to afford good schools? How should we, as policymakers, handle this?

...There are too many details to discuss in this matter! Moreover, Yang Hao did not believe that he could finish talking to His Majesty the Emperor for five days and five nights.

"In general, many problems will only become apparent once we actually take action... and I feel like we've been talking about these things for too long. We haven't even dealt with the nobles of the Imperial Council yet, and we haven't even started the civil war with the Sherlock Holmes... Thinking about too much is affecting our current energy levels."

After saying that, Yang Hao took a breath. They'd been talking for so long his food was getting cold; it was time to end things.

"Yes. You're right. We need to resolve the most important matters first before we can proceed with our future..." Her Majesty nodded slightly, watching Yang Hao place his knife and fork on either side of his plate, wipe his mouth with a handkerchief, and prepare to leave. She couldn't help but speak:

"But...you clearly have such great abilities, yet you're wasting your talents in the Dukedom of Kosiché, without even a noble title...are you really so content with that? Come to my court, Mr. Yang Hao. I will give you everything you want. Anything I can offer, anything the Ursus Empire can offer, I'm willing to give you—if you're willing to come."

She longed for this man. If her previous longing was merely that of a collector seeing a treasure and wanting to possess it.

So the desire now is to hold him in my arms immediately and hold him tightly, never letting go.

But she regretted it as soon as she said it—because she realized that she should have waited for a better time.

Chapter VII

...

Yang Hao ultimately declined the Emperor's invitation. He smiled and said that he might be able to serve the Emperor, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would not leave Kosice.

"After all, Košice was a ray of light that shone brightly in my life during the darkest time... She's my wife, and I'm her husband, and that's enough. It's not that she can give me everything I want, but because... I love the life I have with her."

"...I see."

"Well then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now. You are going to the Imperial Council tomorrow, right? I will begin preparations after the meeting. That's all for now."

"Ah."

Watching the man she had been dreaming of leave her private restaurant with his guards, the Emperor couldn't help but sigh to herself—if only she had met this man before Kosiché.

He is capable, he has his own bottom line, he values ​​relationships, and in some ways, he even knows how to please his partner.

No matter how you look at it, he's a good man! If I had to point out any flaws, it would be his strange male pride and his indiscriminate acceptance of any girl who comes his way... But so what? Capable people certainly receive preferential treatment. If this man could really become the crown prince of the Ursus Empire, he wouldn't care about having just a few women, he could have hundreds—simply because he could make Ursus great again.

And more importantly, this was the first time... the first time Her Majesty Catherine had ever encountered a man who could move her so deeply. It wasn't just about his abilities; it was more like finding a kindred spirit.

"This is the first time someone has shared my thoughts...and instead of criticizing my ideas for being 'impractical,' they've actually accepted them..."

Her Majesty Catherine knew that her ideas were ahead of their time.

But she refused to accept it.

Because she knew that her ideas would eventually be validated on this land—but the question was, why wait decades? Why couldn't she build up her ideas while she was still in power?

She had been trying her best, trying her best. But it was clear that how could she manage politics while surrounded by a bunch of insects? Maintaining domestic stability alone had exhausted her. Now, she finally had a glimmer of hope for complete autocracy over the empire, and now she had finally found a kindred spirit who understood her deeply... How could the Emperor of Ursus let go of the good man she had finally met, a man she might never have the chance to meet again?

Perhaps we should encourage Colombians to change their good habit of taking paid breaks to defecate.

"...Let's leave it at that for today."

Her Majesty Catherine licked her lips. Yang Hao still had to stay in Saint-Germain Castle for a few more days; in other words, she had plenty of time to win him over.

She knew very well that there was only one chance and anyone who didn't take action was a fool.

…………

"By the way, Mr. Yang Hao, you are very popular."

"Eh? Why do you say that?"

"His Majesty the Emperor is very interested in you."

"Sigh... I was somewhat prepared for this. But how should I put it? The fact that she offered so many good conditions actually makes me quite scared."

On the way to the resting place for the other guards, Ms. Sonia chuckled softly as she chatted with Yang Hao about how "charming" he was.

Yang Hao felt this deeply, but more than anything, he was afraid of the generous conditions offered by His Majesty the Emperor.

His Majesty the Emperor was willing to give him far too much! So much that Yang Hao often had the inexplicable feeling that after giving him so much, His Majesty would take him away, along with all the things, the very next day...

He didn't want this. Ugh, and His Majesty the Emperor is really something, harassing a married man and then expecting me to betray Kosicche willingly, what kind of nonsense is that? He looks down on my fidelity as a man—okay, I admit I don't seem to have that, but at least show some restraint, okay?

Yang Hao smacked his lips, seemingly forgetting that the last child he remembered as reserved was named Margarita.

......

"However, it seems that His Majesty the Emperor really likes you."

"Sigh, who doesn't like capable people? Even I like capable people... but this kind of liking isn't... the kind of liking where you want to spend your life with them, is it?"

"I understand. It's like liking a treasure and wanting to take it home and keep it as a collectible?"

"Ah."

They chatted as they made their way to the outskirts of the palace. Guided by the palace guards, they quickly found the temporary quarters for the Templar Knights and other Deepsea Hunters. Yang Hao and Sonia surveyed their temporary lodgings with satisfaction, and after confirming that their stay should be comfortable, he left them some instructions before heading back to his own room to rest.

However, Yang Hao still asked Sonia to take some time to bring her change of clothes from her juniors... After all, even if Sonia stayed in Yang Hao's room, and even if Yang Hao agreed to her request... she should at least bring her change of clothes, right? Sigh... otherwise, not having clothes to change into after a shower would be embarrassing for Yang Hao himself.

"Sigh... I should take a shower and get some rest when I get back. Tomorrow is when the real torture begins."

"You mean..."

"It's the Imperial Diet. I can already imagine how much slander I'll get in my face or Kosich's face. But in order to determine the internal structure of the Imperial Diet, and to pinpoint the locations of those Sherlock Holmes and neutral members and plant explosives under their asses... I still have to go there."

"Hehe, if you're really unhappy, it wouldn't be so bad if I just made a scene up there, would it?"

"Then we'll be wanted by the Imperial Council that very afternoon, and end up watching His Majesty the Emperor and the Speaker of the Imperial Council wrangling each other... Hmm? That sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"

But for the sake of long-term considerations, I'll pass.

He shook his head and led Ms. Sonia, who was carrying a change of clothes, toward his room.

Meanwhile, they observe from the mirror world, unseen by them.

After Monica, the head maid, repeatedly confirmed that they should be safe and sound that night, she quietly returned to the Duke of Koschche to report the situation to Lord Koschche, who was still rolling around in bed.

chapter eight

7 month 7 day.

When the Imperial Diet convened once again, these insect-like senators finally saw the arrival of the representative of the Duke of Koschche, the very entity they were condemning.

Amidst the whispers of the crowd and the tense, uneasy glances exchanged among the councilors standing before His Majesty the Emperor, the Duke of Kosiché's representative finally arrived.

He was accompanied by a white-haired, red-eyed guard carrying a terrifying weapon. He led his men to his designated spot—a seat closest to the Emperor's throne—and then, in front of everyone, greeted the Emperor, who inexplicably always had a smile on his face, in a manner that resembled that of a friend. After that, he sat down in his seat.

Then, in front of everyone, the man disregarded the dignity and honor of the Imperial Council, took out a smartphone from his pocket, and seemed to intend to openly and legitimately pass the time on his phone.

This was an absolute humiliation to the Imperial Diet! Naturally, this man's actions ignited the already volatile powder keg within the Diet. Members who weren't affiliated with the Emperor issued the harshest condemnations of this shameless man, and many close to Duke Nikolai even began making crude gestures—all of this was observed by His Majesty the Emperor and the representative of the Dukedom of Kosiché. However, they said nothing, only clearly remembering the faces and locations of the enraged members.

“Duke Kosichelle’s representative! This is the sacred Ursus Imperial Council! Not a place for your amusement!”

A seemingly respectable councilor angrily rebuked Yang Hao. Yang Hao raised an eyebrow, memorized the man's appearance, smiled, and then slowly put down his phone to look at them.

He looked at the agitated members of parliament around him—most of them were vermin, people who needed to be thoroughly purged. Initially, Yang Hao had thought a few of them would have the sense to understand how dangerous their situation was, but now it seemed...

None of them are worth mentioning. Expecting them to understand their place is like expecting Margarita to grow up now.

He chuckled coldly a few times, while Sonia, who stood behind him as his bodyguard, simply smiled silently.

“Before you condemn me and my wife, I have a question.”

Yang Hao began his speech in a loud voice. As he spoke, His Majesty the Emperor, who supported him, symbolically struck the gavel a few times, making the Imperial Speaker embarrassed and silencing the members of the council in the area. They quieted down for the sake of the Emperor.

Subsequently.

Yang Hao slowly stood up, glanced around at the councilors who were either indignant, silent, or glaring at him, and then coldly pointed out the sore spot of everyone present:

"Why was the Duchy of Kosiché able to resolve this economic crisis in less than a year, while you members of parliament, who condemn my wife and me with such indignation as sows fighting over pig feed, can't even manage your own territory? I don't mean to look down on you, but perhaps you should use your brains to think about why this is the case."

"—!"

An insult, a complete and utter insult! Yang Hao showed no respect whatsoever to these dying men, not even the slightest bit of dignity! This man, already driven mad by these trash-like councilors, was now preoccupied with only one thought: to burn them all in a couple of days to prevent them from driving up the price of flour in the Ursus Empire!

Faced with Yang Hao's utter insult, the councilors were stunned, then their eyes widened in anger—but despite their anger, their faces flushed, they couldn't refute this sore point. Indeed, the target of their condemnation, the Duke of Koschei, was currently the most developed region within the Ursus Empire, the first to emerge from the economic crisis, and a model for other territories of the Ursus Empire in the future! They couldn't insult Yang Hao or Duke Koschei on this point, nor could they mount any resistance!

But does that mean they'll just give up? Of course not! These disgusting lawmakers are incredibly good at changing the subject!

"...Let's set that topic aside for now! What does it mean that the Duchy of Kosice, which you represent, is engaging in exchanges with independent cities that have broken away from Columbia?! Do you really think Ursus can tolerate such treachery?!"

Knowing they were in the wrong regarding economic policy, these scoundrels simply steered the conversation to a rather awkward point—the exchange between the Duchy of Koschche and the United City.

Although His Majesty the Emperor tacitly approved of this matter, the problem was that these brain-dead councilors who deserved to be killed didn't think that way—they only knew that this was a topic that could benefit them, completely disregarding the fact that it was a good thing for Ursus as a whole.

Faced with the opposing senators' attempt to shift the topic, the senators on the Emperor's side all looked embarrassed—because most of them were unaware that the Emperor had once visited the Duchy of Cosice incognito.

But Yang Hao knew this perfectly well! His Majesty the Emperor had given him permission!

"Don't you brainless bastards know that His Majesty the Emperor has permitted our Dukedom of Koschche to engage in foreign exchanges in order to find a quick solution to the economic crisis for the Ursus Empire? Even if you seem as stupid as pack animals, at least you have some semblance of humanity, right? Invest more money and manpower in your spy system! Please! Stop breeding like rabbits in heat every day, okay?"

"you--!!"

Yang Hao's pretentious mockery and sarcasm directly angered a fat, big-eared councilor, whose face turned red. He reached out and covered his chest, where his heart was located, as if he was almost having a heart attack from Yang Hao's attitude.

Other opposing councilors also erupted. They unanimously condemned Yang Hao's "unauthorized actions" and disrespect for the "Imperial Council," completely disregarding His Majesty the Emperor and Yang Hao's achievements. These insects were only thinking about their own interests—interests! But then again, what else could they do besides change the subject?

Yes! That would leave an even worse impression on His Majesty the Emperor and Yang Hao! Whoever makes the worst impression will not even be left with a charred corpse.

...However, on the other hand, Yang Hao's actions inadvertently hurt quite a few members of the Emperor's faction...but although the members of the Emperor's faction felt very embarrassed about this, they generally still supported Yang Hao's actions.

It's just that...not all the members of the Emperor's faction are loyal to the Emperor and that's why they're standing by her side...quite a few joined the Emperor's side with the idea of ​​"investment." These profit-driven investors, after being affected by Yang Hao's AOE attack, angrily chose to quit the game and stand on the side of the Sherlock Holmes—congratulations, congratulations! They personally gave up their hope of survival, preventing the price of flour in the Ursus Empire from rising by several rubles. In a sense, Yang Hao quite liked what they did.

Liking something is one thing, but death is inevitable. With these thoughts in mind, Yang Hao gracefully returned to his seat, ignoring the voices of the councilors who were so agitated that even the pounding of the gavel couldn't calm them down, and began to observe the internal structure of the Imperial Council.

Overall, his subsequent burning plan didn't need to consider the issue of friendly forces at all. The Emperor's faction of councilors was seated in the same area as him and Her Majesty Catherine. Behind them was a safe passageway for quick escape; during the renovation, only this passageway needed to be pre-installed.

Once they have all escaped through the passage, Yang Hao can light his first fire and send all the members of the sealed Imperial Council to their deaths.

But then again...

"This place is enormous," he muttered to Sonia behind him. "To engulf this place in flames... we'll need a lot of materials. Do we have enough pure gold?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Mr. Yang Hao. But we should be able to gain His Majesty's support, right?"

'Perhaps.'

The Imperial Diet has a very large interior space.

Even if all the ventilation ducts and all the entrances and exits were blocked, it would still take a lot of materials to fill the entire conference hall with thick smoke—so much that even the pure gold that Yang Hao carried might not be enough to buy it all.

He needs His Majesty's financial support...

Thinking of this, he glanced up at His Majesty, who was sitting on the high platform not far from him. When he noticed that Her Majesty Catherine was also looking at him with a strange, almost beast-like gaze, he quickly shrank back.

...... ......

Thanks to Yang Hao's rampage in the Heavenly Palace, the meeting of the Imperial Diet held on July 7th ended in discord.

Furthermore, thanks to his area-of-effect attack, only about 50 of the Emperor's representatives remain. This is actually for the best; the fewer representatives the Emperor has, the easier it will be for them to evacuate. And once everyone has left, those still celebrating inside can be sentenced to death.

"In short, Your Majesty, I'll go see the fire department and the police department's top officials first. If all goes well, I'll be back before lunchtime to discuss your private construction team with you..."

"Sure. But just come to my lounge when the time comes. I usually stay there during my lunch break."

"Yes."

Because of Yang Hao's indescribable relationship with Her Majesty Catherine, he accompanied the Emperor when the councilors left the Imperial Diet. After informing the Emperor, he dismounted from the Emperor's carriage and gestured to Sonia, who was not far away, that they had work to do.

..

After contacting Sonia and reuniting with the other guards, Yang Hao first led them, using a map, to the vicinity of the fire station closest to the Imperial Council. Then, after instructing everyone to remain vigilant, he used the information on a note he had found earlier in his room, which contained the communication methods for the highest-ranking officials of the fire station and police department, to contact the local fire chief.

The fire chief seemed surprised that someone would contact him through "higher-ups" at a time like this. However, after Yang Hao identified himself and expressed his need for "help," the fire chief readily allowed them into the fire station and personally led a group to greet Yang Hao in the lobby.

However, their formation seemed a bit too large... Looking at the firefighters standing solemnly on both sides, Yang Hao, who had arrived at the scene in five minutes, scratched his head and finally shook hands with the fire chief:

"You don't need to do this."

"But you are on the Emperor's side, so you should be received with the highest honors."

"I see? I understand now... Shall we go inside and talk?"

“My office is upstairs.”

The director led Yang Hao into his office, and Yang Hao had Sonia follow him the whole time, while the other guards waited downstairs.

In the fire chief's office, after Yang Hao briefly described some matters regarding the "holiday" arrangements, he was met with a look of utter shock from the chief.

"In short, do you need us to take all staff leave on the day of the incident?"

"Yes."

"And you don't want us to search the [contraband] you brought with you during this time?"