Chapter 41: Journey to the Capital (5)

Chapter 41: Journey to the Capital (5)

PR: Cursed

You wish for the war to be longer? Pardon me, but I dont know if Im understanding you correctly.

Kasha said, slowly.

It seemed uncomfortable to him. Thus, Edward answered, suppressing the rising tension.

You heard me correctly. And the reason why is exactly what youre thinking.

Are you that obsessed with money, trying to prolong the war just so you can rake in more money?

Im planning something that will require just as much money.

Edward had thought about this long and hard.

About how much he would reveal and how much he would keep hidden.

About how much he would tell Kasha without offending him and how far he could trust him.

He finally spoke up.

Im working on the next generation of weapons.

The next generation?

Something even greater than the bolt action, a flamethrower.

Kashas scowl deepened.

It was understandable. It had been his own bolt action that had wrecked Kashas knee in the first place.

How could he take it positively if they were going to be used against him next?

But

Hiding the fact from him wouldnt have helped with the negotiations.

Edward pursed his lips diligently.

If you get involved, the war will end too soon. I want this war to go on for another three years or so. I need that time to develop the weapons, test them on the field, and coordinate the dispersal of them, and I can only do that when were still in a full-scale war.

The West was now a powder keg on the verge of explosion.

Four kingdoms had fallen with the disappearance of Kasha, the protector of the beggars. Following that, six out of the seven strongholds were now concentrating their forces on their respective fronts.

The moment any of them moved, blood would be spilled.

There would be no negotiations.

Even though Edward himself was the first to flaunt his friendship with Ygret and the Demon King Zerdia, but as long as there was a difference of opinion between his and their nations, if they entered the battlefield, they too would fight to the death.

In such a situation, if Kasha were to extend his hand to help one side, unpredictable variables would crush all of his predictions.

Im not asking you to help Armin. I just wish that you would enjoy your time in retirement some more.

Edward thought it was a gamble worth taking.

Hes a devoted husband.

Given his sudden emotional reaction when they were talking about his wife, and the fact that he always appeared as a gentle lamb in front of his wife, this was a plausible assumption.

So now

Hed have to go into negotiations firmly.

He wasnt going to ask for it outright.

He didnt know what Kasha was thinking, but that was the plan so far.

Lets just call it a negotiation. I was thinking of offering you shares in my company.

Kashas fingertips twitched.

Edward gave a small inward gasp.

That worked?

This was unexpected.

The Kasha hed known was a man who wasnt too greedy for money.

That was the only thing that could explain why he had sided with the now-dead Four Nations, even to the point of dying.

The Seven Strongholds had promised him vast sums of money and various statuses to bring him into their hands, but he had resisted their demands to the end.

So why would he waver on that opinion now

How much?

One percent. I cant give you much. My share of the company is barely enough.

Do I have to be the recipient?

Ah, this.

Edwards eyes lit up.

Im sure now, its a certainty that hes a devoted husband.

Well, I can give you the share however you wish. Im sure your lovely wife

Goldsmith.

With a thump, Kashas fingertips tapped the table.

However, the impact was anything but playful.

Fuck!

Edward gulped at the sensation of his throat being squeezed.

And none of it was physical.

My heart!

He had stretched mana like a thread, wrapping it around his throat.

Bring me a change of underwear please.

?

Underwear to change into please. Actually, panties. Yes, panties.

Edward gestured to his lower half with his hand.

Im wet.

He had wet himself.

His body hadnt been able to withstand Kashas mana.

His attendant looked at him with sudden contempt.

Are you still wetting yourself at 33?

It just depends on the circumstances.

Can I quit my job?

No, you cant.

I want to take a vacation.

No, youre just trying to escape.

The assistants face fell.

Edward said, still smiling.

Bring it to me.

The secretarys fists clenched.

I was shaken.

The moment Edward White had told him not to return to the battlefield, it had shaken him to the point of embarrassment.

Elric was shocked by the realization.

I dont want to leave?

Did he want to stay in Yubin?

Yes, its my home, so I suppose thats natural.

And it wasnt like he didnt like the peace.

Even with that answer to his realization, Elric didnt feel any better.

The thought that there was more to it than that nagged him.

He was overwhelmed with confusion.

Thud

By the time he returned to his seat and opened the door, Tyria was coming back to her senses.

No, she still didnt look quite right, perhaps it was due to her motion sickness.

She looked up at Elric with resentment.

Where have you been?

I was just checking to see if the dust has settled.

Didnt you say there would be no terror attacks?

A chuckle escaped his lips.

It was as if all the thoughts that had been cluttering his head for the last few minutes had been erased.

Perhaps I jumped to conclusions. I apologize, but arent you glad it worked out?

She stiffened, looking as wary as ever.

Elric smiled coolly and sat down beside her.

Well be there in three hours, I think.

Were taking a carriage on the way back.

Um, do we have to?

The resentment in Tyrias eyes deepened.

There was also fear in them.

And, for some reason, he felt that she looked charmingly innocent, and Ellic was caught in a strange sense of admiration.

Still, the words came out of his mouth.

Very well, lets take a leisurely carriage ride back.

What an excellent choice.

Tyria closed her eyes tightly.

She tried to assume her composure again, but it was too late.

Elric had seen too much of her new self.

His gaze followed her.

And Edward Whites offer flashed through his mind again.

Later.

He would think about it later.

It wasnt an offer that he could answer right away.

Elric sank back into his seat, his frustration growing.

He drifted off to sleep, and when he awoke, he found himself looking out the window at the capitals cityscape.