"I don’t have enough fame to change people’s views of me. But if it’s possible, I would like you to call me Jake. It’s my real name, which I received from my parents," Jake said.
Deverell faintly curved his lips up, "We may as well call you Jake. As The Emperor Of The Warmonger Empire, I officially welcome you to our castle. We hope you’ve had a great time so far. If anything has offended you, we will deal with that immediately."
Viktor inwardly sneered, ’The old hug must have talked a lot about Jake and his sister! Jake told me that two out of three guilds fighting for The Emperor’s acknowledgment had received a backlash after the tournament from the player’s community. The Emperor must have heard about it. The same guilds also aim for Jake’s head...’
"As a father, I wish to thank you for being Elizabeth’s friend. You have helped her future greater than you think, Jake. I’m relieved to have this opportunity to thank you in person. I owe you a great favor," Deverell said.
Viktor clenched his hands. ’Damn... if Jake starts speaking about the teleport between two continents, he will waste this favor! There’s no need to waste it on that, as the incentives behind the opening of two continents weigh much more than The Emperor’s favor!
He should use that to become closer with The Warmonger Empire’s Orb Household or open a path for his sister’s guild to enter this empire to take over the lawless zone.’
Jake smiled. "I received a lot from Elizabeth as well. Despite her young age, she’s so talented that she has tremendously helped me with my archery. It was genuinely fun to spend time with her. You have a great daughter, His Majesty."
Deverell smiled.
He closed his eyes...
...and opened them as The Emperor.
"Viktor. We want to proceed with the urgent matter first," he said. "What is it?"
He wetted his lips with the golden tea.
Jake mimicked him, paying him the due respect.
He regretted that when the drink had started stirring his mana. It felt like this precious liquid wanted to replace Jake’s liquids or eliminate flawed mana within him. He felt like vomiting, but Jake heeded Viktor’s advice, swallowing it back.
He looked purple for a second.
"Anyone who uses it will still pay us," Jake said with a poker face. Inwardly, he was sweating. The Emperor was getting to the point where Jake had no arguments.
Deverell fixed his stare on Jake for a little longer before closing his eyes. "It can’t be helped. We agree to your conditions, Jake. We’ll send our people to protect your teleport and enable as many people as possible to use it. It’s also in our interest to see your teleport prospering."
Jake smiled, "Thank you, His Majesty."
-
Deverell had a short talk about Elizabeth with Jake. It was interesting to hear Jake’s perspective during their fun in the turtle forest. He could see his daughter from a different side, which warmed his heart.
He laughed aloud when he heard that Elizabeth ran off to the forest straight after bidding farewell to Jake.
After that, Jake and Viktor left the office.
He stared at their backs and stood up once these two were gone.
He looked at the capital from his office. "We didn’t want to argue with Jake as he also wishes for Asta Bow’s prosperity. It pains me that Viktor didn’t try to lend him a hand during the negotiations."
That was when The Emperor heard someone vomiting behind the door.
It was Jake.
A few loud slaps on the back could be heard as well. That indeed was Viktor.
Deverell chuckled. "He has a strong will."
"He does," an old voice echoed from within The Emperor’s orb. It rested on his chest as he wore it like a necklace. "As for Viktor, I’ll visit him soon enough to teach him another lesson. He can’t be relying too much on his grandmother, Aaron, and Jake. I heard he’s also neglecting his wives!"
"Go easy on him, Mrs. Minerva," The Emperor respectfully said.
She was the real reason The Emperor didn’t negotiate much with Jake.