Chapter 160

Beauty Looking Back and Her Demanded Rewards [Part 2]

The Shogun’s wary look loosened a little after hearing what Melsa said with an indifferent smile. He didn’t expect her to seek rewards this boldly in the name of a transaction. In the first place, what should a perishing country like Imperial Japan be stingy about? Not letting the people starve at their final moments should be the only thing they wished for.

“Interesting. You, what’s your name?“

During the opening address, Melsa was focused on interpreting for the diplomat, Oliver, from start to end, and the Shogun didn’t get to hear her name.

Rather than the diplomat, the Shogun had more interest in the very likable interpreter...

...to the point of wanting her to join his harem if Imperial Japan wasn’t in this kind of situation.

“My name is Melsa Stuart.”

“...Stuart?“

“Yes, Count Stuart is my husband.“

AHH—— She’s already married—!

I thought a woman coming to Imperial Japan meant that she was single—...

And here I thought I had a chance with her—...

“W-What?! This—!“

There was not a single word about magic stones written on the paper.

“A-Are you... sure?“

The Emperor and the Shogun skimmed through the paper once again but still didn’t find the word ‘magic stones’.

“We requested these while fully knowing that we might be asking for too much. Among those listed, we absolutely want the one written on the first line. And if it’s feasible, we also want what is written next.“

Melsa made it clear that she had no intention to compromise on those two things.

“W-W-Wh... why...?“

The Emperor and the Shogun were lost for words as they looked at the paper.

“Your Imperial Majesty, what is written on that paper?“

“What kind of absurd demand is it?“

“I-Is it our port’s torii gates that she wants?!“

Without a magician, magic stones were no different from mere stones.

The rows of torii gates contained various spells needed for national defense and were national treasures in and of itself. It was evident that Imperial Japan would be easily discovered by other countries and become vulnerable to anyone who wanted to rob its magic stones if it ever lost the torii gates. Those gates were the most important things to Imperial Japan.