CH 5.2

“The Empire had sent troops to surround the number machine to prevent the Federation from approaching.” The black cat continued, “They had occupied both sides of the land around your hut, and had already fought twice when you were napping. You missed the chance to enjoy the special effects of them throwing skills at each other.”

“I’m the master of CGI, okay?” I said honestly, “My skills are much cooler than theirs, and they were so strong that you couldn’t even do anything about it back then,”

Black cat: “……”

Black cat: “Oh right, the former Emperor of the Empire is here too.”

I tried to recall any information about this former Emperor, but there was no way I would remember his name, and the only thing I remembered was that he was a fat middle-aged man with a bald top, and he was the main initiator who got me expelled three years ago.

In fact, this former Emperor was the one who had personally asked me the last question of the three questions that I had been forced to answer.

“When you took away my emotions, did you really not steal any memories from me?” I asked curiously.

I did not pay much attention to this for three years, but when those people started popping up one by one, it was beginning to feel slightly weird.

—I could not recall even a single person’s name or face!

“If you don’t think something is important, of course, you’ll tend to forget about it over time.” The black cat said matter of factly.

Perhaps it was because my face was still full of doubts, so it gave me a few quizzes: “Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, do you put sugar in it? YangZhou fried rice1, do you add green onions to it?”

My DNA reacted instantly to its questions!

In such a world that was constantly facing the crisis of world annihilation every day or so, it was conceivable that the economy and entertainment of this world were underdeveloped.

The insignificant food culture was almost nonexistent, and the contemporary housekeeper robots – that the Emperor offered to send a few days ago – could only cook Western dishes such as hamburgers and pasta.

The majority of people find it troublesome, and prefer to rely on tubes of nutrient solution to survive.

Look at these people, this is solid proof that life without entertainment could lead to perversion.

“Okay, the egg… No, what was the former Emperor doing here?”

“He’s here to apologize to you.” The black cat said, “He even brought along his personal podium.”

I summoned another blinking question mark above my head.

Originally, I had not intended to call out a number today, but the former emperor and his personal podium somewhat piqued my interest.

I scanned through the numbers with the God’s Eye and found the servant who was holding the former Emperor’s number, before announcing the number from a distance.

Through the window, I watched as the metal podium floated slowly towards me before stopping about twenty meters away from my hut.

It was not the kind of podiums that teachers in elementary school used to give speeches before assemblies, nor the ones used by a country’s president before an election… No, this podium was at least thirty meters wide, and it was so huge that you could probably hold a major concert on it.

I was left speechless at the former Emperor’s behaviour. Perhaps this was what people referred to as ostentation… He was probably also the kind that would demand his men to burn him paper money after he died so that he would be the richest man in hell.

After the podium landed on the ground, the former Emperor walked up the stage in a typical bright red and white cape and a shining golden crown while surrounded by his personal guards!

His appearance was extremely flamboyant, and his posture was calm as he waved and smiled at the cameras nearby.

The only thing lacking here was a couple of beauties next to him to sprinkle flower petals around him to create a natural background effect.

I opened the door with a sigh: “I would allow only one person to enter.”

The sturdy and muscular guards that had surrounded the former Emperor in a defensive posture, fell to the ground with a loud bang, giving the former Emperor such a big scare that his crown almost fell off his balding head.

Fortunately, he caught the falling crown steadily and nodded calmly at me.

Before he could read the speech that was prepared by one of his advisors, I interrupted his action: “Quiet, I will do the talking.”

The former Emperor shut his mouth obediently, if you could ignore the rage that flashed through his eyes.

The cameras around him turned slowly to face me. At least 80% of them were probably live broadcasts, as they probably wanted to send me on a guilt trip with the public’s opinion.

But now that I had three years to think about it, I have finally found the truth: If you do not have a conscience, others cannot condemn your actions; If you have no morality, others cannot send you on a guilt trip.

So, I will allow them to broadcast my wonderful speech: “You wanted to apologize, right? In my hometown, the most sincere and effective way to apologize would be to… This story is pretty long-winded, but we have time.”

I began my story-telling session on how one would carry thorned twigs on their back to prove that one was genuinely sorry for something, and I enjoyed the former Emperor’s face that turned white from anxiety.

There was no one else around, and the only ones close to the former Emperor and myself were the unconscious guards. More people in the two now-opposing factions were watching the live broadcast from a distance through various technological means.

Everyone was quiet, and in this welcomed silence, the former Emperor’s heavy breathing was loud and clear.

“There weren’t many thorny twigs around here, but there is a forest nearby. You can find your costume there.” I reminded kindly, “Oh, and according to the rules from my hometown, you have to take off your clothes and carry at least six thorned twigs on your back, that way, it would show your sincerity.”

The former Emperor’s face was as pale as snow, and it seemed as if he would faint in the next second.

“You expect me, the retired Emperor of the Great Empire, to grovel with thorns on my back?” His voice was shaking with rage.

“No, I’m not finished yet.” I said indifferently, “The man with the thorny twigs had to kneel on all fours as he begged, and he would not be allowed to get up without forgiveness.”

“K…Kneel on all fours……” The former Emperor’s body trembled uncontrollably, as if he would soon explode in any second now.

“Yes.” I chuckled softly before repeating my words, “Kneel on all fours.”

As soon as my words landed, the former Emperor fell to his knees on a heavy plop.

Me: “……”

The former Emperor: “……”

The black cat turned its head and stared at me.

“What are you staring at?” I said angrily, “Can’t you tell that I have not used my powers at all? He was so frightened that his legs grew limp!”

Black cat: “Meow.”

“Now you act like an actual cat! You’re not Ella! And this mess was created by you in the first place!” I got angrier the more I tried to explain, “Go clean up your own mess!”