"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 wee 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 bacsh after the tournament from the yer’smunity. 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 be closer with The Warmonger Empire’s Orb Household or open a path for his sister’s guild to enter this empire to take over thewless 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 rece Jake’s liquids or eliminate wed mana within him. He felt like vomiting, but Jake heeded Viktor’s advice, swallowing it back.
He looked purple for a second.
The two men enjoyed him in this misery, albeit nothing of it showed on their faces.
Viktor said, "I believe His Majesty knows the prize Jake and his team won. They can connect two continents. Jake wants to put that teleport in Asta Bow’s territory. Incentives aside, the risks are high."
Deverell nodded. "We own teleportations and respawning points yers need to continue their endeavors in our world. We charge for them and ensure any yer can sign in to them. A flood of new yers and residents of our worlding from the Southern Continent would push forward our economy if such a portal were part of The Warmonger Empire. That alone is worth taking risks for.
"Jake, how much are you willing to pay us for protection?" The Emperor asked.
Jake replied, "The teleportation can’t be destroyed. It willst for a month. Anyone, provided they pay, will be able to use this teleportation. The dividends will be paid after a month and split only between Casual Clowns. It’s such a unique case that we don’t need help from The Warmonger Empire."
He didn’t want to pay taxes.
He didn’t have to pay taxes.
Jake wouldn’t lose significant sums for himself and his team to build a good rtionship with The Emperor. Like Deverell thought about his people, so did Jake think of his team.
He added, "We may as well put the teleportation in the middle of the desert and earn a lot from it."
It was a lie.
It would obviously be better for Casual Clowns to put the teleportation in the crowded and easy-to-get-in areas. Other guilds could also create theirwless zone and force yers to pay them money before using the teleport.
It’d be best to have the protection of The Warmonger Empire’s best soldiers.
Jake bet a lot on this move.
But he was confident that The Emperor wanted lots of new blood to visit his empire and do quests here.
"Such a unique gift," The Emperor said, "You do not fear others usurping the teleport? If the teleport is great not to let others take over its control, yers, let alone residents, can steal your teleport’s influence in other ways."
"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.
Heughed 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 ps 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 ne. "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.