How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 322

357th Plan (3)

Judging from the circumstances, that idiot Sylvester has definitely fallen for Epileo’s trick.

‘……What is he thinking?’

I didn’t think he was the type to be so incapable of distinguishing right from wrong.

It’s too early to jump to conclusions, so let’s just grasp the situation and think about which direction to move in.

And I have my own work to do.

Negotiation, that is.

If you work, you should get paid.

Today is payday!

……With that lighthearted feeling, I headed to the place where I would properly extract what I deserved.

I had made an appointment in advance.

As I headed towards the Imperial Palace, which was being restored after the recent incident, a man who was already waiting quietly bowed his head.

“This way, I presume.”

Following his guidance, I entered the room he pointed to, where an old man was waiting.

“……Are you that Aileon?”

“First of all, regarding meeting someone who embodies the pinnacle of the Empire like this…….”

“Enough with the petty flattery.”

I was about to offer some prepared remarks, showing respect for the other party’s position, but he cut me off.

“The conversations that take place here will not leak out.”

The other party is the Emperor of the Empire.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure about his life or death, but it seemed he had somehow survived.

Thanks to that, it’s easier to negotiate.

Of course, he can’t ignore me.

“You owe me an unspeakable debt.”

“……I agree that there are several.”

I unhesitatingly revealed my true feelings.

“How much do you intend to make public?”

“How far would you go if you were in my shoes?”

Should I just say what I know?

“At least that an evildoer attacked and was ultimately defeated, something like that.”

“Unexpected. I thought you would show more anger.”

Perhaps Sylvester would, but I have a rather detached feeling about that.

“Isn’t concealing even more the nature of a nation? Frankly speaking, I don’t want to get involved in that reality.”

Not actively getting involved is similar to not wanting to step into the sewer.

I’ll just take what I need and get out.

Of course, if it’s more messed up than I imagined, I might offer some advice.

That’s about it.

“I see. So, what you want is compensation?”

“As you’ve already heard from Princess Resilia, I don’t intend to stay here long.”

Therefore, if you give me adequate compensation, I will remain tight-lipped even from afar.

“What do you desire?”

I really like how direct he is.

As expected of the top of the Imperial politics.

He has a knack for understanding what the other party wants and catering to it.

I like this kind of person.

Surprisingly, it’s easy to talk to high-ranking people.

As expected, you can’t ignore political experience.

That’s why I don’t want to get involved even more.

“Without being presumptuous, may I ask for 70% of what the Third Prince Avil has hidden away?”

“Hmm…….”

His mustache twitched for a moment.

“So…… you know about it?”

“It’s a well-known fact, though it may seem redundant to say. Isn’t it obvious even to the lowliest local lord?”

Whether they are villains or not, they tend to hide their assets.

In fact, I’ve been burying things like a squirrel these days.

Of course, the Third Prince, who disappeared in vain, must have also amassed wealth through various unspeakable means.

And if there’s no owner, it will naturally be dissolved and scattered everywhere.

“Since the Empire’s situation isn’t very good right now anyway, I don’t intend to ask for any other compensation besides that.”

“……Hmm.”

Demanding 70% is quite reasonable.

Leaving 30% should be enough.

Of course, my initial plan was to ask for only 40%.

That would be less troublesome.

But the reason for raising the percentage somewhat is…….

“I see. The reason is…….”

“The value of the price for me keeping my mouth shut has increased.”

It’s blatant, but let’s mention it.

I know what you guys did…… or rather, what your ancestors did.

All the parties involved are gone, and there are no living witnesses left.

Still, it’s good to mention it.

“If the price goes up, shouldn’t you be willing to pay that much?”

To paraphrase.

I know everything, and those elves are in my hands.

Shouldn’t I get that much of a share?

If you don’t agree.

“And if you can’t pay the price, you can’t buy the item.”

Then that’s that.

I might be willing to endure war or whatever.

Of course, I believe the probability of going that far is extremely low.

This kind of bluff usually works well.

Especially when the other party can’t ignore me.

Whether it’s position or bloodline, it doesn’t matter.

What matters is power.

“……70%, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The Emperor said this.

It’s not a refusal.

“The Third Prince’s demise is unfortunate, but…… I will take note that what he left behind has also been lost.”

In short, he means he won’t interfere even if I take it all.

It means that there are few perverts who would stick their hands into the mouth of a mad dog.

Occasionally, there really are, which is the catch.

In that case, the trick is to bite back aggressively. Woof!

However, the Emperor is not such a pervert.

He obediently granted my request and gave me the price.

“Then I wish for the peace of the Empire.”

“……I hope so.”

If we don’t bother each other, there won’t be any problems.

That beneficial negotiation ended surprisingly easily.

Well, there’s no need to fight.

Peace is the best.

* * *

While I was calculating the share of what I had extracted and gleefully forgetting about distant worries for a moment,

Cruise, who knew the general situation, frowned deeply as if he was deeply troubled and asked me a question.

“What are you going to do next?”

“Next?”

That’s unexpected. I didn’t expect you to ask first.

“Aileon, I noticed that you know something. I don’t think you’re going to stay still like this.”

“Are you helping me?”

“Isn’t it normal to think that you can’t leave such a monster alone after seeing it?”

That’s very true.

It seems that Cruise, who has lost his immediate purpose, intends to cooperate to some extent depending on the situation.

In fact, Alnix and Rucel Elbeid also expressed their willingness to cooperate.

They are angry about what Sylvester left behind, but they don’t intend to wait quietly.

‘Huh? Why do I feel like I’m gaining more baggage as time goes on?’

Well, let’s not think too deeply about it.

The important thing is that they are waiting for my decision.

I want to say, “There’s nothing to do, so let’s disband!” but sadly, there’s a lot to do.

“I want to leave right away, but unfortunately, I have a few things I need to check.”

Unfortunately, Aileon is a busy man. Very busy.

I’m worried about the store, and I need to personally check on the elves I sent and talk to them.

Of course, others will handle it well, but I won’t feel at ease unless I see it myself.

So, I’m thinking of going back for a while.

But to bring them along?

“Come to think of it, do you all have other business to attend to?”

“No.”

“Not really.”

“Sadly, I’m free…….”

Have I ever seen such a group of unemployed people?

To think that these talented people are doing nothing because they have nothing to do.

I can’t tolerate it.

Even if I’m playing around, I won’t let others play around.

Double standards.

That is my personality…….

“Then, while I’m gone for a while, could you please do something for me and head there?”

“Wow…… look at you passing the buck.”

“So, you’re saying we should travel together?”

“Even so, that’s a bit…….”

Of course, the returning reaction means, “Is that okay?”

“Let’s hear it first.”

“Of course, there’s a reason.”

Of course, I’m not just asking with that kind of intention.

“Actually, I’ve thought about where to go next, but the process of getting there is a bit troublesome. So, I’d like to ask you to explore it first, but?”

I actually think it’s troublesome.

“Where is it that you say that?”

For now, the atmosphere is that they will listen and then decide whether to agree or not.

I’m confident in persuasion.

That’s why I said the destination I should go to first.

“It’s the North.”

Surely, those guys will head there.

Everyone’s expression hardens.

It can’t be helped.

“If it’s the North…….”

“Yes. There’s no other place.”

The white hell.

The White Hell.

“Sylvester’s goal is probably to cut off the head of the ruler there.”

It’s possible to infer the purpose somehow.

“Indeed…… are you going to go first and steal it?”

Alnix naturally thought so.

“No. Rather, what kind of ominous sound is that? Don’t think of people as villains who go around cutting off people’s heads?”

I shook my head.

That’s not it. Completely wrong! Wrong!

“……Hey.”

“To be exact, we have to stop it.”

It is absolutely necessary to stop Sylvester from killing her.

Maybe that guy won’t understand.

“It will be very difficult if she dies at this time.”

Above all, there should be absolutely no reason to touch her at this time.

Nevertheless, the fact that he went north means.

I can see what he’s aiming for.

“So, we have to stop it.”

“……So, you’re telling us to go to that dangerous North?”

“Well, I’m not saying to go in right away. First, you need to prepare to go there…… I’d like to ask you to do that process, but.”

I’m going to follow soon.

When I earnestly asked, they couldn’t help but accept.

“……Tch, I understand. I’ll do as you say.”

“I’ll cooperate as long as it’s not dangerous.”

“Then, I’ll tell you what to do first.”

I instructed them on what I wanted them to do first.

It’s not that difficult, so there’s no need to worry.

What I’m more worried about is…….

‘I’m more worried about my store!’

After all, my livelihood is more important than the world.

* * *

Now that the business is over, let’s go back to my store and mansion once.

I immediately used teleportation and returned to where my store was without hesitation.

“Aileon, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“Aileon is back!”

“I believed you would be safe.”

I was immediately welcomed by everyone, and I heard the story of what had happened in the meantime.

Fortunately, nothing happened while I was away.

No one is picking a fight, and business is going smoothly.

This place is nothing but peaceful.

‘……Come to think of it, am I the only one suffering?’

Well, I can’t help but feel wronged, but it’s my own fault and my destiny, so I’ll bear it.

“So, are you going to stay here for a while?”

“Wait? Why is it assumed that I’m going on another trip?”

“Yes? Aren’t you leaving right away?”

When Dires asked as if he didn’t understand, I was speechless.

“Well…… I’m leaving, but.”

“As expected.”

Huh?

That’s strange.

Why do the people around me think I’m going to be busy?

I’m not that diligent!

I want to ask for a long time, but what’s important now is not that.

“Dires, first of all, about the people I sent a while ago.”

What I need to check is the well-being of the elves who were smuggled out as promised by Kmelz.

“Of course. I explained to them according to the letter Aileon sent…….”

The fact that he trailed off means that he is also quite embarrassed.

I understand.

It must be sudden.

I mentioned in advance that this might happen, but it’s half impromptu.

It’s hard to deal with.

“I’ll talk to them directly. Where are they?”

“Yes. First of all, they are staying with us, but we have also secured additional places to stay. However…….”

“I’ve made enough money elsewhere to cover the expenses, so don’t worry.”

We need to secure a place for many elves to stay, and that won’t be cheap.

For now, it means that we have secured it by using the assets currently held by our store as a matter of urgency.

Well, that’s my instruction too.

After all, it’s for investment purposes, and above all, we haven’t lost anything.

Because we’ve gained a lot.

I, Aileon, have made up for the lack of money, so don’t worry!

“More than that, I want to talk to them, is that okay?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m sure they’ve been waiting.”

Dires readily nodded and led me to where they were staying.

I have a lot to do…….

It’s okay, this is definitely a process that will lead to my brilliant future.

“Then let’s go talk.”

To my future employees.