Chapter 98
“Anaka, you are quite cautious. Do not worry. Why would we harm an important guest who has come to fulfill a crucial task?”
“Please understand. Given that you are among those who regularly receive poisonous herbs from our kingdom, I am somewhat sensitive to such matters.”
“Haha. A joke, then.”
“Does it sound like a joke to you?”
The atmosphere turned cold in an instant. Anaka set down his teacup and smirked.
“Of course, it was a joke.”
A thick vein bulged on the Emperor’s forehead. Even unspoken, his thoughts seemed audible.
‘Is this brat toying with me?’
The Emperor cleared his throat loudly, as if to signal his discomfort. Yet he did not reprimand Anaka.
A mere jest—he could tolerate a few more. As long as the envoy kept the promise made ten years ago.
“As you know, Helion is exceptionally skilled in martial arts. I am curious… What preparations has your delegation made this time?”
“We, too, were concerned about that. So we decided to use poison rather than warriors.”
“Poison. Do you think you can deceive and administer it to that sharp-witted man?”
Anaka slipped his hand inside his jacket. When it reemerged, his fingertips glinted with a silvery light. The watching guards swiftly drew their swords. Even the Emperor tensed, his body stiffening. Amidst this, only the Empress remained unperturbed.
“A man born into this world with so much fear—where do you intend to use it?”
The Empress leaned toward Anaka. Her gaze remained fixed on his fingertips.
“A thin needle, I see.”
“Yes. In our kingdom, we call it a chim. It is often used to press acupoints and treat ailments.”
Upon closer inspection, the needle was so thin it was nearly invisible. Unlike a sword, its small size made it ideal for concealment.
“But if it’s for healing, wouldn’t it be unsuitable for killing?”
The Empress’s tone was imperious. Unlike the Emperor, who maintained a measured courtesy, she made no such effort. Anaka pointed the tip of the needle toward her.
“Even acupoints have vital spots. Stab one of those, and it’s enough to kill.”
“How dare you!”
The knights also leveled their swords at Anaka. The Empress raised a hand to stop them.
“Enough. Your interference is disrupting the conversation—stay out of it.”
Anaka’s eyes narrowed. He added another line to his assessment of the Empress, An insufferable woman. But one with nerves.
“And you plan to stab Helion with that? As I said earlier, he’s not the type to willingly expose his weak points.”
“No need to worry. I only need to prick him anywhere—lightly—and flee.”
“This isn’t child’s play—what kind of plan is—”
The Empress, who had been scowling, suddenly paused as if struck by a realization.
“You intend to coat it with poison!”
“Yes. Precisely, Your Majesty.”
“A fine method. Helion wouldn’t have anticipated this. The Empire doesn’t use such medical tools, after all.”
“And it’s easy to carry into a ball where weapons are forbidden.”
The Empress’s lips twisted into a grin—a chilling smile that could freeze the air.
Anaka slipped the needle back into his jacket pocket. He had satisfied the Emperor and Empress. Now, it was their turn to satisfy him.
“His Highness Ahyul is curious about the payment for this task.”
“What nonsense is this? We already paid a fortune during the war!”
“That was the cost of waging war. Since you were the ones who started it to eliminate the crown prince, the expense naturally fell to you. This is separate.”
The Empress’s expression shifted in an instant. Like a mask swapped, her face hardened, and she snapped:
“You expect me to believe all that money went only to the war? You drained the treasury, and when that wasn’t enough, you emptied my personal coffers!”
“Are you saying you cannot pay further?”
“Of course we can’t! Had Helion simply died ten years ago in your kingdom, we wouldn’t have needed to pay at all!”
“Why blame us for that? It was your knights who threatened Helion that day. Was it not you, Your Majesties, who insisted on taking matters into your own hands because you didn’t trust the kingdom?”
“You wretch! How dare you speak as our equal!”
The Emperor slammed his fist on the table. The teacups rattled violently. Anaka picked up the tilted cup.
“If you hire mercenaries, you must pay them. Even a starving dog will turn on its master when pushed too far.”
The answer was loaded with meaning. The Empress stopped the Emperor, who was about to shout in anger.
“If you kill Helion, money is no issue. Name your price.”
Anaka held up a single finger.
“A hundred million vel?”
He shook his head.
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