Emperor! Can You See Stats!?

Chapter 87: Mirage of the Desert

While Eurius was busy preparing to leave for the desert, a surprising news reached the faraway Eastern Continent.

“The Dark Sect has risen in the Western Continent?”

“Yes, it’s confirmed. The head of the Jegal Clan and his eldest daughter witnessed it with their own eyes.”

“Huh…”

He thought he could finally move most of his base to the Western Continent, but what kind of bolt from the blue was this?

The middle-aged man who stroked his beard and sighed repeatedly was the head of the Jegal Family.

“Call for a family meeting.”

A few moments later, several figures entered the room where he was.

It was called a family meeting, but only the leaders of each branch attended, so there were only five people sitting around in the head’s room.

“The Dark Sect, you say?”

“…”

Some doubted the truth, while others remained silent. That’s how much weight the name of the Dark Sect had for them.

“Since things have come to this, why don’t we fight to the death here in this continent, our homeland?”

“It’s too late for that. We’ve already moved half of our family’s power to the Western Continent.”

Since the matter was so serious, they had no choice but to argue among themselves.

“May I say something?”

The head showed a hint of surprise on his face. The person who spoke was a young man who looked no older than thirty. He had been quiet and observant from the beginning, without giving any opinion.

“Seongun, speak your mind.”

“First of all, according to the information we collected from Azure Dragon Company in the Western Continent, it seems that it is indeed a dangerous place.”

“Hmm… So you’re saying we should withdraw?”

Surprisingly, the person in charge of one of the best intelligence organizations in Hwan, Azure Dragon Company, was this young man.

The young man. Jegal Seongun shook his head.

“We don’t have enough information to confirm that yet. And I think our ally in the Western Continent is also a big variable.”

“You mean that First Prince of the Empire? I heard he’s just over twenty years old. He may be skilled in martial arts, but…”

They didn’t judge Eurius lightly as they were core members of their family. 

But generally, people in Hwan tended to look down on martial artists from the Western Continent. And experience was something they couldn’t ignore.

“That’s why we need to assess him, don’t we?”

“Hmm… Do you have a specific plan?”

“No matter how smart someone is, they can’t see through their intentions unless they see them in person.”

Jegal Seongun quietly began to speak his thoughts.

**#

The scene changed to Partia Kingdom’s capital city, Harun.

“The First Prince of the Empire has arrived at the border?”

“Yes! Prince Jamir went to greet him personally.”

“Huh… Well, that shady merchant wouldn’t miss this opportunity.”

The man who heard the report was a middle-aged man who looked around forty years old. 

His sturdy physique and bronze skin showed his solid muscles that indicated he was an experienced warrior.

He was none other than Partia Kingdom’s most influential figure, Prince Karim. 

He looked like a born warrior with his imposing body, but his eyes also had an extraordinary sharpness.

“Did he come as an envoy to ask for our support against Kalihara Kingdom?”

“That’s absurd. Why should we shed blood for the Empire?”

***

As soon as Eurius reached Partia’s border, he received a warm welcome.

“Your Highness! It’s an honor to see you again.”

He knew who it was who greeted him with such fuss.

“Jamir, was it? Long time no see. But you’re a prince with many things to do. How did you find time to come all the way to the border?”

“Didn’t I tell you before? If you ever come to the desert, I’ll be your personal guide.”

Jamir smiled brightly and flattered Eurius with ease. 

He was very happy.

‘This is surely Heimdall’s blessing! I had many problems to deal with anyway, but now I can take care of them all at once with this opportunity!’

‘If this pale-looking guy has such influence in Partia, then those cultists in Partia must have no ordinary power.’

[Al Jamir]

Job: High Priest (Heimdall Cult)

Strength: C+ Agility: C+ Intelligence: A+ Spirit: A+ Dark Power: A+

Personality: Lively, Innocent, Fanatic

[Trait]

Dark Soul Arts: A power granted to Heimdall’s priests. You can use various spells depending on your skill level.

‘He’s more talented than I thought. He’s a priest, but he doesn’t seem to have no combat ability at all. He’s someone to watch out for.’

After checking his stats, Eurius smiled and opened his mouth again.

“Then I’ll leave it to you until we get to Harun. You said you’d treat me well. Let’s see what you can do.”

“Haha! You don’t have to worry about that at all.”

Jamir seemed to have prepared thoroughly to welcome him.

“All the cities from the border to Harun are tourist attractions that I designed myself! You won’t be bored at all on your way.”

“You designed the tourist attractions yourself?”

When Eurius looked at him with a feigned interest, Wallace also joined in with a laugh.

“Actually, one of the reasons why Partia became the most prosperous among the desert kingdoms recently is thanks to this prince.”

The people who followed him were skeptical. 

In fact, they had a disdainful relationship with Kalihaara, like looking at a chicken or a cow.

Calihaara treated the three kingdoms of the eastern desert as traitors who abandoned their traditional faith and traded with heretics, but he did not bother them because of their main enemy, the empire.

But it was a different story if they actively cooperated with the empire. 

They knew very well how crazy Calihaara’s fanatics were.

“It’s an alliance that has no value to accept rationally.”

“Isn’t it suspicious enough that he comes with that Prince Jamir?”

“Enough!”

Karim stopped them and opened his mouth with an expression that it was not a big deal.

“If it’s such an absurd condition, then why don’t we just refuse? Anyway, I heard that Jamir and his group are coming here while having fun recklessly. Maybe they’re just coming for a vacation.”

He said so, but Karim had a different view of Eurius.

‘Wallace asked me to eliminate the first prince this time, right?’

It was not impossible considering his power in the desert. But assassinating the emperor was too risky.

“The emperor’s death will cause a huge shock, but His Excellency will take responsibility and block it for you! You don’t have to worry about that.”

Wallace swore with his chest pounding when he met him, but Karim thought it was suspicious.

“How can I trust that? As far as I know, the current emperor of the empire loves the first prince very much.”

“That is…”

“Give me a convincing reason. If you say you’ll increase your financial support, I’ll refuse.”

Wallace, who had nothing to say, cursed inwardly.

‘Damn… I thought he was just an ambitious royal.’

***

Eurius looked down at Wallace, who bowed his head in shame, with a pathetic expression.

“So you’re saying it’s better to join hands with Jamir.”

“Yes. Actually, it’s hard to say with my mouth, but I still have some value to use, don’t I?”

Wallace tried hard to persuade Eurius. 

The grand duke’s request was to use his connections to bury Eurius in the desert.

But the problem was that Karim, who was supposed to cooperate with him, was unexpectedly stubborn. He used to secretly help him send troops to the empire until then, but why suddenly?

But whether Eurius lives or dies, he still needs to have an attack in the first place. Wouldn’t the grand duke think he carried out his order?

“So you’re going to help Jamir and overthrow Karim in this opportunity!”

Wallace ranted. It was an argument that he would have an excuse to explain to the grand duke and Eurius would not have to worry about being attacked if Karim was destroyed.

“Your highness! Please… for this old man…”

“Let’s see Karim first and decide. By the way, explain again how their power structure is.”

Eurius cut off his words and asked another question. Wallace started explaining with a gloomy expression.

“You must have heard of the warriors of the desert. Karim himself is brave and favors warriors, so he has sworn allegiance from many tribes that have excellent warriors.”

“He’s not the real power of Parthia for nothing.”

“Yes. But Jamir is not easy either. He has incomparable financial power compared to Karim.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“You must know that Parthia has become the best tourist destination for the nobles of the empire in recent years.”

“Is that his merit?”

“Yes!”

Wallace ranted again.

It was quite interesting for Eurius.

‘So he developed the cities on the trade route with the empire and Harun, the capital city, and made a huge profit from tourism?’

In fact, what could be traded in the barren desert? But in recent years, the tourism business started by Jamir under his leadership came as a fresh shock to the nobles of the empire.

“They say you can enjoy all the pleasures of the world in the desert kingdom’s tourist course.”

“Is it such a good place?”

Recently, Parthia tourism was considered a mandatory course for wealthy classes or nobles in the empire.

Of course, since it targets nobles, the money spent is enormous. 

Parthia Kingdom was already a traditional powerhouse of the desert, but now it was richer than ever.

The other two kingdoms in the eastern desert would probably not oppose the alliance if Parthia agreed.

After hearing all the explanations, Eurius couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

‘He’s hiding in the shadows as a cult, but he’s surprisingly active in the sun? He’s a funny guy.’

***

Jamir smiled brightly and led the delegation to a city on the way to the capital.

“The soldiers have prepared a place to rest nearby. Your highness, please follow me with the knights.”

‘He did a good job of decorating it.’

The city was full of exotic charm unique to the desert kingdom. But would nobles flock to it just because of some peculiar buildings?

“Please enter here. I guarantee you’ll have a night you’ll never forget!”

“…!?”

Eurius, who was led to a bright secret room through a dark corridor in the building, finally realized what that unforgettable night was.

‘Ah… Is this the famous harem of the desert kingdom that I’ve only heard of?’

In the secret room, there were women in transparent outfits who bowed politely in a row.

Clap clap

Jamir clapped his hands and opened his mouth with a bright expression.

“Today, we have a very precious guest whose identity I can’t tell you. Serve him with all your heart!”

Then he approached Eurius and whispered in his ear.

“If you like any of the girls, you can take them to the door over there. Please tell the knights as well.”

‘Tsk… I thought it was more than just tourism by looking at his popularity, but was this the reason?’

Eurius smiled outwardly, but inwardly he clicked his tongue.

“Thank you for your kindness, but this kind of welcome is not suitable for the knights. Just guide us to our accommodation.”

Eurius refused flatly. 

Did he think he would enjoy(?) this suspicious secret room where he and his knights could be tricked?

‘And to add another reason, there’s something else.’

“…”

Beatrice was unusually pale. 

It was natural, since the holy kingdom was a place where even nobles valued frugality and abstinence. 

She grew up as a forbidden flower in such a place, so she had no immunity to this decadent environment.

Eurius refused as if he didn’t need to think about it, and she sent him a grateful look with a relieved expression.

“I’m sorry… It’s one of the greatest traditions of our tribe to welcome guests, but I guess I didn’t consider the cultural differences.”

Jamir also bowed his head as if he was sorry, but his inner thoughts were quite flustered.

‘How can an emperor of that age be so chaste? Is this plan going wrong from the start?’

The tradition he mentioned was half true and half false.

The harem of the desert!

This was nothing more than a tourism product that appropriately mixed the fantasy that the nobles of the empire had about the desert kingdom where polygamy was allowed.

Not every place in the desert had such a tradition.

For example, the tribes that supported Karim, the second prince, acknowledged that Jamir’s business made money, but they looked at it with disdain.

Jamir tried to change the atmosphere and opened his mouth with a bright expression as soon as he came out.

“Even so, I have to treat you well since I welcomed you. I’ll open another party that suits the etiquette of the empire.”

“I don’t mind that.”

Eurius also readily accepted. 

It was rather a good opportunity to observe his enemy as long as the place was not a suspicious secret room.

He signaled Je Gal Geon, who was following behind the knights, with his eyes.

‘Watch what he’s doing closely.’

‘I understand.’