Hate me, Miss Witch!
Chapter 69 - 57: I Prefer to Tough It Out

Chapter 69: Chapter 57: I Prefer to Tough It Out

"I can give you the military two-way teleportation array."

"However, according to confidentiality regulations, the teleportation array I give you will be equipped with an anti-tamper self-destruct device and a positioning array."

"You are a wise man in my eyes, and I think you should understand what this entails."

"Furthermore, after you have finished using it, if the teleportation array is not damaged, it must also be reclaimed by the Military Department."

"Of course."

Shiayar nodded without hesitation.

The secrecy of core technologies is a universal rule, no matter which world it is. As for the positioning array... if their GPS could cross time and space, directly locating the Echo of History, then I’d have nothing to say.

He then raised a second finger. "Secondly."

Shiayar ignored the somewhat unusual look in the silver-haired Princess’s eyes and continued to speak calmly, "I also need an item that can restrict the movements of a Legendary Rank powerful pro, or inflict a negative status on them—a taboo item..."

"Contaminants, ancient Pet Beast breeds, Spiritual Mediums, portable magictech equipment, and the like are all acceptable, but it must be carriable by one person."

"Of course, if it could directly inflict effective damage on Legendary Beastmasters or Mythical Rank Pet Beasts of the same rank, that would be even better."

Isadella crossed her arms and looked deeply at Shiayar through the Astral Realm signal network. He’s truly daring. A portable item that can affect Legendary Rank beings with negative statuses or cause harm—I, as an heir to the Empire, would also like one. Why don’t you sell one to me as well? I know that even the "Gustav Cannon," one of the treasures of the Princes’ Alliance, can only kill Emperor Rank Pet Beasts. It might harm Mythical Rank ones, but it cannot kill them. Furthermore, the cannon has significant restrictions on its use. Not only is it slow to move, but it also requires a team of nearly a hundred mechanics to operate each time it’s activated... The charging process is also extremely lengthy, and it’s easily evaded by small to medium-sized targets, generally only suitable for attacking massive Pet Beasts or immobile defensive structures like city fortifications.

Amidst that profound gaze, Shiayar remained very calm.

I knew my demands were exorbitant, like a lion opening its mouth wide, but isn’t that exactly why I’m here—to drive a hard bargain? Otherwise, why would I have shown so much in the dream? It was precisely to demonstrate my value. And now, it’s time to cash in on that value.

"A small two-way teleportation gate."

"And a negative-effect item that works against High Order experts."

"Lord Shiayar, you’re not planning to assassinate the Family Head of the Borgia family, are you?"

Isadella’s gaze grew distant. "While I can understand your motive, this is not a wise choice."

"Dealing with one of the 8 Great Oath-Sworn Families using methods internal to the Empire—such an incident, once exposed, could lead to immense upheaval throughout the territory."

"The storm that follows could exceed your imagination. Even with the value you have shown now, I might not choose to protect you."

...

"It seems Your Highness is well-informed about the matter regarding Ceylon—"

"The "Crimson Rose" Borgia family, huh? It falls within the range of my guesses, but you’ve also saved me the fee for the Dark Shadow Council’s intelligence."

Shiayar’s words remained plain.

"However, as a subject of Your Highness, I naturally won’t make things difficult for you."

"The target I wish to deal with is neither within the territory of the Empire nor among the allied forces of the Fresta Empire."

Isadella’s eyes remained fixed on Shiayar for a long time.

After a while, that cool voice finally spoke again.

"The ’Judgment Warrant’."

"An iron script that seals a strand of power from the Empire’s ancient Mythical Rank guardian beast—the ’Black King’."

"Its effects are minimal on a 6-Ring, but for those below 6-Ring, it should have a certain effect."

"How effective it will be depends on how you use the magic word of the law."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Shiayar unapologetically accepted everything offered.

Of course, I knew that an item effective against Legendary Rank beings was virtually a fairy tale. Even if one existed, it would never be used as a bargaining chip. But that’s how negotiations go: one party asks for the moon, and the other counters with pennies on the dollar. The people of Fresta always favor moderation. So, compared to the grand title of ’Legendary,’ an item that could merely restrain a 5-Ring powerful pro seems less significant.

Shiayar’s left hand twitched, just as he was about to extend a third finger.

But in the next moment, he perceived an almost tangible pressure enveloping him.

The silver-haired Princess’s expressionless face had, at some unknown point, taken on a slight curve.

Yet, the more I looked at that smile, the colder I felt inside.

"Cough—"

Shiayar cleared his throat, breaking the dead silence. "Your Highness, what I mean is, I still don’t know what the duties of a Swordbearer are."

"Also, since its status is equivalent to that of an oath-sworn family, there’s also the matter of compensation..."

"The position of Swordbearer is still in its infancy. However, if you wish to apply for a fixed compensation and funding, it’s not impossible..." Isadella watched Shiayar with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"The salary and benefits of an Empire public servant must go through the scrutiny of the Empire Legislative Assembly and then are allocated by the national treasury."

"If you wish, I can submit an application for the position of Swordbearer on your behalf to the assembly for approval."

"By the way, the "Crimson Rose" Borgia family controls over a third of the assembly’s seats, both openly and behind the scenes."

"Actually, I feel maintaining the stability of the Empire is the mission of us Imperial citizens. There’s no need to take the public grain," Shiayar spoke righteously.

"After the Swordbearers were disbanded, the previous Emperors also made other attempts and efforts..."

"The current Jurisdiction Bureau and Military Department are actually extensions of some of the Swordbearers’ past functions." Isadella didn’t dwell too long on the previous topic and soon spoke lightly.

"So, what you need to do isn’t that complicated. It’s not too different from the tasks you undertook at the Jurisdiction Bureau and the Military Department."

"The only difference is that your targets will be more powerful, and the secrets involved will be deeper."

"I will grant you near top-level authority within the Military Department and Jurisdiction Bureau and open up some of the Empire’s intelligence networks to you."

"The position of Swordbearer is similar to that of the 8 Great Oath-Sworn Families. It’s not a superior-subordinate relationship with the Empire’s Royal Family but more akin to an allied collaborator."

"However, since we are allies, that implies an equivalence of investment and return."

"The things I’ve given you before are considered my personal investment. But from now on, even though there won’t be any restrictions on you when exchanging resources within the Jurisdiction Bureau and the Military Department, you’ll still need to earn them with real merit."

...

"That’s how it should be. I’ve also long felt that those who reap without sowing are despicable!"

Shiayar nodded in agreement and then stood up to take his leave.

As his spiritual power was about to leave the Astral Realm pathway, he heard a faint voice from behind him.

"If you are willing to give up your identity as a Swordbearer..."

"Not as a cooperation, but a full pledge of allegiance, offering me your loyalty."

"Then riches, power, beauty, even Emperor Rank and Mythical Rank Pet Beast infants... I can give you everything you desire."

"I can even promise you."

"Within ten years, the name ’Borgia’ will become a thing of history."

That cold voice contained unparalleled confidence.

Even now, Isadella was just one of the candidates for the throne. In terms of status and influence, she was far from comparable to one of the 8 Great Oath-Sworn Families, the Borgias, who held sway over half the Empire Capital.

Yet her words held not the slightest hesitation, as if pronouncing the future.

In the end, the Second Princess still showed her last card.

Having seen Shiayar’s value in her dream, Isadella wanted to conquer him completely, making him a true loyal subject rather than just an ally or partner.

Despite her chilling offer, Shiayar didn’t pause.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness."

His form, conjured from spiritual power, began to fade gradually, then dissipated piece by piece into the Astral Realm.

Only his final words echoed through the realm.

"I, for one, still prefer—"

"to get the benefits, but dictate the terms."