Chapter 38 (Transitional Chapter): The first day after Aripor left, I missed him. ...
East ate his lunch absentmindedly, stroking the system rabbit nestled obediently in his arms. Aripelago had left early in the morning, without even having breakfast, and left in a hurry.
Before leaving, he said one more thing.
“The time I spent with Mr. Rabbit was so wonderful that I almost forgot about that incident,” Aripelago said, his hand already resting on the windowsill, before he abruptly stopped. “Do you remember the first time we met?”
Easter nodded. He couldn't possibly forget it; after all, it was his first day in this world, and what happened next, involving Areper, was even more memorable.
“My mind wasn’t quite clear at first,” Arip said somewhat apologetically. In fact, if it hadn’t been for Easter who happened to be there, nothing would have happened between them if it had been anyone else. “They used items on me that target the soul. When the soul is abnormal, one becomes more sensitive. When I was almost fully awake, I noticed that your soul was somewhat unstable, and that was the fatal attraction for me.”
Aripel didn't explain it clearly, and Easter didn't realize it because he was stunned when he heard that the soul was unstable. Did he not match the original body?
“Don’t worry, I gave you a bottle of soul-soothing potion, and it seems there’s no problem now,” Areber reassured you. “I’m just telling you this to give you a heads-up. Magic related to the soul is basically associated with dark magicians, so you need to be careful.”
Easter nodded. "Thank you, I'll be careful."
Arip stepped forward, cradled Easter's head, and kissed Easter's lips with utmost tenderness and lingering affection, wishing time could stand still at that moment.
“I’m so lucky to have met you back then,” Arip said with a sigh as the kiss ended.
“It is also my good fortune.” East patted his breathing.
"Goodbye, and remember to write to me." Arip gave Easter one last tight hug.
East raised his arm, but not high enough to stop him from leaving.
[Host, I've checked. Your soul and body are fine. There's no way your soul could be unstable. If I weren't certain this wasn't your original body, I would have thought you transmigrated into a physical body; the compatibility is too high.]
Easter regained his composure. "There's no reason for Areber to lie to me like that."
[They may have just transmigrated and haven't fully integrated yet.]
Easter was in a bad mood and, without much thought, accepted the system's explanation.
…………
"Your Majesty, is something troubling you?" asked Ruo Bao Digua. He had been busy playing dungeons these past few days and was too tired, so he came to the kitchen to change his mood.
Aside from not being as good as roasted sweet potatoes, many players were coming and going in the kitchen. Players who were tired of playing dungeons took turns coming here to relax, eat some delicious food, and look at their pet king.
Easter finished reminiscing. There was no need for him to worry too much. After all, one more "bad thing" wouldn't make a difference. "It's nothing," he said, then stuffed a small muffin into Rubu Baked Sweet Potato's hand.
"I've just taken over the country, and there are too many complicated things to deal with. I'll get used to it gradually." Seeing that Rupert was holding a small pancake in his two little hands and looking at him expectantly, Easter explained a few more words.
“Those ministers are all useless. They have to wait for the little king to handle everything. What are they good for?” Yun Mu came out carrying a fruit platter that Cai Cai had specially made for her. She sat down next to Ister with her short legs and scolded him relentlessly.
East wholeheartedly agreed; if it weren't for the system sharing the workload, he probably would have had to work overtime even at night.
"King's son..." Yun Mu forgot what she was going to say after seeing something.
East turned his head to look.
Yunmu snapped out of her daze, "Baby, who gave you these earrings? They're so pretty, they suit you perfectly."
Easter lightly touched the earring with his fingertips. "It's an alchemical item, a gift from someone who came on the day of the coronation." He wasn't lying; Areper did indeed arrive on the day of the coronation.
As Cai Cai carried breakfast out of the kitchen, she looked at East and caught a glimpse of shimmering pink in his warm white hair. It was indeed beautiful, but it didn't seem like something a man would wear.
Noticing Nana's mood, East whispered as he approached, "These kinds of alchemical items are quite rare. He only brought one. Besides, who says men can't wear pink?"
Cai Cai nodded, "It suits you very well."
Easter smiled; his little players were all adorable.
"Little one, have some," Yun Mu said, ignoring their whispered conversation, and pushed her fruit plate towards East. She had almost forgotten what she wanted to do and say because of the little earring incident.
"How about we find some players to help you with your affairs?" Yun Mu chewed on fruit, offering an irresponsible suggestion. Anyway, she didn't have the brains for it, so she just focused on her strength. If that didn't work, she could just use brute force. She wrinkled her face when she ate a sour grape, but unfortunately, she wasn't strong enough. Thinking about this made her even more upset.
East handed Yunmu a glass of honey water, saying, "No need, you've already helped me a lot."
“Your Majesty, she might not understand your tactful words,” Matsushita Yuki bluntly exposed.
"I'm telling the truth," Ister protested. If it weren't for the magic crystals brought by the players, if it weren't for the players' existence, would he even have the right to participate?
“Assuming you’re telling the truth,” Matsugami Yuki handed over a thick stack of papers. “I have something I’d like to discuss with you today.”
Easter wiped his hands clean before taking it, then looked down and carefully flipped through it. After reading it through once, he looked at Matsushita Yuki in surprise.
"Without sophisticated instruments and without actually planting them, this is just a plan based on speculation, and the accuracy of the data cannot be determined," said Matsushita Yuki.
Easter straightened his posture, stopped touching the system rabbit, and asked seriously, "What do you want?"
“I want several plots of land in different places.” Matsushita Yuki took out a map she had drawn herself, on which several places were circled.
After reviewing the documents, Easter said, "There might be a drought this year. If any of these produce a result, I can have someone make an alchemical item for you. It could be a magic wand for a mage, a sword and shield for a swordsman, or you can make your own request, but don't be too demanding. In the meantime, I will try my best to meet your needs for manpower or tools."
————
[Ding! Warrior Matsushita Yuki, thanks to your efforts, you have received a special mission from the King.]
Task completion evaluation criteria: After system evaluation, it is determined that the planted crops can reach the level of promotion in all aspects.
Task completion reward: A custom alchemy item; experience points gained based on completion progress, with no upper limit.
Matsuue Yuki, brave warrior, please do your utmost to complete the mission you have earned.
————
After listening to the task issued by the system, Matsukami Yuki asked, "Can I invite other little fire people to do the task?"
“No problem, of course, but there’s only one alchemical item,” Easter said.
Matsushita Yuki nodded, "That's no problem." She had already seen the system's supplementary rules, which allowed her to invite other players. There were no alchemical items, but she could still gain experience points.
East's face was a mess, showing no trace of being troubled by love. He never expected that his players would be more enthusiastic about their game than he was. He wanted to remind them that this was just a game for them. Why were they taking it so seriously? Would they not live in real life?
“Your Majesty, it is my honor to be able to help you with some of your troubles.” Matsukami Yuki tiptoed and touched Ister’s head.
Easter took a deep breath, wondering if he possessed some kind of aura or special privilege. Otherwise, the players' favoritism and Areber's special treatment of him seemed too incredible.
"Phew~" Yun Mu immediately covered her mouth, her beady eyes darting around before she gave an awkward laugh, "The atmosphere just now, haha..."
East patted Yunmu's little bird's tail, "Good girl."
"Ah! I'm dead." Yun Mu acted dramatically.
The serious atmosphere dissipated with cheerful laughter.
“My little king, say it again, say it again, how doting!” Yun Mu shook Ister’s sleeve.
Easter smiled and declined, saying, "I have to go to a meeting soon, you guys have fun." He grabbed the system and fled the restaurant, still vaguely hearing a few words of conversation between the players.
"The king's little brother's 'good boy' almost made me, his little brother, unable to say it." It was Yun Mu.
"Then why are you still shouting now?" It was Matsushita Yuki.
“No matter how big the baby grows, isn’t he still his mother’s good child?” Yunmu said confidently.
...
Ister didn't hear the rest, the smile on his face wouldn't leave, even when he heard unpleasant news, he could still face it with a smile, "You mean, the mermaids suddenly changed their minds just when the contract was about to be signed?" He stroked the smooth fur of the system rabbit and asked with great interest.
"Yes, the merfolk representative said that they were previously negotiating with the people of the Ramon Kingdom, but now it's our turn, and most of the terms in the contract will be changed," Kras reported.
East glanced at the twelve court officials seated to his left and asked quietly, "Has everyone found another way out?"
“Your Majesty, please be careful with your words.” It was Edwan who spoke.
Easton found it amusing; each of them had their own agenda, and when he asked them to do something, they kept making excuses and delaying. Even things that were almost settled could be handled in such a way. Wasn't that amusing enough?
“Your Majesty, if we do not use sea transport, the cost of transportation will increase dramatically, and the consequences will be immeasurable.” The speaker was the civil administrator, Ford Thorne.
East can find amusement in the people below him, but he can't find amusement in the matters that need to be dealt with. After all, they don't care about human life, and he hasn't been assimilated to that point yet.
“Could we arrange a meeting with a representative of the merfolk?” Esther said. “I’ll go myself.” He was tired of staying in the palace anyway, so going out and seeing the world wouldn’t hurt. Systematic analysis was one thing, but seeing it with one’s own eyes was another.
“Given your status and position, Your Majesty, this is probably inappropriate,” Krass disagreed.
"Does it matter whether it's appropriate or not?" Easter rubbed the long ears of the system rabbit and said casually, "Since your abilities are insufficient to handle this matter, are you expecting me to keep dragging it out? Let's arrange a time." He didn't intend to use the pendant that Arip had given him at this moment. He planned to go and check the situation first. He didn't believe that after so many years of cooperation, the merfolk would suddenly become so troublesome.
“Your Majesty, as you say,” Kras replied, “I will arrange everything.”
"How long will it take for you to give me results on city planning and construction, commodity and crop statistics, and most importantly, population statistics?" East immediately changed the subject. "My summoned creatures all want to help. Don't make me feel like your existence is dispensable."
"Your Majesty, it seems your resources are not enough?" The speaker was a handsome man.
East narrowed his eyes. Ethan Krell, the direct descendant of the Krell family, certainly had the confidence to say this to East. The Krell family controlled two or three large iron mines, and countless smaller mines. More importantly, their family controlled weapons manufacturing. The weapons here were not alchemical items, but ordinary swords, shields, spears, and the like, which were weapons used by ordinary soldiers.
Of the twelve court officials, eight had their own specific functions, and four were selected from influential families in the country: the Merrick family, who controlled salt production; the Rosent family, who controlled shipbuilding; and the Aubrey family, who controlled the three most lucrative assets (tobacco, sugar, and wine).
The king had nothing in his hands; it was just a plain display.
"Am I wrong?" Easter asked with a smile. If he were to take a step back, the retreat would be more than just one step.
“Your Majesty, I hope you will always maintain your pride.” Ethan’s words were hardly flattering.
"Thank you," Easter replied frankly. No matter what happens, can it get any worse than when he first transmigrated? If things get too bad, he'll just recruit more players and make the situation so chaotic that they won't have the energy to cause trouble anymore.
Today's meeting ended in a less than pleasant atmosphere.
Easter, carrying the System Rabbit, strolled alone through the palace. "System, something's about to happen, isn't it?"
"Host, I can't predict the future," the system replied hesitantly.
East doesn't need a definite answer from the system; he just needs to wait. What's meant to happen won't just not happen.
The lake rippled with blue waves, and Easter watched quietly. He wasn't thinking about the various complicated matters that needed to be dealt with; he was thinking about the necklace he had rushed to make for Arip. It wasn't refined or beautiful enough, so he just punched a hole and threaded a thin silver chain through it. But Arip had treasured it so much at the time. Thinking of this, his eyes softened. Even longing for someone you care about seems so beautiful.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com