Chapter 26 Now the insults are much more polite, Aglaia and the elders...
Aglaia and the Senate exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then she offered a few insincere words of "concern" for Katniss before returning to fetch them.
Bai Er sent her a signal, indicating that they were at this corner.
On her way, Aglaia encountered the strange Lai Gushi. He stood not far from where Katniss had fallen, looking blank and stunned, as if someone had taken his parts apart, his worldview seemingly having been severely shaken.
She couldn't help but feel a little worried.
It seems you met with Lycus alone while she was away. Aglaia always harbored some suspicion towards his delicate role as a "celebrator of the divine ceremony."
...But I've never seen him look so lost and dejected. Does the Antikythera man really need some maintenance, like applying some engine oil, as he gets old? Or is he rusty?
So when she arrived at the destination and saw you all, and saw how energetic you were, she finally felt a little relieved.
"Did I make things difficult for you?"
She didn't specify the subject, but you all know who she was referring to.
Bai E wanted to laugh when he talked about this. He coughed a few times, pretending to be calm, but his shoulders started trembling uncontrollably again.
He had always acknowledged his partner's offensive prowess—but he hadn't expected him to be such a smooth talker!
You wonder: Is it really that funny? Isn't this guy a debate champion? Why didn't he say anything just now and just watched your performance quietly?
—This is probably the difference between the academic school and the heretical school. Anyway, Bai E can't possibly start humming a song while debating. Lai Gu Shi, don't be too sad. After all, not everyone is as talented as you.
Aglaia tells you that we're going to the reception room prepared by the Senate to talk to them now. Remember not to mention Katniss's slip later, otherwise it won't look good for anyone if she really makes a scene. The Golden Blood haven't reached the point of completely breaking ties with them yet.
You nodded, indicating that you understood.
However, saying it is one thing, doing it is another.
Katniss, cornered and desperate, seemed to think that since she had embarrassed herself, the others shouldn't have an easy time either. She spoke with barbs and sarcasm, retorting to every word Aglaia said, as if she was taking advantage of their numbers to do whatever she wanted.
“I disagree with the way things are being handled here. Aglaia, don’t think that just because you control Ohmar, you can boss other city-states around.”
"So what are your thoughts?"
"...In short, this matter should be handled by the Senate. Wouldn't it be a more democratic solution for the citizens to govern their city-state themselves?"
"But the Senate was in charge of letting foreigners into the city, and your solution was to draw lots. To be frank, there is a lot of room for maneuver in this, and it seems to be far from what you call 'fairness'."
"Then isn't your governance even more unfair?"
Aglaia sighed, "...Kines, I think you need to calm down."
Aglaia's answer was perfectly clear, and Katniss, having failed to achieve her goal, grew somewhat impatient.
People gathered around and whispered something to her. She glanced around and snorted.
“I can’t be bothered arguing with you. You.” Katniss pointed at you. “Yes, you. You answer my question.”
As the saying goes, you should pick the softest persimmon to squeeze. If you can't get past Aglaia, and Bai'er is known for being eloquent, she won't give them any chance.
The new person we brought doesn't seem to have much experience, and I heard she's from another country... I've decided, I'll start with her.
"I heard you come from a foreign land? I'm so sorry for not welcoming you sooner," said Katniss. "Why did you abandon your homeland and choose Ohmar? Or do you also believe that citizens can only survive under the power of the Titans?"
She's setting a trap for you. But too bad, you're no pushover. You just finished defeating a Legus, and you're still feeling the effects. Right now, you can take on ten Katnisss, both physically and mentally.
Aglaia held her hand in front of you as if she wanted to say something, but you gave her a reassuring look.
Bai E saw this from the side, exchanged a glance with Mimi, and both of them shivered.
"...I have a feeling some people are about to be in big trouble," Bai Er muttered. "I don't think I've offended my partner recently...? I need to quickly review what happened..."
Mimi shrank her neck. "Mi."
She even stole some fries from your backpack last time… Oh no, you're doomed. You usually seem like such a carefree, easygoing person, but you're so brave in combat situations? Does rummaging through trash cans increase your fighting power?
You cleared your throat and then gave me a look that said, "I don't know anything, I'm from the countryside, don't ask me."
Instead of answering her question directly, he said, "Well... Your Excellency, to be honest, I am Lady Aglaia's henchman, and I know nothing about politics. But speaking of my hometown, it is indeed a unique place. I remember that it has a special language that is not quite the same as the common language of Onphalus."
Sigh, there's nothing you can do. You don't really want to be so rude, but the other person is just too infuriating, so you can only resort to being rude when faced with a strong opponent.
Before Katniss could reply, you continued, "For example, there are some phrases that express friendliness and respect—"
“You really are a precious treasure,” you said.
—Thanks to the verbal tic of an unknown cowboy (though it was forced upon him), and thanks to Onphalos for being disconnected from the outside world, he's now much more polite when he swears.
The reception room was completely silent.
Katniss didn't understand. She looked skeptical and asked, "What?"
You're so considerate. "Didn't you hear me? I'll say it again—you little darling."
Bai Er: ...I remember "baby" is a word used to express intimacy, but my partner's expression doesn't seem to suggest it.
“…Your tone doesn’t sound like you’re praising someone.” Katniss didn’t believe you were being so kind, but she couldn’t verify it. “This isn’t a place for jokes and laughter; you’d better show some respect.”
"Oh, did I make you uncomfortable? That was truly my fault," you replied hastily.
He softened his tone again, speaking lightly, sincerely, and tenderly—
"You absolutely adorable darling, I want to love you to death with a baseball bat. How did it feel this time? That's how we talk back home, you don't mind if it's too intimate, do you?"
Katniss: ...
She was skeptical.
But seeing that your attitude was good and the words you used were indeed "good words" in the traditional sense, even my mood after being shut down by Aglaia improved a lot, so I decided to let you off the hook for now.
...
You have safely returned to Ohmma.
But you didn't expect the news to spread so quickly. You had just finished saying goodbye to Aglaia and the others when you bumped into Akmon right in front of the overflowing main pool.
Akmon was that busybody who sold gossip at the bathhouse. You once bought three pieces of information from him, all written on small slips of paper, for 500 liheng each.
He said at the time, "Prices are clearly marked; I absolutely won't rip off my friends!"
However, after you've bought them all, you realize it wasn't any "breaking news" at all, just some lighthearted remarks. Luckily, you weren't expecting anything substantial anyway; you were just adding to your collection guide, since you don't usually pay much attention to the documents and books you find.
But Akmon sneakily came up to me again:
“Hey friend,” he said, “I have some super exciting news—want to hear it too? Same as always, 500 Liheng coins, I’ve given you a 0.1 discount.”
You can't be bothered with him, so you turn around and leave.
Akmon hurriedly stopped you, "Hey, this time it's guaranteed to be amazing! Fresh and exciting!"
...They really think they can take advantage of you.
You stopped and crossed your arms. "I haven't even come to you about what happened last time. You dare to come again?"
"..." Akmon obviously also remembered that you spend all your time with the Golden Clan, so your combat strength must be quite high.
With a "this is no fun" expression, he relented and said, "Alright, alright, for the sake of our sincere friendship, I'll treat this as a buy-three-get-one-free deal, and you can listen to it for free."
He leaned closer and handed you another note.
When you open it, you see what is written on it:
[Senator Katniss took a tumble in front of everyone at Dawn Cloud Cliff! Haha, I heard it was because of a banana peel~ She was furious~]
you:……
Knowing that the Golden Clan and Katniss didn't get along, Archimonde thought you would laugh heartily, but he found that you didn't speak or laugh, but just remained silent, staring suspiciously at the note in your hand, as if trying to see through it.
“…I know about this,” you finally said. “But it just happened recently, how do you know so much? And you even dared to do business with the Senate?”
Akmon's smile vanished instantly. "...So you knew, huh? Tch, that's boring."
He said matter-of-factly, “Isn’t this what we businessmen do? I don’t understand anything about the Senate, and it doesn’t pay me.”
You didn't expect that the news of Katniss's embarrassment would have spread this far in just one meeting. It seems that it will be the talk of the town in a few days.
It's really worrying for her reputation~ (Says weird chimera jpg.)
You thought of something and decided to thoughtfully place the note on the platform next to the bathtub, where people come and go.
Surely no one will open it out of curiosity, right? No way! That's none of your business. There are no security cameras here, and you just accidentally lost it.
Akmon is gone.
But a hesitant voice came from behind.
"...Didn't you go to Dawn Cloud Cliff with Aglaia?"
It is Danheng.
He stared at your palm. "What's that?"
*
You intended to just say it as a joke to Danheng, but then you suddenly remembered your glorious deeds of warmly greeting Katniss in the reception room.
...It's all over. We can fool the Onpharos people, but we can't fool Danheng.
He had previously complained about Portio's unrestrained speech in front of you, and even told you that it was okay to go out and fool around with him, but never follow his example.
Portio himself doesn't seem to have much self-awareness. He previously said that he and the Danheng brothers were the same—"not talkative," but very reliable, a statement that makes you involuntarily frown and clench your teeth. That statement of his is funnier than eight hundred dry jokes that he painstakingly came up with while keeping quiet.
If Danheng finds out you're acting so recklessly...
You instantly cowered, hiding the note further into your hand, "...N-nothing."
But Danheng knows you too well. The moment you shrink your neck and glance around, avoiding his gaze, he knows you must have done something "amazing" again.
He sighed, and based on the rumors circulating in Ohma City along the way, he guessed something. "Remember to protect yourself before the next operation. What if the other side gets angry?"
"Then all I need to do is bring along the all-powerful Teacher Danheng," you said shamelessly. "Anyway, Teacher Danheng will clean up my messes, right?"
"Okay." You meant it as a joke, but Danheng thought about it for a moment and agreed. "Remember to call me next time."
"...Um, I was just kidding."
"I'm not joking."
—Teacher Danheng, in a sense, is a really scary man.
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