Chapter 567: The Emperor of the Empire Wants to Marry Princess Lana!

“Lord Nigen, I truly don’t understand—why don’t our Church nation compete for the command of the allied forces?”

“Didn’t our Church nation launch the campaign against the undead precisely to gain greater prestige among the human nations, to facilitate our future expansion of followers?”

“Fool, do you think the position of supreme commander of the allied forces is a privilege?”

“You’ve surely heard of the power of Ainz Ooal Gown and their group, haven’t you?”

“The True Vampire you encountered before was merely one of their members.”

“If you were the Magic Nation, what would be the fastest and most effective way to crush the allied forces’ morale?”

“Let me tell you—it’s assassinating their commander. And against Ainz Ooal Gown’s methods, who in your Church nation could possibly withstand their assassinations?”

Upon hearing Nigen’s baseless excuse, the captain of the “Black Scripture” fell silent after a moment of thought, saying nothing further.

Because if they sent the Church nation’s Six Sacred Scriptures’ highest priests to such a dangerous post, those cowardly old bastards would surely refuse to take such risks.

On the other side, after the conference of nations ended, Gilknifer detained Shengzai, who was preparing to leave, and proposed a marriage alliance.

Of course, the marriage partner Gilknifer proposed was not Shengzai himself, but the Kingdom’s “Golden Princess” Lana.

According to the prior agreement, if they successfully repelled Ainz Ooal Gown and the Magic Nation, the Bahas Empire would become a vassal state of the Kingdom.

And Gilknifer, the Emperor, would become Duke Gilknifer.

To prevent further erosion of his power and to strengthen ties with the Kingdom, ensuring the Kingdom felt more secure about him, Gilknifer, after much deliberation, settled on the solution: marrying the Kingdom’s Golden Princess.

Even as a vassal state, a ruling duke with authority over a duchy marrying a Kingdom princess would still be more than adequate in status.

The “Golden Princess” is renowned for her wisdom and is indeed a suitable partner to bear outstanding offspring.

Of course, Gilknifer’s primary reason for choosing the “Golden Princess” was that Lana was Shengzai’s sister.

Gilknifer had heard rumors that although Shengzai and Princess Lana were not blood siblings, their bond within the royal family was the strongest.

Now that the former Second Prince Zanak has become the new king, and Shengzai has become king of the subhuman nations,

No one understands better than Gilknifer how brutal royal family rivalries can be.

Despite Zanak and Shengzai now appearing as affectionate brothers, once Zanak learns the true strength of the subhuman nations, he will inevitably grow wary, even fearful.

And often, the cracks of distrust expand precisely through such growing suspicion.

Once the Kingdom and Shengzai fall out, my opportunity will arrive.

With the status of “brother-in-law” to Shengzai, and with Lana’s close ties to Prince Shengzai, I could stand with Shengzai against the Kingdom—wouldn’t Shengzai help me restore the Empire’s independence?

What? You ask why not side with Zanak, since he’s the legitimate heir?

That’s because Gilknifer believes Zanak is no match for Shengzai at all!

In personal strength, tactics, strategy, and the power under his command—what does the Kingdom or Zanak have to challenge Shengzai with?

Even if the Kingdom truly breaks with Shengzai, he wouldn’t need Gilknifer to pick a side—Shengzai could crush them himself.

And Gilknifer? He simply wants to win by resting on Lana’s connection.

“You want to marry Lana?!”

Faced with Gilknifer’s request, Shengzai was stunned—he had never anticipated such a development.

“Is there something inappropriate? Does Your Highness think I’m unworthy of the ‘Golden Princess’?”

“It’s not that—it’s just that this marriage proposal depends on Lana’s own wishes…”

Even so, Shengzai believed Gilknifer had no chance, because if he remembered correctly, the yandere girl was pathologically in love with her guard, Kelaimu .

Even if Gilknifer was talented and handsome, Lana simply didn’t like his type…

Shengzai also felt a pang of sympathy for Gilknifer—he’d heard how the man had once sought to marry the Holy Princess of the Holy Kingdom, only to be rejected.

Now he’s trying to marry Lana, and he’ll likely be rejected again.

First rejected by the Holy Kingdom’s Holy Princess, now rejected by the Kingdom’s “Golden Princess”—Shengzai worried this guy might develop some terrible rumors from being turned down twice in a row.

“Your Majesty, Lana’s personality may not suit you. With your qualifications…”

Shengzai actually admired the Blood Emperor, and it was because of him, this little butterfly, that the Empire had become the Kingdom’s scapegoat.

To make him carry the blame, then push him into another pit—Shengzai couldn’t help but feel guilty, so he was about to offer some advice.

But before he could finish speaking, Gilknifer interrupted: “Prince Shengzai, I understand your meaning.”

“But as a member of the royal family, one’s marriage is rarely one’s own to decide.”

Love—I’ve long since given up on such things. My entire life has been devoted to this nation.”

Gilknifer assumed Shengzai had seen through his intentions, hence his attempt to dissuade him.

But for Gilknifer himself, who his marriage partner was no longer mattered—what mattered was whether his marriage could bring benefit to the Empire.

Hearing Gilknifer’s resolute tone, Shengzai’s bewildered expression froze on his face; finally, he sighed softly and turned to leave.

He couldn’t dissuade him. Not at all.

If this guy was determined to ruin himself, what could he do?

In the Kingdom of R. Yestijie, after the Magic Nation’s envoy team led by Yar Beide arrived at the capital Tiel, Zanak held a banquet to honor them, showing respect for the Magic Nation.

At the banquet, the Kingdom’s nobles, previously suppressed by Zanak and Shengzai, flocked to flatter Yar Beide as if reborn.

The reason was twofold: first, Yar Beide herself was extraordinarily beautiful.

Second, and more importantly, Yar Beide held a position in the Magic Nation equivalent to that of chancellor.

The Kingdom’s nobles might not fully understand what kind of nation the Magic Nation was, but its power was unquestionable.

After all, the Empire that had been declared war upon was recently in a panic, desperately seeking aid from other nations.

This proved that the Bahas Empire itself knew it could not possibly defeat the Magic Nation.

Is the Bahas Empire weak? Ridiculous—it had fought the Kingdom for years.

The Kingdom equals the Empire, and the Magic Nation is greater than the Empire—so by that calculation, isn’t the Magic Nation also stronger than the Kingdom?

(End of Chapter)