So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Murmur murmur-

"Huh."

"The zoo..."

"He's suggesting sending the prince under Director Kadam?"

Whispers.

Despite being before the emperor, the civil and military officials whispered.

The Margrave's suggestion was that shocking.

To put it bluntly, it was a suggestion to 'put the hostage prince to work at the zoo instead of the academy.'

Normally, people would have just wondered why the Margrave was acting this way.

Traditionally, it was customary to enroll princes from kingdoms in the Imperial Academy.

But sending him to the zoo?

Of course, the 'zoo' in the imperial capital Sian isn't just an amusement park.

The areas that ordinary citizens can freely access are limited.

Rare magical beasts exist there, and even named magical beasts are captured.

In other words, the Imperial Zoo is the empire's finest 'magical beast research institution'.

Many talented individuals wanted to join this magical beast research institution. After all, magical beasts were a headache not just for the empire but for the entire continent.

But is it a place suitable for a prince to work? Certainly not.

First of all, it's dirty, dangerous, and difficult work.

All work with magical beasts is like that.

And the zoo's chief director is also not an easy person to work with.

Kadam Kazans.

He himself is a powerful figure included in the empire's Seven Seats.

He would need to be at least that strong to handle the named magical beasts inside.

All the civil and military officials knew that his personality was eccentric and frightening.

Setting aside his obsession with magical beasts, his temperament itself was fiery. It wasn't once or twice that he beat researchers so badly they had to be carried away.

"What do the ministers think?"

When the emperor solemnly inquired.

Cautious opposition also emerged.

"There is no precedent. I think there is no reason to assign the Solion prince to the zoo."

Several nodded.

It was a reasonable argument since 'custom' and 'precedent' were the most important considerations in diplomacy.

"The External Minister?"

When the emperor asked the External Ministry's minister.

"I think so as well."

The External Minister lightly agreed.

This was significant.

Margrave Sareb was the External Vice Minister - that is, second-in-command of the diplomatic ministry.

And the External Minister who expressed opposition was Margrave's direct superior, meaning this wasn't something agreed upon within the ministry.

As the hall stirred again.

"What nonsense, Minister! It's a brilliant strategy that deserves applause!"

The Military Minister shouted loudly.

"Does the External Ministry not know the disrespect Solion has shown us? They used the Nordians as an excuse to start a war! They expanded their military and made our agreements worthless!"

"The Military Minister is right. Shouldn't we send them a warning message when the empire has been toyed with?"

These voices were even louder.

In reality, the Solion Kingdom was rapidly expanding its military.

Revenge against the North was the pretext, but their intention to break free from the empire's influence was clear.

"We can't just stay quiet after being humiliated. It's time for Solion to know its place."

"Are you suggesting we show our intent by throwing the prince in the zoo? It doesn't befit a great nation's dignity."

"What's wrong with the zoo? Are you insulting Lord Kadam Kazans now?"

"In-insult? No! You know that's not what I'm talking about!"

"Then what do you mean? I'll ask Lord Kadam his opinion about your statement."

"Are you going to report me?"

"Not reporting, just conveying the facts."

No matter how high-ranking the ministers were. It seemed they couldn't help becoming childish when they got old.

Moreover, that Lord Kadam's influence was clearly significant.

The ministers bickered back and forth about whether the Margrave's opinion was right or wrong.

The volume of voices from both sides was about equal.

Although the Margrave was only a vice minister and not a minister, this balance was possible because his influence as a great noble was extraordinarily large.

But even that commotion...

"Silence."

Was suppressed by the emperor's quiet word.

The prince's treatment would be decided by the words coming from the emperor's mouth.

However, the emperor didn't speak about whether to approve or reject the matter.

"Margrave Sareb."

"Saak, k-kheum, yes Your Majesty."

The Margrave answered after making a strange cough.

"You don't look well."

The ministers whispered quietly about the Margrave's condition.

Sure enough, it was true.

His pale face.

His once ample frame had lost weight.

Above all, his standing posture was extremely unstable.

"Have you fallen ill?"

"I was bitten by my pet ferret..."

"Seems you were poisoned. Will you be able to carry out the order I gave you?"

The emperor's order to the Margrave?

What could that be? Curiosity rose in the ministers' eyes.

Even the External Minister didn't seem to have heard about this order.

"I will carry out your command even if I must break my bones, kheum."

"Oh? Come closer to me then."

"How..."

"Don't make me say it twice."

The emperor's voice was cold.

It couldn't be disobeyed.

The Margrave started moving his body shakily.

His walking posture with stretched legs was awkward. He looked like a toddler who had just learned to walk.

Read new chapters at empire

Sympathetic sighs burst out.

The emperor was at the center of the great hall.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

There were two circles between the emperor and the civil and military officials.

There was etiquette to be followed when crossing the outer circle to get closer to the emperor.

Shouting "Long live His Majesty the Emperor" and giving one bow.

Everyone watched the Margrave.

Wondering if the Margrave, who seemed to have trouble even walking properly, could bow properly.

Step.

And finally, the Margrave took a step.

"Long live His Majesty the Emperor-saat!"

It was a bit strange but acceptable up to there.

The Margrave, who couldn't possibly not know the etiquette, slowly bent his waist.

And wobble.

The Margrave was about to fall forward.

At the moment people inhaled sharply.

Instead of falling, the Margrave rather launched his body forward.

Roll, he rolled on the floor.

'A forward roll...!'

An unexpected forward roll.

==

There are grand mages who can perform all sorts of techniques with a single magic missile.

And there are novice magicians who can only go "pew pew" and use Magic Missile!

'Acting' was the same.

There are people like Obern who can act perfectly even in moments of deadly fear.