Chapter 162: |
“This is my wife, Zelnar.”
Saladin introduced the Crown Princess and his son.
‘Crown Princess Zelnar. She comes from one of the smallest ethnic tribes in Caliphate.’
According to the scenario, Saladin and Zelnar’s love story was a classic Cinderella story, a melodramatic one.
But it was the root of their problems.
Saladin and Zelnar managed to marry over the objections of Sultan Abdul II, but their marriage came with its share of consequences.
To top it off, Zelnar came from a poor ethnic minority, not a powerful family.
As a result, Saladin’s political standing was very weak, and he had no one to support him.
He was hated by Abdul II, who currently wielded absolute power, so who would dare to support Saladin?
Zelnar greeted Otto.
“And this is my son, Masud.”
“Greetings, benefactor.”
Saladin’s son, Masud, bowed to Otto.
‘Nine years old. Still a child.’
Already a handsome boy in the mold of his father Saladin, Masud, though young, seemed reserved.
‘And he’s loved by Sultan Abdul II.’
Unlike the Crown Prince and his wife, who had firmly fallen out of favor, Masud enjoyed Abdullah II’s unwavering support and affection.
Being exceptionally bright, refined in character, and virtuous by nature, Mashood naturally monopolized the affection of his grandfather, Abdul II.
Yet despite all that, there was not a trace of arrogance or rudeness to be found in him.
“As this son of the royal family, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my father and helping us Caliphs.”
Masud thanked Otto.
‘See this guy?’
Otto was frankly a little surprised to see in Masud’s words and actions the qualities of a born ruler.
And from a boy of only nine years old!
‘No wonder.’
Otto nodded inwardly, approving of Masud.
Otto knew a lot about Masud.
Saladin’s son and current crown prince, Masud would later become…….
“Me and the crown princess were not invited to the banquet.”
As he thought about Masud, Saladin spoke up.
“I’m just sorry we couldn’t be there with you.”
“What?”
Otto had forgotten all about Masud.
“You won’t be able to attend the banquet?”
“Yes.”
Saladin gave an embarrassed laugh.
“My Father did not allow me and the crown princess to attend the banquet.”
“…Ah.”
“However, my father has kindly allowed my son, who is his grandson, to attend the gathering. So, I hope that my benefactor will understand generously.”
“No, of course there is nothing for me to do but understand.”
“If you could spare some time separately, I would like to repay your kindness.”
“Any time works for me. No problem. Let’s have a drink together tomorrow.”
“Would you be willing?”
“Of course.”
“Alright, I will send my servant tomorrow. Oh, and please have Camille accompany you. Since he is the one who saved me, it is only proper for me to express my gratitude.”
Saladin looked back at Camille.
“Yes, I will come and see you.”
Camille smiled and was about to reply.
*Shudder*
Suddenly, Camille froze in his tracks as he realized that Otto had turned on his eyes.
‘What? Are you going to flirt in front of me now?’
‘…It’s not like that.’
‘I’ll tear your hair out of your head.’
There was a murderous exchange of communication between them, but Saladin didn’t seem to notice.
“Son.”
“Yes, Father.”
“His Majesty King Otto de Scuderia and Sir Camille here are very fine men, and as the crown prince of our Caliphate, you will emulate and respect them as you should. Do you understand?”
Saladin said, smiling at his son Masud.
“Understood, Father.”
Masud nodded as well, his eyes darting back and forth between Otto and Camille.
“Well, then, we’ll take our leave, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
The Saladin-Zelnar couple left.
“We’ll escort you from here.”
A group of guards and servants and maids appeared and guided Otto and Masoud through the door.
“…This is bad.”
Otto’s expression was grave as he watched the Saladins and Zelnar walk away.
* patreon.com/SchattenTranslations *
* ko-fi.com/99viciouslordnovel *
The banquet hall could not have been more extravagant and luxurious, its grandeur and beauty were beyond description.
From the single columns to the flooring materials, ceiling decorations, lighting, etc…..
Otto can’t even imagine how much it must have cost to build the banquet hall, as it is made of only the most expensive and luxurious materials in the world.
But is it the only one?
Chefs were brought in from all over the world for astronomical sums of money to prepare all the best delicacies in the world, and they were served on china plates which cost a fortune.
Since the Sultan, Abdul II, was entertaining a state guest, Otto, there was a special allowance for alcohol.
Of course, an array of exorbitantly priced fine wines was also served, each type more expensive than the last.”
“Hear ye all.”
Abdul II addressed the banquet hall in his frosty, regal voice.
“Today, this gathering serves as both the honored guest of our Caliphate Kingdom and as hosts to my brotherly nation, and also as entertaining to our guests from afar. Therefore, I hope everyone enjoys the feast with joy in their hearts. Understood?”
“Yes, Sultan!”
As befits a man of absolute power, Abdul II displayed his mastery over his subjects in the banquet hall.
When purchasing artifacts from the Tomb of Argonne the Great, he seemed merely like a wealthy aristocrat. However, in gatherings where he assembled his courtiers, one could hardly recognize that demeanor.
‘Is this the same man who ripped off the Sultan?’
Camille was quite perplexed, wondering if this was the same person.
Otto, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned and relaxed, enjoying the banquet.
“Does my brother know what happens when he defeats the demon king?”
“If my brother defeats the Demon King? Well, I don’t know.”
“That’s an ‘adjective’.”
“Hehehe!”
Otto laughed, holding his stomach.
“Hahaha! An adjective! Hahaha! Isn’t that too funny, hahaha!”
“Isn’t it, Hehehe!”
“Is there any more? I want to hear more! Hahaha!”
“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll have to tell you more of my jokes about Guinea! Hahaha!”
Camille stared at Otto, who was holding his stomach and laughing at Abdul II’s nonsensical joke, and gave him a pitying look.
‘You’re definitely struggling.’
Then, when the banquet was as near ripe as it could have been.
“My brother, I will give you a gift of heavenly joy.”
Abdul II, in high spirits, led Otto and the others somewhere.
“Oooooooooooh!”
Kairos, who had been drinking in peace, his eyes widened as he realized that he was finally going to the Harem.
“Pansy, are we finally going to the Harem?”
“Yep.”
Otto nodded.
“So don’t make a scene and follow quietly. Don’t make any mistakes in front of Abdul II.”
“Don’t worry, Pansy, I’ll keep my mouth shut if it means going to the Harem!”
The only reason Kairos had kept his mouth shut so far was so that he could experience the Harem.
* patreon.com/SchattenTranslations *
* ko-fi.com/99viciouslordnovel *
“Oooooh! Oooooh!”
The Harem did indeed truly ‘appear’ to be the place Kairos had imagined.
Deep within the palace, there were nearly a hundred dancers roaming the premises, each dressed in the most flirtatious of outfits.
That wasn’t all.
“What is this?”
Camille asked Otto.
“I suddenly feel wonderful, my body and mind are relaxed. How can it be possible for a person to suddenly feel like this?”
“Why?”
“Is this….”
“Did they put some kind of drug in it?”
“Yes.”
Camille’s eyes glowed fiercely, but Otto waved a reassuring hand.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing like that. A Harem isn’t like a brothel, it’s more like a resort.”
Otto whispered in Camille’s ear.
“There’s a crystal ball in the ceiling.”
Otto pointed to a very large crystal ball, almost the size of a cow’s head, embedded in the center of the ceiling.
“It’s called the Celestial Cradle. It’s an artifact, and it’s responsible for creating all the best environmental conditions for each person in this room-humidity, temperature, smell, air quality.”
“Okay…?”
“Humans are a lot more sensitive to environmental factors than they realize. Plus, there’s some kind of psychological enchantment that makes them less anxious.”
“Ah.”
“So being in this space makes you feel comfortable and happy, no matter what you do. Whether you drink alcohol or tea, or whisper words of love.”
“It seems to be very different from what is known about it. According to what I’ve heard….”
“Probably a dungeon.”
Otto huffed a disgusted snort.
“A place of all the pleasures of the world. I suppose it’s known as a brothel or something, where all sorts of decadent, hedonistic, perverted acts take place.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s just a bunch of inflated rumors from a bunch of idiots. By common sense, the Sultan is the monarch of a nation, and it makes no sense that he would have such a place of debauchery in the middle of his palace, let alone one that’s geared toward ruining his reign.”
“I suppose it does.”
Meanwhile,
“Ho ho ho!”
“Oh, my God, look at these hard muscles!”
“Come sit with us.”
Dozens of dancers surrounded Kairos, pouring him drinks and giving him all kinds of attention.
One woman even rubbed his shoulders and gave him a massage.
“Kahahaha!”
Kairos was overjoyed to be surrounded and pampered by the beautiful dancers.
“What’s with all those pretty dancers at the resort? Not just one but several of them.”
“Well? What do you think?”
Otto grinned mischievously.
“You’ll find out in time, and it’s best if you pass by without any knowledge.”
“What….”
Then.
“I’ll leave you to your wine, my brother, and you can go play in peace.”
Abdul II said as he approached.
“But what if you leave? I don’t think we’ll have much fun without your jokes.”
“Is that so, Hahahaha!”
Abdul II was pleased that Otto complimented him on his sense of humor.
“I know. Everyone loves to hear your jokes. Even your vassals love your jokes.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“But I have a lot of business to attend to, so I cannot join you now. I’ll arrange another time soon.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, but there’s nothing I can do about it. You’ll have to take care of it.”
“Have fun.”
Abdul II walked away.
“Good job.”
Camille encouraged Otto.
“It must have been hard for you to listen to all those inane jokes.”
“Huh?”
Otto cocked his head as if he didn’t know what that meant.
“What are you talking about? It’s really funny.”
“Like what?”
“Do you know the name of the island that might exist or might not? Probably, probably.¹ Hahahhahaaaa”
Camille decided to give up trying to understand Otto.
* patreon.com/SchattenTranslations *
* ko-fi.com/99viciouslordnovel *
Courtesy of Abdul II, Otto’s group was entertained in the royal Harem.
The exquisite dancers showed Otto and his companions the traditional dances of Caliphate, entertained them, and served them delicious drinks and food.
It was a bit like a brothel, but there was nothing particularly decadent or unnecessary about it.
It was more of a feeling of playing with each other than pleasure.
“Hahahha! When it comes to alcohol, it’s me! When it comes to me, it’s alcohol! There’s probably no man in this world who understands alcohol as well as me! Kahahaha!”
The first round… and not the last!
Kairos, who had already gotten quite drunk from the banquet, was having a great time with the dancers.
‘Good~’
Otto looked at Kairos and smiled wickedly.
‘Yes~ Esteemed elder~ Enjoy to your heart’s content~ When you eventually discover the truth, you might be quite surprised~ Hehehe! Perhaps remaining unaware would be better~? Hehe!’
Otto snickers as he thinks of the ‘truth’.
“I’m going to get up first.”
“Why? I’ll join you in a bit.”
Otto said to Camille as he started to get up.
“I’m actually more uncomfortable in this sort of situation.”
“So, I’ll listen to you.”
“What?”
“No. Don’t worry about it. If you’re uncomfortable, just get up. Well, maybe it’s better to remain unaware?” .
“I’ll be waiting outside.”
“Stubborn.”
Camille, true to his knightly duty, went outside and stood guard at the threshold.
Alongside the Knights of Caliphate.
‘I don’t know what winds have blown that make you mingle with dancers. For a long time, you’ve been avoiding women for the most part. Could it be…’
Just when he was worried that Otto had fallen back into drinking and womanizing.
“Is my fiancé in there?”
Elise questioned Camille.
“……!”
Camille’s expression stiffened, as if he’d seen a ghost.
‘Am I drunk?’
Camille blinked repeatedly, just in case, but nothing changed.
He was absolutely right about the person in front of him.
Elise.
Otto’s fiancée.
‘Why is she here???’
Camille’s wondering didn’t last long.
‘T-This is an emergency!’
Camille’s heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation.
If Elise had seen Otto in the harem, mingling with the dancers…….
In Camille’s imagination.
*Thud*
Otto’s decapitated head fell off.
** ** **
TL/N:
1. Now, let’s delve into the humor behind this joke:
Setting the Scene:
The speaker starts by posing a question about an island.
The island’s existence is uncertain—it might be there, or it might not.
The listener is intrigued, wondering what the island’s name could be.
Punchline:
The punchline is delivered with a playful twist.
Instead of revealing an exotic or mysterious island name, the speaker simply says, “Probably, probably.”
The humor lies in the anticlimactic response. The listener expected something profound or intriguing, but they get a repetition of the word “probably.”
Wordplay and Irony:
The joke plays on the listener’s anticipation.
By emphasizing uncertainty (“might exist or might not”), the setup builds anticipation.
The punchline subverts this anticipation by providing a vague and repetitive answer.
The irony is that the listener expected a definitive island name, but all they get is more uncertainty