9. If He Doesn’t Come Even Tonight
2016.02.01
Time that does not look back, as always, passed in an instant.
It had already been three days since Hashar visited the Decarim residence. And tonight, Ilsia would go to Hashar’s bedroom.
Hashar’s condition was simple: that she sleep with him.
If she agreed to that absurd condition, he promised he would help her. For dealing with the slave traders of the southern continent—who had never once been touched in the history of Alshatra—it was an unexpectedly modest demand.
He had declared that he would begin assisting her the moment she came to his bedroom, and then returned to the palace.
For the past three days, Ilsia and Shukri had agonized over the matter, but in the end, the only conclusion they could reach was to go to Hashar’s bedroom.
“Of all things… at his age, he still can’t sleep alone.”
The thought of going to a man’s bedroom was certainly uncomfortable, but there was no other choice. Hashar had known from the very beginning that Ilsia would not be able to refuse. Though she disliked admitting it, it was indeed an offer she could not decline.
Shukri, too, understood well that—considering all circumstances—it was the best option for Ilsia to go to Hashar’s bedroom.
But reason and emotion are never the same. Reason is cold; emotion is hot. For that reason, Shukri, who had to reluctantly accept Hashar’s terms, was in a very unpleasant mood.
While organizing documents together with Ilsia in the office, Shukri suddenly stopped moving. Ilsia, who had been reading, asked in confusion:
“Why, Shukri?”
Shukri slammed the stack of documents down with a sharp sound and suddenly said:
“Why don’t we just turn to Khalif instead?”
At the sudden mention of Khalif, Ilsia tilted her head.
“Hmm, Khalif?”
“Yes. If only I could punch that annoying face of Hashar’s…”
He clenched his fist and said with a highly motivated expression:
“It would feel like a decade’s worth of pent-up frustration would be gone.”
He disliked Hashar so much that he even tried to persuade Ilsia to turn to Khalif instead. His jealousy was obvious, and Ilsia couldn’t help but smile at his behavior, which somehow seemed endearing.
Ilsia, who had been reviewing documents related to Decarim’s operations, set them neatly aside and looked at Shukri.
He looked at her as if he were a puppy in need of his owner’s affection and attention. Seeing that, Ilsia said with a faint smile:
“Shukri, you’re joking, right?”
“I’m not joking.”
Shukri put on a very serious expression. Unable to hold back her laughter, Ilsia chuckled.
“We know nothing about Khalif. At least Hashar has saved me before, but we’ve never even seen Khalif’s face.”
Shukri seemed anxious, as if dissatisfied with Ilsia’s reaction—after all, she would be going to Hashar that night. He perched himself on the edge of the desk and, stretching both arms into the air, shouted in front of the unmoving Ilsia:
“I’m serious! I hate Hashar!!”
Like an actor shouting at the climax of a performance, his dramatic display made Ilsia burst into laughter. Hearing her laughter, Shukri briefly let a proud smile appear on his face before quickly suppressing it.
“Heh… Shukri. In any case, Khalif is not an option.”
“Why not!”
“There’s too little information. He doesn’t even leave Khalipat.”
Ilsia said this while looking at Shukri with amused eyes.
Shukri, as if expecting this answer, put on a confident expression. Hands firmly on his hips, he declared:
“What if Khalif does leave Khalipat?”
“Hm?”
That struck at something she hadn’t considered. Come to think of it, Khalif’s request letter mentioned that he would personally visit Decarim. She had brushed it off at the time, but now it seemed somewhat strange.
“Khalif” is the title given to the pope of the Ahalah religion. Those who hold this position are addressed by their title rather than their personal name.
The current Khalif had reportedly held the position for nearly a hundred years, yet there were rumors that he had not aged and still retained his youth.
However, he had never once left Khalipat, the domain he ruled. Because there was no way to verify the truth, most people dismissed it as mere rumor.
But now he would come in person? That meant Khalif himself would step outside Khalipat.
Ilsia, shocked, asked Shukri:
“Don’t tell me… what I’m thinking is correct?”
He nodded and pulled out a document that Ilsia had not yet seen.
“…”
Ilsia quickly took the document and read it in one breath. Even after finishing it, she couldn’t bring herself to let go of it. Seeing her silent reaction, Shukri explained for her:
“The Khalif has officially declared that he will visit the Alshatra Empire. A formal notice has likely already been sent to Sultan Hashar as well.”
Ilsia frowned.
“So the Khalif is moving… for my sake, I assume?”
“Of course. Though it’s called a visit, it’s essentially a show of power before clashing with Hashar.”
There was no other reason for Khalif—who had never once left Khalipat—to act otherwise. As Ilsia’s expression darkened, Shukri gently patted her head and whispered:
“Anyone with power will inevitably desire you, my lady. It’s only natural.”
“….”
Human desire is endless. People always want more than they have, and even after obtaining something, they long for the next thing.
What exactly is power… she thought it was truly a strange thing.
Sensing her mood, Shukri spoke in an intentionally spirited tone:
“In any case, it seems the true ruler will soon be decided. Khalif and Hashar never liked each other to begin with. Even without you, war was inevitable. It’s just been brought forward slightly, so don’t worry too much.”
At his words, Ilsia nodded and set down the documents she had been holding. Watching her expression, Shukri said:
“Whether it’s Khalif or Hashar, we just need to walk the line between them and extract the greatest benefit.”
Ilsia quietly replied, gazing at the document announcing Khalif’s visit:
“…Yes, that’s right.”
After signing the documents on the table, she handed them back to Shukri, stood up, and stretched. Shaking her head lightly, she smiled brightly and said:
“If the Khalif is coming to Alshatra, we should prepare, shouldn’t we?”
Seeing her brightened demeanor, Shukri replied with relief:
“Of course.”
“Time it so that when Khalif arrives in Aslan, we’ve selected the most capable among the Decarim.”
“Understood.”
“Now then…”
Ilsia swept her long, flowing hair back and said firmly:
“I should go meet that illustrious Khalif.”
When people think of a sultan, they often imagine a life filled with luxury, indulgence, and women.
But how could ruling a nation be so easy? Performing the duties required of a sultan was, unless one was a tyrant who abandoned the country, only natural.
Beneath its sweet exterior, the throne of a sultan was bitter enough that ordinary people could not even take a bite.
In Hashar’s case especially, contrary to his outward image—which seemed far removed from paper work—he handled more tasks than any previous sultan.
Thus, even today, Hashar sat in his office, processing mountains of work.
The office, stripped of all distractions to maximize efficiency, was not glamorous at all—it was rather bleak.
Sitting in that desolate room, Hashar oddly suited the pen and documents before him. As he calmly worked through them, Alsned quietly entered.
“Your Majesty.”
Hashar frowned at the interruption.
“Speak.”
Alsned had no choice but to report, as it was urgent.
“A formal notice has arrived from Khalipat.”
“From Khalipat?”
Hashar’s brow furrowed further. Alsned quickly continued:
“Yes. The Khalif has expressed his intention to visit the Alshatra Empire.”
The black paper Alsned placed on the desk was something Hashar recognized well—the paper used by the Khalif, leader of the Ahalah religion.
Stamped with the Khalif’s seal in white wax, it displeased him greatly. If it were up to him, he would have torn it apart, but the last shred of reason restrained his hand.
After opening the seal and reading the document, Hashar immediately threw it to the floor. The paper burst into flames upon hitting the ground and quickly turned to ash.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
Alsned cried out in shock. He hurriedly crouched down and searched the ashes, but nothing remained—the document had completely vanished.
Seeing the Khalif’s handwritten official letter reduced to ashes, Alsned looked at Hashar in disbelief.
Hashar’s act was a serious diplomatic breach. Though he knew Hashar would not act without reason, the shock was still great.
Alsned’s eyes drooped in despair. Removing his glasses and covering his eyes, he felt dizzy thinking about what would come next.
But Hashar paid him no mind.
“Your tricks have improved since I last saw you.”
He even ordered water to wash his hands. Only then did his irritation seem to subside.
Wiping his hands dry, he noticed Alsned still dazed and said casually:
“The Khalif imbued it with power.”
At those words, Alsned snapped back to attention.
“There was sacred power within the paper.”
“I see…?”
“Whatever the intention, the breach of diplomacy began on their side.”
Alsned immediately bowed his head deeply.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I failed to grasp your intent.”
However, unlike the deeply apologetic Alsned, Hashar seemed unconcerned.
“It’s fine. We’ve known each other too long to apologize over such matters.”
“Your Majesty…!”
Alsned looked up at him, moved.
Ignoring him, Hashar fell into thought.
“The notice was purely formal. Nothing of substance—just a declaration of intent to visit…”
Tapping the desk with his fingers, he continued:
“So… the reason is her.”
“Indeed.”
The King of Devaris—after the disturbance at the banquet, Alsned had also come to clearly understand Ilsia’s existence.
He had already analyzed her importance and submitted reports on how she might affect the balance of power in the southern continent.
Ilsia was significant enough to draw Khalif out of Khalipat, where he had long remained secluded. As an ally, she would be an invaluable asset; as an enemy, she would be a threat that must be eliminated.
“The Khalif’s side will attempt contact with Lady Ilsia. We should prepare countermeasures.”
At Alsned’s words, Hashar murmured in agreement, then fell into thought again.
“Station surveillance around the Decarim residence. Place agents there and monitor continuously, day and night.”
“Is that sufficient?”
“For now, that will do.”
Alsned began writing down the orders, then hesitated.
“Um… I understand that Lady Ilsia has not yet come to see Your Majesty.”
“….”
In other words, it was still uncertain whether Ilsia would align with Hashar. It had already been three days since Hashar visited the Decarim residence, yet there had been no response.
Seeing Hashar remain silent, Alsned continued:
“With Khalif now in motion, it would be wise to bring Lady Ilsia into the palace—just in case.”
“…Even by force.”
It was a rational and optimal suggestion. If she could not be made an ally, at least she should not become an enemy.
Hashar leaned back in his chair. Forcing her to come would be easy—he was more than capable of overpowering and subduing her.
But for some reason… he did not want to do that to Ilsia.
His lips finally parted.
“Tonight.”
“…?”
Alsned looked at him, confused by the abrupt statement.
“Let us wait until tonight.”
Brushing aside the hair that had fallen over his eyes, Hashar smiled. His twisted lips carried a deeply charged emotion.
“If she does not come tonight… then I shall consider your suggestion more actively.”
A dangerous aura spread through his words.
Alsned couldn’t help but regret speaking at all, imagining what might happen if Hashar truly acted on such “suggestions.”
‘This… this won’t end badly, will it?’
Please—Ilsia must come tonight. Alsned trembled slightly.
As darkness fell and the stars rose, Ilsia left the residence to head toward Hashar’s bedroom. She covered her face with a long cloth to conceal her striking appearance, though her pale blue eyes remained visible.
She was to go to the palace gate at the appointed time, where a maid who had been informed in advance would guide her to Hashar.
Shukri, who had been tasked with escorting her to the gate, wore a face full of dissatisfaction.
Though they had arrived quickly, he did not easily let her go. Holding onto her for a long while, he earnestly pleaded:
“I’ll be waiting nearby, alright? If that man so much as touches you, send a signal immediately.”
Leaving a cat to guard fish, indeed… Ilsia could only smile awkwardly at his grumbling. It was clear he deeply distrusted Hashar.
She already knew that this distrust was deeply rooted and unlikely to disappear. Still, she tried to comfort him:
“Don’t worry. He’ll keep his promise.”
But she soon realized that was a mistake.
“No, my lady, what exactly do you see in that man to trust him so much? He’s just another shady man!”
Shukri was practically on the verge of exploding. His heart burned black at the thought of sending his precious lady into a den of beasts.
As Shukri said, why did she trust Hashar so much? From an outsider’s perspective, Ilsia’s faith in him seemed rather vague.
“Just…”
At her evasive answer, Shukri pouted. In truth, neither of them needed to say it aloud. They both knew the reason behind that trust.
It was because of that day eight years ago—when Hashar saved Ilsia’s li
