Chosen Mate Of The Beastmen Empire

Chapter 39964%

From a distance, Lewis immediately spotted Aurelius's towering figure, and the pain from his wounds flared up again, making him involuntarily shrink back.

But when he saw the slender woman beside Aurelius, his anger surged, overriding his fear.

He cursed inwardly, "That bitchy witch. A woman of low birth, the daughter of a treacherous minister, who has lucked into marrying into the Duke's family.

'But instead of serving her husband Erik properly, she has seduced Aurelius, who was once a wise and powerful emperor, now turned into a foolish monarch because of her. She makes him do whatever she wants. It's clear she is nothing but a seductive disaster.

Nyx, unaware of the derogatory thoughts behind her, gazed at the countryside scenery for a moment before turning her face slightly and whispering to her mate..

The soft pale yellow cloak framed her small face, her skin so smooth that it seemed as if it were made of fine material. Her delicate features had no trace of seductive allure, but instead, a clear and graceful beauty.

The moment Lewis saw her profile, he was immediately choked by his own saliva, his eyes quickly darting away as if burned.

He thought, 'A seductress... a disaster... Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover... How could she look like that?'

Hearing his son's cough, Anders glanced at him. Though often enraged by his unworthy son, he still cared for him and reached over to adjust the fur coat, tightening it around him. He quietly reminded, "No matter what you see today, keep your mouth shut."

It was one thing to watch the spectacle, but

anyone who dared to laugh in front of Aurelius would ruin their own future.

Lewis, understanding the importance of this, nodded readily.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he looked chest.

at

Nyx again. For some reason, he felt an odd sense of worry rising in his

He thought, 'If the gunpowder experiment fails and Aurelius loses face in front of

his ministers and the people, could he take out his anger on her?'

I have been beaten by my father and still need half a month to recover. How could someone as frail and delicate as her withstand Aurelius's wrath?'

As his thoughts drifted, Lewis got lost in his own mind and didn't hear the

eunuch's shrill voice announce that the time had come, and the test was about to begin.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion rang in his ears, causing his heart to tremble violently. His mind went blank, and his ears rang, before he was thrown onto his back from the shock.

The ground trembled, and dust flew in all directions.

The usually composed court officials lost all semblance of grace. Some screamed in fear, others crawled on the ground, and some shouted, "It's an earthquake..."

The more ignorant citizens believed the sky had fallen, screaming and kneeling, begging the gods for mercy.

Even those who had been mentally prepared, such as Aron and the Ministry of Works officials, turned pale in fear.

Aurelius appeared calm, his expression unchanged, but instinctively, he pulled Nyx into his embrace, his muscles tensing like a tiger ready to pounce.

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"It's okay," Nyx gently patted his hand, soothing him with a soft voice. "It's not an earthquake; it's a gunpowder explosion. It's far from us."

To ensure safety, the explosive test site was set on the mountain to the north, so no matter what mistakes happened, they wouldn't affect this area.

The chaos continued for a while, the smoke gradually dissipating, and the officials slowly regained their composure, only to see the mountain peak in the distance missing a section, with countless stones rolling down.

It was like thunder, shaking the mountains and splitting the rocks.

Everyone's hearts were racing, as if still lingering in the aftermath of the

explosion. When they looked at Nyx, there was no trace of contempt in their eyes, only fear of the unknown.

One by one, they became disheveled and covered in dirt, while she stood firmly in front, unshaken.

Even though she was just a woman, not tall and slender in stature, her composure at this moment was still awe-inspiring.

Without any mental preparation, Anders was stunned by the sudden explosion. He huddled in the crowd, trembling for a long time before remembering that his son had fallen beside him. He quickly helped him up, brushing off the dust and checking him carefully.

Thankfully, there was no wound on his head.

Although there were no external injuries, it seemed that Lewis had become somewhat dazed, his eyes vacant, and his features expressionless. He didn't react to his father's concerned inquiries, staring unblinking at Nyx's back.

Anders was his only son, and fearing he had become mentally impaired, he frowned bitterly, apologized to Aurelius, and quickly left with his son to see a doctor.

Seeing that he had already acted, others also started to move. Some congratulated Aurelius on acquiring such a marvelous weapon, while others praised Nyx for another great achievement. The officials from the Ministry of Works had beaming faces, eager to speak to Nyx.

Nyx didn't stop them from celebrating, but she had to remind them, "This is just the first trial; further improvements are necessary."

The fact that it exploded successfully and had enough destructive power was just the basic requirements for gunpowder.

To turn it into a weapon that could be officially used, its stability had to be ensured to avoid explosions during transport, which would result in killing enemies at the deaths of their own soldiers.

Upon hearing this, the Ministry of Works officials became serious, nodding and responding solemnly.

The other court officials looked at them so seriously, their hearts pounding, their eyes filled with both respect and fear toward Nyx.

They thought, 'Further improvements? It can still be improved further?'

What they had just seen was already terrifying enough.

To speak heretically, if Nyx harbored ill intentions, with this kind of weapon, Aurelius's throne would no longer be secure.

Thinking about the unclear relationship between her and Aurelius, the officials no longer cared about propriety and decency, but rather felt a subtle sense of relief.

Fortunately, Aurelius was young, strong, and handsome, and knew how to cherish beauty, holding Nyx's heart firmly.

Of course, the Expedition General was also indispensable. He was generous enough to handle Nyx and persuade her not to

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abandon him. Nyx probably made these telescopes and gunpowder for him.

A few officials who had been planning to offer advice later burned their memorials

in the middle of the night.

In the court, there was a wave of praise, and no one brought up any criticisms about Nyx's questionable moral conduct in dealing with both sides.

Aurelius was in a great mood, but Nyx couldn't bring herself to smile.

Originally, she could leave the palace at will, occasionally going out to visit the family workshops and her glass shop.

However, since the gunpowder explosion test, her face had become recognizable wherever she went.

The court officials were still somewhat reserved, holding to etiquette, and did not stare at her too openly or display any overt flattery,

The common people, however, didn't care for such subtleties. When they saw her, they immediately called her "Goddess" and bowed to her.

After a few scares, Nyx was forced to stay within the palace, temporarily shutting herself off from the outside world.

After being cooped up for several days, the Ministry of Works suddenly sent word that there had been progress in perfecting the weapon. Unable to contain herself any longer, Nyx donned a veil and a face mask, sneaking out of the palace.

The current era was much more open than the previous one, but most noblewomen still preferred to keep their faces hidden when out in public. Nyx blended in with them, attracting little attention.

She went to the Ministry of Works' office and saw everything proceeding smoothly. Feeling braver, she decided to visit her glass shop, stopping by a nearby tavern for a break.

This tavern actually belonged to the Read family, and they had always kept a private room reserved for her on the top floor.

Without needing any orders from Nyx, a pot of fine hot tea and a few of her favorite snacks were immediately served.

After closing the door and opening the window, Nyx inhaled the familiar fragrance of tea, and the long-lost sense of relaxation filled her body. She raised her hand, intending to remove the bothersome veil and mask.

However, just then, an untimely knock on the door interrupted her.

Nyx froze. She lowered her gaze in contemplation. She didn't get up immediately but instead remained silent, creating the illusion that no one was inside.

The person outside was persistent, seemingly certain that she was inside. They knocked politely but continued at intervals, not stopping.

After a moment of hesitation, Nyx took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and walked over. She suddenly pushed open the door.

"Uh... Ah!" The person outside was caught off guard, stumbling and sitting down

on the ground. They looked up angrily, but when their eyes met Nyx's, all their anger dissipated at once.

Looking at this unfamiliar male face, Nyx was momentarily confused, but then she recalled where she had heard his voice before. She asked, "Master Lewis?"

"No, no, not Master Lewis." Lewis blushed, hurriedly waving his hands. "Please, don't call me that..."

His friends, who flattered him as "Master," often received his careless responses, but he could never accept that title from Nyx.

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"Call me Lewis instead." He stood up from the ground, cupped his hands, and

bowed to Nyx.

Nyx sidestepped, avoiding him.

"What is the meaning of this, young master?" Her expression was inquisitive, her

tone indifferent.

It seemed his usual buddies weren't around. The way he had knocked earlier made it seem like he had come specifically to see her.

Given their past unpleasant interactions, the likelihood of him seeking revenge

seemed higher.

Nyx wasn't scared at all.

This Lewis was a pathetic man, more fragile than she was, completely useless,

and could be easily pushed over by her. Even if she were out alone, she still wouldn't be afraid of him.

Moreover, there were at least three to five shadow guards in the corner, likely

keeping an eye on this uninvited guest. If anything went wrong, they would act immediately.

The vibe had grown tense.

Under Nyx's scrutinizing gaze, Lewis hesitated, took two steps back, and suddenly knelt down with a thud. "I am here to apologize."

This was an unexpected turn of events for Nyx. She lowered her gaze, examining

him for a few seconds, unable to discern his intentions.

She thought, 'Perhaps it's due to the command of his father, Anders, or perhaps

it's out of ingratiation. Of course, there's a very slim chance it is a genuine apology.

"It's not a big deal; it's been a long time, and I've already forgotten about it," she said, “Young master, please get up and speak."

Although they were on the top floor of a restaurant where no one would witness the commotion, it still wasn't right for him to stay kneeling.

It seemed he was grateful for her magnanimity, as Lewis's eyes reddened, yet he

still refused to rise, stammering for a long time before speaking in a low voice, "I have another, uh, request..."

"I... I want to be involved in gunpowder production," he held his breath, closed his eyes, and blurted it all out.

She was momentarily stunned and then, with a complex expression, touched the tip of her nose, unsure of how to respond.

After a brief silence, she invited. "Young master, please come inside, and we will

talk further."

At her words, Lewis's eyes immediately lit up, as though he had found hope, and

he took small, quick steps to follow her. into the private room. To avoid suspicion, he deliberately left the door open.

However, as soon as they sat down and tea was served, Nyx directly spoke, "Gunpowder production is no small matter, and confidentiality is crucial. Besides me, only a few officials from the Ministry of Works are involved; no outsiders are allowed."

Anyone with common sense could tell that this was a clear rejection.

Lewis's eyes, which had just brightened, quickly dimmed again, "I... I understand..."

He, of course, knew that gunpowder production was a crucial task. Ever since he

witnessed the gunpowder explosion test, it had been on his mind, or else he wouldn't have shamelessly come to Nyx to ask.

If he had worked in the Ministry of Works, perhaps he would have had a glimmer

of hope. In his lifetime, he had nevernoveldrama

hated being unskilled more than he did now,

Nyx observed his expression, finally confirming that he was serious, and gave him

a slightly higher opinion.

"Actually, aside from gunpowder production, young master, there are other areas where you can make a contribution, she spoke softly, her tone unhurried, yet to Lewis, her words were full of temptation. "I have another important matter here,

one that is perfectly suited for you to showcase your talents and fulfill your ambitions"

"What is it?" Lewis eagerly perked up.

He thought, 'A useless person like me, even my father had scolded me for being

good for nothing, but Nyx actually thought I could be useful?'

Nyx smiled, not immediately explaining what the task was. Instead, she ordered a waiter to bring pen and paper and handed it to the confused Lewis,

Then she began to teach him pinyin, spending some time guiding him, and then

assigned him a task. "Write down what I just explained to you on the paper, and make sure it's clear and easy to understand."

Lewis, immersed in the excitement of learning something new, picked up the pen without hesitation, his thoughts flowing smoothly.

In the evening, when a white cat with some dark hair on its forehead sneaked

through the open window, mewing pitifully and curling up in Nyx's lap. The sudden cat meow startled Lewis, making him jump.

At that moment, he had just finished his task, writing a thick stack of paper. His

wrist was sore, and he nervously presented it to Nyx with both hands, full of anticipation.

Nyx took the papers, and the white cat leaned over to inspect, giving it a cold

meowing.

He thought, 'Such ugly handwriting. As expected, Lewis is the spoiled son of

Anders.'

Nyx smiled, running her hands through the soft cat fur from start to finish, then

grabbed one of the cat's paws and squeezed its meat pads.

Rather than the ugliness of the handwriting, she was more focused on the

content. After testing him, she was now sure that Lewis was the right person for

the job.

Without needing to say a word, Lewis, not being a complete fool, had already guessed what she wanted him to do. His tone was subtly excited. "You want me to

go and repair the book?"

Nyx nodded.

To be more specific, she wanted him to be responsible for writing the textbooks.

Of course, this is not a job one person can complete; it requires assembling a

team, and Lewis was one of the key people she selected to lead it. This was not only because of his talent but also because of his status. What she aimed to do was to allow commoners and children from poor families to

receive education. Naturally, this would infringe upon the interests of noble

families.

Bringing Lewis onboard was the same as bringing Anders along in the same

boat.

For the sake of his only son, Anders would have no choice but to join her and

negotiate with the noble families.

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With his position among the noble families, there was no doubt that he could

handle this task well.

"To enlighten the people and benefit the nation, the achievements will last

forever," Nyx smiled slightly, skillfully drawing a picture of a large, tempting pic. Dazzled by the prospect, Anders swears an oath to wholeheartedly dedicate himself, eager to begin immediately, willing to brave mountains and seas-even if it means facing death a hundred times.

He thought, 'A real man is one who creates something grand. My father would never call me a rebellious son again.

At Nevaton in Kellingtown, the Pacification Army began training early in the

morning, with the sounds of shouting and spears slicing through the air, forming a neat rhythm.

It had been nearly a week since they were ordered to quell the rebellion in Kellingtown. The barbarian tribes were cunning! hiding in the deep mountains, difficult to eradicate, and occasionally sent death squads to harass, which left the army frustrated and on edge.

However, the soldiers still maintained a good appearance, standing tall, with high spirits, their faces flushed and glowing. As soon as the training ended, the commanders led their respective teams to the mess hall, where smoke was rising high from the camp, and the air was filled with the aroma of rice, wheat, and meat,

making people's stomachs growl.

"Today we have roasted lamb."

"And fried flatbreads."

"I love flatbreads. I want eight of them."

From a distance, the soldiers couldn't wait to talk about it. Once they tasted the

greasy flatbreads, biting into them and wrapping a piece of hot roasted lamb, they were so moved that tears welled up, both tears and saliva flowing freely. "Master Voss is really a great person..."

"If it weren't for Master Voss' generosity, where would we get these flatbreads and

lamb? We'd be lucky to have some cold

rations."

When marching, having enough rations to fill the stomach was already a generous treatment. They were grateful to the imperial court, and the generals always ate with them, never having special treatment, so no one complained.

Now, the reason they could eat so well was all thanks to a donation from a wealthy merchant from the capital.

The general did not hide this, and the news had already spread throughout the army. "Master Voss," with the title of "great benefactor," was widely praised. Since Master Voss appeared, not only on days like today when meals were improved, but even on normal days, there was meat oatmeal every meal, thick and greasy, so rich that fork could stand up in it. Not only the regular soldiers but even the commanders who ate it, would wipe

their mouths and wish they could serve the imperial court for another hundred

years.

The imperial army, well-fed and strong, trained with all their might, shouting with

such force that it reverberated through the mountains, disturbing those hiding in the deep forests. Compared to two or three months ago, the great barbarian leader Monka had

visibly lost weight, his cheekbones jutting out, dark rings under his eyes, and his

whole body looked haggard.

"We should surrender," Monka hoarsely spoke.

The scouts from the tribe had been to Nevaton several times, and after returning,

they appeared disoriented, with two ev defecting on the spot.

They had heard that the imperial army ate hot meals every day, with meat, had warm clothes to protect them from the co and charcoal to burn for warmth. Monka couldn't bear to calculate how much silver had been spent. With such quantities of supplies, just the transportation was a terrifying cost. With such an investment, it seemed the imperial court was truly determined not to

let them go. Rather than living in fear with a blade hanging over their heads, they

might as well surrender.

"We cannot surrender," the elder sharply refuted.

He stared at the king, whom he had raised, with a disappointed gaze.

Monka was fine in many ways, but he had always been timid and easily

frightened.

As his stepfather, the elder knew exactly how to persuade him. After scolding him,

he softened his tone, reasoning with hir "The imperial court hates our tribe to the

bone. If we deliver ourselves to them, we will truly be doomed."

These words were half true, half false.

Aurelius and Erik were not bloodthirsty people, and no matter what, they wouldn't slaughter women and children.

However, as the great leader Monka and a trusted confidant of the chief, if they fell into the hands of the imperial court, there would only be one outcome-death. Monka was immediately intimidated, shivering, grabbing the elder's sleeve, his eyes filled with helplessness. “Then what car we do?" "At this point, we have no choice but to hide deep in the mountains, the higher

and further the better," the elder said, his eyes flashing with brilliance.

"The peaks are treacherous, and we hold the advantage of the terrain. Only

narrow paths can be climbed. Even if they find our village, they won't be able to

attack us."

He thought, 'Manpower is always limited. No matter how strong Erik is, no matter

how powerful the imperial army is, they can't possibly dig through the mountains,

right?'

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