112 Father and son-in-law Bonding (1/2)
”Phewww!”
As soon as Hubert departed, both Konrad and Wolfgang staggered and fell on their rears with droplets of sweats trickling down their foreheads.
In perfect tandem, they released deep sighs of relief while staring at the door that had remained closed from beginning to end, showing no sign of someone exiting.
”Close…so close!”
They exhaled in unison. Although it might seem like they controlled the situation from beginning to end, in reality, it was incomparably dangerous. Any wrong move could have led them into the abyss of destruction.
Hubert, Olrich, Elmar, each was more dreadful than the other and could singlehandedly wipeout house Kracht. Since Hubert's arrival, it seemed the situation had thoroughly reversed to their advantage. But in fact, the tension only skyrocketed.
After all, unlike Olrich who, as emperor, needed to balance the hearts of his vassals, and Elmar who was shackled by his love for his two closest siblings, Hubert had nothing forcing him to act with restraint toward any of them. If he wanted to force them into spitting out the recipes, they could only die.
They'd both gambled on the excessive pride that would prevent him from resorting to such despicable means. They'd also gambled on his desire to unite the serpent race in a single block, a goal that would undoubtedly get harmed by Wolfgang's wrongful death.
Their gamble proved correct.
”Father-in-law, see why you should always trust me? In a single night, look at all the benefits we got. From now on, you should never doubt my orders.”
”Loads of horseshit, because of you we almost lost our heads! Unless you perfect your acting skills, I'm not following your plans anymore!”
”How is it my fault? How could I know that the old monster was paying attention to my heart rate? At the end of the day, I'm only seventeen. You are more than two centuries old but didn't even warn me of the possibility!
Obviously, this is all your fault!”
”You!”
”Me what? Did I say something wrong? Also, who is -you?- I'm your boss! Even if you want to curse, you shouldn't lose decorum!”
Wolfgang had to admit that as the senior cultivator, he should have warned Konrad of the possibility. In fact, to say nothing of a mighty Saint such as Hubert, even a Semi-Saint could effortlessly listen to someone's heartbeat and glean the inconsistencies.
However, he'd never expected that in that fast-paced and heated situation, someone would attempt to do so.
However, how could he so readily admit his wrongs?
”You can't have it both ways. If you're the boss, then you can't count on your subordinates to patch up your plans for you. If you want me to protect your rear, you should release me of my contract, and make me the boss instead!”
”In your dreams!”
*Bam* *Bam* *Bam*
A punching session began, with Wolfgang unable to strike back, and only remaining on the receiving end.
”Stop…stop…after all, I'm still your father-in-law!”
”Do you admit defeat?”
”I admit defeat. You're supreme, invincible, unparalleled under the heavens! Only you are worthy of being the boss of our group of mobsters!”
Wolfgang proclaimed with unparalleled zeal, causing Konrad to burst into laughter, satisfied.
”As long as you know!”
They then fell on one another's back, exhausted.
”Now, Iliana is safe, and so is house Kracht. The imperial family will also not dare make any move for the time being. However…father-in-law, you still need to take precautions. Especially since you're forsaking the Kvass. At the very least, you need to abandon the court to become a business magnate.”
Wolfgang nodded in agreement. Following today's events, with his current cultivation, remaining a court official under Olrich's gaze was at best a terrible idea. It was time to follow the ancestor's will and retract from court politics.
However, with the Master-Servant contract biding them, Konrad could feel Wolfgang's reluctance. It wasn't that he clung on political power, but rather that as a court official, he could serve the common people and work toward bettering their lives.
Losing that ability, he couldn't suppress the bitterness within his heart.