Chapter 351. First Warning

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

Herod held his breath, forgetting to exhale the smoke of his cigar. Those words were so cold, cold as a blade of ice, and made goosebumps rise on his skin.

Fortunately, the darkness of the night allowed him to keep his pride. Herod forced a smile.

"...is something wrong?" He asked, striving to keep his voice neutral.

Ishakan exhaled a slow plume of stroke, prolonging the silence until Herod grew impatient.

"I don't like it," he answered.

"......"

Ishakan was all but saying outright that the smoke of Herod's cigar was bothering him. While he was smoking a cigar himself. It was so unbelievable, for a moment, Herod doubted his own ears.

But suddenly alarm bells rang in his mind, and his mouth went dry with nervousness. His pride would not let him retreat with his tail between his legs.

He remembered what had happened in the banquet hall, when Ishakan had put his arm possessively around the Queen's waist. He had never once made eye contact with Herod, as if Herod were beneath his notice.

In many instances, the savage had acted recklessly, disregarding all etiquette. It was a clear sign of how little respect he had for Balkat.

Lowly barbarians.

Brutes who used to be slaves, and now they were so arrogant that they wanted to rule the continent. Herod's anger gradually swallowed his fear.

He drew another puff from his cigar, carefully selecting the words that would displease the barbarian, and spoke them in a long exhalation of smoke.

"All manner of things can happen in the social circles of Balkat..."

There was a great deal of debauchery in Balkat. It was even said in the continent that if one wanted to learn about colors, one should go to Balkat.

It was true that the aristocratic circles of Balkat were known for engaging in unimaginable s3xual acts. The King and Queen often participated themselves, though they knew the social disorders that arose from promiscuity. But Herod spoke as if he were relating an interesting story.

"Lately, it has been an interesting pastime to exchange partners between couples for s3x..."

Herod glanced over to make sure that Ishakan was listening.

"There was no punishment, as it was a consensual affair between everyone involved. In Balkat, this is not something to be punished, unless it is forced. I believe it's becoming somewhat fashionable," he added with a chuckle. "Sometimes couples need to indulge more exotic pleasures."

He looked at Ishakan with narrowed eyes.

"Perhaps you would be interested?" He added, his voice suggestive. "As you saw, my wife is very beautiful. And she enjoys that sort of thing."

Throwing the butt of his cigar on the ground, he stubbed it out under the sole of his shoe, and laughed.

"Don't you think that would be funny?"

Ishakan laughed along with him, as if he had just heard a very entertaining story, and for a moment Herod wondered if the savage might actually be interested.

"...Kk!"

But then suddenly his feet were dangling above the ground.

Ishakan had lifted Herod by the neck in one hand, and was still calmly holding his cigar between the fingers of the other.

Herod was choking. He tried to claw at the hand squeezing his throat with his fingernails, but no scratches appeared on that tough hide. His eyes darkened.

"I recently cut out someone's tongue because they were talking nonsense," Ishakan said. "Maybe I should geld you."

Ishakan blew a long plume of smoke into Herod's face, and the King of Balkat's eyes teared, searing in the smoke before Ishakan flung his body aside as if it were trash.

"Ha, haa..." Herod drew in panicked breaths, and Ishakan clicked his tongue, looking at him.

"You can wait quietly, and I'll kill you," he said. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

There was a cracking and snapping noise of an object breaking. Herod, who lay gasping on the ground, belatedly realized he was missing his glasses.

Ishakan walked away, putting his cigar back to his lips.

"Good night, King of Balkat."