Axel

Chapter 389: I Am Indeed a Mere Mortal

Added 2025-04-18 15:09:01 +0000 UTC

Charlot Mecklenburg wiped the sweat from his brow as he read the private letter from Emperor Alfred Guillaume. He had almost forgotten about this matter. Although he hadn’t explicitly agreed to write a book titled The Red Dragon Emperor, did that even matter?

What mattered was that this was a request from Emperor Alfred Guillaume of the Ingrima Empire. Whether he agreed or not, he had to agree!

But now the problem was, Charlot had no idea what kind of novel would meet Alfred Guillaume's requirements. A subpar story would never suffice. Even if the writing was decent, an unreliable plot would also be unacceptable!

This was a tough nut to crack.

Charlot muttered to himself, "These damned web novel authors! Why can’t they produce more Western fantasy classics? It’d make things so much easier for transmigrators like me!"

He grumbled further, “I’d almost want to go back to Earth, kidnap a few of the top web novelists, and use whips and candles to make them churn out manuscripts…"

“Without 30,000 words a day, they’d only get nutrient solution, no food.”

“Over 50,000 words earns them meat, otherwise it’s just vegetables and dry buns.”

“If their work pleases the emperor, maybe—just maybe—they’d get a cup of unsweetened coffee.”

Hmm, now that he thought about it, that did sound a little cruel.

After some reflection, Charlot decided he couldn’t bring himself to commit such atrocities.

Setting the matter aside for now, he left to pay a visit to Duchess Annie Bretagne.

Currently, he was still staying at the Obsidian Spring Palace.

As an outsider, and given the strict household rules of the Bretagne family, he wasn’t allowed to reside directly in the duchess’s estate.

Fortunately, Grandma Saint Karen was truly “one of his own.” While Charlot couldn’t stay overnight at the duchess’s residence, he had considerable freedom to come and go during the day.

When Charlot arrived at the Bretagne estate, he immediately sensed the Dreamscape that enveloped the entire mansion. After all, Grandma Saint Karen was a Saint-rank figure. With her Dreamscape in place, not even a mosquito could sneak inside.

Charlot couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret for leaving the Silverback Gorilla Choudrou behind in Moldova. If a monkey had been perched on the mansion walls, how grand would that sight have been?

Not even the Jade Emperor’s stables could compare.

Or the Queen Mother’s peach orchard, for that matter.

Without needing to announce his presence, Charlot entered the Bretagne estate directly. Every knight of the Bretagne family and servant accompanying the diplomatic delegation greeted him respectfully, treating him as though he were the master.

When Annie Bretagne heard Charlot had arrived, she immediately came out to meet him. Seeing Charlot, she was overjoyed. They had barely exchanged a few words when a servant approached and said, “A gentleman calling himself Felix Robin has requested an audience with you, Sir Charlot.”

Hearing that Felix Robin—also known as Robin—had come, Charlot smiled faintly and said, “Please bring Mr. Robin here.”

Together with Annie, Charlot met this “great bandit” in one of the reception halls of the Bretagne estate.

Felix Robin still maintained his appearance as a nobleman. Upon seeing Charlot, he sighed and said, “I’ve always thought that I was only lacking a bit of effort. If I put my mind to it, dominating the world would be a cinch!”

“But I never imagined someone like you, Charlot, existed. Compared to you…”

“I really am just a mere mortal.”

It was clear that Felix Robin was thinking about his nephew, Zimourman Axel Robin. As he lamented his mortal status, he seemed to regard Charlot and Zimourman as equals.

Charlot said with a smile, “Mr. Robin, you’re free to roam as you please in Moldova. If there’s anything you need, simply let us know. We’ll be sure to assist you.”

Felix Robin sighed and said, “In fact, I do have a request.”

“I’d like to entrust Zimourman’s illegitimate children to your care. I’ve been stuck in Moldova for far too long and want to roam freely for a while.”

Originally a carefree playboy, Felix Robin had been forced to stay in Moldova for years, looking after his nephew’s illegitimate children. To make matters worse, he had to take up the role of a bandit just to survive. Moldova, being barren, offered little to plunder, a far cry from his former life.

He was desperate to hand off this responsibility and enjoy some freedom.

Charlot smiled faintly and said, “No problem at all.”

“I’ll make sure these children are well taken care of.”

Felix Robin nodded. “I’ll send my bandits, along with the children, to Liguria City.”

Charlot replied, “I’ll notify Choudrou to ensure they’re well provided for.”

Felix Robin nodded again and prepared to leave. Charlot quickly stopped him and said, “Mr. Robin, you’re currently without status or resources. Traveling across the Old Continent will be difficult. Why don’t I arrange an official position for you and prepare some Lionheart gold coins to make your journey smoother?”

Felix Robin considered Charlot’s suggestion. Without funds or an official identity, traveling across the various nations of the Old Continent could indeed pose challenges. He had spent all his resources, including the plunder he had acquired and the funding from Princess Axo Axel, to support the bandits and children.

After a moment of thought, he readily agreed.

Charlot then said, “In that case, Mr. Robin, why don’t you stay at the Obsidian Spring Palace tonight? Princess Axo Axel is there as well. The two of you can catch up.”

Felix Robin was quite satisfied with Charlot’s arrangements.

However, Charlot still had plans to spend time with Annie. No matter how handsome Felix Robin was, he wasn’t about to let an old man keep him company. Charlot promptly had someone escort Robin to the Obsidian Spring Palace.

Once Robin was out of the way, Charlot and Annie disguised themselves as ordinary young travelers and slipped out of the estate to explore Asaburg.

As the capital of the Lionheart Empire, Asaburg—also nicknamed Lionheart Fortress—was one of the most prosperous metropolises on the Old Continent. In peacetime, it rivaled Strasbourg in vibrancy. During the war, it had far surpassed it.

Neither Charlot nor Annie had visited Asaburg before, and they found the exotic charm of the Lionheart Empire both refreshing and exciting.

Charlot chose not to use his luxurious Dark Luxury carriage, opting instead for a second-hand, modest horse-drawn carriage to tour the streets of Asaburg with Annie.

This was just part of their daily life as a couple. Due to the ongoing war, Charlot was often away from Strasbourg. Even when he returned, it was only for a short while before he had to head off to another battlefield.

Their diplomatic mission to the Lionheart Empire marked the longest period the two had spent together. Annie cherished this leisurely time. Whenever something caught her eye, she would excitedly point it out, and Charlot would smile and buy it for her. By the end of the morning, they hadn’t even spent a single Lionheart gold coin.