My wife is an immortal black snake.

Page 24

"But then again... um, even the duchy, which is considered decent by Snake Scale and Miss Koschitch herself... is in a terrible state right now, isn't it?"

Duchy of Cosiché:

Controlled area: four cities and villages on the outskirts of the cities.

Main sources of income: taxes, commercial revenue, industrial output

Factories: 20 civilian factories and 4 military factories

Total population: 520 million

Base stability: -50%, Resistance: 0%, Reign of Terror: 100%, Overall stability: 50%

"The stability level has turned negative... and it's only maintained above-positive stability through the reign of terror? Wait a minute... is all of Ursus's territory like this? All with negative stability levels, and all relying on the reign of terror for stability?"

This was the first time Yang Hao had ever seen a territory where basic stability had dropped to a negative number. And this was also the first time he had ever seen land where terror had reached 100%—and he now had a fairly good understanding of what "terror" meant... Simply put, it's using measures like curfews imposed by the military or other violent institutions to forcibly improve public stability.

Of course, if the monarch has some terrifying reputation, it will help to enhance the reign of terror—but thinking about it this way, Ursus's fate is near. Even the duchy of Miss Koschei, which was considered relatively good, only achieved exactly half the stability in the end. In other places, a stability of 10 is already considered extremely lucky, right?

"Is there anything that can improve stability? Hmm... improve the factory environment? That's possible, but it would take about a year to return to positive numbers... Ah, isn't this characteristic the gift I gave her?"

While searching for ways to improve stability, Yang Hao inadvertently noticed a trait called [Cooperative Front]. This trait, which increases stability daily, wasn't it the gift he had given Miss Koschitch?

It seems she's really using it properly. Yang Hao took a deep breath, feeling a bit dizzy from the bath; it was time to go back to his room and rest. As for those political matters? He'd have a proper chat with Miss Koschitch tomorrow when his mind was clearer!

...

With that thought in mind, Yang Hao left the bathroom with his phone. After drying himself with a towel in the changing room, he found that his original clothes had been taken away, and what was now there were well-fitting Ursus-style casual clothes.

"Shouldn't all the clothes I can wear outside be in my room?" Yang Hao blinked, put on the gray casual clothes that suited his taste, put his phone in his pocket, and looked back at the third door in the dressing room besides the one leading to the hallway and the bathroom: "Is that the door to my room? Phew, that's convenient. I can come here every morning to take a shower before going out—"

The thought of the joy of taking a hot bath every morning made Yang Hao feel much lighter, both physically and emotionally. He walked to the door and opened it—

......

"...Eh?"

Then he blinked and stared at the familiar Ursus noblewoman sitting on the edge of a double bed, reading and working. He was dumbfounded.

Is that Miss Koschke? No, it's not...

Yang Hao stood frozen, like a statue. He twisted his stiff neck, surveying the room's decorations, his gaze finally settling on a corner, on a Sarkaz sculpture emitting a faint blue glow. This should be Miss Kosiché's room, right? Did that Monica maid make a mistake? My room should be in—

"Mr. Yang Hao, this is our first real meeting."

Before Yang Hao could recover from his dazed state, Miss Kosiché, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, closed the book in her hand, looked up at him, and smiled gently. "Please come over. This is indeed your room—no, to be precise, it's our room."

“Um… Miss Koschei—”

Isn't this... a little strange? That's what Yang Hao originally wanted to say. But when he met Miss Koschei's eyes, he realized that Miss Koschei didn't seem to be joking at all.

This was indeed his—no, their room? He took a deep breath. He had originally thought that even if he came here, he would have to wait for several months, but... it turned out like this? So fast...?

"Please come here. I want to take a good look at you, my future husband."

...I'm quite moved. Yang Hao was filled with emotion. After entering his future bedroom with her and closing the door to the dressing room, he walked with somewhat stiff steps to Miss Koschich's side and, at her guidance, sat down beside her.

She placed her hand on Yang Hao's leg, looking at his face. After a moment, she smiled and said:

"Sure enough, seeing you in person makes me feel much happier than seeing you on my phone."

“Is that so? I think so too…” He swallowed hard, like a magician who hadn’t seen a girl in thirty years. He was also looking at Miss Koschei’s face. She was indeed a charming Ursus woman, and for a duke, she looked far too young.

What kind of pressure did she bear during the Duke's life? He wasn't quite sure. But—

"Miss Koschei—"

“Call me Koschke,” she reminded him.

"...Koschche, your snake scales..."

“I know they suffered heavy losses. But my husband,” Kosiché smiled grimly, his hand moving upwards, tracing his abdomen, his chest, and finally his collarbone, resting on his shoulder. “You’ll have to get used to it soon. You’ll often face these kinds of questions: Which side should be sacrificed to save the other? Or should innocent people from outside our territory be sacrificed to save our people? Or should dozens of soldiers be sacrificed to save a researcher who can change the city? These are questions we’ll all have to face together. But I think, with the help of your abilities, perhaps we can do better.”

"...Yes. Perhaps I need to get used to it as soon as possible." Hearing this, Yang Hao knew that this was a preparation he would have to make sooner or later. In the future, he would no longer be the general manager of a company, nor the temporary city lord who was forced to control the city to save his own life—he would become Kosichie's husband, working hard for their territory.

But then again...

He felt... was Kosichek's strength a bit too much?

"Miss Koschei—"

“I told you, call me Koschche.”

Amidst Yang Hao's somewhat embarrassed cries, he was pinned to the bed by Kosiché's powerful strength. He'd heard that Ursus people were strong and robust, and now Yang Hao was experiencing it firsthand.

As he stared in bewilderment, he saw that Kosiché had somehow gotten on his lap and seemed to be unbuttoning his clothes.

"I'm not like that Blood Demon lady. I prefer to take the initiative."

She smiled darkly, leaned forward, and kissed his lips, stealing his first kiss.

...... ......

At the same time, Margarita was resting at a rest stop.

This is a barren hilly area just a step away from Minos. She is laying out hay in a cave, while Sanae is patrolling the small space, using her claws to pick up stones from the ground and throw them outside.

She hadn't slept for several days. Only today did Margarita truly feel exhausted. Watching Sanae grow up day by day, her understanding of the differences between herself and the short-lived species deepened.

She lay on the hay, and after confirming several times that the traps outside the cave were activated, she murmured "Goodnight" and closed her eyes.

"Phew... I wonder how Yang Hao is doing..."

This Blood Demon girl, who is still growing, will have a long time to mature.

25749

Chapter 64, Part 1

On the 24th.

When Yang Hao awoke from his daze, he realized that Koschche had already left him and was going about his daily work.

In the morning, he was left alone in his bedchamber, reliving the joy of yesterday.

Under Kosic's proactive advances, they made love again and again, even taking a second bath in the bathroom. There, they soaked together in the spacious, warm tub. Kosic, sitting in his lap, declared that he didn't need to start working as soon as he arrived. He could rest, and he needed to rest.

“My husband, you need time to adjust to life in Ursus. Don’t worry, Monica will show you around your new home tomorrow morning—of course, you can go out and experience the local customs and culture of my territory whenever you want. But at least don’t go out tomorrow, otherwise the surprise I’ve prepared for you will be wasted. Okay?”

Yang Hao recalled what she had said the night before—what an understanding woman she was. She didn't rush me to work; instead, she patiently waited for me to adapt to my new life. She knew that using my abilities wouldn't come at too much of a cost, but even so, she wanted me to rest well first.

She didn't even mind that Margarita and I couldn't have a clear relationship because of what happened back then.

What an understanding woman! The thought that she was his wife made Yang Hao feel like he wasn't living in reality, but in a dream. This feeling was especially strong after he noticed that the [Puppet Stage] showed that the Duchy of Kosiché had truly entered a state of [co-governance], and that he could now control some of the city's functions.

However, this surreal feeling only lasted a few seconds. Soon, Yang Hao, filled with joy, returned to reality. He turned his head and glanced at the luxurious clock hanging on the wall: it was 8:20 in the morning. He should get up and take a good look at his new home.

But before that—

"I need to change into my new clothes and then go wash up."

He looked at his thin shirt, still bearing traces of last night's pleasure, and muttered to himself.

.....

After running around for a while, he finally put on his new clothes here—a grey British-style suit hand-sewn to his liking [although Yang Hao wasn't quite sure if Kosicheck knew what "British" meant, but at least it looked like it], put on his boots, and finished washing up and tidying his hair before leaving.

He took a deep breath, muttering to himself, "This is my home now, I need to stay calm," as he walked to the door of his room.

If I remember correctly, Koschl said last night that as long as he stood there, the luxurious wooden door, imbued with Originium Arts, would open by itself. Of course, if he preferred, he could have the maid outside do it for him.

He chose to stand there. Two seconds later, the door opened, and there stood his head maid, Monica, looking at him from the hallway.

"Good morning, Lord Yang Hao." Monica gave him a proper maid's bow. "His Grace the Duke asked me to show you around. Although I suggested you have breakfast first, the decision is yours. What do you mean?"

To be honest, Yang Hao wasn't used to dealing with maids and butlers. But he figured he'd have to face them every day eventually, so he should get used to it as soon as possible.

"Please take me to the restaurant."

"Yes. Please follow me."

Monica, the head maid with long blue hair and brown eyes, was introduced by Koschie last night as the daughter of a young lower-ranking nobleman. She had given up her right to inherit the nobleman's title to come here and serve Koschie—of course, Koschie said she hadn't forced the noblewoman to make that choice, so Yang Hao assumed she had come voluntarily to enjoy life.

In Colombia, this kind of thing is also very common. Young masters and ladies from big companies run away to wander the world because they can't stand the restrictions at home, and then a couple of years later they find out they've even got a child with some commoner... Yang Hao knew about this kind of thing, so he didn't have much of an opinion on Monica's choice of head maid.

As he walked along the road, he asked Monica, the head maid, with curiosity: What should I be careful about if I live here?

“Under normal circumstances, Lord Yang Hao, you can always order us to do things that are not appropriate for your status—for example, cooking,” Head Maid Monica explained to Yang Hao in a concise tone as she led the way. “As the Duke’s consort, you cannot do things that would be beneath your status. I understand that you may have an interest in cooking, but please have us handle these matters.”

"I see."

Now that his status has risen, are there things he used to be able to do that he can no longer do? Yang Hao thought to himself thoughtfully. It seems that the life of an aristocrat is far from as easy as he imagined—but then again, am he really an aristocrat now?

Just as he was thinking this, he noticed a gray-haired, blue-eyed woman named Felin walking towards him at the crossroads ahead—wasn't this the residential area? Was she also a servant living here, or some guest?

She was called a servant, yet her haughty demeanor seemed completely out of place. She was called a guest, but were guests permitted to carry weapons, especially longswords, in the living quarters and the Duke's mansion?

“Mr. Yang Hao, she is the Duke’s heir,” Monica explained, her tone somewhat strange. “You don’t need to know her name. You’ll understand in time.”

"Is that so?"

Yang Hao thought to himself... Judging from the information from the [Puppet Stage], the permanent ruler of this city is Koschche, right? He didn't see the existence of the [Successor] on it... Or perhaps, this Ms. Felin is just a decoy or something?

Not intending to dwell on this matter now, he and Head Maid Monica continued walking at their original pace. As they brushed past the girl from Felin, Yang Hao faintly caught a whiff of the same scent he had smelled the previous night at Miss Koschche's place in her gray hair...

Illusion?

... .....

They arrived at the restaurant, where Yang Hao hung his formal coats on the hangers. While enjoying a hearty and energizing breakfast, he continued to ask Monica, the head maid, about things to be aware of while living there.

According to her, maids are not allowed to dine with their masters. Therefore, she only needs to stand behind Yang Hao and serve him as needed; there's no need to pay too much attention to her condition.

"Does that mean that, apart from the living areas, the largest area of ​​the entire Duke's mansion is the outer office area, and even further out, the administrative area?"

"Yes. Lord Yang Hao, you have the same privileges as the Duke—you can go to any office area or any room at any time, you can access all the confidential documents in the duchy, and if needed, you can also mobilize the Serpent Scales troops directly under the Duke without reporting to him. However, the Duke hopes that you can take a few months to adapt to your new life here; she is not in a hurry for you to contribute to her cause as soon as possible."

"I understand... So, what is the audience hall on the map?"

"The place where His Excellency the Duke works."

"Then, what about the four towers surrounding the Duke's mansion?"

"The Duke's four mobile city core control towers. Now that the four cities have merged, their respective control tower districts have also been arranged near the Duke's mansion for easy control."

"I understand. Looking at the map, it seems the mobile city in the east is missing a few districts? Those gaps look rather unsightly..."

Upon hearing Yang Hao's question, which was clearly somewhat sensitive, Head Maid Monica remained silent for a long while. She seemed to be pondering some minor details, while Yang Hao leisurely ate his breakfast. To be honest, he wasn't used to Ursus food—it was very strong in flavor, either heavily sweet or heavily salty, and of course, there was also sourness.

And there was a lot of fatty meat in the breakfast... This looks like caviar? Ah, looking at the map, there's a self-circulating river on this giant city formed by the merger of four mobile cities, so it's only natural to raise sturgeon or salmon that can produce caviar...

He spread some caviar on the crispy toast, popped it into his mouth, and before he could even savor the perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavor, he heard Head Maid Monica say this:

"The mobile city in the east lost several districts in a conflict—although I am not personally clear on what happened, if the records are correct, another duke occupied those areas that we had to abandon."

"I see..."

In other words, were they the enemy? Yang Hao chewed his food thoughtfully. He had many questions he wanted to ask, but before he could even continue—suddenly, a commotion broke out outside the restaurant.

What's going on? He was stunned for a moment. Then an event popped up in front of him.

[Event: Assassination]

Duke Nikolai, who controlled the core city of the Duchy of Kosiché, carried out an assassination attempt on Duke Kosiché.

Yang Hao suddenly stood up from his chair. Without saying a word, he grabbed his clothes from the hanger.

"Lord Yang Hao?" Head Maid Monica was startled by the commotion outside, but seeing Yang Hao hastily get up, she quickly called out, "Please don't go out! It might be dangerous outside. Let me check first—"

Where is Koschche?

.....

The head maid was stunned. Looking at the man in front of her who was anxiously asking where the master was, the head maid recalled what Lord Koschche had said to her that morning.

Lady Koschke said her husband possessed a kind of precognitive ability. He should have noticed the surprise she had prepared today—so if he asked where she was, Monica, as his maid, could simply answer truthfully.

"...In the audience hall. Please follow me."

Head Maid Monica nodded, her expression somewhat strange as she thought to herself—Lord Koschche, by now, he should have already completed the [inheritance], right?

Chapter 65

As Yang Hao followed Head Maid Monica toward the audience hall, his mind was in complete disarray.

He truly couldn't understand why this had happened. He had endured countless hardships, finally finding a wife with whom he could settle down and experience the warmth of home, a reason to strive for her—only to have her assassinated the very next day after they met. And in the very way he least wanted to see it.