I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

16. I am not interested in money (Please support with monthly tickets at the beginning of the month~)

From Zerola’s perspective.

Power, money, status… Although Zerola could casually say, “I regard these as dung,” when he possessed them, it was only when he lost everything that he truly realized how inconvenient it made his actions.

Living off his savings was certainly not a struggle, but when it came to “investigations,” Zerola found himself lacking. At the very least, in stopping that kid named Li De from ruining the hard-won refuge he had found, Zerola was already at a disadvantage: by the time he finally made it to the Austro-Hungarian tribe, the news that “the Elves’ Prussian Kingdom and the Beastmen’s Austro-Hungarian tribe had entered preparations for a ceasefire” had already reached the Great Ying Empire!

This was not just a matter of having missed the opportunity; it was a complete step behind that reckless kid! All of this dealt a significant blow to Zerola’s pride as a strong individual. By the time Zerola hurried back to the Great Ying Empire, the “ceasefire agreement” between both sides had already been set with a date, and preparations were underway!

This matter absolutely could not be allowed to “succeed”!

This was Zerola’s only thought at the moment: the only thing he had left to “make a living” was his formidable strength. Although Zerola did not wish to see war, if the Austro-Hungarian tribe and the Prussian Kingdom really had “nothing going on,” could he still find peace in the Prussian Kingdom, known for its “exclusivity”?

If even the Prussian Kingdom was not an option, he would have nowhere to go! And all of this was thanks to that kid! He absolutely could not let him continue to act recklessly and naively; he absolutely… could not allow himself to lose his last support!

Embracing the thought of having almost no way out, I returned alone to the Great Ying Empire’s Zerola, finding myself, who was no longer considered a member of the royal nobility of the Great Ying Empire, the only “power” I could still wield.

At this moment, it was night, in a certain inn within the royal city of the Great Ying Empire.

With a pale face, Zerola looked at the young people sitting around him, and after a long while, he swallowed back some “negative energy” words.

“Is it just you all?”

These people were those who had followed him when he was still a noble of the Great Ying Empire; some were guards, some were maids, and some were stewards. Those who could work in his manor had some strength and would not suffer losses anywhere. And they were the only “power” Zerola had left to use now.

However, what complicated Zerola’s feelings was that those who had come in response to his plea now seemed to be less than half.

“Lord Zerola, this is all there is. The others either have their own businesses and cannot get away, or they simply cannot be contacted.”

“It’s fine; your presence is enough.”

Zerola could only squeeze out this sentence now.

As for the number? Enough, my foot! Moreover, those who had come to him were all misfits; it was likely that after he left the Great Ying Empire, they lost their protection and had no strength to fend for themselves, which was why they rushed over at the first call.

Those who originally had businesses or were quite capable, fully able to seek opportunities elsewhere, naturally would not necessarily be willing to come.

But still, it was better than having no one.

Thinking of this, Zerola spoke: “I am no longer considered a noble of the Great Ying Empire, but… I still need to stop some disruptive events happening within the Great Ying Empire. This gathering is for that purpose.”

To get these people to help him stop the “ceasefire,” he certainly needed to find an excuse. Although it was a lie, Zerola felt it was unavoidable! Otherwise, who would agree!?

“I believe you all should know: recently, the Great Ying Empire will serve as the venue and host for the ‘Prussian Kingdom and Austro-Hungarian Tribe’ ceasefire agreement, right? The problem lies here. This ‘ceasefire’ is inherently problematic because I know there is someone blocking it!”

Everyone’s attention was focused, which somewhat reassured Zerola: it seemed these inexperienced young people did not quite understand the situation; as long as it was a matter of “being able to achieve great things,” they would believe it wholeheartedly.

In that case, it was fine to pin everything on that Li De. Rather, his current predicament was originally due to him! Who would have thought that the silly fellow who came to seek refuge with him back then actually harbored such malicious thoughts! He truly raised a white-eyed wolf!

“In any case, we cannot let the Great Ying Empire get entangled with that person!”

After attributing all the “chaotic situations” to Li De, Zerola said, “We must break in on the day of the ‘negotiation’ and at least stop the negotiations!”

Upon hearing “stop,” many people hesitated, but there were also those who, without a clue about the situation they were facing, asked outright.

“However, Lord Zerola, we can’t go, the negotiation location is in the royal palace.”

“You don’t need to worry about this. I said I’ve lost my noble status, but that news hasn’t spread yet. When the time comes, I can bring you into the royal palace of the Great Ying Empire without any issues!”

Zerola stood up and delivered the “final blow” to his followers, “Those who hesitate and are afraid can leave now! But those who want to achieve great things and contribute to the Great Ying Empire, follow me on that day! Among the followers I, Zerola, have, there are no coins!”

After this speech, the final result did not disappoint Zerola: everyone agreed to help him on that day.

This also relieved Zerola: if anyone was afraid and wanted to leave, to prevent such cowards from leaking information, Zerola had no intention of letting them go.

After everyone agreed and left to prepare for the day, Zerola, filled with joy, decided to use the contract he held to speak with his wife, who had been away from home for quite some time.

Even if she was disappointed in him and sulking, it should be about time for her anger to subside, right?

However, when the connection was established and the voice came through, what Zerola heard was another woman’s voice.

“Mei, Mei’er!? Why is it you?”

“Your wife temporarily entrusted the contract to me, so why can’t it be me? She’s staying with me, so you don’t need to worry about where your wife has gone.”

It was the elf Mei’er, but why was his wife in…

“Then I…”

“She doesn’t want to talk to you for now. You shouldn’t have anything urgent to discuss, right?”

“!”

No, of course not!

But that didn’t stop Zerola from feeling a surge of blood rush to his head: it was all that kid’s fault! His wife had a deep misunderstanding of him, and now he couldn’t even hear her voice!

“Mei’er, let me…”

“Sigh…”

On the other end, it seemed Mei’er let out a long sigh, and then…

“Goodbye, Zerola.”

The contract was severed decisively! As Zerola came back to his senses, he could only stand there in a daze.

“Damn!”

In the next moment, the wall was forcefully punched through by Zerola’s fist!

Now, Zerola had only one thought in his mind: it was all that kid’s fault!

If it weren’t for him, how could he have ended up in such a situation!?

He absolutely could not let him go! He absolutely could not allow his goals to succeed!!

Struggling to keep himself from shouting out and raising suspicion among those around him, Zerola ultimately had to clench his fists tightly, suppressing his anger deep inside.

——

This is the third update today. Those who won last month’s lottery, remember to join the group after seeing the list.

This month’s event is also in a separate chapter, so everyone, please give this book some monthly votes at the beginning of the month～

Hmph, thank you, Eggplant.