My wife is an immortal black snake.

“But you don’t need to work that hard.” Koschche patted him on the shoulder. He had lost a lot of weight since arriving in the Duchy. “You’re putting all the pressure on yourself… but you should understand that not everything requires your personal involvement, shouldn’t you?”

"I don't quite understand..."

"It's like a person's body. The brain is responsible for thinking, the heart is responsible for pumping blood, the bones support the body, and the muscles are responsible for exerting force... My dear husband... You are now essentially making the brain take on all the work of other organs and parts. You are accepting pressure that doesn't belong to you. You are impatient for quick results, hoping to solve in 10 years what Ursus might not be able to solve in a hundred years."

But you've done enough already. You don't need to keep pushing yourself to be faster... This is your home, but it hasn't given you what you want yet, you haven't even experienced a moment of joy, so why work so hard, carrying everyone else's workload on your back?

"...because--"

“I know you want things to get better here,” Kosiché gently patted her foolish husband’s back. How could his thinking be so extreme? Even Joseph wouldn’t be so extreme as to let her handle everything, yet her husband did. “But at least, stretch this plan, which has been compressed into ten years, into twenty, thirty, forty years, right?”

“...But I might not live that long.” Koschke sensed a fleeting thought of her husband’s objection…but in the end, he gave up. He simply smiled helplessly, voicing a worry he had never shared with her before. “Even if I could become an immortal like you in twenty years…the loss of those twenty years could cripple our family. How can I just watch our family fall apart?”

"So here you are again, my husband. Do you think I'll just watch my territory crumble bit by bit?"

"Um... I don't think so?"

Yang Hao was stunned for a long while. As if struck by a sudden realization, he suddenly realized... before he arrived, although the situation in the Duchy of Koschche was not optimistic, it was still... maintaining a stable situation, wasn't it?

Even without using the [Puppet Stage], couldn't it have lasted a long time, and even, with his wife's efforts, gradually improved little by little at a snail's pace?

Those national policies, those resolutions, those events—even if we leave them alone, it doesn't mean this territory will fall into darkness the next day, does it?

After realizing he had indeed done something incredibly stupid... he stood there stunned for a long time. Finally, in a daze, his wife led him to his throne.

Would you like to sit down and try?

"what..."

I don't need to make sure everything goes perfectly... I don't need to do everything myself.

I...can trust their abilities...I can trust my wife, I can tell them my worries; I don't need to keep everything, all the pressure, bottled up inside...

I... am no longer the person I was back in Columbia, the one who had to shoulder everything.

Yang Hao sat on his throne. He turned his head and looked at his wife sitting on the other throne, and at the empty space on the adjacent arm where the two thrones were joined, so that they could hold hands.

“You can trust me, trust Monica, trust everyone I trust,” Kosiché said with a smile. “They will help you bear the burdens that are not yours to begin with. They may not be as capable as you, but at least some trivial matters that won’t affect the overall situation can be entrusted to them, right?”

"...Um."

"Only a fool would do everything himself, big or small... Now it seems my husband really is a fool."

"Hey, stop teasing me like that..."

Yes, I was like an idiot before.

He closed his eyes and felt all the pressure, unease, and worry in his heart vanish.

"...Oh right, Koschche."

"What's wrong? My dear husband?"

"Could you... call me by my name? It seems like you haven't called me by my name since we got married."

Then, a small resentment quietly rose in Yang Hao's heart: He had tried so hard, but Koschche hadn't called him by his name since they got married.

At least call him by his name, so he won't forget what his name is later, okay? He turned his head and looked at his wife expectantly.

"Hehe, as you wish... my dear husband, my... Yang Hao."

After chuckling for a while, Kosic gave the answer he was looking for.

Chapter 106

...

Since his mindset changed, Yang Hao no longer felt that his work would bring him any pressure.

He could now read through all the pop-up [events], [national policies], and [resolutions] with ease, composure, and indifference, without considering the gains and losses among the three parties a decade or more later, without considering how long it would take to complete those things, and without considering whether the Duchy of Kosiché would become better if he perfectly completed everything.

Because there is no perfect solution in the world. He doesn't need to do everything himself, nor does he need to distrust the abilities of others—Mr. Joseph, for example, is capable enough to maintain the stable operation of the existing administrative center. And Paul the Serpent Scales is also capable of training the Serpent Scales troops to their best.

Even his maid, Monica, would offer him a glass of water and a moment's rest when he was tired. So why would he use the [Puppet Stage] ability to pile all their work onto himself, making him do everything?

Looking back, the days when I wanted to take over all the functions of the Duke of Koschche were practically the work of an idiot. And then again, if I thought of that under pressure, why didn't I think of dressing up as a maid and doing all of Monica's work?

Yang Hao thought about it for a long time, and finally could only attribute the reason to the fact that even he, in his dazed state, was unwilling to wear women's clothing.

“Mr. Yang Hao, it seems you’ve been through quite a bit yesterday.” Joseph, the kind old man sitting opposite him, pushed up his reading glasses and tapped his prosthetic leg with his hand as he chuckled. “The passion in your eyes that once wanted to embrace everything is gone… To be honest, I used to worry that that passion would burn you alive, but now it seems I don’t need to worry anymore.”

"Huh? Is that true?"

"Of course. During that time, you were like a reckless young man, only thinking about taking on all the work in these four cities—your own, your colleagues', your boss's, and everything else that didn't belong to you but would affect them—and doing it all to the best of your ability. But even a seven-year-old knows that's impossible—that kind of mentality will eventually trap you in the obsession of perfectionism, leading to your self-destruction. Fortunately, you overcame that hurdle."

"Looks like you're not planning to take all my work and handle it yourself this time?"

Seeing the kind-looking old man with his hands outstretched on the table, Yang Hao smiled awkwardly and said he wouldn't do it again.

He glanced at the pop-up event and then said that his work here was finished for the day and he had to go to the next place.

"Going to the Lubyanka Hotel again? I've heard those Qasimir people are very stubborn."

"No, they're not stubborn, it's just that we won't get that money until the 11th, so I definitely can't persuade them before then."

“Haha, here’s a suggestion, young man—you might be able to bribe those Kazimir people using methods other than money.” Joseph winked at Yang Hao. “I’ve heard that many single Ursus soldiers who participated in the Ka-U war have inexplicably acquired a Kuranta wife—maybe you can give it a try.”

"Hahaha—what are you saying, Mr. Joseph? Do you think His Excellency the Duke will let me go?"

"I don't know if I'll let you go, but I reckon our territory will be filled with the joy of an heir's birth. Go on, young man, the old man will take care of the preliminary work for the reforms for you—and you don't need to come in every day to check. I'll compile the reports and give them to you every afternoon, or to Head Maid Monica."

"Then please."

Yang Hao left Mr. Joseph's office. He felt completely relaxed; nothing could have been better.

[Event: Easy work.]

One of the two kings of the Duchy of Kosiché suddenly realized that he didn’t need to do everything himself. He now looked at himself as if he were an idiot—you tell me?

Congratulations on overcoming a difficult predicament. You no longer care about the long-term effects of various national policies and events on your territory decades later. However, this does not mean you have plenty of time to waste your youth.

Find something to do! But don't put all the pressure on yourself. Trust the people who trust you, and then go and flatter them.

'I'll say it again, I don't flatter anyone who isn't a centaur!'

Even the events that just popped up seem so lighthearted and pleasant! Indeed, a change in mindset can change the world around us!

Yang Hao got into his car easily and readily, and Monica, who was traveling with him, sat in the back seat with him. She said that all that was left for today's work was to continue recruiting spies from Kazimierz.

“My lord, please don’t take on so much work that isn’t yours anymore, okay?” Monica pleaded. “Besides, the Wendigo scholar has accepted our request to contact him and he’s on his way from St. Arthur’s Castle—if nothing unexpected happens, he should arrive in the Duchy of Kosichè in 12 days.”

“Oh, that’s great! And Monica, don’t worry, I promise you, I won’t do everything myself anymore. You can rest assured.”

"Ugh..."

Monica sighed heavily; she seemed uneasy...

But whatever, whether Monica is at ease or not, what does it matter?

Yang Hao felt that sooner or later he would be able to completely put her mind at ease and gain her trust.

"Monica—I want some water."

"Yes, my lord."

Paul, who was driving, shrugged and looked at the interaction between his master and maid in the rearview mirror. He also felt that Monica was worrying too much.

The three, master and servant, are now moving towards the Lubyanka Grand Hotel.

Meanwhile, at the Lubyanka Grand Hotel, the spies in Kazimir have been doing quite well lately.

No need to risk searching for all sorts of intelligence, no need to force a smile every night while working hard to seduce lustful nobles and obtain their secrets... Now they don't need to work at all, living like social outcasts, eating and sleeping all the time. These beautiful spies, who understand they can no longer return to Kazimierz, are discussing this very pragmatically—

How can I hook up with an Ursus man and start a new life here?

"...I mean, this is definitely strange..."

Theresa sat in the corner of the room, watching her sisters gathered around the dining table, arguing and plotting something. Her eyes were vacant, and she kept lightly slapping herself a few times. She had considered that her sisters were utterly shameless, and had even prepared herself for them to sell her out first—but she really hadn't thought of it.

Even though the deal hasn't been finalized, these shameless guys are already thinking about their own children's names?

Isn't this fast-forwarding too much? If you're going to think this way, shouldn't you first find a boyfriend—no, shouldn't you first reach an agreement with that duke—the duke husband—before considering having children?

“I can understand… After all, strictly speaking, considering our looks and abilities, finding a man in Ursus would be quite easy…” Mars sat next to Theresa, taking a rather easygoing view of these things. “Besides, people have to live, right? If we can’t make a living in Kazimierz, can’t we at least make do in Ursus?”

"Hiss... But I'm really puzzled? Aren't they worried—"

"What are you worried about? Did you notice the way that guy—that duke's man—looked at you? That look of utter disappointment. Sigh, I once saw a tamer give me a similar look when I was strolling around the Grand Knights' territory in the underground black market."

Did you accidentally say something terrifying? Theresa swallowed hard.

"and then?"

"And then? A few months later, that dominatrix turned a rebellious Vayvan into his wife. Although I don't understand what happened between them, judging from the dominatrix's exhausted expression, he must be doing well."

"So what does this have to do with me?"

"What the sisters mean is, if all else fails, we'll sell you out—it's better to leave you locked up in the basement alone than for us all to be killed!"

"[Elegant Kazimierz profanity] I haven't even sold you guys yet?!"

"So we have to sell you out before you sell us out! Hahaha! Just kidding, don't take it seriously."

You fucking think this joke is hilarious, right?! And judging from your expression, you're not joking at all; you're seriously considering this!

Sure enough, birds of a feather flock together; my sisters are all shameless!

Theresa felt her future was bleak. Being with a group of sisters who might sell her out at any moment was a huge strain on her heart...

"Here—water."

"Hiss... I'm starting to suspect that there might be some kind of drug in this water."

"Are you kidding me? Don't forget we didn't leave any equipment behind. Even if the apothecary is incredibly skilled, they can't make aphrodisiacs out of sawdust and wall plaster, can they? And it would be such a waste to give it to you. You, I remember you had a strong resistance to drugs, didn't you?"

"It's alright. I need twice the dose to have the same effect as you do when you take one dose."

"Did they overuse sedatives and painkillers during the Ka-U war?"

"Who knows—it might also be because the medical equipment wasn't good enough. Sigh..."

Theresa pursed her lips, took the water that Mars handed her, drank it all in one gulp, and then swallowed the cool water.

After finishing his water, Mars pursed his lips:

"By the way, the old woman said that if the duke's man could really come up with that much money on the 11th, she would lead everyone to rebel without hesitation."

"Huh? We're already 'missing persons' according to the Kazimierz authorities, aren't we? Do we need to announce our defection again?"

"But that's how you get a good job. Would you be willing to be a porter?"

"I don't want to..."

"Isn't that what it is?"

The spies in Kazimierz are now almost ready to defect, but before they do, they want to see money first—which is perfectly reasonable, and even the most demanding judge has no choice but to agree to their request.

But then again, if you betray your master immediately upon seeing the money... is that really okay? Won't it leave a bad impression on your new master? Of course not.

After all, in Yang Hao's eyes, these money-grubbing guys were a group of true profit-driven individuals. What impression could you have of profit-driven people? As long as you paid them enough, they would be willing to lick your underwear on the ground, and that would be it.

Ah, that might not apply to Theresa. This young woman, who still retains some of the dignity and honor of a former knight-errant, still values ​​a certain artistic sensibility. Can you really make her do *that* just by giving her enough money? Of course not! You'd at least have to hand over your bank card, right? Or, at the very least, you'd have to marry her, wouldn't you?

Theresa knew very well the difference between having a full meal once and having a full meal every day. Doing something like that just because of a sudden large sum of money was undoubtedly a choice that would only allow her to have a full meal once, but if she were given less money and married someone, that would be a wonderful thing—a full meal every day!

She doesn't expect to live like a noble in her next life, but she hopes that she can at least have enough to eat and wear. Is that too much to ask?

"Theresa, what are you thinking about?"

"I'm wondering when I can shove your pretty face into that old woman's rectum."

"Ugh, that's disgusting..."

"..."

Seeing the look of disgust on Mars's face, Theresa sighed heavily, shook her hand to indicate that she was really thinking about something important. Then she noticed that her daily routine seemed to be approaching again.

"Alright, I need to get ready..."

"Oh? It's already this time?"

The room suddenly fell silent, and everyone looked up at the clock in unison—it was exactly 10 a.m., and if nothing unexpected happened, that important person should be arriving soon.

Thinking of this, they looked down at Theresa, who was getting up to change her clothes: They wondered why that wealthy man was only willing to communicate with Theresa... Could it be that the man really had feelings for Theresa?

...Hmm, it's not entirely incomprehensible. Kazimierz has plenty of nobles who are married but still have affairs... But speaking of which, why Theresa?

Is it because conquering a former knight-errant brings a stronger sense of conquest? Hmm...