Chapter 15: A Dangerous Proposal
In the meeting room, Noah and Emily sat face to face.
Emily studied the boy before her, eyes narrowing slightly.
'What does he want now?' she wondered.
She couldn't quite predict his next move. He had already succeeded in taking Sophie—something she hadn't expected to happen in a single day.
Truly dangerous.
Like mother, like son, I suppose.
Yet, as she observed him more closely, something felt… off.
His presence—
Her eyes widened.
"You ranked up," she said, more statement than question. "You're at D-Rank now, aren't you?"
Noah gave her a casual glance, unconcerned.
"Didn't you awaken just a month ago?" Emily frowned. "Normally, it takes at least five months just to properly rank up. Because you need to learn to manipulate mana. You need time to absorb it, refine it with a technique, and only then can you evolve your core."
She leaned forward slightly, studying him with disbelief. "How did you do all of that in one month?"
Noah tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Isn't it obvious?"
Emily remained silent, waiting.
"I have an SSS-Rank Ice Affinity and an SSS-Rank Ice Talent. What did you expect?" He shrugged. "Now that I think about it, one month was too long."
Emily blinked.
Right.
Sometimes, she forgot how absurdly broken SSS-Rank holders were. They weren't called gods among men for nothing.
Noah waved a hand dismissively.
"But enough about me being a genius. That's not why I called you here."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Then why?"
Noah didn't bother with small talk. He got straight to the point.
"I've realized something." His voice was calm, but firm. "A relationship built on blackmail won't last."
Emily's expression shifted slightly.
"If anything," Noah continued, "it'll backfire in the long run. And I don't want that."
Hoh.
Now this was unexpected.
Noah leaned forward, his gaze steady.
"I know I was the one who blackmailed you," he admitted. "But let's be honest—you asked for it, Empress."
Emily's brow twitched, but she didn't interrupt.
"During our first discussion, I tried to negotiate fairly," Noah said. "I tried to find a way where we could both win. But you didn't listen."
His voice darkened slightly.
"I couldn't afford to lose Sophie to that 'Chosen One.'"
How could I?
I've made it my life's purpose to steal his harem.
"You understand me, don't you?"
Emily exhaled.
She did.
If she had been in his position, she would've done the same thing without hesitation.
But being on the receiving end of it was—
Well, it was infuriating.
She hated the fact that a twelve-year-old had outplayed her.
"Yes, I understand," she admitted. "But that doesn't mean I've forgotten. Or that I like being threatened."
Noah studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"Fair enough," he said. "So—what do you want?"
Emily almost laughed.
'Am I really speaking to a twelve-year-old?'
This little devil had immediately understood that she wanted something in return.
She took a deep breath.
"Tell me how you know about the secret."
Her voice was solemn. This was important.
She needed to know.
Noah's expression remained neutral.
"If you're worried about others knowing, don't be," he said. "No one else will find out."
"That's not my question." Emily's gaze sharpened. "How do you know?"
Noah's expression didn't change.
"I'm sorry," he said. "But that's something I can't disclose."
His tone was final.
"Even if death itself was staring me in the face, I wouldn't say a word."
He would never. Because doing it means revealing his reincarnated identity. And never would he do something that stupid.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
She had been testing him. If he had hesitated—if he had wavered even slightly—she would've pressed harder.
But he hadn't.
That meant this secret wasn't something he stumbled upon.
It was something deeply tied to him.
"…Fine," she said. "Then answer this—what happens if others do discover it?"
Noah blinked.
"…And why is that my problem?"
Emily sighed. "Don't say that to me and stop looking at me like I am a fool. It is your problem."
"Aren't we going to work together?"
She crossed her arms.
"If we're going to work together, I need two things from you."
Noah's eyes glinted with interest. "I'm listening."
Emily leaned forward.
"First," she said. "If this secret is ever revealed to the public, you and your family will protect me."
A reasonable request.
Noah nodded slightly. "And the second?"
Emily didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she reached into her spatial ring—and pulled out a soul contract.
Noah's lips twitched.
Emily smirked. "Please sign it."
"I did just say I wouldn't tell anyone."
"And I did just say I don't trust you."
Noah sighed.
He took the contract, scanned its terms, and—
Signed it immediately.
Emily raised an eyebrow.
"No hesitation?"
"It's a waste of time to pretend," Noah said simply.
Emily let out a slow breath.
And then—
"Second."
She looked him straight in the eyes. Her eyes filled with deep resentments.
"I want you to annihilate my family. The Campell Family. Not now, but when you are old enough."
Silence.
"…And if possible," she added, her voice cold as ice, "kill the Emperor as well."
Noah stared at her.
For once, he was genuinely surprised.
"…You're insane."
Emily's lips curled. "Perhaps."
Noah leaned back.
"You want me to wipe out your entire family?" He scoffed. "Not just one or two—but all of them?"
Emily said nothing.
Noah exhaled. "You're asking for too much."
His voice was cold.
"You're not worth that much in my eyes."
Emily didn't flinch.
She hadn't expected him to accept immediately.
But she wasn't finished yet.
She smiled slightly.
"You're against the 'Chosen One,' aren't you?"
Noah's gaze flickered.
Emily continued, pressing forward.
"I can help you."
Her voice was smooth, confident.
"I have spies inside the church—one of them is even close to the new Saintess. I can give you a detailed report on him. Every move he makes. Every person he interacts with."
Noah's eyes gleamed.
And then—
He laughed.
Emily frowned. "What's so funny?"
Noah smirked.
"You should've led with that."
He tapped his fingers on the table.
"Your family?" His smirk widened. "I'll consider wiping them out. But if I don't think they deserve it—"
He leaned forward.
"I'll kill the first fifty-nine you hate the most."
Emily's breath hitched.
"And for the emperor ? I will see how Sophie feels towards him. I mean I can't kill my father in law just like that, can I ?
"That should be enough to ease your hatred, right?"
She swallowed.
"And in exchange," Noah said, his voice smooth, amused, "I want everything on the Saintess."
His eyes gleamed with something dark.
"What she likes. What she hates. What time she wakes up. What she does in her free time."
He smiled.
"Every. Single. Detail."
— End of Chapter 15 —