There's Only a Fine Line Between a Bad Woman and a Dead Woman (Continued)

After all, keeping the conflict in the shadows would allow Leithanien to remain united, which would be beneficial for future governance.

But—

For him, it was a little boring.

Russell felt like yawning. Because of his identity, he was often seen as a chess player, but at heart, he was a boxer and a sanda fighter.

Chess was purely a hobby. Throwing heavy punches was his profession.

Still—

At a time like this, perhaps he should play along for a while?

After all, he was still Black Key right now.

In a couple of days, he could hold a banquet and poison this Empress to death. That would be more in line with Black Key's identity, wouldn't it?

Emmm...

But then again.

Since he was using Black Key's identity, perhaps he did not need to stick to convention.

After all—

No matter how outrageous his actions became, Black Key would take the blame.

So, should he let the White Empress experience lactose intolerance and have her die of exhaustion?

That did not seem very good.

After all—

He was planning to use that method on whoever resisted him to the very end.

If he used the same method twice, would that not make him seem like some cheap repeat offender?

He needed to think of another way to deal with her.

Good lord, he really could not think of a particularly good solution at the moment.

Russell looked at the radiant, flamboyant Empress and revealed just the right amount of gloom and unwillingness.

That expression fell into the Empress's sight, making her reveal an almost imperceptible smile.

Did he not wish to cooperate, yet realize that he had no choice but to do so, leaving him resentful?

What a young child.

Without overwhelming power, compromise was a necessary process. That