Caught completely off guard by this answer, he didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Luo Li watched the pensive Baker with a calm expression, her mind racing with possibilities.
If Baker didn't agree, there was only one thing she could do.
Banish him from the Kingdom of the Moon and seize all the power he held for herself.
Regardless of his consent, this had to be done.
Baker remained silent for a long time before looking up at the Saintess.
"If you want me to use all my abilities to help you, I'm sorry, I cannot do that. At least not for now."
"...Then when will you be able to? Or rather... what conditions do you need to help me?"
"I can help you if you can fully control the army, but not right now. However, I can help you a little."
"How?"
"I can give you the information you want, including intelligence that other nobles cannot obtain."
"And the price?"
"One year!"
Baker raised his hand and extended an index finger, staring directly at Luo Li.
"Within one year, you must let me see a change. At least in Brilliant City, you must let me clearly see the changes you bring."
Seeing change in just one year was an exceptionally difficult task for anyone.
Any political issue affected everything else; even Luo Li had not dared to change anything lightly until now.
Yet, the man before her had set this limitation.
One year.
He had to see the changes brought by the reforms within a year.
Otherwise, he would turn and throw himself into the arms of the nobles without hesitation.
"Since you have conditions, I have conditions as well."
"Conditions? Saintess, you aren't joking with me, are you? You are the one asking me for help, not the other way around, and yet you want to set conditions?"
At this, Baker seemed to be amused, letting out a disdainful laugh.
"Ha... Truly ridiculous. Since when does the person asking for a favor get to set conditions? Saintess, are you trying to make me die of laughter?"
Ignoring his dismissive attitude and mocking smile, she spoke directly.
"During this year, I want you to help me with all your heart! That is my condition."
Baker's laughter stopped abruptly. His gaze fixed on her, so solemn that the air in the room seemed to grow heavy.
"Are you serious? Do you truly believe you can change the current environment in just one year?"
Luo Li said nothing, merely looking into Baker's eyes with composure.
Silence fell over the room once again.
After a long while... Baker let out a long sigh.
"Sigh... Fine, I give in. You're bold enough to claim you can do it in a year? Fine, since you have such confidence, I'll trust you this once. But please remember, it is only for one year. If that time passes, I will immediately turn to the nobles and expose all your plans and information."
"A deal is a deal."
"No going back!"
"Lola, come in. Escort Mr. Baker out. Mr. Baker, from today on, you will have more interactions with my personal nun, Lola. You might as well take this opportunity to talk."
A confident and composed smile played on the corners of Luo Li's mouth.
Seeing this, Baker stared for a moment before suddenly laughing as well.
"Very well. Oh, no... As the Divine Oracle commands."
With that, Baker turned to look at Lola beside him.
"Sister Lola, I'll have to trouble you to take me back. After all, I didn't bring anyone with me when I came. You can't let me walk back. This is the West District; if something happens, it would delay your Saintess's business."
"Rest assured, Mr. Baker. Everything has been prepared. Please follow me."
Lola gave a slight nod to Luo Li and then led Baker out of the room.
The moment the door closed, Luo Li couldn't help but breathe a long sigh of relief, her tense nerves finally relaxing.
"Phew... That was exhausting. But... everything is as I expected."
If nothing else, the fact that Baker dared to come in person today showed his attitude; he had already placed himself before her.
Was the response he wanted to see my reaction?
Fortunately, he was satisfied, otherwise he wouldn't have agreed.
At least within a year, there was a lot she could do.
Although she couldn't fully bring him under her command today, since he had agreed, a man like him generally wouldn't go back on his word.
Having achieved her goal to her satisfaction, she relaxed and reached for the water cup on the table, taking a sip.
"Highness, the water here hasn't been prepared. You are being a bit reckless."
Suddenly, beside Luo Li, a figure slowly emerged from the void.
A suit of bright silver armor was so striking, yet there had been no one beside Luo Li just a moment ago!
"It's fine, it's just a cup of water. Besides, this is a place Lola arranged. I believe she would have considered everything."
Taking another sip of water, she glanced at Hilda beside her.
Everything had been prepared in advance. Hilda had already used an invisibility magic scroll to hide her form and presence, staying by her side the entire time.
Although this kind of invisibility magic scroll was only a temporary item and the invisibility would break instantly upon any movement or sound, it was enough for a short period of concealment.
"Highness... that Baker, he is hiding a lot of strength."
Hilda looked at the teacup in Luo Li's hand, her eyes wandering as if she were lost in thought.
"Oh? What is his strength level?"
She was also curious about this. This mysterious Mr. Baker had a massive influence among the orphans, perhaps even stronger than the Holy Church, so she was quite curious about him.
"Above a Brave Knight, but below a Guardian Knight. Although he didn't fully discover me, his gaze lingered on my position a total of five times. Each time, his eyes focused right where I was. However, because of the invisibility scroll, he couldn't see me or sense my presence. Still, his senses are exceptionally sharp; he must have vaguely sensed my existence."
Hilda recalled Baker's reaction just now, explaining softly beside Luo Li.
"Hmm... It seems this Baker is indeed not simple. But checking into him now probably won't be easy."
At this point, Luo Li looked up at Hilda.
"Hilda, there is something I want to ask you."
"Please speak, Highness."
"Does your family have a private army?"
"Yes."
"How many?"
"I don't know the exact number, but it's approximately twenty thousand. However, they aren't in Brilliant City, but in the Cromwell fief."
"Where is your fief?"
"To the southwest, near the border of the Holy See and the Kingdom of the Sun."
This topic made her very much want to go and investigate.
Rate on N.U.
