【It is most likely her doing.】
【The magic bean is not in the hands of the Azure Maiden, but rather kept by other Ladies of the Lake. However, given the Azure Maiden's seniority and connections, obtaining the magic bean is no difficult task. This time, she is likely just waiting for us to arrive.】
Faust laughed upon hearing this: "Did she not learn her lesson last time? I recall you stomped on her head quite ruthlessly?"
To be honest, the Prince truly did not expect the Azure Maiden to take the initiative to provoke him.
Having already experienced Mephistopheles's power, the most logical course of action would be to run away. How could she possibly have the nerve to continue confronting him?
It is already generous enough of me not to go looking for her!
【That is precisely what sets her apart from the other Ladies of the Lake. This fellow, as long as there is even a sliver of opportunity, will never be content to swallow her pride. She must regain her face. Hmm... this trait is actually quite endearing; at least she is more spirited than the other fairies.】
【Well, are you afraid?】
"Avoid her? What kind of joke is that!"
Faust sneered and said:
"That Lady of the Lake still owes me two thousand lashes. I am a man of my word. Furthermore, I am quite covetous of her more complete 【Great Thunder】 divine authority."
The Prince of Qingxi did not hide his desires in the slightest and immediately began preparations for the expedition. That is right; he called this an expedition, not an alliance.
Using force to launch a war of aggression is essentially a path to self-destruction in this fairy-tale world, unless one also possesses the "manifest destiny" of the Radiant Dynasty.
The correct path for expansion is to achieve great feats, then shake one's body to radiate an aura of sovereign dominance that compels others to bow down. Once you have established a legacy that others yearn for, as a monarch, your kingdom will naturally be sought after and offered devotion by the masses.
Or, relying on one's lower body works just as well, which is how Faust had been operating thus far. Do you understand the value of doubling, tripling, and quadrupling your territory simply by marrying a few princesses?
The moment the Sanctuary delegation left, Faust gathered the young women together.
Currently, the core members of the Prince's faction consist of Viviana, Selena, Irithea, Lola, and Yusewood, with the possible addition of Teacher Mystoria, who guards the capital of Qingxi.
The royal guard consists of a group of wolf-kin led by Sylvia. As for the other vassal forces, those not of the direct lineage are not worth mentioning.
Even so, this is a terrifyingly powerful force.
Mystoria and Lola need not be mentioned, as they are veteran 【hero】 powerhouses.
Faust and the others have also recently broken through on their own paths to reach the 【hero】 rank. This high-level strength alone is already quite substantial; otherwise, the 【Sacred Alliance】 would never have taken notice of this remote corner.
"So, the plan is to head to the southern border of the empire to participate in the crusade against the giants?"
Selena sat at Faust's left, leaning back against her chair. One leg was elegantly crossed over the other, the hem of her black pleated skirt falling to reveal slender, fair calves encased in over-the-knee boots, radiating youthfulness.
Her slender fingers carelessly twirled a lock of hair falling over her chest as she lifted her clear silver eyes and smiled:
"As expected, you simply cannot stay idle. But it is indeed time to move about; having been on break for so long, I feel too lazy to even move my limbs."
"What is it? You still need our help, do you not?"
Faust: "Er... regarding that, if you wish to come, you are free to do so. However, for the crusade against the giants, I intend to take only Irithea with me."
Viviana furrowed her brows: "My Prince, why Irithea?"
The pale-gold-haired maiden questioned the Prince in a manner that was extremely rare, unable to maintain her usual silence and composure.
"Because I am the commander of the royal guard, am I not?"
The white-wolf maiden stood up in excitement, her tail wagging like an electric fan.
Ever since bringing the wolf-kin from the Fog Moon Kingdom, Faust had reorganized his royal guard, forming it entirely of wolf hunters. Naturally, Irithea, the leader of the wolf pack, became the titular commander of the royal guard.
In a sense, Viviana, the original royal guard knight, had been sidelined, and her position was on the verge of being replaced.
The elegant and handsome wolf maiden took Faust's hand, placed a hand over her chest, and bowed slightly:
"My Prince, whom my heart follows, please allow me to be your guard on this journey and offer the glory of victory alongside poetry to my beloved."
Seriously, do not say that!
"Click—"
As expected, the moment Irithea finished speaking, the sound of metal breaking echoed. Viviana had crushed the guard of the sword at her waist. Her melancholic and serene face was devoid of expression as her magnificent purple eyes stared directly at the white-wolf maiden:
"Royal guard knight? You... perhaps you are not suited for this position."
Viviana was usually very easygoing, but the wolf maiden's remark had struck a nerve.
To Viviana, being a royal guard knight was not merely a position; it symbolized that she was Faust's greatest supporter and protector. It was her absolute sanctuary, one that could not be tainted.
Unfortunately, the witch's self-centered personality meant she would never bow or compromise to others.
Irithea propped her snowy chin on her knuckles and smiled:
"Why not? A royal guard knight is just a position. I will not occupy it for long. This world is so beautiful; I would like to try being Faust's maid, court musician, imperial poet, or even a chef. Anything will do."
Viviana shook her head: "Not even for a second."
Irithea scratched her head in distress: "Ho... how overbearing. Is there truly no room for negotiation?"
Damn it, don't you two!
Faust was terrified. Although the two women appeared rational and had not yet reached the point of direct confrontation, the signs of a romantic battlefield were already appearing.
Just thinking about a possible romantic battlefield between these witches made the Prince break into a cold sweat.
"Pfft—"
Yusewood chuckled at the sight. She wore a simple white gauze dress, her silver-gray hair draped loosely over her shoulders and back, and her sage-blue eyes watched Faust with great interest, gloating.
Having been caught by the Prince and forced to yield to his every demand had left the silver-gray-haired princess feeling quite bitter. Now, she could finally watch this philandering bastard get his comeuppance.
Mystoria hugged her cloth-wrapped scabbard, stepped back, and lowered her head to look at the floor, appearing entirely out of place.
Faust's backyard is on fire... what does that have to do with me?
The Prince of Qingxi had maintained a stable harem state for so long that the young women considered each other friends and would even occasionally sleep together; it seemed to be an ideal harem.
But at its core, pure love for Faust was the center that maintained the relationship. It was not that the witches were incapable of jealousy; it was just that Faust's overly powerful male capability had forced their material possessiveness to be chipped away.
At the very least, the young women had reached a consensus: such a magnificent man was not to be possessed by any single female. The Prince naturally held the privilege of maintaining a harem, and only Faust was worthy of it!
But physical matters were one thing, and emotions were another.
Rate on N.U.
