"Boom—"
The unicorn carriage departed automatically, shattering material space and traveling directly through the spirit world.
Such a novel experience would normally have prompted Faust to look out the window at the scenery of the spirit world no matter what, but at this moment, he sat frozen in his seat, motionless.
This was because, within the vision of the prince of Qingxi, a minor inspection spell had actually activated on its own, displaying a trait he had never seen before.
【One-Night Dream】
【A dream born from the ultimate desire and anticipation, fueled by unwillingness regarding the past and a longing for love.】
【Dear child, may you hold happiness in your hands. Weave the beautiful dream you desire with your own hands; as long as it is for your love, nothing is forbidden.】
【But remember, the dream you construct becomes firmer as midnight approaches, yet it will shatter like a bubble before dawn.】
【The eternal feminine, draws us upward.】
This was what Cinderella had sent just now. The amount of information was a bit overwhelming, and Faust’s mind almost couldn't process it.
Putting aside for a moment why she had seen through his intention to test the witch's nature without him saying a word.
After all, she was a "witch" who could make wishes come true; it wasn't strange for her to know.
But this 【One-Night Dream】 witch trait was simply too bizarre.
"Is this... Cinderella's summary of her own mystery trait? Or..."
Faust frowned deeply, rubbing his chin in thought.
But the excited voice of the fairy suddenly rang out in his mind:
'Faust, you’ve hit the jackpot.'
As Faust's contract fairy, Mephistopheles could also see the latter's inspection spell. His tone carried an irrepressible excitement:
'This might be the first instance since ancient times of detailed information on a witch's trait. Before this, even I... well, after countless attempts, had never obtained any valid information.'
Faust said in surprise, "No way, not even once?"
He had learned his knowledge about the witch from Mephistopheles and naturally assumed that the other party had researched them thoroughly, only being vague out of wariness toward the wheel of destiny.
After all, as a primordial fairy, Mephistopheles's seniority was staggeringly old; the entire history of human civilization occupied only a tiny portion of his life.
Mephistopheles had countless ages to observe and think; Faust had thought he would at least know the traits of previous witches.
'This is why I said the witch is the top-tier fate-star, and the "witches' feast" is a script of destiny that transcends everything. Regarding the source of a witch's power, unless she speaks it herself, it is absolutely impossible to know. Speaking of which, I'm riding on your coattails to be able to see a witch's trait.'
Faust nodded. "So, what have you deduced from this?"
The prince himself could only see from 【One-Night Dream】 that this mystery was practically a miracle. Although the restrictions were very large—for example, it could only serve as an aid for romance and would lose its effect at dawn.
But regardless, this was a wish come true! A wish coming true!
In the face of such a powerful effect, these minor restrictions were practically insignificant.
'I have some guesses... but forget it. There's no point in discussing a single case. If only there were more data...'
Faust: "Even if you say that..."
'If only there were more data!'
Trying to act cute, are we?
Faust almost laughed out of frustration. Ever since he had become familiar with Mephistopheles, the latter had become increasingly eccentric.
He could only shake his head, brushing away the strands of hair stuck to Viviana's cheek, and carefully placed the young woman's head on his lap.
..............
Over the next few days, Viviana seemed to have developed a taste for it. Usually, she was still that proud and cold flower on a high peak, but as long as Faust was free, she would put on the mask of "Cinderella" and go on dates with the prince in the city at night.
This habit was broken only when news arrived that the special envoy from the Second Empire had reached the royal capital.
That night, according to his promise, Faust personally went to the station to meet them.
Since this wasn't an official diplomatic establishment—especially since the visitors were members of the Second Empire imperial family, viewed as "traitors to humanity" and "believers in evil dragons"—it couldn't be widely publicized.
The empire's diplomatic mission arrived disguised as travelers, so Faust had also concealed his tracks. In the past, it would have been difficult for the prince to go unrecognized, but with Cinderella's help, it was now just a snap of the fingers.
"Vroom, vroom—"
The train roared, beginning to slow down before finally coming to a halt in the center of the arcade street.
The carriage doors opened, and groups of passengers carrying luggage poured out. Looking at the beautifully and dreamily decorated arcade street, they couldn't help but praise it:
"So this is Qingxi?"
"It looks decent enough; at least the environment is clean. I thought this was a backwater place."
"I heard you can buy goods from the Midwinter Kingdom here?"
"Forget the Midwinter Kingdom, they even have goods from Mistwood!"
"............."
People came and went in a bustling crowd.
Amidst the noise, Viviana leaned closer to Faust and said:
"Your Highness, the imperial mission should wait for all the other passengers to leave before they come out."
"Mm, then let's wait a bit longer. We're not in a rush."
Faust glanced at his watch and said calmly, "Speaking of which, even now, I still don't know which princess is coming. They've kept it hidden quite well."
Time passed minute by minute, and the train's heavy load of passengers was soon cleared. Most of them stayed to shop in the commercial area of the bridge, while some left directly by carriage.
Finally, when Faust looked over, he found that only one spot in all the carriages was still occupied.
It was a small group of three or four people. They wore the most common attire of travelers or pilgrims. Among them, one person had an extremely prominent aura despite her face being covered by a hood. She was resting her chin on one hand and twirling a strand of hair with the other, looking bored as she gazed at the crowd outside the window.
When her gaze met Faust's, the prince of Qingxi seemed to see a pair of glazed-colored eyes.
They were quite magnificent and unique pupils, as if scorching fire had been dipped into water, blending into an incomparably beautiful and dazzling eye color.
The other party paused for a moment, then waved enthusiastically at Faust.
"It seems that's the princess."
Faust immediately walked into the carriage and arrived before the Second Empire's special envoy mission.
The imperial princess stood up and said, "Prince of Qingxi, I recognized you at a glance."
Faust said with surprise, "Oh? I didn't expect to be so famous that even a dignified princess would know me."
The princess nodded. "Because Lady Lian told me that the most handsome man in the crowd would be you."
Does the dragon of the Second Empire know me?
'I told her.'
Figures.
After formal contact was made, the imperial princess pulled back her hood and extended her hand, saying:
"Although you might already know me, let me introduce myself. I am Charlotte Radiance, imperial princess, follower of the dragon... and a fate-defier."
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