Faust smiled and held his childhood friend by the shoulders.
"Don't get your spit all over my face."
Viviana refused without a second thought, "Mhm... this is the mark of my possession. I'll do as I please."
Wait, did you forget to switch your persona? Your character is completely collapsing!
Just as Viviana was wantonly enjoying her "spoils of war," a playful voice drifted over from the side:
"Quite the display of affection so early in the morning."
Charlotte had also arrived in the courtyard. She stood with her hands behind her back, watching the interaction between Faust and Viviana on the corridor with a faint, knowing smile.
With an audience watching, no matter how intoxicated Viviana was, she had no choice but to restrain herself. Unlike 【Cinderella】, the knight girl cared somewhat about how others saw her.
The imperial princess performed an elegant salute and said, "Please, don't mind me. Carry on. I don't care."
"Lady Lian once said that nothing in this world is more wonderful than love. Although I cannot understand it at all, it doesn't stop me from learning to appreciate it. Fortunately, you are both beautiful people."
"Furthermore, well, watching this one pacing back and forth in the garden, lost in deep thought, was indeed quite amusing in its own way."
Hearing this, Faust asked, "Did you not sleep last night either?"
"Do you actually think one could sleep in a stable? That would be truly impressive."
Charlotte's words always seemed to carry a hidden sting, but the princess's intent might not have been malicious; she simply carried a natural arrogance. The imperial royal family was like that; their long-standing transcendent status was soaked into their very bones, and they truly considered themselves a divine race.
Faust clicked his tongue and said, "Young lady, it's better not to stay up all night."
"Thank you for your concern."
Charlotte smiled, placing a hand over her chest. "While I'm not keen on interrupting your intimacy, if you don't mind, should we discuss official business?"
"I have been away from the imperial capital for long enough. Since this is a covert operation, I can only stay for three days at most before I must return. Within the empire... hmph, there are countless low-lifes waiting to be suppressed."
"Then we indeed need to speed things up."
Faust nodded in agreement with the princess's words.
The intention for an alliance between both parties was a certainty; the bridge of trust built between the fairies was beyond doubt. Faust could entrust his life to Mephistopheles, and the royal family of the Second Empire, including Charlotte, went without saying—their reverence for "Lady Lian" was plain to see, and they would gladly die for her.
All that needed to be discussed were the specific terms of the covenant and how both sides would support each other and share resources.
Although the imperial mission Charlotte brought was small in number, every member was a highly skilled bureaucrat or warlock. They spent a very short time surveying and investigating the conditions of the Qingxi Kingdom and had already prepared an aid list based on what the Second Empire could provide.
From industrial production lines to energy weapons and technical personnel, everything was included. With such an infusion of resources, by the most optimistic estimates, the Qingxi Kingdom could undergo a complete transformation within three years.
While it might not leap to becoming a world superpower immediately, becoming the leader of a coalition of small nations was entirely feasible.
In return, what the Prince of Qingxi needed to provide the Second Empire was to grow by any means necessary, ideally bringing all neighboring countries under his rule.
"If you can expand your borders to the edge of the empire and resolve the transport difficulties, aid will be even less of an issue. You can have as much as you want."
Charlotte waved her hand as Faust finished browsing the aid list.
"I have no objections. You've done this very professionally. Even if we spent the time to do it ourselves, it wouldn't be better than this."
Faust tucked the list away and said, "I've seen your commitment, but a covenant should be mutual. What specifically do you need me to do?"
Charlotte put a hand on her hip and laughed. "To be honest, we don't need you to do much. According to Lady Lian's expectations, it is enough if you can intercept the 【brave one】 when he appears. However, after spending these few days with you, I have an idea."
The imperial princess played with the ends of her sage-blue hair. "After you integrate the surrounding kingdoms, you should be considered a significant power. Those useless siblings of mine will likely extend an olive branch to you, asking you to join the dragonslayer encirclement."
Faust understood immediately. "So, I'm to be a double agent... not bad. I think it's viable."
After all, the geographical location of the Qingxi Kingdom was too awkward. Until Faust was truly invincible in the world, it was better not to have an overt connection with the Second Empire.
"Then I shall look forward to your performance!"
Charlotte brushed her hair back and then led the imperial mission toward the station, preparing to return to the empire.
As the host, Faust naturally went to see the guests off.
Inside the carriage, the imperial princess leaned against the window, one hand propping up her flawless cheek as she scrutinized the Prince of Qingxi sitting opposite her. She suddenly asked, "Do you still plan to search for fairies willing to undergo dragonfall?"
"Of course. My plan hasn't changed."
Faust nodded and suddenly looked at Charlotte. "By the way, I have a small request. Could I see what that Lady Lian looks like?"
He was curious about what a dragon actually looked like. If he could see the appearance of a living true dragon, he might be able to infer Mephistopheles's spiritual projection.
Charlotte's eyes lit up. "Oh? Do you harbor a sense of yearning and admiration for Lady Lian? Heh, that is inevitable. How could an awakened human not be attracted to the merciful and great true dragon? Mediocre and detestable mortals have no right to an audience, but since you are the lucky one chosen by Lady Lian, you naturally have this honor."
The imperial princess carefully took out a pocket watch, treating it like a holy relic, and opened it.
"Come, behold the countenance of the true dragon."
Faust craned his neck, and with just one glance, he couldn't help but praise, "She's really beautiful, this..."
【She's just average. I feel like I'm much prettier than her.】
Mephistopheles's voice, seemingly tinged with jealousy, echoed in his mind.
Ho, Little Me's spiritual projection is even more beautiful than this? Faust couldn't help but laugh, his true feelings leaking out.
"It seems I really have to become a dragon knight."
The moment he finished speaking, the Prince of Qingxi heard the imperial princess's trembling, shocked voice:
"Dragon... Dragon knight?!"
This concept was apparently quite rare. Simply combining these two words was a form of ultimate blasphemy—true for both dragon-worshipers and dragonslayers alike.
For the first time, Faust saw an expression of total "breakdown" on Charlotte's face.
Previously, no matter how her emotions fluctuated—whether she was impassioned or cold—she had maintained the proper smile of the royal family. But now, Charlotte's glazed-blue eyes were wide and round, and the muscles of her exquisite face and the corners of her mouth were twitching uncontrollably.
Her amber hair seemed to bristle. One hand drew a short sword from her waist only to shove it back in; the other hand clenched into a fist only to release it.
It was as if her underlying code had crashed. She wanted to punch this extremely "blasphemous" fellow to death, yet because of the dragon's instructions, she dared not do anything to endanger him.
"You, you..."
She was shaking with rage but was helpless. Thousands of words eventually transformed into a low, guttural hiss in her throat:
"Hah!!"
She actually hissed.
Rate on N.U.
